Saquin: Death To My Enemies

Saquin's eyes flicked over each opponent, calculating his every move, each second a string in the web he was weaving, the web of death.

He looked over his unique skill—Doppelganger.

- Unique - Doppelganger (lvl 2) {

Ability to create a clone, which retains host features but with 50% power. Clones can be controlled remotely, given instructions, or host can transfer full consciousness. Full consciousness transfer not advised due to death trauma and power confusion. Clones have limited access to system abilities, none to host's unique abilities. SP cost: 50

maximum number of clone: 2 (increases by level)

}

To his left, Dread roared and lunged toward Relia, his massive form barreling forward, intending to overpower her first. Saquin's clone wasted no time, charging at the golden dragon with its own relentless speed, a mere blur of motion.

That left him with Sir Bret. The man grinned, eyes glinting with dangerous energy as he lunged forward, closing the gap in a heartbeat.

The sheer power in Bret's punch forced Saquin into motion, dodging with fluid ease and retaliating with a swift, brutal roundhouse kick.

Boom!

An explosion of heat and force erupted, forcing Saquin backward. His feet slid across the ground, but he steadied himself, only to find Bret already closing in again, fists crackling with explosive energy. Saquin blocked the next punch, feeling the heat scorch his skin even as he seized Bret's wrist, his other hand striking for the throat in one swift motion.

Boom!

The blast forced Saquin to release his hold, flipping back to create distance, but Bret pressed forward, his fists a flurry of detonations. Each impact was a small firestorm, and yet Saquin moved through it, weaving between the explosions with vampire speed, inching closer and closer.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The air around them was an unending series of fiery impacts. Bret increased his power, summoning five small incendiary spheres that hovered around him, exploding in a chaotic rhythm that even Saquin found difficult to anticipate.

But he thrived in the chaos. Blurring into motion, he evaded the explosions, his focus sharp as he closed the distance in a flash. His punch collided with an energy wall Bret had thrown up at the last second.

Boom!

Saquin pushed through, ignoring the searing pain, his strength pressing against the shield. But Bret was no fool. He condensed the shield into a small, potent disc just as Saquin struck it.

Boom!

The force sent Saquin hurtling back, his arm torn and bleeding as he crashed into a cluster of trees.

But just as he hit the last tree, creating a bust of debris, he—

Doppelganger. Shadow movement.

[ -50SP, -20SP ]

—dissolved into the shadows as a clone took his place.

His clone came out of the debris, brushing off the debris and fixing his gaze on Bret.

He sprinted forward again, another punch colliding with Bret's shield, but this time, something shifted.

Bret's keen eyes caught it instantly—the punch, though powerful, didn't carry the same weight. His eyes narrowed, his instincts as a royal guard and scientist picking up the subtle change.

"Another clone!" Bret muttered, realization dawning as he scanned for Saquin's real position.

The clone only grinned, holding his attention. "Not your turn," it taunted, landing a sharp jab to draw him back into the fight.

Saquin smirked, hidden in the shadows of the forest, he connected to the shadows positioned behind Dread.

Meanwhile, a couple moments ago.

The battlefield was alive with chaos—the thunderous force of Bret's explosions, the fiery clash between Relia and Dread, the golden dragon fight with one of Saquin clones.

Relia's hands were still in her pockets as she floated and dodged dread on–slaught mid-air, her golden SP coating her, while dread kept up by jumping from one floating rock to another, every one of his attack carrying a hint of magma.

Feeling annoyed by Relia's indifference towards his attacks he stopped the pursuit, stretched out his hands to call upon his spear, which came flying.

He took a throwing stance, enforced his spear with magma and threw it with all his strength.

It was at this moment.

"Time Brief," he heard a voice at his back, as he felt his body slow. He recognized the owner of the voice, and he could tell he was under the effect of a unique ability.

Just how many powers? Dread thought but he refused to succumb to this.

He pushed out practically all the latent magma in his body to cover his scales to shield himself against attacks.

Even if he is slowed and can't attack back, he can still defend. This was his train of thought but,

Puchi!

Saquin claws dug into Dread's thick neck. Then,

Slash!

Saquin used a dagger, he had stolen it from one of Ryan's men body, infused the blade with SP and used it to decapitate Dread.

The giant faltered, his roar dying on his lips as the light in his eyes faded. The magma energy within him dissipated into the earth, and Saquin caught his severed head before it could hit the ground.

[ +170 XP ]

[ Leveled up: Level 4 –> Level 5 ]

Saquin grinned, holding up his trophy.

Relia who had just dealt with Dread's thrown spear, noticed his death, her golden eyes widening.

She knew exactly what the dragon death by another represented, and fury clouded her expression. How will I justify my absence to Father!

With a flick, Saquin tossed Dread's head into the forest. He watched her eyes follow it, her focus slipping just long enough for him to create another clone to keep her distracted. His doppelganger skill had upgraded again.

His clone charged her, drawing her attention as he prepared for the next phase of his Art.

Relia didn't hold back, her golden aura flaring as she cut down the clone in a single, brutal strike, piercing the clones heart. The clone remnants faded away as she ordered her dragon to retrieve Dread's head from the forest.

With her focus fractured, Saquin turned his attention back to Bret, who was still engaged with the clone he had left behind. The clone was battered, each explosion rocking it back, but it regenerated with grim determination, holding Bret's attention.

The real Saquin closed in, Time Brief granting him the momentary edge he needed to bridge the distance in a flash. Bret turned just in time to see Saquin's claws descend upon him.

Slash!

The blow cut deep, bypassing Bret's defenses and striking straight through his chest. Bret gasped, eyes wide with shock, but Saquin's face remained impassive. In one swift motion, he tore through his opponent, ending the fight in a decisive, ruthless blow.

Bret's lifeless form crumpled to the ground.

[ +120XP ]

This is the art of killing, Mythic.

[ ... ]

Saquin looked up to see Relia's face twisted with rage and disbelief.

"Your highness," Saquin greeted with an elegant bow, his tone that of a butler to their master. "It seems you've misplaced your attention."