My Goblin System : Levelling up with my SSS Class Devouring skill-Chapter 258

And now that he’d lost, now that all his warriors were dead, he was begging for mercy he wouldn’t have granted if positions were reversed.

"You had your chance," Satou said quietly. "I offered peace before any of this started. I gave you the opportunity to walk away. You chose violence and threats instead."

"I was angry!" Argumus protested desperately. "My brother was dead! I wasn’t thinking clearly! But I see now that I was wrong! Please, just—"

Satou’s blade moved faster than Argumus could perceive.

Argumu’s head separated from his shoulders mid-plea, his final words dying unspoken. The body toppled forward, and [Devour] activated immediately.

<System Notification> Significant Power Source Detected Alpha Werewolf - Pack Leader Tier Multiple Unique Skills Available

New Skills Acquired:

[Pack Master - Alpha] - Can establish and command pack bonds, share abilities with subordinates

[Alpha’s Dominance] - Natural authority over canine-type beings

[Enhanced Physical Capabilities] (Enhanced from existing) - Further improvement to strength, speed, endurance

[Crowd Control Immunity] - Complete immunity to fear, charm, paralysis, and similar effects

[Pack Sharing] - Can extend personal buffs and resistances to designated allies

[Berserker Howl] - Battle cry that enhances allies and demoralizes enemies

[Alpha’s Sacrifice] (SEALED) - Can sacrifice life force to control subordinates absolutely - sealed due to ethical concerns

[Lunar Empowerment - Moderate] - Enhanced abilities under moonlight

[Regeneration - Alpha] (already at Legendary, minimal effect)

[Territorial Control] - Enhanced abilities within claimed territory

[Pack Tactics - Master] - Perfect coordination with designated allies

[Enhanced Senses - Complete] (Enhanced from existing) - Smell, hearing, sight all enhanced to supernatural levels

[Natural Armor - Thick Hide] - Tough skin that resists physical damage

[Predatory Focus] - Enhanced ability to track and hunt specific targets

Satou stood among the empty battlefield for a moment, processing the new influx of power and knowledge. It was much smaller than Merc Assault’s contribution had been, but still significant. The pack-related skills in particular would be useful for commanding larger forces.

He looked around at the completely empty field. Two hundred werewolves had charged him less than fifteen minutes ago. Now there was nothing—not even corpses, as [Devour] and his flames had consumed everything.

A complete and total victory without taking a single injury.

Satou deactivated [Absolute Nightmare Dominion], and reality snapped back to normal. The oppressive shadows faded, the twisted ground returned to its natural state, the nightmare constructs dissipated.

He took a deep breath, centering himself and checking his condition.

Mana: Approximately 75% capacity. The domain and flames had used a fair amount, but nothing concerning.

Physical condition: Perfect. He hadn’t taken a single hit during the entire fight.

Mental state: Calm and focused. The berserker rage hadn’t even triggered—this fight had been too one-sided to require it.

He was ready to continue if necessary, though he doubted there would be further interruptions. Argumus’s pack had been a significant force, and with them eliminated, there probably weren’t any other groups in the area capable of threatening him.

Satou activated [Shadow Absolute Movement] and teleported back to where his carriage would be by now. He materialized next to the vehicle, which was still rolling steadily along the road.

The driver nearly fell off his seat in shock, then relaxed when he recognized Satou.

"My lord! Thank the ancestors you’re safe! We heard explosions and felt magical power surging, but—are the enemies dealt with?"

"Completely," Satou confirmed. "There won’t be any more attacks. Continue to the settlement at your normal pace."

He floated alongside the carriage for a moment, checking on his companions through the window. They were all still sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the battle that had just occurred. Good. They needed the rest.

Satou opened the carriage door quietly and slipped back inside, taking his previous seat. The gentle rocking of the vehicle and the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats resumed their soothing pattern.

He settled back and closed his eyes, not sleeping but resting. There was no point in waking the others to tell them about the attack—it was over and done with, and they’d just worry unnecessarily.

Besides, they’d be home soon. Just a few more hours, and this entire journey would be complete.

Satou allowed himself a small smile. Merc Assault was dead. His forces eliminated. Even opportunistic predators like Argumus’s pack had been dealt with decisively.

The threat was ended. The mission was complete. And soon, he’d be home with his people.

"Let’s head back," he said quietly to himself, though no one was awake to hear.

The carriage rolled on through the morning light, carrying them steadily toward home and the peace that waited there.

—-------

Meanwhile

The throne room of Chronus the Timeless was a place where reality itself seemed uncertain.

Massive hourglasses lined the walls, each one containing sands that flowed in different directions—some upward, some sideways, some in spirals that defied physics. Clocks of every size and design covered every available surface, their hands moving at wildly different speeds. Some ticked forward normally. Others moved backward. A few spun so fast they were just blurs.

The floor was polished obsidian that reflected not the present, but glimpses of possible futures and forgotten pasts. Walk across it and you might see yourself as a child, as an old man, as something you never became but could have been.

And at the center of this temporal chaos sat Chronus himself, on a throne carved from a single piece of crystallized time—material that shouldn’t exist, taken from moments that were and weren’t simultaneously.

His appearance was shifting as always, cycling through ages with each passing second. Young and vital one moment, ancient and withered the next, middle-aged and distinguished after that. His eyes remained constant though—cold, calculating, and currently fixed on the messenger kneeling before him.

"Repeat that," Chronus said, his voice overlapping with itself from multiple timeframes. "Slowly. Make absolutely certain I heard you correctly."

The messenger—a minor demon who served as part of Chronus’s extensive information network—swallowed nervously. Bringing bad news to a demon lord was always dangerous. Bringing bad news to Chronus, who was known for his volatile temper when plans went awry, was potentially fatal.

"Merc Assault is dead, my lord," the messenger said, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor. "His fortress in the Howling Wastes has been completely destroyed. Our agents in the region report that nothing remains except a massive crater. The Illusion Forest’s barriers have collapsed without his presence maintaining them."