Chapter 1737 Tide of Demons <TOC> Chapter 1739 Dirge
Translator: SumTLMan
The unexpected emergence of the vast vortex took Toby by complete surprise, instilling a sense of trepidation within him.
Given the terrifying magnitude of this vortex, no one could predict what changes might arise. Regardless of whether he could handle the repercussions brought about by the vortex, Toby still believed that distancing himself as much as possible was the wisest decision.
With the speed of his Griffin Form, Toby was confident that he could breach the defenses, shake off the demon creatures pursuing him, and reach his target directly.
Once he reclaims the territories usurped by the Tribulation of Resentment, the demons and the catastrophic calamities within the void would no longer pose a hindrance to him. On the contrary, they would become a driving force aiding him.
Within the House of Hearts, there were several instances where Toby disregarded the pursuit of powerful demons and went straight for the objective. Precisely because of such experiences, Toby made this choice.
Instead of confronting an unknown catastrophe head-on, it was best to circumvent it, shake it off, and prioritize accomplishing his goals.
Toby did just that. Initially, everything went as he had envisioned. The swarms of demons couldn’t stop him. Using flames capable of incinerating space and unparalleled speed, Toby swiftly overcame the obstacles and sped towards his ultimate goal.
However, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.
From that unprecedentedly immense vortex, a vast shadowy figure began to emerge slowly. It, too, had the form of a demon, but its size was unmatched, and the aura of power it exuded was incomparable to any other demon!
What’s even more critical was that this demon’s speed was incredibly swift, even surpassing that of Toby’s Griffin Form!
Even though Toby had already gotten a considerable distance ahead, in the blink of an eye, this demon caught up with him and obstructed his path.
Gazing at the massive shadowy figure blocking his way directly ahead, Toby’s eyes were filled with the utmost seriousness.
In the present moment, a phantom looms, shrouded by a faint mist, yet the aura it emits already possesses an overwhelming might, inducing slight palpitations even in the Griffin form.
Its speed is astoundingly fast, implying that Toby might soon face a terrifying creature whose power is on par with his own, a creature he cannot escape and must confront.
“From where did this creature emerge?” A sense of shadow seems to drape before Toby’s eyes as he ponders.
Why, in his many visits to the House of Hearts, had he never encountered this beast? Could it be a trump card deliberately hidden by the Tribulation of Resentment?
Yet, recalling further, something doesn’t add up. Angel had once mentioned that he had kept the Tribulation of Resentment at bay, outside the Wilderness of Dreams. The Malevolent Thoughts were unaware of what transpired within the House of Hearts.
What really is going on?
Regardless of the answer, Toby knows he must face off against this unknown creature. This battle might very well determine his ability to successfully weather the tribulation.
As Toby sets his doubts aside, preparing to give his all in this “Battle of the Unknown,” the mist around the looming figure gradually dissipates.
When Toby finally glimpses the true form of the shadowy figure, he is taken aback.
He had been racking his brain, wondering who this massive creature could be and why it never appeared in the House of Hearts. But now, the truth is unveiled——
It isn’t that Toby hasn’t seen it before; he had fallen into a cognitive trap.
Every time Toby had entered the House of Hearts in the past, the first thing he saw wasn’t a myriad of chaotic traps or a surge of negative emotions but… a slick creature with wide wings: a blood-patterned serpent!
Its name: Serpent-Bird!
Toby was well-aware that after defeating the Tribulation of Resentment, his new form would be the Serpent-Bird. Hence, he naturally assumed that the form of the Tribulation of Resentment within the House of Hearts was the Serpent-Bird.
During his time in the House of Hearts, the Serpent-Bird initially appeared out of thin air, which didn’t strike Toby as odd. However, after facing the real tribulation, he didn’t see the Serpent-Bird, assuming it was at the final destination.
But to his astonishment, the Serpent-Bird emerged from a vortex?!
Indeed, the “mighty unknown creature” that had unsettled Toby previously was none other than——The Serpent-Bird.
Its crimson patterns, the dark feathers tipped in red, and the scales that caused Toby to capsize countless times in the House of Hearts, all unmistakably indicated its identity.
“So, it’s… you.” Toby’s initially taut heartstrings finally relaxed.
Had it been any other creature, he would’ve been on high alert. However, facing the Serpent-Bird, he felt at ease. Not to say the Serpent-Bird wasn’t formidable; its power was beyond doubt. But in the House of Hearts, Toby had “died” at the hands of the Serpent-Bird at least seventy or eighty times. After teetering on the brink of death for so long and undergoing numerous “reincarnations,” if Toby still lacked experience in combating the Serpent-Bird, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
Toby was confident in defeating the Serpent-Bird. This confidence stemmed from his last twenty or so experiences in the House of Hearts, where he triumphed over the Serpent-Bird in various ways, every single time.
With such a foundation of confidence, what did he have to fear?
The change in Toby’s emotions was instantly perceived by the Tribulation of Resentment. While he was initially timid, fleeing, and fearful, why did he become fearless upon seeing the embodied power of the Serpent-Bird… even eager?
The Tribulation of Resentment was unaware of the reasons behind this, but it had faith in the Serpent-Bird’s strength. Even if Toby transformed into a Griffon, the power of the Serpent-Bird would still surpass him.
Underestimating it would surely lead to an instant defeat!
Nevertheless, there’s always a gap between the ideal and reality. Toby’s audacity to belittle the Serpent-Bird had its reasons. When Toby confronted the Serpent-Bird, he fully showcased his cunning nature.
He had myriad ways to defeat the Serpent-Bird, yet he opted for the most effortless method.
——By expressing an attitude of disdain toward his opponent.
The Serpent-Bird’s true name is “Serpent-Bird of Resentment,” a name that indeed underscores its emotional nature, which is easily provoked. After countless defeats, Toby’s distilled wisdom was that an outward show of disrespect could mask a tactical reverence underneath.
Sure enough, when the Serpent-Bird consistently failed to land a single hit on Toby, and Toby remained seemingly relaxed, occasionally glancing with contempt — even without uttering a word — the Serpent-Bird’s dormant emotions began to roil.
In a flash, the Serpent-Bird’s eyes turned blood-red. The rage of humiliation, combined with the jealousy sparked by Toby’s effortless power, clouded its judgment.
While this emotionally-charged Serpent-Bird might have grown more powerful, its attack strategy took a nosedive. Its predictable and linear attack method allowed Toby to deftly anticipate and dodge, while sneakily flipping the Serpent-Bird’s scales.
During this, the Serpent-Bird, blinded by emotions, didn’t notice the slight discomfort from the movement of its scales.
Meanwhile, every time Toby flipped a scale, he would secretly release a tiny bit of the Fire of Rage within.
Though it might seem minuscule, remember, even a raging forest fire starts with a simple spark.
When the timing is right, the blazing inferno will sing the Serpent-Bird’s swan song.