(Execution Livestream Continuation, The Pit, Leo’s POV)
*CLANG*
*CLANG*
*SWOOSH*
The moment Leo entered the Fourth Ring, enemy Monarchs closed in from every direction, weapons and spells already in motion, as the engagement erupted into violent chaos almost instantly.
"[Wind Blast Hurricane]"
"[Dragon Slaying Slash]"
"[Volcanic Fire Blast]"
"[Thundering Panther Slash]"
*BOOM*
*BLAST*
*SLASH*
*KABOOM*
A storm of attacks swallowed the space around him, forcing Leo to react without pause, as he triggered [StormFlash Traverse] and tore through the overlapping trajectories in rapid succession.
*Zoop*
*Swap*
He threaded through the onslaught with razor-thin precision, shifting positions again and again, before activating [Aura Shield], as the technique immediately dampened the pressure he felt under Moltherak’s aura.
*Deep Inhale*
*Spine Straightening*
Relief followed almost at once, his breathing stabilizing and his posture correcting as the pressure became manageable enough to allow fluid movement again.
However, while he moved faster and smoother, the Monarchs around him visibly faltered, their strength steadily leaking away under the compounded suppression.
"Don’t let him slip!"
"Show some courage and pin him down!"
"Someone bind him!"
They shouted over the din of battle, voices strained and uneven, as each of them fought desperately against the double burden of the Fourth Ring and Moltherak’s presence, exhaustion clear on every face, as although they unleashed attacks, it was clear from their expressions that each movement took a lot out of their stamina reserves.
*SHUA*
*CRACK*
A blade swept through the space Leo had occupied a heartbeat earlier, missing by a margin so thin that displaced air tore at his cloak, as [Sixth Sense] flared and intent lines burned across his perception, crimson threads snapping into existence to map trajectories before they were fully committed.
*Shift*
Leo twisted sideways mid-step, letting a crescent of fire scream past his ribs, as his foot found ground and [Enhance] surged through his legs, the burst of force hurling him forward and out of the forming kill zone.
*BOOM*
The ground behind him detonated as overlapping spells collided, fragments of scorched stone and molten debris erupting upward, while Leo was already gone, his figure blurring as [Fade Step] carried him cleanly behind one of the casters.
*Slice*
His dagger flashed once.
*THUD*
A Monarch collapsed before he even realized Leo had slipped past his guard, head separating cleanly as Leo performed [Crown Fall] in a single, efficient motion, blood misting the air before the body hit the ground.
"Behind us!"
"Don’t let him get space!"
"Close ranks, now!"
They tried to tighten the formation, dragging themselves closer together despite the pressure crushing down on their souls, shields rising and weapons angling inward as they attempted to deny Leo maneuvering room.
*CLANG*
*CLANG*
Leo deflected a spear strike and twisted away from a hammer blow, sparks bursting as metal met metal, his movements precise and economical as he refused to commit to any exchange that might let them surround him.
*SHUA*
A wave of compressed wind tore across the ring.
Leo dropped low, sliding beneath it as [StormFlash Traverse] chained again, carrying him from one safe pocket to the next, his feet barely touching the ground as he moved between preselected angles.
*Zoop*
*Swap*
A Monarch lunged to intercept him.
But unfortunately for him, he was too slow, as Leo slipped past the strike, shoulder brushing close enough that he could smell scorched mana on the man’s armor, before pivoting sharply and driving his blade upward.
*CRACK*
The strike pierced the enemy underneath his chin, ending the fight instantly, as the body stiffened and collapsed backward, weapon clattering uselessly onto the stone.
*CLANG*
*CLATTER*
"Two down, don’t panic!"
"Hold your ground!"
The men shouted as they kept fighting, as to their credit, they did not break despite the overwhelming environment.
As despite heaving short breaths and trembling limbs, the Righteous Faction Monarchs continued to unleash attacks tearing through the ring as they tried to force Leo into a corner, detonations chaining together in violent succession.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*KABOOM*
However, unfortunately for them, Leo weaved through the chaos, never stopping, never committing to a straight line, his [Aura Shield] keeping his mind clear even as his body absorbed the strain of constant movement, as he kept slipping out of traps and corners.
*WHAM*
A blade grazed his side.
Pain flared.
However, Leo twisted with it instead of resisting, rolling away from the impact as he spun and vanished again.
[Fade Step]
He reappeared behind another Monarch, dagger already descending.
*Slice*
As the man fell with his throat slit.
*GLURB*
*THUD*
Moving swiftly, Leo re-adjusted his stance, eyes scanning the battlefield as intent lines multiplied across his vision, the ring alive with hostility and danger, as dozens of enemies closed in despite their failing bodies.
’Too many to stop at once,’
He thought calmly, as [Sixth Sense] pulsed again.
’Need to keep moving.’
He analysed, as he moved.
His intention not being to break the formation all at once, but rather to just keep piling the kill count just one kill at a time.
As he knew that given enough time, the double suppression of the Chakravyuh and Moltherak’s Aura will do what he alone cannot.
’Need to endure for now.
The longer this battle lasts, the more openings I’ll see and the faster I’ll be able to kill them.
Need to take minimal risks for now, and keep the kill pace up’
He concluded, as he proceeded to do exactly that for the next fifteen minutes.
*Dodge*
*Block*
*Kill*
*Repeat*
As again and again and again, he kept evading the enemy’s attacks, slipping through broken formations and fractured intent lines, taking one life at a time while refusing to be cornered, as the Fourth Ring slowly became a place where he controlled the tempo of the battlefield alone.
"What’s going on?"
"How can he move so freely when we can barely take a few steps?"
The Righteous Monarchs wondered aloud, as it was at this point in the battle where they realized that although they were all considered ’Elite’ amidst the Righteous Faction.....
None of them truly matched up to the Monarch named Leo Skyshard.