Chapter 170: Dragon Fang vs. Dark Scale
The battle for the South Nation had descended into bloody chaos. Knights clashed with Aquarian soldiers across the burning streets of the capital. Smoke and screams danced through the air like cursed spirits. The ground trembled beneath the pressure of colliding mana, and death whispered on every wind.
Volkra stood amidst it all — calm, focused, alive.
His Armor shimmered with scuff marks and blood splatter, a testament to the carnage he had already carved through. His chest rose and fell with adrenaline-fueled breath. His eyes scanned the battlefield until they landed on something... different.
Across the battlefield, an Aquarian soldier emerged, taller and bulkier than the others, his blue skin decorated with jagged black markings, like corrupted veins. His long arms ended in sharpened bone-blades, and his eyes were a deep, soulless violet.
He grinned, baring shark-like teeth.
Aquarian (gravelly voice):"You're the one in the fancy scales… Let's see if I can peel you like a fruit."
Volkra grinned back, drawing his blade with a flourish, the steel gleaming beneath the sunlight filtered through ash.
Volkra:"Come try it, fish boy. But just know — I'm not the one getting filleted today."
They lunged.
The Aquarian came in with frightening speed, his twin arm-blades slashing horizontally. Volkra ducked the first and deflected the second with a sidestep, parrying with the flat of his blade. Sparks lit the air.
Volkra spun low and swept his sword up in a crescent arc — a basic but deadly Kenjutsu cut.
Clang!
The Aquarian blocked it with his bone-blade and retaliated, driving his knee into Volkra's chest. The impact slammed him into the cracked stone wall of a building. His armor absorbed most of the blow, but blood spurted from Volkra's mouth.
He wiped his lips and grinned again, teeth bloody.
Volkra:"Not bad… But it's my turn now."
He stepped forward, sword low, his aura flaring with Divine Mana. The ground beneath his boots glowed with holy symbols.
Volkra (calmly):"Kenjutsu: Second Movement… Crescent Fang."
He vanished in a blur.
The Aquarian's eyes widened — too late. Volkra reappeared behind him in a shower of light, slashing across his back. The soldier howled in agony as his deep blue blood sprayed across the battlefield. The cut was shallow — a warning.
The Aquarian turned, rage twisting his features.
Aquarian (snarling):"You'll die screaming!"
He screamed in an unknown Aquarian tongue, his body glowing with dark purple aura.
Aquarian:"Gʼhora Vraxx'tel!"(Translation: Dark Carve)
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he lunged, spinning mid-air. One of his bone-blades extended unnaturally like a spear and pierced Volkra's left shoulder. Volkra cried out, blood gushing down his arm.
Pinned and vulnerable, he looked into the Aquarian's eyes and saw... nothing. No soul. No hesitation. No humanity.
That was all he needed.
Volkra (gritting his teeth):"Kenjutsu… Fourth Movement."
He pushed forward.
Volkra:"Swift Cut!"
In a flash, his blade arced upward in a clean line. The Aquarian gasped as his arm — the one that had impaled Volkra — fell off in a spurt of blood.
Aquarian:"GAAARGHHH!"
He staggered back, screeching. Volkra dropped to one knee, clutching his wounded shoulder. His breaths came ragged. But he wasn't done.
He raised his head, eyes glowing white with divine fury.
Volkra (softly):"Let's end this."
He plunged his sword into the ground. Divine mana surged from his body in a radiant shockwave. The Armor responded, glowing brighter, brighter still — until Volkra looked like a warrior forged from celestial flame.
He stood tall, gripping his sword with one hand, Divine Mana spiraling around the blade like a raging comet.
Volkra (roaring):"Final Technique… DRAGON'S JUDGEMENT!"
He charged.
The Aquarian barely raised his remaining blade before Volkra struck — a downward slash empowered by his spirit, training, and divine wrath.
SHHHRRRAAAAKKK!!!
The Aquarian was split in half.
For a moment, everything was silent. Then the soldier's bisected body fell, splashing onto the blood-soaked ground.
Volkra stood over the corpse, panting, blood dripping from his chin and shoulders, sword still humming.
Behind him, knights who had watched the battle in awe began to cheer, rallying at the sight.
Volkra wiped his blade clean and sheathed it, muttering quietly.
Volkra:"Told you… I'm the one who fillets around here."
Elsewhere…
From the front lines, King Thalanor felt Volkra's mana surge — a divine light, a statement to the heavens.
King Thalanor (smirking):"He's grown strong... good. We'll need that strength for what's coming."