Villain Ch 188. Vendetta
A sinister smile played upon the devil emperor's lips as he withdrew his demonic claw from the archer's lifeless body, allowing him to crumple to the ground. Blood splattered in all directions, dousing his cold face and staining Yora's white robe in crimson.
Their eyes locked in a chilling gaze. Despite the devil emperor's seemingly alluring appearance and the regal aura exuded by his attire, Yora couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that crawled up her spine. His gaze bore into her soul, filling her with an indescribable dread that caused her blood to run cold.
"YORA, RUN!" The urgency in Mac's voice snapped her back to reality, jolting her from her paralyzed state.
But it was too late. Before she could react, the devil emperor swiftly seized her, pulling her body closer to his, his chilling touch sending shivers down her spine. The emperor's vice-like grip tightened around her throat, constricting her airways. She could feel each drop of blood that dripped from her throat.
An overwhelming surge of rage and desperation coursed through Mac and his comrades as they bore witness to the devil emperor's merciless act. Confusion gnawed at Mac's mind, for he couldn't comprehend why the emperor had singled out Yora, a mere healer whose role was to mend the wounded. She had been stationed at the rear of the battlefield, safely tucked away from the frontlines, yet the devil emperor seemed to hold a personal vendetta against her.
"Let her go!" Mac bellowed, his voice dripping with fury as he charged toward the devil emperor, his sword brandished in a lethal arc. He was ready to unleash his wrath upon the tyrant, fueled by a mix of anger, protectiveness, and a burning desire to rescue his friend.
In tandem with Mac's advance, Greg swiftly wielded his grand ax, his muscles tense and poised for action. Meanwhile, Player_Eater summoned another mandragora.
The trio braced themselves for an intense battle, expecting the devil emperor to engage them head-on, to clash swords and unleash their fury upon each other. But as Mac's gaze locked with the emperor's, a sinister smile crept across the villain's face, causing a chill to crawl down Mac's spine. It was a smile that hinted at a different, more insidious plan.
Without a shred of hesitation, the devil emperor tightened his grip around Yora's throat, hoisting her up in front of him like a twisted shield, using her as a human barrier between himself and Mac and the others. It was a vile move, a despicable act that revealed the emperor's disregard for any semblance of honor.
Mac's heart sank as he witnessed this heinous act unfold before his eyes. His sword froze mid-air, the fire of vengeance extinguished by the cold reality of the situation. Player_Eater, too, commanded his mandragora to stand down, realizing the futility of attacking when their friend's life hung in the balance. However, Greg, consumed by the momentum of his Charge skill, was unable to halt his swing, and his grand ax descended upon Yora's vulnerable form.
The sickening sound of impact reverberated through the battlefield as Greg's weapon cleaved into Yora's back, carving a deep, agonizing gash. Yora's piercing screams tore through the air, a symphony of pain that echoed in the hearts of her comrades. Greg's shock and horror were palpable, his grip on the ax loosening as he recoiled from the unintended act of violence. Blood spattered across Greg's anguished face, mingling with his sweat and exacerbating his frustration.
Fortunately, Yora's earlier defensive buff mitigated some of the damage inflicted upon her. The wound was severe, undoubtedly grievous, but her resilience kept her from meeting an immediate demise.
An evil grin spread across the devil emperor's face, his eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. He relished the sight before him, reveling in the pain and anguish that engulfed the battlefield. Yora, weak and vulnerable in his clutches, fought to maintain her waning consciousness amidst the torrent of blood flowing from her grievous wound.
Tauntingly, the emperor's voice sliced through the air, his words laced with malice. "Come on, attack me. Why did you stop?" His gaze swept over the three players standing before him, a venomous challenge shimmering in his eyes. The emperor's hand tightened its grip on Yora's fragile form, a cruel reminder of her dire predicament.
Mac's blood boiled at the emperor's audacity. The flicker of rage that had momentarily subsided now blazed back to life within him. His muscles tensed, his sword yearning to be unleashed upon their nemesis. Yet, Mac hesitated, torn between the burning desire for vengeance and the grim reality of Yora's desperate condition.
Player_Eater, his voice dripping with defiance. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Using her as a shield, you coward!" he spat, his words punctuated with righteous indignation. The muscles in his arms flexed, ready to summon his most devastating spells and unleash them upon the devil emperor. But a quick glance at Yora's pale face, the life slowly seeping away from her, gave him pause.
Greg, though visibly shaken by his unintentional strike, refused to let guilt overshadow his determination.
The devil emperor's head tilted slightly, a mocking sneer twisting his lips. Disappointment danced in his eyes as he gazed upon their hesitation. "Afraid to act, huh?" he taunted, relishing their internal turmoil. His voice dripped with contempt as he dismissed Player_Eater's jibe with a wave of his hand. "Fine then... If you won't make a move, I'll have the pleasure of finishing you myself," he declared, a chilling confidence infusing his words.
With a flick of his wrist, the devil emperor unleashed his formidable Demonic Lance spell. A swarm of obsidian lances materialized around him, their malevolent aura crackling with dark energy. They hovered menacingly, awaiting his command to rain destruction upon Mac, Greg, and Player_Eater.
A wicked grin played upon the emperor's lips as he reveled in their apprehension. "Bye-bye," he taunted, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. In an instant, the lances hurtled toward the trio with astonishing speed and deadly precision.