The SSS Ranked Villain's Return - Chapter 359

Chapter 359: Neraxis Destine [2]
The two stared at each other quietly for a few moments, observing.

Neraxis didn’t want to make the first move purely out of caution, and it seemed like the Sovereign of Pride didn’t want to make one out of boredom.

“Are you enjoying the thrill?” Ash asked, a wide smile forming on his face. “I always love to observe my opponents before killing them. They always seem so confident. I mean, why wouldn’t they? Everyone expects an equal fight whenever our strength is the same…”

Ash’s smile widened. “Experience is something they don’t even begin to take into account, and that’s always the downfall of those who’ve faced me. Be it farmers or the strongest people in the world, no one stood a chance.”

“Can you just shut the fuck up already? My ears are ringing,” Neraxis said with an annoyed look.

Ash chuckled. “My apologies, Neraxis Destine. I just couldn’t help but reminisce, I suppose. Especially since my gift should be delivered to your family shortly.”

Neraxis’s brows furrowed. “You did mention a gift some time ago… what is it?”

“Surprises are meant to remain as surprises,” Ash replied, lowering his stance. “And for your first surprise, I will show you the difference in our experience.”

With those words, Ash dashed forward, appearing before Neraxis in an instant.

However, Neraxis was ready. So ready, in fact, that before Ash could even complete his step, Neraxis had already prepared one of his oldest attacks.

<Stellar Dominion: Cosmic Cascade>

A beautiful aurora shot out from Neraxis’s palms and flew straight up in the air. It distorted the air as it suddenly crashed down right on top of Ash.

But to Neraxis’s surprise, even with such a direct hit, the damage was nowhere to be seen.

If anything, Ash seemed to completely brush his attack off.

It reminded Neraxis of Kael, as he fought in a similar manner. Even the fact that Ash didn’t use a weapon remained the same.

But even so, Neraxis still had several skills he had yet to use.

[Manifestation of the Sun: Skill Effect (1/4): Solar Ascension (Active)]

All damage is converted to Solar-type.

You become immune to all debuffs.

Movement Speed and Reaction Time increase by +100%.

Direct sunlight doubles the duration.

Duration: 3 minutes

As Ash’s attack was about to connect, Neraxis vanished from the spot. He reappeared behind Ash and swung his scythe at him.

Just as it was about to land, Ash stretched his leg back, interrupting Neraxis’s swing by hitting the hilt of the scythe.

For a moment, Neraxis was wide open, so Ash took that opportunity to get close and deliver a fatal blow.

Yet there was one more thing Ash forgot, and that was the skills Neraxis used so frequently in Dreamspire.

Of course, they were none other than <Expert Stab> and <Atomic Stab>.

He combined them and sent them out in unison, momentarily catching Ash off guard.

But even if he was off guard, the most Neraxis was able to do was rip a part of his clothing off.

Ash remained unscathed, yet his amusement seemed to only grow.

And that was when Ash finally decided to take the fight seriously.

The gravity suddenly increased around Neraxis, causing his movement to considerably slow down.

But that didn’t matter much to him as he proceeded to expand his Domain skill, engulfing the entire throne room in it.

Then, with a mere thought, Neraxis teleported beside Ash and swung his scythe.

Ash parried it with his hand, yet Neraxis followed up with yet another <Expert Stab> and <Atomic Stab> combo.

Even then, Ash reacted to it pretty easily, as he redirected the stab upward using gravity.

Neraxis frowned as he leaped a few meters back. Ash followed with a grin, and the moment he did, Neraxis used one of his favorite skills.

<Sword Dash>

He intercepted Ash mid-step, and as his sword swung for Ash’s neck, Neraxis further boosted the slash with the <Advanced Horizontal Slash> skill.

It seemed like that would be it, Neraxis would come out victorious.

But as the attack neared, Neraxis felt a chill run down his spine, causing him to stop his attack midway through and jump backward.

Thankfully he did, since the ground was blasted open, traveling in an extremely thin, yet deadly line.

If he hadn’t dodged, then that line would’ve gone directly through his body, killing him in an instant.

“You have pretty good senses this time,” Ash remarked. “The other ones would’ve finished their slash on me but died in the process. You don’t have what it takes to sacrifice yourself, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

Ash brushed the dust off his clothes, flashing a smirk at Neraxis.

“But you have heard of that particular saying, haven’t you? Low risk… low reward.”

With those words, Ash once again vanished.

Just this time, his speed was far too much for Neraxis to track.

But since he had the ability to see three seconds into the future, he didn’t panic just yet.

Instead, he looked through the possibilities.

He was using Aura, Domain, Phantom Step, the main skills for close-range combat.

Then, he was using each of Evangeline’s skills, with the exception of Illusion Slash, which he was keeping as a trump card.

And of course, there were the activation skills, one of which he already used.

But there was one more skill he could try. Therefore, Neraxis did something drastic.

He used <Sword Dash> and appeared in front of Ash.

The same feeling of potentially being killed appeared like a moment ago, but he chose to ignore it.

Instead, he cast his skill, Radiant Pulse.

[Manifestation of the Sun: Skill Effect (2/4): Radiant Pulse (Active)]

Release an expanding shockwave of blinding light and searing heat.

Deals massive True Damage, damage scales the closer the user is to the sun.

Stuns all enemies within a 100-meter radius for 2 seconds.

Applies the Scorched and Blinded debuffs.

Cooldown: 15 Minutes

A light burst out from Neraxis and enveloped Ash.

For a moment, he seemed frozen, so Neraxis took hold of that opportunity and funneled all his strength into a single scythe and sword attack.

Yet as he held both of his weapons raised in the air, a sharp pain shot through his abdomen.

And as he looked down, he couldn’t help but frown.

Shit…