The first assassin lunged forward, his crimson blade blazing with eerie energy. Rain met him head-on, parrying the blow with his sword.
Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the sheer force of the impact splitting the ground beneath them. But Rain knew he couldn't sustain this for long. Facing two assassins, one at intermediate C-rank, was far beyond the limits of an average intermediate True Body realm warrior. He had to act decisively.
Taking a deep breath, Rain activated the forbidden technique he had received from Glenn. His body turned red as green lightning crackled around him, leaping out like wild serpents.
Pain shot through his veins as his genetic energy surged, and his strength amplified to dangerous levels.
Rain's talent, already above average, now pushed his combat power to the upper limits of intermediate C-rank. The forbidden technique would not last long, but it must be enough.
The first assassin hesitated for a fraction of a second, his instincts warning him of the sudden shift in Rain's aura. But hesitation was fatal.
Rain charged with blinding speed, his sword slicing through the air in a deadly arc. The assassin barely raised his crimson blade in time to block, but the force of the strike sent him skidding backward, his boots carving trenches into the ground.
Rain didn't let up. He pressed forward, unleashing a relentless flurry of attacks. Each strike carried the weight of his amplified strength, and each clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air. The assassin, skilled as he was, found himself on the defensive, his movements growing increasingly desperate.
From the corner of his eye, Rain kept track of the second assassin circling him, waiting for an opening. The green flames on the second assassin's blade flickered menacingly, but Rain couldn't afford to divide his attention. He had to eliminate the first assassin quickly.
The first assassin growled in frustration, his crimson blade glowing brighter as he channeled more energy into it. With a roar, he swung his weapon in a wide arc, releasing a wave of crimson energy that tore through the air toward Rain.
Rain planted his feet firmly and raised his sword, channeling his amplified energy into a devastating counterattack. His blade erupted with green lightning as he slashed downward, cleaving through the crimson wave and sending shards of energy scattering like glass.
"You'll regret this," the assassin snarled, but his confidence was wavering. Rain could see it in his eyes.
Rain didn't reply. He dashed forward, closing the distance in an instant. Their swords met again, but this time, Rain's strength overwhelmed the assassin. With a powerful strike, he disarmed his opponent, sending the crimson blade flying. The assassin stumbled back, his balance broken.
Seizing the opportunity, Rain unleashed an energy bomb at point-blank range. The explosion engulfed the assassin, throwing him to the ground.
Rain didn't wait for the dust to settle. He charged into the smoke, his sword raised high. The assassin, bloodied and disoriented, barely managed to roll out of the way as Rain's blade came down, carving a deep gash into the earth.
The assassin's eyes glowed with desperation as he summoned a last-ditch attack. Crimson tendrils of energy erupted from his body, whipping toward Rain like the fangs of a serpent. Rain gritted his teeth, channeling his energy into a protective barrier. The tendrils struck the barrier, shattering against it in bursts of light.
"It's over," Rain said, his voice cold and unwavering. He surged forward, his sword cutting through the air with lethal precision.
The assassin tried to dodge, but he was too slow. Rain's blade pierced through his chest, the green lightning crackling as it burned through flesh and bone.
The assassin gasped, his eyes wide with shock. Rain twisted the blade, ensuring the fatal blow. The crimson energy around the assassin flickered and faded as his body went limp. Rain pulled his sword free, letting the lifeless body collapse to the ground.
Before Rain could catch his breath, a sinister laugh echoed through the night. He turned to see the second assassin standing on the slope, the green flames on his sword burning brighter than ever.
"Impressive," the second assassin said, his voice dripping with malice. "But you're not leaving here alive."
Rain readied himself, his body still crackling with green lightning. But he could feel the toll of the forbidden technique.
His strength was fading, and the pain in his body was growing more intense. The second assassin, now fully healed and brimming with energy, was a far greater threat.
The second assassin charged, his green-flamed blade cutting through the air with terrifying speed. Rain met him head-on, their swords clashing in a burst of energy. But the second assassin's strikes were heavier, more precise. Rain struggled to keep up, his movements growing sluggish.
"You can't win," the second assassin sneered, his attacks coming faster and harder.
Rain deflected a strike aimed at his head, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling backward. The assassin pressed his advantage, landing a shallow cut on Rain's side. The green flames burned through his armor, searing his flesh.
Rain gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain. He summoned the last of his strength, launching a desperate counterattack. His sword clashed with the assassin's, the green lightning and flames colliding in a spectacular display.
But Rain could feel himself weakening. His vision blurred, and his movements became unsteady.
The second assassin, sensing his victory, unleashed a powerful strike. Rain managed to block it, but the force of the blow shattered his sword. The broken blade fell from his hands as he staggered back, his chest heaving.
The assassin laughed, his green-flamed blade raised for the killing blow. But Rain wasn't done yet. He gathered the last remnants of his energy and released a final energy bomb. The explosion engulfed the assassin, sending him flying back.
Rain collapsed to one knee, his body trembling. He watched as the second assassin emerged from the smoke, his body scorched but still standing. The assassin's eyes burned with rage as he raised his hand, channeling all his energy into a single, desperate attack.
"If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!" the assassin roared. His body began to glow, the energy within him reaching a critical point. Rain's eyes widened as he realized what was happening.
The assassin was self-destructing.
Rain tried to move, but his body wouldn't respond. The explosion erupted with a deafening roar, the green flames consuming everything in their path.
Rain was thrown back, his body slamming into the ground. He felt the searing heat, the pain of his left arm and leg being torn away. His vision dimmed as the world around him faded into darkness.
When the smoke cleared, the battlefield was silent. The second assassin was gone, his body obliterated in the explosion. Rain lay motionless on the ground, blood pooling around him. But his chest rose and fell faintly. He was alive—barely.