The immediate aftermath of the double Vanguard victory was spent in a desperate rush to upgrade. While Theodore and Raji processed the remains of the Level 60 and 55 Imposters, Archelius focused on the final weapon synthesis.
"We need one more Legendary Shadow Weaving Silk," Archelius stated, overseeing the inventory.
Theodore, bruised but efficient, found it quickly. "War God, here. The Level 60 one had extra reinforcement."
[Shadow Weaving Silk (Legendary) x 2 Acquired.]
Archelius immediately initiated the craft.
[War God's Edge (Rank D) Upgrade: Requires 1 Legendary Core, 2 Legendary Silk. Success: 90%.]
He confirmed the synthesis. The silver light of the System surged powerfully, fusing the Rank E++ sword with the Legendary Core and Silk. The weapon transformed into a magnificent, gleaming silver broadsword, etched deep with the runes of power.
[War God's Edge (Rank D) Acquired. Damage: Devastating. Passive: System Energy Stabilization. Active: System Blast (Focused Energy Projection).]
His primary weapon was now fully aligned with his Rank D status, capable of massive, focused energy projection.
The Arrival of the Beast Prince
Just as Archelius sheathed the War God's Edge into the Rank D Scabbard, Bethany cried out, her energy sight spiking violently.
"A massive energy signature! Not demonic, but fierce, predatory, and fast! It's coming from the East—the Beast Nation!"
Archelius checked the Map Function. A massive yellow-orange signature Level 65 was approaching, bypassing all previous patrol routes. It moved with purposeful, arrogant speed.
[Threat Detected: Beast Prince Rakan (Level 65). Entity Classification: Blood Hunter Alpha.]
The figure arrived in a blur of red dust and muscle. It was taller and far more powerful than the previous Blood Hunters, with brilliant red fur, silver armor forged from beast bone, and a massive, curved two-handed axe. He stood at the edge of the Bone Altar, surveying the carnage of the Level 50 Blood Hunters and the two Level 60/55 Imposters.
Rakan's yellow eyes fixed instantly on Archelius—the obvious source of the immense, foreign power.
"A foreign whelp!" Rakan roared, his voice thick with contempt and feral challenge. "You dare encroach on the sacred hunting grounds of Lord Lija, stealing our sacrifices and destroying the Demon Lord's playthings?"
"I am Archelius, and this area is neutralized," Archelius stated, drawing the gleaming War God's Edge. "Your ritual is over."
Rakan laughed—a high, cruel sound. "Neutralized? You are strong for a Rank D runt. You wield the System well. But your armor is patchwork, and your power is arrogant."
He pointed his massive axe at the two Demon Vanguard corpses. "I was sent to test the new disturbance. These Imposter kills prove you are a suitable prey."
Rakan took a step closer, radiating overwhelming confidence. "I am Prince Rakan, the Hand of Lord Lija. I don't kill the weak. I kill the promising. The Beast Nation needs a challenge. We need to see if your System is worth fighting."
The Challenge of Domination
Rakan lowered his axe, a savage grin stretching his muzzle. "I offer you a chance, System user. A trial of dominance. I don't care for your small squad. I only care about your power."
He gestured to the scattered debris of the Level 60 Imposter. "You defeated a Level 60 Imposter, but your Level is 21. That gap is impressive. I am Level 65, the highest physical threat on these plains."
"What is your challenge?" Archelius asked, his stance shifting into a combat readiness. He knew Level 65 was a massive leap, but Rakan's focus on him was an opportunity.
"One on one," Rakan declared. "If you defeat me, I will consider your System a genuine threat, and the Beast Nation will temporarily retreat from this pass to hunt elsewhere, allowing you safe passage. If I defeat you, I claim your beautiful silver sword and bring your battered body to Lord Lija as a sacrifice."
Rakan then looked at the Level 21 Rank D Archelius with an assessing, rivalrous glare. "I sense great potential, but your true Rank is barely D. You are a Rank D core wearing Rank D armor, but fighting like an advanced Rank C. I am here to find out if your potential is real, or merely luck."
The challenge was not just physical; it was a pure test of the War God System's ability to overcome the level gap through sheer quality.
The Duel of Ranks
Archelius accepted the challenge. He needed to defeat a Level 65 entity to solidify his Rank D status and guarantee the safety of his squad.
"Stay back, all of you," Archelius commanded. "This fight is mine. Bethany, track his energy flow—I need any weakness."
Rakan roared in approval and charged, moving with a speed that belied his massive size. He aimed a furious, overhead chop with his massive axe.
Archelius met the blow, activating the War God's Edge (Rank D) and using his enhanced Iron Skin.
CLANG!
The force was staggering. The Level 65 attack almost overwhelmed his defense. Archelius staggered, the power differential hitting him hard.
[Health: 75/100. War God's Vestment Mitigated: 30%. Core Power: 90/100 (Stable).]
His brute strength is immense! Archelius realized. I cannot trade blows.
"Slow, System user!" Rakan mocked, pressing the attack with a relentless flurry of axe strikes.
Archelius fell back, using his maximized Sprint Burst to weave between the devastating chops. He needed to find the chink in the Level 65 armor.
"The axe is his focus! The armor on his back is Rank C quality—not D!" Bethany yelled, her voice strained by the intensity of tracking Rakan's superior energy.
Archelius saw his chance. Rakan was relying on his massive strength and the perceived weakness of his opponent.
Archelius feigned a retreat, drawing Rakan into a massive, spinning attack. As Rakan committed to the spin, Archelius utilized the full force of his Sprint Burst to dart under the spinning axe blade.
He delivered a focused, critical blow: the War God's Fist (Rank D) into the exposed, less-armored lower spine of the Beast Prince.
CRACK-BOOM!
The 7x multiplier punch, combined with the pure Rank D energy, was devastating. Rakan roared in surprise and agony as his lower spine armor shattered.
[Beast Prince Rakan (Level 65) Health: 70%. Physical Augmentation Disrupted.]
Rakan stumbled, turning with a furious snarl. "A cheap trick, whelp! But effective!"
The Prince's raw power, however, was now disrupted by the severe injury.
Archelius pressed the attack, using the full speed of his Sprint Burst to keep Rakan off balance. He utilized the War God's Edge to perform quick, surgical slashes, ripping apart the Beast Prince's superior armor, exposing the vital areas.
The duel became a display of Rank D efficiency against Level 65 brute force. Archelius used his Rank D power to compensate for the level gap.
Finally, seeing the fatal opening, Archelius unleashed the power of his newly acquired System Blast (Focused Energy Projection). He channeled his core power through the War God's Edge and fired a condensed beam of pure silver energy directly into the shattered spine armor.
The blast tore through the Beast Prince's body. Rakan staggered, his massive frame convulsing as the pure System energy consumed his core.
"Impressive... Rival," Rakan gasped, his eyes wide in disbelief as he collapsed into the ash, his massive axe clattering beside him.
[Beast Prince Rakan (Level 65) Defeated. Dominance Kill Achieved!]
[XP Gained: 6500. Total XP: 25610/51200.]
[Core Power: 30/100 (Critical).]
Archelius stood over the massive Level 65 body, the sheer exhaustion almost overwhelming him. He had won the duel, proving his Rank D worth.
The victory was not just an XP boost; it was a statement. The War God System was real, and it could defeat the strongest physical threats.
The New Alliance
Archelius moved to retrieve the loot, but Rakan stirred, his eyes still burning with feral life.
"Do not waste your energy on cores," Rakan rasped, his voice weak. "The deal holds. You are strong. You are a worthy Rival. The Beast Nation will leave this sector to you."
He then looked at the War God's Edge. "That sword... it is beautiful. But the Demon Lords will come for you now, System user. They fear what they cannot control."
Rakan managed a final, brutal smirk. "Go to the Northern Stronghold. The Demon Lord is mobilizing. If you survive, I look forward to our next duel, Rank D."
Rakan dissolved into dust, leaving behind a massive Legendary Beast Core and his magnificent Silver Bone Axe (Rank D).
Archelius had gained not only a massive level boost but a clear path and a powerful, if temporary, rival.
[Legendary Beast Core (Divine Grade) x 1 Acquired.]
[Silver Bone Axe (Rank D) Acquired.]
Archelius grabbed the loot. He was Level 21, Rank D, and holding a Divine Grade Core.
"Bethany, where is the highest demonic signature?" Archelius commanded, his voice raw but determined.
Bethany pointed north. "It's enormous, Archelius. The entire northern sky is pulsing red."
"The Demon Lord is coming," Archelius stated, sheathing the War God's Edge. "We have a Divine Grade Core to synthesize, and we have a war to finish."