Leif fled in utter desperation under Kael's assault, his dignity abandoned like a beaten cur!
Kael gave chase with equal ferocity, his body wreathed in crackling lightning as a web of electricity spread around him. The sheer destructive potential made Leif's hair stand on end, his heart gripped by primal terror.
To the stunned onlookers, Leif's panicked flight was a spectacle of humiliation—his undead legion abandoned, his subordinates forsaken, as he bolted into the forest depths, desperate to escape Kael's magical wrath!
"Leif, of all people, forced to flee from Kael? That's just brutal!" Ethan could only watch the pursuit unfold, shaking his head in disbelief.
Indeed, Kael's strength had surpassed all expectations. Leif, widely acknowledged as the strongest below the eighth-tier, was now scurrying for his life like a stray dog!
Brutal was the only word that fit.
In the blink of an eye, both figures vanished into the distance, leaving the battlefield in stunned silence.
It took a long moment for the others to regain their senses and rejoin the fight against the remaining undead. Though Leif had fled, his legion remained a dire threat!
Kairo and Heath, however, were in dire straits. Without Leif, they were leaderless, and Kael's overwhelming display had shattered their morale. Dazed and disoriented, they nearly met their end under the Unicorn Rhinos' crushing charge.
"Alaric, lead your herd and press the attack!" Amelia seized the opportunity—this was the advantage Kael had fought hard to secure.
"No problem! Brothers, charge! We are tanks! WE ARE TANKS!" Alaric bellowed. Though pinned down by Number One and Number Two, the two mightiest undead beasts, he held his ground effortlessly. True to his word, Alaric was indeed a genius among Unicorn Rhinos.
Kael pursued Leif relentlessly!
Leif's heart burned with humiliation—this young man's strength was beyond anything he had anticipated. Now, his only option was to flee, to run for his life!
Yet Kael matched his speed effortlessly, closing the distance in an instant, clinging to him like a shadow that refused to be shaken off.
And then there was that terrifying lightning power—crackling and roaring with thunderous fury, sending waves of dread through Leif's core.
"This brat... he's too much! I've never seen anyone like him. If he survives, he'll become a powerhouse!" Leif thought in horror, realizing just how formidable Kael truly was.
"Brat, don't push me!" Leif snarled, his eyes glinting with malice. "Let me go, and I'll reward you handsomely in the future. But if you insist on chasing me to the death... I'll drag you down with me!" Seeing Kael hot on his heels, Leif panicked, resorting to threats.
"A reward? Let's hear it—what can you offer?" Kael smirked, his tone softening slightly.
Encouraged by Kael's response, Leif exhaled in relief and hastily shouted, "Name your price! Millions in gold coins? Priceless magic gems? Whatever you want, I can give it to you!"
Millions in gold... magic gems... Kael narrowed his eyes. Leif's promises were grandiose—but empty.
Of course, Kael wasn't swayed. Words meant nothing. Their feud had long passed the point of negotiation.
Kael cast a cold glance at Leif. "Finished?"
"You—!" Leif's face twisted in fury at Kael's indifference, but desperation forced him to swallow his pride. Gritting his teeth, he spat, "Fine! I have a secret—one you'll definitely want to hear!"
His eyes flickered with hesitation, weighing whether to reveal it.
"Oh? A secret?" Kael's interest was piqued, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Still, even as he engaged Leif in conversation, Kael remained vigilant, watching for any sudden treachery.
"Damn brat, too cunning!" Leif inwardly cursed, realizing Kael wouldn't be caught off guard. With a frustrated snort, he finally relented:
"Since you're from the Sacred Council and the Holy Temple, you should know—I'm the only one in the entire continent who's discovered this ancient ruin's 'Life Gate'! I know exactly where it is!"
"Your people only got in because the Sacred Council and Holy Temple brute-forced their way through space. But I... I have the real map to the Life Gate! So here's the deal—let me go, and I'll give it to you!"
Leif dangled the ultimate temptation.
For a moment, even Kael couldn't help but be tempted.
What would obtaining the Life Gate Map of the ancient ruins mean?
It meant the entire ruins would become his personal domain! All its resources—his to command and exploit!
Such an immense benefit was impossible to ignore.
"So? My life in exchange for the Life Gate Map!" Leif pressed.
Kael responded with a cold smirk. "Not good enough. Something that valuable must be on your person. Killing you would give me the map anyway!"
"You—! You're dead! Damn you!" Leif erupted in fury. This arrogant brat had rejected his offer and provoked him beyond reason!
"Kill me? You were already weaker than me. And now, by fleeing alone, you've walked straight into hell!" A confident grin suddenly spread across Kael's face.
This wasn't arrogance—Kael had absolute certainty.
Though Kael's current strength surpassed Leif's, outright killing him was still difficult. But Leif's reckless escape had given Kael the perfect opportunity!
"Come forth, Scarlett!"
Let's not forget—Kael had a contracted servant, Scarlett!
With a cold laugh, Kael summoned her from the Contract Space!
Leif's eyes widened as an unnaturally pale woman emerged, her inhumanly frigid gaze locking onto him!
"What?! Another peak seventh-tier woman?! Impossible!" Leif's blood ran cold, engulfed by the shadow of death.
Over this period, Scarlett's strength had also broken through, becoming one of Kael's hidden trump cards. Now, at this critical moment, Kael held nothing back!
Scarlett—peak seventh-tier!
As she stepped out, a powerful aura surged around her. At this level, she was every bit Leif's equal—if not superior! After all, Scarlett had once been a ninth-tier powerhouse. Even with her power diminished, her combat prowess at the same rank remained terrifyingly formidable, posing a lethal threat to Leif!
Now, both Kael and Scarlett locked onto Leif simultaneously, their overwhelming pressure rendering him nearly speechless.
"This... damn it all!" Leif finally panicked completely. Never had he imagined Kael still held another trump card—and now, he had walked straight into their trap!
Under their joint pursuit, Leif found himself with no escape—no path to heaven or earth. Kael and Scarlett expertly sealed off all his retreats, advancing relentlessly.
BOOM!
Countless lightning bolts surged with radiant power, their mana erupting like a tsunami, crashing down upon Leif!
Leif desperately expanded his Domain to resist, but the impact still forced him to cough up mouthfuls of blood. He couldn't even counterattack—only flee, scrambling for any chance to escape!
Yet at that moment, Scarlett coldly snorted, blocking his path. As a vampire, her human-like appearance belied her monstrous physical resilience. When Leif hurled a spell at her, she shrugged it off effortlessly.
Meanwhile, Scarlett entangled him completely, leaving no opening. Leif's frantic struggles proved useless—she had him locked down.
Seizing this opportunity—
Kael smirked. "Lightning Sever!"
Thunder descended once more, this time like the Reaper's scythe. With Scarlett pinning him down, Leif couldn't react in time—and lightning's speed was merciless.
A flash—and a head rolled.