The standoff between Archelius, the System-enhanced warrior, and General Kaelus, the self-proclaimed strategic master, crackled with tension. Kaelus's presence introduced an entirely new dynamic: an enemy who understood tactics, exploited environmental weaknesses, and crucially, knew Archelius's past humiliation as a Core Zero.
"Your arrogance is still intact, Kaelus," Archelius stated, adjusting the grip on his War God's Edge (Rank D). "If you are truly Rank D, face me directly. Or are you relying on your knowledge of my weaknesses?"
"Knowledge is power, Archelius," Kaelus retorted, his energy rifle fully charged. "And your weakness is predictability. You rely on sheer power and the Dominance Kill mechanic. I, however, see the entire battlefield."
Kaelus gestured to the Redoubt entrance. "Lord Leka's psychic field is focused on that door. The moment you use a high-energy System skill—say, your War God's Fist—the feedback loop will overload your focus lock. I will wait for you to make that mistake."
Kaelus then aimed his rifle directly at Theodore. "Unless, of course, I eliminate one of your precious distractions first."
[System Warning: Incoming Attack. Energy Rifle Discharge (Rank C Equivalent).]
Tactical Engagement
Archelius reacted instantly. He couldn't risk the Rank C energy blast hitting his students, even with their new Rank F defense.
"Vanguard! Defensive formation!" Archelius yelled, simultaneously activating his Focus Lock (Active: 10 CP) within the War God's Helm.
Archelius charged toward the spire where Kaelus stood, initiating a Sprint Burst (Rank E++) while channeling the continuous War God's Strike (Rank D) into his blade. He moved not to attack, but to intercept the blast.
The Rank C energy bolt from Kaelus's rifle flew, aimed with frightening precision at Theodore.
Archelius intercepted the bolt with the flat of his War God's Edge. The Rank D blade absorbed the majority of the blast, but the raw force knocked Archelius back violently.
[Health: 65/100. Core Power: 80/100 (Stable).]
Kaelus sneered, watching Archelius slide back. "Such wasted energy on defense! The true power is control, not brute force."
"Raji! Theodore! Keep him occupied!" Archelius commanded, shaking off the impact. "Lisa, Bethany! Focus on the spire Kaelus is on. Find the fault line!"
Kaelus was using the spire as high ground and cover. Archelius knew he couldn't keep running interference. He had to force Kaelus off his perch.
Raji and Theodore, understanding the critical need for distraction, began pelting the General with rocks and shards of obsidian. Their physical strength and speed, enhanced by the Rank D Command Authority, allowed them to place the projectiles accurately.
Kaelus, though unhurt, was annoyed. He directed a small, focused energy blast at the spire, destabilizing the rock underneath his feet to retaliate against the physical assault.
"Now, Bethany!" Archelius yelled.
"His left foot!" Bethany screamed, her eyes tracking the energy flow. "He's overloading the rock there to clear a path! It's a temporary weakness!"
Archelius seized the moment. He channeled a full-power War God's Fist (Rank D)—the very move Kaelus warned against—aimed not at the General, but at the base of the spire beneath the identified weakness.
CATASTROPHIC BOOM!
The punch's immense force shattered the weakened spire base. The massive rock structure groaned and began to topple, sending Kaelus sliding down the unstable surface.
The Duel of Rank D
Kaelus, reacting with military training, didn't panic. As he slid, he channeled energy into the ground, executing a graceful, controlled descent while maintaining his posture.
"Bravo, Archelius! Utilizing my own tactics against me!" Kaelus conceded, landing lightly on the ground, rifle ready. "But you wasted 20 Core Power and risked the psychic feedback!"
"I took the calculated risk," Archelius replied, activating his Focus Lock again as he sensed the psychic energy from the Redoubt intensifying. "Your level 25 is no longer an advantage."
The two Rank D fighters met in the center of the dark landscape. Kaelus relied on his energy rifle and precise, calculated movements, aiming for the seams in Archelius's armor. Archelius countered with the overwhelming, silver-lighted assault of the War God's Edge, driving the General onto the defensive.
Kaelus was fast, ducking and weaving, utilizing small, concentrated energy bursts to destabilize Archelius's footing. The fight was a clash between pure, System-granted power and calculated, precise manipulation.
"Your skills are inefficient! You overcommit!" Kaelus yelled, firing a high-intensity energy bolt that forced Archelius to block.
[Health: 55/100.]
Archelius pushed through the pain. He realized Kaelus wasn't trying to win the Dominance Kill; he was trying to outlast Archelius's Core Power.
"He's stalling!" Bethany warned. "He's waiting for Lord Leka to finish mobilizing!"
Archelius changed tactics. He stopped the continuous War God's Strike and executed a rapid, blinding combination of physical strikes enhanced by his Rank D strength, interspersed with quick, short bursts of the War God's Fist.
He drove Kaelus back relentlessly, forcing the General to spend massive amounts of his own internal energy to shield and evade.
Finally, Kaelus made a mistake. He tried to disengage to fire a massive retaliatory blast.
Archelius seized the opportunity, channeling the full, focused power of his System Blast (Rank D) from the War God's Edge.
The silver beam slammed into Kaelus's chest before he could raise his defense. Kaelus's white coat vaporized, and he was hurled back into the darkness.
[General Kaelus (Level 25) Critically Damaged. Health: 5%.]
The Lord Leka's Warning
Archelius sprinted toward the fallen General, ready for the final blow.
"Wait! Archelius!" Kaelus gasped, pulling a small, crystalline shard from his pocket. "You've proven the System's power, but you don't understand the true threat!"
Kaelus plunged the shard into his own chest. His eyes went wide, and his body began to vibrate violently with uncontrolled energy.
[System Alert: General Kaelus initiating self-destruct sequence. Core Overload Imminent.]
"I won't be controlled by a System or a Demon Lord! My intellect is mine!" Kaelus screamed, his body becoming a conduit for the explosive, chaotic energy of the Redoubt's psychic field.
Archelius had no time to retreat. The core overload was instantaneous.
K-BOOOOOM!
The explosion of Rank C level energy, amplified by the Redoubt's field, slammed Archelius. His War God's Helm cracked, his Vestment flared violently, and he was thrown back hundreds of meters.
[Health: 10/100 (Critical). Core Power: 5/100 (Critical). War God's Helm Cracked.]
He had survived, but barely. Kaelus was gone, having destroyed himself rather than face capture or defeat.
The explosion, however, had the intended effect: it breached the reinforced entrance of the Northern Redoubt.
A massive, crimson psychic wave erupted from the newly formed breach, flooding the entire area.
"The whelp Kaelus has been silenced. Now, the true reckoning begins." The voice of Lord Leka echoed in Archelius's mind, heavy with malicious power. "The War God Host will be shattered."
Archelius fought through the agony of his critical wounds, standing up despite the pain. He looked at his terrified but unharmed squad, who were now helping him stabilize.
"We move now," Archelius rasped, grabbing the War God's Edge. "Kaelus opened the door. We hit the nexus before Leka can finish mobilizing."
They charged into the gaping hole of the Northern Redoubt, plunging into the heart of the Demon Lord's territory.