Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
As Aludo activated his ultimate skill, Heaven's Flame, four fiery pillars erupted from the ground, each one striking the fleeing Orc Chieftain with deadly precision. Though individually not overwhelmingly powerful, the pillars chased their target relentlessly, delivering a cumulative onslaught that even the Chieftain's iron-like hide couldn't endure. His armor shattered under the pressure, and his scorched, bloodied body collapsed to the ground.
Before the Chieftain could rise, Qin Ming surged forward to capitalize on the opening. His attacks came in swift succession.
Sonic Flame Slash: Chain Strike!
The rapid blasts of fiery energy struck the Chieftain repeatedly, carving fresh wounds across his hulking frame. Roaring in pain, the Chieftain attempted one last desperate leap to escape. But this time, Qin Ming had anticipated the move.
As the Chieftain leapt into the air, Qin Ming drew his revolver and fired. The six shots, perfectly aimed with the precision of his B-grade shooting mastery, all found their mark. Unable to maintain his escape, the Chieftain plummeted back to the ground with a thunderous crash.
Severely injured and barely able to move, the Chieftain looked up to see Qin Ming and Aludo bearing down on him. One wielded a flaming hand, the other a colossal hammer, and both were aimed to end him.
The final flurry of strikes was brutal. The Chieftain fought back with all his remaining strength, but the relentless assault overwhelmed him. Moments later, the once-mighty boss lay lifeless on the ground.
Beside his body, the unmistakable glimmer of a silver key caught Qin Ming's eye. His expression brightened, and he stepped forward to claim the prize. But just as his hand reached for it, his instincts screamed a warning.
He stopped and turned his head. Across the battlefield, Twin-Guns stood with her pistols lowered, watching him intently. Her expression was unreadable, her body tense. For a long moment, neither moved, their hands hovering near their weapons.
The standoff mirrored their first encounter in this nightmare world, but this time, the stakes were even higher.
The silence shattered when Aludo, who had been inspecting the Chieftain's body to confirm his death, suddenly swung his hammer at Qin Ming's back. The massive weapon whooshed through the air, aimed directly at the back of Qin Ming's skull.
Qin Ming reacted instantly, ducking just as the hammer passed over his head. He spun around and countered with a fiery punch to Aludo's chest. The explosive impact sent the priest hurtling backward, crashing into the dirt in a shower of sparks.
Qin Ming straightened, his eyes narrowing as another threat revealed itself. An arrow whistled through the air, grazing his cheek as it passed. Looking up, he saw Labelle nocking another arrow, his bowstring drawn tight. Without hesitation, the ranger released his second shot, only for it to collide mid-air with Qin Ming's counterattack—a Sonic Flame Slash. The two projectiles exploded in a burst of energy, leaving both combatants unharmed.
Realizing that Labelle was the more immediate threat, Qin Ming surged forward. The ranger retreated quickly, firing arrow after arrow to intercept Qin Ming's attacks. The precision of his shots forced Qin Ming to weave and dodge, slowing his advance.
Just as it seemed Qin Ming would close the distance, multiple gunshots echoed across the battlefield. The bullets weren't aimed at Qin Ming but at Labelle. Caught completely off guard, the ranger staggered as the rounds tore into his back.
Twin-Guns had fired. She was no longer a passive observer.
The disruption gave Qin Ming the opening he needed. A fiery blade erupted from his hand, striking Labelle squarely in the chest. Staggering from the impact, the ranger was powerless to stop Qin Ming's charge. With a ferocious shoulder slam, Qin Ming lifted Labelle off his feet and carried him into a nearby tree. The force of the collision splintered the trunk and sent leaves showering to the ground.
Meanwhile, Aludo roared in fury. Gripping his hammer tightly, he charged forward, determined to save his ally. Twin-Guns, however, stepped into his path, her pistols raised. A hail of bullets forced Aludo to raise his shield, sparks flying as the rounds ricocheted off its surface.
"You're siding with him?" Aludo growled, glaring at her through the smoke of the gunfire.
Twin-Guns smirked, her tone dripping with mockery. "Of course I am. You two just tried to kill him for the reward. What makes you think you wouldn't try the same thing with me once he's out of the way? At least he's predictable."
"You can still switch sides!" Aludo bellowed. "Join us, and you'll have your share of the bounty!"
"Sorry," she said with a shrug, "but I like to bet on the winning side." She raised her pistols again, unleashing another volley that kept Aludo pinned down.
While the priest and the gunslinger exchanged blows, Qin Ming continued his assault on Labelle.
The ranger was severely injured but still fought back with ferocity, slashing at Qin Ming with a dagger. The strikes glanced harmlessly off Qin Ming's iron-like body, failing to even slow him down. Qin Ming retaliated with devastating blows of his own, each punch eliciting sickening crunches as it connected.
Finally, Qin Ming grabbed Labelle by the neck, hoisting him off the ground. The ranger struggled, stabbing wildly at Qin Ming's arm to no avail. Qin Ming leaned in, his voice a guttural growl.
With a horrifying crunch, Qin Ming sank his teeth into Labelle's face. Blood sprayed as he ripped away flesh, consuming the ranger's vitality with his Essence Absorption skill. Labelle's screams were muffled as his body convulsed violently. By the time Qin Ming pulled back, half of Labelle's face was missing, and his lifeless body hung limp in Qin Ming's grip.
The energy from the Essence Absorption surged through Qin Ming, his body swelling with newfound power. His muscles bulged, his aura radiating with a terrifying intensity. He turned his gaze toward Aludo, who was still engaged with Twin-Guns.
Qin Ming grinned. The hunt was far from over.