By IMERPUS RELUR
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The ground cracked beneath the weight of two titans.
On one side, the Horned Flame Ravager, a beast bred for destruction. Fire coiled around its limbs, and steam hissed from its cracked armor.
On the other, Lin Shen's newly born Hive Champion: Ravager Eater—a monstrous fusion of venom, bone armor, and unyielding instinct.
The swarm fell silent, sensing the significance of the duel.
This was no longer a battle between troops.
It was a war of rulers.
---
> [Combat Lock Engaged: Alpha-Class Duel]
Conditions: No interference. Victory grants morale buff.
Estimated Duration: Unknown
Environment Modifiers: Burned Terrain (-10% Movement), Hive Energy Field (+15% Regeneration for Hive Units)
---
The Ravager struck first, its horn blazing like a meteor.
But the Hive Champion didn't dodge—it caught the blow.
Six limbs locked against the beast's skull. Venom glands flared. Its jaw widened unnaturally, spraying a thick mist of corrosive toxin directly into the open wounds of the Ravager's neck.
> [Toxin Infusion: Bone-Breaker Venom]
Effect: Rapid tissue decay, mental disruption, regeneration block
Success: Partial (Resistance Detected – Tier 2 Flame Layer)
The Ravager howled, rearing back. Flames burst from its core.
The Champion was flung away—but it rolled midair, dug its claws into the charred soil, and launched forward again with terrifying speed.
---
Lin Shen's vision blurred as he linked more deeply with the Champion's mind.
Flashes of instinct, pain, and dominance surged through him.
He saw through its eyes—felt the thrill of the hunt.
> [Lord Trait Resonance: 78% Sync Achieved]
Bonus Gained: Champion's Fury – +25% Damage Output
Warning: Sustained Sync Duration Risk – Neural Overload in 3 Minutes
"I'll take it."
Lin Shen clenched his fists and directed the next move with total clarity.
> [Skill Activation – Multi-Limb Grapple: Lockdown]
[Skill Chain – Venom Core Pulse]
The Champion darted under the Ravager's legs, spun around, and slammed all six claws into the joints.
It anchored itself—then detonated its venom core at point blank.
A wave of green fire and black mist exploded outward.
> [Horned Flame Ravager – HP: 22%]
Status: Critical. Core Instability Detected. Final Phase Triggered.
---
The Ravager roared again.
Its body burst into open flame, and in a desperate last charge, it surged forward—aimed directly at the Lord's Heart behind Lin Shen.
The Champion couldn't intercept in time.
But Lin Shen had prepared for this.
He extended both hands—and triggered his trump card.
> [Lord Talent Activation: Swarm Instinct Override]
Effect: Convert 500 Tier 1 Ants into Flame-Sacrifice Bombers
Cost: All units permanently lost.
Triggered: YES.
The converted ants—glowing like ember-specks—burst from the soil in a perfect arc.
They latched onto the Ravager's limbs, neck, spine.
Then detonated.
---
> [Enemy Eliminated – Horned Flame Ravager (Tier 6 Boss)]
Victory Condition: Complete
Rewards Gained: – Beast Core (Tier 6: Flame Type)
– Evolution Nectar ×3
– Champion Essence Fragment
– Lord EXP +8,800
– Hive Evolution Surge Triggered
> [Congratulations: Title Gained – First Slay: Alpha-Class]
Bonus: +10% Command Range / +5% Sync Stability with Champion Units
---
The battlefield fell into stillness.
The Ravager's burning carcass slumped beside the Lord's Heart, now glowing brighter than ever before.
Lin Shen fell to one knee, gasping—but smiling.
> [Lord Level Up: 3 → 4]
Trait Evolution Unlocked: Choose 1 of 3 New Trait Paths in Next Chapter