Chapter 597 Chapter570-A Temporary Retreat
At the very heart of Styx town, a fierce battle was unfolding.
John, the strongest anonymous player on the leaderboard, was engaged in a decisive battle with Flame Knight, one of the 72 Devils.
Both combatants were shrouded in invisibility, adding a layer of complexity to their confrontation.
The devil flame unleashed by Flame Knight had nearly razed all the structures within the town center to the ground.
John's invisibility wouldn't last indefinitely, indicating the urgency for him to prepare for combat swiftly.
Upon realizing that his Detection spell failed to locate Flame Knight, John deduced he might have walked into a trap.
Under normal circumstances, his strategy would be to retreat, understanding the significant risk of remaining ensnared.
However, retreat seemed impossible now; Flame Knight's devil flame had effectively sealed off Styx town, trapping both John and Duke Arsena within.
Even if John managed to use the power of the Book of the Astral Realm to create a portal, it would only transport him to the town's outskirts at best.
This limitation left John in a precarious position, needing to devise a new strategy to counter Flame Knight's overwhelming control of the battlefield.
Flame Knight's voice echoed, a deliberate attempt to unsettle John with a blend of truth and tactical provocation.
As a formidable Devil, Flame Knight was adept at manipulating his opponents through his words.
His statement was not entirely false, for any deceit could easily be detected by John, potentially foiling Flame Knight's plans.
Despite Flame Knight's provocations, John remained composed.
His extensive experience battling demons had taught him how they often sought to disrupt an opponent's focus during combat.
However, Flame Knight was correct about one thing: John couldn't maintain his invisibility indefinitely.
Acknowledging this, John decisively dropped his invisibility cloak and simultaneously activated the Book of the Astral Realm and the Mystery Eye Gemstone.
With these two Sacred Relics empowered at once, John gained immense Space Authority, significantly enhancing his combat capabilities and opening new strategic possibilities against Flame Knight.
John, unfazed by Flame Knight's attempts to unsettle him, decided to end his invisibility and concurrently activated the Book of the Astral Realm and the Mystery Eye Gemstone.
With both Sacred Relics in play, John harnessed a formidable Space Authority, vastly enhancing his capabilities.
Acknowledging Flame Knight's strategy of sealing off Styx town, John responded in kind, casting four sealing spells not only to reinforce the town's seal but also to create a secondary seal at its center.
This move was unexpected to Flame Knight, who saw little value in John's tactic and doubted its effectiveness.
"You really think this approach will lead to success? Even if you seal the center of Styx town, what purpose does it serve? Do you genuinely believe you can triumph over me in a decisive battle here?"
Flame Knight, despite holding the advantage, chose not to reveal himself, remaining cautious about his prospects in the ensuing conflict.
He was banking on an additional edge, having previously arranged for Corruptor's assistance.
Yet, Corruptor's absence in Styx town left Flame Knight to face John alone, a matchup he knew lacked a guaranteed victory.
John retorted, "The success of my plan doesn't hinge on your opinion. You'll soon see whether it succeeds or not! You're quite na?ve to think otherwise. Among the Devils, you might just have the lowest IQ."
John's words were a clear taunt aimed at Flame Knight, who likely dismissed them as mere strategic banter, akin to his own earlier psychological tactics.
Yet, beneath the surface, both combatants were intensely calculating their next moves, understanding that the outcome of this confrontation could shift at any moment.
The unexpected turn of events began to unsettle Flame Knight.
John not only deployed sealing spells but also unleashed the oceanic spell scrolls provided by Shatras.
As he cast these scrolls, potent marine spells materialized instantaneously, their combined forces generating an immense power.
"Are you daring to use these oceanic spell scrolls at the heart of Styx town? Don't you realize that Styx town is sealed? If the town is sealed, the water elements summoned by these spells will accumulate, leading to a massive concentration of power. Do you not comprehend the consequences of these water elements amassing? They will freeze us all!"
Flame Knight exclaimed, now fully grasping John's strategy.
At this moment, Flame Knight sensed a significant threat emanating from John's actions.
The realization of John's plan dawned on him, but with it came the understanding of the immense danger it posed.
John's tactic of using the oceanic spells within the confined space of the sealed Styx town meant that the accumulating water elements could create an uncontrollable and potentially catastrophic effect, threatening to freeze everything within its reach, including Flame Knight himself.
The unfolding situation began to alarm Flame Knight as John not only employed sealing spells but also unleashed the oceanic spell scrolls provided by Shatras.
Upon activation, these scrolls unleashed powerful marine spells that converged into a formidable force.
Flame Knight exclaimed in panic, "You dare use these oceanic spell scrolls at the heart of Styx town?! Don't you realize that Styx town has been sealed? If it's sealed, the water elements summoned will concentrate here! Do you not comprehend the consequences of these water elements converging? They will freeze us all!"
Flame Knight had realized John's plan, but with this realization came a sense of immense danger.
When the water elements summoned by the marine spells were confined by the space seal, they would amalgamate, forming a colossal force capable of freezing everything in its vicinity.
Neither Devils nor top-tier fighters like John could withstand the onslaught of the water elements, fundamental components of the world's essence.
Yet, John remained unfazed by Flame Knight's words, as this was part of his strategy.
He had anticipated encountering significant dangers within the Dark Realm and knew he might not always have the upper hand in battle.
Thus, John's tactic was to resort to a mutually destructive approach if he couldn't gain the advantage.
As a player, John could respawn indefinitely, while Devils, including those of the Dark Faction, required substantial dark power to resurrect—a process significantly slower than a player's respawn and challenging even within the Dark Realm.
John confidently addressed Flame Knight, "You previously questioned why I was bold enough to confront you in the Dark Realm. Now, I'll reveal my trump card to you. Have you forgotten that I'm an adventurer? As such, I don't need to worry about being defeated by you, because any adventurer taken down by you can continually come back. I always have a way out, while you do not. Should you be defeated, other Devils would be eager to seize all your dark power for themselves. They could use this opportunity to enhance their own strength and elevate their status. And if you wish to resurrect, it would take you much longer!"
John's words intensified Flame Knight's apprehension.
The truth in John's statement was undeniable, and Flame Knight was well aware that other Devils might not come to his aid if he were under attack, further complicating his situation.
John's declaration highlighted the inherent advantage he held as an adventurer, underscoring the perpetual threat he posed to the Dark Faction due to his ability to respawn indefinitely.
This stark contrast in fate between adventurers and Devils, where defeated Devils risked their dark power being usurped by their peers, further exacerbated Flame Knight's predicament.
The absence of support from Corruptor, a Devil previously allied with Flame Knight, exemplified the cutthroat nature of the Dark Faction, where solidarity was often a secondary concern to personal gain.
As the water elements began to converge, forming an increasingly formidable force, Flame Knight's dilemma deepened.
He recognized the possibility of engaging John in a battle to the end but realized the futility and lack of benefit in such a course of action for himself.
Acknowledging John's unexpected and radical strategy, Flame Knight conceded, remarking on the difficulty of battling someone of John's recklessness.
With these parting words, Flame Knight vanished, and with his departure, the seals that had enveloped Styx town dissipated, restoring freedom to the area and concluding the confrontation—for now.
The moment the seal on Styx town was lifted, John swiftly deactivated his own sealing spells, keen on avoiding a mutually destructive end.
As a player, John was aware of the consequences of defeat, including the loss of experience and potentially valuable equipment.
Given that his arsenal comprised Sacred Relics, the risk of losing any of these priceless items was unacceptable.
With the deactivation of the sealing magic, the potent force of the water elements summoned by the oceanic spell scrolls began to dissipate across Styx town.
This dispersion proved fatal for the weaker demons within the town, who were overwhelmed and annihilated by the unleashed power of the water elements.
This turn of events not only showcased the strategic depth of John's plan but also significantly weakened the Dark Faction's hold on Styx town.
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