The assailants' horror deepened as they bore witness to Reina, the notorious Night of Terror's second female member, being swiftly subdued, thereby joining the ranks of Micha and Froh.
The sound of their laborious breathing reverberated through the air as they stood frozen, unable to halt Nuu's relentless advance.
They had braced themselves for a fierce fight, but the ease with which he had captured their comrade left them dumbfounded, their resolve shaken to the core.
As Nuu's Shrouded Abyss descended once more, the air around them grew thick with an oppressive tension, suffocating every last breath of hope.
The miasma clung to their skin like a vise, restricting all movements, rendering them helpless and vulnerable, the ones that felt it the most were the Knights.
Their hearts pounded furiously in their chests as they struggled to break free. Nuu had them firmly in his grasp, and there was no escaping his wrath.
Desperate and afraid, they searched for a way out, but the boa constrictor-like hold of the abyss tightened with every passing second. It was only a matter of time before their fate was sealed, and they knew it.
As they stared into the abyss, their thoughts turned to their loved ones, their dreams, and their hopes. Would they ever see them again? Would they ever have the chance to fulfill their aspirations?
The silence that followed was deafening as they waited for the inevitable. But just when they thought it was all over, a vine-like tentacle crept forward, shattering Nuu's grip.
Richard's heart raced as he attempted to immobilize Nuu with his shadow paralysis. The tension was palpable, as the two men locked eyes, waiting for the other to make a move. Suddenly, Nuu erupted into uncontrollable laughter, sending shivers down Richard's spine. What was he up to?
Before Richard could react, Nuu's blade lunged forward...
Richard narrowly dodged the attack, but his relief was short-lived as Nuu took advantage of his panic to break free and charge toward him.
The temperature plummeted as Nuu approached, his murderous intent now revealed.
With each step he took, the tension in the air grew thicker, suffocating all who dared to bear witness.
His eyes were cold and calculating, devoid of any trace of humanity.
But just as all hope seemed lost, Bae appeared like a guardian angel, her claymore flashing in the dark. With a swift motion, she intercepted Nuu's horizontal tempest, blocking it with all her might.
Kirk watched in awe as her quick thinking saved his comrade from certain death.
At this moment, a tacit treaty was formed.
But Nuu wasn't giving up so easily. He had a trick up his sleeve - a bloody shiny marble he had snatched from Richard's socket.
To their horror, they soon realized it was Richard's eye. Nuu's fingers tightened, crushing it to a pulp.
The group was left stunned, reeling from the shock of the attack. Giles quick thinking save them from another incoming Shroud.
Giles' Ground Burial created the much-needed distance between Nuu and themselves.
"Annoying!" thought Nuu. The last remaining Knight that wasn't captured or dead, Giles of the Night of Terror, plays the supporting role of these Practioners.
As the clock ticked away, both groups came to a sobering realization. They couldn't rescue their fallen comrade without exposing their backs nor could they escape his veil.
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife, as they pondered their next move. No Retreat, they could only move according to Nuu's will.
The air around them crackled with energy. Clouds had gathered overhead as if the very heavens were bearing witness to the impending clash. Bae's grip on her claymore tightened, every muscle in her body poised for action.
Nuu's eyes narrowed his own blade at the ready.
As they circled each other, the ground shook beneath their feet, the very earth trembling with the weight of their aura. Bae's heart was pounding in her chest as she waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. Suddenly, she saw her chance and lunged forward, her blade slicing through the air with a deafening whistle.
But Nuu was ready, his body contorting with expert grace as he parried Bae's blow. The impact of their blades was explosive, sending sparks flying in all directions. The force of their clash was so great that it tore great chunks of the distant mountain, and the rocks beneath their feet rise and fall as debris turn into shrapnel.
The two Grand Knights were locked in a dance of death, their movements fluid and deadly. Bae was fast, but Nuu was in a league of his own, his reactions honed by years of fighting the 'demon' Oga.
Just when it seemed that Bae had the upper hand, Giles entered the fray, his magic conjuring an earth lance that force Nuu to slip off.
Bae lunged forward, her blade aimed at Nuu's neck. But to her shock, Nuu stopped her claymore with his finger.
Bae was stunned, her body frozen in disbelief. It was then that Richard sprang into action, unleashing a torrent of dark chains to keep Nuu at bay.
But Nuu was not so easily defeated. With a flick of his wrist, a tempest slice hurtled toward Richard's direction.
Kirk made a fatal mistake, as he too tries to interfere, costing him his arm, with a sickening thud.
Blood gushed from the stump as he screamed in agony, his face contorting in pain.
To make matters worse.
Bae found herself hurling into an incoming boulder meant for Nuu.
It was a scene straight out of an action movie, but with no stunt double to take the fall. The gravity of the situation was not lost on anyone, except maybe Nuu, who seemed to be enjoying himself a little too much.
What followed next was agonizing screams.
Nuu punishes every mistake with lightning-fast precision. No room for error.
These assailants choose the wrong twin to fight in a group battle.
As the battle raged on, the group realized that their defeat was imminent. Every move they made was a matter of life and death, and with each passing second, their chances of survival dwindled. It was a nightmare that come to life, with no hope of waking up.
Kirk's pulse pounded in his ears as he surveyed the battlefield. The stench of blood and sweat filled his nostrils, and his heart lurched as he took in the scene before him. His right arm was gone, Richard was missing an eye, and Bae lay writhing in agony, pinned down by a massive boulder.
Nuu, their enemy, stood before them, unscathed and unyielding, if he didn't sense Nuu's Peak Grand Knight Aura, he truly might mistake this monster for a Divine Knight.
They too was at the Peak, yet that made no difference.
Kirk truly regrets returning here at this moment, the only reason for being in such a backwater town, is due to the promise he made with Baron Roslin's grandfather, a man he once called a sworn brother.
Kirk's mind raced like a wild stallion as he desperately searched for a plan. He knew that time was running out, and failure was not an option. The weight of responsibility crushed his shoulders, threatening to shatter his resolve.
Alas, his barbarian was utterly useless, a fact that filled him with frustration and anger. To make matters worse, he had only recently acquired Micha, and there wasn't enough time to initiate the Soul Contract. All he had was the Servitude Bond, a weak and fragile connection that could easily be severed.
He recoiled at the thought of forcing Micha to detonate himself. The very idea left a bitter taste in his mouth, like a foul elixir that could poison his soul.
Moreover, based on Micha's abilities, that would take an excruciatingly long time. One annoying problem after another, like a relentless storm battering his fragile ship.
He sighed a heavy and weary sound that betrayed his exhaustion. The weight of his mission was taking its toll, and the thought that he might have to jump ship made him sick to his stomach.
The burden of the situation was exacerbated by Nuu's distinctive fighting style, which placed great emphasis on precision and left him feeling utterly spent.
Each attack from his opponent only served to further deplete his dwindling mana reserves, yet he could not simply resign himself to inaction.
With a fierce determination, Kirk launched himself towards Nuu, buying precious time for Giles to free her. Despite his valiant efforts, Nuu proved to be too strong and resilient to overcome.
As he retreated, a sense of overwhelming dread overcame him once more, as if a premonition of decapitation loomed. The weight of defeat bore down heavily on his shoulders, crushing his spirit and leaving him to ponder the fragility. Just as all hope was lost…
A menacing whisper slithered into Kirk's mind, delivering a few words of calculated guidance, "Attack his left knee." Mijo's tone was urgent, commanding.
For the duration of this gruesome battle, he had been nothing more than a mere spectator, watching with a detached, emotionless gaze.
In truth, the outcome meant little to him. Whether Nuu emerged victorious or succumbed to his opponent's savagery, he would still be forced to fulfill Tomlin's orders.
A wounded and weary adversary would make his task all the more effortless.
Despite his inability to breach Nuu's veil: Shrouded Abyss, he remained vigilant, his sharp gaze piercing through the darkness.
Unlike Black Curtain, which blocked prying eyes, he could still see everything that was happening.
It was a small consolation, but it was enough to record down. Worst case, he returns empty-handed, but with valuable data, Tomlin would have no complaint, right?
He knew that the only reason he was able to keep the town from being destroyed was that he had been entrusted with the safety of the royal consort's father.
Even if that member was nothing but a leech, it was his duty to protect the said individual, unless he desire his own head to be mounted on a pike.
Kirk hesitated for a moment, wondering if he could trust the voice. But there was no time for doubt. He had to act. With renewed determination, he charged at Nuu, aiming for his weak point. The impact of his dagger on Nuu's knee was sickening, but it seemed to work.
Nuu roared in pain, and for a moment, it looked like victory was within reach.
But then Kirk saw something that made his blood run cold.
Nuu was smiling, a twisted, malicious grin that sent shivers down Kirk's spine. Kirk and Mijo's hearts sank.
This was no ordinary enemy. A monster, a demon, and they were no match for him.
As Nuu advanced, Kirk realized that this was the end. He couldn't fight anymore, and Richard and Bae were too injured to stand a chance.
Kirk drew a deep breath, preparing for the worst. But then, in a moment of sheer luck, a bolt of lightning struck down, only to be redirected at Nuu, sending him reeling to the floor.
With that attack, Bae lost consciousness.
Giles and Mjio gasped, their heart pounding.
"This can't be real!"
But Nuu merely chuckled, unfazed by the lightning strike that had nearly taken his life. The crack in Bonari seemed to mock Mijo.
Nuu's eyes darted to Bae, a glimmer of hunger in his gaze. "Her essence should suffice."
Giles felt a chill run down his spine as Nuu barked a command. "Move!" The urgency in his voice brooked no argument. What was Nuu planning to do with Bae's blood essence? And could Giles stop him in time?
"Stop right there, you bastard! Can't you hear me?" Kirk gasped, struggling to his feet with Richard by his side.
Upon Bonari's contact with her heart, a sharp "Puchi" sound resonated throughout. There was little to no resistance as he delved deeper, causing only occasional twitches. Ultimately, Lord Bae passed away, with her head intact.
Giles and Reina's bloodshot eyes widened in horror as they watched their leader gasp for her last breath.
With great delight, Bonari felt her essence seep onto the blade.
Reina tried to fight back, but the restraints only grew tighter, and her screams were muffled.
As Kirk and Richard rushed forward to stop Nuu, they too were held back by Abyssal Shroud. Helpless, they watched in terror as Bae's life essence was drained, leaving behind a headless, mummified corpse.
With their mana spent, they found themselves in such a weakened state that overpowering Nuu's Shroud was simply impossible.
Giles, once a loyal follower, was now upon his knees begging for his life, trembling with fear.
Nuu's terrifying gaze met his, and for what felt like an eternity, Giles was paralyzed with terror.
"Pathetic!" he exclaimed as he walked past the defeated dog.
The earth-shattering battle had come to a close, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. The body count numbered only a few hundred, but the aftermath was a sight to behold.
The terrain was unrecognizable, with the once-familiar surroundings now reduced to rubble.
Nuu had done his best to shield Priscilla and Berta from the brunt of the fight, but his efforts were in vain.
The windows were shattered, and the roof was gone. The life signatures of the two women showed that they were alive but unconscious. Nuu heaved a sigh of relief, grateful that they were still breathing.
The lightning attack had forced his hand, and now he needed to replenish himself with life essence.
Nuu tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. He didn't want to kill Bae…Nuu knew he had to reap life or risk being at a disadvantage. His next plan could easily go awry if he didn't.
Despite the aggrieved expression on his face, Nuu emerged victorious. He had taken down a Grand Knight and two Acolytes.
His greatest bone is the Night of Terror. Their heads were already being hunted but Nuu had bigger plans. He had a few prospective buyers lined up.
"The Night of Terror" is notorious for assassinating prominent noble families and terrorizing the masses. The number of people who would love to get their hands on such an organization is not limited to just the Khan Dynasty.
As he waited, Nuu felt a surge of power coursing through his veins. He relished the feeling, knowing that the remaining Grand Knights and two Knights pose no threat to him.
Based on his calculations they should fetch a whopping 1.3 billion ducats.
Froh and Micah were not part of the deal.
Nuu had a torturous session planned with Froh. Not only would he extract information on how Froh was able to pay for the botched assassination attempt, but also reveal the significance of the mysterious map.
As for his golden goose, Micha, could a mere beating from Berta really make up for her loss? Nuu wrestled with the thought of taking this man's life, but his selfish desires prevailed.
Berta, however, would surely understand his plight, right? How could he allow the hag to kill his golden goose? In the worst case, he would take one for the team.
Nuu's mind raced as he tried to regain his composure. He reached into his holding bag, revealing dark-crimson chains that bore a striking resemblance to the ones that bound Priscilla. However, these chains were much more menacing and spoke volumes of Nuu's true intentions.
"Erium!" Richard exclaimed, his face ashen with fear. Indeed, both men knew the terrifying power that govern those chains.
Erium was a temporary suppression that rendered anyone below the Magus and Divine Knight ranks powerless. Resistance was futile.
Nuu couldn't help but smirk at the recognition in Richard's eyes. It spared him the trouble of explaining the full extent of his powers. "Did you honestly believe I hadn't noticed your cheap trick of gathering mana? Don't even try!" he spat with disdain as he forcefully cuffed both men, leaving no room for escape.
Nuu couldn't erase the memory of Reina and Giles from his mind. Yet, their pitiful existence and the head of their leader would have to suffice.
It was time to confront the pervert that had refused to leave - Mijo.
The veil that had obscured Priscilla and Berta's, latching itself onto the house providing them protection.
The two men locked eyes, each silently contemplating the stakes at hand. "Are you certain about this?" Nuu asked, his voice brimming with malice. "I promise you, there won't be a town left standing in that direction, nor anything you're trying to safeguard. It will all be reduced to ashes."
Nuu had caught onto Mijo's vulnerability, and the old man couldn't help but wince at the prospect of such destruction. However, despite the lack of fatigue in sight, a burning glare of defiance emanated from his eyes - an unspoken challenge that dared Mejo to try his hand.
The bitterness of being threatened by such a despicable wretch left a foul taste in Mijo's mouth, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Nuu.
As Mijo poised his brush to canvas, a commanding voice boomed, "Mijo, Halt!" It was a voice that brooked no disobedience, and Mijo knew better than to ignore it.