Clockwork Bride

Page 281

It's a magic wand.

Enveloped in lightning and accelerating, the Demon Lord Fudi transformed into a blur, striking first with extraordinary speed as he thrust his wand towards the enemy!

Since his magical techniques had been exposed and rendered ineffective, he would use them to strengthen himself and unleash a melee physical attack. In an instant, he closed the distance between them and stabbed towards the clone goddess's eye!

This divine power, enhanced by the thunderous aura, is enough to kill two members of the Battle God Clan in one go!

Just as her eyeball was about to be pierced, Clonemict tilted his upper body back and dodged the wand. Three moves had passed; the Clone Goddess no longer needed to hold back. However, Voldemort's lightning-fast close-quarters attacks had transformed the battle from a magical contest into a full-blown martial arts fight! Propelled by a storm of thunder, Voldemort spun around the Clone Goddess like a tornado, unleashing a hundred rapid punches with his left hand in an instant, while his right wand relentlessly stabbed at her vital points. Ten Divine Jaguar Warriors couldn't withstand such an onslaught!

Seeing the situation was turning against her, Clonemikert immediately tried to summon the power of blood and the underworld to devour Vorti—but just as she was calling upon the divine power of the earth and blood, she suddenly felt a strange obstruction. A force mixed in with the rainwater blocked the blood sacrifice power accumulated over generations in this ritual site.

It's the [Dream Flower]! The Demon Lord Fudi mixed the [Dream Flower] into the rainwater!

This was, after all, Smoke Mirror Company's home turf. In truth, Clone Micket only needed a second to clear the purification suppression of the [Dream Flower]. But would Voldemort give her even a second's respite? Fist! Thrust! Fist! Thrust! Without hesitation, without delay, he could strike a thousand times in a single second!

The Cloning Goddess had no choice but to open a tiny portal, summoning two incredible black swords. Their outlines shifted erratically, emanating from the underworld—dangerous weapons of negative energy capable of killing any living thing with a single touch. But Voodoo was a flesh golem, half-alive and half-dead, so the underworld weapons weren't so deadly to him.

Moreover, he used electricity to propel his body, accelerating to the limit, making it seem as if dozens of Voodoo Demons were attacking the clone, even faster than the bloodthirsty Earth God!

In a duel between masters, neither side can afford to give an inch. Clonemict initially used only seven-tenths of his strength, only to be outmaneuvered by Voodoo and unleash his full power. If it were a battle of supernatural powers, the difference in strength would be obvious—but these two weren't professional war gods or martial prowess masters, so close combat only increased the unpredictability. Both wielded deadly swords, fists, and staffs, engaging in hand-to-hand combat at a mere inch, simultaneously accelerating their attacks, neither willing to yield an inch.

Moreover, Hayden borrowed martial arts techniques from his wife Karen and applied them to the Void Demon's body. These martial arts techniques, in turn, came from the Peacock King—and after all this fuss, they ended up fighting to a standstill for a time.

Then the thunder and rain further propelled the battle, unleashing a tornado that tore everything apart in the dueling arena!

The master of ceremonies, Peeling Skin, opened the protective barrier of the dueling ceremony arena to shield the audience of gods—though this was primarily a matter of saving face. The aftershocks were unlikely to harm the great gods or the chief deities.

But many minor deities were secretly astonished: "Are these two trying to raze the ritual site to the ground?"

"Neither of them are dedicated martial gods, yet they possess such power in close combat."

"No wonder the South American pantheon has made this ritual arena virtually indestructible since ancient times."

Let alone the combat gods, even non-combat minor gods would probably be chopped into pieces if they stepped into their attack range. Moreover, the aftershocks of the tornadoes generated by this fierce battle alone would be enough to chop any gods who got too close into mincemeat.

On the other hand, some of the onlookers began to wonder: "Miktikashiva's clone is so strong because of the advanced technology of the Smoke Mirror, which is understandable. But why is this unknown proxy fighter she sent out so strong?"

Many gods weren't fools; they had sharp eyes: "That Voodoo Demon, he wasn't using Miktikashiva's technology. Rather, it was all Mitra Group's... Flower Magic Company's technology?"

Upon hearing this, more gods turned their gaze toward Karen and Mickett.

There was no other way; after all, Mictor's technology, and even all the technology behind the smoke mirrors, could be cracked by the clone goddess. Hayden had no choice but to use Karen's lineage (which, of course, was nominally registered with the Mitra Group). He also knew that Voldemort, originally Mictor's apostle warrior, was using so much Mitra technology to win, which would definitely affect Mictor's image. He had considered such consequences.

Even so, Hayden absolutely cannot lose!

Poor Mickett looks completely bewildered, as if he has no idea what's going on.

Fortunately, Karen knew. She glanced at the gazes of the other gods and said calmly, "Our company began technical cooperation with Miktti Kashiva several years ago. This is common knowledge. What's so strange about it?"

Whether other deities believe this claim is hard to say. But many gods have seen the three bodhisattvas incarnate with ambiguous smiles. They are bodhisattvas with supernatural powers who can see through cause and effect; they may know more than anyone else.

Moreover, regardless of what Karen says about her deep technological collaboration with Mictor, it's not a good thing for Mictor's competition for the throne of God King... Mictor's situation is becoming increasingly awkward.

But let's get back to the battle for now.

As another Miket, Clone is now having a great time fighting. Although she is not the God of War, the South American goddess has never lacked experience and interest in fighting and killing. Moreover, she is a bloodthirsty demon who has devoured many people and gods. How could she not have a desire for battle and ferocity?

Now, whenever Voldemort closes the distance, he swings his arm and unleashes a barrage of lightning-fast punches around the clone. The clone, in turn, calmly parries with its twin swords. Voldemort decisively thrusts his wand with his right hand, as if thrusting a dagger, but the clone goddess does the same.

Staff and sword clashed, the two fighters so close they could almost touch. This was a battle where neither side would back down, neither willing to concede defeat. Amidst the raging storm and blood-soaked earth, the breathtaking attacks and defenses had created a mysterious microcosm within this place!

"Yes, Not Bad!"

In the middle of the fight, Clonemict suddenly burst out laughing.

"I see, I understand!"

What did she understand?

Of course, Voldemort couldn't possibly know the answer. The clone goddess raised her twin blades, gracefully dodging Voldemort's fists while suddenly increasing the speed of her swordplay. Her attacks instantly became more complex, so fast it was as if she had six arms and six blades spinning rapidly, leaving Hayden completely bewildered.

He is not a true god; his talents are different. Remotely controlling his clones will be slightly less efficient than that of a true god, and his reaction speed will be slightly delayed.

"You idiot, what do you know!"

In the midst of the crisis, Fudimo simply cursed out loud.

...But he never expected the other party's next answer.

At the instant the swords and wands clashed, Clonemicter smiled slightly, then telepathically communicated with Voldemort in his mind:

I see, so you're Hayden.

How did you know that?!

I'm not stupid. I've been watching you for so long, seen all your tricks, I remember them all.

Clones was amused instead.

Now that I'm locked in close combat with you, watching you unleash all sorts of tricks, how could I not recognize you?

Amidst the flashing blades, she closed the distance with Fu Di Mo, her sword and spear striking rapidly, pinning down his fists and staff. Seeing Fu Di Mo's perilous situation, she didn't rush to destroy him. Instead, she continued to whisper in his mind: "Why keep serving her? What she promised you, I can give you too. Besides, she knows nothing now."

"Even if you win using so much Mitra technology against me now, her position will definitely be awkward in the future. But if you help me, after I devour her, we can betray Smoke Mirror together. No matter how cunning He is, he won't expect you to help me from behind. The other gods won't even know what happened. We can make the most of the entire company's resources."

Admittedly, the idea of ​​cloning Mickett is quite tempting, and it is very similar to the method Hayden's Fenrir clone had previously devised.

But Voodoo shook his head: "No way."

The clone goddess was immediately disappointed: "Why? Are you so quick to deny that I am also Miktikashiva? Or do you really hate me that much?"

"That's not it either. Actually, you have two big misunderstandings."

Voldemort's lipless mouth revealed a smile: "First of all, although you are also Miktiti Kashiva, there are still some differences between a clone and the original."

Hayden actually knew this as early as when he found Isam. However, the Clone Goddess had been nagging him, reminding Hayden of it again.

"what?"

The clone goddess was slightly taken aback—but in that moment of hesitation, in the blink of an eye, Voodoo had already risked everything to reach point-blank range!

[You've reminded me of something very important: if you could see through me as Hayden after a short fight at close range—how could the other Mickett have failed to see through me all this time? She shares your thoughts and memories, is stronger than you, has been watching me closely, and has spent more time with me; it's impossible for her not to have noticed these things.]

Mikkert's clone wasn't a true god, otherwise Voodoo would have been reduced to dust long ago. This was just a fight between two minor gods.

But the Clone Goddess still didn't understand Hayden's meaning: why did he suddenly say this at this time?

But Hayden didn't understand that this was precisely the difference between a clone and the original. After all, Isham hadn't completely copied Mickett's personality before.

Fudimo used his magic wand to temporarily block the underworld's divine weapon with his right hand, while drawing a circle in mid-air with his left. At that spot, a circular opening appeared in space, revealing a glowing, dark, and ghostly aura deep within.

Undoubtedly, this is the divine authority to summon the power of the underworld that the clone goddess just used, but it's somewhat different—wait a minute!? Why can Voldemort, who is just an employee and apostle, use such core divine power from Micket?! Theoretically, Micket shouldn't have given Voldemort this kind of power, because having the authority alone doesn't allow for smooth use, unless… unless!

She not only gave me access, but also allowed me to learn and use all the technical secrets.

A long, negative-energy obsidian spear flew out from the underworld and was gripped tightly by the Demon Lord.

[You can decipher my supernatural powers and spells based on the report I give you, and of course I can also use basic technical principles to modify and dismantle them.]

[Miktikahiva, for years I've wanted to change your half-dead situation, and that idea hasn't changed—you're all so stupid in some ways that you deserve to be saved. So now, just give up!]

Enveloped in boundless dark divine power and entwined with lightning speed, Hayden's spear pierced the clone's heart!

Only after death can there be resurrection!

340: The Dead Resurrected

First, there is [Abracadabra (death)].

Then comes the resurrection.

For destruction is the hope for the reckoning of everything. No new life can come without death.

Why do things that are born not perish?

Why can't things that have been destroyed be resurrected?

This is a song that Angela once sang, and it is also the most supreme and profound secret of all the magic that Hayden has developed so far:

Resurrection spell!

The dead cannot be brought back to life. Once the soul has escaped, there is no way to bring back someone who is truly dead. Mithra's concept of "reincarnation" might be able to bring the soul back, but it is not yet perfected to the point of being completely practical.

Hayden's "Resurrection" is not cheap and cannot be used casually; it is still far from being fully practical—that being said, he may already be ahead of Mithra in this field. At least he doesn't need to forcibly seize the other party's soul.

On the contrary, he now only needs to have a sufficient understanding of his target and be able to establish a strong enough metaphysical connection to try to "resurrect" the dead, let death recede, and create new life for the dead.

...At least that's how it is in theory, but the actual success rate is uncertain, and the cost of trying it is very high—after all, this isn't some cheap, easily concocted finishing move. [Resurrection] will always be the ultimate mystery, the second sword Hayden honed during his long pursuit.

This is also the scalpel he's now using to kill the clone goddess and resurrect her!

Only after death can there be resurrection!

With an incredibly profound incantation echoing in his mind, Voodoo pierced the heart of the cloned goddess with his obsidian spear from the underworld. The forces of life and death surged simultaneously into his hands, causing his fingertips to tremble!

In the past, he wasn't confident, but recently Hayden had learned many of Mikt's secrets and gradually cracked the divine authority of Miktikashiva. Now, he had a deeper understanding of Mikt; now, he should have a way to resurrect and recreate the goddess of the underworld!

come on!

So in that instant, something incredible happened!

Fudimo plunged the obsidian spear, imbued with the divine power of death, into the clone's heart. Then, he began to alter and transform the spear's death energy, the death energy circulating within her body, and even the death energy surging from the underworld! From death to life!

Like throwing a match into a frying pan, every drop of deathly power filling the clone's body instantly changed its nature; the power that was meant to keep the vampire alive was transformed into the power to bring life.

At the same time, the underworld, like immune cells discovering bacteria, immediately sent out more death energy, trying to push Voodoo's spear back!

Fortunately, this wasn't a major problem for Voldemort (Hayden). [Dream Flower] unleashed its full power! Angela's boundless energy! The power of the underworld was thus suppressed by Hayden—death, resurrection, death, resurrection, death, resurrection, death, resurrection!

"How is that possible... The energy infinitely output from the underworld should be invincible..."

As for Clone Micket, he was still somewhat confused when the obsidian spear pierced his heart.

She didn't fully understand what Hayden had just said, let alone the current situation.

The clone goddess spoke to Hayden because she wanted to seduce him, because she knew Hayden was useful to her.

But why did Hayden say those things to her halfway through the game? It couldn't have been to distract her!

The clone didn't understand. She only vaguely sensed that she was about to lose. Not just to Hayden, but also to her original self.

What exactly is she missing?

Perhaps it's because there's no love.

The endless cycle of life and death within the clone goddess's heart, and the infinite loop between the underworld, with its momentum growing ever stronger... Finally, it broke through a certain limit!

Even the clone's lifeless vampire heart skipped a beat at that moment.

...but it only twitched briefly.

Then something incredible happened.

Just as Voldemort was thrusting his obsidian spear and [Resurrection] into the clone's heart, he suddenly felt as if his spell had struck something extremely heavy, large, and complex.

Then, in the next instant, a surge of dark energy, like a tsunami, erupted from the heart of the clone goddess, shooting straight into the sky and forcefully pushing his spear back, interrupting his spell!

What's going on! ?

"Depend on!"

Retreat was too late. There wasn't even time for any complicated movements. With a furious roar, Voodoo released his spear, channeling all his power into a powerful punch at the clone!

But at the same time, the Cloning Goddess released the Netherworld Sword from her hand and thrust out her right hand. Propelled by a tsunami of dark energy, her right hand became as sharp as a beast's claw, its power overwhelming even the flesh golem! The claw tip, harder than steel, easily pierced through Vlad's robes, pried open his ribs, and pierced a hole in his chest!

Both of them unleashed their last bit of power at each other, and were simultaneously struck by the enemy's full force!

With a deafening roar, all the wind, rain, and thunder vanished in an instant! The aftershocks of the collision transformed into a pillar of light that shot skyward, piercing through the dark clouds overhead, as if a pillar of heaven had snapped and the clouds had collapsed. The shockwave and blinding light even caused some of the weaker divine messengers to instinctively cover their eyes!

When the blinding light faded, the scene was completely different—Vodim's heart had been ripped open by the clone goddess's claws. But at the same time, she herself was blasted away by Vodim's final punch, slamming heavily against the wall on the other side of the arena!

In truth, Voldemort was a flesh-and-blood demon, like a living dead, something akin to Frankenstein's monster, except that having his heart ripped out wouldn't kill him. But even Frankenstein's monster, with its heart ripped out, couldn't move. He simply lost his power, collapsed, and became completely immobile.

As for the clone goddess, although she was not successfully transformed by Hayden's resurrection spell and is still "immortal" normally, she has completely lost her ability to fight.

Hayden was utterly baffled by this!

His "Resurrection" is a true finishing move; it shouldn't be easily countered by enemies, not even gods! Keep in mind that this was a secret technique Hayden had planned to use against Micket's true form in the future.

In theory, as long as Hayden's analysis and understanding of the target are correct enough, he can kill any undead creature through this "death and resurrection." Even Micket's true form would be the same if he were careless and hit!

How could the clone have taken a hit but it didn't work? That doesn't make sense! Did he make a mistake somewhere?!

Hayden will never know the answer.

In the arena, devastated as if by a nuclear bomb, only two collapsed, bewildered fighters remained. They had both used their last ounce of strength to defeat their opponent, and then…