THE DESTROYED CITY
The night sky was illuminated by neon lights that glowed across the city. Dzeth and his friends walked leisurely, enjoying the refreshing night breeze after an exhausting mission. They were still talking about the battle at the scientist's base, about the HellFire Cursed that nearly killed them, and how they managed to defeat it.
Hwang placed both hands behind his head, smiling proudly.
"I still can't believe I made it to Grade C!" he said with excitement.
Akanza raised an eyebrow. "Don't get too confident. There are still enemies out there much stronger than us."
Dzeth only gave a small smile, his eyes glancing up at the dark sky. His heart felt heavy. He knew that greater challenges awaited him after this.
SWOSSHHH!
A sudden gust of wind struck, followed by an immense pressure. It was as if something had just appeared out of thin air. The buildings around them trembled slightly, as if warning of an impending danger.
Dzeth's eyes widened. He could feel an overwhelming presence.
Right in front of them, a man stood tall, radiating a bluish glow that swirled around his body like flowing water. The long sword in his hand shimmered like an ocean gem, and with every step he took, the ground beneath him cracked slightly.
"The Hunter who defeated HellFire Cursed, huh?" The man's voice was calm, yet it carried an authority that made them shudder. "I'm quite interested in you, kid."
Dzeth tensed. "Who are you?"
The man smirked. "I am Hydro Paladin... one of the strongest Paladins in the world."
-
FIRST STRIKE
Before they could react, Hydro Paladin raised his sword and swung it through the air.
ZRAASSHHH!!
A streak of blue light shot out from his blade, cutting through the air with unbelievable speed. The attack swept toward them, demolishing several buildings in the background with an explosion that shook the ground.
"Watch out!!" Akanza shouted.
They all jumped in different directions to avoid the attack. Dust filled the air, and shards of stone and glass scattered everywhere.
However, Dzeth remained standing, his eyes locked onto his opponent.
Hwang clenched his fists. "I don't care who you are! You can't just show up and cause chaos!"
He activated Awakening: Beast Body. His muscles expanded, veins bulging like those of a raging beast. With a loud roar, he charged at Hydro Paladin with incredible speed!
DUUMM!
Hwang's punch landed directly on Hydro Paladin's chest… but the man didn't budge an inch.
"What?!" Hwang's eyes widened in disbelief.
Hydro Paladin smirked. "Pathetic."
With a simple flick of his wrist, he sent Hwang flying backward, crashing into a wall.
BAMM!!
"I won't let you do as you please!" Akanza drew his sword and dashed forward, followed closely by Syiro, who gripped his daggers tightly.
But before they could even reach Hydro Paladin, he simply flicked his fingers.
SWOOSHH!
Two towering columns of water erupted from the ground, slamming into Akanza and Syiro with enough force to shatter bones!
BAM!
They were sent crashing into the ground, motionless.
-
THE REAL FIGHT BEGINS
Now, only Dzeth remained.
He took a slow breath. "If that's the case… I'll handle you myself."
He activated Limitless Energy, and in an instant, he vanished!
BOOM!
Dzeth reappeared behind Hydro Paladin at extreme speed, slashing Heavenly Dagger toward his opponent's neck.
CLANGG!
However, Hydro Paladin's sword met his attack at the last second. They exchanged blows at an inhuman pace, their weapons clashing repeatedly, creating bursts of blue and golden light in the air.
Hydro Paladin grinned. "Interesting."
Suddenly, he increased his attack speed. His slashes became heavier, faster. Dzeth tried to block them, but little by little, he was forced backward.
CRACK!
A small fracture appeared on Heavenly Dagger due to the immense pressure.
Dzeth's heart skipped a beat. He quickly activated Bloodbane Drain Arts (BDA), repairing his weapon instantly.
But Hydro Paladin didn't give him a chance to breathe. He struck the ground with his sword.
WOOSHHH!!!
A massive wave of water surged forward, obliterating everything in its path!
Dzeth leaped high into the air to evade, but Hydro Paladin was already waiting for him above.
"Too slow."
DUUMM!
Hydro Paladin's slash struck Dzeth directly, sending him crashing into the ground with an impact that shook the entire city!
BAMMMM!
-
THE CITY IN RUINS
Thick smoke filled the air. The once-lively city was now in complete ruins.
Hydro Paladin stood atop a half-destroyed building, looking down with a confident smirk.
"Is this all you've got?"
Dzeth slowly got up, blood trickling from his forehead and lips. But he didn't falter.
"I haven't lost yet."
He lifted his head, his eyes glowing gold.
"Exchange Hunter Technique… Divine Eyes!"
FWOOOSHH!!
A golden aura erupted from his body, illuminating the entire area.
With a single motion of his hand, he activated Divine Change, summoning Emperor Cursed and Crimson Paladin in radiant light!
Hydro Paladin's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Be careful…" Emperor Cursed muttered, his red eyes glowing intensely. "This thing is more dangerous than HellFire Cursed."
"No matter who he is," Crimson Paladin smirked, gripping his sword. "We'll kill him now."
-
FINAL BATTLE
The three of them charged at Hydro Paladin simultaneously!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Their attacks shook the already-destroyed city. Emperor Cursed unleashed energy waves that scorched the air. Crimson Paladin slashed with his sword at unbelievable speed. Dzeth himself attacked from above, swinging Heavenly Dagger with enough force to cleave through mountains!
Hydro Paladin parried their strikes one by one.
SWOOSH!
However, after an intense exchange, he managed to slash Emperor Cursed across the chest causing him to vanish.
BAM!
Crimson Paladin also took a direct hit and disappeared into light.
Dzeth's eyes widened. "No…"
Suddenly, Hydro Paladin appeared in front of him at impossible speed.
DUAGGHHH!!!
A powerful punch to his gut sent Dzeth flying backward. He crashed onto the ruins of a building, gasping for air.
Hydro Paladin walked toward him, pressing his sword against Dzeth's neck.
"The game's over, kid."
TO BE CONTINUED...