Indeed, what Hugo just demonstrated appeared to be another form of magic. However, the mechanics behind it seemed to deviate entirely from the conventional magic of this world, existing on a separate plane. Although Anubis found this phenomenon strange enough, what added to his curiosity was the strangely familiar nature to such a concept.
His form slowly descended from the heights and made contact with the now-calm surface of the water. Throughout the battle, the laws of nature seemed to adhere to unnatural rules. Anubis had noticed this ever since Hugo landed on the scene. None of Hugo's attacks had any effect on the surroundings, and any disturbances observed were a result of Anubis's own evasive actions. Even as they stood parallel to each other, Hugo's feet caused no disturbance to the water's surface.
"I'm going to start collecting data extensively," muttered Hugo, his unique smile holding a different meaning for Anubis. It seemed like Hugo intentionally lowered his voice, but Anubis could still read his intentions from the movement of his lips.
"Command Call… Access Authority… Activate Privilege!"
Anubis attempted to turn around, but it was too late. Hugo was already behind him, hurling Anubis with the two-handed sword to his stomach. "Urgh!" Anubis was thrown far, bouncing on the water's surface much like a skipping stone. Eventually, his body collided with a tree in the middle of the lake, shattering a portion of it.
The resulting splashes created an aftereffect that seemed akin to the beginning of a rainfall, and before Anubis could fully regain his composure from the collision, Hugo stood before him once again, assuming his attacking stance. With his two-handed sword wielded like a baseball bat, Hugo forcefully slammed it into Anubis's body. The towering tree succumbed to the destructive force, its trunk crumbling under the sheer might of that single, immense blow, and as a consequence, Anubis's figure was propelled far away into the distance.
After bouncing several times, Anubis was able to adapt and regain more consciousness. His body continued to be propelled in backward, leaving long traces on the surface of the water. A wave formed just ahead of him, accompanied by the top part of the falling tree hurtling directly toward him.
Crimson flames sparked in his palms, directed them forward burning away a part of the fallen tree. "Tsk, still too weak," he grumbled, leaped higher to evade the remnants of the wave and the partially burnt tree. Remaining vigilant, he scanned his surroundings in search of his adversary. "Who is he, really?" Anubis wondered, but found no trace of the enemy's presence.
"Wondering me?"
Below?
Clang! Anubis managed to block the sword swing that came at him from below, but the force was too much for his body to handle, sending him soaring through the air. Somehow, Hugo seemed to appear and attacked Anubis while he was still airborne. Two and three strikes landed, but Clang! Anubis gradually started to perceive the rhythm of the enemy's speed. Yet, even with this realization, the situation remained unchanged. Clang! Clang!
With just the recent attacks, Anubis's health bar was already flashing red, one or two more strikes could be the end of him. As he was lost in his thoughts, Hugo's smiling face appeared before him - above - not a change from his initial enthusiasm.
Growing tired of the standard back-and-forth swings of a baseball bat, Hugo decided to deliver a finishing blow in the form of a thrust. However, the execution was predictable, allowing Anubis the opportunity to analyze and deflect the attack while still in the air. "Tch, stubborn!" Hugo scoffed, abandoning his initial plan before reverting to his usual powerful slash.
Regardless of whether he was still in conscious or not, Anubis was propelled downward at a breakneck pace, crashing into the lake's water and sinking deeper. The force continued to have an effect even as his body descended to the lake's depths. Despite the situation, his entire form remained motionless, just watching the bubbles forming within his field of vision. His calm expression was mixed with curiosity about what was unfolding.
[!] System Alert: Authority Privilege Triggered!
Above the newly lake water's splashes, still hovering in his swinging sword pose that had just been fulfilled, Hugo was the most surprised of them all. For almost the same reason, a floating notification appeared, but with different contents:
[!] System Alert: Authority Privilege Underleveled!
"Authority too low? Who... me?" Hugo couldn't believe it, blinking then ensured it again, but the notification still remained on his display with the same exact words. He had been sure that the vampire's health bar was extremely low just a moment ago and his last attack should have been deadly. However, not only did it fail to reduce Anubis's health further, but the rest damage was also being nullified.
To the point where the system's indicate his Authority Privilege was under-leveled, implied that the figure he confronted also has access to User Roles/Access Levels. What made it even more astonishing was that the same figure held a Privilege Level superior to Hugo's own. Although the concept was commonly known, its true meaning remained elusive in this boundlessness world. This was primarily due to the fact that, within the framework of User Roles/Access Levels, higher levels equated to greater control. Essentially, weaker entities were restricted from interfering with higher levels.
Once again, gravity exerted its force as Hugo plummeted from a great height. In a seamless motion, he touched down with the grace of a water strider, his figure rising and falling in rhythm with the undulating waves of the lake that still struggled to find calm. "There's someone with a higher privilege level than me?!" he exclaimed, taken aback by the revelation.
Straight away the area filled with a rapid hissing sound as hot steam billowed out from the water. In the foreground, bubbles of oxygen surged upwards, popping one after another in quick succession, as if anticipating the emergence of Anubis's shadowy figure.
As his healthbar reached a critical point, hovering between life and death, it triggered Anubis's innate vampire ability, an ability that showcased his pure essence as a vampire. The water surrounding him instantly vaporized due to the intense heat emanating from Anubis, who resurfaced with his eyes glowing even brighter.