Chapter 71: A Last Minute Save!
Chapter 71
"Next." Ryker said coldly as the Lycan with a hole in its head collapsed, its body crashing against the stone floor with a sickening thud. Blood pooled beneath it, the metallic stench spreading into the air.
The sound alone enraged the remaining two Lycans, who instantly dashed forward with savage growls, their eyes glowing with primal fury.
It didn’t take even a second for them to cover the distance, their immense speed kicking up dust and debris. Ryker, however, only yawned, his expression carrying the weight of boredom, as if the fight itself was beneath him.
WOOSH!
One of the Lycans swung its claws straight for his neck. The strike was so fast it seemed like a blur, almost catching him off guard. But Ryker’s reflexes were sharper.
His sword snapped into place in front of his face with a sharp ring, clashing against the claws. The impact produced a metallic reverberation that echoed across the chamber, sending Ryker skidding backwards across the ground.
He had no time to even adjust his stance before the second Lycan leapt high into the air, its massive frame blotting out the light above. With a savage roar, it aimed a crushing kick towards his face.
’Curses! How can I block this one?!’ Ryker panicked internally, still locked against the first beast’s claws.
"Earth Veil: Mountainous Defense!"
The sudden roar of another voice cut through the chaos, and a huge shadow was cast over Ryker and the attacking Lycan. A thick, towering wall of stone erupted from the ground with a quake, its surface jagged and sturdy. Behind it, a gleaming shield floated protectively in the air.
The Lycan’s kick landed squarely against the wall.
BANG!
The force sent cracks spiderwebbing across the stone, fragments of rubble tumbling to the floor, but the wall held firm.
"Huh?" Ryker muttered, blinking in confusion. He quickly scanned the battlefield to find the source, his eyes landing on Kael, who had rushed forward with surprising determination.
"Tch! Thought you were strong, but turns out you’re weaker than I expected." Kael smirked as he extended his hand. The shield behind the wall instantly flew into his grasp, landing with a satisfying clang against his arm just as the Lycan landed on the ground, growling viciously.
"Just shut up and take care of that beast while I deal with mine." Ryker barked back as he pushed off the ground, his figure blurring forward with incredible speed toward the first Lycan.
"Tch." Kael scoffed, though his face tightened as the second beast fixed its gaze on him. The Lycan, furious that its kick had been blocked, bolted towards him at full speed. Its massive claws gleamed under the sunlight as it roared.
’Oh boy! I forgot—I only have defensive abilities, not offensive ones!’ Kael cursed in his head, a bead of sweat running down his temple. He immediately leapt backwards, barely avoiding a savage claw strike aimed for his face.
He was about to pivot sideways when the beast twisted its body unnaturally fast, spinning and lashing out with its powerful foot.
WHAM!
Kael barely managed to bring his shield up in time. The kick connected with brutal force, sending shockwaves through his arms. Pain exploded in his hands as the impact pushed him back, his heels gouging deep trenches into the ground while his teeth clenched against the agony.
’Crap, crap, crap!’ Kael cursed inwardly, struggling to steady his stance, his shield arm trembling from the blow. He could feel the Lycan’s raw strength pressing against him like a mountain, and for a moment, he wondered if his defense would be enough.
"Thought you knew how to fight? What happened now?" Ryker’s mocking voice rang out as he effortlessly dodged the first Lycan’s long claws. He leaned so far back that the back of his head nearly brushed the ground, the claws slicing just inches from his neck.
"Close call," he muttered under his breath, using the moment to flip backward gracefully, creating distance between himself and the snarling beast. His movements carried a casual confidence.
"Says the one that was about to get clobbered and needed saving." Kael shot back without tearing his gaze from the Lycan in front of him, his voice sharp with irritation.
The beast snarled, saliva dripping from its fangs, and lunged forward once again. Its fist cut through the air like a hammer aimed for Kael’s face, the sheer wind pressure causing his hair to whip back violently.
Kael gritted his teeth, bracing himself for the oncoming strike, his shield ready.
CLANG!
The Lycan’s fist slammed against Kael’s shield with a deafening ring. The sheer force vibrated through his entire body, his bones rattling as pain shot up his arms.
His grip wavered for a moment, and he was sent skidding back several feet. A thin spray of blood escaped the corner of his mouth as he staggered, coughing slightly from the internal shock.
Ryker’s eyes flickered sideways, narrowing as he saw Kael struggling to hold his ground against the beast that towered over him.
’Shit! He won’t last much longer. I need to help him.’ Ryker thought anxiously, his jaw tightening.
GROOOWL!
The Lycan Ryker faced wasn’t about to give him breathing room. With a furious snarl, it lunged forward once again, its powerful leg sweeping horizontally in a brutal arc aimed for his skull.
"Wind Veil." Ryker muttered calmly. Instantly, the air around him whistled and howled, his movements becoming sharper and faster. With a precise sidestep, he narrowly avoided the kick, the rush of air from the strike grazing his cheek like a blade. Without hesitation, Ryker lunged forward.
His sword slashed through the air in a perfect arc, aiming for the beast’s exposed back. But the Lycan’s reflexes were monstrous.
It spun around at the last second, its claws snapping shut around the sword’s tip, halting the blade’s advance completely. A sinister grin spread across its face, its eyes glinting with sadistic amusement.
"Tch. Foolish." Ryker yawned lazily, as though the entire situation bored him. "Bull Thrust."
The wind screamed louder, vibrating violently around his blade. A sharp, thunderous bang split the air, and the beast’s clawed hands suddenly burst apart in a spray of blood and shredded flesh.
SPLATTER!
The Lycan staggered back, howling in disbelief as its torn limbs fell uselessly to the ground. But Ryker wasn’t about to grant it the chance to recover.
YAAAWN!
Another tired yawn escaped his lips as he launched himself skyward with explosive force, his figure hovering in the air for a split second like a phantom. The ground cracked beneath the burst of power, dust spraying outward.
In that instant, Ryker kicked the air itself, propelling his body down like a meteor. His sword gleamed coldly above his head.
"Just... yawn... die." he groaned, swinging with devastating speed.
SHHKKKK!
The blade carved straight through the Lycan’s skull. Its monstrous body froze, then crumpled lifelessly to the ground with a resounding thud, blood spreading out beneath it in a growing pool.
’Phew... finally. Now let me go and he...’ Ryker’s thought trailed off as he spun around, ready to dash toward Kael. But then his eyes widened at the sight unfolding before him.
"Earth Veil: Slice and Dice." Kael’s voice rang low and steady, tinged with grit.
He ducked beneath the Lycan’s massive swing aimed at his head. In that same instant, his shield spun forward, whirling with frightening force.
The edge of the shield smashed into the beast’s abdomen, cutting inches deep into flesh before halting against tightened muscle.
The Lycan snarled in pain, clamping its body to trap the weapon, but Kael wasn’t about to falter.
BANG!
With a grunt, he kicked off the ground with all his might. Pebbles and shards of rock gathered instinctively around his foot as the Veil’s power surged. He soared upward, then brought his leg down brutally on the edge of the shield.
CRUNCH!
The strike forced the shield through the Lycan’s abdomen with brutal finality, ripping clean through. The beast let out one last gurgling roar before collapsing, its massive body falling with a heavy thud.
Kael landed hard, panting, while his shield clattered to the ground and spun in a slow circle, ringing out faintly until it settled behind the corpse. Sweat trickled down his temple as he exhaled sharply, glaring at the fallen monster.