Baptized in Blood

The system notification lingered in Zhang Yong's mind, a harbinger of the chaos that was to come. His expression remained calm, but deep within, a flicker of excitement danced. If the Overlords thought they could intimidate him, they were gravely mistaken.

Lilith stretched lazily, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "So, what now, fearless leader? Do we wait for the next poor fools to throw themselves at your blade, or do we go hunting for a change?"

Zhang Yong glanced at her, his gaze piercing. "We don't wait. Waiting gives the enemy the advantage. If the Overlords are coming, I'll greet them with blood and fire."

Lilith's grin widened, a mix of delight and bloodlust. "Music to my ears."

Before Zhang Yong could respond, the ground beneath them trembled violently. Fissures spread like spiderwebs, releasing a sinister, sulfuric stench. From the cracks, figures began to emerge—twisted, humanoid creatures with skin like cracked stone, molten lava glowing from within their bodies. Their eyes burned with hatred, and their jagged claws dripped with searing heat.

"Ah, they didn't make us wait long," Lilith remarked, hefting her scythe.

The largest of the creatures stepped forward, its massive frame towering over the rest. Its voice was guttural, like the grinding of rocks. "Mortal, you have defied the Overlords. Your existence ends here."

Zhang Yong tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Another group of underlings sent to die. Do your masters have no shame?"

The creature snarled, raising its arm. A blazing spear formed in its hand, the air around it warping from the intense heat. Without another word, it hurled the weapon at Zhang Yong with devastating force.

Zhang Yong didn't flinch. With a flick of his wrist, his blade deflected the spear, sending it spiraling into the ground. The resulting explosion sent a shockwave rippling through the area, but Zhang Yong stood firm, his golden aura shielding him.

"Pathetic," he muttered, vanishing from sight in an instant.

The creature barely had time to react before Zhang Yong appeared behind it, his blade already mid-swing. The golden energy trailed behind the sword like a comet, slicing cleanly through the creature's torso.

Its roar of pain was short-lived. Zhang Yong's blade didn't stop there; he continued his assault with brutal efficiency, each strike severing limbs and carving through the molten flesh. The creature's glowing innards spilled onto the ground, hissing and bubbling as they burned through the earth.

The other creatures hesitated, clearly unnerved by the sheer ferocity of Zhang Yong's attack.

"Afraid already?" Zhang Yong taunted, his voice cold. "You should be."

With a roar of fury, the rest of the creatures charged, their claws and weapons glinting in the fiery light. Zhang Yong welcomed the chaos, his movements a blur as he danced through the horde.

Each strike of his blade was precise, ruthless. He severed heads, disemboweled bodies, and crushed skulls with brutal efficiency. The air filled with the sickening sounds of tearing flesh and the agonized screams of the dying.

One creature tried to flee, but Zhang Yong's hand shot out, grabbing it by the throat. He hoisted it into the air, his golden eyes gleaming with contempt.

"Running won't save you," he hissed.

With a sharp twist, he snapped its neck, then drove his blade through its chest, pinning it to the ground. The creature's molten blood sprayed out, sizzling against his armor, but he paid it no mind.

Lilith, watching from the sidelines, clapped slowly. "You've got a real flair for carnage, don't you? It's almost artistic."

Zhang Yong wiped the blood from his blade, his expression unreadable. "This is just the beginning."

As the last creature fell, the ground trembled once more. This time, the air grew heavy, suffused with an oppressive energy. A portal began to form in the sky, its swirling vortex glowing with malevolent light.

From the portal emerged a figure unlike the others—humanoid, but draped in black, spiked armor that radiated power. Its face was obscured by a mask, but its crimson eyes glowed with intelligence and malice.

"You are Zhang Yong," the figure said, its voice calm but dripping with menace. "I am General Typhor, the vanguard of the Overlords. Your slaughter of our minions has been noted. I am here to ensure you pay for your arrogance."

Zhang Yong sheathed his blade, his golden aura flaring once more. "And you think you're the one who can stop me?"

Typhor extended his hand, summoning a massive, jagged sword. "I don't think. I know."

Lilith stepped forward, her scythe ready. "You want me to handle this one?"

Zhang Yong shook his head. "No. He's mine."

The two warriors stared each other down, the tension between them palpable. The battlefield was silent, save for the crackling of flames and the distant rumble of the portal.