Willem declared confidently, "My hands are my weapons." As he stepped forward, his fingers parted slightly, revealing sharp black nails that sprung out like blades.Jasper, wielding a long spear, retorted, "Hmph! Looks like you haven't trimmed those nails in ages. Today, I'll give you a hand!" He wasted no time and thrust directly.The speed was blinding, leaving only a flash of golden light visible. Willem didn't retreat but charged forward, colliding head-on with the golden spear in a crimson blur."You're courting death!" Jasper sneered as his spear erupted into a flurry of shadows.In the courtyard, the dazzling light made onlookers squint. Each movement was swift, slicing through the air effortlessly. The golden spear shadows, tightly packed, resembled a volley of cannonballs, tearing through Willem's crimson afterimage and shredding it. The process unfolded with merciless simplicity, encountering no resistance."Hmph! Pathetic!" Jasper scoffed. His smug expression oozed
"Go to hell!" Jasper shivered as he locked eyes with Willem, whose piercing red gaze sent a chill down his spine. Gripping his spear tightly, Jasper swiftly spun it around.With a deft movement, the spearhead dodged Willem's clawed reach and shot up his arm. Like a striking serpent, it aimed for Willem's chest with remarkable speed and precision.Then, the sickening noise of flesh tearing echoed through the air.With no hindrance, Jasper's forceful thrust drove the spear straight through Willem's heart. It pierced him from front to back, leaving a grim pool of blood staining the ground."General, you're incredible!" Hundreds of silver-armored guards cheered in unison, visibly thrilled. They knew insulting Glorian would end in death."Haha... I thought you were tough, but you're weaker than I thought. One spear thrust and you're done! Truly disappointing!" He withdrew the spear, leaving a bloody hole in Willem's chest.To his surprise, Willem didn't collapse. Instead, he fixed his
Jasper was startled and instinctively raised his arm to stop Willem's advance. Despite his efforts, the vast power gap between them rendered Jasper helpless against Willem's relentless pressure. He could only watch in horror as Willem's fangs inched closer to his neck.Jasper panicked and urged, "What are you fools waiting for? Get in here and help!""Quick! Help the General!" In an instant, the Glorian silver-armored guards, numbering in the hundreds, swiftly responded as if awakened from a deep slumber. Some drew their bows, releasing a volley of arrows, while others advanced with spears raised, ready to strike.The arrows were unleashed from bows. Each carried an explosive force as it rained down on Willem without mercy. In an instant, his back turned into a pin cushion, resembling the spines of a hedgehog. Blood stained his clothes, reflecting an eerie sheen in the moonlight."Isn't a duel supposed to be fair? And you're calling for reinforcements? Are Glorians so devoi
"Thanks, Mr. Bailey," Jasper said with a triumphant chuckle. He was blissfully ignorant of the imminent danger lurking ahead.The influential figures from various powerful nations watched in silence. They showed no interest in intervening as they were only there for the spectacle. After all, the outcome didn't concern them."Heh... Looks like I'll have a feast tonight!" Willem smirked wickedly.His body quivered as each arrow lodged in his back dislodged and fell to the ground. His bloody wounds began to heal rapidly."Hmph! Not even all those arrows were enough to kill you. It seems like you're quite a tough monster!" Jasper's expression turned fierce as he narrowed his eyes at Willem.Despite being pierced through the chest and riddled with arrows from behind, Willem appeared unscathed except for a few drops of blood. His resilience surpassed even that of a cockroach."Did no one tell you I'm immortal?" Willem said, his fingernails extending further."Ha! 'Immortal' my foot!"
The silver-armored guards, though formidable, were no match for Willem's relentless attack. Their efforts only briefly stalled his rampage as he continued to claim lives without pause.Bodies accumulated rapidly, and the courtyard was stained with a chilling hue of red. Panic gripped the guards as they belatedly grasped the gravity of the threat.Willem's strength far surpassed their expectations. He wasn't merely an ordinary vampire. To them, he reigned supreme among his kind, a true king of the night."Hey, bastard! Face me if you've got the guts!" Jasper's voice echoed through the chaos. His words were filled with curses as he desperately tried to divert Willem's attention.He understood his pivotal role in stopping Willem's rampage and preventing further bloodshed. If he could engage Willem alongside the efforts of his men, they could bring down this menace."Hmm?" The shout pierced through Willem's fury, and he stopped.In his hand was the head of a silver-armored guard. Wil
Willem's attack came swiftly, and its speed surprised Jasper. A blur of movement, a flash of crimson, and suddenly, a chill crept up Jasper's arms. He glanced down, only to find his arm guards cracked, and blood seeped out.The clang of metal hitting the ground echoed as his spear fell, followed by the crisp sound of his arms hitting the floor."What?" His eyes widened in shock as he gazed upon his severed limbs. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. With a surge of disbelief, he slowly lifted the two severed parts, blood spurting from the wounds, each drop adding to his agony."Ah!"After a moment of silence, Jasper's piercing scream shattered the calm. It echoed hauntingly like a ghostly wail.Unlike Willem, who possessed immortality and limb-regeneration abilities, Jasper was completely defenseless. With his arms severed, he felt utterly helpless and useless.Willem's ominous chuckle filled the air. His figure, drenched in blood, resembled a demon emerging from the depth
Willem was nothing but a bloodthirsty maniac."What's the matter? Lost your nerve?" Willem taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. He added, "I thought Glorian folks were tough. Weren't you the ones who wanted to bully others? Weren't you just boasting about taking me down? Come on, get back on your feet and face me!""I… I won't fight anymore." Jasper shook his head vigorously.He continued, "It was my mistake. I offended you, and I'm sorry. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me." With a gesture of submission, he dropped to his knees."Your apology means nothing now. You're worthless, even if you manage to survive," Willem jeered, edging closer with his nails bared and a menacing glint in his eyes."Mr. Bailey! Help me, please!" Jasper cried out, desperation evident in his voice and sweat trickling down his face. He knew pleading was futile, but Bailey was his only hope in a crowd of strangers."Mr. Jasper, I've repeatedly warned you, but you chose to ignore my advice.
Jasper, the once-mighty general of Glorian, met his demise through a fatal encounter with the Blood Devil Willem, all because of his overbearing arrogance.This tragic incident overshadowed what had begun as the gathering organized by the Hall of Gods."Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone. I'll go and freshen up a bit." Willem's lips curled into a satisfied smirk after draining Jasper off his last breath.He nodded to the assembled group before making his way to the restroom."Mr. Alessandro, could you find someone to clean up this mess?" Bailey glanced at Anthony."Sure," Anthony agreed with a nod.A team of Kimboku warriors was assembled to commence the cleanup. They swiftly buried the bodies and scrubbed away the bloodstains, ensuring everything was neat and orderly.Everyone present was a seasoned veteran and was accustomed to facing adversity. Thus, such a minor incident failed to elicit any surprise.As the Kimboku warriors diligently worked to clear the area, Anthony led
While Dustin was away, Natasha couldn't help but worry about him. She would always keep an eye out for any news about him. But no matter how much she missed him, she wouldn't call him. She didn't want to distract or cause him to lose focus on the important matters concerning the nation's affairs. Understanding how busy he was, she kept her feelings in check and buried herself in work to keep her mind occupied.But when Natasha finally saw Dustin again, all the emotions she had bottled up came rushing out. Months of longing turned into overwhelming affection, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.Her assistant, Tanya, watched in shock. She had no idea Natasha—typically the poised, decisive, and commanding chairwoman—was in a relationship. What surprised her even more was how different Natasha seemed around Dustin. The usually unshakable "queen" now appeared soft and tender in his presence.Tanya couldn't help but watch Dustin more closely. His looks and charisma were u
Dustin had boarded the plane back to Oakvale. His trip to Sacred Wrym Summit had been full of ups and downs. From the Combat Tournament to the invasion of the Hall of Gods, his journey had been perilous. Thankfully, the outcome was favorable. He had won the championship at the tournament, acquired three Dracan essences, and ultimately foiled the Hall of Gods' plan. In every way, the mission had been nearly flawless.After bidding farewell to his newfound allies, Dustin joined Grace on the return flight. Four of the five Dracan essences had already been gathered, leaving only one remaining. According to Grace, the last essence had been located, and the person holding it was in Oakvale. Though their identity was still unknown, she suspected it was most likely one of the three princes.With the position of heir to the throne still uncertain, the three princes were all eager to secure their power. Whoever obtained the Dracan essence would be blessed with fortune and have a higher c
The chaos of the night quickly settled.By morning, as the first light of dawn broke across the horizon, Sacred Wrym Summit had regained its usual tranquility. Yet, the bloodstains across the ground and the wreckage of buildings stood as grim reminders of the previous night's violence.The military forces summoned by Grace had already taken the Hall of Gods' prisoners into custody.Rumors spread like wildfire, fueling gossip throughout the martial world as all the major guilds watched with keen interest. After all, very few in history had ever dared to challenge Sacred Wrym Summit, and a bold invasion aimed at destroying it was nothing short of unprecedented.The outcome was clear to all who bore witness. After many years, the world had come to recognize the true terror of Arion. He was no mere mortal—he was almost a godlike figure.…Inside the Hall of Gods' headquarters in Streuqua, the core members were gathered, seated in two rows on either side of the grand hall.On the thr
After dealing with the Hall of Gods' elite fighters, Arion disappeared in a blur. When he reappeared, he was hovering above the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit.The scene at the entrance to the forbidden ground was one of utter carnage. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, and rivers of blood flowed freely. All members of the Hall of Gods, including Hank, lay motionless on the ground.Dustin and Willard, both covered in blood and exuding killing intent, had fought fiercely. After a long, grueling fight, they succeeded in defending the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit. They had thwarted the Hall of Gods' plan to destroy the Dracan force.At that instant, Dustin seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up. Through the mist and darkness, he pinpointed Arion's figure hovering above. Arion smiled faintly and nodded at Dustin before disappearing again.Crossing several mountains in mere seconds, Arion arrived above the Sacred Wrym Summit's grand hall. Below, the discipl
When the dust finally settled, Arion was the only one left standing.Bailey, Willem, Anthony, Batuul, the three elite assassins from Eskus, and several gods from the Hall of Gods were either dead or gravely injured.Willem's body had been blasted into countless pieces. Each fragment wriggled on the ground as it struggled to piece together. Batuul fared even worse. He was utterly obliterated, leaving no trace behind, not even ashes. On the contrary, Bailey and the three Eskus assassins had both their arms severed and were gravely wounded. Though Anthony's limbs were still intact, his crushed internal organs left him coughing up blood. The backlash from the demonic blade had also taken a devastating toll on his body. He now appeared decades older, his face gaunt and hollow, his hair gray. His frail frame made him look like a man standing at death's door."H-How is this possible? No… this can't be happening!" Bailey's expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief as he stared a
Arion's sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. They stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. What was going on? Wasn't Arion already dead? How could he be standing there in front of them? Could it be a ghost?They exchanged baffled looks, and their faces were filled with disbelief. They couldn't make sense of it. How could Arion possibly be alive? It was beyond their comprehension."You… you're not dead?" No one was more shocked than Willem. After all his effort, he had finally found the chance to bite into Arion's neck and drain every drop of his blood.He was certain Arion had died—there was no way he could have survived. But if Arion was dead, who was this person standing before them?"Everyone, calm down!" Bailey spoke up. "Arion's body is still over there. This person must be an imposter."At his words, everyone turned to look at the corpse lying nearby.Bailey was right. The body was still there, and there was no way Arion could still be alive. So, the person in front o
As the Snow Maiden attacked, Batuul's illusory Elephantine stirred into action. With a mighty roar, it charged forward and slammed into Arion. Its tusks, sharp as spears, aimed directly at his chest.Caught in the swirling snow, Arion couldn't avoid the attack and quickly invoked the Glow Incantation to shield himself. The tusks collided with the barrier in a deafening crash. The impact sent Arion flying, and the golden light surrounding him shattered like glass. Clearly, the illusory Elephantine's strength had far exceeded the Glow Incantation's limits.As Arion was tossed into the air, the three-headed, six-armed Chimera Wrath seized its moment. With six different weapons in hand, it launched a relentless assault.Arion swung his sword to block but was driven further back with each blow. With no solid footing in midair, his agility was useless against the onslaught.After several exchanges, one of the Chimera's weapons struck Arion squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to
After a prolonged battle, Anthony and the others finally realized the gravity of the situation.Arion wasn't just a sword master but also had unpredictable agility. No matter how they attacked, they couldn't even land a single hit. On top of that, his sword was a constant threat.If this deadlock continued, the situation would only worsen. So, when Bailey spoke, they knew it was time for decisive action, and there was no turning back. It was either kill or be killed.At that moment, Anthony, who had been holding back, finally decided to use his ultimate technique. He bit his finger and smeared the blood across his blade. His lips moved quickly as if whispering an incantation."Snow Maiden, arise!" As soon as the words left his mouth, he swung his sword. A white figure shot out and hovered in the air. It was a woman with fair skin and mesmerizing beauty. Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, her dress was as white as snow, and her eyes had a sinister gleam.The moment she appe
"How many tricks does this old geezer have?"The impact of the divine talisman explosion left everyone both shocked and enraged. No one had expected that Arion would still manage to unleash such a powerful supreme divine power even after the Glow Incantation was broken and the lightning strikes failed to cause any harm.The impact of the thousands of divine talismans exploding at once was terrifying. Only the strongest fighters—Willem, Bailey, and Batuul—could withstand it. The rest of the group was severely injured. At that moment, they finally realized the terrifying strength of Dragonmarsh's strongest man."Impressive," Willem said, landing smoothly after being thrown back. His withered skin was now covered in cracks, and blood oozed from it.Most of the shockwave from the explosion had hit him directly. Despite his impressive defense, he still took some damage. However, these injuries were nothing to him. His wounds had already healed within a few seconds, as if nothing had hap