I Guard The Book That Slays Gods

The atmosphere became suffocating, thick with confusion and terror as frightened murmurs rippled through the crowd. All eyes were locked on Raiden, his devilish grin stark against his luminous white hair that seemed to glow in the darkness.

Everything looked hazy, but he understood one fundamental truth: the night was his to command. Just then, one of the black-clad men launched himself forward, crossing the space between them in two lightning-fast steps that outpaced even Raiden's mana-enhanced reflexes.

Yet Raiden moved as if he'd seen it all before. When his attacker reached striking distance, three vicious kicks found their mark, two slamming into ribs and one crushing the throat. He shivered with dark pleasure, golden eyes scanning for more prey.

The attacks were impossibly fast, beyond what anyone could perceive, adding to their shock. All they witnessed was the man suddenly hitting the ground, gripping his neck while blood ran from his nose.

Shock and bewilderment crossed Noelle's face as she watched the transformation unfold. Raiden ignored her completely, his attention shifting to the remaining men in black like a hunter selecting his next prey.

He cocked his head slightly, and instantly a deafening blast erupted, sending dust billowing through the air. As it settled, everyone gasped; Raiden's palm was crushing against one of the men's faces. Terror filled the man's dark eyes, sweat dripping despite the frigid night. He struggled weakly but found himself trapped by Raiden's demented stare.

Before the attacker could even react, Raiden drove his head down with inhuman strength, obliterating his skull against the hard ground. Blood erupted in all directions, bathing Raiden in warm crimson.

The remaining four attackers tried to create distance, but Raiden's velocity under the pale moonlight was incomprehensible to them. Only glimpses of his luminous white hair marked his passage through the darkness.

He swept through them like a shadow made flesh, his strikes carrying such overwhelming power they damaged not just their bodies but their souls themselves. Two men dropped before the others could even comprehend his presence, their life's blood staining the arena floor.

As he went for one of the last two attackers, his blow suddenly stopped as if hitting a wall of air. He pulled back and tried once more, but the same invisible force stood between him and his prey.

His malevolent expression cracked for the first time, giving way to genuine confusion. The puzzle grew worse, somehow, one of the men had vanished entirely, while his remaining opponent stood calm and collected, showing none of the terror that had consumed the others.

Fascination sparked in Raiden as his twisted smile crept back across his face. Dragon mana surged into his hand as he unleashed a devastating punch at the bearer. The blow's force created a violent gust that scattered bystanders seeking cover and stirred Noelle's dark hair where she watched from the shadows.

Raiden remained unfazed, continuing his assault with one powerful strike after another, each matching the last in ferocity. While the barrier stood untouched, his opponent's attitude changed—teeth gritted, stance braced against the force that threatened to send him flying.

However, each strike sent waves of overwhelming thrill through Raiden. Soft giggles bubbled up from his throat, growing into light laughter that quickly spiraled into wild, psychotic hysteria.

With Ash resting calmly on her shoulder, Noelle retrieved her aether cigarette and placed it between her lips. Her eyes never left Raiden as she observed his dangerous, unhinged state.

Her face reflected her inner turmoil: confusion tempered by an odd tranquility. She understood that Raiden's secrets were beyond her comprehension, yet something flickered in her gaze, a quiet intrigue about what he was becoming.

Her expression darkened immediately as the vanished figure reappeared behind Raiden. So lost was he in the euphoric rush of his strikes that he failed to detect the presence entirely.

Noelle ran toward them but couldn't reach him in time. The attacker's strike to Raiden's neck was swift and decisive—his body went limp, and he collapsed unconscious.

[ALERT]

[MANA SOLIDIFICATION SUCCESSFUL]

[+5XP]

[CURRENT STATUS: NUMBER 6: LEVEL-50 /100 XP.]

[STAMINA: +5

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: +5

DRAGON MANA POOL: 1080/5000

SOUL OF DRAGON: +5%

HEART OF DRAGON: +5%

MOON DRAGON'S VEIN: +5%]

His transformation unwound: white hair darkening, chaotic aura turning blue, and his tattoos fading into nothing.

The instant Noelle arrived, the person who had attacked Raiden faced her and held up a commanding hand. "Stop!"

Noelle came to an abrupt stop, every muscle primed for violence as she prepared to eliminate the threat to Raiden.

"He belongs to the Chaos Armada now." The voice was steady and composed, clearly belonging to a woman hidden beneath the robe.

Noelle's eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on the woman.

"You belong to the Justice Armada, right?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Noelle asked, wariness creeping into her tone.

She released a weary sigh and looked back at Raiden as her ally employed their ability, lifting his unconscious form to float in midair.

"You can't interfere with other armadas' business." Noelle relaxed her stance but kept her gaze alert. "The Justice Armada tested you before they chose you, didn't they?"

Noelle shrugged.

"This is beyond the pre-selection trials."

She took the aether cigarette from her lips and rolled it between her fingers. "I wasn't aware ganging up on allies was permitted."

The robed figure started moving past Noelle, carrying Raiden's suspended form.

"We can do anything we please, just as they did to you."

Though obviously angered by their methods, Noelle remained wary of trusting them. She trailed behind as they exited the arena.

"Can I just check that he's okay?"

The girl turned toward Noelle, her face still hidden within the dark robe's shadows. "We know what your abilities are, Wolf. You're not touching him." She resumed walking.

A sneer twisted Noelle's features, her irritation plain to see. "Rule Domain." Her golden aura abruptly shifted, no longer flowing but forming a perfect sphere that trapped them all inside.

Both Chaos Armada members came to a halt, turning back toward Noelle as she stood with obvious satisfaction, a smile radiating confidence. "Now I get to check on him."

"Like I said, we know exactly what you can do." Both figures turned and strolled out of the domain without concern. "Hell, he was tough. My hands are still throbbing," her companion remarked.

Noelle's eyes widened in horror as she realized what was happening. The aether cigarette tumbled from her shaking hand. "Rule Domain!" she called again. "Stay where you are!" But they passed through her golden sphere like it was nothing.

Her expression flickered between bewilderment and anger as she called forth her domain again. "Cease all movement!" she ordered, but her ability continued to fail against them.

Her eyes flickered with devastating recognition, as if her foundation had cracked beneath her. This was no longer about Raiden's welfare—her pride was at stake.

She looked down at herself as they disappeared completely into the darkness with Raiden.

"What the fuck?" she muttered, fists clenched in helpless rage.

She didn't need to express her embarrassment; it was clear she wouldn't let them have the last laugh.