The black-scaled Empyrean Wyvern whooshed across the night sky. It merged with the darkness as its wings would flap once in a while, further increasing its speed.

[Keen Eyes] allowed the parasite to remain vigilant and look for any figures moving across the desert. The Armis village was a fair distance away, but within a minute, Arthur could already see it.

However, he also spotted a rapidly-moving silhouette down below. It was impressively fast, but not faster than the Empyrean Wyvern.

[Enhanced Spell]

[Magick Sense]

The two were separated by hundreds of meters, but Arthur was able to lock into the black silhouette. When he saw the bat-like wings and the monstrous quantity of Mana dwelling within it, he ascertained that it was the gargoyle.

The last time he faced it, he was soundly defeated. He couldn't land a proper hit.

Now, however, he had acquired more strength and skills. He also had the Cydian Knight Ant as a reserve, so without any hesitation, the parasite increased his speed and dove down.

When he was 100 meters away, the gargoyle suddenly turned around and stared at him. It raised its claw-shaped big hand and let out a burst of Holy Magic. Even then, the Empyrean Wyvern didn't stop its rapid dive.

The Holy Magic struck it directly but it didn't hinder its movement or cause any substantial damage.

When he was in range, Arthur opened his mouth and unleashed a stream of flames.

[Fire Breath]

The gargoyle crossed its arms and conjured a blurry magical shield, which resisted the flames for a second or two before crumbling.

The Wyvern's flames spread on the sand and then blew the gargoyle to the back. Before it could recover, the parasite swiftly switched hosts.

He possessed one of the spare human bodies in his storage and followed up with [Enhanced Spell] and [Infernal Cry].

The Gargoyle, which was destabilized and a bit burnt by the flames, held its head as it seemed disoriented by the ear-piercing demonic cry.

"So it's you."

The hideous abomination grinned and swiped its hand and let out a burst of Holy Magic.

[Sanguis Barrier]

The yellow-ish barrier easily deflected the Holy Magic as it hovered in front of Arthur. He coldly looked at the grinning monster before him.

'I don't remember him using Holy Magic previously.'

"This is the second time you attacked me. What's your problem, exactly?"

Instead of attacking again, the gargoyle chuckled and looked left and right... as if ascertaining whether the Parasite came alone or not.

"I want answer and it doesn't seem like you'll willingly give them."

"Answers? Don't tell me it's about what happened in the past? The little kid from before wants to take revenge, is that it?"

"..."

"Come to think of it." The gargoyle licked its lips in a disgusting manner, "There was a boy with a pure soul. If you're here... does that mean he's also he-"

Before it could finish, Arthur charged forward as the green mist enveloped him and shrouded him from view.

[Enhanced Spell]

[Air Decay]

The gargoyle was interrupted and its breathing came to a sudden stop. It grabbed its throat as its eyes let out an ominous red light.

It was momentarily immobilized, and before it could recover, there was a milky-white sharp energy that struck it from the flank.

[Sword Blast]

Even when he saw the big monster get sent flying, Arthur shot after it and swung the sword again.

[Half a Moon]

The second shock wave crushed the gargoyle and shattered some of its scales. Sensing the danger, it quickly got up and spread its bat-wings.

It had switched its tactic and no longer relied on the Holy Magic, which was clearly ineffective against the Parasite. It kicked the ground and rushed toward Arthur while raising its feet to kick.

Arthur's sword, which was a high-grade magical artifact, resisted the monstrous brute strength of the gargoyle.

[Lunar Blast]

The gargoyle staggered to the back, but its winger flapped again, giving it momentum to rush forward again.

[Mist of Decay]

[Fireball]

The gigantic fireball emitted a frightening heat as it descended upon the gargoyle, but the creature cackled maniacally and crossed its arms.

It looked as if it was flattened by the ball of fire, but only parts of its arms were burnt.

[Mist of Decay]

Arthur rose in the air and then cascaded on the target while swinging down a scythe. Alas, the gargoyle half-spun its body and let out a slow punch that brought with it a devastating shock wave.

"Agh!"

[Sanguis Barrier] took the shape of a spinning pyramid that drilled into the rear of the monster.

Arthur appeared from the mist and thrust his sword.

"So your name is Arthur Bilgart!"

As the sword stabbed its chest, the gargoyle grinned and pulled it out. Holy Magic momentarily enveloped its body and healed the injuries.

"I'm also a System User! A Player! Hahahaha!"

The gargoyle leapt in the air and spun, its body releasing long and blinding projectiles of Holy Magic. In retaliation, the Parasite stood his ground and raised his hand.

[Enhanced Spell]

[Wither Blast]

The blast of Wither-aspected energy deleted everything in its way and even reached the gargoyle. The moment it came into contact with it, it made it howl in pain and helplessly crash into the ground.

Arthur didn’t miss this chance as he shot toward the fallen enemy and used [Wither Touch].

He felt his Mana replenish and the gargoyle’s energy and life essence get sucked. However, the energy Arthur absorbed felt corrupted and unsettling, to say the least.

When the gargoyle seized to move, he grabbed its thick throat and applied force.

He wanted to ask questions, but the gargoyle suddenly moved its arms and tried to grab him.

[Sanguis Barrier]

[Mist of Decay]

The barrier protected his front while the mist carried him to safety.

“T-this is….”

The gargoyle slowly stood up and inspected its body. Rather than exhausted or weakened, it looked pleasantly bewildered.

“You… hahahahaha!”

Much to Arthur’s surprise, the gargoyle’s black wings turned pure white and were now covered with beautiful feathers, akin to an angel’s.

“I really owe you one, Arthur! Hahahaha!”

Before he could realize what happened, Arthur saw a powerful blast come forth and crash into his barrier, shattering instantly.

His host was blown to the back and rolled on a sandy hill. The body was ruined with just one attack, so he quickly switched back to the Wyvern’s body and roared outloud.

The gargoyle could be seen dashing toward him, but the Wyvern was a much more tenacious host.

The same semi-visible blast appeared again and hit the parasite.

[Tenacity]

[Berserk(Active Lv3)]

[Sharpened Claws]

[Magic Beast]

[Bestial Regen]

[Empyrean Trait]

With so many skills, passive and active, taking effect, Arthur swept his claws at the gargoyle, but he felt a strong resistance.

The monster’s body had become as tough as metal, so much so that the sharp claws barely scratched it.

“This has been a real good surprise. We really should work together, Arthur!”

The Empyrean Wyvern rose into the air and opened its mouth, releasing a big wave of vermillion flames.

Unfortunately, a spherical bubble of white light protected the gargoyle as it crossed its arms and stared at the parasite.

“A path of cooperation rather than opposition. Think of it.”

The gargoyle chuckled as its body was wrapped by a swirling dark energy, soon teleporting it away.

Arthur possessed Leonis' body and landed on the sand. He had a livid expression, his eyes coldly looking at the dark sight, which was slowly being dominated by a spreading orange and pink hue.

“It’s dawn… what rotten luck.”

He let out a sigh of exasperation. He had unwittingly helped the gargoyle, but he still didn’t know what he did exactly.

‘It must’ve been [Wither Touch]. That corrupted energy I absorbed, was that limiting it? Also, aren’t gargoyle Darkness-aspected creatures? How could it use Holy Magic?’

More questions were piling up yet he received no answers whatsoever. Ironically, in his attempt to capture the gargoyle, he ended up empowering it.

There was no use regretting his actions right now. He couldn’t have known that [Wither Touch] would be beneficial to it.

The gargoyle was present in the desert, and coupled with what Arthur already knew, it meant that the Devil Doctor was behind the kidnapping and killing of children.

“A System User. Holy Magic. Eating Souls. What does it hope to achieve?”