The field was ruined. The storm had passed, but tension, blood, and the glow of Solian's flames still hung in the air.
Kordak lay motionless on the wet ground, his body scarred by wounds—not just from Solian and Ragnor, but from the clinical precision of Silent Gale Elric.
The bounty hunter stood a few paces away, his big coat not fluttering in the wind. His blue eyes were untroubled—unfazed, unreadable. As if he had already witnessed everything that was to happen.
Solian exhaled deeply, sensing the adrenaline still pumping through his veins. He had battled hell and back against Kordak, but deep within his heart, he knew the truth—Kordak had already been lost even before their fight had begun.
Elric had made sure of that.
Ragnor, still grasping his battle-axe, spat on the earth. "You. fucking bastard." His breath was coming in gasps, his body showing deep gashes from Elric's earlier blows. He'd barely had time to react to them before Kordak fell.
Elric turned his gaze to the Storm Reavers' captain. "Still standing, Ragnor?" His voice was low, but with an acute edge that cut through the battle. "I figured you'd fall with Kordak."
Ragnor wiped the blood from his lips, gritting to remain on his feet. "Like hell I'd fall that easy."
Elric did not reply immediately. He patted his sword hilt lightly—once, twice.
And then, he vanished.
SWOOSH!
CLANG!
Ragnor barely blocked the first strike, his battle-axe meeting the brunt of Elric's sword. But then—
Slash.
A slash sliced through his ribs.
Slash.
Another through his thigh.
Ragnor's eyes widened as blood dripped onto the broken stone beneath him. He hadn't even felt the blows.
Elric retreated a step, his sword glinting in the dim light. "Your reflexes have slowed."
Ragnor growled, anger boiling in his blood. "Bastard—"
But before he could get the words out, Elric was already in motion.
Another flash of speed. Another strike.
A deep gash ripped across Ragnor's shoulder.
Solian clenched his fists. This isn't just fast. It was something else—something unnatural.
Elric's movements weren't just fast. They were inevitable.
Jorin, standing next to Solian, swallowed hard. "His technique… it's not just about being faster. It's like he's cutting the moment before you even have a chance to react."
Vance squinted. "Like he already knows how the battle goes."
Solian's grip grew tighter. The previous system alert echoed in his mind.
Quest Completed: Defeat Kordak!
+15 System Points
New Quest Added: Survive Silent Gale Elric.
Reward:???
"Survive?"
That single word sent a chill down his spine.
Ragnor, his frame marred by new wounds, clenched his teeth to remain upright. His axe trembled in his hand, each breath he took strained.
Elric sighed, sheathing his blade slightly. "You are."
In a blink, he was right in front of Ragnor.
THUD.
A palm strike—so swift and precise that Ragnor couldn't move.
His whole body locked up.
And a second later, his axe fell from his grasp, and he crumpled to his knees.
There was a heavy quiet that followed.
Solian's heartbeat thudded in his ears. Ragnor, the Storm Reaver, was utterly frozen.
Elric finally spoke to Solian.
And then, in a voice as calm as ever, he spoke—
"Solian Flare."
Solian's flame intensified, his muscles clenching instinctively.
Elric's fingers tapped his sword hilt again.
"Show me what the system deems worth surviving."
And in that instant—
The real fight commenced