CHAPTER 340: FIGHTING THE GENERAL

With those words, the roaring flames surged violently, condensing into a radiant crescent-shaped arc of searing fire. The spell shot forward at blinding speed, slicing through the sky directly toward the stunned vampire general.

For a fleeting instant, shock and realization flashed vividly across the vampire’s face. His previous assumptions shattered in that single moment. Orion had never displayed spellcasting prowess in their last encounter, leading him to foolishly categorize Orion as merely a skilled warrior.

Now, he faced the stark reality. Orion was both mage and warrior, and far more dangerous than he had ever imagined.

"Impossible!" the vampire general gasped, hastily raising his arms defensively in desperation. The flames slammed into him with explosive force, sending him spiraling downward like a blazing comet.

He crashed violently into the ground below, gouging out a deep, jagged crater. The impact sent a cloud of dirt and debris soaring skyward, scattering violently across the landscape.

A tense silence briefly settled across the battlefield, only broken by the crackling remnants of Orion’s powerful fire spell.

Moments later, the vampire general slowly rose from the rubble, armor charred and smoking, his pale face now twisted into a mask of unrestrained fury. His eyes blazed scarlet, filled with an intense hatred reserved solely for Orion.

"You... filthy human!" he snarled, voice trembling dangerously. "I’ll rip you apart limb by limb!"

Hovering calmly above, Orion looked at his enraged opponent with indifference. He smoothly pointed the Realm Guardian Sword downward, fire jumping gracefully along its blade, illuminating his calm, composed features in flickering crimson light.

"You already had your chance once, bloodsucker," Orion said coldly, voice dripping with undisguised disdain. "Now it’s my turn to properly entertain you."

His spiritual presence surged powerfully, elemental runes activating along his Mana Channels, readying an array of devastating spells he’d meticulously mastered over the past days.

He calmly smiled, looking at the crater below, and said with an evil smile, "Let’s play now."

The battlefield stood silent for a heartbeat, as if the world itself was holding its breath. The once-lush terrain around Orion had become scorched and rugged from the ferocity of his opening strike.

A faint haze of smoke and ember drifted gently in the air, casting a surreal, flickering glow across the grim landscape.

Hovering in the air, Orion watched with a relaxed expression as the vampire general clawed himself upward from the crater, his armor battered and partially melted.

The general snarled viciously, scarlet eyes blazing with pure fury and indignation. With a guttural growl, he clenched his fists tightly, his pale, vampiric body trembling violently as his fury surged beyond restraint.

Suddenly, he threw his head back, roaring fiercely into the clouded skies above. His voice reverberated deeply, echoing like rolling thunder across the battlefield.

In the blink of an eye, the vampire general’s body swelled, muscles bulging grotesquely beneath pallid skin as he rapidly shifted into his complete vampire form.

Crimson runes etched themselves into his skin, pulsing ominously with each beat of his accelerated heart. Dark, leathery wings spread from his back, casting a menacing shadow as he surged into the sky.

Black veins crawled along his visage, highlighting the profound and terrifying transformation.

"You’re dead, bastard!" the vampire snarled, voice deeper, resonant, and filled with malevolence. "This is the price of humiliating me!"

Orion remained hovering above, unfazed and calm, the Realm Guardian Sword shimmering gently in his grasp, its flames quietly dancing along the blade. He raised an eyebrow, amused by the general’s bravado, and softly chuckled.

"You seem awfully confident, considering how easily you fell earlier," Orion mocked, deliberately provoking his opponent. "But I suppose it wouldn’t be as satisfying if you didn’t try your hardest."

With a roar, the vampire lunged forward, propelled by powerful wingbeats. Dark blood-red energy swirled around him, merging seamlessly with shadows coalescing along his claws.

He slashed fiercely at Orion, creating razor-sharp arcs of blood-infused darkness. Orion calmly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strikes, his movements calm and fluid.

"Pathetic," Orion whispered quietly, a faint smirk on his lips.

The general spun around furiously, eyes glowing fiercely. "Scarlet Abyss!" he cried out harshly, conjuring an immense vortex of crimson and shadow energies spiraling violently toward Orion.

Orion’s eyes sharpened in recognition of the potent combination of Blood and Darkness elements, but his expression remained unperturbed. He raised his palm calmly and said softly, "[Sylvan Bastion]."

Immediately, a thick dome of radiant, emerald vines burst forth from the ground, interweaving rapidly around Orion in the air.

The general’s vortex crashed forcefully against the barrier, but the vibrant green vines merely pulsed softly, absorbing and diffusing the corrupted energy with ease.

The vampire general stared in disbelief, eyes widening with shocked rage. "Impossible! How can you block my Blood and Darkness attack with mere Wood Element?!"

Orion’s voice drifted calmly from within his defensive bastion. "You clearly lack knowledge. Let me demonstrate further."

Swiftly dissolving the vine barrier, Orion extended his hand and chanted calmly, "[Infernal Lance]."

Instantly, a fiery spear shot forth at blistering speed, piercing effortlessly through the vampire’s hastily raised blood shield.

The general cried out in agony as flames seared deep into his flesh, burning intensely from within. His anguished screams echoed harshly, yet Orion’s expression remained indifferent, eyes filled with curiosity.

Enraged beyond reason, the vampire unleashed wave after wave of shadowy blood blades, frenzied attacks slashing desperately through the air toward Orion.

Yet, Orion calmly evaded each strike with precise dodges. He countered leisurely, each spell calculated to test the limits of his improved spells.

"[Chain Lightning]," Orion spoke coolly, sending electric arcs leaping rapidly through the general’s weakened defenses, shocking and staggering him repeatedly.

As the general recoiled, Orion chanted, "[Forest’s Wrath]." Dense, unbreakable vines erupted suddenly from the ground, wrapping mercilessly around the general, immobilizing him completely.

Struggling frantically against his restraints, the vampire spat curses and threats, red eyes blazing with hatred.

Orion descended gracefully, calmly watching his restrained opponent. His expression became contemplative as he murmured softly, "[Crimson Crown]."

Above his head, an ethereal, blood-red crown materialized, emanating an eerie resonance. The general stared upward in confused horror as the crown absorbed droplets of his own spilled blood, channeling them ominously into itself. Orion smirked faintly, voice dripping with mockery.

"Don’t look so surprised. Your blood will serve a far nobler purpose."

The general howled furiously, dark energy bursting forth, finally breaking free. Lunging recklessly, he unleashed his strongest attack yet, a massive sphere of dark, corrupted blood energy hurtling toward Orion.

Orion merely raised his sword gracefully, whispering, "[Stormpiercer Bolt]."

Lightning surged forth, shattering the general’s strongest strike effortlessly. The vampire, stunned and disoriented, stumbled back, gasping heavily as Orion closed the gap with deliberate calmness.

"You’ve been helpful in testing my improved spells," Orion said gently, as if speaking casually to a friend. "But your usefulness ends here."

Gathering fierce flames once more, Orion called out decisively, "[Blazing Execution Arc]." The blazing arcs surged forward relentlessly, carving through the vampire’s failing defenses, slicing deeply into him as they exploded violently.

Screaming in agony, the general fell helplessly, body scorched and battered. His monstrous form faded, reverting to his weakened humanoid state as he knelt heavily on the charred earth, breath ragged and shallow.

Orion calmly landed in front of him, examining him coldly. "You disappoint me, truly. Is this all your race can muster?"

The general spat weakly, voice bitter and hateful, "Lord Valerian will avenge me... your arrogance... will cost you everything."

Orion laughed quietly, disdainfully shaking his head. "No. When Valerian faces me, I’ll ensure he pays dearly. You’re merely the appetizer."

He raised a finger, crimson mana swirling gently as the Crimson Crown above absorbed even more of the general’s spilled blood. It shimmered brilliantly, slowly charging with potent energy as it hung above Orion’s head ominously.