Chapter 87 - The Slimmest of Chances

Bai Huolong raised his rigid arms, the talisman dangling in front of his lifeless face swaying slightly as he stepped forward. Without hesitation, he positioned himself beside Lord Varek and Shen Yue. The three figures stood as a united front, their mere presence exuding overwhelming menace.

Lord Varek’s oppressive Ki blanketed the area, an invisible force pressing against the air, making breathing difficult. Even Shen, whose strength was formidable, felt the crushing weight of the energy. He clenched his Bo staff tightly, his mind swirling with confusion about the situation, yet he chose to follow Lord Varek’s lead without question.

Across the battlefield, Adam’s group stood firm, their gazes locked on their opponents. The tension was palpable, a silence hanging between the two groups like a drawn bowstring, ready to snap. Park Zhen’s ever-present, deceptive smile faltered slightly as he studied the enemies before them. His mind worked quickly, calculating their odds, and though he appeared calm, there was no mistaking the dangerous gleam in his eyes.

Nikolai, in contrast, had already begun to retreat. Step by cautious step, he moved backward, guiding the small figure of Emir along with him. The boy’s face was pale, but his hands remained steady as he clutched the Interdimensional Containment Cube. Park Zhen had passed it to him moments before with a whispered order, and Emir now used his Void Ki to begin draining the energy linked to Lord Varek. The cube’s surface pulsed faintly, an almost imperceptible hum emanating from it as it absorbed the invisible threads of power. Nikolai’s movements were slow and deliberate, his heart pounding as he hoped they could remain unnoticed for just a little longer.

Lord Varek’s Ki pressed down on the group with suffocating force. It was a manifestation of dominance, a declaration of his unrivaled might. Adam’s spectral aura flickered faintly around him as he prepared himself. Drake rolled his shoulders, his body tensed like a coiled spring, while Abbess’s corrupted Ki seeped into the air, creating an eerie, sickly contrast to the oppressive energy surrounding them. Li adjusted the brim of his straw hat, his robotic eye whirring softly as it analyzed the battlefield.

The moment the battle began, the oppressive air seemed to collapse inward, thickening with the sheer weight of Ki radiating from Lord Varek. He moved first, a blur of speed that belied his towering form. His glowing fist streaked toward Park Zhen like a meteor. The force behind it distorted the air, creating a low, guttural roar.

Park Zhen pivoted with precision, sidestepping just enough to evade the strike. His forearm intercepted the attack, channeling his Ki to absorb the impact. Even so, the collision sent a deafening shockwave through the cavernous space, cracks spider-webbing across the ground beneath their feet. Park’s face remained composed, though a flicker of strain crept into his eyes as he braced himself.

Abbess seized the opening, her movements swift and deliberate. She darted toward Lord Varek, her long nails gleaming like razors in the dim light. With a fluid sweep of her hand, she slashed downward, corrupted Ki trailing behind her strike. Lord Varek countered effortlessly, his arm rising to block. The sheer force of his defense stopped her attack mid-swing, creating a brief, jarring stillness before he retaliated. His counterpunch was devastating, forcing Abbess to twist away at the last second. Even so, the shockwave of his near-miss sent her skidding back several paces.

At the same time, Bai Huolong roared and charged at the woman. His hulking frame moved with surprising agility, and each of his strikes landed with the weight of a battering ram. He attacked with relentless ferocity, his fists hammering down like twin anvils. Abbess moved with uncanny grace, her corrupted Ki forming translucent barriers that absorbed his blows. The strain showed on her face as she retaliated, spinning low to deliver a sweeping kick that cut deep across Bai Huolong’s chest. Black ichor seeped from the wound, but the undead warrior remained unfazed, his glowing eyes fixed on her with unwavering intent.

On the other side of the battlefield, Shen Yue engaged Adam and Drake, his Bo staff a blur of motion. Each strike came faster than the last, arcs of light trailing behind the weapon as it split the air. Adam activated [Spectral Mist Step], his form dissolving into a wraith-like haze. He reappeared inches away from Shen’s strike, narrowly evading the crushing blow. Drake, meanwhile, utilized his [Great Weight Control] trait, reducing his weight to zero as he leaped high into the air. His body twisted mid-flight, and he used [Single Step] to push off an invisible platform, descending like a missile. His punch was imbued with Ki, the raw power behind it enough to make the air crackle.

Shen met the attack head-on, his Bo staff raised to block. The collision sent a shockwave outward, throwing dust and debris into the air. Shen slid back several meters, his boots grinding against the stone floor. Despite the force of the impact, he held his ground, his face a mask of grim determination but confusion as well, he knew them, you could say they were even his friends, but right now…

Li Xie Jie stayed at the periphery of the chaos, his spellbook hovering before him. Golden runes flickered to life as he chanted under his breath, summoning [Ganzu Metalo]. Six spiked orbs of iron materialized in a flash of light, hovering around him like sinister sentinels. With a sharp gesture, he sent them hurtling toward Lord Varek. The iron spheres tore through the air with lethal speed, but Lord Varek’s movements were almost lazy as he swatted them aside. The orbs shattered against his defense, their fragments scattering harmlessly.

Park Zhen closed in again, his Ki flaring brightly. His strikes came in quick succession, each one aimed at disrupting Lord Varek’s rhythm. Abbess flanked him, her corrupted Ki weaving tendrils that sought to ensnare Varek. Together, their attacks forced the powerful lord to redirect his focus momentarily, though his expression remained calm, almost amused.

Adam took the opportunity to summon his spectral phantoms. A sea of ghastly forms surged forward, their clawed hands reaching for Lord Varek. The specters screamed as they descended, their otherworldly cries echoing through the battlefield. Lord Varek unleashed a wave of his own Ki, obliterating several phantoms in a single sweep. Yet more replaced them, clawing and tearing at his armor, slowing him just enough for Park Zhen to land a glancing blow across his ribs.

Bai Huolong broke away from Abbess, lunging toward Adam’s phantoms with a feral growl. His fists smashed through the spectral forms, dispersing them with ease. The Demon-type gigantic spectral arm erupted from the boy's chest, slamming into Bai Huolong with tremendous force. The undead warrior was hurled across the battlefield, but he rose almost instantly, his body unyielding.

Shen, meanwhile, kept Drake and Li at bay. His Bo staff moved with lethal precision, forcing them to remain on the defensive. Drake shifted his weight back to normal, dodging low as the staff sliced through the air above him. Li summoned [Begiru Rakketen], ten missiles materializing around him in a circular formation. He fired them in unison, the projectiles streaking toward his target. Shen spun his staff, deflecting several missiles while using his agility to evade the rest. The explosions lit up the battlefield, momentarily obscuring the combatants.

Despite their efforts, it was clear that Lord Varek was far from being truly threatened. His movements grew more precise, his strikes more calculated, as if he were studying their every move. Then, without warning, his aura shifted. The raw, unrelenting Ki that radiated from him twisted and fractured into something alien—chaotic, as if it didn’t belong to this world.

Lord Varek extended his hand toward the battlefield, and the very air warped around him. A chilling sound, like glass shattering in reverse, echoed through the space. Suddenly, jagged crystalline formations erupted from the ground, shooting toward Park Zhen and Abbess. Park leaped backward, narrowly avoiding a spike that pierced the floor where he had been standing. Abbess wasn’t as fortunate; a shard grazed her shoulder, leaving a deep gash that oozed darkened blood. She hissed in pain, her corrupted Ki flaring defensively.

Before they could regroup, Lord Varek shifted again, this time summoning a vortex of flames. The fire swirled in a tight spiral, lashing out unpredictably in all directions. Drake, caught mid-dodge, barely managed to use his weight trait to reduce the impact of a stray flame whip. Even so, the scorching heat seared his arm, leaving an angry red burn that made him wince. Adam dissolved into Spectral Mist just in time to evade the firestorm, though the intensity of the heat made his form flicker, struggling to maintain cohesion.

“Watch his hands!”

Park Zhen barked, his voice strained.

“He’s weaving these techniques faster than we can react!”

Lord Varek’s lips curled into a faint smile, a gesture devoid of warmth. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a barrage of what appeared to be shadows, each one morphing mid-flight into grotesque, clawed beasts. The shadow-beasts lunged toward Li, their razor-sharp appendages slashing at him with terrifying speed. Li summoned [Aagasu Winda] to create an air dome to use as a shield, but one of the beasts broke through nonetheless, raking its claws across his chest. He stumbled backward, coughing up blood, though he managed to dispel the creature with a burst of golden light from his spellbook.

Abbess retaliated with a ferocious burst of corrupted Ki, weaving tendrils that sought to entangle Lord Varek. The tendrils wrapped around his arms and legs, tightening with crushing force. For a moment, it seemed she had gained the upper hand. But then, the man’s aura pulsed violently. The tendrils snapped like brittle branches as he tore free, his movements unnaturally fluid.

“Impressive for a mere puppet.”

He said, his voice calm, almost condescending.

“But futile.”

He raised his hand skyward, and a massive rift opened above them. From the void emerged metallic spheres brimming with crackling energy. They descended rapidly, targeting everyone indiscriminately. Adam’s eyes flickered as he summoned his ‘Dragon’s Pride Aegis’, a massive rectangular shield adorned with a golden dragon etched in exquisite detail. The shield landed heavily with a resounding thud, its weight shaking the ground.

"Drake, use this!"

Adam called, pushing the shield toward his ally.

Drake grabbed the handle, gritting his teeth as he lifted the weighty aegis with visible effort. Despite its cumbersome size, the shield proved invaluable as it absorbed the impact of the metallic spheres. Each explosion sent vibrations rippling through the aegis, but the golden dragon in its center seemed to glow brighter with each hit, its aura of protection shielding Drake from harm, meanwhile, Adam’s spectral form faltered, forcing him to revert to his physical body.

Mere meters away, Park Zhen stood his ground as the energy spheres closed in on him. His body emanated a faint blue glow, and his stance shifted subtly, exuding unshakable confidence. At the last moment, he executed the ‘Ethereal Spiral Barricade’, a technique that turned his Ki into a spiraling vortex around him. The vortex deflected the incoming spheres, redirecting them harmlessly into the air where they exploded like fireworks. The ground beneath him cracked from the force, but Park Zhen remained unharmed, the barrier dissolving smoothly once the danger had passed.

"Is that all the power of another world has to offer? Selling your world for such cheap tricks seems like a scam to me."

Park Zhen growled, his voice carrying a challenging edge.

Lord Varek’s gaze flicked toward him, and for the first time, there was a faint glimmer of intrigue in his expression.

Without hesitation, Abbess seized the opportunity to launch her own attack. She leaped toward Lord Varek, her nails glowing with a venomous green hue. She landed a strike across his chest, the corrupted Ki seeping into his skin. Lord Varek staggered for the first time, though his expression remained calm.

With a burst of energy, he expelled the corrupted Ki, the force of his aura sending the woman tumbling across the ground. She coughed violently, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth as she struggled to rise.

Meanwhile, Bai Huolong took advantage of the chaos, his massive fists hammering down on Adam. The boy was unable to use his mist form for the time being after Lord Varek’s energy spheres, so a spectral arm shot out to intercept, however, Bai’s overwhelming strength shattered the phantom limb, forcing Adam to retreat in awe. Blood dripped from his mouth as the Spectronomicon laughed around him, summoning another wave of Ghoul-type phantoms. The ghostly skeletons swarmed Bai Huolong, clawing and tearing at him, but the undead warrior powered through, his inhuman resilience unmatched.

Drake, finally recovering after the Shock, targeted Shen, who had been harassing Li relentlessly. Using [Single Step] again, he appeared behind Shen in an instant, delivering a bone-crushing punch to his side. The young martial artist grunted, his Bo staff spinning to strike Drake in the ribs. Both fighters staggered, their injuries piling up as their movements slowed.

Amid the chaos, Lord Varek raised both hands, his Ki coalescing into a swirling vortex of pure, chaotic energy. The battlefield froze for a moment as the oppressive weight of his power crushed the air from their lungs. With a deafening roar, he released the energy, a devastating wave that surged outward like an unstoppable tidal force.

Park Zhen’s eyes sharpened, and he dropped into an extraordinary stance—a technique known only to the most elite martial artists of the ancient era. With a single breath, he activated the ‘Heavenly Void Dispersal’, a technique that required perfect synchronization of mind, body, and Ki. His movements became a blur as he struck the wave in rapid succession, each strike redirecting a fragment of the energy away from him. The ground beneath his feet cracked and splintered, but he remained unscathed, his figure illuminated by the fading remnants of the Ki wave.

The others, however, were not so fortunate. The wave slammed into them with overwhelming force, hurling them backward like ragdolls.

When the dust settled, the toll of the attack was evident. Abbess lay sprawled on the ground, her once-immaculate robes now torn and stained with blood. She pushed herself up on trembling arms, her breaths shallow but determined. Adam groaned as he staggered upright, his spectral energy flickering weakly around him. His shield lay embedded in the ground nearby, glowing faintly but still intact.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Drake stood unsteadily, using the massive shield for support. His knuckles sparked erratically, and his left arm hung awkwardly at his side, the tendons strained from absorbing too much force. Li clutched his ribs, his face pale and his grimoire dim as golden runes faded in and out of focus around him.

Lord Varek stood at the epicenter of the destruction, his armor barely scratched, his stance relaxed and unshaken. His gaze swept across the group, his expression inscrutable.

“Is this all?”

He asked, his deep voice cutting through the tension like a blade. It wasn’t mockery; it was a genuine question, a challenge that hung heavy in the air.

For a moment, no one spoke. Blood dripped onto the cracked earth, mingling with the fading energy of Varek’s attack. Yet, despite their battered state, no one faltered.

Amid the relentless chaos of the battlefield, Lord Varek suddenly froze. His expression remained calm, but something had caught his attention—an imperceptible disturbance in the energy around him. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for his sharp senses to detect. His focus sharpened as his eyes flickered toward the edges of the fray, narrowing as he sought the source of the disturbance.

His gaze swept over the battlefield, noting the shifting movements of his enemies and the rhythm of the fight itself. Yet, through it all, a subtle drain on his strength tugged at him—a faint pull that seemed to be seeping from the very edges of the conflict, like an unseen hand siphoning his energy away. It was as though something—or someone—was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Lord Varek’s piercing gaze scanned the perimeter, his senses extending outward as he sought to pinpoint the source of the intrusion. He knew something had to be there, something waiting to exploit the opening created by the ongoing chaos. The battlefield, once a chaotic swirl of combat, now felt… wrong. The energy felt twisted, as if it was being manipulated from unseen corners.

With a deep, resonant voice that cut through the noise of battle like a blade, he issued his command, his tone unwavering and filled with authority.

"Bai Huolong!"

He called, his voice unmistakable above the tumult.

"Find the rats hiding nearby. They are not to be underestimated."

The words hung in the air like a decree, and Bai Huolong, always a loyal undead puppet, immediately understood. There was no need for further elaboration. He disappeared into the smoke and confusion, his lithe form blending with the shadows as he moved with lethal intent.

For a brief moment, all seemed still, as if the world itself had held its breath. But then, Park Zhen’s eyes widened in alarm. He recognized the weight of Lord Varek’s words and the implications that followed. A wave of unease washed over him, his instincts screaming that something was about to happen—a shift in the balance, a move in the game that would change everything.

"Stop him!"

Park Zhen shouted, his voice urgent and sharp, cutting through the noise of the battlefield. His heart raced as he turned his attention to the shadows where Bai Huolong had vanished.

"Do not let him reach them!"

Drake and Li immediately broke away from their respective fights, rushing toward Bai Huolong. The urgency of the moment pressed against them like a weight, pushing them to move faster. Their destination was clear—Bai Huolong. They needed to stop the undead Don from reaching their hidden companions.

But as they charged forward, they collided with an unexpected barrier—Shen Yue. His staff spun through the air, a blur of motion, cutting off their path. His gaze, though steady, betrayed a hint of reluctance, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t stop.

Shen’s mind was clear. He had his orders from Lord Varek, and that was enough. He wasn’t going to question them. He believed in the righteousness of his cause—even if, deep inside, the nagging thought of his friends being on the other side haunted him. He had always thought they were good people. This fight... this hurt him.

Still, his grip tightened around his staff. He swung it with authority, blocking Drake’s incoming strike. His heart didn’t waver, but a quiet ache lingered beneath the surface.

Drake wasted no time. His fists moved in a rapid combination, his weight shifting to increase the impact of each blow. Shen deflected each one with careful precision, his staff a blur as it redirected the strikes, but each block felt heavier than the last. There was no anger in his movements, no joy in the fight. He did it because he had to.

“Get out of the way, Shen!”

Drake growled, his frustration clear. His body moved with calculated force as he shifted his stance, pushing forward to break through Shen’s defense.

Li didn’t hesitate. He moved in from the side, his right hand holding his spellbook and casting [Begiru Rakketen] once again. A burst of missiles screamed through the air, each one locked on its target. The young martia artist’s staff moved again, meeting each missile mid-flight, the impact barely even rattling him.

His friends... they didn’t deserve to be his enemies. But his resolve was firm. They were in his way, and that was enough.

Drake’s frustration flared as he dodged another parry, shifting left and then launching a powerful kick aimed at Shen’s midsection. The guy moved to block it, but his hesitation made the action slower than it should have been. His body instinctively took the blow, but the pain wasn’t from the strike itself—it was the pain of knowing what he was doing.

"Shen..."

Drake’s voice faltered, a mixture of disbelief and anger… Of all the members of the team, he was the one who had interacted with him the most during the training weeks at the rebel camp.

“What are you doing?”

Shen didn’t answer. He simply stepped back, his grip on his staff tightening. His face remained stoic, but his mind raced. He knew this wasn’t right. But he wasn’t going to stop. He couldn’t afford to—his allegiance to Lord Varek, to the cause, was absolute. The thought of defecting didn’t even cross his mind. He had to fight... no matter how uncomfortable it was.

“Move.”

Shen said softly, but firmly, as he blocked another blow. His staff moved with mechanical precision, his body stiffened by the weight of the fight. He didn’t ask himself why anymore—he knew what was right. Even if, at his core, he felt it was wrong.

Bai Huolong continued to push forward, his giant form advancing without hesitation. His focus remained locked on the shadows where Nikolai and Emir were hidden.

Ahead, the kid’s small form was crouched low in the ruins, his hands trembling as they gripped the ‘Interdimensional Containment Cube’. Despite the fear in his eyes, his resolve was unshakable. The boy was afraid, but his determination kept him focused. His void Ki swirled around the cube, intensifying its glow as it absorbed the energy of Lord Varek’s power.

Nikolai’s heartbeat quickened as he kept his focus on the cube and the boy beside him. The task wasn’t even close to being completed yet; it was just beginning. Emir was doing his best, the cube pulsing weakly in his hands, but it would take time—time they might not have. There was still so much left to do before the plan could be completed, and the threat of failure weighed heavily on Nikolai’s mind.

“Hold on, Emir.”

Nikolai whispered, his voice tight with concentration as he watched the boy work.

“We’re still good. Just a little longer.”

Emir’s hands shook, but he was steady in his resolve. His small fingers gripped the cube, manipulating the energy with a calm that belied the fear in his eyes. Despite the odds, he hadn’t given up.

Nikolai allowed himself a brief moment of relief. They were hidden well within the ruins—safely tucked behind a crumbling pillar, out of view, or so he thought. No signs of movement. The battlefield was far behind them, the chaos of the fight distant. They were well-hidden, shielded from any immediate threat.

And yet, as Nikolai glanced around once more, something caught his attention. It was a flicker of movement—or maybe it was just a shadow passing by—but whatever it was, it set off a quiet alarm in the back of his mind. He turned instinctively, his gaze scanning the ruinous landscape.

Then, by a sheer stroke of chance—or perhaps a miracle—his eyes settled on a distant silhouette. The faintest glimmer of motion stirred at the edge of his vision, just beyond the scattered debris of the ruined castle. A massive figure—taller than any man should be—loomed in the distance, moving with terrifying purpose.

Nikolai’s pulse skipped a beat. He hadn’t heard Bai Huolong approach. He hadn’t seen him coming.

The realization hit him like a blow to the gut.

“No way...”

Nikolai muttered under his breath, his body tensing as his mind scrambled to make sense of what he was seeing. It was a miracle he’d spotted Bai Huolong at all. The massive undead warrior was like a shadow, his presence barely noticeable despite his size. He was drawing closer, unblinking eyes locked onto their position, his movements precise and deliberate.

For a heartbeat, Nikolai could only stare, paralyzed by the knowledge of the danger they were in. They’d been so careful to hide, so sure that they were safe. But Bai Huolong had somehow slipped past all their defenses, closing in fast.

“Shit”

Nikolai hissed, his hand tightening around the cube as he turned to Emir.

“We have to move. Now!”

Before Emir could respond, Nikolai shoved him to the side, urging him to roll out of the way. Bai Huolong’s massive fist swung through the air with an audible whoosh, crashing into the ground just inches from where they had been hiding. The earth shook, sending debris flying in every direction, but Nikolai managed to drag the kid to safety, narrowly avoiding the devastating impact.

It was sheer luck—pure coincidence—that he had noticed Bai Huolong in time.

But their enemy wasn’t done. His hand swept across the battlefield, sending shockwaves of raw dark Ki surging through the earth. Nikolai’s breath hitched as the air around them seemed to thicken, and he realized just how close they were to death.

“Shit... we’re not going to make it...”

Nikolai muttered under his breath, the world around him a blur of danger and chaos. The cube thrummed in his arms, its energy vibrating with raw power. There was no time to waste.

“Run! We’re not done yet! Keep moving!”

He barked at Emir, his voice desperate as he scrambled to his feet. With adrenaline pumping through his veins, Nikolai surged forward, his legs pushing him faster than he thought possible. The kid held onto the cube, never once releasing his grip, determined to finish what they started.

Bai Huolong charged again, closing in with terrifying speed. The sound of his footsteps thundered like war drums behind them. Nikolai didn’t dare look back, but he could feel the ground shaking beneath him. They were getting closer... but they couldn’t outrun the giant forever.

Just as the massive warrior's hand swept down again, Nikolai felt a sudden shift in the air, and by pure instinct, he managed to evade it at the last second. The undead Don’s attack missed by mere inches, the shockwave from the impact throwing them both to the side.

"Shit, that was too close!"

Nikolai gasped, his heart racing as he pulled Emir to his feet and continued running. But the walls of the ruins were closing in, and Bai Huolong’s relentless pursuit was pushing them to the edge. They were cornered, and they knew it.

It was then that the distant sound of combat reached Nikolai’s ears. It was a familiar rhythm—the clash of fists, the crack of energy colliding with metal. He looked up and saw Drake, flanked by Li, cutting through the chaos toward them. Shen Yue’s defensive stance was faltering under the pressure, and it was clear that his two companions were forcing an opening in his defense.

"Drake, Li!"

Nikolai called out, hope flaring in his chest.

Drake was the first to break through the barrier, his fists flying in a series of rapid strikes. Shen was forced to backpedal, his movements slower as his reluctance began to show. But it wasn’t enough. Bai Huolong was a wall of power, and even with Drake and Li pushing forward, there was little chance of victory.

With a final burst of effort, the blond broke through Shen’s defense, landing a punch that sent the monk stumbling back.

"Go!"

Drake shouted at Nikolai, blood dripping from a cut above his eye.

"Get out of here with Emir! We’ll handle Bai Huolong!"

But Nikolai knew that they couldn’t outrun him much longer. The Don was still too powerful. A moment later, the giant warrior was upon them. His massive fists struck like meteors, and Drake was forced to take the brunt of the blow, staggering backward under the force. Bai Huolong's martial arts were unlike anything they had ever seen. Every move seemed like a force of nature, sending shockwaves through the air.

"Drake! You’re insane!"

Nikolai shouted as he watched his friend take the hit. Drake grimaced through the pain but smiled through the bloodied mess of his face.

“I guess I am… But it’s the only option left.”

From his pocket, Drake pulled out both a small orb and a ‘Jade Sage Pill’, the orb shimmering faintly with strange energy. He didn’t hesitate for a second. With a quick motion, he tossed the pill into his mouth, feeling its bitter taste immediately flood his senses. It wasn’t an instant cure, but it would help him recover from the beating he’d taken. His body still ached, and the bruises made every movement feel like it was tearing him apart, but the pill would restore his energy over time.

Meanwhile, the orb in his other hand thrummed softly. He needed to get close enough to Bai Huolong before the warrior realized his intention. The massive fighter, while formidable, had an incredible sense of danger—and he wasn’t likely to just stand there and let Drake get close.

But the blond wasn’t done yet. The pill was already working its magic, though it hadn’t fully kicked in. He didn’t have the luxury of waiting for the effects to be immediate. He had to act now. With a deep breath, Drake sprinted toward the Jiang Shi, weaving between shattered ruins and debris, using his momentum to close the distance.

Bai Huolong’s cold eyes locked onto him, and in a flash, the warrior’s massive fist came crashing down toward Drake, aiming to end him in a single blow. But Drake wasn’t about to be an easy target. With lightning speed, he dodged the attack, rolling to the side just as the undead’s hand shattered the ground where he had been standing.

Drake pushed himself up from the ground, pain shooting through his muscles as he kept moving. He was closer now—close enough to reach the warrior and use the orb. But he needed a moment to let the orb’s energy build. Bai Huolong’s attention was split for a brief instant, but Drake knew that wouldn’t last long. The giant wouldn’t give him much time.

“I’m going to stall him as much as I can.”

Drake muttered to himself, his breath shallow.

“Once the orb’s cooldown passes, I’ll come back. Hold on, everyone.”

In that split second of focus, Drake reached the right spot and activated the orb. The air around him rippled, distorting the space between him and Bai Huolong. Time seemed to slow as the massive figure turned toward him, but it was already too late. With a final glance at Nikolai, who was still stunned, Drake flashed him a grin, despite the blood on his face.

Nikolai’s eyes widened, his mind still struggling to process what was happening.

“What are you—?”

He began, but before he could say anything else, in a split second, both Drake and Bai Huolong disappeared, vanishing into the distorted space. The orb pulsed with energy, and with a sudden surge, both figures were gone, leaving only the aftershock of their sudden disappearance—a ripple in the air that felt like the ground itself had been shaken.

Nikolai stood frozen for a moment, the weight of the situation sinking in. His heart pounded in his chest, the loss hitting him harder than he expected.

“Drake… You bastard.”

He muttered, his eyes narrowing with disbelief.

Emir’s grip tightened on the cube, his small form still shaking, but focused on his task.

Nikolai stood there, still in shock. The truth of it all settled into him, like a heavy weight in his chest. Drake had sacrificed himself—again. He had done it once before in their last scenario, putting others before himself without hesitation. Nikolai had never understood how anyone could be so willing to sacrifice everything for others, especially Drake, whom he had always seen as a complete fake. Yet, there he was again, risking his own life for the group.

Nikolai exhaled slowly, a bitter mix of admiration and frustration in his voice as he glanced at the empty space where Drake had disappeared.

“You really are something else…”

Nikolai said quietly to himself, watching the place where his friend had just been.

“An amazing person...”

He gripped his fist, ready for whatever came next. They were on their own now, but somehow, Nikolai felt a spark of hope. Despite everything, they weren’t done yet.