"Levi. Baltzer. Alphas."
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
Crimson light exploded around him. The towering form of Levi, clad in his mix of Legendary and Epic gear, materialized, shield raised, axe ready. Baltzer appeared, wreathed in faint flames, Phoenix Blade gleaming. And the eight imposing Infernal Mastiff Alphas solidified, their combined presence casting waves of heat and intimidation.
The charging guild members faltered again, staring in shock and horror at the sudden appearance of Lucian's monstrous legion.
"Hold them off," Lucian commanded his shadows, then his eyes locked back onto Darius. "You and I have unfinished business."
Levi roared and charged forward, intercepting the main group of warriors, his shield scattering them like bowling pins, his axe reaping lives with every swing.
[Green Dragon Warrior (Lv 42) Eliminated!] [+380 EXP...] → +0.8 Physique
[Green Dragon Berserker (Lv 46) Eliminated!] [+490 EXP...] → +1 Strength
[Blood Harvest Stacked!] +95.2%... +95.4%...
Baltzer became a fiery blur, dancing around the ranged attackers, his Phoenix Blade slicing through mages and archers before they could react.
[Green Dragon Mage (Lv 40) Eliminated!] [+350 EXP...] → +0.7 Focus
[Green Dragon Archer (Lv 43) Eliminated!] [+410 EXP...] → +0.9 Agility
[Blood Harvest Stacked!] +95.6%... +95.8%...
The eight Infernal Mastiff Alphas charged into the fray, Bonecrusher Jaws shattering shields and limbs, Shadowflame Breath engulfing screaming victims.
[Green Dragon Knight (Lv 48) Eliminated!] [+510 EXP...] → +1 Physique
[Green Dragon Rogue (Lv 44) Eliminated!] [+430 EXP...] → +0.8 Agility
[Blood Harvest Stacked!] +96%... +96.2%...
Chaos erupted as Lucian's shadows tore through the guild members. Screams, explosions, the clash of steel, and the guttural roars of the Mastiffs filled the hall.
Darius watched, momentarily stunned by the power Lucian commanded. These weren't ordinary summons. That titan... it felt like a Boss monster!
Lucian ignored the massacre unfolding behind him. He walked towards Darius, Dragon Soul Devourer held loosely at his side.
"You rely on hired knives and expendable followers," Lucian said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Let me show you what true power looks like."
Darius grit his teeth, fury overcoming his shock. "You crazy bastard ! I am a Level 51 Ranker! Killing you is as easy as flipping my hands!"
He activated his own skills.
[Skill Activated: Darius - Dragon Scale Defense!] [Physical/Elemental Resistance +40%]
[Skill Activated: Darius - Veridian Strike!] [Sword imbued with poison/corrosive energy]
His Epic armor glowed brighter, scales shimmering. His sword blade turned a sickly green, dripping viscous fluid that hissed on the stone floor.
"BANG!"
Darius lunged, his speed impressive for his level, boosted by his gear. Veridian Fang stabbed towards Lucian's heart, leaving a green trail in the air.
Lucian sidestepped easily, the blade whistling past. His speed, augmented by base stats and gear, vastly outmatched Darius's.
"Too slow," Lucian mocked.
He swung his spear lazily. Darius brought his sword up to block.
"CLANG!"
Sparks flew. Darius felt a jarring shock run up his arm, far stronger than he anticipated. Lucian hadn't even seemed to put effort into the swing.
"Impossible!" Darius gasped.
Lucian pressed the attack, his spear becoming a blur of crimson light. Thrusts, sweeps, slashes – each move precise, powerful, relentless. Darius was forced onto the defensive, desperately parrying, his Dragon Scale Defense flickering under the onslaught.
"Clang! Clang! Screech! Bang!"
Darius felt his defense straining. Each block sent tremors through his bones. Lucian's spear wasn't just fast; it carried immense weight, amplified by skills Darius couldn't comprehend.
[Technique Perk Activated: Dragon's Authority!] [-20% Darius Abilities & Resistances!]
[Technique Perk Activated: Emperor's Dominion!] [+30% Lucian Attack!] [-15% Darius Speed!]
[Technique Perk Activated: Primordial Rending!] [+25% Defense & Barrier Bypass!]
Darius felt his movements becoming sluggish, his defenses less effective. Panic began to set in. He tried to activate another skill, a movement technique.
[Skill Failed to Activate! Suppressed by Dragon's Authority!]
"What?!" Darius cried out as his mana fizzled.
Lucian smiled coldly. "Did you think your petty skills would work on me?"
He increased the pressure. His spear flashed.
"Puchi!"
The spear tip bypassed Darius's parry, punching through a gap in his Epic armor near the shoulder joint.
"Argh!" Darius yelled in pain, stumbling back, clutching his bleeding shoulder. The wound sizzled slightly from the spear's inherent energy.
[-3,500 HP!] [Armor Durability Decreased!]
Lucian didn't pursue immediately. He lowered his spear slightly, watching Darius struggle. "This is the part where I take my time," he said softly.
"Tell me, Darius, as you bleed... was sending those assassins worth it?"
Darius glared, panting, fear warring with fury in his eyes. "You... You won't leave this place alive! The Alliance... the other guilds... they'll hunt you down!"
"Let them come," Lucian replied dismissively. He tapped his spear against the stone floor. "But they'll be dealing with someone far stronger than you can imagine. Every death here," he gestured vaguely at the ongoing massacre in the background, "makes me stronger."
He lunged again. Darius desperately tried to defend, but Lucian was toying with him now. A thrust pierced his thigh. A sweep shattered his kneecap. A pommel strike cracked his helmet and stunned him.
"Puchi!" [-2,800 HP!]
"Crack!" [-1,500 HP! Debuff: Movement Slow!]
"Bang!" [-900 HP! Debuff: Stun!]
Darius fell to his knees, armor dented, bleeding from multiple wounds, sword clattering from his numb hand. He looked up at Lucian, terror finally consuming him.
"Please... wait..." he choked out, blood bubbling from his lips. "I'll give you anything... Relic coins... My guild can..."
Lucian leaned down at him. "I want your life."
He didn't prolong it further. The final thrust was swift and brutal.
"Puchi!"
The spearhead pierced Darius's skull through the eye socket, ending his life instantly.
[Darius, Green Dragon Guild Leader (Lv 51) Eliminated!]
[+6,200 EXP | +1,500 Relic Gold Coins | +5 Green Dragon Tokens]
[SS-Rank Skill: Blood Devour Activated!] → +4 Physique,
[Blood Harvest Activated!] → Dragon Soul Devourer Attack Power Bonus: +101%
[Item Acquired: Veridian Fang (Epic)]
[Item Acquired: Dragon Scale Chestplate (Epic)]
[Item Acquired: Guild Leader's Seal (Green Dragon - epic)]
The massacre in the hall was winding down. Levi, Baltzer, and the Alphas stood amidst piles of corpses. The few remaining guild members were huddled in corners, trembling, weapons discarded.
Lucian recalled his shadows, their crimson forms dissolving back into tattoos. He stood alone in the blood-soaked hall, the silence broken only by the distant city noise filtering through the shattered entrance.