The name 'Lancelot' hung in the dead air of the graveyard, heavy with an almost suffocating arrogance.
Lancelot was actually very arrogant and he seemed to have the ability to showcase the arrogance.
His two companions fanned out slightly, the archer drawing an arrow and nocking it to her bow, the mage's staff beginning to glow with a faint blue light. They were a practiced team, their movements efficient and predatory.
Neraxis's eyes turned cold and sharp. This was what he had feared, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon, and certainly not here, inside the supposed sanctuary of a private rift. How had this Lancelot even gotten in?
As if reading his mind, Lancelot chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Surprised? The Portal Keystone you found wasn't unique. It just opens a door to this pre-existing rift. A few of us high-level Lords have our own keystones. I just got lucky that you decided to come play in my sandbox today." He hefted his greatsword, its polished surface reflecting the eerie purple light of the sky. "Now, I won't ask again. The loot from the chest. Hand it over."
Neraxis remained silent but his brain cells rampaged through his skull. He could see the information the System provided about the player in front of him.
[Player: Lancelot]
[Class: Hero]
[Talent: Valiant Heart (Gold Rank)]
[Note: Hero Class players are exceptionally rare individuals blessed with immense potential and powerful, unique talents.]
Hero Class. Gold-rank talent. This was a true elite. Unlike Neraxis, whose power came from his units and his strategic mind, a Hero Class player was a frontline combatant, a one-man army. His two companions were likely members of his guild or alliance, followers drawn to his power.
There was no room for negotiation here. Lancelot's tone made it clear that this was a robbery. And he had no doubt they would kill him anyway to prevent any future retribution. In the Foggy World, a dead rival was the best kind of rival.
Neraxis drew the short sword that came with his Sentinel's Vigilance armor. "You want it?" Neraxis's voice was steady, amplified by his Sovereign's Will, which banished the tremor of fear from his words. "Come and take it."
Lancelot's smirk widened into a savage grin. "Brave words for a little rat. I like that. It'll make killing you more satisfying." He gave a nod to his companions. "Take care of his pets. This idiot is mine."
The battle exploded into motion.
"Booom!"
The female archer, quick as a flash, drew her bowstring to the highest level. A glowing arrow of pure energy formed and shot towards Jasmine's head. At the same time, the mage chanted a quick incantation, and a volley of sharp, icy projectiles materialized in the air, speeding towards Lilian.
But they had underestimated the sheer quality of Neraxis's units.
Jasmine didn't even flinch. A shield of woven, thorny vines erupted from the ground in front of her, catching the energy arrow.
"Thud!"
The vines then shot forward in a flash of light.
Lilian, now a veteran of one battle and an inheritor of Neraxis's strategic will, didn't try to dodge. She instead flew straight at the robed mage, her dark wings beating powerfully.
She held her hands out, and a swirling vortex of shadow formed in front of her, absorbing the ice projectiles harmlessly. She was closing the distance, taking the fight directly to the vulnerable spellcaster.
Lancelot ignored the struggles of his companions, his eyes locked solely on Neraxis. He aundely stumped his feet as he blurred forward, his golden armor making him look like a descending meteor.
"You should have stayed hidden!" he roared, swinging his greatsword in a huge, cleaving arc.
Neraxis knew he couldn't possibly block the blow. At this period, he didn't have the strength but possess the browns.
He dived to the side, rolling clumsily on the graveyard dirt as the massive sword slammed into the spot where he'd been standing.
"Bang!"
The ground exploded, sending stone and soil flying. The sheer force of the impact shook the air.
While Lancelot was momentarily recovering from his powerful swing, Neraxis hurriedly stood up back to his feet.
"Jasmine, ignore the archer! Main target is the hero!" he yelled, his Sovereign's Will empowering the command.
Jasmine understood instantly. Dealing with the weaker companions was inefficient when the true threat was their leader. The archer was forced to leap back as the thorny vines changed direction, instead shooting towards Lancelot, trying to wrap around his legs.
Lancelot sneered, stomping his foot. A wave of golden energy erupted from him, shattering the approaching vines into splinters. "Your pets can't help you!"
But Neraxis's command was a feint. The real attack came from Jasmine. As Lancelot was distracted by the vines at his feet, Jasmine's head snapped up, and her mouth opened. The flowers on her back glowed with an intense, blinding light.
This was her ultimate weapon.
The Sunbeam.
"BOOOOOM!"
Lancelot's eyes widened in shock as he realized the true danger. The beam of pure solar energy erupted from Jasmine's mouth, a brilliant white lance of annihilation.
But Lancelot was a Hero Class for a reason. With impossible speed, he abandoned his attack on Neraxis and threw himself into a desperate sideways dive.
The Sunbeam missed him by inches.
However, his two companions were not so fortunate.
They were standing almost directly behind him. The archer and the mage had no time to react. The beam of pure, incandescent light slammed into them. They didn't even have time to scream. One moment they were there, confident and ready for an easy fight. The next, they were gone, their bodies and souls utterly vaporized, leaving behind nothing but two fading silhouettes of ash that were quickly scattered by the foul graveyard wind.
The battlefield fell silent for a heartbeat. Lancelot pushed himself up from the ground, his face a mask of disbelief and filled rage. He looked at the empty space where his allies had been, then turned his murderous gaze back to Neraxis and Jasmine.
"You... you will pay for that!" he bellowed, his voice cracking with fury. The golden aura around him flared, becoming twice as bright, twice as powerful. "Valiant Heart, activate! Full power!"
His Gold-rank talent erupted. Neraxis could literally see the power flowing into him, his muscles seeming to swell beneath his armor, his speed and strength multiplying before his very eyes. Lancelot was no longer just a powerful warrior. He had become a true demigod of battle.
He let out a roar of pure rage and grief and blurred forward, moving far faster than before. He was no longer aiming for Neraxis. His target was the one who had killed his people.
Jasmine!