The ability to imbue one’s attacks with fire usually manifested after the third level, and even then, the intensity of the fire varied.
However, none was as potent and inextinguishable as the hellish fire conjured by Val.
The only plausible explanation that they could come up with was that Val despite his young age was already an intermediate-stage bloodline user and his Whitemore bloodline was extremely pure.
What they didn’t know was that the purity of Val’s Whitemore bloodline was unparalleled, which allowed him to perform feats that not even level 4 Whitemore Bloodline Users would be able to perform!
“Could it be him?” Eliana watched Val with a mixture of admiration and confusion. She watched his back, against the flickering light of the hellfire. In her eyes, his figure seemed to fit the description of the man she was tasked to locate. “The Lord of flames and blood?”
“But his eyes are black, not red. And I haven’t seen him controlling blood. So how could it be him?”
She was aware of the dangers of drawing premature conclusions, so she decided to be extra careful.
Val’s attention so wholly focused on the task at hand that he barely noticed the awe-inspiring effect his actions had on others. His singular goal was to keep casting his Hellish Fireballs to hold the dire situation at bay.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, streaks of black light shot out from the horde, making a beeline for Val. They were beasts, looking more like monstrous lizards, covered in dark, glistening scales. Before they attacked, they were extremely silent. But when they attacked, they were like thunder.rumbling in the sky, flashing up to Val in no time, threatening to claim his life with the sharp horn on their heads.
However, the beasts failed to catch him off guard as a holy shield shimmered into existence around Val.
Bam!
The charging beasts collided into the shield, their momentum halted abruptly. Cracks spider-webbed across the shield’s surface, but it held.
The beasts were not only dazed by the impact but they also bounced back because of it.
Taking advantage of their momentary disorientation, Val bombarded them with his Hellish Fire.
It instantly engulfed the beasts, the heat so intense that their scales, once seemingly invincible, began to melt and peel, exposing raw flesh beneath.
Ughiyonnn!
Screams tore from their throats, agonized and short-lived as the fire hungrily consumed them, burning through muscle and bone until nothing remained but ashes.
In just seconds, the once terrifying beasts were reduced to nothing more than scattered dust, swept away by the wind.
A notification rang in Vak’s mind.
[Ding! Congratulation, Host! You’ve killed low-level servants of the Destruction Devil, Morthos. You have gained 500 EXP!]
“Good.” Val said under his breath. 𝒐𝒱𝗅xt.𝗇𝓔t
Through the mental network, a soft, familiar voice echoed in Val’s mind.
“That was a close one, Brother Val. Be more careful.”
The voice belonged to Eliana, who had been silently observing the situation, ready to jump in if someone needed assistance. And she had jumped im when Val needed it, saving him from harm.
Val gave a mental nod in acknowledgment, appreciating Eliana’s concern. “Thank you for the save, Eliana.”
He hadn’t seen them coming. It was a warzone out there, he couldn’t possibly notice everything. Although he would’ve been able to survive their assault if Eliana hadn’t help him, he would’ve been injured, and then he would be forced to rely om the power of his Blood Devil Bloodline, which in turn, would’ve revealed that he had two types of bloodline.
That’s something he wanted to hide for as long as possible, as he didn’t want to become a target of their envy. Besides, if it remains a secret, he would be able to catch his future enemies off guard!
“There’s no need for thanks, Brother Val. We’re all in this together. I’ll keep you protected. You can fight without worrying about your life.” Eliana responded, her voice filled with warmth despite the intensity of the situation.
Eliana’s vigilance was comforting, and Val felt more confident knowing that he wasn’t alone in this fight.
“Right,” Val said to her, before turning his entire attention back to the unending horde, ready to continue the onslaught.
From a considerable distance of countless miles, Morthos observed Val and Eliana while sitting on the giant’s shoulder. He was able to see and hear them quite clearly.
He licked his lips, eyes tracing over Eliana. “What a delicious prey she is. I really want to corrupt her,” he mused.
His eyes then landed on Val, and a momentary flash of red erupted in them.
“This one, he must die. Anyone that offends my master must die!”
His fingers danced over his flute as he blew into it. The resulting tune was eerie and it commanded the beasts to seize Eliana and eradicate Val.
Suddenly, a huge group of winged creatures swooped down from the clouded night sky. These were beasts with razor-sharp claws, a terrifying stature larger than any human, and an impressive wingspan of five meters.
“Winged Reapers from above! Brace yourselves!” Leroy caught sight of them and he immediately alerted the guardians atop the train.
The guardians engaged the incoming Winged Reapers in a fierce battle.
Clang! Guwak!
The sound of clashing steel and roars filled the air as they fought fiercely.
As this battle was taking place, one of the flying beasts ripped a hole in the side of the carriage, its talon shooting out to snatch Eliana before it flew up.
It all happened in a blink of an eye. No one got a chance to save her.
Eliana screamed, terror seizing her as she was abruptly lifted off the ground. She could see the world receding below her, the horde seeming to merge into one black, indistinct mass.
“Help! Brother Val!” Eliana’s voice echoed across the battlefield, her scream piercing through the chaotic noise of battle.
Val’s face hardened, a deep rage flickering in his eyes as he witnessed Eliana’s terror.
Eliana was his assest!
How dare a mere beast treat her with such rudeness?!!!