The red aura pulsed around the Guildmaster, growing thicker, more intense. The air crackled. Without a word, she moved.
She didn't charge recklessly. Instead, she exploded forward, targeting Tony first. Her speed was blinding, the crimson energy trailing behind her like ribbons of light. Her sword became a blur, striking not with brute force alone, but with pinpoint accuracy aimed at perceived weaknesses in his stance.
Tony grunted, barely bringing his weapon up in time to parry a strike aimed at his shoulder. Sparks flew as metal clashed. The force of the blow sent tremors up his arm. He staggered back a step, surprise flashing across his face.
Rhan moved to intercept, his augmented fist swinging in a wide arc. The Guildmaster didn't meet it head-on. She spun away, letting his momentum carry him past, then pivoted instantly, her sword slicing horizontally through the air where he had just been.
The blade missed Rhan but continued its path, hitting the corner of a nearby ruined building. There was no loud explosion, just a silent, terrifying slice. The entire upper section of the building sheared clean off, stone and metal crumbling downward in a delayed cascade of destruction.
Rhan whistled low, watching the debris fall. "Okay, definitely not boring," he muttered, repositioning himself defensively.
Tony rubbed his arm where the Guildmaster's parried strike had landed. "Told you she was trouble." He spat on the ground. "But speed won't save you forever, little lady!"
The Guildmaster ignored the taunt, her focus absolute. She pressed her advantage, flowing between the two men like water, forcing them to react, keeping them slightly off balance.
Her strategy was clear: divide and conquer, wear them down individually, never letting them coordinate a combined assault.
'This woman... she's incredibly strong,' Rhan thought, narrowly ducking under another devastating slash that carved a deep gouge in the pavement behind him. 'Fast, precise, and powerful. She's reading our movements.'
The fight raged across the ruined street—a whirlwind of crimson energy, clashing metal, and shattering stone. Taunts flew back and forth, mixed with grunts of effort and the sharp hiss of near misses.
Meanwhile, the three remaining A-rank Hunters watched the S-rank battle, their faces grim. They knew their limits. Intervening against opponents who could trade blows with their Guildmaster would be suicide; they'd only get in her way.
One of them nodded towards the sidelines where Scarlet stood watching the fight, her earlier fear replaced by a mixture of irritation and fascination.
"She's vulnerable," she murmured to her companions.
Another, a burly man gripping a heavy axe, nodded curtly. "The Guildmaster handles those two. We take her."
The third Hunter drew his sword, his eyes fixed on Scarlet. "Let's go."
Stealthily, keeping low and using the surrounding debris for cover, they began to circle around, their sights set on the pink-haired subordinate.
She leaned against the wall, watching the fight unfold. The Guildmaster was impressive, keeping both Rhan and Tony on the defensive despite their strength. A smile played on her lips as she watched them struggle.
"Serves them right for telling me to stay back," she muttered.
Her attention fixed on the battle, she didn't notice the three A-rank Hunters moving into position around her. Not until the first one was almost upon her.
She sensed the attack at the last second, whirling around to face the approaching Hunter. Her lips curled into a snarl.
"Really? The weaklings want to play too?"
The Hunters didn't respond, just attacked in perfect coordination. One swung his axe in a wide arc while another thrust his sword forward. The third circled to cut off her escape.
Scarlet dodged the first two attacks, her movements fluid and mocking. "Weaklin-"
Her taunt died in her throat. A hand burst through her chest from behind, spraying blood across the crumbling wall. Pain exploded through her body, unlike anything she'd felt before.
"F-fuck." She twisted her head to look back, coughing blood. "You?"
Fin stood behind her, his face hard and cold. The aura surrounding him pulsed with an intensity that hadn't been there before. His eyes burned with purpose.
"Surprise," he said flatly.
Scarlet's mind raced. 'Kugh, dammit, I couldn't sense him because I was distracted.'
She felt her strength draining rapidly. The sensation was horrifying—her power, her very essence, being pulled from her body into his. She screamed, a sound of rage and terror that echoed through the ruins.
The scream alerted Rhan and Tony, who both turned reflexively toward the sound. It was all the opening the Guildmaster needed.
Her blade flashed, faster than the eye could follow. There was no resistance, just a clean slice through flesh and bone.
Tony's head separated from his shoulders. For a moment, his body remained standing, then collapsed in a heap. His severed head hit the ground with a sickening thud, eyes still wide with surprise.
Rhan cursed, moving to retreat, but Fin was already there. He released Scarlet's dying body and lunged at Rhan, slamming into him with unexpected strength. The impact sent both of them crashing to the pavement.
He pinned the larger man down, his hands glowing with stolen power. Rhan struggled desperately, but Fin held firm.
"Hold him!" the Guildmaster called, charging forward, her sword raised.
Rhan looked up at Fin, genuine fear in his eyes. "You don't know what you're doing," he growled. "When the Ancient One rises—"
The Guildmaster's blade silenced him permanently, piercing through his heart. His body jerked once, then went still.
Fin rolled away, breathing hard. The stolen power coursed through him like electricity, making his skin tingle and his head spin. It was different from draining zombies—more intense, more complex.
The Guildmaster stood over Rhan's body, her aura fading. She turned to Fin, studying him with sharp eyes.
"Impressive timing," she said, her voice even. "Though reckless. And I see you've been... busy." Her gaze flickered over the dead bodies, lingering for a moment on Scarlet's drained form.
Fin managed a weak grin, wiping sweat and grime from his brow with a trembling hand. "Didn't want you hogging all the fun." He winced as pain shot through his abused muscles. "Who... who were they?"
"Troublesome pests," she replied curtly. "Mercenaries, likely. Working for whoever orchestrated this dungeon trap." She sheathed her sword; it vanished as smoothly as it had appeared. "They won't be a problem anymore."
She walked over to where Juliana lay unconscious against the wall. Kneeling briefly, she checked the girl's pulse and glanced at the strange, contained infection on her side. Her brow furrowed slightly in thought. "Interesting," she murmured, then stood up.
"What about her?" Fin asked, struggling to his feet. The surge of power was settling slightly, leaving him feeling wired and strangely powerful, but also shaky.
"She comes with us," she decided. One of the A-rank Hunters moved to carefully lift Juliana. "She might have answers, and she's clearly important to our enemies."
"Well, She doesn't know anything." He said, getting to his feet, "I talked to her before that woman came and took her. She does appear to be important though. Saved her from some zombies that were carrying her somewhere."
"Interesting, that's more reason to bring her with us. we should hurry and meet up with the other guilds." She said, leading the way.