Chapter 161 The domination of a dragon eater?
(POV: Akashic Records)
Valeriazar, with a wicked grin stretched across his face, emerged from the rubble. "How delightful," he hissed.
In the blink of an eye, he lunged towards them once more, his speed causing the ground beneath him to rumble with an unyielding force.
But before Valeriazar could reach his intended prey, Merlin gracefully extended his hand, unleashing an unseen force field that reverberated through the area. The impact was akin to a rocket blast, propelling Valeriazar backwards with a thunderous crash. The display of power left the group momentarily stunned.
In that moment of vulnerability, Garret seized the opportunity, wielding his enchanted sword, Darkfire Edge, which radiated with a fiery black energy. With a mighty swing, he struck Valeriazar, only to be met with the unexpected resistance of black scales that shielded the beast's body, cushioning the effect of the blow.
Valeriazar's twisted smile widened as he mocked Garret, his voice dripping with cruel amusement.
"Is that all you can muster, little warrior?" he taunted.
The words hit Garret like a physical blow, his mind reeling at the audacity of this monstrous foe.
And before Garret could even react, a bone-shattering punch landed squarely on his face, launching him through the air.
Ress moved with lightning speed, catching Garret in his strong arms. n0vElusb.c0m
Concern etched across his features, he asked, "Are you alright?"
Garret, his head spinning from the brutal blow, managed to give a slight nod. "I'll be fine," he muttered through gritted teeth, though he couldn't ignore the destruction of his once-pristine armor.
Genevieve's eyes widened with disbelief as she turned to Merlin. "I thought you said you weren't a fighter," she exclaimed.
Merlin slotted his hands into his pockets, a wry smile playing on his lips. "I never claimed to be a fighter," he replied nonchalantly. "I simply have... useful abilities."
Fanatio nodded in agreement.
"For now, forget about that," she declared. "Put your powers to good use and help us defeat this creature."
Looking at Fanatio for a long time, Merlin smiled warmly. "I can do that."
"DON'T LOSE YOUR FOCUS!!"
Valeriazar brought his palms together, summoning a crackling orb of purple energy between them. With a swift motion, he extended his hand, causing the energy orb to explode into fifty smaller spheres hurtling towards the group.
Fanatio thrust her arm forward, conjuring a magnificent silver and blue sword adorned with golden ornaments.
It was a Unique Skill called 『Weaponsmith』. Essentially, she could convert her mana to raw materials which she'd then use to make any weapon of her choice.
Gripping it like a baseball bat, she swung with all her might, releasing a powerful wave of energy that shattered each of Valeriazar's projectiles, detonating them in a brilliant display.
"Those spheres, something?s strange." Merlin stroked his chin.
In the meantime, Genevieve created small magic circle in her palm.
From it emerged her magic sword, <<Blue Forger>>, one crafted entirely from ice, its thin blade glistening with an ethereal aura.
"Now's the perfect time!"
Utilizing the haze caused by the explosion, she skillfully concealed herself and launched a lightning-fast assault on Valeriazar, initiating a ferocious blitz slash via [Blink Strike].
Moving so fast she nearly vanished, she reappeared behind him, enveloping him in a chilling mist.
"( Behind me? )" (Valeriazar)
But to his surprise, Valeriazar witnessed Fanatio materializing before him as well, hers and Genevieve's attacks perfectly synchronized.
Valeriazar, his sinister grin unyielding, conjured a set of impenetrable scales to protect his forearms. Blocking their onslaught with brute strength alone, he pushed them back, his crimson eyes gleaming with a twisted admiration. "Impressive," he crooned. "You may possess a few years of fighting experience, but what truly astounds me is your remarkable synchronization."
Seeing an opportunity, Genevieve and Fanatio pressed their swords into the ground, preventing them from rolling any further.
The two ladies exchanged a determined glance.
"You sound awfully confident," Genevieve's face contorted.
Fanatio nodded. "Honestly... that's an irritating habit."
Garret, panting heavily, took a moment to catch his breath, his muscles aching from the strenuous battle. Ress, on the other hand, gripped his greatsword tightly. With a growl, he lunged towards Valeriazar, his voice filled with ferocity.
"Prepare to meet your end!"
Before Ress could even blink, Valeriazar materialized before him, his speed seemingly defying logic.
"Be quiet."
With lightning-fast reflexes, Valeriazar seized Ress by the head and slammed him forcefully into the unforgiving ground, sending tremors through the battlefield.
"GAH!!" Ress cried out.
Fanatio sighed, placing a palm against her face in exasperation.
"Ress, announcing your attack against someone a hundred times faster than you won't end well," she lamented.
She had little concern for the dire situation Ress found himself in, knowing his recklessness would be his downfall.
However, there was one who remained undeterred by the odds stacked against them. Genevieve, observing the imminent threat to her comrade, felt a surge of protective instinct welling up inside her. In a split second decision, she expertly dashed towards Valeriazar, her sword poised to cleave him in two. With a swift, calculated motion, she aimed her slash at his abdomen, each movement laced with both grace and lethal intent.
"Oh? This again?" Valeriazar sounded almost amused.
He summoned dark scales to fortify the targeted area, using them as a makeshift shield against Genevieve's assault.
CLANG!!
The impact shattered her magical ice sword into countless particles, leaving her weaponless and vulnerable.
"M-my sword," Genevieve exclaimed.
"You're not watching yourself!"
A smug smile curved across Valeriazar's face as he prepared to strike back, his claws primed to end Genevieve's life.
But before he could carry out his grisly intentions, an invisible force field enveloped Genevieve, pulsating with a powerful energy. Valeriazar's claws collided with the barrier, and to his surprise, he was struck with a blastwave, his body sent hurtling backward, crashing into a pile of ominous skulls.
"Damn it," said the dragon eater.
He let out a low growl, raking his fingers through his long, ebony hair, facing Merlin with a wicked grin.
"You almost had me there," Valeriazar taunted. "I almost forgot you were in this battle."
Merlin shrugged. "Meh, happens to the best of us."
"That spell of yours is getting old, and quickly so."
"Oh?" Merlin's green eyes sparkled. "Is that so?"
Valeriazar rose to his feet.
"Then I guess you've never heard of a [Kinetic Barrier] then," said Merlin.
A barrier that manipulated with the distributive laws of kinetic energy. When anything in motion struck this invisible field, it would instantly get repelled with double the force.
Valeriazar had been a victim of that three times now.
Valeriazar stretched his sinewy arms, his sly grin widening as he stared at Merlin with an insatiable hunger in his eyes. "Ah, do you not see? I have quite the voracious appetite," Valeriazar purred, his voice dripping with wicked desire. "Every inch of my body, every ounce of my being, it all simply itches for a taste of you."
Merlin, unimpressed, let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head. "I don't swing that way bro."
Valeriazar grinned. "Whatever floats your boat," he replied dismissively. "But do humor me, my dear. Let me have a taste of you, just a little nibble."
Merlin rolled his eyes and tucked his hands into his pockets. "Fine then," he replied with a smirk. "Try to hit me. I dare you."
Confusion rippled through the air, engulfing both Valeriazar and the onlookers. Valeriazar furrowed his brow, his eyes narrowing as he processed Merlin's words. "Are you... alright?" he asked, genuine concern mingling with his bewilderment.
Merlin chuckled softly, his demeanor oozing with confidence. "I'm more than fine, Valeriazar," he replied, his voice steady as he spread his arms wide. "In fact, I'll make it easy for you. I won't use any defensive spells. Bet you can't even touch me."
The height of arrogance emanating from Merlin's words was something Valeriazar had never encountered before. His jaws snapped open wider, his monstrous form expanding as he prepared to strike.
Fanatio become frustrated and shouted at Merlin. "Are you an idiot?" she bellowed, her hand firmly gripping her sword as she rose from the ground. "Stop playing games and take this seriously!"
Merlin nonchalantly slid his hands into his pockets, a serene smile on his face. He turned to face Fanatio, confident.
"Fear not, my dear Fanatio. I have everything under con-"
But before Merlin could even finish his sentence, Valeriazar, fueled by a monstrous bloodlust, charged at him with unimaginable speed. In an instant, the air was filled with the sickening sound of tearing flesh and shattering bone. Valeriazar's razor-sharp claws ripped through Merlin's body, tearing him apart into countless pieces.
Arms, legs, and other dismembered body parts flew across the room, painting the walls with rivulets of crimson. The sheer brutality of the attack left the onlookers frozen in shock and horror. Genevieve and Fanatio stood there, their faces frozen in terror, as flecks of blood splattered upon their pale cheeks.
Valeriazar stood amidst the gruesome aftermath, his hulking figure now drenched in a macabre tapestry of crimson. Blood dripped from his monstrous claws onto the floor, creating a grotesque puddle that mirrored the brutality of the scene.