The instant Kaito stepped through the parted barrier of the Isolation Array, he overheard the Assassin.
Everhold Dominion's temporary leader—an arrogant Level 12 Assassin named Crowstep—had already launched the assault. Their strategy was simple: overwhelm Genesis before Kaito could arrive.
But that window had closed.
BOOM!
A pillar of fire and lightning exploded in the rear formation of the Everhold Dominion players.
A dozen screams rang out as arcs of lightning and flame surged outward, illuminating the sealed battlefield within the array. For an instant, the barrier dome pulsed with the force of the impact, casting warped shadows across stunned faces.
Mei Rin's tense posture loosened for the briefest moment—but only just. Their enemies still outnumbered them nearly four to one.
Kaito stepped through the fading glow, dual swords gleaming under the crimson flicker of flame.
"Not to mention kill—" his voice cut through the stunned silence, cold and unwavering, "—I dare you to even touch them."
Crowstep's smug expression twisted into a scowl. "Everyone, regroup! Frontline forward! Cut him down before he gets close!"
But Kaito didn't wait.
Windveil Steps—activated.
His figure vanished like mist.
By the time Everhold Dominion's frontlines could reposition, five of their players were already down—cut down from behind.
Behind them, Genesis moved in.
"Move in formation!" Mei Rin commanded. "Frontline forward! Ranged, hold behind! Follow my tempo!"
The 47 Genesis members surged as one. Fireballs, piercing arrows, frost rings, and sword flashes collided with panicked enemies. The battlefield turned into a blazing maelstrom of color and light.
Their coordination was razor-sharp—practiced through several king level dungeon runs.
….
Inside the cramped confines of the barrier array, formations devolved into chaos.
Kaito sliced through Everhold Dominion's rear ranks like a phantom reaper. Every step he took was lethal. His blades slipped between armor gaps, disrupted charges, scattered formations before they even stabilized.
If someone thought they had him surrounded—he vanished.
If someone screamed his name—he was already gone.
Meanwhile, the Genesis core team clashed head-on with the main body of Everhold Dominion at the center of the battlefield.
Kaede stood at the perimeter, arcs of lightning crackling between his fingers. With a sharp chant, he unleashed [Lightning Chain], bolts dancing from target to target, stunning multiple enemies before finishing with a piercing [Thunder Spear] that ripped through their formation.
Hiroto surged into the chaos like a steel wall in motion. [Iron Guard] shimmered across his armor, absorbing blow after blow, and without pause, he retaliated with [Twin Blade Slash]—his sword carving a cross-pattern arc that sent three attackers reeling backward.
Suzune slipped through the shadows like a phantom. As two Everhold mages chanted from the rear, she appeared behind them in a blur—[Backtab] activated. Her dagger struck with surgical precision, piercing vital points and silencing both before they could react.
Two Everhold players flanked Daichi from opposite sides, but he remained calm. With a swift [Anchor Shot], he snagged one and twisted at the waist, using the enemy's own momentum to slam them into each other—then finished with a blinding [Flash Palm] that drained their HP in a single burst.
Ravenblade emerged from the shadows behind a group of rangers, his twin daggers flashing like fangs in the dark. In the span of seconds, two fell to precise, ruthless strikes—before he vanished once more into the fray, leaving only silence and collapsing bodies behind.
Near the heart of the field, Nina—Ravenblade's sister—wove arcane runes mid-air, her Spellbinder magic crackling with cursed energy. Dark chains erupted beneath her enemies, binding them in place just as a surge of corruption exploded upward—shattering defenses and draining their HP in an instant.
Amidst the chaos, Aika stood firm within Genesis's formation, her staff glowing with soothing light. Waves of healing radiated outward, mending wounds as fast as they formed. Then, raising her staff high, she called down [Radiant Light]—a searing halo that scorched nearby enemies while bathing her allies in revitalizing warmth.
And at the front, Mei Rin moved like a gale, her arrows trailing emerald wind as they cut through the enemy ranks. Each shot found its mark with unwavering precision, her [Windweaver Form] weaving the chaos into a rhythm only she could command.
A voice crackled in the party channel.
"Mei Rin, hold the middle. I'll tear their backline apart."
Kaito's tone was calm. Controlled.
….
Crowstep, bloodied and breathless, roared, "Trap him! Don't let him reach the backline! Surround and burst—kill him now!"
Five assassins leapt forward, blades aimed for Kaito's vitals.
But [Elemental Guard] flared to life—deflected their opening strikes. Kaito pivoted mid-step.
One swing of Solstice Blade—three assassins dead.
A flick of Dragon Fang—two more collapsed.
Crowstep froze—only for a second.
His blood boiled from rage, and though fear churned deep inside, pride wouldn't let him retreat. He was no ordinary assassin. In the past, Crowstep had taken down elite players with a single rotation of skills. And now, he would prove that again.
"Let's see if you're still smiling when I cut that throat," he growled, activating [Shadow Dagger].
In an instant, his figure blurred, vanishing into the shadows—reappearing behind Kaito with a silent dash. His blade gleamed purple, dripping with a paralyzing toxin. The strike came fast, aimed precisely at Kaito's neck.
But Kaito didn't even turn.
CLANG!
With a backward deflection, Kaito's offhand—Dragon Fang—blocked the blow mid-arc. Before Crowstep could react, Kaito spun and unleashed [Cross Slash].
Two sweeping arcs of crimson light carved through the air, forcing Crowstep to disengage and backflip away. His boots slid through the dust as the power behind the attack shocked him.
"Not bad," Crowstep muttered, licking the blood at the edge of his lip. He activated [Split], leaving behind a flickering afterimage, and then blinked forward using [Phantom Step], appearing again to Kaito's left, this time thrusting straight for the ribs.
Kaito countered with a fast [Deflective Edge], deflecting the blade just enough to shift its course, then retaliated with a flash stab from Solstice Blade. It grazed Crowstep's shoulder, sending sparks flying as heat licked across his armor.
Crowstep hissed. His HP dropped, but not dangerously so.
He spun into a combo—[Eviscerate] followed by [Venom Slash]. His blades danced like snakes, moving for Kaito's side, thigh, and neck in rapid succession.
But Kaito's footwork was fluid, defensive rhythm in perfect tempo.
Then—he vanished.
Windveil Steps.
Kaito reappeared behind Crowstep in a swirl of wind and shadows, both blades raised. Solstice Blade ignited with fire; Dragon Fang shimmered with a faint blue glow.
"Let me show you the difference between you and me."
He unleashed a rapid three-strike combo—[Aerial Claw Slash]—finishing with a blazing [Flame Arc Slash], the final strike imbued with searing fire-elemental energy.
BOOM!
Crowstep's health bar plummeted. His paralyze immunity potion gave him just enough movement to roll away, gasping for breath.
But Kaito was relentless.
"You're done," he whispered.
With a single dash forward, he pierced through Crowstep's weakened guard. One clean thrust through the chest—then a spinning slash that severed what little HP remained.
Crowstep's expression froze in disbelief as his form shattered into motes of light.
….
Within five minutes after crowstep's death, Everhold Dominion's numbers had dimnished. Their formations broke. Their support classes were scattered. Their spells misfired. Their morale collapsed.
Now, only twenty remained—huddled together, weapons raised in desperation.
Their formation was ragged, defense rushed, eyes wide.
Kaito's eyes narrowed.
"All units," he said quietly over the party chat, "AOE sweep. Wipe them out."
Mei Rin raised her bow, flames dancing on her arrowheads.
Kaede began chanting. Hiroto activated his ultimate shield breaker. Suzune flashed behind the group. Aika readied a light-based burst.
And Kaito stepped forward, crimson and silver lightning flickering across his blade.
[Blazing Thunderclash]—activated.
With a roar of wind and elemental fury, a massive arc of fire and lightning surged forward like a meteor.
BOOOOM!
The blast consumed the final pocket of resistance.
By the time the glow faded, there was no one left standing, with stray equipment lay all over the ground.
Only Genesis remained. Unshaken. Unmatched.
And at their center, stood Kaito.
Just then—
System Alert: Isolation Array will dissipate in...
10
9
...
4
"Looks like it isn't over yet," Kaito muttered, tightening his grip on the Solstice Blade.
"Genesis, prepare yourselves—the battle still isn't over."
0
With a final ripple, the shimmering barrier of the Isolation Array collapsed.
And standing just beyond it—emblazoned with the Everhold Dominion emblem—was a force nearly 500 strong.