Orion and Stronghold Leader Zogar tensed as the Vylkr artefact shifted its attention toward them.
'What is this?' Orion thought to himself, a deep frown appearing on his face.
He knew from the beginning that obtaining the Vylkr artefact would be challenging. However, he had never expected that they would have to fight or possibly even kidnap it. He didn't even know if he could consider it a Vylkr artefact.
Suddenly, the humanoid Vylkr artefact disappeared from its position and reappeared before Stronghold Leader Zogar, its fist aimed at his head.
Stronghold Leader Zogar solemnly strengthened his barrier, not wanting to take any chances as the humanoid Vylkr artefact's fist landed on his lightning barrier.
The air split and shockwaves emerged and spread across the sky as though a hammer had struck against the heavens.
"That's strong," Stronghold Leader Zogar muttered as he observed the Vylkr artefact.
Although he was surprised by its astonishing strength, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief as he witnessed that he could effortlessly withstand its blows.
Seeing that its initial attack had no effect, the Vylkr artefact withdrew its fist before exploding again, sending rapid punches toward the lightning barrier.
BANNGG!! BANGG!!! WHOOSSHH!!!
BANNGG!! BANGG!!! WHOOSSHH!!!
Each fist carried an immense, overwhelming force that reverberated through the heavens.
Stronghold Leader Zogar's expression turned grim as he observed the Vylkr artefact's swift punches. Previously, it had seemed like a baby throwing its fists, hoping to cause some damage. Now, however, it appeared like an experienced warrior, mastering its strength and effortlessly using it to maximise the output of its devastating punches.
Each blow was now capable of creating a ripple on his lightning barrier.
Turning to Orion, Stronghold Leader Zogar yelled, "THE STRENGTH OF THE VYLKR ARTEFACT IS COMPARABLE TO A FIVE-STAR WARRIOR! I WILL FIND A WAY TO SUBDUE IT. MEANWHILE, GET OUT OF HERE AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN!"
Even though they hadn't encountered anyone –god or Vylkr spawn– if anything were to go wrong, he expected them to face a Four-star Vylkr-level threat. With a threat potentially rivalling the strength of a five-star warrior, he had to handle it alone and ensure Orion was as far away from this place as possible.
Upon hearing Stronghold Leader Zogar's words, Orion was instantly stunned. He had witnessed the Vylkr artefact's attacks and thought it resembled a four-star warrior. However, from Stronghold Leader Zogar's words, it became clear that it was instead similar to a five-star warrior. It was a frightening revelation!
'But how could such a thing happen?' Orion thought, his mind racing to determine the cause for such a development.
Nonetheless, he had no reason to stay after hearing Stronghold Leader Zogar's words, as a Five-star warrior could easily overpower him no matter how hard he tried to resist.
His heart raced at the realisation that the Vylkr artefact had attacked Stronghold Leader Zogar because he posed more of a threat than himself.
Orion immediately decided to leave his current position before the Vylkr artefact could shift its attention towards him.
Orion transformed into a streak of lightning and darted out of the dispersing whirlwind of dense Vylkr energy. However, at that critical moment––
"CHIEF–!!" A resounding roar of lightning erupted from behind Orion before the sudden appearance of the humanoid Vylkr artefact right before him. Orion realised it hadn't teleported but moved with sheer speed alone.
Its clenched right fist launched forward, hurtling a punch in his direction.
Regardless, Orion was already prepared, his senses heightened for any danger. Instantly, his body split into countless streaks of lightning bolts, dispersing in all directions.
The humanoid Vylkr artefact's fist struck empty space, generating a compressed air vacuum that shot toward the earth like a cannon blast.
WHOOSSSHH!!! BOOOMMM!!!
The humanoid Vylkr artefact remained fixed in its position, seemingly bewildered by the sudden disappearance of its foe.
CRACCCKLLEEE!!! CRACCCKLLEEE!!!
Suddenly, countless streaks of fierce bluish lightning converged back into Orion's lightning form behind the humanoid Vylkr artefact. Without hesitation, Orion summoned the Crimson Greatsword from its small crimson greatsword mark, coating it in his bluish lightning to counter the humanoid Vylkr artefact's attempts to absorb divine energy.
Then, he swung the sword downward with a swift, precise motion.
Before the humanoid Vylkr artefact could comprehend what was happening, Orion was already behind it. The lightning-
coated Crimson Greatsword, known for its ability to cut through anything, demonstrated its power again, slicing through the artefact from its shoulders down to its lower back.
As the sword cut, the intense bluish lightning surged through its body, electrocuting it from within.
Within its divided body was a material that appeared to blend dark, shimmering, and translucent, ever-shifting substances. The humanoid Vylkr artefact remained motionless in its position, seemingly unsure about which actions to take next.
Meanwhile, witnessing this scene from the other side, Stronghold Leader Zogar was momentarily astounded by how Orion had quickly incapacitated the humanoid Vylkr artefact with strength and endurance comparable to a five-star warrior.
Then, he burst into laughter, his voice booming across the heavens with faint crackles of lightning and thunder as though a particular god of lightning had descended, proudly defending his mountain against an adversary.
Yes! How could he have forgotten that Orion was not just the new Village chief but also the youngest warrior with the prowess of a Four-star warrior despite being only a two-star warrior? He was a friend of a god who sacrificed himself to protect them and was responsible for the village's rapid growth and development into a new civilisation that he didn't even think was possible. And not only that, but he had achieved all of this only at 20 years old!
Forget about being surprised that Orion had effortlessly incapacitated the Vylkr artefact; it would have been even more surprising if he hadn't become seriously injured. Orion was an absurdity that defied all common sense. As such, any other absurdity that encountered him would be like an absurdity facing an absurdity itself.
Noticing that the humanoid Vylkr artefact was suddenly healing rapidly, Stronghold Leader Zogar's laughter slowly died.
"CHIEF!! LET'S FINISH THIS AND SUBDUE THIS VYLKR ARTEFACT!!" Stronghold Leader Zogar yelled, his resounding voice echoing across the atmosphere, reaching Orion and causing the sky to tremble.