Chapter 27: Tier 5 Skill In Action

Thurn screeches in frustration, his massive body shaking as he tries to regain his footing. "Is that all you've got?" Grixx taunts, twirling his blade lazily.

Thurn's eight crimson eyes narrow, venom dripping from his fangs as he lunges again, this time with more focus. Grixx blocks easily, deflecting the blows without breaking a sweat. He steps forward, spinning his blade in a controlled arc, activating [Blade Rush], a quick, non-lethal skill that sends a flurry of strikes toward Thurn's legs. The blows connect, forcing Thurn to retreat further, his movements becoming more sluggish.

"Still think you can make me suffer?" Grixx smirks, his voice dripping with mockery.

Thurn's mandibles clatter angrily as he glares at Grixx. "You're holding back," he hisses, his voice filled with venomous fury. "Why? Do you mock me?"

Grixx chuckles darkly. "Mock you? You're not worth my full power, bug. Be grateful I'm sparing you."

Grixx nods slightly, dodging another of Thurn's lunges with ease. "Your Majesty wants you alive," he says aloud, his tone mocking. "But don't worry—this is still fun for me."

Thurn lets out a guttural roar, his form shaking with barely contained rage. His movements grow more erratic, his strikes less coordinated as he begins to succumb to exhaustion. Grixx, still using only Tier 2 skills, easily counters each attack, wearing him down bit by bit.

Thurn snarls, his mandibles clashing together as venom drips to the ground, hissing upon impact.

"Don't underestimate me!" he roars, his body trembling with anger. Without warning, his eight legs stab into the ground, and his body glows faintly green.

"[Venom Spikes]!" he bellows.

Spikes of hardened venom erupt from the ground, aiming directly for Grixx. Each spike glistens with deadly poison, their tips razor-sharp.

Grixx doesn't flinch. Instead, he steps aside with casual grace, dodging the onslaught with precise, fluid movements. His golden eyes gleam with amusement as he sidesteps each spike effortlessly, his blade never once leaving his shoulder.

"Use all your skills now before it's too late?" Grixx taunts, his smirk widening.

Thurn growls, his crimson eyes narrowing. He rears back, his mandibles opening wide as a green mist begins to swirl around him.

"[Venom Cloud]!" he hisses, unleashing a toxic fog that spreads rapidly, filling the air with a deadly miasma.

The cloud engulfs Grixx, but the towering warrior simply stands still, his tail swaying lazily behind him. The mist seems to swirl around him without effect, as if repelled by his sheer presence.

"You really think poison will work on me?" Grixx chuckles, his voice carrying through the fog. "You'll have to do better than that, bug."

Thurn clicks his mandibles angrily, his legs stabbing at the ground in frustration.

"Stop mocking me!!" he roars. His body shudders as he activates his final skill.

"[Venom Chains]!"

Thick, glowing green tendrils of venom shoot out from his body, snaking toward Grixx with incredible speed. The chains whip through the air, aiming to bind Grixx and dissolve his defenses.

Grixx finally moves. With a single step, he pivots, twisting his body just enough to let the chains miss their mark. He swings his blade lazily, cutting through the venom chains as though they're made of air. The remains of the chains dissolve into harmless droplets, sizzling against the ground.

Thurn stumbles back, his breath ragged, venom pooling beneath his trembling legs. His crimson eyes dart toward Grixx, filled with desperation and fury. Grixx smirks, rolling his shoulders as though warming up.

"Face it, Thurn," Grixx says, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're out of tricks."

From behind, Alix observes in silence, his crimson eyes thoughtful. Thurn's desperation is exactly what he wanted. Breaking his spirit now would make him easier to control later. Through telepathy, Alix's calm voice echoes in Grixx's mind.

"End it, Grixx. Use a Tier 5 skill. Make sure it doesn't kill him, but scare the soul out of him."

Grixx's smirk fades, replaced by a sharp grin that radiates menace.

"Understood, Your Majesty," he replies telepathically, his voice tinged with excitement.

Grixx steps forward, his massive blade glowing ominously as he lifts it high. A low hum fills the air, the ground trembling under the sheer pressure of his energy. The trees surrounding them begin to sway violently as the atmosphere grows heavy.

Thurn's eyes widen in fear, his mandibles clattering. "W-what are you doing?" he stammers, his voice trembling.

"You wanted my full power," Grixx says, his voice low and menacing. "Here it is."

With a deafening roar, Grixx activates his Tier 5 skill, [Oblivion Cleave]. He swings his blade downward in a devastating arc, unleashing an enormous wave of energy. The ground shatters beneath the force, a blinding light exploding outward as the wave cuts through the air.

The impact is catastrophic. The surrounding forest disintegrates into nothingness, trees reduced to ash and dust as the energy tears through the landscape. A shockwave ripples outward, uprooting anything that dares stand in its path.

When the light fades, the battlefield is unrecognizable. The forest is gone, replaced by a barren wasteland of scorched earth and debris. Thurn lies on the ground, his legs sprawled awkwardly as he trembles. His exoskeleton is cracked in places, venom oozing from his wounds. Despite his injuries, he is still alive—barely.

Grixx lowers his blade, his golden eyes glowing faintly as he exhales slowly. He turns to Alix, a satisfied grin on his face. "Didn't aim for him, Your Majesty. He's alive, just like you wanted."

Alix steps forward, his gaze fixed on Thurn. The once-proud Arachne lord is now a trembling, broken figure, his crimson eyes filled with terror.

"Still think you can challenge us?" Alix asks, his voice calm but cold.

Thurn struggles to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. "H-how… How are you this strong…?"

Alix crouches beside him, his crimson eyes locking onto Thurn's.

"This was just a fraction of our power," he says softly, his tone laced with menace. "Now, do you understand why resistance is pointless?"

Thurn shudders, his mandibles twitching. "I… I yield. Please he...help me," he whispers, his voice filled with despair.