Chapter 83 – Crimson Vault: The Tyrant’s Awakening
At that very moment, the ring on Malik's finger began to tremble violently. A strange, primal energy surged through it as Malik's eyes lit up—right as the blade of the enemy swordsman came crashing down toward him.
Roar!!!
A thunderous howl exploded through the air like a war cry from the depths of a forbidden realm. A massive beast leapt out of a sudden portal, intercepting the sword slash with its thick hide. Sparks flew, dirt scattered, and the ground cracked under the force of the blow.
A colossal Dire Wolf had materialized before Malik, taking the full brunt of the attack meant to split him in two.
"What the hell? He has a trump card!?"
"He can summon beasts too?!" The Red Players recoiled in shock, their formation rattled.
Even Malik himself blinked in disbelief, his gaze locking on the giant monster that had appeared from seemingly nowhere.
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[Dire Wolf – Level 53]
HP: 57,000 / 90,000
Description: A monster summoned by Player "Man like Malik" through the Ring of Sovereignty. Bound by pact, it serves for a limited duration or until death.
---
"This crazy ring…" Malik muttered, a ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. "It really saved my life this time."
Ding!
[System Reminder: Red Priestess's binding effect on you has worn off. You may now use your skills.]
Exactly one minute had passed. The immobilization effect had finally expired. But even as he prepared to retaliate, the female archer loosed another arrow with deadly precision—aimed right at his heart.
"Iron Mountain Stance!"
Malik growled, hardening his body. His muscles tensed like steel cables, his skin rippling with faint traces of mana. The arrow bounced harmlessly off his chest with a dull thunk, followed immediately by a charging strike from the enemy swordsman.
The blade slashed across Malik's shoulder, but the damage barely registered.
-1% HP.
Then another strike.
-5% HP.
Paltry.
Before the swordsman could even register his disappointment, Malik's body spun with sudden speed.
Iron Fist!
Boom!
The blow landed like a hammer smashing through concrete. The enemy swordsman's chest caved in, blood spewing from his mouth as he stumbled back, gasping for air. Before Malik could follow up, his instincts screamed.
Whistle!
An arrow flew toward him again, aimed at his neck.
Clang!
A white arc of energy deflected it at the last second.
"Boss! I'm sorry—we used up all the recovery potions!" Young Star shouted, standing in front of Malik with his sword trembling.
"Be careful... She's eleven levels above you," Malik warned, heart pounding. But a flicker of pride crossed his face. He saved me... in the face of death.
"Time for…" Malik began, but his words trailed off as he vanished into stealth mid-sentence.
The female priestess's eyes widened. "Shit!" she cursed, her immobilization spell missing by mere inches. "I was so close!"
She clenched her fist in frustration. She'd just wasted a Tier 1 Cooldown Reset Scroll on that skill, and it had gone to waste.
"You've got a great skill there…" came a whisper from the shadows behind her, dripping with menace. "It'll be a great help to my team."
She gasped—but it was already too late.
Blood sprayed in an arc as Malik's dagger slit through her neck. Her HP plummeted in real time, numbers ticking down at terrifying speed.
Stab.
Twist.
Silence.
She collapsed, face contorted in disbelief.
"Thank the heavens that Dire Wolf is stalling the Juggernaut," Malik muttered, already scanning the battlefield. "Now to deal with this last pest."
He reappeared behind the enemy swordsman, who reacted quickly—slashing out with his longsword in panic. Malik parried with his dagger, absorbing the hit but losing 500 HP. His health plunged to 4%.
Rage surged.
Malik growled as he shoved the enemy blade aside and activated a new skill, one he hadn't dared to use before.
Infernal Slash!
The Corrosive Dagger pulsed with eerie green light. A fiery arc burst from the blade, engulfing the swordsman's chest in a sickening, sizzling flame.
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[System Notification: You have combined your B-Rank skill "Infernal Slash" with the Corrosive effect of the Corrosion Dagger, triggering a new skill.]
[Corrosive Infernal Slash – A Rank]
Deals 50% base damage.
Corrosion effect increased by 80%, depleting 2% HP per second for 20 seconds.
Movement speed increased by 10%.
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"Over 40% HP gone in twenty seconds?" Malik's lips curled. "This skill is the real deal."
He advanced relentlessly, blade flashing once more. The enemy swordsman let out a final scream as his HP was shredded to zero.
Malik didn't even glance at the loot. His eyes locked on the towering Juggernaut who had just torn the Dire Wolf in half.
Blood dripped from the monster's claws.
"Time to end this."
Malik entered stealth again, his body flickering like a shadow in the wind. He leapt into the air, high above the Juggernaut's head.
"Corrosive Infernal Slash!"
A blazing green arc split through the sky, slamming down on the Juggernaut's skull. Flames and corrosion wrapped around the monster's face like a serpent biting deep. The monster stumbled, roaring in pain.
Its HP, already at 20%, plummeted.
18%... 13%... 8%... 3%... 0%.
The Juggernaut collapsed with a ground-quaking thud.
---
<
[System Reminder: You are now Level 44.]
Malik's HP surged, restoring to 50% as a burst of raw energy exploded from within. But before he could celebrate, a new voice rumbled through the battlefield like thunder on the horizon.
"Man like Malik…"
The name echoed like a judgment.
Malik turned, his eyes narrowing. A towering figure stepped forth from a scarlet portal, radiating a crimson aura that distorted the very air.
Malik activated Eye of Insight, and the data slammed into his vision.
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[Varthos the Crimson Tyrant – Tier 1 Boss]
Level: 70
HP: 300,000
Attack: 3000 – 4000
Defense: 2500 – 2800
Description: Former General of the Crimson Troops of Blackroot City. Now commands the Crimson Vault and serves as the guardian of the Red Players.
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"An NPC… and the former general of the City Lord?" Malik's eye twitched.
The boss's aura burst outward in a red tempest.
"Impudent worm! You dare pry into my soul?" Varthos roared.
Malik's teammates screamed, falling to their knees under the crushing weight of the boss's presence. Even Malik's knees buckled—but he gritted his teeth, pushing back with all his will.
"Everyone—retreat behind me!" he barked, throwing off the silver cloak that concealed him.
His own aura erupted, wild and defiant—like a star igniting under pressure.
---
[Man like Malik – Tier 1]
Level: 44
HP: 175,000 / 350,000
Attack: 2000 – 2500
Defense: 1500 – 2000
Description: An entity forging his own path.
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"What the actual hell?" Young Star's mouth hung open. "His max HP is higher than a Level 70 NPC…"
"Is this... the tyrannical 'Man like Malik'?" Goliath whispered. Then quickly, he activated his recorder. "This fight's going viral."
Malik stepped forward calmly, standing tall before the monstrous figure clad in blood-red armor. Varthos glared down at him, shirtless yet radiating menace, gripping a massive blade nicknamed Blood Cleaver.
A dagger versus a boss with a cleaver.
One man versus a tyrant.
"A player… using a dagger… against Boss Blood Cleaver?" A Red Player muttered, dumbfounded.
"This fool doesn't know the difference between heaven and earth…"
But Malik didn't answer.
He simply adjusted his grip on the Corrosive Dagger, eyes locked on the towering foe, and cracked his neck with a savage grin.
"Let's dance."