The battlefield was pure chaos. The Red Fang elites clashed against the onslaught of Vermilion Oath's perfected soldiers, an army of nearly a thousand that moved with mechanical precision. Though these enhanced humans bore uncanny resemblances to Lucien—both in strength and agility—none could match the original.
Lucien, wielding his katana and silenced Desert Eagle, cut through waves of enemies with surgical precision. His movements were swift, relentless, and brutally efficient, while his father, Darius Falkner, fought beside him, his presence alone commanding dominance over the battlefield. The two of them together were an unstoppable force, carving a path straight toward the bunker's core.
Gunfire roared, steel clashed, and screams filled the air as bodies fell one after another. The elites of Red Fang pushed forward, covering Lucien and Darius as they stormed into the inner sanctum of Vermilion Oath.
At the entrance to the bunker's heart, two figures stood in their path—Damian and Caius.
Lucien halted, gripping his katana tightly, preparing for a fight. But to his surprise, Damian raised both hands in surrender.
"We're not here to stop you," Damian said firmly. "We'll hold off the rest of these enhanced bastards. You go get Evelyn."
Lucien's eyes flickered between them, analyzing their stance. There was no hostility—only determination.
Darius scoffed. "Hmph. Didn't expect loyalty like this."
Caius smirked. "Don't get the wrong idea, old man. We're just betting on Lucien."
Without wasting another second, Lucien bolted into the bunker, his mind focused on one thing—Evelyn.
---
The moment Lucien entered the bunker's heart, his breath hitched.
There she was—Evelyn Mercer, tied to a metal chair, her clothes torn in places, her face bruised but still holding onto fierce defiance.
Lucien immediately rushed to her side, slicing through the bindings with his katana.
"Evelyn!" His voice was sharp with worry. "Are you hurt?"
Evelyn blinked up at him, dazed, but as soon as she recognized him, she threw her arms around him, gripping him tightly as if she never wanted to let go.
"Lucien…" her voice was shaky, yet filled with relief. "You actually came…"
Lucien held her close, inhaling the familiar scent of her hair, his heartbeat thundering in his chest. He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes before pressing a desperate kiss against her lips.
It was brief, but full of emotion—a silent promise that he would protect her, no matter the cost.
But their moment was shattered by the sound of slow clapping.
Lucien's entire body went rigid. The voice that followed made his blood run cold.
"Well, well… how touching."
Lucien spun around, immediately raising his weapon.
Viktor Echelon stepped out of the shadows, grinning like a madman.
But something was wrong.
Lucien's eyes widened as he took in the grotesque transformation of the man before him. Viktor no longer looked human. His skin had turned an unnatural shade, his muscles unnaturally swollen, his eyes glowing with an inhuman light.
Before Lucien could react, a fist came flying at him.
The impact was like getting hit by a train. Lucien was sent crashing into a steel wall, the force cracking the metal behind him.
Evelyn screamed.
Viktor laughed maniacally, his voice distorted.
"Did you really think you could escape me, Lucien?" Viktor sneered, flexing his monstrous limbs. "I created you. And now, I've perfected myself. You and your father are nothing compared to me now."
Lucien gritted his teeth, staggering to his feet. Blood dripped from his lips, but his glare was sharper than ever.
Even if he couldn't win, he had to protect Evelyn.
Lucien charged.
---
The fight was brutal.
Every attack Lucien threw was countered with ease. Viktor toyed with him, dodging at the last second before striking with bone-shattering force.
Lucien's vision blurred from the repeated blows. He could barely stand.
He was losing.
Viktor raised a fist for the final blow.
Evelyn screamed his name.
Lucien braced himself—
But before Viktor's fist could land, a blur of movement intercepted the attack.
Viktor's arm was severed at the elbow.
Blood sprayed.
Viktor's scream of agony was cut short as Darius Falkner appeared behind him, gripping a bloodstained dagger.
"You talk too much," Darius muttered before delivering a devastating kick to Viktor's side, sending him crashing through a row of machinery.
Lucien gasped for breath as Darius stood protectively in front of him, his presence like an immovable wall.
Despite Viktor's monstrous enhancements, Darius was stronger.
Much stronger.
Viktor roared, his remaining arm morphing into a grotesque blade. But no matter how many attacks he threw, Darius countered every single one.
It wasn't even a fight.
It was a slaughter.
Within minutes, Viktor was on his last legs, his body failing from the overwhelming damage.
But before Darius could land the finishing blow—
A warning siren blared.
A robotic voice announced:
> "SELF-DESTRUCTION SEQUENCE INITIATED. 30 SECONDS UNTIL DETONATION."
Lucien's eyes widened in horror.
Viktor grinned weakly, blood dripping from his lips.
"If I die… I'm taking you all with me."
Darius cursed, pulling a small Red Fang device from his belt.
He tossed it into the air, and in an instant, the device absorbed the incoming explosion.
The room shook violently, but when the dust settled—
Viktor was gone, reduced to nothing but ashes.
Lucien sighed in relief—
But his relief was short-lived.
Darius turned to him, expression grim, and without warning—
He grabbed Lucien's katana.
Lucien's breath caught. "Dad?"
Darius took a stance.
"Fight me."
Lucien froze. "…What?"
Darius's voice was calm, yet firm.
"You have to kill me, Lucien. I've done too much evil in my life. I don't deserve to walk away from this."
Lucien clenched his fists. "No. You're my father—"
Darius charged.
Lucien barely had time to block as Darius launched a fierce barrage of attacks.
Every strike was precise, fueled by decades of experience.
But Lucien was faster.
Emotions surged through him—anger, sadness, betrayal.
Each clash of steel sent sparks flying.
Darius was smiling.
To him, this was the final lesson.
Lucien felt rage bubbling inside him. Why? Why was his father making him do this?
Then—
Lucien saw an opening.
He swung his katana.
A perfect strike—aimed straight at Darius's chest.
Lucien expected him to counter.
But Darius didn't move.
He let it happen.
The blade pierced his heart.
Lucien's eyes widened in horror.
Darius staggered, blood dripping from his lips.
For a moment—
Lucien didn't see a hardened warrior in front of him.
He saw a father.
Darius's vision blurred as he looked at Lucien one last time.
In his final moments, he didn't see the ruthless killer he had raised.
He saw the small boy who once smiled at him, showing off his mother's cooking.
A faint, peaceful smile crossed his lips.
"…Thank you, my son."
With those final words—
Darius Falkner fell.
And Lucien's scream echoed through the empty bunker.
---
End of Chapter 61.