Chapter 107: The Frenzied Rekton

Ethan’s awakening did not take long. When he opened his eyes, a fiery pattern appeared on his forehead, spreading across his entire body like a brilliant network of modern highways.

The residual energy of the Fire-worshipping cult’s ancient kingdom, lingering in the tomb, surged to life the moment Ethan accepted the sacred flame. It was as if long-lost wanderers had finally found their home, flooding into his body all at once.

With the influx of energy, Ethan’s strength soared rapidly — from apprentice level to official professional, then from low-level to mid-level, and finally to high-level professional, each threshold shattered as easily as paper.

Before long, Ethan transformed from an ordinary man into a rare high-level professional. Beyond this lay the legendary tiers, which could not be breached by mere accumulation of power; they demanded profound understanding and mastery of certain rules or principles.

“Congratulations. From today onward, you’ve taken another step closer to your dream,” Nasus said, congratulating Ethan.

Ethan slowly opened his eyes. The patterns on his body flickered brightly before gradually fading, merging seamlessly into his flesh.

Feeling the unprecedented power coursing through him, Ethan was filled with joy. He no longer needed to fear assassination attempts along the way. Without that method of attack, he was confident he could end the ongoing chaos of war.

“Thank you for your guidance,” Ethan said, bowing slightly to Nasus. Without meeting him, he wouldn’t have known how long it would have taken to comprehend these matters.

With his newfound strength, Ethan could also sense the immense power of the dog-headed figure before him. The energy channels in the surrounding air were deliberately maintained by this being.

“No need to thank me. I have my own desires,” Nasus replied without pretense. Indeed, he was the kindest of the Ascended of Shurima, but he was not so patient with every mortal.

Upon sensing the sacred flame within Ethan, Nasus immediately thought of something, but it required Ethan’s willing cooperation.

“Please speak. As long as I can do it, I will try my best,” Ethan responded cautiously, wary of any requests that might cross his boundaries.

For instance, assisting Azir in rebuilding Shurima was beyond his willingness. He did not live in this world to help an ancient emperor reclaim his throne.

Nasus understood this as well. He merely looked toward the tomb chamber beyond. “I need you to help purify my brother.”

“Purify?!” Ethan was incredulous. In many religions, purification was just a more polite term for extermination — essentially the same.

“You misunderstand,” Nasus continued. “Xerath did something inside that coffin. My brother’s mind was affected; he sees me as an enemy. For centuries, I’ve tried every means to resolve this, but in the end, I only managed to delay it.”

“I see. What should I do?” Ethan asked.

Though his professional rank was high, sending someone with no experience on such a perilous task was hardly prudent. Had Ethan faltered, it could have meant death for Nasus.

“Just follow me,” Nasus said.

Crack! As Nasus spoke, countless fissures appeared on the tomb’s statue deep within the chamber.

Crack, crack! Pieces of the sculpture fell away until a hand emerged, spreading the statue apart into two halves.

Nasus’s physical form stepped out. Having a tangible body, he appeared more restrained, but to Ethan’s senses, also more dangerous.

“You’re not sealed?!” Ethan was too stunned to respond.

“Do you think anyone else built this tomb?” Nasus smiled.

“Then why didn’t you come out sooner...?”

Before Nasus could answer, another voice interrupted.

“Nasus! Prepare for calamity!” Roars of rage echoed from outside.

Nasus glanced at Ethan, raising an eyebrow.

See? Now you understand why I had to seal myself away.

Ethan nodded, fully comprehending as Roar furiously hammered on the side tomb’s massive door.

Bang! Bang! The entire side chamber shook violently, dust falling from the door that had closed automatically after Ethan entered.

Suddenly, Ethan remembered—Chenglong was still outside!

(Chenglong: Thanks for remembering me!)

“What do we do?! My friend is still out there! Is he in danger?” Ethan asked anxiously.

Nasus shook his head. “If I hadn’t appeared, he might have been at risk. But now, with me here, Roar won’t tolerate anyone else.”

“I’ll handle controlling him,” Nasus said, “Once he’s restrained, you come over and burn the surface of his body with the sacred flame. The purifying power will break open the mental prison Xerath placed upon him. I believe that once his own will resurfaces, everything will be resolved.”

Ethan nodded in understanding.

Then Nasus let out a fierce roar—death had arrived!

A massive energy erupted from within him, forming a soul-corroding and seizing array around his body. His form expanded until he pressed against the tomb ceiling.

Ethan watched as Nasus gripped his staff tightly and charged out of the tomb.

...

Wasn’t he a librarian before? Why did all these librarians become melee warriors after ascending?!

Ethan cautiously moved forward, pondering this in his mind.

The rune-engraved tomb door opened automatically as Nasus charged, pushing Roar underground and forging a deep passage forward.

As Ethan exited the side chamber, his eyes searched intently for Chenglong.

Soon, he spotted a mound of sand shifting slightly in a corner.

Quickly, he ran over and brushed the dirt aside, pulling Chenglong out from beneath the soil.

Chenglong was dazed, still trying to recover from the sudden ordeal. He coughed twice, dust spraying from his nostrils.

“Hey, hey, are you okay?” Ethan shook him gently.

When Chenglong didn’t respond, Ethan searched his memory for a suitable spell to aid someone in such a state.