Viranth ran through the battlefield with unwavering determination, even as the pain in his pierced armor reminded him of the arrow embedded in his shoulder. He gritted his teeth. That wasn't just any arrow—it was laced with Earth chakra. A signature move of the Bhoomi Clan.
They've started using techniques from the Bhoomi Clan… how troublesome, he thought grimly.
The deeper he went into enemy territory, the more refined the attacks became. The enemies at the frontlines had been clumsy—panicked and poorly trained. Their aim had been scattered, their spells imprecise. Those had been easy to dodge or neutralize. But now? Now, the attacks were precise—deadly. Arrows were aimed at his joints, his vital points. Every step closer to the heart of their army brought more veterans into play.
That's when realization struck him.
They placed weaklings at the front to act as cannon fodder... to drain my soul power.
A cunning trap. But one he could not afford to dwell on.
Veering away from the main battlefield, Viranth darted toward the northern river. His sudden shift startled many soldiers, even among his own ranks.
One enemy soldier pointed and shouted, "The commander is fleeing toward the river!"
Confusion rippled through the battlefield. Some of Viranth's men hesitated, watching their leader disappear into the distance. Doubts bloomed in a few hearts—was their commander abandoning them?
But the veterans, those who had fought beside Viranth for years, didn't flinch. One of them barked, "Hold your ground! He has a plan. Focus on the battle ahead. For Dharma!"
The army rallied behind the call, suppressing uncertainty. Meanwhile, some among the enemy forces mocked what they assumed was cowardice.
Watching from a high vantage point was Nill, commander of the enemy forces—an arrogant, powerful Soul Stage user. He observed Viranth's retreat with a smirk.
"The commander's running?" Nill sneered. "So predictable."
He turned to his lieutenants. "I'll handle this personally."
With a flash of chakra, Nill vanished.
He didn't even stop to consider that it could be a trap.
Why would he? In his mind, only two things mattered:
First, he was the only Soul Stage warrior on the field. Second, he believed Viranth—still in the Transcendent Stage—was beneath him.
His pride wouldn't allow him to see the possibility of a ruse. To him, it was simple—Viranth saw a Soul Stage opponent and ran, abandoning his army to their fate.
Exactly as Viranth had predicted.
Meanwhile, Viranth pressed forward, ignoring the hail of arrows and elemental spells chasing him. His water barrier shimmered around him, deflecting lesser strikes. When stronger, soul-imbued projectiles neared him, he dodged with practiced ease.
But the enemy wouldn't let him escape easily.
Suddenly, the ground around him shifted.
A wall of stone erupted before him.
He turned to detour—only to see more walls rising in every direction. Then, without warning, a hand made of stone shot up from beneath him, grabbing his ankle.
His eyes widened, but he reacted instantly.
Lightning surged through his hand as he slammed his palm against the stone wall ahead. The wall shattered. Then he stomped on the ground, breaking free from the hand grasping his leg.
But even as he moved to escape, a boulder the size of a car hurtled toward him from behind.
He sensed it a moment too late.
Dodging partially, the massive rock clipped his left arm, sending searing pain through his body.
Behind the thrown boulder, Nill emerged with a gleeful grin.
"Thought you could run?" he laughed.
Nill used a Wind Step spell, boosting his speed as he closed the distance. Viranth, despite his pain, was ready. He threw a wind spell of his own—not at Nill, but at the ground behind him.
The sudden force propelled Viranth forward, flipping him through the air with unnatural speed. He crashed through a tree and tumbled across the forest floor.
His head spun. His vision blurred for a moment.
But he forced himself up. Two minutes... I just need to reach the river in two minutes.
His time was running out.
From behind the rocks, Nill stepped forward—completely unscathed. His armor was high-grade Soul armor, absorbing nearly all damage.
He brushed the dust off and sprinted forward.
Viranth had no choice.
As Nill approached, Viranth raised both hands and summoned a whirlpool of water in the path ahead.
Nill saw it and laughed. "You think this trick will work again?"
He veered to the side, avoiding what he thought was another wide-area attack.
But this time, Viranth didn't spread the water.
He hurled the entire vortex directly at Nill.
The whirlpool hit. But it didn't disperse.
It engulfed him.
Nill's smirk vanished as he found himself trapped inside the spiraling prison of water. He struggled, casting spells to break free, but the water swirled faster, tighter.
He's trying to suffocate me... and stall for time.
Nill's arrogance turned to rage.
Viranth didn't wait to see the results. Without hesitation, he took off toward the river again, pouring every drop of energy he had into each step.
A full minute passed.
Then—he felt it.
The whirlpool broke.
He didn't turn back.
Behind him, Nill's furious roar shook the forest. "I'll tear you apart, Viranth!"
Viranth ignored the threat. His soul reserves were running dangerously low. He couldn't even afford a simple wind spell now. He could only run.
More Earth Balls came hurtling toward him—most deflected by trees.
But one didn't.
It slammed into his side, sending him tumbling. He crashed into the underbrush, gasping, bleeding. His armor was cracked, his ribs screaming in pain.
He coughed up blood and tried to rise.
But he could barely move.
He managed to prop himself against a tree, breathing heavily. His hands trembled.
Moments later, Nill appeared, sword in hand.
He strode toward Viranth with slow, deliberate steps, savoring the moment.
Viranth, barely conscious, tried to sit upright.
Nill stood before him, raised his sword, and pointed it at Viranth's throat.
"This is how you die," Nill said coldly. "Not as a hero… but as a coward who ran from battle."
He raised his sword.
"Goodbye, Commander."