Was this what it felt like to be completely overwhelmed?

The crushing pressure was immense.

So heavy that it was a struggle even to lift ones head.

[Unique ability Blood Lord is activated!]

The spreading red waves seemed to simultaneously herald the beginning and the end.

Shortly after, in order to prevent the destruction of the surrounding facilities due to magical overload, a blood barrier was completed.

With this, I could wreak havoc without concern of harming the empire.

The bracelet of a turncoat to think it held such power.

Amulam muttered in disbelief.

He boasted that he knew more about the tower than anyone else, having presided over it for countless years.

Of course, that was to be expected.

The information gained through years and status was what truly defined knowledge.

Players who had been in the tower barely a year could not hope to match his depth of understanding.

But then

He knows something I dont?

How could that be?

Losing in a battle of information?

No matter how much I wanted to deny it, I couldnt ignore the sight of Ataraxias clansmen appearing before me.

The harsh reality was undeniable.

You who in the world are you? How do you know all this?

Well, wouldnt you like to know?

Stop speaking in riddles and answer my question!

I understand youre curious, but arent there more pressing matters, like putting out the fire under your feet?

Jinhyuk cast a glance behind him.

There stood the queen, emanating a dire aura.

The resentment that had accumulated over time was beyond words.

The red spikes that appeared one after another over Elliss shoulder resembled harpoons, ready to be launched at any moment towards Decarsuss hounds.

Do you really intend to fight me in earnest? Even you cant possibly hope to reverse such a vast difference in strength?

Although the clansmen of Ataraxia joined the fray, their confinement over the long years left them lacking in actual combat power.

At best, only Velrus could match one of the Black Wings.

Furthermore, Ellis, restricted by a contract with a player, could not fully unleash the power of her heyday.

Your tongue has grown too long, Amulam. Have you forgotten already? Even when all five of you clan leaders drew your blades against me, I never succumbed.

Being outmatched in power didnt matter.

Nor did the existence of restrictions.

To the lord of Ataraxia, such things were not but mere excuses.

Without such a penalty, would you dare to bare your fangs at me?

That Amulam from back then do not think I am the same as I was. Time has passed, and I have grown stronger. I am not who I was in the past.

Stronger, you say How amusing that such words can be spoken so lightly.

The conversation ended there.

Amidst the tide of blood

To those who once fell before and now seek to challenge the Lord, crush them all without mercy!

We will deliver unto Decarsuss dogs the very hell weve endured. Prevent them from interfering in Lord Elliss battle by utterly defeating them!

The dark shadows crossed back and forth in all directions.

***

The battle escalated dramatically.

Previously, the fight was merely over the possession of an object.

Now, it was a full-scale war for the survival of a lineage.

The sounds of combat filled the air, along with severed limbs scattering in every direction.

These were elite fighters selected from each house, and the intensity and level of battle far exceeded any conventional understanding.

Various blood-made spells and techniques filled the sky, while screams and shouts of wrath enveloped the battlefield.

Just then

Was it you, human, who has made things so complicated!

A vampire appeared before Jinhyuk, targeting his unhealed injuries for a surprise attack.

But

Just as he swung his claws, the vampire froze in place.

Argh?

How dare you, attempting to harm my contractor with that filthy hand?

Elliss eyes turned icy cold as her voice filled with more anger than ever before.

In that instant

A crunching sound, and the vampires arm crumbled away.

Arrgh!

With a series of snaps and pops, his body was crushed beyond recognition.

Preyrad fell in a single blow?

To think a member of the Black Wings would perish so easily

The remaining vampires hesitated and retreated.

Without need for incantations, mere thought was enough to unleash such power.

This was an entirely different league of strength.

It would take hundreds, if not thousands, of ordinary clansmen to even scratch her.

Id better treat her well from now on.

Jinhyuk couldnt help but gulp as well.

Ellis parted her lips slightly.

Thanks.

What?

Thank you.

Ellis savored the words once again.

For freeing her kin.

For the opportunity to regain their lost honor and pride.

She was truly grateful.

Despite the release from restrictions, conveying emotions was still awkward.

Save your thanks for later. Its not over yet.

Elliss strength as a head of the house was known, but so was Amulams not to be underestimated.

Becoming a clan leader was not a title one got for free.

Proving that point, Amulams blood magic engulfed Ellis.

Explosions and eruptions!

With a series of compressions, dozens of blood droplets detonated.

The explosion was immensely more powerful than anything used beforeworthy of a full-powered assault against Ellis.

However

She remained unscathed.

From within the explosion, Elliss hand was seen rotating a slender three-meter spear.

My turn, I guess.

[Ellis activates Blood Spear!]

The spear, enhanced by seven revolutions, pierced through the air like a flash of lightning.

Amulams body twisted into a weird shape.

But just as that happened, his body disintegrated into dozens of bats.

Cursing underneath!

Jinhyuk and Elliss gaze locked onto the ceiling.

Amulam had just completed a massive magic circle, soaring high.

Astrexica. An ancient magic using air and blood as conduits.

Ellis, about to escape using a blink skill, found her ankles tightly bound by six serpents.

The escape routes were perfectly predicted and blocked.

No escape for you.

Lightning, bloated with blood, struck down upon Elliss head.

With a crackling sound

An onslaught of lightning seared her body repeatedly.

Rocks and marble evaporated, leaving nothing but embers consuming the air.

Amulam smiled triumphantly, believing in the perfect execution and timing.

But just as the final compression was about to happen, Elliss unique chant broke through.

No way!

Amulam gasped, feeling the air change.

The sparks that were raging everywhere had vanished.

Then, a sound of something shattering.

Crack!

Part of the Red Blood Vessel broke, and Ellis reemerged.

[Ellis activates her unique chant, Revelation of the Apocalypse!]

Seems youve forgotten, Im not the only one with a unique chant.

Black feathers covered her wingsa strange, devilish-angelic visage that instilled shudders on its own.

Behind her, a massive fiery ring appeared, ancient runic letters flaring around its edges.

It was a concoction of seduction, decadence, frightful beauty, and ominousness.

This was Elliss fully-armed state.

And when this unique chant manifested in the tower of the past

the five clan leaders and their kin had lost half their forces.