*****
"Hmmm, Astrid's doing well," Lia said, watching Astrid fight the mercenaries through a screen created with her magic. "But I don't like the look in his eye; it's like he's not even a five-year-old child at all."
She knew it was wrong – a five-year-old was meant to enjoy a normal childhood, playing in the sand and basking in the comforts of home, not battling cult members.
As she watched Astrid kill one of the Blood Cultists coldly, she stood by in shock, observing her son take down the cultists one by one. The anger in his eyes as he killed the last one, the way he spoke – it was like an adult trapped in a child's body, someone who'd faced countless battles and lost much.
Lia couldn't understand why her son bore such feelings, but she wanted to see how this would end. Luckily, Astrid had handled the situation, cleverly taking down the cultists while protecting the hostages.
"Hmmm, what's going on down there?" she commented, sensing a large amount of bloodlust. The intensity was overwhelming; a normal person would've collapsed under its weight.
As she looked back at the screen, she saw the mercenary leader swallow the orb. "I need to get down there – fast. I don't think Astrid will be able to win this one."
"But first," she said, stopping the screen's aether supplementation, "I have to get rid of all of you first!"
Countless figures in black robes surrounded her, releasing intense bloodlust. One stepped forward, his robe distinct with red trims. "Ah, Lia Starlight, the Arcane Empress. I've heard so much about you," a male voice said, laced with sarcasm.
"You Blood Cult members – just how low can you get?" Lia said, as massive amounts of aether gathered around her.
The robed man smiled through his hood. "Just how low can we get? I'd love to explain that to you." He disappeared and reappeared in front of her, holding a great sword. With perfect aim and precision, he swung downward, aiming to decapitate her.Lia responded with a shield spell, blocking the sword.
"Too bad we're not here to chat, right?"
*****
"Now let me show you the strength of the Blood Cult," the mercenary leader said as a massive amount of bloodlust exploded from his body. The hostages collapsed under the weight and pressure.
'Fuck!! I have to end this now, before the orb fully incorporates with his system. If not, even I won't be able to stop him,' Astrid thought. He immediately kicked the ground, rushing towards the mercenary leader with his sword in tow, ready to perform a horizontal swing. He gathered the aether in his body and concentrated it in his sword.
The mercenary leader, sensing the aether approaching, suddenly opened his bloodshot eyes. With an evil grin, he grabbed Astrid's sword. Astrid's eyes widened in shock as he tried to pull away, but the mercenary leader's strength held him in place. The mercenary leader pulled on the sword, bringing Astrid closer, before his fist connected with Astrid's face, sending him flying across the room to crash into a wall.
Astrid coughed violently as he looked up at the mercenary leader, who was already walking slowly towards him. 'What the fuck is with this strength? I don't remember him being this strong in the anime,' Astrid thought.
<<< Quest update >>>
<<< A powerful character has emerged; he has enough power to influence the storyline. The host must stop him at all costs. >>>
<<< Rewards >>>
<<< +5 points to all stats >>>
<<< New talent: Martial Arts Technique of the Raging Tiger; Liu Zhangji >>>
<<< +5% increase to all current Talents >>>
<<< Failure to complete will resulin the characterer's death and loss of many lives >>>
'The fuck!!' Astrid thought with raised eyebrows. 'When the hell did this stupid system start giving quests? And the fact it's being generous with its rewards shows how strong this bastard became after absorbing that orb!'
"Don't fucking zone out when facing me!" the mercenary leader exclaimed as he waved his hand, casting a large fireball spell that he fired in Astrid's direction. The heat emanating from the fireball was immense, and the air contorted under its intensity.
Astrid dashed to the side, dodging the blast with relative ease. He tried regaining his balance as fast as possible, only to see the mercenary leader had disappeared and reappeared beside him, his sword raised for a downward swing.
Sensing the killing intent directed at him, Astrid turned quickly and raised his sword to block the strike. However, the impact left him reeling. Before he could recover, the mercenary leader launched a kick at Astrid's chest, sending him flying once more.
"Arghhhh!!! Damn this bitch. At this rate, I'll be killed before I know it," Astrid thought as he got up. His eyes grew cold as he breathed out, "Time to get serious!"
This time, Astrid rushed towards the mercenary leader with great speed, swinging his sword at the mercenary leader's head. The mercenary leader blocked the attack with ease, but Astrid spun with his sword, cutting the mercenary leader at his hip and causing blood to spill on the floor.
The mercenary leader's face darkened with rage as he saw his blood. "You bastard!" he exclaimed, charging at Astrid.
Astrid met him head-on, their swords clashing in a flurry of steel and sparks. The two combatants exchanged blows, their movements lightning-fast as they danced around the floor. While Astrid moved with fluidity and precision, the mercenary leader's sword style was more rugged and filled with madness, occasionally throwing in spells to throw Astrid off.
'I'm tired,' Astrid thought as the mercenary leader coated his body with lightning and threw a quick, heavy punch that blasted through Astrid's ribs and sent him flying.
"At the end of the day, you're just a damn child!" the mercenary leader said, rushing towards Astrid once more.
'It hurts,' Astrid said to himself, hardly able to stand up. Before he could collect himself, the mercenary leader's fist had already connected with his face, sending him flying once more.
'Damnation! Am I going to fucking die? I didn't even get to live this life to the fullest,' Astrid thought, his battered body laid on the floor, his blood staining the ground.
"I guess it's time for you to die!" the mercenary leader said, raising his sword for the final blow. Suddenly, the ceiling collapsed, a figure floated in, massive amounts of aether coating their body. The figure's face darkened upon seeing Astrid's broken body.
Astrid stared at the figure, his eyes slowly closing as one thought played in his head. 'Heh! I have never seen Mom this angry! You're dead now.'
"Get your disgusting hands of my son!!"
******
(Author's note: 2/2 chapters today
Next update tommorow
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