CHAPTER 135: PRELUDE TO THE MASSACRE

Chapter 135

Aiden stared up at Magus, who now floated several meters above the ground, his expression as calm as ever. The words he had spoken moments ago echoed in Aiden’s mind. There was no mistaking it—Magus intended to kill him.

Aiden scoffed, irritation flickering in his eyes. "You’re really full of yourself," he muttered, his fists clenched.

"You’ll die whether you want to or not," Magus said coldly.

Is this guy a lunatic? Aiden thought. Who the hell wants to die?

Magus raised his hand slowly toward the sky. At first, nothing happened. Then the air trembled. The clouds above began to crackle violently as lightning spiraled down, localizing entirely around them. Bolts surged, dancing and snapping, as if summoned by a god.

Sensing the growing danger, Aiden didn’t hesitate. In a split second, he triggered the transformation encoded in his DNA—morphing into the Bone Bulk Beast. His skin thickened and turned a rugged, earthy brown. Jagged bones burst from his back like tusks, reinforcing his frame. Just as the transformation completed, Magus pointed a finger at him.

A flash. Then—

BOOM!

A bolt of condensed lightning shot down like divine judgment.

[-30 HP | 270/300 HP Remaining]

The system notification blinked in his vision, but Aiden barely registered it. Agony exploded in his right torso—it felt like he’d been stabbed by a dozen blades. Staggering, he glanced down. Blood streamed from the wound, but then began sealing rapidly.

His wristband glowed faintly—the passive skill, Blood Weave, was activating. It slowed the bleeding, keeping him from collapsing. Nathan had given it to him without much explanation. Guess I owe him big time, Aiden thought through gritted teeth.

He glared back at Magus, who was watching him in silence, almost as if giving him time to process the pain.

He’s strong... maybe too strong, Aiden admitted internally. But a grin crept onto his face.

"I’m no pushover either," he growled.

With a roar, he launched himself into the air, tusks on his back curling upward as two bony wings sprouted, propelling him forward like a missile. As he closed the distance, his hand morphed into a savage claw. He slashed—aiming directly for Magus’s face.

The strike never landed.

His claw stopped midair, blocked by an invisible force. Confused, Aiden looked closer—then he felt it. The wind. It was pushing his attack back. He’s controlling the air?! Aiden thought in alarm.

Magus wasn’t using just lightning—he was wielding two skills.

Aiden tried to pull away, to gain distance, but his body refused to move. The air around him had thickened, suppressing him like a cage made of wind.

It’s him... he’s doing this.

A chill ran through Aiden’s spine. His eyes widened as Magus raised both hands, forming two crackling spheres of lightning in his palms. The energy in them twisted and warped violently, as if reality itself was being shredded by raw power.

Why the hell am I fighting a monster like this?! Aiden thought, almost laughing in disbelief.

"Dual Surge," Magus whispered.

BOOM! BOOM!

The twin lightning balls slammed into Aiden’s chest. He screamed, his body convulsing wildly before being hurled back like a broken doll. He crashed into the earth, carving out a massive crater as dust and debris exploded around him.

[-50 HP | 220/300 HP Remaining]

Aiden coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His insides had taken serious damage. Though his Blood Weave wristband worked to mend the wounds, the regeneration was slower this time. And it couldn’t bring back the HP he’d already lost.

He’s too strong... Aiden thought grimly, his breath ragged as he glared up at Magus, still hovering above with that same maddening calm on his face. Like he wasn’t even trying. Like this was all just a game.

That expression—it lit a fire in Aiden’s chest. He wouldn’t be toyed with.

"Dark Essence Mode: Activate," Aiden growled.

Instantly, his body convulsed, reshaping further. More beastly features surfaced across his form before melting into a sleek obsidian black. Dark energy surged around him, spiraling like a living storm, rippling through the air with raw menace.

He looked up, eyes glowing with cold fury. "Round two," he said. "Let’s go."

---

Meanwhile — Somewhere in Maurina City

In a quiet, well-decorated chamber overlooking the sea, a man in a tailored black suit sat sipping wine, his crimson hair neatly combed back. His fingers swirled the liquid slowly, glass after glass, waiting.

"Tch. Couldn’t Drake send someone else to pick them up?" the man muttered. "Why do I have to do it while that three-eyed freak gets to enjoy the tournament?"

This was Striker, one of the upper officers under Drake’s command. His words were quiet, but the air around him trembled. The more he grumbled, the heavier the atmosphere became—pressure bending the world with his silent, rising rage.

Eventually, on the far horizon, a shape appeared. A sleek black vessel cut swiftly through the ocean waters toward the city’s hidden dock. Unlike standard airships—which would have drawn Lord Tech’s attention—this watercraft was built for stealth and speed. Risky, given the sea beasts that lurked below, but its reinforced barrier would hold, at least for a while.

The boat came ashore, and its door hissed open.

A man stepped out—his hair black with streaks of grey, his posture straight despite his age. His face bore the marks of time, but his eyes... his eyes told of bloodshed and war. Twin red blades were strapped to his back, both faintly glowing.

It was Ferris, the legendary leader of the Red Vanguard.

"So you came yourself," Striker said with a smirk.

Ferris gave a slight bow out of respect, then smiled darkly. "I wouldn’t miss the coming massacre for the world."

Striker chuckled. "Good. Your strength will be more than welcome."

Behind Ferris, nine more figures disembarked from the ship, each exuding quiet, lethal confidence. With a gesture, the ship was pushed aside—parked in a concealed dock.

Striker looked them over. "Are you all ready?"

In unison, the group nodded.

"Then follow me," he said, turning and walking ahead.

Ferris followed, silent and poised.

Behind him, the rest of the Red Vanguard marched in sync.

The storm was coming.

And the Red Vanguard had just joined the fray.

Back to Aiden’s side...

"Screw it!" Aiden snarled, crossing his arms just in time to brace against another lightning bolt. Pain surged through his body, but he shook it off. He had no time to dwell on it—he knew this wasn’t even close to the worst yet.

He kicked off the ground, leaping back multiple times as razor-sharp wind blades tore into the earth where he’d just stood. Even with his speed, a few slashes grazed his arms, drawing blood. He winced but gritted through it, twisting midair to dodge another crackling bolt of lightning.

"This guy’s a goddamn nightmare," Aiden muttered, frustrated. What kind of lunatic just floats there chucking elemental death like it’s a hobby?

He clenched his fists, breathing heavily. His specialty had always been close-quarters combat—but Magus hadn’t even let him get near. The red-haired bastard remained airborne the entire time, barraging Aiden with high-powered ranged spells.

When Aiden had activated Dark Essence Mode, he thought he could finally turn the tables.

Big mistake.

Magus only escalated, and now Aiden’s body was beginning to feel the toll. [180/300 HP Remaining]. The Dark Essence was draining his energy too—power came at a cost, and his was steadily rising.

I need to land a hit. Just one.

Aiden’s eyes narrowed, and he made his decision.

No hesitation.

He rocketed forward, wings flaring behind him, tearing through the air with blinding speed. As expected, Magus responded immediately—hurling bolts of lightning in rapid succession, each one more vicious than the last, sometimes blending in wind blades to keep Aiden guessing.

Aiden dodged left, then right—narrowly weaving through the storm of attacks. Some blades sliced across his sides, but he didn’t flinch. His gaze was locked on the target.

He reached Magus in seconds and threw a devastating punch.

Caught again.

The wind.

Just like before, a powerful torrent of swirling air coiled around him, locking his limbs mid-swing. Magus’s defense.

But this time—Aiden was ready.

Dark energy erupted from his body in a violent burst, cracking the wind current’s hold. The pressure weakened just long enough for him to break through. He surged forward, black essence swirling fiercely around his fist, and launched another punch—aimed straight for Magus’s calm, expressionless face.

But Magus retreated.

His feet touched the ground lightly. Aiden followed, wings snapping shut as he used gravity to dive straight down like a living missile.

"You’re mine now," Aiden growled.

His dark-infused fist came crashing down toward Magus’s skull—

BAMMMM!

A violent shockwave rippled out—but not from impact.

Aiden’s eyes widened in disbelief.

His punch hadn’t landed.

An earth wall—massive and solid—had erupted between them, absorbing the full force of the blow.

Earth?

No. That couldn’t be right. That didn’t make sense.

Aiden staggered back, brain stuttering to process what he’d just seen.

Three abilities?

Lightning. Wind. Now earth?

That’s... impossible.

Magus stood behind the wall, still calm, still collected—untouched.

Aiden’s heart sank.

What the hell is this guy?

To be continued...

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