Chapter 122: Alix Arrival (part 1)

Words : 1043 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

"Impressive. You three managed to wound me," he acknowledges, his voice a mix of respect and menace. "I suppose it's only fair I match your enthusiasm." With deliberate focus, Zinov begins to chant, his voice resonating with power as he invokes his buff skills: "Fortitude" (Tier 4): His muscles bulge, veins coursing with enhanced strength, amplifying his physical prowess. "Aegis of the Unyielding" (Tier 4): A shimmering barrier envelops him, reinforcing his already formidable armor with an additional layer of defense. "Hawk's Reflexes" (Tier 3): His movements become sharper, his reaction time accelerating to near-superhuman levels. "Endless Stamina" (Tier 3): A steady glow emanates from within, granting him relentless endurance to sustain prolonged combat. The air around Zinov crackles with aura as these enhancements take hold, his presence becoming even more imposing. He grips his sword with renewed vigor, the blade humming with latent power. "Now, let's see how you fare against this," Zinov challenges, his eyes locking onto Vaelith. Without warning, Zinov lunges forward, his sword arcing toward Vaelith with blinding speed. Vaelith barely manages to parry, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through his arms. Grell and Tarven seize the moment to flank Zinov, their claws aiming for the gaps in his armor. Anticipating their maneuver, Zinov pivots with uncanny agility, activating his "Whirlwind Cleave" (Tier 2) skill. His sword spins in a deadly circle, forcing the assassins to leap back to avoid the sweeping blade. "You're fast," Vaelith admits, his eyes narrowing. "But speed alone won't save you." Zinov's smirk deepens. "Let's test that theory." He slams his sword into the ground, activating "Seismic Rupture" (Tier 4). The earth trembles violently, fissures radiating outward, disrupting the assassins' footing. Tarven stumbles, and Zinov capitalizes on the misstep, closing the distance with a burst of speed. Raising his gauntleted fist, Zinov unleashes "Meteor Strike" (Tier 3), a devastating downward punch aimed at Tarven. At the last moment, Grell intercepts, tackling Tarven out of harm's way as the ground where he stood erupts in a cloud of debris. Vaelith uses the chaos to his advantage, activating "Shadow Step" (Tier 3) to teleport behind Zinov. He thrusts his daggers toward the exposed area beneath Zinov's arm, but Zinov's "Hawk's Reflexes" allow him to twist away just in time, the blades grazing his side. "You're persistent, I'll give you that," Zinov growls, swinging his sword in a horizontal arc. Vaelith ducks under the blade, rolling to create distance. "You have a great armor. But even the strongest armor has its weak points." Grell and Tarven regroup, their eyes meeting Vaelith's in silent communication. They spread out, encircling Zinov once more. "Enough of this," Zinov declares, raising his sword high. He channels energy into the blade, preparing to unleash "Blazing Arc" (Tier 4), a sweeping attack engulfed in flames. Recognizing the impending danger, Vaelith shouts, "Scatter!" The assassins dart in different directions as Zinov's sword descends, a fiery wave erupting from the blade and scorching the ground in its path. Despite their agility, the heat singes their garments, the sheer power of the attack evident. The searing heat of Zinov's "Blazing Arc" scorches the battlefield, and despite their swift evasive maneuvers, Vaelith, Grell, and Tarven are caught at the fringes of the fiery onslaught. Their garments smolder, and burns mar their skin, the pain evident. Zinov's eyes narrow as he spots Grell momentarily faltering. Seizing the opportunity, he dashes forward, sword poised to deliver a fatal blow. Just as Zinov's blade is about to descend upon Grell, a massive crimson energy sword materializes between them, intercepting the attack with a resounding clash. The sheer force sends shockwaves through the air, causing Zinov to skid backward. Vaelith, Grell, and Tarven immediately recognize the presence behind the energy sword. They drop to one knee in unison, bowing their heads. "We greet Your Majesty!" they intone respectfully. Vaelith, still kneeling, speaks with a tone of regret, "Forgive us, Your Majesty. We lack the strength to defeat this human." A commanding voice responds, calm yet authoritative. "It's okay. You can go now and help the shadows kill the soldiers." The trio rises, casting a final glance at Zinov before retreating to the shadows. Zinov's gaze shifts to the newcomer. Before him stands Alix, the king of this Erevaris kingdom. His presence exudes confidence and power. "Are you the king of this new kingdom?" Zinov inquires, his tone measured. Alix meets his gaze squarely. "Yes, I am." Zinov sheathes his sword, adopting a diplomatic stance. "My king, the ruler of Valgros, wishes to propose that you cease your attack on the Raltheon Kingdom. In return, we will acknowledge your newly established realm." A chuckle escapes Alix's lips, growing into a hearty laugh. "Why would I negotiate with a human kingdom I can easily destroy?" Zinov's expression darkens momentarily, but he quickly regains composure. "I don't know why you are so confident. From what I can sense, you've just broken through to Tier 5." Alix's eyes gleam with a mix of amusement and challenge. "You're not wrong. But I'm different." Alix's presence exudes a palpable aura of dominance as he begins to chant, his voice resonating with power. The atmosphere thickens as he invokes his formidable Tier 5 buff skills: Sovereign's Might: A golden radiance envelops Alix, amplifying his physical strength to unparalleled levels. Imperial Aegis: An ethereal shield manifests around him, enhancing his defenses and rendering him nearly impervious to attacks. Temporal Acceleration: Time seems to bend around Alix, significantly boosting his speed and reflexes. Arcane Infusion: Mystical energies surge through his being, augmenting his magical prowess and imbuing his attacks with arcane force. Unyielding Will: A steely determination emanates from Alix, bolstering his resistance to mental and physical debilitation. As these enhancements take hold, Alix's figure becomes a beacon of overwhelming power. The ground beneath him trembles slightly, responding to the sheer force of his aura. Zinov's eyes widen momentarily, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. He quickly suppresses it, steeling himself. "Impressive display," he concedes, his tone measured. "But raw power isn't everything."

Chapter 122: Alix Arrival (part 1)

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