Reincarnation of the magicless Pinoy
From Zero to Hero " No Magic?,No Problem!"
Encounter 30 : Son of The Dragon!
The assassins moved like shadows, swift and precise, their blades flashing in arcs designed to kill with a single strike.
Darius was the first to meet them, his longsword catching two curved daggers in a spark of steel. His muscles strained, but his stance never faltered. With a sharp twist, he shoved them back, his counterstroke cutting shallowly across one attacker's mask. Blood trickled beneath the slit, but the assassin didn't cry out—he simply pressed forward again, silent and merciless.
At the same moment, Sophia's sword blazed with molten light. She carved a fiery arc across the air, and the ground erupted as molten cracks spiderwebbed outward. One assassin leapt aside, nimble as a cat, but the second was caught in the blast. His boots melted into the searing ground, forcing him to drop and roll with a hiss of pain.
"[Laser Ray]!" Sophia shouted again, unleashing a sharp beam that seared the dirt between them, forcing both assassins to split apart.
Elian staggered to his feet at her side, pale and shaking, but he raised his blade nonetheless. His breathing was ragged, blood soaking through fresh bandages, but his eyes burned with defiance. When one assassin lunged, Elian parried clumsily, their blades screeching together. The force rattled his arms, nearly knocking him over, but he pushed back with a roar that was equal parts pain and fury.
"Not… while I breathe!"
The assassin sneered behind his mask, spinning his blade in a deadly flourish. Elian barely kept up, his body screaming in protest, his knees buckling under the strain. One strike slipped past, carving a fresh gash across his side.
"Elian!" Sophia cried. She surged forward, her free hand glowing bright green. Her palm pressed to his wound, golden warmth flooding into him. "[Restoration Surge]!"
His bleeding slowed, his vision clearing just enough. He gave her a faint nod of thanks, though his lips trembled from the pain.
But their moment of reprieve was short-lived.
The crimson-marked leader stepped closer, his voice calm, cold. "Enough of this."
He raised two fingers, and in perfect unison the assassins shifted their formation—two striking at Sophia from the flanks, one pinning Darius, and the last driving straight for Elian.
Steel screamed as the clash began anew.
Sophia pivoted, fire lacing her blade as she met the twin strikes. Her blade sparked violently, embers scattering as she gritted her teeth, forcing back both assassins with sheer will. "You want him, you'll go through me!" she spat, her voice sharp with fury.
Darius's opponent pressed harder, blows striking like hammerfalls. Darius blocked high, then ducked low, sweat streaking his face. "Sophia! Keep Elian alive!" he shouted, his own voice strained.
The last assassin lunged for Elian—faster, deadlier. Elian raised his sword, too slow, too weak.
The blade was a breath away from piercing his chest—
Clang!
Sophia's sword intercepted, flames bursting on contact. She shoved the assassin back with surprising force, fury blazing in her eyes.
"You will not take him," she growled, her voice trembling not from fear, but from the weight of her promise—to Rolien, to Elian, to herself.
For the first time, the leader's mask tilted slightly, as though reconsidering. His tone shifted from calm to cold amusement. "You're more troublesome than I was told, girl. Perhaps… you're the one who should die first."
The assassins adjusted again, all four circling Sophia now, recognizing her as the true threat.
Sophia's chest heaved, her sword glowing red-hot, her free hand already gathering a storm of light. She knew she couldn't keep this pace for long—but she also knew she couldn't falter.
Elian leaned against the tent pole, clutching his side, his voice a ragged whisper: "Rolien… if I fall here, forgive me…"
And then, with a hiss like serpents, the assassins struck—all at once.
The night erupted in fire, steel, and light.
Elian's body twisted, pain lancing through his ribs, but his grin only widened. With both blades in hand, he spun low, the edge of his brother's steel sweeping in perfect unison with the assassin's own weapon he had stolen.
Clang—
The twin arcs carved through the night, sparks flying. One assassin managed to leap back in time, but the other wasn't so lucky—their torso split open from shoulder to hip. A spray of blood misted across the ground as the man crumpled, lifeless before he hit the dirt.
The leader's smirk had vanished, his eyes narrowing as he steadied his stance. "Tch… you're more dangerous than the reports said."
Elian straightened, though his breath was ragged and his body screamed to collapse. He twirled one sword in his grip, the other hanging loose but ready. "Reports never tell the whole story, old man."
Behind them, Leto clenched his fists, every muscle in his body screaming to jump in. Mira had already drawn her daggers, her knuckles white. But Sophia's unconscious form lay in the dirt, her dress singed from her own magic, blood streaking her forehead.
"Stay with her," Elian barked without looking back. "She's the priority. Rolien will never forgive me if something happens to her."
"But—!" Mira's voice cracked with protest. "You're barely standing! You'll die if you face them alone!"
Elian's smirk came sharp, almost mocking, even through the sweat and blood. "Maybe. But if I die, at least I'll take three of these bastards with me. Don't waste the chance."
For a long heartbeat, silence hung between them. Then Leto growled, dragging Sophia back toward cover, Mira at his side. They both glanced at Elian once more, their eyes filled with conflict.
"Be careful, Elian," Leto muttered.
"Yeah," Elian said, flicking his wrist to send blood sliding off his blade. "You too, kids."
The assassin leader gave a slow clap, mocking, his crimson-streaked mask catching the moonlight. "Admirable resolve. But listen carefully…" He tilted his head, his tone dripping with amusement. "It isn't in my contract to kill the heir of House Grey. So I'll offer you this once: step aside, let me take Prince Darius's head, and you and your little entourage walk free."
Elian spat blood to the ground and leveled both blades, his smirk turning into a sneer. "Pass. I'd rather slice you all up than chicken out."
The leader's chuckle turned cold. "Then don't cry when you regret it, boy."
Two assassins surged at once, one sweeping low from Elian's left, the other high from his right.
Elian didn't flinch. He flicked his wrist and hurled a small object into the left assassin's path. The man's eyes widened as it tumbled through the air.
"A… candle?!"
Before the assassin could blink, Elian was already there—a blur of motion despite his battered frame. His blade flashed, slicing straight through forehead and candle both, the flame snuffing out as the assassin dropped like a stone.
The second assassin's blade crashed toward Elian's exposed right. But Elian only gave him a glance, sliding his own sword behind his back as if sheathing it.
Clang!
Steel met steel, the assassin's strike caught perfectly against the back of Elian's sword. With a vicious twist of his arm, Elian wrapped his weapon around the enemy's blade, yanking it free.
The assassin's eyes widened as his sword was torn from his grip—
—and in the same breath, Elian's second blade cut across his neck, severing it cleanly. The head hit the dirt before the body even realized it was dead.
But even as the corpse fell, Elian's instincts screamed. His body tilted just enough—
CLANG!
The leader's dagger screeched against the sword Elian had ripped from the dead assassin, the one he now used as a shield. Sparks flew, the masked killer's eyes going wide.
"You—!"
Elian's smirk widened. With a savage spin, he lowered his stance, both blades carving outward in the same deadly direction—an unstoppable sweep fueled by pure defiance.
The blades sang through the air, a single silver arc carrying all of Elian's fury.
The leader twisted at the last second, his body bending unnaturally, but not fast enough. One blade scraped across his mask, carving a shallow line through the crimson streak, while the second kissed his side. Blood splattered across the dirt as he skidded back, boots digging furrows into the ground.
For the first time, his composure cracked. His gloved hand pressed against the wound at his ribs, warm crimson seeping through. "Tch… impressive. I underestimated you."
Elian straightened, both blades dripping red, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. Pain flared in every joint, his bandaged torso burning where blood soaked through again. Still, his grin refused to fade.
"That's your mistake," he rasped, rolling his shoulders despite the protest of his wounds. "I don't need to be underestimated to kill you."
The leader chuckled low, his tone more amused than angry. "You've got your brother's arrogance… but not his strength. Let's see how long you can keep that body moving."
With a snap of his fingers, three more assassins emerged from the shadows. Silent, blades already dripping with poison.
Elian's knees wavered for just a moment—his strength bleeding out with every second. Still, he lifted both swords again, eyes gleaming with stubborn fire.
"Come on then," he snarled. "I'll carve through all of you."
The assassins fanned out like wolves, circling. Two darted forward first, blades aimed for his flanks. Elian pivoted, letting the first strike glance off his stolen sword, twisting his body to slam his shoulder into the second attacker. Bone cracked at the impact, and the assassin stumbled—long enough for Elian's other sword to rip clean through his stomach.
The second assassin recovered fast, lunging for Elian's back. But Elian didn't even turn. He dropped backward, his body slamming into the ground, letting the blade swipe over him. His knee shot up, catching the assassin under the chin with a sickening crunch.
Even from the ground, he slashed upward, his sword biting across the man's chest. The assassin staggered back, gurgling as blood poured.
The third rushed in to finish him while he was down—
—but Elian rolled, snatching the fallen assassin's dagger mid-motion. In one savage throw, the blade spun and buried itself into the man's throat.
He collapsed without a sound.
Elian pushed himself back to his feet, his body trembling, his vision swimming. His lungs burned, his ribs screamed, but he stood tall, both swords ready again.
The leader tilted his head, mask cracked from Elian's earlier slash, one eye now visible beneath—a cold, piercing blue. "You're burning your life away just to stand. Admirable, but foolish."
Elian sneered, spitting blood at the dirt. "Foolish? Maybe. But it's enough to make you bleed. And that's all I need."
The leader's dagger spun in his hand, his posture shifting into something far more lethal than before. His killing intent pressed down like a storm. "Then let's finish this, Grey."
The air stilled.
Elian tightened his grip, pain and fire burning in his veins. He bent low, his grin feral. "Gladly."
They surged at each other—steel against steel, sparks exploding into the night.
Steel rang, sparks scattered, and the assassins' leader pressed Elian harder with each exchange. His movements were sharp, clean, and merciless, a predator dismantling prey. Elian parried, but every block rattled his bones, his wounds tearing wider with each clash.
The leader's dagger kissed his cheek, cutting a shallow line. He staggered, vision hazing red.
"You're done," the leader hissed, blade poised for his throat.
But Elian didn't step back. He shifted his stance—lower, grounded, both swords crossed at his side. The grin faded, replaced by a deadly calm. His voice dropped to a hoarse whisper.
"…Guess it's time I show you… my ace."
The assassins' leader hesitated, sensing the sudden change in his opponent's aura. Elian's battered frame seemed to steady, his presence swelling like a storm about to break.
He drew a deep breath, blood dripping from his chin, and his blades seemed to shimmer as if catching a savage light.
"Dragon Fang Rebellion!"
Elian exploded forward. His twin swords crossed, then split apart in a violent arc. The speed was monstrous—faster than his broken body should allow, faster than the leader could fully read.
The leader raised his dagger, but it was too late. Elian's right sword slammed it aside, sparks bursting, while his left carved a deep slash across the assassin's torso. Blood sprayed, his mask shattering as he stumbled back, eyes wide.
But Elian didn't stop. His momentum carried him into a brutal spin, both blades screaming through the air in a single, savage crescent.
"Dragon Fang Rebellion: Severing Maw!"
The leader tried to retreat, but the arcs of steel cut him down. His body jerked, blood spraying in twin streams before he collapsed to one knee, gasping.
Elian staggered too, his knees buckling, blood dripping from his lips. His vision blurred—but his swords never lowered.
The leader coughed, crimson staining his chin. "…That… technique… not human. It's madness… you'll tear yourself apart."
Elian grinned, feral and sharp despite his failing body. "Yeah… but it worked, didn't it?"
The leader's dagger slipped from his hand, clattering to the ground. His body followed, slumping lifelessly into the dirt.
Elian swayed, every muscle screaming, his body shaking like it might shatter. His hands clenched tighter on his swords, refusing to let go.
He whispered hoarsely, almost like a taunt to death itself:
"…That's Dragon Fang for you."
Then his knees gave out, darkness swallowing his vision as he collapsed to the ground.
The assassins froze for a heartbeat as their leader crumpled, his lifeless body staining the ground. But shock quickly turned to rage. The remaining killers tightened their grip on their blades, circling Elian like wolves.
Elian spat blood, raising his swords again despite the tremor in his arms. His chest heaved, every breath scraping like fire.
"Don't… just stand there…" he growled, lips curling in a bloodied grin. "…Come and test my fangs."
The first assassin lunged—only to be met with Elian's swords crossing again. His body dropped low, legs coiling like springs.
"Dragon Fang Rebellion: Rending Claw!"
Both blades slashed upward in a vicious cross, tearing through the assassin's guard. His chest split open, blood spraying as he was launched backward like a broken doll.
Another assassin came from behind. Elian twisted, his blades flashing in a brutal spin.
"Dragon Fang Rebellion: Whirl Fang Break!"
The motion was feral, a storm of steel. The attacker barely raised his dagger before being carved across the throat, his scream cut short in a gurgle.
Two more charged at once. Elian's steps faltered—his body failing—but his spirit burned hotter. He roared, slamming both blades into the earth, then ripped them free in a savage sweep.
"Dragon Fang Rebellion: Earth-Splitting Maw!"
The sheer force of the swing cracked the stone beneath his feet, a shockwave blasting outward. The two assassins were sent flying, blood arcing from the deep cuts slashed across their torsos.
The last assassin, trembling, staggered back. His mask hid his expression, but his quaking blade told the truth—fear.
Elian dragged himself upright, blood dripping off his chin, eyes burning like wildfire. He lifted both blades one final time, their edges trembling under his weak grip.
"…Final form…" he muttered, voice ragged.
The assassin turned to flee.
Too late.
Elian's body blurred in a reckless dash, every fiber of muscle screaming as he launched himself past the limits of flesh. His swords traced twin arcs that converged in a merciless bite.
"Dragon Fang Rebellion: Twin Fang Annihilation!"
The strike cleaved through steel and bone alike, splitting the last assassin clean across the chest. His scream choked off as his body toppled, lifeless.
Silence.
The battlefield was painted red, broken bodies scattered around Elian like the trail of a dying beast's last rampage.
Elian staggered, his legs giving out. Both swords slipped from his hands, clattering on the blood-soaked earth. His chest rose and fell in jagged rhythm, his vision dimming.
He laughed—low, broken, but still defiant.
"Ha… told you… these fangs bite to the end…"
Darkness swept in, and he collapsed among the dead, unconscious but unbowed.
End of Chapter