Betrayal

The air echoed with savage cries as the clash of metal and the stench of blood filled the battlefield. Limbs lay scattered on the outskirts of the tumultuous confrontation between the village guards and the relentless warriors of the Boa Clan. The three chiefs of the Boa Clan observed the chaos with an air of leisure, standing behind their engaged men.

Jim, growing increasingly impatient, voiced his frustration. "Ford, when is that dwarf arriving? We've been waiting for an hour! Why don't we just raze the entire village and seize the treasure at once?"

"Immortal, sir," Ford responded respectfully, "we can't risk it. The treasure stays with Gordon, and if we attack before the dwarf arrives, he'll seek refuge in Dawn City, invoking protection."

Old man Jack, chuckling sinisterly, interjected, "Little brother, why not let your elder brother explore other places? I might stumble upon something valuable." His eyes gleamed with avarice.

Sensing an opportunity, Jack continued, "Let me see if I can find something truly worthwhile."

Old man Jack's suggestion, however, was met with a sudden chill down his spine. Glancing to his side, he caught Jim's intense glare. Stammering nervously, Jack corrected himself, "I mean, 'Immortal,' sir."

With a hint of disgust, Jim snorted at Jack and reluctantly agreed, "Fine, go! Just return before that dwarf arrives."

"Thank you, sir 'Immortal,'" Jack replied, then vanished into the heart of the village.

Growing impatient, Jim questioned, "What treasure do we even need from that dwarf?"

Ford explained, "It's a unique artifact called 'Ardor's Seal.' This item is crucial for an 'Artist,' enabling them to elevate their brand level when bestowing new tattoos. Essentially, a Blue brand 'Artist' can impart a new tattoo skill for a Blue brand warrior using this artifact."

Jim, realizing the significance, felt a surge of greed. "Don't worry, sir. The second part of our plan is already in motion. A surprise awaits that dwarf," Ford assured with a sinister smile.

##

As Gordon stepped onto the familiar Sea Breeze Shore, relief washed over him. "Finally, I'm home," he muttered, but his joy was short-lived. An unsettling atmosphere hung in the air, accompanied by the unmistakable scent of blood.

Frowning, he hurried toward the village, only to be confronted by an unexpected sight at the gate. His eldest son, Gary Cross, stood alongside two others, their motives shrouded in mystery.

"You've come, old man," Gary sneered mockingly.

Gordon's cold tone cut through the tension. "What is the meaning of this, Gary? Why are you allied with these savages?"

Gary responded with a demand, "Give me the 'Ardor's Seal,' old man, and leave this village, and we'll let you go."

The revelation struck Gordon like a thunderbolt. "You, ungrateful son! You've colluded with the wretched Drake Valley!" Realization fueled his anger, and his aura exploded.

"Damn this dwarf! Who gave you the audacity to blaspheme the name of the holy ground, Drake Valley!" one of the savages roared, a blue aura with a single mark exploding above his head.

"Kill him! We must kill him!" the other savage echoed, their aura mirroring the first.

Gary shook his head, urging Gordon to surrender. "Old man, give up, or you'll really die." His own aura skyrocketed, revealing a blue brand with a single mark.

Gordon, shocked, exclaimed, "You're a blue brand?!"

"The new honorable Viper Young Master helped me with my awakening. Just give up, old man," Gary said, dripping with sarcasm.

Undeterred, Gordon unleashed his own formidable aura, marked by a blue glow and four hovering symbols. "Guardian's Axe," he declared, his right arm transforming into a massive axe with a holy aura. "Guardian's Buckler," he added, his left arm now adorned with a giant buckler.

"You marked up?!" Gary was momentarily startled but regained composure, remembering his trump card.

"You ungrateful son! You don't know what you're doing! Drake Valley is beyond your imagination!" Gordon bellowed as Gary and the savages charged toward him.

-Sea Breeze Village-

"We need to go to the village head's office! We must save Glenn!" Shao Tan urgently directed, sprinting towards the office.

Mo questioned, "You're friends with the 2nd young master?"

"Yeah!" Shao affirmed.

Impressed by Glenn and motivated to aid him, Mo decided to join the cause, recognizing the significance of their mission.

A voice interrupted them from behind, "Heyaa~ boys! Where are you going? Care to let me join?"

Mo and Shao halted to see a middle-aged woman rapidly approaching. "Kana Leaf," Mo murmured.

"You know her? Is she strong? Let her help, then," Shao suggested.

Mo hesitated before revealing, "An enemy. Get ready; she's a blue brand." He invoked his skill, "Devil's Rage."

"What?! Fuck!" Shao exclaimed, summoning his own technique, "Tempest Blade!"

With a teasing tone, Kana approached, "What's the hurry, boys? Wanna play with Aunt Kana?"

"No way, old b—" Shao began, but his disrespectful words triggered a cold transformation in Kana's demeanor. Face now stoic, she responded, "Old?"

Mo facepalmed, realizing the grave mistake made in addressing this formidable opponent.

##

As Mo focused on the task at hand, his attention honed in on the designated target: Kana Leaf. A subtle white aura enveloped Mo's eyes, granting him a unique insight into Kana's capabilities. He scrutinized her detailed information, revealing that her strengths lay in agility and speed.

"Speed, huh," Mo muttered, assessing the situation. "Shao, focus on dealing damage. I'll confront her directly; she specializes in speed."

Shao Tan hesitated briefly, recalling Mo's current gray brand status. "But you're just at a gray brand?"

"Just follow my lead! Initiate your Blade Draw when I signal," Mo commanded, donning his mask. A conspicuous white aura, marked with a symbol above his head, emanated from him.

Sensing Mo's aura, Shao Tan was momentarily stunned, perplexed by how Mo knew his blade skills and how rapidly he elevated his status. However, he refrained from questioning, preparing his blade within its sheath.

"White brand already? I can't let you live, brat. And I'll have Fred fetch your tattoo for me," Kana declared, licking her lips. "Leaf Boa."

"Go!" Mo charged towards Kana, while Shao flanked her from behind.

"You're fast, but not fast enough!" Kana declared, activating her skill, "Wind Slippers."

A gust of wind enveloped them, and Kana vanished from Mo's sight, reappearing next to him with a dagger aimed at his neck.

"Devil's Grin!" Mo exclaimed. His mask emitted an eerie energy, doubling his stats. Ducking to evade the strike, he drew his short sword and slashed upwards.

"Slither," Kana thought, agilely evading the slash by coiling on Mo's hand before retreating with a jump. As she prepared to strike, a sudden cry interrupted her.

"BLADE DRAW!" Shao Tan's lightning-like blade strike approached from her right. Unable to complete her attack, Kana dodged hastily.

"Soul Eyes," Mo used his special skill, revealing a red mark on Kana's ankle. Seizing the opportunity, he dashed forward, slashing at her.

Attempting to counter, Kana noticed another blade in her peripheral vision and evaded again, jumping back further.

Infuriated, Kana shouted, "Brats! I'm done with you!" Her eyes turned red as she invoked "GREEN BANGLE."

A transformation ensued; her body covered in green snake scales, nails and teeth elongated, and a green liquid dripped from them. Her aura shifted, prompting Mo to hurriedly check her status. His face paled as he observed her speed doubling and a new "Poison Attribute" added to her attacks.

"Die!" Kana bellowed, spitting a ball of green liquid towards them.

"Dodge!" Mo shouted. He and Shao jumped, narrowly avoiding the corrosive substance that created a new hole in the ground, accompanied by a sizzling sound.

"Poison?! This is insane! Bullying us like this. If only I were at a blue brand, I'd chop your head off, you old witch!" Shao exclaimed, pointing at Kana.

"Can you shut up for a minute?!" Mo facepalmed, exasperated.

Without uttering a word, devoid of emotion, Kana charged towards Shao Tan.

- Outside Sea Breeze Gate -

Gordon Cross gasped for breath, his body adorned with visible wounds, and his once-sturdy buckler now battered. His pallid lips told a tale of fierce combat.

On the opposite side, only two figures persevered. The savage warrior, panting heavily, had lost his right arm, the blood-red intensity of his eyes matching the demise of his comrade.

Gary, now adorned in green snake scales, brandished a modified arm wielding a halberd, its tip dripping with a macabre combination of blood and poison. Even he, the aggressor, bore the brunt of the battle with numerous wounds, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Green Bangle! My son! Why?!" Gordon's voice carried a tone of grief and remorse.

"The Balrog Kingdom requires a new leader, old man, and I, Gary Cross, shall be among its pioneers. You underestimate the might of the new Viper Young Master; he will elevate Drake Valley to the zenith of the 'S' Continent! Surrender, for this is merely the beginning. Dawn City and all others shall follow suit!" Gary declared fervently.

"The Kingdom of Balrog will never crumble!" Gordon bellowed in defiance.

"Poison courses through your veins; you are destined to perish, and the 'Ardor's Seal' will fall into the hands of the Viper Young Master. Drake Valley shall reign over this continent!" Gary proclaimed.

"Balrog Kingdom shall endure! I shall protect!" Gordon chanted with conviction. Suddenly, the concealed text tattoo on his chest emanated a holy aura. "Bangle of Strength."

"What?! You're one of the Guardians of Balrog?" Gary exclaimed, taken aback.

"I am but a humble disciple of my master!" Gordon asserted forcefully. "I will slay you and cleanse the land of Balrog with your blood! It is my atonement for raising an ungrateful child who betrayed his motherland!"

Gordon charged towards Gary and the savage, wielding his axe with formidable strength.

"Charge! He won't endure for long! He sacrifices his HP for this strength!" Gary bellowed, rallying his forces.