Chapter 81 – Crimson Veins: Baptism of Blood

[Crimson Veins]

[System Prompt: Player "Man like Malik" has led a group of experts to invade the Crimson Veins.]

[Players in the Crimson Veins must defend their turf against the invasion.]

[Failure to protect the turf will result in death and a loss of 20 levels.]

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"What the heck is going on?"

"Player Man like Malik… I've heard that name before."

"Isn't he the player who recently learned an S-Rank skill?"

"Yeah, that's him. There's a mountain of bounties on his head. To think he'd walk right into our turf like this—what a gift!"

"Let's go deal with this madman."

"Let's show him that Red Players aren't to be trifled with!"

Dozens of players burst out from their base like a floodgate had opened, weapons in hand, bloodlust in their eyes. Their voices blended into a chorus of excitement and arrogance—until they saw the invaders.

"…Wait. What the heck? He actually brought just five Tier 1 players?"

"This guy's not just brazen… he's a lunatic!"

"Let's crush him. Pulse88, this is your moment!" a player called Fridge, a Level 37 Elementalist, said as he looked to the Tier 0 player standing beside him. "Show him that you're not the only one who can kill a Tier 1 at Tier 0."

But Pulse88 didn't move.

Instead, he trembled—visibly.

His body quivered like a leaf in harmattan wind, eyes locked onto Malik as if he'd seen a ghost from his worst nightmare.

"Pulse88? What's wrong?" Fridge asked with a confused frown.

Pulse88 pointed a shaky finger at Malik. "Brother Fridge… that's him. The expert who insta-killed Red Assassin… and me."

"Shit…"

Ember Sword's voice came from the rear, his tone panicked and bitter. "That's the slaughterer. Pulse88 didn't stand a damn chance!"

And just like that, the confidence of the Red Players cracked like thin glass. Their eyes narrowed, their hearts sank, and every gaze honed in on Malik with a mixture of dread and seriousness.

"Hehe... To think you'd be this popular, Boss." Young Star chuckled, his voice light but his grip on his sword heavy with anticipation.

"You don't have to lift a finger, Boss. We'll mop up this trash in minutes," White Emperor declared with fire in his eyes. Without another word, he activated Charge and shot forward like a bullet.

"That's Brother White Emperor for you," Trust grinned as he readied his bow, string drawn. "Charging in with no long talk."

Shield Bash!

BOOM!

White Emperor opened the assault with a wide-range AoE skill. A golden ripple of force burst from his shield, buffing his allies while slowing the enemies by 20%. In that instant, chaos erupted.

"Here I come!"

A Level 36 Swordsman—Young Star—appeared by White Emperor's side in a blink, his sword slashing down in a silver arc. Fridge blocked it with his staff, but the impact sent him flying backward.

-10,978!

To someone with only 80,000 HP, that was an unforgiving blow. Fridge had barely steadied himself when Young Star's second strike cleaved through him, reducing his HP to zero.

Fridge disintegrated into particles, eyes still wide in disbelief.

"The first casualty," Malik mused with a faint smirk.

"So tyrannical…" Goliath muttered under his breath, jaw clenched.

"Brother Young Star is just too badass!" Trust declared. His arrow released with a twang, slamming into the skull of a rogue trying to sneak up on White Emperor. The projectile tore through, erupting from the back of the player's head.

White Emperor didn't wait. He smashed his shield into the player's leg and then rammed it straight through the torso. Another red player down.

And thus, the slaughter began.

The Level 35 Red Players couldn't withstand the combined onslaught of Young Star, White Emperor, and Trust. In ten minutes, three dozen had fallen. Blood ran through the crimson soil. White particles floated like snow. And amidst the chaos, Young Star's level rose by one, while White Emperor's experience bar neared full.

Even those who weren't fighting gained experience. Malik simply stood and smiled as his Qi Points steadily ticked upward with every death.

"They've truly grown stronger," Malik whispered to himself, his tone one of satisfaction.

"I can't just watch… I need to prove my worth to him!" Goliath yelled, slamming his feet into the ground as he leapt into the fray.

Battle Roar!

His shout boomed like thunder, stunning the surrounding Red Players for three seconds. He raised his Greatsword, flames coiling around it like a dancing serpent.

Flame Slash!

A cascade of fire swept forward, tearing through six Red Players. Their HP plummeted.

"Don't worry—I got the cleanup!" Young Star roared, leaping high.

Steel Arc!

A white streak cleaved through the air. The six assassins were beheaded mid-stun.

[System Prompt: You are now Level 41]

"Ha! Easier than I thought," Malik smirked.

Trust didn't hold back either. His arrows rained like a storm, every shot a critical hit. The Red Players tried to group up, but the trio held the frontlines like walls of steel and flame.

"Don't just stand around and let them pick us off one by one!" roared a Level 38 Berserker. "Group up! Show them the might of the Red Players!"

He activated Battle Roar, giving his allies a 10% movement boost and reducing enemy speed by 10%.

"They're grouping," Malik said coolly. He patted Angel Michael on the shoulder. "Time to shine."

Angel Michael nodded, raising his staff high.

Lightning Overdose!

A blinding bolt tore into the sky, summoning down a barrage of lightning across a wide radius—100 by 100 meters. Thunder roared as the heavens wept arcs of blue fire. The storm lasted twenty seconds, electrocuting everything in its range—except his allies, protected by party buffs.

<>

"Just how powerful is that staff?" Malik couldn't help but marvel. Angel Michael's level had just jumped to 40—just two shy of Malik's own.

"Damn it! Rally everyone! Use everything you've got!" Ember Sword screamed.

One Red Player pulled out a magic scroll and tore it open.

Flame Torrent Arrow!

A hellish storm of fire ignited atop the arrowhead as it rocketed toward Malik and the others.

Angel Michael stepped forward again.

Arcane Surge!

Lightning Spear!

A divine spear of lightning materialized mid-air and shot forward. It collided with the flaming arrow.

BOOM!

The clash exploded in mid-air, sending out shockwaves. The world lit up in flames and sparks. The players were thrown back like ragdolls.

White Emperor's HP halved instantly. Young Star was left with barely two-thirds. Angel Michael managed to shield himself, losing 40%. Goliath dropped by 30%, but he too stepped into Level 40.

Trust was nearly wiped out—only 10% HP remained. He gasped for breath, sweat pouring down his face.

On the enemy side? Nothing remained. Obliteration.

Only one man stood in the aftermath—untouched.

Malik.

Still at 90% HP.

"As expected of Man like Malik... your defense is outrageous…" a whisper came from the shadows.

Malik's eyes twitched.

He felt it—the cold breath of death.

Not for him.

But for Young Star.