"Focus!" Asher barked at his team. "They'll use illusions to confuse you. Look for patterns—they can't hide their intent entirely."
The battle erupted into chaos. Emily stood to the side, arms crossed, observing with a faint smile. Though she was there to ensure Asher's safety, she allowed him the opportunity to prove himself. This was his fight, and she trusted his instincts.
Asher moved like a whirlwind, his scythe carving arcs of red light through the air. Every strike was precise, cutting through the illusions and forcing the Metis warriors to engage him directly. His team followed suit, each member using their own techniques to handle the overwhelming odds.
One of the Metis warriors—a D-rank—summoned a wall of shimmering energy, intending to trap Asher and his team within an illusory maze. Asher's eyes narrowed, and he channeled his Sanguine Supremacy ability, his scythe glowing brighter. With a powerful swing, the energy wall shattered, fragments of light scattering like shards of glass.
"Is that all you've got?" Asher taunted, his voice steady despite the intensity of the fight.
Tirh, still reclining in the air, chuckled. "Not bad. The Magnus heir has some bite after all. But let's see how long he can last."
Suddenly, a new wave of Metis warriors emerged from the shadows, their auras significantly stronger. Among them was a single warrior radiating a distinct pressure—a mid-tier D-rank, far above the others.
The battlefield seemed to pause as the warrior stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Asher. "You've done well to handle my subordinates," the warrior said, his voice cold and calculated. "But this is where your progress ends."
Asher didn't flinch. Instead, he gripped his scythe tighter, his crimson eyes glowing with determination. "We'll see about that."
Emily's eyes flickered with subtle amusement as she observed. Though she remained silent, her body language conveyed her readiness to intervene if necessary. Tirh, meanwhile, leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued.
Asher fought casually, keeping a watchful eye on Tirh from time to time. He deliberately held back, refusing to use even 50% of his power. Asher knew that if the Metis forces discovered the true extent of his strength, they might resort to a suicide attack to eliminate him at all costs. Instead, he fought in a way that made him appear competent but not exceptional, allowing the Metis warriors to believe they could overwhelm him. However, he continued to kill them efficiently.
[ You plundered 2% of your opponent's agility. ]
[ You plundered 5% of your opponent's mana. ]
Each time Asher defeated an enemy, he reaped random rewards through his unique ability. The plundered attributes could vary from skills and abilities to percentages of agility, mana, and other stats. It was an unpredictable boon that made every victory a potential step toward even greater strength.
While Asher maintained his ruse, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the growing tension in the air. The Metis warriors were starting to hesitate, unsure if their sheer numbers would be enough to defeat him. Yet Tirh, still observing from a distance, seemed unfazed, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Asher thought to himself, I'll need to end this soon before they catch on.
Asher adjusted his stance, feigning slight fatigue to further sell the illusion of his limitations. The Metis warriors, emboldened by what they perceived as an advantage, charged at him with renewed fervor. He let a few strikes come close, parrying them at the last moment to appear as though he was just barely managing to hold his ground.
The plundering notifications continued to flash in his vision:
[ You plundered 1% of your opponent's strength. ]
[ You plundered 4% of your opponent's stamina. ]
[ You acquired the Lesser Ability: Mirage Strike. ]
Each victory brought a steady flow of enhancements to Asher's arsenal, though he kept his movements controlled to ensure his growing strength remained unnoticed. As more Metis fighters fell, their comrades began to show signs of doubt. The confident bravado that had initially driven them was now replaced with hesitation. They glanced at Tirh, hoping for guidance, but he simply lounged in the air, watching the battle unfold with an amused expression.
Emily, standing off to the side, observed the situation closely, her sharp eyes missing none of Asher's calculated maneuvers. She knew he was holding back, though she didn't fully understand why. Still, she trusted his judgment and refrained from interfering.
Finally, one of the higher-ranked Metis stepped forward, a towering figure with a menacing aura. His presence alone silenced the remaining warriors, and he leveled a glare at Asher. "You've had your fun, human. But this ends now."
The warrior's hands ignited with a dark, shimmering energy as he prepared an attack. Asher smiled faintly, gripping his scythe tighter. "Let's see if you can back up that talk," he said, his voice calm and unwavering.
The battle resumed, but this time, Asher allowed himself to exert a bit more effort. His movements became sharper, his strikes more precise, and his aura intensified just enough to unsettle his opponent. He wanted to test the limits of this higher-ranked Metis while still maintaining the facade of a struggling fighter.
Their clash sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, drawing gasps from the remaining warriors and even a slight nod of approval from Tirh. The Metis warrior fought fiercely, but Asher's calculated restraint ensured the fight remained just balanced enough to keep the illusion intact.
When the Metis warrior finally fell, Asher stood over his defeated opponent, his breathing steady. More plunder notifications appeared in his vision:
[ You plundered 6% of your opponent's strength. ]
[ You plundered 8% of your opponent's stamina. ]
[ You acquired the Lesser Ability: Void Slash. ]
Tirh clapped slowly, the sound echoing in the now-silent battlefield. "Impressive," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "You've proven your worth, human. But tell me—how long can you keep up this charade?"
Asher's eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained neutral. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied coolly. New novel chapters are published on Novel~Fire. (n)et
Tirh chuckled, his gaze piercing. "Oh, I think you do. But no matter. For now, I'll let you enjoy your little victories. Let's see how far you can go before the real challenges begin."