Hero of Darkness

In the midst of the intense battle, Kahn's unique abilities came to the forefront.

His Life Sense skill, acquired from a legendary rank monster called Ashokvatika that they encountered in Verlassen, allowed him to detect the life force manipulation that Sylvana was employing.

This skill, combined with his King of the Jungle ability, enabled him to sense the fluctuations in life force despite no longer possessing saintly powers or the ability to sense world energy.

Maximus, who had his own heightened sensory abilities as Hero of Nature, also noticed the unusual regeneration phenomenon.

The pressure was mounting as Kahn and his companions fought against the formidable Lord Rank monsters. The urgency of the situation was not lost on him.

As their battle strategy continued, Kahn's mind raced with thoughts and calculations.

[If this goes on, we will get tired out within an hour.

All of them are Lord Rank monsters, and even with our strategy, we will expend all of our mana and then we will be at her mercy.] Kahn acknowledged, recognizing the limitations of their current approach.

The powerful enemies they faced were wearing them down, and their resources were depleting rapidly.

Kahn's mind churned with possibilities, his thoughts racing as he assessed their dire circumstances.

[I have plenty of skills that can overturn the situation within minutes, the problem is…] Kahn pondered, aware of the potential game-changing abilities at his disposal.

He had techniques that could turn the tide of the battle swiftly, but there was a significant obstacle in his path.

[I can't use them without risking everyone questioning my identity. All of them are Saints; they know the limitations of bloodlines, elemental affinity, and skill.

So no one would buy in some bullshit excuse if I do anything that goes against my current persona as a Brawler Saint.] Kahn mused, realizing the complexity of his predicament.

His true abilities, if unleashed, could potentially reveal his identity as the Hero of Darkness, and that was a secret he had to protect at all costs.

As Kahn's mind whirred with thoughts and potential solutions, Sylvana continued her crucial role, reviving the fallen creatures they were battling.

Her efforts provided another headache the relentless onslaught of enemies persisted, and the party's stamina was wearing thin.

Time was of the essence, and Kahn knew that a decisive move was necessary to shift the odds in their favor.

But the constraints of his current persona as a Brawler Saint weighed heavily on him, forcing him to navigate a delicate balance between utilizing his true abilities and maintaining his cover.

With each passing moment, Kahn's internal struggle intensified, and he knew that the next move he made could determine the outcome of the battle. The pressure was mounting, but he was determined to find a solution that would ensure their survival without revealing his true identity.

[The best way to get rid of the snake is to cut its head.

But the problem is all these monsters charging at us.] Kahn mused quietly under his breath, his eyes scanning the chaotic battlefield.

He recognized the need for a strategic move that could disrupt the enemy's advance and potentially change the course of the battle.

His thoughts were interrupted by the commanding voice of Maximus, who was in the midst of the fierce combat, using his shield and greatsword with precision, cleaved through a 5 meter tall monster in a single swing.

"Atreus! Let Pokawor take your place." Maximus ordered, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Kahn's brows furrowed in momentary surprise at the unexpected command. He considered the implications of the order, weighing the potential consequences.

He knew that leaving his position in the formation could weaken their defense and expose them to even greater danger.

"Go for the summoner!" Maximus's voice carried the urgency of the situation, and Kahn's mind raced as he contemplated his options.

"This snake isn't strong enough to hold the front in my place." Kahn replied, his voice laced with concern for the integrity of their formation. He understood the importance of maintaining a strong defensive line to withstand the onslaught of monsters.

"Don't worry, I will assist him." Svana, the assassin, chimed in, her determination clear in her voice.

With this support, Kahn was free to act on his own.

Bang!

Amidst the chaos of the stampeding wood elemental creatures, Atreus became a whirlwind of motion. His figure darted and weaved through the onslaught with unparalleled agility, his movements a masterful display of martial prowess.

Punches and kicks were delivered with precision, each movement calculated to maximize impact and minimize wasted effort.

The close gaps between the creatures posed no hindrance to him; instead, they seemed to serve as opportunities for him to demonstrate his exceptional reflexes.

As tempting as it might have been to unleash flashy area-of-effect skills, Atreus understood the futility of such a display. With Sylvana's ability to revive the fallen creatures, a more strategic approach was required.

He focused on efficiency, swiftly incapacitating the creatures in his path while carving out a trail through the stampede.

In the midst of the battle, Sylvana, the Druid Summoner, took notice of Atreus' approach. Her expression twisted into a devilish smirk, a combination of amusement and arrogance.

"How naive. To think that just one warrior who isn't even a Hero dares to charge at me." she taunted, her voice dripping with scorn.

At that moment, the ground itself seemed to respond to Sylvana's intentions. A violent tremor shook the earth, and from below erupted a colossal wall of trees and thorns, thick and impenetrable.

It rose with an imposing force, forming an impromptu barrier that shielded Sylvana from Atreus' advance.

But the obstacle was not the only surprise in store. The air resonated with a thunderous roar that reverberated through the battlefield.

From behind the newly formed barrier emerged a monstrous entity, a hulking hound-like creature composed of intertwining vines and menacing spikes. Its eyes gleamed with an eerie green light, and its very presence exuded a sense of primal power.

The massive hound stood tall, a towering guardian created from the very elements of nature. Its appearance was both awe-inspiring and formidable, a testament to Sylvana's mastery over her druidic abilities.

Atreus came to a halt, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the formidable obstacle before him. The battle had taken a dramatic turn, and he now faced a challenge unlike any he had encountered before.

With a focused gaze, Atreus braced himself, ready to confront the monstrous guardian and prove that even without flashy skills, his determination and skills were more than enough to overcome whatever obstacle stood in his way.

"Oh, come on! Why is it always have to be a dog?

I'm a dog-person. I don't enjoy killing monsters that look like them." spoke Atreus, rolling his eyes in exasperation.

"Come here, puppy. Let daddy put a leash on you." he spoke and gestured to the hound with his left hand, as if challenging it for a bout.

Thud!

Thud!

The monstrous hound charged relentlessly at Atreus, its sheer size and power causing the very ground to tremble beneath its mighty footsteps.

As it closed the distance, the tension in the battlefield heightened, and a palpable sense of anticipation hung in the air.

Yet, despite the impending threat, Atreus remained resolute and unwavering. His expression shifted from determined to oddly serene, a hint of confidence dancing in his eyes.

He seemed almost at peace as he stood his ground, a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him.

BOOM!!

Then, in a sudden and explosive burst of energy, Atreus unleashed his hidden strength.

With a forceful stomp that reverberated through the earth, the ground beneath him trembled and crumbled. It was as if the very earth yielded to his power, acknowledging his command.

But the display of his might didn't end there. As the ground shattered, Atreus channeled his energy into a profound display of elemental mastery.

A surge of permafrost erupted from the point of impact, radiating outward like a tidal wave. Its icy tendrils engulfed everything in its path, freezing both the charging monsters and the very air around them.

Shatter!

Crumble!

The monsters, once formidable and relentless, now stood frozen and fragile, their bodies crystallized in an icy prison. The very fabric of their being succumbed to the freezing onslaught, shattering like delicate glass upon impact.

The hound, too, felt the icy grip of Atreus' power. The permafrost spread across its form, encasing its legs in a frozen embrace.

The once thunderous charge slowed to a crawl, each movement weighed down by the relentless grip of the ice. It was a stunning display of control over the elements, a testament to Atreus' mastery over his abilities.

As the frozen remnants of the monsters fell to the ground and the hound struggled against its icy restraints, Atreus stood amidst the aftermath, his affirming smile still in place.

"Tch! Not bad. It looks like he has some strong skills." spoke Sylvana and looked at Atreus.

"Do you want to challenge me, Fenrirborne. I guess it should entertain me for a whi…"

But before the Dryad could complete her words…

GRAB!!

A figure appeared right behind her and grabbed her neck.

"Shut the fuck up!"

Crack!

Without making any unnecessary and flashy moves, the real Atreus grabbed and snapped Sylvana's neck.

And so fell the first enemy they faced in God's Domain.