A monstrous shark close to thirty meters in length emerged from the water, baring its threatening jaws at Sa'kul.
This was a megalodon, an ancient species of white shark, that roamed the Glaestine Ocean.
These monstrous sharks were some of the largest predators in the ocean, and were said to grow to the strength of a Mana Core Magus in some cases!
Much like other sharks, megalodons were constantly in motion and driven by a voracious appetite. They had thick hides that were sturdier than many magical armors in existence.
And their speed… they were some of the fastest sea creatures to ever live.
Sa'kul's topaz eyes narrowed into slits. This great shark was extremely fast and he wasn't able to notice its presence in time.
However, he was still a serpent who had experienced countless battles and life-threatening situations. Thus, he was only surprised for a mere moment before his eyes flashed with bloodlust.
He changed his target from the two necromancers to the megalodon, deeming it the greater threat of the two. He unnaturally twisted his body and evaded the shark's attack.
Then, it coiled around the shark, constricting it ruthlessly. A moment later, poison started to see out of its fangs and it viciously bit into the shark's body.
However, the megalodon's hide was far too durable. Sa'kul's fangs were unable to pierce deep enough for his poison to take immediate effect.
It was then that he knew that the shark was a troublesome opponent and that it would take some time to deal with it.
Sa'kul cast his gaze at Adam and hissed in snaketongue, "Consssstantine, I must deal with this creature first."
Adam, keeping his attention still on Malcolm nodded. "Yeah, take your time. I got this."
He paused for a moment and added, "Don't take too long, though."
Sa'kul coiled around the megalodon even tighter, gradually releasing a deadly poison from his maw, and sinking his fangs deeper into its hide.
Realizing the immense danger it was in, the titanic shark roared in defiance and plunged into the depths of the ocean where it had the greater advantage.
Large waves rippled on the surface of the water as the two behemoths dove underneath.
The two necromancers continued to conduct the summoning ritual—their target of summoning unknown… but terrifying.
"A megalodon, eh?" Adam gazed at Malcolm with calm eyes, not at all phased by what had transpired earlier. "Is that how you and your lackeys arrived here from Europa? Or were you always in Ulier, to begin with?"
Malcolm smiled, speaking to Adam as if he were an old friend, "We were sent here by the Cult Leader on short notice. Truth be told, we had different plans for the Umbra Thieves and Blackshore, but after your spectacular performance in Ravenfell, those plans changed."
Adam's eyes narrowed. "Olin Barrett," he muttered.
Malcolm's smile turned cold. "Yes. Olin was an arrogant fool. He underestimated you and died a dog's death. But I, on the other hand…"
His world trailed off as he slowly raised his hands, and conjured a pair of circular bladed weapons with a sharpened outer edge.
They were commonly known as chakrams.
"I have made sufficient preparations to take you to Europa with me," Malcolm continued. "So what's it going to be, Constantine?"
The emerald-eyed man got into a fighting stance, radiating a dangerous aura. "Will you obediently do as I say? Or do I have to drag you by the throat and take you to the great master?"
Hearing his words, Adam heaved a long and helpless sigh. "You cultists are truly beginning to annoy me. I am so tired of dealing with you lot."
He spun his staff and got into a fighting stance as well, his eyes gleaming with killing intent. "All I wanted to do was participate in the Grand Magus Tournament. But you bastards ruined it!"
With that, the youth bolted towards the necromancer. He gathered mana at the tip of his staff and brought it down on the man's head with all his might.
The veins on Adam's hands bulged with power as he swung his staff vertically. Malcolm's expression too turned extremely solemn as he raised his chakrams in a defensive position.
Malcolm spurted a mouthful of blood and was brought down to his knees by Adam's raw strength alone. Not only did he have to block the youth's attack, but he also had to maintain his balance on the surface of the water.
Such tyrannical strength! Malcolm thought to himself. The next moment, his eyes flashed with a crafty glint and he blew a needle straight at the youth's face.
Adam's eyes narrowed and he hurriedly tilted his head to the side. Despite that, the needle managed to graze his cheekbone.
The youth couldn't help but grimace and immediately draw back several steps. The small area that the needle had grazed had now started to burn away as if being eroded by acid!
In a matter of few moments, the skin in that area started to rot, followed by the muscle. Adam quickly retrieved a crystal vial from his earrings and emptied out all its contents in the affected area.
Finally, the spreading of the rot was contained.
Adam coldly gazed at Malcolm and couldn't help but ask, "Necrotic acid? Quite potent, I must admit."
"You…" Meanwhile, the emerald-eyed necromancer was shocked that Adam was able to deal with the acid so effortlessly.
Especially considering the fact that the acid was something concocted by a Rank 4 - Mana Core Magus skilled in herbalism!
"I knew that you were a skilled herbalist, but I didn't think your capabilities were this great," Malcolm muttered as he too drank a potion to heal the internal damage he received from Adam's previous attack.
"The more I fight you, the more I realize why the great master has—" However, his words were interrupted when Adam suddenly appeared before him like a phantom.
His eyes were cold and his words oozed with bloodlust as he thrust his palm towards Malcolm's chest. "Shut your mouth. Just die."
Hand of Doom: Spectral Palm Strike!!