Chapter 168: Asura Overseer
Surrounding him, the smaller six-armed shadows hovered anxiously, their forms flickering in and out of existence, like phantoms not fully tethered to this reality.
"Impressive," the Overseer mused, his voice a deep, resonant sound that seemed to echo across the very fabric of the universe.
His crimson eyes glowed with interest as he observed the spectacle of Lyerin binding the Minotaur spirit to the Stonehooves Tribe.
"That human... he's turned a fearsome beast into his Tribal Spirit. A Minotaur, no less. Not something easily tamed."
The smaller shadows shifted uncomfortably.
One of them, braver than the rest, spoke up. "But Overseer... are you not concerned? A Minotaur Spirit will grant his tribe immense strength. If this human Lyerin can harness its power, they could become a formidable force, perhaps even unstoppable. This spirit could elevate them to heights we haven't seen in millennia.
Their warriors could become impossible to kill."
The Overseer let out a low chuckle, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of his underlings.
"Do you really think this is the first time we've seen such a thing? You forget how old I am, how long we have watched over the realms. There have been tribes before with spirits of S-Class Beasts, just as powerful—if not more so—than this Minotaur. And each time, we have crushed them beneath our heels."
"But Overseer," another shadow interjected, its voice trembling with fear,
"This is different. The Minotaur spirit is one of exponential growth and rage. It regenerates, it adapts. Every time it is harmed, it becomes stronger. If Lyerin's tribe learns how to use it efficiently, we may not be able to contain their strength in the future. They could evolve beyond our control!"
The Overseer's glowing eyes narrowed, and his voice became a cold whisper.
"Do not mistake caution for fear. If the time comes when Lyerin's tribe becomes more than just a nuisance, we will handle them ourselves. After all, we always do.
"The Asura and our Six-Armed Demon Clan have dealt with far worse than a tribe with a single strong spirit. And as you say, the Minotaur's strength comes from its rage. But that rage can be manipulated. We know how to bend creatures like that to our will."
The smaller shadows glanced at each other, their anxiety palpable. One of them hesitated before speaking again, "And if they manage to upgrade the Minotaur spirit?"
A dark, dangerous smile spread across the Overseer's face.
"Upgrading such a beast will be no simple task. The resources required for that are rare, even in the ruined magical world or the real world. Lyerin may have won a powerful asset, but he won't be able to sustain it easily.
"It will take time, effort, and materials he doesn't possess. And in the meantime, his tribe will become a perfect hunting ground for our Asura army. They will struggle to maintain control over their new power, while we will turn them into nothing more than training fodder for our young warriors."
As the Overseer spoke, the shadows relaxed slightly, their tension easing. His words held a cold logic, and the Overseer had never been wrong before.
His calculations were precise, and his ability to predict the course of events in the realms was unmatched.
Just as the Overseer was about to continue, a ripple in the dark void surrounding them caught his attention. His eyes sharpened, and he straightened in his throne.
"Oh," he murmured, his voice thick with anticipation, "The first wave has arrived."
The shadows flitted around him, murmuring in excitement and fear.
The Overseer's gaze returned to the realm below, where he could sense the presence of a new threat rising, something even Lyerin may not be prepared for.
---
Meanwhile, on Earth, the Asura girl sat atop a rocky outcrop, watching the world around her with a faint smile.
She was unaware that the other participants of this deadly game had just received a new mission—a mission that could mean the end of Lyerin's newly-empowered Stonehooves Tribe.
She was too busy observing the first wave of survivors that had been unleashed upon the land.
The Raging Pigs—low-level Orcs with brutish strength and a penchant for destruction.
Despite their low rank, they were a dangerous and relentless force.
The air around her shimmered as the small horde of orcs began to move across the landscape, their tusked faces contorted into grotesque expressions of hunger and rage.
"Raging Pigs," she mused aloud, her voice soft but filled with a quiet admiration for the destruction they could cause.
"Low-level Orcs, but dangerous nonetheless. If their numbers are left unchecked, they can become a swarm of chaos, destroying everything in their path.
"Even a tribe as newly empowered as Lyerin's won't be able to stand against them for long, not unless he has something more than just that Minotaur Spirit up his sleeve."
She stood, her long, dark hair flowing in the wind as she gazed out at the advancing orcs.
"Even if Lyerin managed to create a new spirit for his tribe," she continued, "it won't be enough to deal with the Raging Pigs. They thrive in battle, feeding off the fear and chaos they create. And once they start, they won't stop until there's nothing left standing."
The girl smirked, thinking of Lyerin.
He had been clever, she admitted that much.
Binding a Minotaur as his tribal spirit had been a bold move, but this was far from over.
The Raging Pigs were just the beginning.
She knew that the waves of enemies would only grow stronger from here on out, each one more brutal than the last.
And Lyerin, for all his bravado and cunning, had no idea what was coming.
"He's clever, yes," she muttered to herself, her eyes following the orcs as they trampled through the dense forest, tearing apart anything in their path.
"But even cleverness has its limits. This first wave will test him. The Raging Pigs are not to be underestimated."
As she watched the destruction unfold, a part of her wondered how Lyerin would respond.
Would he be able to adapt to the chaos, or would his newfound power crumble under the weight of the endless onslaught?
Only time would tell.
---
Back in the shadow realm, the Overseer observed the Raging Pigs with a cold, calculating gaze.
They were just the beginning, a small taste of what was to come. His smile deepened as he leaned forward in his throne, his six arms drumming rhythmically on the armrests.
"Human Lyerin," he whispered, "you've started something you can't control. Let's see how far your spirit can carry you before it all comes crashing down."
The shadows around him flickered with anticipation, their forms shifting in excitement as the first wave of the game descended upon the Stonehooves Tribe.
But the Overseer, ever watchful, knew that this was just the beginning.