The world slowed as Valen Draeg stepped through the smoke.
His serpent chain-sword unraveled behind him like a predator tasting blood. Its links shimmered with darkened obsidian, each segment glowing faintly with crimson mana. He wore no helm. His silver hair fluttered behind him, and his eyes—piercing violet—locked onto one man:
Ankit Kumar.
📢 [Floor Authority Override: Valen Draeg has invoked the Tower's Execution Right]
💀 Blood Contract Engagement Initiated
📛 All allies of the Contract Target are considered secondary targets.
❗ Defeating the Executor will trigger a World Title Event.
Blackhunt froze. This wasn't an ordinary fight.
Toni's mind raced. "He's invoking Tower Code. That means his stats are temporarily boosted."
Ankit stepped forward without hesitation.
"I'll handle him."
Raunak growled. "Like hell you will—"
"Stay with the guild." Ankit drew both Talwars. "If I fall here, you hold the name Blackhunt."
Valen smirked. "Poetic. But this isn't a duel, boy. This is an erasure."
⚔️ Duel: Ankit vs Valen Draeg
The two clashed in the center of the ruined field.
Valen's serpent-blade struck from angles that defied logic—bending in mid-air, splitting and reforming, slicing through stone and shield alike. But Ankit's footwork, honed in the chaos of the Tower, adapted fast.
Their weapons screeched with every clash.
Ankit ducked a twisting chain, slashing upward. Sparks flew.
[Proficiency Bonus: Reflex Arc Activated]
[Counterstrike Executed]
Valen stepped back, blood trickling from his cheek.
"Good," he said. "Now stop holding back."
He activated his Soul Skill:
🐍 [Soul Technique: Ouroboros Coil – Phase One]
🔁 Every attack that misses re-loops once at 60% speed and returns from behind.
Ankit's instincts screamed as a strike narrowly missed—then hit him from behind a heartbeat later.
He was wounded.
But his eyes blazed brighter.
[Soul Weapon Fusion Activated: Twin Talwars – Edge Mode Alpha]
💥 Blade Speed Doubled for 10 seconds
🔥 Fire Affinity Surge Initiated
The field exploded in flames.
🔥 Elsewhere – Blackhunt Holds
While their leader battled, the rest of Blackhunt fought like wolves.
Raghav shielded the gate, holding back three assassins on his own.
Sana weaved in and out, reviving downed sentries.
Kaido created a mana minefield around the back wall.
Vikram took out two enemy lieutenants from the shadows.
Toni directed the field like a conductor—every movement efficient.
Asha and Riya launched a pincer maneuver, using frost illusions and light bending to disorient intruders.
They were holding—barely.
💥 Back to the Duel
Valen and Ankit now fought in a crater of broken stone and glowing embers.
Valen's blade wrapped around Ankit's arm—only for Ankit to break the loop using a back-slam counter with both blades crossing into a single cleave.
[Critical Hit Registered]
[Soul Chain Severed: Ouroboros Phase Deactivated]
Valen staggered.
"You... you broke the loop."
Ankit's voice was low. "This is my guild. I don't loop. I cut forward."
With a final cry, he invoked:
🔥 [Soul Art: Twin Flame Crescent]
🔥 Proficiency Tier: Mastered
⚔️ Twin sweeping arcs that burn through defense and distort mana fields.
Valen's chain shattered.
And the Executor fell.
📢 [System Announcement – Blood Contract Executor Defeated]
🏆 Title Unlocked: Blade of Defiance
🥇 Blackhunt's reputation has increased across the Tower
⚠️ You have made enemies of the remaining Execution Guilds