Gathering Wives with a System

Chapter 522: Avery’s True Strength, Isaac’s Fangirl Club

The Leviathan Spawn let out a roar filled with mana.

The sound exploded across the battlefield like a shockwave. Everyone in the party felt their minds tremble as the roar carried strange pressure within it.

Several members froze in place immediately—stunned—while dizziness assaulted them at the same time.

Then the Leviathan Spawn moved.

Its gigantic body burst forward with terrifying speed despite its size. The black serpent-like creature lunged directly toward Avery, clearly recognizing her as the greatest threat on the battlefield. The ground cracked beneath its weight while the remaining lake water exploded upward around it.

Alice reacted instantly.

Golden light spread from her body as she activated her healing skill. Warm mana washed over the stunned group and removed the debuff affecting them. Everyone regained clarity one after another just in time to see the Leviathan Spawn reach Avery.

The monster opened its jaws before twisting its body, attempting to coil around her completely and crush her to death.

But the moment its body touched her, Avery dissolved into water.

The Leviathan Spawn froze for a split second.

"You need to try harder, little one."

The voice came from above.

The Leviathan Spawn immediately raised its head. Its sea-green eyes widened with fury after seeing Avery floating high in the air. Mana gathered around her calmly while her blue hair drifted behind her like flowing water.

The monster became even more enraged.

This entire lake was its territory. Its domain. Yet Avery had seized complete control over it.

Meanwhile, Avery calmly completed her spell.

Then a miracle unfolded.

The countless trees and branches formed from lake water suddenly began glowing. The black water composing them deepened further in color until it resembled an endless night sky.

Tiny stars appeared inside the water.

Countless stars.

The entire forest looked like a fragment of a galaxy suspended in the air.

The Leviathan Spawn shuddered violently.

For the first time since the battle began, instinctive fear appeared inside the monster. Not ordinary fear. Something deeper. Something primal that told it to run.

"Thank you, little one. It has been a long time since I found a water body this large. Although the water is not pure, the mana inside it is abundant," Avery said with a faint smile.

As the Elemental Spirit of Water, Avery’s strength naturally increased near large water sources. Unfortunately, after the Apocalypse and the spread of Red Rain corruption, most water bodies in the world became tainted. Avery normally had to conserve her strength carefully instead of fighting seriously.

But this place was different.

The Great Dungeon had filled this lake with enormous quantities of mana.

And Avery intended to use all of it.

Then she spoke the name of the spell.

No one heard it. To be exact, they simply could not comprehend it.

It felt as though the words themselves were never meant for mortal ears.

The darkness within the black water forest deepened further while the stars inside the trees shone brighter than before.

Then, a change occurred in the world. It felt as though the water trees had become an extension of—

Outer Space.

Scenes began appearing within the black water.

Giant nebulas drifting through endless darkness.

Stars collapsing and shattering apart.

Ancient horrors moving silently within the void.

Civilizations fighting desperately against impossible apocalypses.

Everyone watching froze.

The scenes continued changing rapidly before finally stopping at a strange world filled with countless blue creatures.

Nobody could properly understand what they were seeing.

Their minds insisted those things were "blue critters."

But what shape did they have? What did their surroundings look like? What exactly were they doing?

Nobody could answer.

Their brains failed to process the information properly no matter how hard they tried.

Thankfully, Avery seemed to have intentionally protected everyone from the full impact of witnessing something incomprehensible. Otherwise, merely looking at those scenes might have shattered weaker minds entirely.

Then Avery spoke again using incomprehensible words.

The blue critters suddenly stopped moving.

Slowly, they all turned toward her through the black water trees.

Then they rushed forward.

Shock spread through the battlefield, and livestream.

The creatures came out. Actually came out.

It felt impossible. Like watching characters walk out of a television screen into reality itself.

Now that they fully entered the world, everyone could finally understand what they were seeing.

Ethereal blue jellyfishes.

Their translucent bodies floated through the air while faint blue light pulsed inside them. They circled around Avery happily while emitting incomprehensible sounds.

Avery replied using similarly strange tones before casually pointing toward the Leviathan Spawn.

The jellyfishes immediately rushed toward it.

The Leviathan Spawn roared and tried to attack them, but the creatures simply passed through its body harmlessly.

At first, nothing happened.

Then cracks began spreading across the Leviathan Spawn’s scales.

One jellyfish after another phased through the giant serpent. Every time they passed through it, their bodies grew larger and brighter as if they were absorbing something invisible from inside the monster.

The Leviathan Spawn’s movements rapidly weakened.

Its scales dried apart.

Its enormous body began shriveling unnaturally.

All water left its flesh.

Within seconds, the once terrifying monster collapsed onto the ground like a cracked black husk.

Dead.

The blue jellyfishes returned happily toward Avery once the Leviathan Spawn stopped moving. They circled around her playfully before beginning to radiate the water—essence of life—they had absorbed from the leviathan.

Blue light gathered together slowly.

The essence compressed further and further until it transformed into a tiny glowing blue sphere floating above Avery’s palm.

Without hesitation, Avery placed it in her mouth and swallowed it.

Her throat bobbed slightly.

Immediately, satisfaction appeared on her face as refreshing energy spread through her body.

Then Avery spoke another incomprehensible phrase.

The jellyfishes happily bounced around one last time before returning toward the black water forest. One after another, they disappeared back into the strange cosmic scenes.

As the final jellyfish vanished, the water trees lost cohesion entirely.

The massive structures collapsed into ordinary water and crashed onto the ground before evaporating into mist.

Silence filled the battlefield.

The Leviathan Spawn was dead.

And Avery had practically killed it alone.

"...What the hell?" Averon muttered quietly.

His mind struggled to process what he had just witnessed. He already knew Avery was strong. She was an Elemental Spirit after all.

But this...

This went far beyond anything he imagined. He did not even understand what kind of spell she had used.

Averon opened his mouth several times before ultimately failing to say anything else.

Avery chuckled after noticing his expression. She slowly descended from the air and landed lightly on the ground.

"Impressed?" she asked playfully.

Averon could only nod silently. At the same time, caution rose inside him. Elemental Spirits were terrifying. Far more terrifying than he previously believed.

"Thank you," Emily said as she flew toward Avery.

Avery smiled softly after hearing that. She understood exactly why Emily thanked her.

The reason Avery revealed this much strength was simple.

It was a warning for everyone watching the livestream.

This was Avery’s true power.

And anyone considering attacking Isaac’s city should think very carefully before making that decision.

Although everyone present was shocked, the most shaken people were Eleanor and Sera.

Both immediately understood something important.

Avery only achieved such a ridiculous display because the Great Dungeon had gathered enormous quantities of mana inside the lake, allowing her to fully unleash her abilities.

But that realization did not make the display less terrifying.

If anything, it made Avery even more dangerous.

’I thought she was an ordinary Elemental Spirit, but she.... is a royalty,’ Eleanor and Sera thought.

Avery clapped her hands lightly, breaking the heavy silence surrounding everyone.

"Now then, should we start collecting the loot? We are still in a competition," she said casually.

That finally snapped everyone back to reality.

...

Livestream Chat.

DarkWolf771: WTF WTF WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT???

GodessEmilyFan4421: Holy shit. I thought Goddess Emily and Alice were the trump cards. What did that lady just do?

SaintessDevotee903: I couldn’t even understand what I was looking at.

VoidMemeDealer: Bro summoned space jellyfishes and dehydrated a leviathan to death.

SleepDeprivedMage22: Actually, who even is she? Since when did our city have someone like that?

MoonTea_99: She’s the Water Elemental Spirit. I heard she arrived recently.

RandomGuy451: Recently??? And nobody thought this information was important???

BathWaterOfGodessAvery: PLEASE STEP ON ME GODDESS AVERY.

LeftShoeOfGodessAvery: Get in line. I was here first.

DirtBeneathGodessAveryFeet: I volunteer to become her carpet.

The livestream chat completely exploded after Avery’s display of power.

Most viewers were still trying to process what they had witnessed. Some replayed the battle repeatedly while others argued about whether the Water Elemental Spirit had actually opened a connection to another realm.

Meanwhile, a completely different group of people had already moved on to far more important matters.

Namely, simping.

BathWaterOfGodessAvery: Are you guys insane? Did you not see what Goddess Avery just did? If she notices your usernames, she might get angry and erase you from existence. Quickly change your usernames and escape to another city. I will bravely hold her back while you flee.

LeftShoeOfGodessAvery: Your sacrifice will be remembered, brother.

DirtBeneathGodessAveryFeet: No. I shall be the one to protect everyone from Goddess Avery’s wrath.

CrabWithTaxEvasion77: Wow. More weirdos showed up.

BreadCriminal55: What is this now? The third fan club?

VoidIntern69: Nope, it’s the fourth. Don’t forget Celia’s fan club. Those people are even crazier.

GoddessCeliaFan8222: Watch your language! It’s Goddess Celia!

FriedRiceOverlord: Can you people focus on the important stuff? We just watched what might be the best fight in the competition and all you guys care about is acting insane.

SaintessDevotee4410: Idiot, we ARE talking about the competition. Praising the participants is part of the discussion. In fact, you should join the Devotees of Saintess Alice. It brings good luck and good health.

LonelyMage887: I suddenly feel like this city has too many cults.

ShadowPancake44: Speaking of important things, who is that dark blue-haired swordswoman?

MoonToast721: Leora.

ShadowPancake44: I know her name, you genius. I mean who was she before this? She’s insanely strong. How did nobody know about her before?

SirLordPleaseHaveALotOfChildren: She’s the granddaughter of the Sword Empress. I heard she studies at Sanctum of Masters University and is currently in her fourth year. Apparently, she also works as Lord Isaac’s maid.

The chat froze briefly.

Then chaos erupted again.

JealousAndBroke66: What the fuck? Why does that bastard get all the beautiful women around him?

TinyGoblin420: Just say you’re jealous, little bro.

JealousAndBroke66: I AM jealous. Aren’t you!?

SteakEater9000: Honestly? Same. It’s depressing to think bastards like him get all the good things.

SupremeCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: All you people know how to do is complain. Instead of whining, you should be thankful to Lord Isaac.

SupremeCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: He solved food scarcity in our city, introduced new varieties of food, lowered prices, improved infrastructure, increased security, and is constantly developing the city for ordinary citizens.

SupremeCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: Do you know how many people have jobs, homes, and stable lives now because of him?

Several viewers paused after reading that.

Despite the chaos in the chat, most people actually knew those things were true.

Ever since Isaac took control of the city’s development projects, living conditions improved drastically. Food prices dropped. Crime rates decreased. Entire districts that were previously dangerous became stable again.

Of course, that did not stop some people from arguing.

CouchHero114: Well, he just got lucky with a powerful Talent.

SupremeCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: So what? Even before awakening, he was one of the top-ranked students in his academy. He had the highest scores in both theoretical and combat exams.

SupremeCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: What about you? I bet you’re the type who skipped training because you thought Talent awakening would magically fix your life.

SupremeCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: Also, Lord Isaac is an orphan. He knows what it feels like to go hungry and worry about rent every month. That’s exactly why he works so hard to improve people’s lives now.

SupremeCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: If you can’t praise him, then at least stop complaining.

The sudden emotional speech left the chat quiet for almost three whole seconds.

Which was honestly impressive considering how chaotic livestream chats usually were.

Then another message appeared.

DeputyCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: Calm down, Supreme Commander. It is not their fault they fail to understand the magnificence of our Lord.

DeputyCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: That is why we must guide them properly.

DeputyCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: Everyone, anyone who joins Lord Isaac’s Fangirl Club will receive exclusive benefits.

LonelyPotatoGirl22: These people sound like an actual cult.

CuteButViolent91: Wait. What benefits?

DeputyCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: Many valuable things that teach you about Lord Isaac’s life.

CuteButViolent91: How is that even a benefit?

DeputyCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: Pic.jpg

A picture suddenly appeared in the chat.

It was clearly an old photograph from Isaac’s academy days.

Isaac had just stepped out of a swimming pool while pulling back his wet hair. Aside from his swimming shorts, he wore nothing else. Water slid across his sharply defined torso while his expression remained calm and cold as he looked off to the side.

Even through the poor image quality, it was obvious he looked absurdly handsome.

The chat exploded instantly.

DeputyCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: This picture is from Lord Isaac’s academy days. He became even more handsome after awakening his Talent.

DeputyCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: If you join the Fangirl Club, you can receive many exclusive photos and other benefits. Only girls are allowed.

SteakEater9000: Holy damn.

SteakEater9000: I’m not gay, but that picture... whistle

LonelyPotatoGirl22: WAIT WHY IS HE ACTUALLY HOT???

GodessEmilyFan9981: Emily is stronger than me because I would’ve folded instantly.

CuteButViolent91: I just joined Lord Isaac’s fangirl club!

CuteButViolent91: Everyone should join! The benefits we get are unbelievable!

DeputyCommanderOfLordISaacFangirlClub: Welcome, sister.

GoblinWithStudentDebt: Hold on. What do you mean he got MORE handsome after awakening his Talent?

GoblinWithStudentDebt: Since when was that possible? Did my awakening scam me!?

AncientBread123: Bro awakened depression instead of beauty enhancement.

SaintessDevotee8801: Saintess Alice still looks prettier.

BathWaterOfGodessAvery: False. Goddess Avery supremacy.

GoddessCeliaFan8222: ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG.