Like a rat tempted by the allure of a cheese, the army walked straight into a trap.
It was certainly odd for the army to be forced to walk at the center of the tundra plain with downward slopes on either side, the Rastrikan Demons' energy that lies beyond the hills also seemed to be deliberately placed there to lead them to this path.
Rex or the other generals were supposed to realize it sooner, but they didn't realize it.
All of them were caught off guard.
A formation was made to hide the army's aura.
Huvuki prepared it himself so that the quality of the formation was top-notch and had no flaws.
Nobody would be able to sense their auras if not for a detection skill.
Since Rex and the army are going to ambush the Rastrikan Demons, this formation will do.
However, the army was found out, not because the formation not working but because there was an aura-less scout in the sky, hiding in the dark spots of the broken sky and spotted them approaching from the distance.
Even Rex couldn't sense its aura as it was far up and had a minuscule presence.
"I'm going to attempt to stop the fire" Adhara mused and turned back to the soaring fire wall.
Upon reaching the towering wall of flames that radiated a searing heat that even she, a Fire Elementalist, could feel. Adhara swiftly invoked her gladiator form, undergoing a complete transformation of her appearance.
With her hands stretched forward and the coiling fire serpent, she prepared to take action.
Despite her attempt to control the fire, she failed. Adhara wasn't even able to interact with it.
Rex frowned when he saw this, she should be able to do something at least.
System, why can't she do anything?
<Adhara is a Fire Elementalist of the mana, she could only interact with mana. On the other hand, the firewall is created by hellfire, and it contains no mana but demonic energy instead. Thus, she wasn't able to interact with it>
It was the first time for him, seeing an Awakened couldn't control their own elemental affinity.
But it was natural, the very essence of the is different.
I should've trusted my instincts and acted. But... this isn't a bad thing entirely.
Despite being situated in the midst of the expansive tundra plain, surrounded from all sides, this incident could potentially lead the Rastrikan Demons to become overconfident, which might actually work to their advantage.
While not as ideal as ambushing them from the flank, this still holds a strategic value.
None of them could dispute that a fight was going to break out.
Huvuki immediately commanded the army, raising his war hammer skywards with great vigor.
"Formation!"
Moving in perfect synchronization, the army formed a cleaving formation resembling the curved half of a circle, designed to counter frontal and lateral assaults. All of them raised their weapons, while those at the forefront planted their heavy shield firmly into the ground.
Swoosh!
Following that, Huvuki raised his infamous War Maul of Glacia.
It was a big weapon that was supposed to be wielded two-handed, however, Huvuki raised it with only one arm. Additionally, the weapon looks like any war hammer except for the intricate design and runes carved at its steely head, glowing bright blue.
Clenching the hammer, the runes were activated and summoned a powerful hail.
A torrent of icy power that surged forth from the hammer.
Like creating a domain of his own, the ground around the area was influenced by the hammer's power and turned icy. It keeps on expanding exponentially, encompassing the flora of the plain into nothing but frozen bits.
Just looking at the power of this hammer alone, Rex acknowledged its strength.
For a weapon to have the power that could turn the entire terrain into an advantageous terrain for the Dwarves, he could understand why the Rastrikan Demons wanted to Dwarves to make them a weapon of a similar kind.
Naturally, if they have this kind of weapon, their onslaught will beunstoppable.
If the Rastrikan Demons had their own weapon, raiding other races would've been easier.
Meanwhile, the sight of the War Maul of Glacia's power being displayed didn't seem to intimidate the Rastrikan Demons, instead, it made them even more rigorous, remembering that the hammer is the reason this bad blood starts.
Laughing maniacally, the Rastrikan Demons savored the taste of the meal to come in the air.
Craving for Dwarves' blood, the sight of so many delights stroke their desires.
Rex cracked his neck in preparation for a fight before he scanned his eyes around, inspecting the situation so that he could create a quick battle plan. Two captains each on the sides, and the front was guarded by Demon Lord Ranath himself. Adhara, Huvuki, and the other capable ones could take care of the captains so that leaves...
Fixing his eyes forward, he looked at Demon Lord Ranath and checked his stat.
<Demon Lord Ranath>
Race: Wicked Crimson Archdemon
Power: Seventh Rank (Peak) - Lord of Desires
Mental: 1,700
Strength: 16,700 (+15,500)
Agility: 22,300
Endurance: 13,000 (+5,000)
Intelligence: 7,250 (+5,250)
Observing Demon Lord Ranath's stats, he found that it was extremely high.
Based on the total stats alone, he's actually almost on par with a peak ninth-rank realm.
Rex couldn't help but frown as he came to this realization. He already expected that the Demon Lords would be in the ninth-rank realm, however, he wasn't expecting their stats to reach this high.
It was obvious that Demon Lord Ranath's strength matched that of the Rasphet Twins.
Additionally, the increase in stats is also worrying.
<Rex Silverstar - Werewolf Form (Weakened)>
King Mark: Banished Dark Moon (Active) and Blood Moon (Active)
Ascension: Banished Dark Moon (First Ascension), Blood Moon (First Ascension)
Pack: Silverstar (7/20)
Level: 73 (111,300,500,000/557,250,000,000)
Race: Exalted Royal Black Werewolf
Full-Moon: 7 Days - Hare Moon
Berserk: 65%
Sanity: 21%
Mental: 10,109 (+357)
Strength: 15,160 (+5,480)
Agility: 18,705 (+6,697)
Endurance: 13,345 (+5,087)
Intelligence: 36,855 (+120)
Attributable Stats: 0
In comparison to his own stats, it was frighteningly comparable to Demon Lord Ranath's, which crossed a frown on his face. Now he couldn't help but wonder how strong Demon Lord Kirgil, the strongest of them all be when Demon Lord Ranath was already this powerful.
Moreover, I don't think I could turn into my Werewolf Form here...
Rex was troubled knowing that if he turned right now then his energy would be amplified, and that would alert the other Rastrikan Demons' legions. If that happened, then Demon Lord Ranath's pride would be useless as the others would be the ones coming here instead.
No matter what, he would need to beat Demon Lord Ranath without turning.
Save that for later when he fought the other Demon Lords.
Wicked Red Archdemon? I need to be careful. All hits from wicked entities are amplified.
But it seems the situation keeps on getting worse as he remembered the side effects of using the Treaty of Infernal Physique, a backlash that would amplify all attacks from wicked entities, whatever that might mean.
Judging from the name alone, he already has a hunch that it is related to the Demons.
Rex was proven correct earlier as the System told him the requirement.
Despite the challenging situation presented by the untimeliness of this battle, making it hard for him to defeat Demon Lord Ranath, there was no fear in his eyes. Instead, his fighting spirit burned even brighter, the prospect of an easy victory wouldn't satiate his frustration.
If he wanted to vent out everything then this better be a difficult battle.
"Adhara, aim for the demon captains on the side. Can you see them?" Rex whispered lightly.
Upon hearing this, Adhara nodded her head, "Yes, I see them. Leave them to me"
While the two forces stared at each other with mounting intensity, a profound silence descended upon the battlefield. Only the occasional swooshing sound of hail in the background could punctuate the quiet.
However, in the next second, Rex's eyes flared open with focus.
ROAR!!
Out of nowhere, Demon Lord Ranath spread open his chest and roared menacingly.
A formidable gust of soundwave exploded from his roar, vibrating the very air in a vast radius and bringing with it a scorching sensation that heated up their eardrums. Even then, Rex shrugged it off and maintained his unwavering gaze on Demon Lord Ranath.
But a series of notifications from the System suddenly materialized in his vision.
<Warning! The user has been inflicted with Covetous Gaze!>
<Mental stat has been reduced by 50%!>
Rex's eyes jolted open when he saw this, however, another notification appeared.
<Covetous Gaze's effect has been lifted! The user's mental stat is recovered>
Hmmm...? So that's how it works.
Sensing the effect from Demon Lord Ranath, the Awakened started conjuring their mana and created a mental shield for the entire army. However, it will not completely block the Covetous Gaze skill.
"Don't look at its eyes or you'll go insane!"
Upon hearing Rex's command, the army quickly looked down to avoid making eye contact.
Even though it seemed like a battle cry, the roar from Demon Lord Ranath acted as a signal or a war horn for the entire Rastrikan Demon legion to surge forward like a black tide, fixing their sights on their enemies.
Immediately, the ground trembled from the sheer power of their footsteps.
Not stopping at that, Demon Lord Ranath took a massive leap, touching down twenty meters in front of him. With a resounding boom, he initiated a powerful dash, shrouding himself in a blazing crimson hellfire as he advanced.
Similarly, the Dwarves also roared as the generals issued for them to charge forward.
Rex who was standing at the center back lowered his stance, gazing down at the ground.
Meanwhile, Hubuki observed as the energy around him surged while red and black linings or patterns began to etch across his body, causing his skin to crack. It was evident that he was activating both of his King Marks.
'I knew that Lord Rex has more than one King Mark, but the sight of it is still surprising'
Both King Mark merged on his forehead, creating a single new mark.
A new appearance as his King Mark now appears to be half crimson red and half black.
"Keep the demon captains company while I finish off Demon Lord Ranath. Don't overextend. If there's a chance that you're going to die, then stop and pull back" Rex suddenly said without even looking at both Huvuki and Adhara.
From Huvuki's point of view, this is an amiable instruction.
Rex doesn't want him dead was a sign of respect for the entire Dwarven Kingdom.
However, unlike Huvuki, who seemed to be inspired by this command, Adhara could only offer a wry smile in response. She knew that Rex's command wasn't just about ensuring their safety, it was also his way of wanting to take all of the demons himself.
Clearly whatever happened back in the city frustrates him.
'Sigh... he's not even trying to hide it' Adhara pondered and shook her head.
Looking from the side, she could already see that he was smiling from ear to ear excitedly.
Boom!
Just like a bullet, the muscles in Rex's legs bulged as he propelled himself forward with precision, aiming directly at Demon Lord Ranath when his power reached the optimal state. He moved through the army skillfully, like a force of nature in motion.
I need to reach the legion first before Demon Lord Ranath reaches our army.
Knowing that Demon Lord Ranath would take out a lot of Dwarves if he clashed first, Rex picks up his pace with even greater speed, infusing his body with black lightning that exponentially increases his speed.
It takes a moment before Rex goes past the army and so does Demon Lord Ranath.
Gazing at each other with a maniacal intensity, the two prepare to clash.
Rex pulled back the Silver Eye and infused it with his dense red force, while Demon Lord Ranath's arms transformed into sharp blades, both preparing to strike with deadly intent, filled with the desire for a fearsome fight.
Clash!
KABOOM!!
A powerful and destructive shockwave exploded as they locked in a power struggle.
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