Then Noah's sword found him again from above.
The combination was relentless and merciless—elemental manipulation used not as standalone techniques but as components of a combat system that exploited every opening simultaneously. Darian couldn't defend against all three attack vectors at once, and Noah never gave him time to prioritize.
Blood appeared on the dark king's cheek from a controlled slash. His defensive aura cracked from the pressure. His dark element constructs struggled to form faster than Noah destroyed them.
"Impossible!" Darian snarled through labored breathing, shock transforming his features as he barely deflected another combination attack. "How are you this strong?! You were an adept-rank nobody! This must be the work of that shop!"
His eyes snapped to Lola hovering nearby, watching with crossed arms and satisfaction. The fury that entered his expression when he looked at her was volcanic.
