Chapter 432 Unending Troubles
Vorinax was more of a monster than Alex expected, as after Alex took the lead and showed him that he was capable of at least putting up some resistance, he became what could only be described as a magician, pulling one trick after a setup.
Vorinax held a crystalline bow, its design defying conventional structure as instead of a typical bow, it featured a simple white grip encased in a structure resembling a bow, crafted from intricate white ethereal lines intertwined in a swirling pattern.
Vorinax launched tens of invisible arrows with every passing moment that were just ripples in the fabric of space, traveling at a speed that was noticed long after the attack had already been delivered.
Daenal had shown to be capable of using wind, earth, fire, space, death, healing, and even pure vibration attacks that disrupted elemental attacks thrown at them, and he was not only capable of delivering attacks with pinpoint accuracy but he was also good enough to set traps and create opportunities.
Before, Alex was dissatisfied with how things went as he was being forced to use the Monarch Aura again when he needed to be in his best shape in the last round, but after seeing the performance of Vorinax, he was delighted he had a reason to use it.
Alex wanted a permanent contract with an anomaly like Vorinax, and while it was entirely possible that even after his display of strength, his request would be declined, he would still try his luck.
Alex was also not doing bad, as for the first time in this life, he felt that familiar feeling, he felt his muscles burning, adrenaline pumping through his blood, his mana raging through his veins, and his two hearts rhymingly beating.
It was the feeling of pushing his body to its limit in battles that were above his league, with the constant reminder that death was ready to claim him with the slightest slip-up.
Alex didn't know whether it was the price that was on the line, or maybe because billions were watching him, or just his mentality to not offer anything less than his best when he was fighting against an Elemental Ruler.
A bit more than a year ago, Alex was certain that he could never reach such a realm of power, but now he was able to stand his ground against an Elemental Ruler, and while he knew he was far from an equal in this battle, this was exactly what made want to push to his limits to see how close he was to that legendary realm of power.
Alex only used Malevolent Revitalization and Reaper's Leeches from his class skills to cope with the death magic eroding away his life, while he didn't waste any of the two-time skills that could hope to do harm to Daenal, saving them for the final push.
Alex's figure was a blur as his sword, cloaked in darkness, sliced through the dense mist of death, clashing against the speak, sending shockwaves through the surroundings.
Alex redirected the momentum of the impact to power his next swing, compensating for his inferior speed and strength, but in turn, his muscles were getting ripped apart, his skin tearing open.
Daenal, each strike was getting heavier and faster, aimed to kill, as the three-minute timer was reaching its conclusion and Alex was surviving thanks to his ability to phase through space and time, instant teleport, and help from Vorinax, but even then, he was receiving major injuries.
Daenal was not without losses as his health was down by 17%, nothing serious, but still, a major hit when he was just dealing with two individuals he could kill in a matter of moments if he went all out, but he was not doing it out of pride.
'Can't block it,' Alex thought, and right that instant, he teleported away and instantly used a second of invulnerability to build distance and regain his sense of surrounding, expecting Daenal to pursue him or deliver a barrage of attacks.
"Boy, you are not the best combatant I have seen if I just consider your skills, but you are the most accomplished individual at your Rank that I have seen," Daenal said, not pursuing his target with his aura returning to calm.
"I recognize your worth, so stand down and take an oath to follow me, and I will make you my general and let you be the witness of the grand empire I will build on this continent,"
"Refuse, and I will stop holding back and will have your head in the next few seconds," Daenal said, his cold and hoarse voice slicing through the chaos of the battlefield.
'Zero sure thinks lowly of me to offer such a quest after all I have done,' Alex thought, looking at the system window.
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(Requirements for "The Fallen Quest" have been fulfilled)
Accept Daenal Sadros's offer, and the Player (Hidden One) will receive 20 million individual points.
In the third stage, as you participate in the unification war, you will also be one of the High Generals of the mightiest kingdom, giving you a big advantage over everyone else.
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'The offer to be the High General of the Undead Empire certain is enticing, as I could end up making some event points instead of losing, but what's the fun in that,' Alex thought as he declined the quest.
The event was organized not only to strengthen players but additionally to mentally prepare them for the Devourer Beasts, and it was done so through mental programming that happened through each stage of the event.
The first stage taught the viewers Adaptability in the constant state of survival, with the second teaching Teamwork, Trust, and Betrayal, the third will teach Selflessness and Sacrifice, and the last will teach Unity and all previous ones.
"Dragon Monarch Aura"
Alex didn't give an answer with words but instead with action as he used the skill and felt the shift in mental clarity and strength flowing through his body, a smile spread across his face.
A skull-faced draconic Monarch manifested behind him, its dark, hollow eyes gazing down at Daenal like he was an ant, and as quickly as it appeared, it dissipated, spreading the wild, suffocating Aura through the surrounding, making every set of eyes on the battlefield shifted toward him, panic and horror visible in them.
"Let's begin round two, shall we?" Alex said, his cold words waking Daenal and many others from their shock.
"Tell Me Your Name, and I will remember it all my life, for you are the finest and most accomplished individuals I have fought or seen in all my life under the Rank of the Ruler," Daenal said, his aura welling up, surpassing Alex in sheer pressure and effect.
"Ruler," Alex said, raising an eyebrow at Daenal's unexpected reaction.
Alex hadn't anticipated the madman to handle the sudden shift so calmly, let alone speak to him with respect, and seeing this, he couldn't help but feel a bad gut feeling.
"Mausoleum of the Fallen Charon"
'F**K, this is not part of my plan,' Alex thought, a bit startled seeing Daenal use his Domain right off the bat.
Alex was expecting a tough battle, as when Domain would realize he couldn't kill him without his domain, he would make a run for the palace to stop Galatan because using his realm to deal with him would weaken him, putting him at a disadvantage against his true target which could very well cost him the battle.
Alex's vision plunged into darkness, only to emerge in a grim reality as he stood on deteriorating ground, surrounded by wilting lines of flowers, while the air hung heavy with the pungent scent of death.
Before him loomed a towering grand Mausoleum, its pillars marred with cracks, a section of roof missing completely, casting an ominous presence over the surroundings.
"It's still yet undergoing changes, but in the future, my realm and name will be remembered, and you can die in pride knowing that you are the first a single to become an addition to my domain and will serve me in spite of in death," Daenal said, a creepy smile spreading across his face.
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