The morning sun rose steadily, casting a warm glow over the courtyard as Roland fastened the last piece of his battlesuit.
The black-and-silver armor shimmered under the light, its design sleek yet sturdy, designed for both mobility and power. His wives stood nearby, watching with evident concern. Janet crossed her arms, frowning deeply, while Priya bit her lip in silence. Jess tried to keep a brave face but failed.
Seeing Roland gear up wasn’t unusual. But the fact that he was riding out with Lana who had arrived nearly dead from a battle days ago sent unease through them all.
She was already strong yet she was injured to this state so they were afraid of Roland getting hurt.
"You’re really going with her?" Janet asked, unable to hide her worry.
"She’s the only one who can lead me to the place," Roland said calmly, strapping his gauntlet. "And we’re only going to investigate, not to fight head-on. I’ll return by nightfall."
He smiled to reassure them, but inside, a storm brewed. What if someone attacks while I’m gone? The combined power function of the system could only be used once a year, so he didn’t want to waste it unless absolutely necessary. But sitting and waiting wouldn’t solve anything either.
Roland and Lana soon mounted their beasts which was stronger, faster versions of ordinary horses and rode toward the dense forest. Roland led the way, keeping a mental map of the terrain. Lana, unfamiliar with the area, followed closely, her sword ready.
After an hour of trudging through winding paths and dense brush, the crystal in Lana’s possession began to glow faintly.
"It’s reacting," she said, pointing forward. "That direction... Yes. I think this is where I was ambushed."
Roland’s eyes sharpened. "Let’s go."
He flicked the reins and their steeds advanced cautiously. As they rode, Lana warned him, "Demon contractors fight dirty. Expect nothing less than poison, illusions, traps... all the worst kinds of magic."
Roland nodded, absorbing every word. He had never fought demon contractors before, and this wasn’t a battle he could afford to underestimate.
As they entered a large clearing, the forest suddenly fell silent. The horses stepped forward but the moment they did, a sharp cry echoed from above. In a split second, a rain of arrows and poisoned darts came flying toward them.
Roland reacted instinctively. His greatsword was out in a flash, and with a powerful sweep, he summoned a wave of wind that blasted outward in all directions.
The gale force wind burst through the trees, scattering the incoming projectiles like leaves in a storm.
"Damn! What a cautious man," Roland muttered, eyes scanning the treetops.
Lana, watching from the side, felt her heart skip a beat.
His control over wind... it’s refined. The burst wasn’t just powerful but rather it was precise.
"He might actually be stronger than me..."
Before she could voice her thoughts, the ground shook.
A malicious voice boomed from the woods.
"Who dares trespass upon the ground of the Black Flame Circle?"
There was a flash of darkness, and a man in tattered robes with ash-colored skin and glowing red eyes landed before them. His aura was suffocating, reeking of blood, rot, and unholy power.
The man’s gaze locked onto Lana. Then he noticed Roland.
"Hahaha! You again? And this time you brought a helper?" He sneered, revealing yellow, cracked teeth. "Good...Two sacrifices for the price of one."
"This man seemed to be filled with a quiet amount of vitality.The God would surely be pleased."
Roland didn’t wait.Engaging with such a bastard was pointless and he didn’t even have a habit of trash talking.
He launched forward, sword swinging with a burst of wind energy.
A condensed blade of wind tore through the air, sharp and deadly. The cloaked man’s eyes narrowed as he quickly grabbed a crystal skull from his belt and chanted rapidly in an unknown tongue.
A massive explosion erupted as the spell collided with Roland’s attack.
The blast shook the earth. Dust and smoke covered the clearing, and Roland narrowed his eyes through the chaos.
This wasn’t going to be a quick fight.
And deep down, he knew this was only the beginning.
Roland stood with sweat dripping from his brow, facing the cloaked dark mage who sneered through rotted teeth. With a twisted chant, the man raised his hands and from the blood-stained ground, a bone shield surged upward, jagged and pale, radiating a chilling aura.
Roland hissed under his breath. "Damn... are those real bones or summoned ones?"
Before he could study it further, Lana dashed forward, her rapier slicing the air with a whistle.
A brilliant arc of sword qi burst from her weapon, slicing through the bone shield with deadly grace. The necromancer leapt back just in time, but not without cost a silver streak of energy tore into his shoulder, making him grunt in pain.
"Good... Good..." he growled, clutching the wound. "You’ve managed to anger me."
His eyes glowed crimson, and with a screech, he raised both hands. Dark runes flickered in the air, and a barrage of curses and explosive magic bolts surged forth. The forest trembled as black flames and purple lightning ripped through trees and earth.
Roland and Lana split up, zigzagging through the chaos. Wherever the attacks landed, the ground withered, the trees rotted, and the air turned foul.
Roland’s heart pounded. If I get hit even once... my body might decay completely.
"I have to end this... now."
Gritting his teeth, he activated the hidden ace Limit Exchanger to increase his combat power in exchange of stamina and then used Berserk Dragon Mode.
A fierce roar erupted from within his chest, echoing like a storm over the battlefield. The dark mage stiffened, a shiver of fear crawling down his spine as Roland’s body exploded with raw power. Blood-red veins pulsed across his arms, his muscles bulged, and his eyes glowed like molten gold.
His long hair stood erect defying gravity and a crimson aura flared up from his body.
Lana, who was dueling close by, paused for a brief second. Her instincts screamed. This power... is terrifying.