Chapter 68: Next!
Chapter 68
Back at the clan, they were facing a huge problem of their own. A B-ranked portal break had just occurred and with it, it brought out C-ranked beasts. They were sure a B-ranked boss would appear soon.
All the higher-ups were away, leaving the low-ranking Reavers to face what was going to come. And currently, just two metres away, stood a hundred-plus C-ranked beasts known as the Dredfang Lycan, and from the looks in their glowing eyes, they weren’t here to play.
And so did one another.
"Lightning Veil: Thunder Flash." Vynn mumbled, his lips curling faintly before he vanished.
BANG!
BOOM!
The sound barrier shattered.
Before anybody could stop the eager young boy, he had already moved like lightning itself. A zig-zag trail of electric current carved the ground, sparks rippling in the air as he darted so fast, nobody could even register his movements.
The next moment, he appeared skidding a metre away from the beasts, his sword gleaming mid-swing. Instantly, a dozen Lycans’ heads hit the ground, severed cleanly from their necks before their bodies even realized what happened.
"Wh...what?!" Aria’s mouth fell wide agape as she watched the impossible stunt the young C-ranked Reaver had just performed. Her voice cracked in disbelief, her fingers tightening around her blade.
"And that’s Vynn for you. The fastest C-ranked Reaver in the Silverfall Clan." Ryker sighed, though even he couldn’t completely mask the flicker of awe in his eyes. He yawned loudly, almost forcing himself to stay calm, and then turned his attention back to the stunned Lycans.
AWOOOO!
The beasts howled aloud in unison, a deafening chorus that rattled bones and shook the very ground beneath them. Every hair on the Reavers’ bodies stood on end as their instincts screamed danger.
Without hesitation, four Lycans broke formation and dashed towards Vynn, their massive claws glowing faintly under the sunlight. The rest bolted straight for the clan members in front of them, their snarls echoing like thunder.
Erin didn’t waste a second. Her eyes narrowed as she lifted her foot and slammed it into the ground with brutal force.
A sharp trail of ice shimmered to life, crystal blue energy racing forward like a serpent towards the incoming beasts.
Seeing the icy surge, several Lycans leapt sideways to avoid it, snarling with feral cunning. Erin, however, simply shook her head.
Taking a stance, she launched herself onto the trail of ice. Her boots slid smoothly across it, and she was suddenly gliding like a skater on frozen water, her hair whipping in the air. Behind her, her sword glowed faintly, now encased in solid frost.
One of the Lycans dashed forward to intercept her.
Her blade swung with all her strength, the frozen edge shrieking against the beast’s claws.
CLANG!
The impact cracked the earth beneath them. Sparks and shards of frost sprayed outward as the clash sent a reverberating bang through the battlefield, pushing her back several inches.
She grit her teeth, but before she could recover, two more Lycans darted towards her from either side. Their speed was brutal, their killing intent so sharp she felt her heart skip.
She gulped loudly, realizing she was about to be pinned down by three C-ranked beasts at once.
Meanwhile, Jace stood silently, his deep blue eyes scanning the chaos. The other Reavers had already bolted forward to intercept the enemy, their battle cries mixing with the Lycans’ growls. Jace remained on the clan steps, his figure calm and steady, yet his hand trembled slightly as it tightened around the hilt of his sword.
’There’s no way we can handle this many C-ranks and still be in prime condition for the boss. I need to feel that sensation again... what I felt back at the gate raid. Was that rage? It amplified my veil, it gave me strength far beyond what I thought I had.’
Water dripped steadily from his sword, droplets hitting the wooden steps below. He shook his head fiercely, dismissing the thoughts. This wasn’t the time for distractions.
Because charging directly at him were two Lycans.
’Can’t let them get close to the base. I need to intercept them before they tear through the others.’ Jace thought as he pushed forward.
His movements were swift, though nowhere near Vynn’s blinding speed. Still, his precision was unmatched.
One Lycan slashed its claws towards his face, the air splitting with the force. Jace leaned to the side at the last second, the claws grazing past his cheek and leaving a faint cut.
The second beast followed instantly, leaping with its leg aimed straight for his head. Jace brought his blade up, calm yet firm, and with a metallic screech, the beast’s leg smashed into the sword, sending vibrations coursing down his arms.
BANG!
A deafening crack split the air, but Jace didn’t flinch. His feet dug into the ground, his gaze sharp and unwavering as he glared at the incoming beasts.
"My turn." His voice was calm, almost chilling, as he swung his blade aside, throwing the first Lycan off balance before leaping back, narrowly avoiding the claws that slashed toward his abdomen.
"Water Veil: Wheel of Death."
His words were steady, almost whispered, but the effect was immediate. He swung his sword in a flawless arc, the motion smooth and deliberate.
In an instant, a colossal wheel of water surged into existence, its edges spinning viciously like blades as it tore forward with unstoppable momentum.
One Lycan stepped into its path, crossing its massive arms in an X across its face in a desperate attempt to block the strike.
FWIISSH!
The wheel carved through flesh and bone as if they were paper. The beast’s hands were severed cleanly, blood spraying across the battlefield as it stumbled and collapsed with a heavy thud, its amber eyes wide in disbelief.
The second Lycan, however, ignored its companion’s fate. Its feral instincts drove it forward, a low growl echoing from deep within its chest as it lunged directly at Jace.
’There’s no way I can enter a rage phase right now. My Veil doesn’t thrive on anger... it’s fueled by calmness, by control.’ Jace thought, steadying his breathing.
The beast closed the gap in an instant, swinging a powerful punch aimed squarely at his chest. The force was enough to create a shockwave, the sound of the strike booming like a cannon.
Jace leaned back just in time, his lips curling into the faintest smile as the punch cut harmlessly through the air in front of him. But his moment of calm didn’t last.
BANG!
The first Lycan—the one he had disarmed suddenly leapt back into the fray. Despite its mutilated arms, it twisted its body and unleashed a brutal roundhouse kick that slammed into Jace’s face with bone-cracking force.
Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body lifted off the ground and was hurled across the battlefield, crashing down with a sickening skid.
—
While Jace was practically getting his arse handed to him, Ryker stood calmly in the middle of three Lycans, a lazy expression plastered across his face as if the battle bored him. He yawned loudly, scratching the back of his neck.
"Alright. Let’s quickly do this so I can sleep peacefully." His words were casual, yet carried an edge of confidence that made the Lycans’ growls deepen.
As if understanding his mockery, the beasts struck at once. Three sets of claws ripped through the air at blistering speed, cutting downward in unison.
"Wind Veil." Ryker muttered lazily.
The air around his legs stirred, a sudden gale wrapping his body in invisible currents. With a single hop, he glided backward, effortlessly evading the deadly strikes. Their claws slashed the empty space where he had stood, the sound of cutting air whistling faintly.
"Bull Thrust."
Ryker thrust his sword forward with minimal effort. A loud bang followed, and for a heartbeat, nothing seemed to happen. Then, the air itself howled as an attack shaped like a massive horn of wind spiraled outward.
It struck the nearest Lycan in the face.
BOOM!
A gaping hole tore through the beast’s skull as its body went limp instantly, collapsing with a sickening thud that rattled the earth.
Ryker landed softly, his face still lazy, his posture unbothered. He yawned again and tilted his head slightly.
"Next."
The word rolled off his tongue like a command, and the remaining two Lycans roared in fury, charging forward with renewed bloodlust.