The voices of the hunters blurred into a distant echo, fading to a muffled hum in Zarek's ears. Among them, Eva's frantic cries pierced through, calling his name with desperation. But Zarek's body felt heavy, unresponsive, and numb. All he could do was stand, powerless, as the spear was ruthlessly pulled from his chest, a torrent of blood splashing out. His vision blurred, his strength waning, and he dropped to his knees, gasping for breath.
Before he could even hit the ground, the towering figure spun the spear effortlessly, its blade slicing through the air in a graceful arc, cleaning Zarek's blood from its surface. The man's movements were smooth, almost casual, his cold blue eyes fixed on Zarek with an indifferent gaze. With a swift, merciless strike, he drove the spear into Zarek's ribs, sending him flying like a discarded stone.
Zarek's body was flung across the battlefield, crashing into the rocky wall with a force that shook the ground, as though a truck had slammed into him. Dust and debris exploded around him on impact, and he slumped to the ground, barely conscious, his vision flickering as pain radiated through every fiber of his being.
All around, the hunters were frozen in shock, watching helplessly as the monstrous figure stood over Zarek's crumpled form, a chilling silence descending upon the battlefield.
Blood pooled beneath Zarek, staining the ground like spilled red wine. Each shallow breath grew weaker, his life slipping away with every passing moment. A faint, detached thought flickered in his mind, as if his own voice were speaking from far away. "Am I… dying?"
His gaze drifted to the S-rank crystal still clutched in his right hand, its glow flickering, fragile yet brilliant. "It seems like I won't be able to bring this to you, Mom. I'm sorry…" A bittersweet pang filled his heart as an image of his mother's face surfaced in his mind, her warm smile and gentle eyes holding a promise he had desperately wanted to fulfill.
"Damn it…" he thought, frustration mingling with sorrow. "I was so close…" His vision blurred as his strength faded, his eyelids growing heavy. A deep, calming silence crept in, and with one final breath, his world went dark.
The golden spear of the man gleamed ominously in the crystal light that spilled down from the dungeon's ceiling. No trace of Zarek's blood lingered on its pristine surface, and the man's appearance was almost otherworldly—skin pale as milk, eyes as piercing and blue as crystal. His beauty was cold, haunting, and void of any hint of humanity. The lack of emotion on his face only deepened the terror he radiated.
Grey's eyes locked onto his fallen friend, the brutal scene igniting a fury that clouded all reason. His voice cracked with rage. "You damn bastard! How dare you…" Mana erupted around him, surging wildly, and he called upon his last, desperate strength. "Limit Breaker!" he roared, his aura blazing with a fierce intensity as he launched himself at the man in a final, reckless assault.
Cain's face paled as he watched Grey's reckless charge. "That idiot!" he muttered in horror, sensing the devastating risk he was taking.
Grey leapt high, his body propelled with everything he had, his eyes set on the man who had struck Zarek down. But the man barely moved, merely shifted his spear and unleashed a swift, precise slash that sliced through the air toward Grey. The arc of mana moved too fast, blindingly swift, and Grey, suspended midair, had no chance to evade.
The slash collided with Grey in an explosive impact, sending him spiraling helplessly through the air like a discarded paper, before he was flung back to the ground. He struck the floor with a force that sent dust and debris into the air, forming a thick cloud that concealed him from view.
"Douglas, get everyone out of here. This isn't a fight you can stay in," Cain's voice held a gravity that weighed heavy in the air. Douglas nodded, recognizing the urgency, his eyes hard with resolve. "Roger that," he replied, rallying the others and ushering them to retreat from the battlefield.
Eva stood still, her grip on her bow tight, her expression hidden beneath her bangs. An aura of cold determination radiated from her, a quiet, fierce resolve that warned anyone against approaching her. Meanwhile, Kai's breaths came heavy, his mind racing as he eyed the terrifying figure before them. What is he? He looks human… but everything in me says he's not. And he's stronger than the knight—by a long shot. Frustration gnawed at him as he swallowed hard, trying to keep his fear at bay.
In that moment, the man's piercing blue eyes locked onto Kai, sending a chill down his spine. The figure moved with lightning speed, launching himself into the air and bearing down on Kai, spear poised to strike. Kai barely had time to brace, dropping low in a defensive stance, ready to meet the impact head-on.
But before the spear could reach him, a flash of red appeared in Kai's line of sight. Cain's blazing sword intercepted the attack, locking against the golden spear with a powerful clash. Sparks erupted from the collision, lighting up the battleground. For the first time, a flicker of surprise crossed the man's otherwise stoic face as he felt the strength behind Cain's blade.
Cain's stance was unyielding, his eyes narrowed in fierce concentration as he held back the force of the enemy's attack.
Cain's face twisted in anguish, his voice cracking with rage. "You people have taken enough from us. No more!"
The white-haired figure retreated, his piercing blue eyes flashing with caution. He landed several feet back, his gaze never wavering from Cain.
"That signature white hair, those unsettling eyes, and the unmistakable armor – a blend of white and gold," Cain growled, his words dripping with venom. "You're one of them, aren't you? You can understand what I'm saying can't you?" Answer me, Valtarian.
The air hung heavy with tension.Then, the man's silence shattered with a low, menacing chuckle.
"Ho... you've crossed paths with our race before," his voice dripping with malice.
Kai's eyes went wide, his breath catching in his throat. But Cain's face remained chiseled granite, his eyes ablaze with a fury that seemed to consume him.
His gaze never wavered, boring into the Valtarian with an intensity that made the air seem to crackle,The weight of Cain's unspoken history hung like a challenge.