"PING!"
A brilliant, golden light erupted as it coalesced around him, forming into a protective shield around him!
[Amulet of Final Stand Activated!] [Fatal Damage Negated!] [User HP Set to 1!] [Invulnerability Activated (3 seconds)!] [Mana Cost: -30% Max Mana!]
Lucian vision suddenly snapped back.
He was alive, but his head was hanging by a single bit of flesh!
The amulet had saved him, absorbing the strike that had almost killed him!
At this moment, tendrils of flesh stabbed from his neck into his severed skull as they started to merge together!
Without hesitation, Lucian instantly stomped his feet, immediately activating crimson blood shadow!
"BANG!"
An intense amount of crimson mist exploded and the entire hotel shook as lucian moved backwards with astonishing speed, shattering the walls of the room behind him as he slammed through the walls, into the hotel room beside his room!
"Bang!"
The thick wall exploded to smithereens as Lucian phased through with intense speed.
"W-what the fvck is happening?!"
A young man who had just climbed onto the body of a female escort screamed as he jumped away from her from fear. The shockwaves from the slam into his room had been too powerful to comprehend.
Lucian didn’t even glance at them, he fully focused on the three assassin before him as his neck fully integrated with his skull. His eyes surged with an intense amount of fury that even the surrounding air shook and started to boil in response!
❰❖ Assassin - ’Silk Edge’ ❱
▪ Race: Human
▪ Level: 74
▪ Type: Sword Master / Shadow Agent
▪ Title: Ghost of the Crimson Moon
✦ Description: A legendary blade-for-hire known for impossible kills. Master of Iaijutsu and shadow-infused sword techniques. Favors swift, decisive strikes. Extremely high Agility and Perception.
✦ skills:
✔ Blade Intent: Sword attacks carry a chilling aura that slightly slows enemy reactions.
✔ Flowing Shadow Step: Advanced teleportation, difficult to predict.
✔ One Cut, One Kill: Massive damage bonus on first strike against an unaware target.
✔ Perfect Concealment: Can blend seamlessly with surroundings, masking presence even from high-level perception.
❰❖ Assassin - ’Gristle’ ❱
▪ Race: Human
▪ Level: 72
▪ Type: Berserker / Enforcer
▪ Title: The Abattoir
✦ Description: A brutal specialist in close-quarters destruction. Uses overwhelming strength and a terrifying cleaver to dismantle opponents. High Strength and Physique, moderate Agility.
✦ Skills:
✔ Unstoppable Fury: Gains damage resistance and strength the more damage he takes (up to a cap).
✔ Cleaver Mastery: Attacks with his signature weapon cause deep wounds, shatter bone, and ignore a portion of armor.
✔ Pain Tolerance: Highly resistant to pain and physical debuffs.
✔ Intimidating Presence: Weaker opponents may falter in his presence.
❰❖ Assassin - ’Viper’ ❱
▪ Grade: Master Human
▪ Level: 70
▪ Type: Poison Specialist / Duelist
▪ Title: Breath of Lilith
✦ Description: Master of toxins and rapid strikes. Uses twin stilettos coated in exotic poisons to disable and kill. Exceptionally high Agility and Focus (for poison crafting/control).
✦ Traits:
✔ Alchemical Genius (Poison): Can concoct and apply incredibly potent and varied poisons on the fly.
✔ Twin Fang Style: Attacks rapidly with both blades, overwhelming defenses through sheer speed and precision.
✔ Serpent’s Reflexes: Possesses uncanny dodging ability and reaction time.
✔ Toxic Veil: Emits a subtle aura that makes poisons slightly more effective against those nearby.
They were actually assassins!
Moreover, not just ordinary assassins, they were veterans at Level 70, 72, and 74!
Lucian hadn’t even seen anyone with that amount of strength before.
They had somehow bypassed hotel security, bypassed the room’s defenses, and waited here for him to come back and ambush him!
Lucian was incredibly furious. He dirty thank anyone would want to kill him so fast. This was one of the reasons he anted to keep a low profile without enough strength, he would be snuffed out by the many powers that envied his strength.
The assassins paused briefly, obviously in shock an Lucian’s amulet and fast reaction speed.
However, it was quickly replaced by a cold ruthless look on their faces.
They had failed the instant kill, a rarity for assassins of their caliber, especially Silk Edge. They had expected a silent assasination but didn’t think Lucian would have a life saving treasure.
Not even they had the money to purchase one.
"Target survived initial strike," Silk Edge stated, his voice a low, smooth whisper, devoid of emotion and chilling cold.
"He possess a Legendary grade amulet."
"Doesn’t matter," Gristle grunted, lifting his cleaver, his knuckles white. "Means we get to break ’im properly now. More fun."
Viper said nothing, simply adjusting their grip on the stilettos, their eyes narrowing as they assessed Lucian’s rapidly regenerating neck. The 3-second invulnerability had worn off.
"His regeneration is abnormal," Viper noted, their voice a sibilant hiss. "High-tier talent or artifact. Eliminate quickly. City Guard response time estimated at three minutes maximum within hotel premises once combat escalates."
Silk Edge nodded slightly. "Gristle, pressure. Viper, flank and disable. I will execute."
The coordination was instant.
"AAAH!" Gristle roared, activating a skill. A faint red aura flared around him.
[Skill Activated: Gristle - Berserker Charge!] [+50% Movement Speed, +30% Strength, ignores first minor obstacle]
He charged forward like a runaway bull, the ground shattered and the entire floor trembled as though under his weight.
His massive cleaver swung in a brutal downward chop aimed at splitting Lucian in two. The air screamed as the heavy blade descended.
"BOOM!"
Lucian’s face turned cold. The three assassins were treating him as though he was just an ordinary toy and not a human being.
Dragon devourer instantly appeared in his hands. "You all will pay for that!"
He didn’t meet the charge head-on.
He activated [Crimson Shadow Step], vanishing in a burst of red mist.
"Whoosh!"
The cleaver slammed into the floor where he’d stood, shattering the polished stone and sending fragments flying like shrapnel from a grenade.
The force of the impact shook the entire suite, causing mana chandeliers to sway violently.
As Lucian vanished into a crimson blur, Viper was actually able to catch up to him as he activated Serpent’s Dash!
[Skill Activated: Viper - Serpent’s Dash!]
Viper moved like smoke, appearing beside Lucian in a flicker, twin stilettos stabbing towards his eyes and throat with blinding speed.