Chapter 94 - 3rd Scenario’s Final Boss

The battle on the Imperial ruins raged on with unrelenting ferocity, the air crackling with the oppressive aura of Lord Varek’s dominance. His presence had grown even more overwhelming, amplified by the effects of the [Shikigami of the Subordinate]. The glowing runes of the mystical artifacts fed him a seemingly infinite reservoir of energy, making him an even greater unstoppable force.

Park Zhen, Abbess Xinhui, and Adam faced Lord Varek on the desolate battlefield, their bodies battered and worn from the unrelenting assault, yet their resolve held firm.

Park Zhen’s tall frame moved with practiced grace, each motion a testament to his mastery of martial arts. His fair skin was damp with sweat, and the tailored suit he always wore was torn and singed, yet he carried himself with an air of unshakable focus.

His sharp gaze remained locked on Lord Varek, calculating every movement. Despite his precision and agility, there was a strain in his actions; each deflection of Varek’s powerful strikes sent tremors through his body, forcing him to dig his feet into the fractured ground to stay upright. His breathing was controlled but heavy, betraying the immense effort he was expending to keep pace with his formidable opponent.

Abbess Xinhui stood a short distance away, her posture rigid but steady. Her once-pristine robes, now tattered and bloodstained, clung to her undead form, a grim testament to the battle she endured. Her long, sharp nails glinted faintly in the dim light as she shifted her stance, prepared to defend against the next assault. Her corrupted Ki shimmered faintly around her, providing a momentary shield that gave her some reprieve. Though she moved with her usual determination, there was no mistaking the strain beginning to take its toll.

It wasn’t until Lord Varek’s relentless strikes began to make contact that her body truly faltered. The blows, while not immediately debilitating, brought an unnatural weight that pressed down on her limbs. Her motions became deliberate and strained, the usual fluidity of her techniques replaced by a sluggishness that betrayed her undead nature. While she felt no pain, it was as if her body itself rebelled against her commands, each movement requiring greater effort to complete. Yet, she pressed on, unwavering in her purpose to fight alongside her allies.

Adam stood further back, his lean frame hunched slightly as he adjusted his footing on the uneven terrain. His glasses, slightly askew from earlier impacts, caught the faint light of the chaotic battlefield. His hands remained steady, ready to call upon his skills at a moment’s notice.

The earlier assaults had left him weary, his body aching from repeated impacts. Every muscle protested as he shifted his stance, yet his mind remained razor-sharp. His calculating eyes scanned the battlefield, observing every detail, every weakness, as he formulated his next move.

Lord Varek’s voice cut through the tense silence like a blade.

“This ends now.”

With a fluid motion, he raised his hand, and the air around him twisted violently. The atmosphere grew dense, charged with malevolent energy as a vortex of dark power began to form before him.

From within the swirling mass, a massive spear began to take shape. Its shaft, forged of blackened steel, was etched with glowing runes that pulsed with an ominous light. The blade, shaped like the snarling head of a dragon, exuded a dark aura that seemed to devour the very air around it.

Twirling the enormous weapon with ease, he dashed forward, his speed and precision a blur as he launched a brutal assault on his three opponents. Park Zhen moved first, his supernatural agility barely allowing him to deflect the spear’s devastating strikes. Each collision of metal and energy sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

Abbess followed closely, her corrupted Ki forming defensive barriers as she evaded the spear’s deadly arcs. But her movements were not as swift as before, and the blade grazed her side. The spear’s power immediately took effect, weighing down her undead form. She staggered slightly, her body growing heavier with every moment, each step slower than the last. Even in her state, the mysterious malice of the weapon was undeniable, sapping away her ability to react swiftly.

Adam steadied himself as the chaos unfolded around him. He glanced at the incoming strike and, without hesitation, activated [Spectral Mist Step]. His form dissolved into a swirling vapor, shimmering faintly as it merged with the air itself. The dragon spear swept through where his body had been, the sheer force of the strike cutting through the mist-like silhouette that moved fluidly to evade the deadly arc.

Yet, as the dark aura of the spear brushed against his intangible form, something unexpected happened. Adam’s vaporous body pulsed momentarily, an unfamiliar energy rippling through it. He instinctively halted for a fraction of a second, sensing the change. The feeling wasn’t fatigue or the oppressive weight he had seen afflict Abbess—it was the opposite. A lightness spread through him, filling him with an invigorating sensation that made every part of him feel sharper, quicker.

Then, a system notification materialized before him, its glowing text cutting through the dim haze of the battlefield:

[Your speed has been greatly increased]

Adam’s mind worked quickly to piece it together. The spear was cursed, designed to inflict debilitating effects on its victims. But his unique trait, ‘Malediction Reversal’, had turned that curse into a blessing.

Testing his newfound speed, Adam darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a powerful downward strike that shattered the ground where he had stood moments before. The debris exploded outward, but he moved effortlessly, weaving through the chaotic battlefield with a fluidity that caught even Lord Varek’s attention.

Adam’s confidence surged as the realization of his newfound speed settled in. Every step he took felt weightless, every movement effortless. With this advantage, he wove through Lord Varek’s relentless strikes, his body a blur of motion as the cursed spear carved the air with deadly precision.

The ground splintered and debris erupted with every missed attack, yet Adam’s heightened agility allowed him to dance between the chaos, each evasion more daring than the last. He twisted, sidestepped, and spun, his form flickering like a shadow that refused to be caught.

Lord Varek, however, was no ordinary opponent. His strikes were not only powerful but precise, each swing of the enormous spear calculated to corner his elusive prey. Adam’s enhanced speed gave him a fleeting advantage, but his enemy’s experience and sheer physical dominance pressed against it with unrelenting force. The spear thrust forward suddenly, its blackened steel glinting ominously as it sought to pierce through Adam’s ethereal form.

The cursed aura of the weapon brushed against the boy’s vaporous body once more, sending another ripple of energy coursing through him. His entire being surged with a second wave of lightness, his perception of the battlefield sharpening further. A new notification flashed before his eyes, its words igniting a fire of determination within him:

[Your speed has been greatly increased]

Without hesitation, Adam re-materialized mid-movement, his feet finding purchase on the shattered earth below. His eyes locked onto the spear as it withdrew, and in an instant, he sprang forward. Closing the gap between himself and Lord Varek, he leaped onto the spear itself, using its massive shaft as a platform. His momentum propelled him forward with such force that he became a streak of motion hurtling directly toward his opponent.

Varek’s eyes flickered with the faintest trace of surprise as Adam’s bold maneuver brought him within striking distance. But the moment of opportunity was fleeting, and Adam knew he had no time to waste. His approach was flawless, his resolve unshakable, as he charged along the cursed weapon toward its master.

For a fleeting moment, the boy was within reach. His right arm shifted grotesquely, the flesh twisting and hardening into the form of an insect-like lance. With a sharp thrust, he aimed directly at Lord Varek’s heart.

But the master of destruction reacted with inhuman speed. A single step to the side allowed him to evade the attack by mere millimeters, and in the same motion, Lord Varek twisted his body and delivered a devastating upward kick.

The strike connected with Adam’s midsection with such force that the sound of impact echoed across the battlefield. The boy barely registered the blow before he was launched into the air. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth as his internal injuries mounted.

Yet Adam’s parasitic abilities, which numbed his pain receptors, allowed him to maintain focus even as his body screamed in protest. As the kick’s momentum sent him hurtling backward, his mind acted as if the world itself had frozen for a moment.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, he spat a mouthful of blood toward Lord Varek before he got launched away. The crimson droplets splattered against the man’s face, with a small amount finding its way into one of his eyes.

Lord Varek recoiled instinctively, his expression twisting into one of disgust and irritation. He wiped the blood from his face with a look of disdain, muttering under his breath.

“Disgusting pest.”

He growled, momentarily distracted as he cleared his vision.

Meanwhile, Adam crashed violently into the remnants of a shattered pillar, the force of the impact sending cracks spidering through the ancient stone. He slumped to the ground, motionless at first, his body battered and bruised.

His fingers twitched faintly as he tried to push himself upright, every movement a battle against his injuries. Despite the pain, his mind remained sharp, already calculating his next move.

Adam struggled to his feet, each movement a reminder of the punishment his body had endured. His limbs felt heavy, and his breaths came in uneven gasps, but the faint smile spreading across his face betrayed an unexpected glimmer of triumph. Against all odds, he had created the perfect opportunity—a chance to achieve the most critical and dangerous part of their plan. The infection was underway.

His gaze briefly flickered to Lord Varek, still standing tall and unyielding, oblivious to the significance of the blood that had splattered across his face. That single drop, carrying the [Soulcrusher Virus (Variant)], had reached its mark. Adam watched intently, his heart racing as he waited for the skill to take hold. Then, the familiar glow of a system notification appeared before his eyes, confirming what he had hoped:

[The skill [Soulcrusher Virus (Variant)] has completed the corruption of the mind and soul of the character 'Lord Varek']

For a fleeting moment, Adam felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The virus had worked. The skill, which he had meticulously honed for this exact purpose, had taken root. But his victory felt oddly hollow as he observed Lord Varek. Nothing about the man’s demeanor had changed. There was no hesitation, no wavering in his aura. Instead, Lord Varek continued methodically wiping the blood from his face, his expression one of irritation and disdain, as though the act was little more than an inconvenience.

Adam’s smile faltered, his confidence replaced by confusion. His eyes darted back to the notification as if rereading it might offer clarity. Before he could dwell further, a second message materialized, its glowing text casting a cold weight over his hopes:

[An unknown energy is blocking the effects of the skill [Soulcrusher Virus (Variant)] on the character 'Lord Varek'] [Warning: Due to an interference, the skill can't complete the infection on the target.] [Hint: Remove energy from the target to successfully corrupt its mind.]

Adam blinked, his mind racing to process the implications.

“What interference?”

He thought, his pulse quickening. He recalled the oppressive energy radiating from Lord Varek throughout the battle. It wasn’t just raw power; it was something deeper that transcended their abilities' limits. His jaw clenched as he considered the message's warning.

“Remove energy... could it be his own anomalous power that’s blocking the virus?”

The realization hit him like a hammer. Lord Varek’s strength wasn’t just physical or strategic—it was fundamentally tied to all the skills and energy from the system surrounding him. It was protecting him, shielding him from the virus’s effects. Unless they could weaken that energy, the infection would remain incomplete.

Adam’s gaze shifted urgently toward Emir in the distance, standing at the edge of the battlefield. The boy looked small and fragile against the backdrop of destruction, but Adam knew better. Emir’s ability to absorb and erase energy was now the key to their success. If the kid could drain enough of Lord Varek’s power, it might finally break the interference preventing the virus from taking hold.

A plan formed rapidly in Adam’s mind.

“We need to change the plan entirely, protecting Emir is not part of it now, it’s our win condition.”

His eyes narrowed as he straightened, the unfeeling pain in his body momentarily forgotten in the face of this new objective. The stakes had just risen, and the burden on Emir’s shoulders was heavier than ever even if he didn’t know it yet.

Adam clenched his fists, a sharp breath escaping through gritted teeth as he steadied himself. His body screamed in protest, yet his mind remained fixed on their next move. This wasn’t just about holding the line anymore; it was about creating the opening they needed. The weight of the plan loomed large in his thoughts, but hesitation was not an option. They had already come too far to falter now.

The battlefield thrummed with energy, the air heavy with tension as Lord Varek’s presence loomed like an immovable storm. Park Zhen and Abbess fought with everything they had, their movements a mix of desperate defense and unrelenting determination to keep Lord Varek occupied. As Adam braced himself to return to the fray, his eyes flickered to another part of the battlefield where another fierce clash unfolded.

While Adam gathered his strength, the battle between Li and Shen Yue had escalated to an intense close-quarters duel. Li, clad in his formidable ‘Atomica Armor’, moved with raw power, his every strike carrying the weight of his enhanced strength. The black, steampunk-style armor pulsed faintly with atomic energy, its surface adorned with glowing nodes that flared brightly with each motion. However, Shen, armed only with his Bo staff, danced around Li’s blows with astonishing agility, his movements fluid and precise.

Shen was careful, never letting his body touch the armor directly. He knew all too well the dangers of Li’s spell, particularly the debilitating [Radioactive] status that could poison anyone who made contact. This knowledge was both an advantage and a source of frustration for Li, who had relied on the element of surprise in countless battles before. His strikes were wild yet calculated, aiming to overwhelm Shen’s defenses, but the martial artist’s superior skill allowed him to block or deflect each one with the finesse of a true master.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Their clash was a spectacle of power versus precision. Li’s punches cracked the ground beneath them when they missed, his armored frame a relentless juggernaut of destruction. Yet, Shen moved like a shadow, weaving between attacks and retaliating with swift, precise strikes of his Bo. The staff spun and jabbed with dizzying speed, striking Li’s armor in ways that disrupted his rhythm without ever coming into direct contact with the energy nodes. Despite his apparent advantage in strength, Li found himself growing more irritated with each passing second.

“You’re annoyingly persistent, I’ll give you that.”

Li growled, his voice tinged with frustration as he lunged forward, the metallic clang of his armor echoing with each step.

Shen met the charge head-on, his staff striking the joints of Li’s armor to throw him off balance.

“Sir Xie Jie, stop this!”

Shen called out between strikes, his voice steady despite the tension in his expression.

“Surrender, and I’ll speak to Lord Varek. I’ll make sure your lives are spared. There’s still a way out of this.”

Li’s laughter was sharp and derisive as he blocked Shen’s next strike with a gauntleted arm.

“Spared?”

He spat, his tone dripping with disdain.

“You really believe that? After everything? You’ve lived over a hundred years, and you’re still as naive as a child.”

He lunged again, aiming a crushing blow at Shen, who dodged at the last second.

“Tell me, Shen, do people in Murim age mentally as slowly as they do physically?”

Shen’s jaw tightened, his grip on the staff firm as he stepped back to regain his stance. He didn’t respond immediately, the sting of Li’s words hanging in the air. His movements faltered for only a moment before he resumed his relentless defense, his strikes becoming sharper, his posture more aggressive.

But deep down, Shen couldn’t deny the truth behind Li’s mocking words. He thought back to the promises Lord Varek had made during his betrayal—promises to spare the resistance in exchange for Shen’s cooperation. While Lord Varek had upheld his word in part, many lives had still been lost, their safety secured only temporarily. Shen gritted his teeth as doubt crept into his mind.

“Li’s right. Lord Varek’s mercy is conditional at best... but what if I begged for it again?”

He hated the thought. It felt weak, desperate. Yet, what other choice did he have? He couldn’t stand by and let everyone die. Perhaps, if he reminded Lord Varek of their agreement, he could extend it. Maybe this time, the resistance could be spared entirely.

Shen’s strikes continued, each blow carrying precision and force, but his mind churned with uncertainty. He tried to suppress the gnawing doubt, focusing on the battle at hand, yet the unease lingered. His thoughts clashed with his actions, each movement a contradiction to the turmoil inside him.

Shen wasn’t sure if his plan to plead for their lives would work, but it was better than doing nothing. Better than allowing himself to witness the destruction of his former allies and friends. He forced himself to fight on, uncertain but resolute, as the battlefield shifted around him.

Further from the heart of the conflict, Emir and Nikolai crouched behind a crumbled pillar, the chaotic sounds of battle rumbling in the distance.

Nikolai, pale and visibly nervous, kept glancing toward the ongoing fight. His instincts screamed at him to flee, to put as much distance between himself and the chaos as possible. Yet, despite his fear, he remained rooted to the spot, staying close to Emir. He couldn’t run—not after Drake’s “sacrifice”. He had forced himself to stay, to be useful in whatever way he could.

Emir, on the other hand, was completely focused. The boy knelt on the ground, his small hands resting on the glowing cube in front of him. The artifact pulsed faintly, its surface occasionally emitting soft flashes of light. Sweat beaded on Emir’s forehead as he concentrated, the task of absorbing Lord Varek’s immense energy proving more difficult than anything he’d ever done.

Nikolai broke the silence, his voice trembling a bit.

“Is it supposed to be doing that? I don’t remember it glowing when you used it on the tiger.”

Emir blinked, his brow furrowing as he struggled to maintain his focus.

“I don’t know.”

He admitted, his voice steady but strained.

“It feels... different. Like there’s so much energy going into it, more than it’s supposed to hold. It’s like trying to catch water with my hands. It keeps slipping through.”

The boy’s maturity showed in his tone, but the underlying innocence of his age was evident in the way he tried to explain something so complex with simple imagery. He paused briefly, swallowing hard.

“If I lose focus... it might spill out. I think I can hold it, but it’s really close.”

Just as he spoke, a bead of sweat rolled down Emir’s temple. It slipped past his eyelid and into his eye, causing him to blink and shake his head instinctively. That split-second distraction was enough to destabilize the cube. It shuddered violently in his hands before a massive torrent of energy erupted from it, shooting skyward in an intense burst of blinding light.

The blast illuminated the entire battlefield, briefly overpowering the ominous glow of Lord Varek’s aura. Emir gritted his teeth and clutched the cube tightly, regaining control within moments. The energy flow ceased, and the artifact returned to its steady pulse, but the damage had already been done.

“What the hell was that?!”

Nikolai exclaimed, his voice rising in panic as he looked at the fading light. Emir, his focus quickly returning to the cube, spoke without looking up.

“It was a leak. Some of Lord Varek’s energy got out. But it’s okay—I stopped it.”

Nikolai’s face paled further, his expression shifting from panic to dread.

“No, it’s not okay.”

He muttered, his words trembling. He glanced around the battlefield nervously.

“That wasn’t just a leak. That was a beacon. They know we’re here now! They know what we’re doing!”

His words hit Emir like a cold wave, but the boy remained focused, his hands gripping the cube with determination. Nikolai, however, was already moving. The faint tremor of dread in his chest grew into a full-blown alarm, a sense of foreboding that made his entire body tense. Without hesitation, he scooped Emir up and slung the boy over his shoulder, the cube still tightly in his grasp.

“We have to move. Now!”

Nikolai barked, his voice urgent as he turned and began running.

His instincts proved correct as a sharp crack echoed through the air behind them. Shen’s staff shot through the crumbling pillar they had been hiding behind, slicing through the rock as if it were paper. The force sent chunks of debris scattering, but Nikolai managed to maintain his balance. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Shen already closing in on them, his expression grim yet focused.

Shen moved with supernatural speed, his body a blur as he pursued them. Behind him, Li followed closely, his armor amplifying his every step. He wasn’t as fast as Shen, but his relentless drive kept him close enough to attempt to slow the martial artist down. Nikolai gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder, each stride fueled by the knowledge that their lives depended on his ability to outrun their pursuers.

The long-haired guy ran with everything he had, his legs moving as fast as they could manage under the strain. Shen’s relentless pursuit was closing the gap, but Nikolai’s lightweight suit, designed to amplify his speed, kept him just ahead. His agility, honed through years of escaping from sticky situations, allowed him to weave through the uneven terrain, narrowly avoiding the strikes Shen sent his way.

The martial artist’s staff lashed out with incredible precision, but Nikolai noticed something odd—none of the attacks were aimed to hit him or Emir directly. Instead, Shen’s strikes were calculated to block paths, disrupt movements, and corner them. Confused but opportunistic, Nikolai exploited this hesitation, zigzagging to avoid the attacks while keeping Emir securely in his arms.

The pursuit led them through a rugged stretch of the battlefield until the landscape shifted into something more familiar. Nikolai’s eyes widened as they neared the ruins of the chamber that had served as their makeshift shelter for the past few days. It hadn’t been his intention to come here, but now that they were close, he decided to take the risk.

“If I can just get to him…”

He thought, his mind racing. With one final desperate burst of speed, Nikolai narrowly avoided another strike from Shen’s staff, the weapon crashing into the ground behind him with enough force to send shards of debris flying. He stumbled, nearly losing his balance, but managed to keep Emir secure and pressed forward. The boy remained focused on the cube, its faint glow growing stronger with every second.

Nikolai skidded to a stop as he entered the chamber, his chest heaving as he caught sight of Jianfeng. The older man sat slumped on the ground, his gaze fixed on the floor, lifeless and unmoving.

“Jianfeng!”

Nikolai shouted, shaking him urgently.

“Shen’s here!”

Jianfeng sat motionless, as he had for days, his figure hunched and lifeless like a forgotten statue. His shoulders slumped under the weight of despair, and his face bore the hollow expression of a man who had long abandoned hope. But as Nikolai’s urgent voice broke through the heavy silence, something shifted.

At first, it was subtle—a faint twitch of his fingers, a barely perceptible tremor in his posture. Slowly, his head began to rise, every movement heavy with the lethargy of someone dragging himself from the depths of numbness. His dull, empty eyes, which had stared blankly at the ground for so long, gradually turned toward the source of the commotion.

For the first time in days, a flicker of recognition crossed his face. His gaze landed on Shen, his son, and the faint spark of awareness lit up the void in his expression, breaking through the impenetrable fog that had held him captive. It was as if seeing him had breathed a fragile but vital piece of life back into him.

Shen froze in his tracks, his breath hitching.

“Father!?”

He murmured, his voice wavering with disbelief. His grip on his staff loosened slightly as his gaze remained fixed on Jianfeng.

“What... what are you doing here? In this condition? Lord Varek told me you were taken to the Shaolin Temple to recover after the battle with Bai Huolong... that you were being treated.”

Jianfeng said nothing, his expression unreadable. Before he could respond, Nikolai seized the moment, his quick mind recognizing the doubt and vulnerability in Shen’s eyes.

“Recover?”

Nikolai scoffed, his voice tinged with mockery.

“That’s only half-true, Shen. Yes, Jianfeng was taken to the Shaolin Temple—but not for treatment. According to Adam, he’s been imprisoned there this whole time.”

“What?”

Shen’s voice cracked with disbelief, his body stiffening as his mind tried to reconcile the information. He glanced back at Jianfeng, searching for any sign of confirmation or denial, but the older man remained silent. The doubt in Shen’s mind grew, and his hesitation left him wide open.

That was all the opening Li needed. The man charged in, his ‘Atomica Armor’ gleaming faintly in the dim light. With a roar, he swung a ferocious downward punch aimed directly at Shen. He reacted at the last moment, raising his staff to block the blow, but the sheer force of the strike sent him flying several meters back, skidding to a halt with a grimace.

“Enough of this!”

Li growled, his tone sharp and unforgiving.

“You’re wasting time. If you’re too blind to see what’s happening, then I’ll finish this myself.”

“Wait!”

Nikolai shouted, stepping forward with his hands raised.

“Don’t! We can solve this without more fighting!”

His mind raced as he calculated the odds. He knew they couldn’t win a direct confrontation against Shen that easily. Exploiting his doubt was their best chance.

Shen rose slowly, his hands trembling slightly as he steadied himself. His expression was conflicted, his sharp features softened by confusion.

“Imprisoned?”

He muttered, as if saying it aloud would help him understand.

“No, that can’t be right. He was supposed to be healed... unless...”

Shen’s gaze shifted to the mental image of Abbess Xinhui, now part of the resistance. Could they be telling the truth? He wondered… But he quickly shook his head, trying to dispel the thought.

“It doesn’t matter right now.”

He said aloud, his voice regaining some of its steadiness.

“What matters is that the boy gives me the artifact he’s holding. Whatever you’re doing, it’s too dangerous. Just hand it over, and this ends here. There’s no need to fight anymore.”

Nikolai sighed, his shoulders slumping as he glanced toward Jianfeng, hoping for some support. But the older man remained eerily still, his gaze fixed on his son.

“He’s not going to listen.”

Nikolai muttered under his breath. He turned to Li, who stood ready to attack again, and placed a hand on his armored shoulder.

“Hold on, if we keep pushing, we’ll just make things worse.”

Nikolai urged. Li narrowed his eyes but relented, lowering his fists slightly as he stood back. Shen, meanwhile, tightened his grip on his staff, his gaze darting between them and the still-glowing cube in Emir’s hands.

“I don’t understand.”

He suddenly said, his voice quieter now, almost pained.

“Has he been a prisoner this whole time? Was I lied to?”

His doubts were clear, and for a moment, it seemed as though reason might prevail. But before anyone could respond, the fragile tension shattered. A deafening crash echoed through the chamber as one of the nearby walls exploded outward in a storm of stone and dust.

The explosion of the wall froze everyone in the room for a fleeting moment, their attention drawn to the figure that emerged from the rubble. Lord Varek stepped forward, his imposing form radiating raw power as the two Shikigami floated ominously around him, their glowing runes pulsing like a heartbeat. His presence was overwhelming, the weight of his dark Ki suffocating the room and silencing even the faintest sound.

His piercing gaze swept over the room until it locked onto Emir and the glowing cube in his small hands. His eyes narrowed, his expression twisting into one of pure, unbridled fury as realization dawned. His voice boomed, filled with venom and wrath.

“You dare…? I will crush you, vermin!”

Without hesitation, Lord Varek surged forward, his movement so fast it was almost imperceptible. He closed the distance between himself and Emir in an instant, passing Nikolai and Li like a storm. Neither had time to react, their bodies frozen by the sheer force of his speed and intent.

But just as Lord Varek’s hand reached for the kid, someone else intervened. Shen appeared between them, his palms raised and body positioned defensively as if to physically block the enraged warlord.

“Lord Varek!”

Shen pleaded, his voice strained but resolute.

“Stop! Please, there’s no need for this. I was about to retrieve the cube. There’s no reason to…”

But, before Shen could finish, Lord Varek struck. His open palm slammed into Shen’s ribs with such devastating force that the sickening crack of breaking bones echoed throughout the chamber. Shen’s body was thrown like a ragdoll, blood spraying from his lips as he crashed into the far wall and crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath.

Unfazed and unwilling to be stopped, Lord Varek turned his attention back to the kid. His fist, glowing with concentrated Ki, launched forward with terrifying speed toward the defenseless child. Emir, overwhelmed and unable to move, shut his eyes tightly, bracing for the inevitable.

The impact came with an earth-shaking explosion, a shockwave rippling outward that sent debris flying and Emir rolling backward across the floor. Yet, miraculously, he remained unharmed. The cube still clutched tightly in his hands, he refused to lose focus, his small body trembling as he held his concentration.

Standing between Emir and the devastating blow was Jianfeng. The once-broken man, who had seemed all but lifeless moments ago, now stood tall, his arms raised as he absorbed the brunt of Lord Varek’s attack. His body shuddered under the immense force, and his face twisted with pain and fear, but he did not falter.

Lord Varek’s expression darkened further, a mix of shock and rage.

“You…”

He growled, his voice low and dangerous.

“This time, I will kill you myself.”

Before he could strike again, Li intervened, charging at Lord Varek with a fierce battle cry. His ‘Atomica Armor’ whirred with energy as he launched a devastating punch aimed directly at Varek’s back. But Varek, without even turning his head, sidestepped the attack with inhuman precision, as if guided by a sixth sense.

Li landed beside Jianfeng, the two men now standing shoulder to shoulder, forming a defiant wall between their enemy and Emir. Varek’s fury reached its peak, his aura flaring wildly as dark energy coalesced above him, taking the form of something monstrous and unnatural. The sheer power it emanated was overwhelming, a force beyond anything they had faced before.

Li and Jianfeng exchanged a brief glance, unspoken determination passing between them. They knew they couldn’t block whatever Lord Varek was preparing, but retreating would leave Emir completely exposed. With a simultaneous shout, both men lunged forward, their fists aimed directly at their objective, pouring every ounce of their strength into the attack.

Nikolai’s shout echoed through the chamber, sharp and desperate.

“Stop!”

He yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. He hadn’t intended to activate his skill—the words were instinctive, born out of fear and urgency. But something strange happened.

Lord Varek, in the middle of unleashing his devastating attack, froze. His eyes widened in disbelief as his body locked in place, his movements ceasing entirely. The swirling dark energy that surrounded him dissipated abruptly, leaving him exposed.

For the briefest of moments, it was as though an invisible force held him captive, overriding his formidable will.

Li and Jianfeng, oblivious to what had just occurred, did not hesitate. Without stopping, they launched their fists forward, the combined force of their punches colliding with Lord Varek’s face. The impact was explosive, the sheer power reverberating through the chamber and sending shockwaves through the air.

Lord Varek’s body was hurled backward with tremendous force, crashing through a crumbling wall and skidding to a halt amidst the debris. Dust and rubble filled the air, and for a moment, silence descended on the battlefield, broken only by the distant crackling of displaced energy.

As the dust began to settle, Lord Varek rose slowly, his movements deliberate and measured. His imposing figure straightened to its full height, his cold fury etched deeply into his expression. But something was different. A single drop of blood trickled from his broken nose, sliding down his face before falling to the floor below.

The sight left everyone in stunned silence. Nikolai’s eyes widened in disbelief, his breath caught in his throat. He hadn’t meant to do it, hadn’t meant to affect Lord Varek, it should have been impossible. Yet, for the first time in the entire battle, the seemingly invincible warlord had been injured.