Vaelora struck with a flurry of quick attacks, but Draven deflected or dodged them all. She let out a growl of frustration. She attacked with reckless abandon, trying anything to land a hit on Draven, a steady rage growing in her mind. He ducked another strike and retaliated with a right hook, sending Vaelora flying into a nearby tree. She shook her head as a moment of clarity broke through the building rage.

  “You noticed,” Draven said, walking closer.

  Vaelora had to fight off another wave of anger, trying to control herself as she pushed herself up. She remained composed, raising her spear. “That won’t work again.”

  Golden energy built into the tip of her weapon. She thrust it forward, aiming for Draven's chest. He tried to dodge to the side, but was a moment later as a spectral spear left a jagged cut on his right arm. He let out a grunt of pain. The anger boiling up within him amplified as his rage skill fully activated. He unleashed a relentless assault, pushing Vaelora back but failing to break her defence.

  A shock wave ripped through the air, causing several nearby trees to collapse as their weapon and fists met. They were both pushed back and prepared to clash again when a chorus of pained cries ripped through the air. They both turned toward the nose to see a horde of violet tendrils rampaging through Draven’s army.

  A look of horror spread across his face. “What the Fu-”

  Ray finally convinced himself to face what he had done. He turned and walked forward, joining a stunned Erith and Chio. They turned to face him as he approached.

  “I-”

  “They wouldn’t stop even if they were heavily injured. You did what you had to, ” Erith said, placing an arm around him.

  They sat watching the carnage unfold, the army in front of them slowly falling to pieces. A figure shot out from the forest, rushing at the origin of the tendrils. Several attempted to wrap around him as he approached, but he easily shattered them. Red energy swirled around him as he grabbed the orb and, with one swift movement, crushed it.

  The tendrils of mana quickly dissipated, and still screaming soldiers fell to the ground as the figure landed behind the trio. Now that Ray was finally able to get a good look at him. He was wearing no armor, only a red robe marked with the motif of a snarling wolf. He bore a striking resemblance to Ren, but looked a few years older.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  “There you are,” he said in a gruff voice.

  Ray quickly chugged a stamina potion, returning him to near full. He checked his mana with a grimace.

  Mana E: 982/5140

  He was surprised by how much his cap had risen during his fight, but only 900 would not put him in a good position if this dragged on too long. With a war cry, Erith and Chio charged forward. Ray joined them, lagging slightly behind and pulling his crossbow from his back. He dashed to the side, ensuring Erith and Chio were not in his line of fire, and began charging a power shot. He cursed as another arrow from the tree line forced him to fire the shot before it was fully charged.

  The man snatched the bolt out of the air with a flash of red energy. Lightning tried to arc from it into his hand, but he threw it away with surprising speed, only suffering a minor shock. Ray again turned his attention to the archer as Erith and Chio closed on the man. He was about to make his way towards the tree line where they had just shot from, but he stopped when he saw Nevala already positioning herself to take a shot.

  Ray began chanting an incantation but did not infuse any mana, only saying the words. Another arrow flew in his direction, and he dodged it with a grin.

  A power shot flew from Nevala’s bow, striking the archer in the chest before they knew what had hit them. When Ray saw the figure fall from the tree, he turned his attention back to the fight before him, seeing Erith and Chio struggling to match the man even in a two vs one. He raised his crossbow, but the fight was moving too quickly for him to shoot without the risk of hitting Erith or Chio.

  “How much mana do you have left?” he asked through his mental link.

  A feeling of sorrow was accompanied by an image showing a nearly half-empty bar.

  “Shit,” Ray muttered.

  He quickly scanned his surroundings and saw a group of soldiers that had survived his last fight recomposing themselves. Without a word spoken, several snake-like heads shot from his right arm, latching onto the warriors. Ray felt a large influx of mana and watched as his pool reached almost half full.

  “Do you think you could give me a speed boost again?”

  He got a confirmation in response as Horde Breaker reshaped itself. Pulling out his dagger and short sword again. He dashed back into the battle as lightning radiated through his body. He was on top of the robed man in less than a second. With high speed, he slashed at his neck, but a red ethereal clone of the man burst from his back, blocking Ray’s strike.

  Erith and Chio also attempted to slash at him, but the authentic version redirected their attacks with ease and forced them back with a palm strike. He turned to face Ray, still grappling with his clone, and attempted to strike him. Ray dashed back, using his heightened reflexes to stay one step ahead of the combined assault.

  Frustration grew on the man's face as attack after attack missed Ray by mere inches. “Enough.” He slammed his palm into the ground, and a shock wave reverberated.

  375 followers - Bonus chapter -

  ?????????? 92%

  100 favorites - Bonus chapter

  ??????????? 95%