I Ascend Alone-Chapter 155: Everdeep Bastion Part VII - Evolution of Dusk Reaver

Chapter 155 - Everdeep Bastion Part VII - Evolution of Dusk Reaver

Black light burst from the ground beneath him. Shadows wrapped around his body, and my mana flowed out like a flood.

Lutharax turned away, heading for Ravager and Hexcaller.

But the ground shook.

BOOM—!

Dusk Reaver rose again.

His sword reformed in his hand. The hole in his chest was gone.

"You're not allowed to die," I said softly.

From the shadows, Umbraezer spoke.

"My Sovereign... I humbly suggest you evolve him as well. It seems like he's the weakest among your summons"

Vorathos added, voice low.

"I agree, my liege. He might need a power up soon or it will take too much on you."

'They have a point, but I do not know how to evolve him yet. I might need to check on the store to see if I can use something to forcefully evolve him.'

Lutharax's chains retracted, rattling as they coiled around his arms. The deathly mist thickened, blanketing the floor in pale fog. His single burning eye turned toward Dusk Reaver, now risen—reborn in silence, the Abyss pulsing faintly through the seams of his obsidian armor.

"Resurrected through will alone..." Lutharax's voice echoed, hollow and distant. "A master worth fearing."

Hexcaller took a step forward, hands glowing with dark green energy. With a wordless command, she unleashed a hex—Withering Binding. Roots of black mist clawed out from the ground and latched onto Lutharax's legs. His movement slowed, just a second—but it was enough.

Ravager charged in next, both axes wreathed in burning chaos. He leapt, spinning midair and bringing his blades down like twin meteors. Lutharax raised his sword to block—but only managed to catch one. The other cut deep into his side, and black ichor hissed from the wound.

Juggernaut followed immediately, smashing into him with his shield shoulder-first. Lutharax was forced back several paces, the ground cracking under his feet.

Dusk Reaver rejoined them, but Lutharax didn't falter.

He released a roar, and he air grew heavy again, and chains erupted from the walls. Four. Six. Twelve. Each one twisted in the air and shot toward us.

Fenrir dashed in, blocking one aimed at Hexcaller. His fangs snapped down on it, tearing it in half.

Juggernaut caught two with his shield, grunting from the force.

But another pierced through Ravager's side, lifting him from the ground. He growled, grabbed the chain, and pulled himself forward, slamming an axe into Lutharax's shoulder.

Even while wounded, he didn't stop.

Hexcaller raised her staff again, her voice now louder—casting a chant that would take time. A high-level curse. The room's shadows began to ripple.

Dusk Reaver blinked behind Lutharax in a flash, slashing with renewed fury.

And then, Lutharax stood still, and the shadows behind him deepened.

The chains around his body stopped moving... and then, they shattered—shards of spectral iron disintegrating into fine mist as a low hum rolled through the entire floor. The torches flickered and died. The air turned cold enough to frost the ground beneath our feet.

Lutharax straightened. His single burning eye split in two. Then four. Then eight—ringing his head like a cursed halo of dying stars.

A crown of thorns rose from behind his back.

Chains reformed around him, but these weren't like before. These bled shadow. Each one moved with thought, like limbs. Like hungry snakes.

And then came the voice.

"You face not a prison warden.""You face the sin that chained the world."

The mist surged outward like a wave. My summons held their ground, but even the sovereign-class entities flinched. Fenrir growled, ears folding back. Ravager dropped to one knee, snarling. Hexcaller's spell shattered mid-cast, broken by the pressure alone. Juggernaut grunted, barely holding his shield steady.

Even Dusk Reaver, who had just returned from death, faltered.

In my shadow, a whisper came.

"My liege..." Umbraezer's voice was low, restrained but respectful. "This being... is beyond the boundary of lesser Sovereigns."

Vorathos spoke next, calmly but firmly. "Allow us to face him. With your permission, we will bring him down."

They both waited in silent, steady, ready to act if I allowed it.

I stood firm. "No. You guys do not have to."

"I trust you. But this—" I stepped forward, the weight of Lutharax's presence clawing at my skin. "—this trial is for them. They need this."

Fenrir's eyes turned to me. Even he, already awakened, watched in understanding.

I clenched my fist.

"If they fall, I'll raise them again."

The floor trembled as Lutharax's transformation completed.

Twelve chains, now living extensions of his will, swayed behind him like the limbs of an ancient beast. A jagged crest of bone erupted from his back, and the shadows around him solidified into armor made of darkness and void. His eight eyes burned—not with flame, but with sheer death pressure, like he was dragging the concept of annihilation with every step.

My summons broke.

Juggernaut stumbled back, shield dragging.

Hexcaller dropped to one knee, eyes wide in horror.

Ravager howled, trying to push forward but trembling under the weight.

Even Fenrir, my Sovereign warhound, was snarling defensively now, shoulders lowered.

Dusk Reaver stood—but barely. His armor cracked at the shoulders. His sword shook in his grip.

Umbraezer's voice returned, heavy with concern. "My liege... Lutharax's soul has awakened fully. If this continues—"

Vorathos added, sharp and grim. "They'll break, My Sovereign. Even the strong cannot stand long without ascension."

I didn't answer them.

Instead, I opened the system.

-

[ System Shop – Opened ]

Tabs unfurled before me, icons scrolling past with symbols of weapons, gear, skills—but I wasn't looking for any of that.

I filtered by:

[ Summon ]

[ Evolution ]

[ Consumable ]

And there it was.

[ Abyssal Core Catalyst ]

A rare consumable crystal that forces instant evolution upon a bound being. Limits removed. Will fuse with target's will and soul to induce transformation.

Cost: 15,000 Gold

Availability: 1 Remaining

-

I checked my balance.

[ Gold: 70,500 ]

Without hesitation, I bought it.

The crystal appeared in my hand. Black and violet, pulsing like a living heart. Dusk Reaver looked toward me as I called his name.

"Come here."

He obeyed, limping but still upright, eyes burning with quiet rage.

"This is yours," I said, holding the crystal out. "Take it."

He didn't question.

He crushed it in his gauntlet, shards dissolving into his armor and skin. A sharp pulse tore through the room as tendrils of evolution-bound magic surged through him.

He fell to one knee as his body began to burn with Abyssal fire.

The light consumed Dusk Reaver, and the floor shook again.