Invasion [5]

The large group of adventurers stood across from the Zelk, whose antlers were noticeably larger than most.

The Zelk didn't move after drawing his sword, a weapon sculpted from solid earth. He only stood, silently observing, eyes hidden behind the glowing aura radiating from his body.

A whisper came from among the adventurers.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck! That Zelk is clearly a higher-ranking one!"

Despite their panic, no one ran. Maybe it was because they had strength in numbers. Or maybe because where would they even run? The city was being invaded. There was nowhere to hide. They might as well fight—and if they were going to die, it might as well be while taking down the bastard who looked like their leader.

The first move came from Thraalvex.

The Zelk raised his foot and slammed it down.

The earth responded. Ten massive spikes of jagged stone tore free from the ground.

Then he rushed forward.

Most of the adventurers were able to dodge the sudden attack—but not all. A chubby man and an older one stood frozen, impaled clean through. Their eyes glazed over as life drained out.

Thraalvex appeared in front of the scar-faced man wielding a hammer and swept his legs out from under him with a blur of motion. The man hadn't been prepared. Not that it would've helped.

Before the human even hit the ground, Thraalvex grabbed his face and slammed it into a rising spike.

He didn't even get to scream.

The skill [Geokinesis] consumed far more aether than his usual spells, but Thraalvex didn't care. He didn't have time to cast slowly. He would win with superior skill—and with the vast difference in their ranks.

Now, the rest of the humans were charging toward him.

Thraalvex smiled. A genuine one. He could already picture the Believer's robes draped over his shoulders.

He dashed past the main cluster of fighters, targeting the weaker, more frightened ones in the back.

A teenage boy, barely grown, raised a mace with trembling hands. His eyes were wide with terror.

A quick stab to the throat ended him.

No satisfaction from that kill. Just necessity.

[Ice Bolt!]

An older woman raised her staff and chanted the spell. A slow, pitiful ball of ice sputtered out. She was using chants? That explained a lot. Soldier rank at most—no wonder she'd gotten so old and was still weak.

Thraalvex raised an earthen wall with a flick, blocking the ice easily. Then, four walls of stone boxed her in.

He crushed her between them.

The yelp she made? That made him laugh.

Now that was satisfying.

Next came a younger woman, sprinting toward him in a zigzag pattern.

Cute.

Thraalvex sped toward her, grabbed her by the neck, and flung her into a man trying to sneak up behind him.

Then, he raised over thirty sharpened spikes into the air with [Geokinesis].

They fell like rain—stone death crashing down.

Ten more adventurers died instantly.

Thraalvex dashed into the crowd of survivors.

He would dance with these monkeys. It was a blessing for them to witness the sword art the Monestary had granted him.

First move: Slashing Boulder.

A man died.

Second move: Crumbling Titan.

A giant's head hit the ground. His body stayed standing for a moment longer before toppling.

Third move: Twin Divide.

Two more fell, one of them mid-swing.

He kept butchering. Kept moving, kept killing. But then—somewhere in the back of his mind—a thought slithered forward.

Wasn't this too easy?

Sure, he wasn't completely untouched. A few adventurers managed to land cheap shots. A spell struck him once in a while.

But compared to how many had already died?

It was nothing.

These humans were disorganized. Untrained. Weak. If they had been remotely competent, this would've been a real battle.

Where did that damn thief find these people? Did he just pick up anyone breathing?

This wouldn't earn him the Believer's robes. It wouldn't even earn him a respectable commendation.

It felt like an adult Zelk fighting a group of Zelklings.

His movements grew more vicious, reflecting the anger bubbling up inside him.

His slashes grew faster, each one carrying far more force than before.

He no longer had to conserve mana or effort.

These humans were no challenge. They would all fall soon.

The number of adventurers dropped rapidly—until only a dozen remained.

Thraalvex smiled bitterly, eyes scanning the remaining scraps of resistance.

"I told you," he muttered, voice dripping with disdain, "I'd kill all you monkeys."

The ones still standing weren't even the strongest. Just leftovers from the massacre he'd already committed.

Well… they wouldn't be leftovers for long.

As Thraalvex readied his next attack—

He froze.

A sharp pain bloomed in his back.

A knife had been driven in.

His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he snarled and immediately activated [Geokinesis], trapping himself and his assailant in a tight dome of earth.

He spun around to face the fool who'd dared lay a hand on him.

The man was dressed entirely in black, only a small rectangular slit revealing his eyes.

Ridiculous. Thraalvex, like most Zelk, didn't wear clothes, and found the fashion choice absurd. What was the point of all the black? Did he think it made him mysterious?

No matter.

He would slay this arrogant little monkey for daring to harm him.