abcnovels
Chapter 198: An Expected Betrayal II
Chapter 198: An Expected Betrayal II
Chapter 198: An Expected Betrayal II
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Emir surveyed the group of eight advancing toward him.
In slowed time, he began to identify their roles and specializations, preparing himself for the confrontation that lay ahead.
The two knights in the front marched forward with their imposing shields, covering themselves from chest to toe.
"Hm. Not bad..."
Emir figured that they would try to create a solid defense while the others would attack from behind.
It was a sound strategy, but he was no stranger to battling Knights.
As they further closed the distance, Emir focused on the three individuals in the rear, those who appeared to be Technomancers or Gun Specialists.
They were the ones who had the potential to provide long-range support and control over the fight.
Emir's plan was then made clear: eliminate them first.
'But I'd have to get through those knights...'
'I guess Flash Step would do.'
The Brawler, a stocky figure with bulging muscles, seemed eager for a physical confrontation.
He cracked his knuckles and prepared for a charge.
'A low-ranked brawler is nothing; I could beat him with my strength, even though it's their entire specialization's focus.'
Emir welcomed the challenge with a scoff and then shifted his gaze to the next one.
A Spell Weaver, a woman with a staff, right beside their leader.
He knew she could pose a threat with her magic, but getting close to her would do the trick.
And finally, Emir's eyes landed on the leader with the sword standing in the center, whom he suspected was a Blade Dancer.
'This guy is probably the strongest of the lot...'
Emir knew that he had to approach this battle with caution; he still had Alex to deal with after this.
So as the group closed in, Emir made his first move.
"Flash Step."
Emir materialized just before those in the rear, and his twin swords gleamed in the dark as he swung down, aiming to take a man's head.
"KNIGHTS!"
Just as they heard their leader's scream, the Knights in front were quick to raise a defensive barrier, but Emir anticipated this.
"Aetheric Blades."
His swords descended on the stacked shields, causing them to crack.
Then, as his feet touched the ground, he spun and launched a series of strikes at the barrier's new weak points, causing it to shatter.
"What-"
The man before him was caught off guard, and Emir's blades found their mark before he could even speak.
Emir then somersaulted backward, narrowly avoiding a fiery spell from the Spell Weaver. And just as he rolled to his feet, two Aether-constructed swords found themselves lodged in the heads of the two others in the rear.
'Done... Five remain.'
Emir then watched as they switched formations, the knights rushing to meet him with raised shields, forming a sturdy defensive wall.
"Solid training men... but not good enough."
With a silent breath, Emir leaped forward, not needing to use Flash Step to meet them in a single step, as he simply used his Aerialis aspect to close the distance.
His blades darted out like serpents, aimed at the joints and weak points of the knight before him.
The razor-sharp edges made quick work of his defenses, bypassing his augmented suit and slicing through flesh.
Emir's movements were lethal, and before the knight could even react, he fell, leaving only a trail of crimson.
"VALOUR'S CALL!"
Just as that happened, the knight's friend swung his great sword down while the Spell Weaver shot out multiple bolts of ice, both heading towards Emir.
"Aetheric Shield."
Emir's shield materialized in an instant, a shimmering barrier that absorbed the incoming attacks.
With the Knight's sword bouncing back, Emir found one of his swords stuck in the man's throat.
He quickly pulled it out and jumped out of the way, as the brawler's punch caused the air to quack just where he was a moment before.
And then, in a matter of a heartbeat, the brawler fell, his head dropping to the ground with an Aetheric sword stuck to it.
"RAIN OF FLAMES!"
The spell weaver conjured tens of fist-sized fireballs from the sky as her staff glowed with Aether, her face turning pale.
Emir's neck shot up as he gazed at the incoming attack, the balls of fire moving in slow motion towards him.
'Five coming left, six right, eight middle, the rest are wide...'
Easily predicting her attack's trajectory, Emir took a few steps and stopped as all the incoming fireballs harmlessly exploded around him.
Dust filled the air for a few moments until it was cut through by a long sword heading straight towards Emir's head.
Emir stepped to the side and then held the man by his arm.
He then kicked the Blade Dancer in the chest with all his strength, shooting him off into a
pillar of crumbled rock.
Crash!
Crumble! Crumble!
The pillar fell with the man, arriving just before Lyra's battle.
'That'll help her.'
Emir then gazed back at the Spell Weaver, who was now on the ground, coughing up a storm.
As his steps reached her, he had already dissipated his shield, and she looked up to him with
hazy eyes.
"You shouldn't have used so much Aether..."
"Now it's your fault that you suffered before dying."
Just as those words reached her, she could hear no more as her head lay bloodied on the
ground.
'Only one left...'
Emir then turned back to their bruised leader, who strutted forward, approaching him with
wobbled steps.
"Please.... Kill me with dignity, you monster!"
Emir scoffed at his words.
"You forget. You attacked, not the other way around."
"And your cause is nothing but a ruse; do remember that as your body rots in this wasteland,
untouched by monsters, as they too don't want to touch such filth."
"....Please." The man pleaded.
"Ughhh.... Fine, what's your name?"
"It's Asher, Sir." Emir's mouth went a gape for a moment, but his icy expression returned right after.
'How ironic...'
"Alright, Asher, you'll die a warrior's death."
"Thank you."
While they talked, Asher was already in the process of healing, most likely caused by a very
expensive old-world medicine.
'Typical.' Emir raised his swords, and they met Asher's, who deflected confidently.
"Blurred Dance."
Asher's move quickened and his visage fogged, making it hard for Emir to see where his sword
might attack.
'Not bad...'
Emir jumped back, evading a direct swipe at his legs, and then threw one of his twin swords
right at Asher.
Clang!
The attack was deflected, but it gave Emir the know of where his opponent's sword was.
Emir rushed forward and cut horizontally.
"Aetheric Evasion."
Asher disappeared and reappeared many feet back, avoiding Emir's lethal strike.
Just as Emir picked up his sword, he heard the chant:
"Aetheric Mirage." Which caused Asher to multiply to three, who all now attacked Emir.
'That's new...'
Emir simply stepped back while activating his TP ability.
He watched as the three Ashers rushed towards him.
After a moment, he noticed a slight delay in the movements of the one in the middle and on
the left.
'Found you.'
Emir stepped forward, ignoring the other two's attacks, and met Asher's sword, locking it in
place with his twins.
"You run out of tricks?"
"No... Graceful Flow!"
Emir's swords were deflected to the side, his own power causing him to stumble forward.
But Emir dug his feet on the ground, stabilizing himself, halting the fall.
Then a sword appeared before his eyes, threatening to cut his head off.
Emir dropped his body low, dodging the blow.
Then as if he was breakdancing he pushed his body slightly off the ground and kicked away at
Asher's feet.
Crack!
Asher's bones shattered as he fell to his knees not even allowed the chance to Flash Step away.
"Get up. Die on your feet."
Following Emir's words like a command, Asher stood up, using his sword like a cane.
And just as he stood at his highest, his head fell to the ground, splattering blood all around
him.
Emir then swung his swords at nothing, dislodging the blood.
'Fate's a goddamn bitch....'
After letting out a sigh, he walked over to the nearest pillar and sat his back against it.
"Hey Alex, I think it's time that you come out; there aren't any more men left to fight."