Inferno didn't charge at him. Instead, he held up his left hand, his fingers moving in deliberate, slow motions. Smaller flames gathered around his palm. But only bits of a spell, not a complete one.
He must be getting tired, if he's not using a complete spell. Or… he's toying with me.
Julien took the third in the side after deflecting the first two. The heat drained more than he could afford, but it luckily didn't pierce the remnants of his armor.
[Mana: 70 / 7000]
[Internal Burn Spread: Accelerating]
[Warning: Core Circulation Faltering]
Should I use… that? I can't use Sun Slash any more.
The next barrage came faster, thin streaks of fire twirling around in looping paths. Julien blocked one, ducked another, but each dodge stole more energy than he could recover. Another hit grazed his gauntlet. Mana slipped away again, trying to keep him from passing out.
[Mana: 60 / 7000]
[Health Points: 432/20000 (Critical)]
There was no follow-up from Inferno. His eyes were less calculating and full of energy now, as he stood there pacing along the edge of the broken plaza. He was no longer arrogant. He had a contemplative look on his face.
"You remind me of someone," he said. "Another idiot who thought justice made him invincible."
Julien forced himself upright. "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"
Inferno gave a small shrug, hands behind his back. "Probably not. He died screaming."
Julien scowled. Now that he has nowhere else to go, he's most likely just bullshitting. Hmph.
"You keep pushing like you've got backup coming," Inferno said. "But no one's left to help. Just you and your damn ideals."
Julien adjusted his grip. "Good. Less people to protect."
Inferno raised an eyebrow, then flicked another thread of fire at his leg. Julien blocked it, barely, but the effort cost him again.
[Mana: 45 / 7000]
He's picking away at it. Waiting for me to be empty. I guess it really was a good idea that Jermaine told me to keep it secret…. I only have that left now. The world can't afford any mistakes. He might've lost his strongest ally, Blaze, but he'll find a way to rebuild. He always does.
Inferno began to move once more, moving slowly around the edge of the charred rock. Shadows appeared beneath his eyes as the firelight flickered across his face. For a brief moment, he appeared not just insane as usual, but truly inhuman.
"Back when I was nobody," he said, "there was this guy. Top of Asanel. Could conjure flames strong enough to melt siege walls. The entire country knew he'd be a hero."
Julien narrowed his eyes. He's still stalling. Buying time or trying to set me up.
"Then one day," Inferno continued, "he vanished. Rumors said he was murdered by the same monster who somehow took his gift. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?"
Julien's jaw clenched. "Ian Mooring… You bastard. You just had to bring up his name, even after six years. We all know what you did to him."
A slightly maniacal grin twitched across Inferno's lips. "Oh, don't be so sour! I'm just revisiting fond memories. People mourned him, missed him, chased after me for justice. That time was the most alive I'd ever felt."
Though he was furious, Julien did not respond. He simply maintained his position while breathing through his teeth, trying to keep himself from attacking recklessly.
It's just a ruse, just a ruse. He's trying to get in my head. Can't let him-- I have to focus!
"But here's the funny part," Inferno went on. "He had fans. One of them followed him around like a puppy--not that Ian ever minded. He was kind enough to pretend."
Julien's heart skipped a beat.
How would he know that? I didn't think he ever went to Asanel.
"You're running out of time," he said, now trying to use as little words as possible.
"So are you." Inferno's tone sharpened. "You've got, what, a minute before that last bit of mana bleeds out? Then I win!"
Another flick of his hand--a small fire dart. Julien parried, but the rebound sent a jolt through his arm.
[Mana: 25 / 7000]
He thinks I'm almost beat. Well… he's not exactly wrong, but he won't be expecting the last trick I have up my sleeve.
"You know what made Ian special?" Inferno asked. "He didn't chase glory. He didn't need recognition. He just wanted to do something right. Even if it killed him."
Julien's eyes flicked upward. "Is that supposed to sound noble?"
"Nope. Just a reminder of what happens to people like you."
Another small spell lit in his hand, just enough to sting. Like throwing a pebble into a lake, he threw it carelessly.
Julien knocked it aside--but this time, the cost was obvious.
[Mana: 10 / 7000]
[HP: 204/20000 (Critical)]
[Warning: Loss of Consciousness Imminent]
Julien staggered back.
Almost there. Just a few more seconds. Then I can use it.
Julien didn't look up. If he met Inferno's eyes now, that man might see it--an accepting look, Julien's realization that this was the only way left to go. He kept the sword raised, but it was mostly for show. His arms were numb, his core half-frozen. Pain was all that was left.
Inferno stopped there. That was the only reason Julien was still standing.
Instead, he studied him. No jokes this time. "Hmm." He paused. "I'm assuming whatever comes next will be it from you."
Julien's heartbeat thundered in his ears. Every second was harder to endure than the last.
He could hear the system's warning chime again, faint in the back of his head. But he ignored it. That warning only pointed out the obvious. Anyway, soon that old system the Marked had relied on for hundreds of years wouldn't be useful to him any longer.
It won't be for Inferno, either. Hopefully.
He took a deep breath and checked his skill list.
[Unlocked Skills (38)]
[Sun Slash, Lvl.80 (MAX)]
[Purifying Wave Lvl.80 (MAX)]
[Enhanced Physique Lvl.80 (MAX)]
Come on, where is it…
The skill he was looking for was an extremely well-kept secret between him and his closest allies, one he'd unlocked just a few months ago when he'd reached the legendary mythical-tier, something less than a dozen people had ever reached in history. It was a skill that could've been able to turn the tide of any battle in an instant… except for its grim requirements.
Found it.
[Causality Breaker Lvl.???]
He read the description in his mind one last time.
[Type: Mythical Skill -- Damage]
[Duration: 60 seconds]
[Effect: Grants user absolute control over enemy actions in a 1-mile radius. User is restored to their original state and can activate any skill with significantly multiplied damage. Upon skill expiration, the user loses all remaining Life Force and Health Points. Survivability: 0%]
[Requirements: User must have <0.1% of Max Mana available. User must be on the brink of death.]
It wasn't in his Marked profile--wasn't even detectable by any skill-reading devices.
He moved it to his active skill slot.
I wonder what it'll feel like.
Julien let out a sigh. The expression on Inferno's face will be worth it, at the very least. I suppose that this will be my final battle. When the news comes out, I won't be able to witness the celebrations.
Inferno re-summoned his fire whip. "It's been fun. But I've got things to do, governments to overthrow before you use your last-cards."
Julien's fingers tightened around the sword.
[Activate Causality Breaker]
[Warning: Irreversible process. Proceed?]
Yes…
The moment he confirmed it, the world came to a standstill.
Neither a flash nor a sound or light burst out. There was only pure and absolute silence. As though the whole battlefield came to a halt and lost the ability to continue.
Inferno froze mid-step. His fire whip flickered, then stopped mid-motion, suspended like it was held by invisible chains.
[Skill Active: 60 Seconds Remaining]
Julien felt a strange sensation go through his body. All the wounds were sealed. His skin repaired itself and he breathed easily once more, as though the pain had never been there.
[Mana: 7000/7000]
[Health Points: 20000/20000]
[Life Force: 100% (Temporary)]
The sword in his grip gleamed. Every skill he'd ever learned, from basic forms to fabled stances buried in ancient records appeared in his mind all at once, clear and ready. He could feel the multiplier buff throughout his entire body.
He gasped quietly. So this is what power without effort is like.
Inferno's expression changed. His mouth opened like he was about to speak, but no sound came. His arms twitched--then stopped. His body wouldn't respond. Not to him, anyway.
Julien took a step forward. Even the air didn't resist.
Inferno's flames dispersed into mist.
Julien inched closer. His vision sharpened. The swirling dust particles surrounding them moved slower now, like the system was giving him time to choose what to erase first.
You're mine for the next minute.
He angled his sword low, and walked forward like a judge heading for a sentence he'd already decided.
Inferno's body tried to move again--a subtle shift in his foot, maybe an instinct to retreat. But Julien didn't allow it.
"You shouldn't have talked about Ian," he said.
They were just a few feet apart now. Inferno's arm twitched again. Julien made it turn just enough to stop him from using a skill.
There was no taunt in Inferno's eyes as they met his. He was silent, as if he knew what was about to happen, without even a smug smile.
Julien raised the sword.
The system's notifications whispered at the edge of his thoughts--more skills waiting, more power he could use. He ignored them, since there was no need to overcomplicate this.
One clean strike was all he needed.
He drove the blade forward. Inferno couldn't move to avoid it.
His spine, heart, chest, and everything that allowed him to stand were all pierced by the sword.
The moment it did, everything stopped.
He didn't even scream. Inferno just took in a sharp breath, followed by a slow exhale that sounded like someone letting go of a weight they had been carrying for too long.
Julien kept the blade there for a second longer, then he pulled it free.
Inferno collapsed. The body didn't resist.
[10 Seconds Remaining]
Only ten seconds left? Where did that time go?
His vision started fading around the edges. His restored body was already breaking down. Heat drained from his limbs. His mana dropped back to zero in a single flash.
[Mana: 0 / 7000]
[Health Points: 0 / 20000]
[Life Force: 0%]
He fell to his knees. That's it, then.
The sky above him was fractured and dim. Clouds of ash drifted where light should've been.
He closed his eyes. A fitting ceiling for a battlefield like this. I hope they'll tell my story right. All the trials I've been through, the friendships I made.
Blue system text blinked behind his eyelids.
[Mythical Skill Complete: Causality Breaker]
[Status: Dead]
[Hero's Path: Completed.]
Julien's body stilled. The system paused, then continued.
[Unlocking Hidden Route: Villain Path – Ian Mooring]
[Initializing Timeline Merge...]
[Syncing Identity Core...]
A heartbeat passed, and then the world descended into darkness.