Chapter 96 - The Last Stand
> [System Alert: Player Zurich has used a Tier 2 Forbidden Scroll on you. All your stats have been decreased by 50% for 10 minutes]
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[Man Like Malik the Martial Expert]
Tier: 1
Level: 48
HP: 300,500
Strength: 9,500 → 4,750
Defense: 12,000 → 6,000
Agility: 7,500 → 3,750
Intelligence: 100
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"You should die happily, Player Man Like Malik. I paid a fortune for that scroll. Never thought I'd use it on a Tier 1 like you," Zurich said, smirking.
Malik didn't know whether to laugh or spit blood. His gaze didn't linger on Zurich. Instead, it shifted leftward—to the shadowy figure at the edge of the battlefield. Without hesitation, he activated Eyes of Insight.
> [Striker the Great Assassin]
Tier: 2
Level: 94
HP: 800,000
Description: An Assassin with great strength. Don't play.
"He's so high-level, I can't even see his stats…" Malik muttered, his grip tightening on the Bloodcleaver and Corrosive Dagger.
"Striker," Bolt101 chuckled, "the boy's interested in you."
A frown crossed Striker's face as he stepped forward, calm and composed. "What's it, boy? Got a problem with me? I only came to claim your head—for the bounty."
Malik's heart boiled.
He doesn't even remember… He forgot what he did to me…
That thought alone made Malik's rage surge. The daggers in his hands began to hum and tremble—reverberating with killing intent.
Most players didn't notice. All they saw was Malik under heavy stat suppression. They assumed this was their chance to claim the bounty before the bigshots stepped in.
Bolt911 activated Stealth, appearing behind Malik with his dagger raised high for a Backstab—but at that moment, Malik turned.
IRON FIST!
A punch slammed into the dagger with a metallic clang. No damage appeared over Malik's head—instead, a red –10,000 floated above Bolt911. The knockback flung him several meters backward.
Malik wasn't done.
IRON FANG KICK!
Three thunderous kicks struck Bolt911's face in quick succession before the assassin could react. His HP dropped to zero. With a shattering sound, he burst into particles, leaving behind two items.
"IMPUDENT!" Bolt101 roared. His comrade had just been obliterated.
He turned to Striker, who unsheathed his curved blade with a grim expression. "Let's not underestimate this boy."
Striker activated Charge and dashed forward—Malik mirrored him instantly. The suppression didn't matter. He had waited for this moment. This debt would be repaid in full.
Steel clashed.
Daggers met blade.
Clang!
Their weapons collided midair. The impact sent shockwaves across the field. Ripples of force and aura swept outward, forcing the nearby players to retreat. These two weren't ordinary.
"Looks like Man Like Malik has a history with Striker… or maybe the Shadow Guild," Zurich muttered, watching with intrigue. "Perfect. I won't need to waste any more scrolls."
"Brother Bolt, should we help?" Rina asked, eyes glowing.
"No," Bolt101 said sharply. "There's too many players watching this stream. He's already done something impossible, and we had to resort to an external item. Ganging up on him now will only ruin our reputation."
"That's true…" Rina hesitated, then nodded. "But don't forget—he has an Epic weapon."
Their eyes met. A silent understanding passed between them.
Ghost Blade narrowed his eyes.
Can't Striker defeat someone half his level?
Back on the battlefield, Malik and Striker continued to trade blows. The ground shook beneath their feet. Every strike was heavy, precise, terrifying.
His strength… it's still ridiculously high. Must be that Epic weapon.
"I'll take your head—and that weapon," Striker growled.
Those words made Malik snap.
With a guttural yell, he poured everything into a push, forcing Striker two steps backward.
A gasp swept the battlefield.
"He pushed back the Great Assassin!"
"That means his strength… it's on par with Striker?"
"We can't hold back!" Bolt101 shouted, activating Stealth and vanishing.
Malik's focus was unshaken. His burning gaze locked onto Striker, who frowned in shock.
"The debt you owe… you will pay," Malik said.
Infernal Rending Strike!
Flames engulfed his daggers, spiraling into a wide arc. The attack surged forward like a blazing comet.
Striker barely escaped using Stealth again—but not fast enough. He reappeared beside Rina, 40% of his HP gone.
Malik wasn't about to let him off.
The spiritual energy poured into that attack was greater than even what he'd used against Kyrogh.
He dashed forward—but Rina raised her staff, chanting rapidly.
Icicle Spell!
Ice Binding!
The ground beneath Malik froze. Ice crept up his legs, waist, torso—locking his body in a solid pillar of frost.
> [Player Rina has cast an Ice Spell on you. Movement has been restricted for 30 seconds. HP will be depleted by 1% every second.]
Malik's HP was already below 20%. Without moving, he'd die in 30 seconds. But no one was planning to wait.
Dozens of players surged forward—each desperate to be the one to take him down.
Bolt101 reappeared behind Malik and drove a dark gold dagger into his helmet.
The Crimson Helmet absorbed half the damage, but Malik's HP still plummeted to 10%.
Striker appeared in front of him, eyes gleaming with greed. His blade raised high.
"Your weapon is mine."
Stealth Slash!
The sword slashed downward, slamming into Malik's head. Another red number—–5% HP—flashed. Malik's health dropped to 5%.
The two assassins locked eyes.
One in front.
One behind.
Two guild elders—one from Black Crescent, the other from Shadow Guild.
Only one would land the killing blow.
Who would claim the bounty?
Who would slay the man that turned impossibility into reality?
Who would defeat a Man Like Malik?