• THE BATTLE AGAINST CRIMSON PALADIN •
-
THE EDGE OF THE FOREST
Dzeth and Razou charged at Crimson Paladin simultaneously. Dzeth's glowing blade sliced through the air, while Razou used his extraordinary speed to attack from the opposite direction.
Clang!
Dzeth's sword clashed against Crimson Paladin's burning red blade. At the same time, Razou delivered a powerful punch to the enemy's body
But
Dum!
No effect.
Crimson Paladin stood unfazed, as if their attacks were meaningless.
Then, without hesitation, he suddenly swung his sword toward them.
"Move!" Razou shouted.
Both of them quickly dodged as the blade sliced through the air, cutting down massive trees with ease.
Dzeth narrowed his eyes and quickly activated Negative Reversal, firing it at Crimson Paladin.
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, shaking the ground beneath them. Thick smoke covered the battlefield.
But as the dust settled
Crimson Paladin was still standing.
"Are you serious?" Razou gritted his teeth.
He dashed forward, unleashing a full-force punch directly to Crimson Paladin's stomach.
However
Nothing happened.
"Impossible!"
Before Razou could react, Crimson Paladin slashed his sword in retaliation.
SWOOSH!
The attack landed directly on Razou!
"ARGH!"
Razou was sent flying, crashing into a massive tree before collapsing onto the ground. His body screamed in pain he could barely stand.
Dzeth clenched his fists.
"I can't hesitate!"
He activated Limitless Energy, removing all his energy constraints. Then, he gripped Heavenly Dagger tightly and lunged at Crimson Paladin.
With speed far surpassing Razou, Dzeth dashed forward, leaving behind mere afterimages.
Crimson Paladin could no longer read his movements!
Dzeth slashed
Sraak!
Crimson Paladin's armor shattered piece by piece!
"What…? I… I'm getting hit?"
But just before Dzeth could strike again
Crimson Paladin grabbed his wrist!
A grip so strong that escape was impossible.
"Your life ends here," Crimson Paladin whispered, his voice dripping with malice.
He raised his sword high
And
STABBED DZETH THROUGH THE STOMACH!
"Khh...!"
Dzeth's eyes widened as blood spewed from his mouth.
Razou, still struggling to stand, screamed in horror.
"DZETH!"
Dzeth collapsed, his blood staining the ground.
-
RENX ARRIVES
Elsewhere, RenX sprinted toward the battlefield after receiving reports of Crimson Paladin. But as he arrived
"My… my little brother..."
His breath hitched at the sight of Dzeth lying in a pool of his own blood.
Something snapped inside him.
"Unforgivable!"
Enraged, he activated Luck Hunter Technique!
[ 900% Dmg+ ]
BOOM!
With no hesitation, he punched Crimson Paladin's chest with nine times his usual power!
But
Nothing.
RenX froze.
"No way… even at maximum power?!"
Crimson Paladin suddenly grabbed RenX by the throat, lifting him off the ground.
"You'll die next," he said, raising his sword toward RenX's chest.
In that moment, RenX closed his eyes as memories of his childhood flooded his mind
---
RENX'S PAST
As a young boy, six years old, RenX loved playing Hunter games at home.
"Mom, when I grow up, I want to be a Hunter!" he said eagerly.
His mother chuckled, ruffling his hair.
"Being a Hunter is dangerous, Syafi… who will take care of your little brothers?"
RenX pouted.
"I'll protect everyone. I want to be strong so I can take care of you and my brothers too!"
His mother simply smiled.
That promise stayed with him forever.
-
DZETH'S COMEBACK
RenX closed his eyes.
"I… I failed my family."
But then
BOOM!
A massive explosion roared from behind!
Crimson Paladin immediately dropped RenX and turned around. His eyes widened in shock.
RenX, too, gasped in disbelief.
DZETH WAS STANDING TALL!
With not a single wound on his body.
"Oi, Crimson Paladin..."
Crimson Paladin growled and charged at Dzeth, throwing a full-powered punch.
But
He hit nothing but air.
"Behind you."
Dzeth activated Maximum Positive
And then
FIRED A MASSIVE NEGATIVE REVERSAL ATTACK!
A colossal purple light exploded, consuming the battlefield.
Even in a distant city, people saw the massive purple glow illuminating the night sky.
However, the battle was not over yet.
As the dust settled, Dzeth saw Crimson Paladin still standing, despite his armor being completely shattered.
Crimson Paladin turned and tried to escape.
But Dzeth wouldn't let him.
With blazing speed, he lunged forward, gripping Heavenly Dagger, and activated his newest technique.
"YOU'RE DEAD!!"
"HEAVENLY HEATWAVE!"
Blazing red and golden energy swirled around Heavenly Dagger, forming a destructive force
And then
BOOOOOM!
A devastating shockwave erupted, engulfing Crimson Paladin entirely.
His body disintegrated inside the explosion.
Dzeth stood for a moment
Then collapsed, unconscious.
RenX and Razou survived.
But the world now knew
This so-called Grade C Hunter was no ordinary man.
-
To be continued...