The Contractor's Conquest

Chapter 12: The Predator's Judgement

The battlefield trembled with tension as the assailant, now desperate, muttered through gritted teeth, "I have no choice now. Blood Siphon: Blood Manipulation."

Streams of blood shot out from his fingers, splitting into countless fine threads that snaked through the air with unnatural precision. They darted towards Arthur's exposed armor gap, seeking to pierce the unbreakable defense.

The assailant smirked, confident in his last resort. But his confidence was misplaced. Overwhelmed by desperation, he had forgotten a crucial detail—Arthur's Green: Invincibility was still active, rendering him untouchable for the next twenty seconds.

The threads struck Arthur, but the emerald glow surrounding him deflected them effortlessly. The assailant's smirk faltered, his realization dawning too late.

Just then, Lukas seized the moment. Another Burst Bubble detonated in the assailant's face. The explosion rippled with force, leaving him scrambling to shield himself with blood manipulation. Despite his efforts, the blast ravaged one of his eyes, leaving him howling in pain as blood streamed down his face.

The impact hurled him away, his body skidding to a halt far from Arthur. He was utterly defenseless.

Arthur wasted no time. In an instant, he closed the distance, his blade raised high to deliver the finishing strike. Victory was within reach, yet Arthur froze mid-step.

It wasn't hesitation. It wasn't mercy. It was fear—pure, primal fear. Arthur's instincts screamed at him, warning that taking one more step would spell his death. His hands trembled as he gripped his sword, his body locked in place.

Lukas, hidden within his Concealing Bubble, was baffled. "Why isn't the Chief finishing him?" he wondered. Determined to end the battle, Lukas began preparing another Burst Bubble, his mana surging with intent.

But just as he was about to release it, an eerie voice echoed behind him.

"It's true that a newborn calf does not fear a lion."

The voice carried an unnatural weight, its tone dripping with disdain. "Ignorance is truly a blessing."

Lukas's heart raced. Without hesitation, he hurled the bubble toward the source of the voice. The explosion roared, shaking the ground, but as the smoke cleared, the same voice spoke again, now directly behind him.

"If you want to fight so badly... then…"

Lukas froze as he felt it—a claw, sharp and cold, hovering dangerously close to his neck. A chill ran down his spine, his body paralyzed by the suffocating presence.

This power—it was unlike anything he had encountered. It dwarfed the strength of Arthur and the assailant. "This must be above Green," Lukas thought, his mind spiraling. "Yellow? No… it might even be Orange."

The man behind him chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. "Ah, it seems you've learned your lesson. Stand down."

Lukas's legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees. He didn't even attempt to comprehend how this man could see him, even when his Concealing Bubble rendered him undetectable. All he could focus on was the overwhelming difference in their power.

The man's footsteps echoed across the battlefield as he casually strolled forward. Arthur, Lukas, and even the bloodied assailant—each one a seasoned fighter—were frozen in fear, their bodies unwilling to defy the predator before them.

"To think," the man mused aloud, "we've already lost a Blue Ring combatant and were on the verge of losing a Green Ring captain. Today has truly been... disappointing."

His tone was casual, almost bored, as if discussing mundane matters. "Should I kill all of you? Hmm… no. That would be far too one-sided. Killing is only satisfying when there's a contract involved. And honestly," he sighed, "your failures here? That's your own fault for being so... weak."

The assailant, still sprawled on the ground, flinched at the man's words but remained silent, his blood-streaked face pale with terror.

"Still," the man continued, tapping his chin thoughtfully, "someone has to take responsibility, don't they? Hmm… what should I do? Oh, I know!"

His eyes gleamed with a sadistic light as he spoke. "How about I harvest your mana cores? I could always use a few more."

The suggestion hung in the air like a death sentence.

"No," he said abruptly, waving a hand in mock disgust. "That would be... gross."

The man chuckled, his laughter sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. He glanced at each of them, his smile widening. "What do you think I should do?"

No one dared to respond. The suffocating weight of his presence crushed any hope of resistance. Arthur's hand tightened around his sword, his knuckles white, but he couldn't will his body to move. Lukas, drenched in sweat, couldn't even lift his gaze to meet the man's eyes.

Even the assailant, who moments ago had seemed unstoppable, lay motionless, his remaining eye wide with terror.

The man's voice, calm yet dripping with malice, felt like the tolling of death bells. Every word pierced their minds, unraveling their courage. It was impossible to tell whether this was the effect of his Ring or simply the overwhelming force of his presence.

But one thing was clear: none of them could stand against him.

End of Chapter