When Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy arrived on the scene, he found only a few scouts dead.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy surveyed the grim scene, his eyes narrowing with concern. The lifeless bodies of his scouts confirmed his suspicions—Lord Gareth's forces had indeed targeted the scouts, disrupting their intelligence-gathering efforts.
The Inquisitor's jaw clenched, his determination solidifying. "They've struck at our eyes and ears, trying to blind us to their movements.
Suddenly he has the feeling that he is being watched.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, his senses heightened by both training and divine intuition, felt the weight of an unseen gaze upon him. Instinctively, his hand tightened around the hilt of his divine artifact, a palpable aura of authority and determination radiating from him.
"Show yourself!" Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy's voice echoed through the night, cutting through the somber air.
An arrow quickly emerged from the shadows, expertly aimed at Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy. Before it could reach its target, it was blocked by a mana shield.
A figure emerged from the darkness, revealing Ren, his silhouette barely discernible. A faint, eerie red glow emanated from his eyes as he regarded Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, undeterred by the surprise attack, spoke with a mixture of authority and curiosity. "Who are you? How dare you attack the Inquisitor of Light!"
Ren, his eyes still glowing with the remnants of the Blood Pact skill, lowered his bow, revealing a calm demeanor despite the tense situation.
"I am Gareth Miller, the Lord of Oscana Barony," he declared, his voice carrying an air of confidence.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy was stunned when he heard what Ren said. "You! Hahaha, it seems that the young lord himself was quite confident to face me."
Ren kept his composure, his eyes meeting Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy's gaze with unwavering determination. "Heh, just some fucking trash, why should I be serious?"
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, though momentarily taken aback by Ren's bold response, maintained his stern expression. The two figures faced each other in the dimly lit night, the tension palpable.
"Heh... Hahaha.... HAHAHAHAHA." Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy's laughter echoed in the night, a mix of surprise and amusement at Ren's audacity. The tension in the air seemed to lighten momentarily as the two adversaries exchanged banter.
"You dare mock the Inquisitor of Light? You'll find that your arrogance will be your downfall," Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy retorted, his hand firmly gripping his divine artifact.
Ren, still under the influence of the Blood Pact, maintained his confident demeanor. "Downfall? We'll see about that. I've already disrupted your scouts, and tonight is just the beginning."
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy's eyes flared with determination once more. "Let's see if your mouth match with your strength."
The confrontation between Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy and Ren, the Lord of Oscana Barony, unfolded in the tense atmosphere of the night.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy use his buff aura. "Light give me your strength!"
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, channeling the power of the Light, emitted a radiant aura that enveloped him, enhancing his strength and resolve. The divine energy emanating from him seemed to push back against the darkness that clung to the night.
Ren, observing the display of Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy's divine aura, remained unfazed. He maintained a confident stance, the eerie red glow in his eyes contrasting with the radiant light surrounding the Inquisitor.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, empowered by the Light, took a step forward, his divine artifact raised high. "Gareth Miller prepare to die!"
Ren, standing his ground, responded with a smirk. "Well, Inquisitor, let's dance."
The clash between divine energy and the eerie red glow created a visual spectacle as the two figures faced off. The night seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the outcome of this unexpected encounter.
"Clang"
"Clang"
The clash of weapons echoed through the night as Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy and Ren engaged in a fierce duel. The divine aura surrounding the Inquisitor clashed with the eerie red glow emanating from Ren, creating a dazzling display of contrasting energies.
"Divine Spear of Light Technique, Chapter 1, Verse 10, Thunderbolt!" Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, wielding his Divine Artifact with mastery, performed a Divine Artifact Technique.
The Divine Spear of Light Technique unleashed a powerful surge of energy, manifesting as a bolt of radiant light that streaked towards Ren with incredible speed.
"Boom!" The sound of thunderbolts echoing through the forest.
Ren grith his teeth as he faces the oncoming Divine Spear of Light. Swiftly, he moves with agility that seems almost unnatural, evading the direct hit but not without a graze on his shoulder.
"Heh, not bad, Inquisitor," Ren remarked, wiping a small streak of blood from his shoulder with the back of his hand.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, undeterred by Ren's evasion, continued his assault, launching a series of swift and precise strikes.
"Divine Judgment!" he exclaimed, imbuing his attacks with the power of divine retribution.
Ren tried to hold off this attack, but unexpectedly got overpowered by the Divine Judgement skill that Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy was using.
"Ugh!"
[HP: 2500/3000] (HP Regen 40/second.) (Status: Bleeding)
Ren staggered back, the effects of the Divine Judgment evident on his form. The radiant energy of divine retribution left its mark, and Ren's bleeding status indicated the potency of Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy's attack.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, maintaining his divine aura, pressed the advantage. "Your arrogance will be your downfall, Lord Gareth."
Ren, though wounded, flashed a defiant grin. "Heh, don't count me out just yet."
It is time to stack the Blood Pact buff again.'
Ren, despite the injuries inflicted by Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy's Divine Judgment, focused on channeling his Blood Pact once more. The faint red glow intensified around him as he embraced the chaotic energy.
[HP: 4040/4500] (HP Regen 40/second.) (Status: Bleeding)
[Chaotic Energy: 500/1000] (Chaotic Energy Regen 10/second.)
[Attribute Strength: 150 (+150 Blood Pact) (+150 Blood Pact) (10 minute) (1 Hour)
Agility: 100 (+100 Blood Pact) (+100 Blood Pact) (10 minute) (1 Hour)
Intelligence: 100]
[Skills: Resurrection Level 5, Aura Health regeneration Level 3, Aura Chaotic Energy Regeneration Level 2, Blood Pact Level 2]
Ren, empowered by the renewed Blood Pact buff, felt a surge of strength coursing through him.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, observing Ren's recovery, narrowed his eyes but remained steadfast. "Your tricks won't save you, Lord Gareth. The Light will prevail."
"Heh, are you sure about that?" Ren, now bolstered by the renewed Blood Pact buff, took a defensive stance, his eyes glowing with increased intensity. The clash between the divine energy of the Inquisitor and the chaotic power within Ren created an electrifying atmosphere.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, undeterred by Ren's empowered state, pressed forward with unwavering determination. "I will not let the darkness triumph over the Light!"
Ren, displaying newfound agility and strength, evaded Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy's strikes with enhanced speed. The eerie red glow surrounding him seemed to enhance his reflexes, allowing him to dance through the attacks.
"Divine Judgment!" Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy unleashed another round of divine retribution, but Ren, with a swift and almost instinctive movement, managed to dodge most of the strikes, sustaining only minor grazes.
"Heh, your light is strong, Inquisitor, but it won't save you tonight," Ren taunted, his movements becoming increasingly unpredictable.
Ren quickly counters by punching him in the liver, causing him to fall.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, momentarily caught off guard by Ren's sudden change of tactics, grunted as the punch landed with precision.
"Ugh!"
The divine aura around him flickered, and he staggered backward, temporarily disoriented.
Suddenly there was a scream from behind him, General Cedric and Priestess Isabella were coming to help.
The sudden arrival of General Cedric and Priestess Isabella added a new dynamic to the ongoing duel. Their eyes widened as they witnessed the clash between Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy and Ren, the Lord of Oscana Barony.
"Inquisitor!" General Cedric's voice boomed with concern. "We came as soon as we heard the commotion. Are you injured?"
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, regaining his composure, shook his head. "I'm fine, General. Stay back; this opponent is formidable."
Ren, noticing the reinforcements, flashed a confident grin. "More guests for the party? I can handle a few more but that it for today we will fight again tomorrow."
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, his divine aura still emanating, raised an eyebrow at Ren's words. "You think you can just walk away? We won't let you escape after attacking our scouts and causing chaos in our camp!"
Ren, however, seemed unswayed. "I've made my point tonight. Tomorrow will be more interesting. Until then, Inquisitor," he said, disappearing into the shadows with an uncanny agility that defied the eye.
Inquisitor Ardian Kennedy, though frustrated by Ren's escape, recognized the wisdom in not pursuing recklessly. "We'll deal with him tomorrow. For now, focus on restoring order to the camp and preparing for the impending siege."
General Cedric nodded in agreement, "He's right. Our priority is to ensure the safety of the camp and our forces. We can't afford to be drawn into his games."
Priestess Isabella, her divine aura still shimmering, added, "I will continue reinforcing the protective spells. We must be vigilant for any further disruptions."