NOVEL NEXT Chapter 325: They Gave Me No Chance to Resist!
With a resounding *pop*, the soldiers, possessing reflexes and strength beyond that of ordinary humans, effortlessly struck Desmond's body, targeting his vital areas. The sickening sound of blood dripping incessantly echoed through the air, staining the wooden floor beneath.
Then, a sudden *clank* interrupted the assault. As one of the soldiers aimed for Desmond's chest, his weapon met an unexpected resistance, producing a sharp and metallic clash that left everyone dumbfounded. The soldier stared at his trembling weapon in disbelief, his comrades mirroring his confusion while stealing glances at Desmond's body.
In a swift and unexpected turn of events, a shadow materialized behind Desmond, accompanied by a rush of wind that carried a tremendous force. The shadow's attack swiftly severed Desmond's head, causing it to roll along the ground. The impact of this personal assault forced the soldiers to stagger backward, their bodies pushed by the powerful gust.
The soldiers and onlookers remained frozen, unable to comprehend the brutal scene before them. Some of the students couldn't bear to witness the gruesome sight and fainted, while even Elizabeth and Diana couldn't help but retch at the horrifying spectacle.
"Finish him before he gets a chance," a voice commanded. Vesta and the city lord, Greyson, emerged from behind Desmond's lifeless body. They nonchalantly wiped their blades, now stained with Desmond's blood.
As people noticed the dual slashes on Desmond's neck, they were left in awe of Vesta and Greyson's extraordinary abilities. Their gazes shifted to Desmond's headless body, still standing, with traces of Weston magic lingering on its form.
Meanwhile, from Desmond's fading perspective, the world began to spin, and his view gradually lowered, aligning with the ground. He could observe his headless body, blood gushing like a fountain from his neck, while Vesta and Greyson stood nearby.
[The passive skill Dragon Heart automatically activated]
[Cost: Deducting 6 months from the host's lifespan]
Pain surged through Desmond, and he uttered his thoughts inwardly. Suddenly, his vision shifted, and he found his head miraculously reattached to his body.
Desmond cast a brief glance at the terror-stricken crowd. Not wasting a moment, he disregarded Vesta and Greyson's reactions and immediately activated his spell.
Elemental Control: Iron Sword.
Energy coalesced around his hand, rapidly materializing into the form of a sword. However, before the weapon could fully manifest, a searing fireball collided with his hand, reducing it to ashes.
"Not so fast, boy," Jessy spoke icily. A magic circle materialized before her, emitting a trail of smoke in Desmond's direction. The burning sensation lingered on his hand as the flames consumed his very bones.
Determined not to let him survive, Vesta and Greyson wasted no time, swiftly stabbing and slashing at Desmond's head once more. This time, they drove their blades deep into his neck, pinning them firmly.
"Stab his heart!" Vesta commanded, her voice reverberating through the hall. The soldiers regained their senses and, with renewed vigor, thrust their long spears towards Desmond's heart.
Yet, with a metallic *clank*, their assault met the same resistance as before. The soldiers staggered back, their weapons trembling in their hands.
"Basic Spell: Topping!"
"Advanced Spell: Reinforce!"
One by one, the mages chanted, empowering the melee attackers. Seizing the opportunity, Vesta and Greyson retrieved their reversed weapons and unleashed their full strength, forcefully piercing Desmond's chest.
Yet, even with their full power and the assistance of the mages' spells, their swords failed to penetrate what should have been soft flesh, meeting an unyielding resistance. Instead of hitting Desmond's body, their blades struck a hard object, leaving them perplexed.
[The passive skill Dragon Heart automatically activated]
[Cost: Deducting 6 months from the host's lifespan]
Simultaneously, as Desmond regained his head and his vision returned to normal, he witnessed the soldiers, Vesta, and Greyson hastily distancing themselves from him.
"Attack!" Greyson commanded with a single gesture, causing the magic circle hovering above him to emit a brilliant glow.
"Basic Spell: Rapid Attack!"
"Basic Spell: Rapid Attack!"
A barrage of elemental assaults tore through Desmond's body—metal arrows piercing his flesh and burning swords searing his skin. Each strike peeled away his skin, while a pool of blood formed around his collapsing form. The wooden floor shattered, giving way to a wide and deep pit that engulfed him. The once-orderly hall now lay in disarray, with students observing the chaos from a safe distance.
Desmond's vision blurred as blood filled his sight. Relief washed over him momentarily when the attacks ceased, but he soon noticed that all attention had shifted to Jessy and a few teachers from the academy.
"Advanced Spell: Element Burst!"
"Advanced Spell: Element Burst!"
Unlike the previous barrage of elemental assaults, Jessy and the academy teachers conjured massive weapons shaped from the elements—javelins, swords as large as boulders.
*Boom*
The onslaught shattered Desmond's body, agony consuming him and threatening to break his spirit. He managed a glance at the pit, now a gaping chasm, large enough to accommodate a caravan.
[The passive skill Dragon Heart automatically activated]
[Cost: Deducting 6 months from the host's lifespan]
[The passive skill Dragon Heart automatically activated]
[Cost: Deducting 6 months from the host's lifespan]
[The passive skill Dragon Heart automatically activated]
...
The system's notifications continued to echo in his consciousness as the energy around him gradually restored his body, piece by piece. Just when Desmond thought the assault had concluded, he realized that another wave of attacks awaited his rejuvenating form.
*Bom* *Bom*
Once again, Desmond experienced the relentless assault, his body shattering anew, accompanied by a flurry of system notifications.
Fuck! They never give me a chance! Desmond cursed inwardly, feeling the vitality and cells within his body deteriorating.
Custom Skill: Overpower.
With a resolute command, his shattered body began to reassemble, missing parts returning, but now bulging and reddened. Veins snaked across his skin like serpents, creeping up to his neck.
Simultaneously, a notification appeared in his mind.
[The durability of the Dragon Necklace has reached zero!]
[The stored spell within the necklace is malfunctioning!]
As this notification materialized, Desmond's swollen form radiated an aura befitting a black dragon, exuding the majestic presence of his draconic heritage, instilling fear and awe in all those who bore witness.