Chapter 367: Elites at the Gate
The gates of the stronghold rumbled open. From inside, four figures stepped out together.
Each one carried the aura of a top fighter. One wore Hero armor that gleamed under the mist.
Another was a robed Mage with a glowing staff.
Beside them walked a tall Cultivator with steady eyes, and a fierce Beastman with sharp claws.
They were the elites chosen by the Supremes.
They stopped a short distance from Savra and Velra, their weapons raised and ether flaring around them.
The Hero elite stepped forward first, his voice steady.
"So you are the Infernal Demon and the Velvet Demon of the Heavenly Demon Sect?"
Savra smirked, resting one hand on her hip. "And what if we are?"
Velra twirled her whip lazily, her rose-colored eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Are you the leaders of this stronghold? You don't look the part."
The Cultivator elite shook his head slowly.
"No. We are not the leaders. But you disrespected the Alliance with your arrogance."
The Beastman elite cracked his knuckles, his claws glowing faintly. "And for that, we are here to discipline you."
Savra let out a low laugh, fire flickering across her fingertips. "Discipline me? That's rich."
Velra leaned forward slightly, her whip snapping against the ground with a loud crack.
"Let's see if you can even lay a finger on us."
The Mage elite narrowed her eyes, lifting her staff as glowing runes formed in the air.
"You speak boldly. But strength will decide the truth."
The four elites spread out, circling around Savra and Velra.
Their auras grew heavier as they prepared to strike from every angle.
Savra's crimson eyes gleamed. "Finally… some fun."
Velra smirked, spinning her whip as a violet illusion shimmered around her. "Try not to die too quickly."
The four elites tightened their stance.
With a quick signal between them, they spread apart, their weapons and auras ready.
Savra glanced at Velra, her lips curling into a playful grin. "Two each?"
Velra licked her lips, her eyes gleaming. "Fair enough. Don't burn them all before I have my fun."
Savra let out a small laugh, her hand igniting with a swirling flame. "Can't promise that."
At once, both women darted forward.
The ground cracked under their feet as they moved in opposite directions.
The elites reacted quickly, dividing themselves as well.
The Mage raised her staff, stepping beside the Beastman.
Together, they cut off Velra's path.
The Hero elite rushed forward, his shield glowing with runes, while the Cultivator slid into position beside him, qi swirling around his fists.
They focused on Savra.
The Beastman elite bared his fangs, pointing his claw at Velra. "You're mine!"
The Mage's voice followed sharply, runes glowing above her staff.
"And I'll make sure you regret mocking the Alliance!"
Velra only smirked, her whip snapping with a crack. "Good. Come at me together. I like breaking pairs."
She stepped back lightly, separating herself from Savra's fight, her figure shimmering with faint illusions.
The Beastman elite snarled and slammed his claws into the ground.
His aura burst outward. "[Blood Hunt Zone]!"
Blood-red mist spread out, marking Velra with a glowing scent.
His body bulged with muscle, speed, and strength, rising instantly. "You can't hide from me now. I'll tear you apart!"
The Mage elite raised her staff, runes circling above her head.
A dome of glowing symbols spread outward. "[Runic Gridlock]!"
Chains of runes floated in the air, filling the dome around Velra.
Every movement she made felt heavier, her speed slightly dulled.
Velra tilted her head, smirking at them both. "So… one to weaken me, and the other to hunt me. Clever."
She snapped her whip, violet ether burning across her body. "But you forgot something…"
A violet haze burst from her as she raised her hand. "[Velvet Demon Zone]!"
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
The Beastman and Mage didn't notice anything at first, but Velra's smile widened.
"Let's see how well you fight… when every touch feels like pain itself."
The Mage frowned but continued to chant, unaware of the change. "Bind her down! [Astral Seal Burst]!"
Flaming chains and lightning bolts shot at Velra, forcing her to dodge.
The Beastman lunged forward, his claws glowing as he roared. "[Rending Fang Howl]!"
The sound shook the ground as he slashed, releasing crescent waves of ether claws that ripped toward Velra.
Velra laughed, her body flickering with illusions as she twisted out of the path. "You're fast… but not fast enough."
A barbed chain of violet ether coiled around her hand.
She leapt upward, her whip snapping out. "Catch this."
The chain wrapped around the Beastman's arm, hooks digging into his flesh.
"Arghh—!!" the Beastman roared, stumbling back.
His face twisted in shock. "Why… does it hurt this much?!"
Every second inside the [Velvet Demon Zone] amplified his pain, turning a normal wound into unbearable agony.
The Mage's eyes widened. "Impossible… how is she moving so quickly inside my [Runic Gridlock]?!"
Velra yanked the chain hard, pulling the Beastman elite down to his knees. The barbs dug deeper, tearing at his flesh.
The Beastman snarled, veins bulging as his muscles swelled. "[Beast Rage Hide]!"
His body glowed with savage energy, skin hardening like iron.
With a loud roar, he flexed his arms and ripped the chain apart, shards of violet ether scattering into the air.
Velra tilted her head and clapped mockingly. "Ohhh, impressive. You broke free."
Her smirk widened. "That just means I can make you scream even louder."
Violet ether coiled around her arm again, shaping into another weapon.
This time, it was a long barbed whip.
She snapped it through the air, the hooks gleaming under the glow of the Mage's runes.
"Let's see how much you can take."
Crack!
The whip lashed across the Beastman's chest.
His hardened skin resisted at first, but the hooks tore through, leaving burning wounds.
"Graaahhh!" he roared, staggering back. His claws raked the ground as he glared at her with fury.
"No matter what you do," he growled, blood dripping from his wounds, "I only become stronger the more I'm injured!"
Velra licked her lips, her rose-colored eyes shining with cruel delight.
"Is that so? Then you'll give me plenty of delicious screams."
She struck again, the barbed whip wrapping around his arm, pulling him sideways.
The Beastman howled, every tear in his skin amplified by the [Velvet Demon Zone], turning pain into torment.
The Mage's grip on her staff trembled as she stepped back, her eyes locked on Velra.
"How… how can this be? She's stronger than I thought…"
Her breathing quickened, panic setting in. "What spell… what power… can I use to turn this around?"