Chapter 33 - The Sword Devil
Chapter 33 - The Hunted Prey
Boom! The deafening sound of destruction reverberated through the air as a massive monster, the Serpent, pursued Cris relentlessly. Cris had unwittingly disturbed the slumbering behemoth with his earlier explosion during his battle with the assassin leader. Now, due to his extraordinary physique, the Serpent had set its sights on him, becoming an unrelenting predator.
"What the fuck," Cris cursed under his breath, taken aback by the sudden turn of events. He never expected to become the target of a ferocious beast. Despite his best efforts to outrun the Serpent, it quickly closed the distance between them.
Cris was blessed with a unique ability that prevented him from feeling fatigue under the scorching sun. However, as the noon sun began to wane, he could sense his power depleting. The Serpent, sensing his vulnerability, grew more agitated and its movements became increasingly swift.
Shsss! The Serpent hissed in fury, its anger palpable in the air. The ground trembled beneath its massive form, causing nearby trees to topple and sending waves of fear through the hearts of other creatures dwelling in the forest.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, a group of assassins lay in wait for their comrades to return. They were a skilled unit of 30 individuals, all of them possessing the prowess of 5-star assassins. Their eyes widened with anticipation as they spotted a young man sprinting towards them.
"Haha, luck is on our side," one of the assassins chuckled, his voice filled with excitement. "Who would have thought that our target would appear right before us?"
The group prepared to capture the young man, believing their mission was about to be accomplished. However, their expressions turned pale as their gazes shifted beyond the approaching figure, catching sight of the enormous monster hot on his heels. The sheer aura emanating from the Serpent sent chills down their spines, shattering their confidence.
"Run!" one of the assassins shouted in panic, realizing the imminent danger they were in. Cris swiftly darted past them, but before the assassins could make their escape, the Serpent's massive body collided with them, turning them into nothing more than crimson mist.
Boom! The ground shook violently as the Serpent claimed its unintended victims. Cris glanced back at the fallen assassins, a mix of indifference and a sense of poetic justice in his eyes. Though he acknowledged their ill fortune, he believed they had reaped what they sowed.
Despite the danger that continued to chase him, Cris pressed on, driven by the need to survive. The relentless pursuit of the Serpent fueled his determination, and he vowed to find a way to outwit or defeat the monstrous creature before it could claim his life. Little did he know that this encounter would test his resourcefulness and push his abilities to their limits.
...…..
Meanwhile, Danica and Lilia found themselves leading the group of students, desperately searching for a hidden refuge. To their surprise, Arthur and the others from Harley's camp had already joined forces with them. Arthur appeared mysteriously, saving them from the clutches of the assassins. The students were astounded by Arthur's power, never expecting him to single-handedly subdue dozens of highly skilled assassins.
Now, Arthur took charge, leading the group towards a location he claimed would provide safety. However, their path intersected with Danica and Lilia's, prompting them to merge their forces. Arthur was astonished to learn of Danica and Lilia's victory over the assassins, but his expression grew stern when he heard that Cris was being relentlessly pursued by the Black Serpent.
Arthur had not anticipated such dramatic changes. In his previous life, Cris had been nothing more than an ordinary student known for his strength, but he had never imagined Cris could overpower the assassin leader to this extent. Arthur had only recently acquired a treasure of his own, and he knew he was no match for the Serpent in his current state. Therefore, he made the difficult decision not to go to Cris's aid, trusting in Lilia's description that Cris possessed the strength to escape.
After five intense minutes, they discovered the cave where Arthur had discovered the treasure, and he led them inside. The cave was protected by a powerful formation that shielded them from the stampeding chaos outside. The awakened ruler had thrown the forest's inhabitants into a state of panic, and had they not acted swiftly, they might have fallen victim to the stampede themselves.
Once everyone was settled within the cave, a collective sigh of relief escaped their lips. They never could have anticipated such a calamitous turn of events.
"Professor Ellen isn't responding to our signal, which means she must be engaged in a fierce battle," Arthur speculated. He deduced that their professor was occupied by a formidable opponent. Familiar with the ways of the Assassins, he knew they hailed from a renowned Assassin House. Their prowess in scheming was unparalleled, leading him to surmise that they were well-prepared for this assault.
Meanwhile, Professor Ellen engaged in a fierce clash with Black Cat, each matching the other blow for blow. Black Cat's speed surpassed that of Professor Ellen, but the latter's formidable magic shield withstood every assault, impervious to penetration.
"Hehe, give up now. My subordinates have likely captured the students by now," Black Cat taunted, her laughter laced with a sinister undertone.
Professor Ellen couldn't help but feel a pang of unease for her students. Though she projected an austere image, she couldn't bear the thought of any harm coming to them due to her failure to protect them. She had already sent for reinforcements, but the fact that the dean wasn't answering her calls made her suspect that someone was occupying his position.
"Aren't you worried that the Starlight Clan might annihilate your organization? The son of the clan leader of the Starlight Clan happens to be one of my students," Professor Ellen proclaimed, hoping to instill fear in Black Cat.
Black Cat momentarily flinched at the mention of the clan, but she quickly regained her composure, knowing her organization now had the support of a terrifying evil entity. She sneered at Professor Ellen and retorted, "We are prepared, and we fear no clan."
Professor Ellen was taken aback by Black Cat's lack of fear. Black Cat unleashed her deadly techniques, but they proved futile against Professor Ellen's skill and shield. Just as she prepared to launch another attack, a voice from behind caught her attention.
"Really? You don't hold our clan in high regard?"
In an instant, a terrifying sword strike descended upon Black Cat, who desperately tried to dodge but was ultimately blasted away.
Boom! The impact sent Black Cat sprawling, coughing up blood. She stared at the figure who had come to Professor Ellen's aid, her eyes filled with fear as she gasped out his name.
"The Sword Devil."
Professor Ellen also regarded the Sword Devil with cautious eyes. She recalled that he hailed from a humble background but had displayed exceptional determination, ultimately joining the esteemed Starlight Clan as a guard. He had risen through the ranks, becoming known for his unwavering devotion to protecting Dwight, the clan leader's son, since the young age of five.
Initially, his strength had not been exceptional, but everything changed when he assumed the role of Dwight's personal guard. In just a month, he had ascended from a seven-star rating to nine stars, his rapid growth propelling him to become the leader of the royal guard. The method behind his astonishing progression remained shrouded in mystery, but his deadly sword techniques earned him the moniker of Sword Devil, capable of corrupting his enemies when they suffered wounds from his blade.
The Sword Devil was merciless, annihilating his foes without mercy, leaving no trace behind. Many believed he had perished as he had not been seen for over five years, but now the truth stood before them.
Black Cat's body turned cold, her skin taking on a gray hue as it grew dry. Her hair began to fall out, and Professor Ellen couldn't help but feel a shiver of fear run down her spine at the gruesome sight unfolding.
"Ahh, why are you here?" Black Cat shouted, but the Sword Devil offered no response. She writhed in unending agony, as if trapped in the depths of hell. However, her torment was short-lived, as her body rapidly deteriorated, reduced to a mere pile of bones within minutes.
Professor Ellen gazed at the Sword Devil with a mixture of gratitude and reverence. "Thank you for your assistance," she uttered, bowing deeply. She recognized her own inferiority in comparison to his might and was genuinely appreciative of his intervention.
The Sword Devil regarded her with an icy stare, his voice devoid of warmth. "I didn't come to aid you. She deserved to die for underestimating my clan," he responded bluntly. "Your academy's incompetence is glaring, failing to protect your own students. I have no intention of offering my assistance, except in the case of Young Master Dwight's peril."
With those words, he vanished into the shadows, blending seamlessly with the darkness. Professor Ellen wore a bitter smile, acknowledging the truth in his statement. Fortunately, Dwight possessed a hidden guardian, silently protecting him from within the shadows, unbeknownst to anyone else.
The Sword Devil was a figure of terror, and rumors abounded regarding his unfathomable strength, rumored to be surpassed only by the Clan Head of the mighty Starlight Clan.