Fierce Battle

"Boom!!"

The lance and warhammer collided, and the resulting crash made even the ground tremble. Duanmu Huai stood his ground with his warhammer in hand, while the Chaos Knight shuddered and retreated two steps atop his warhorse. Yet he did not back down. The next moment, the Chaos Knight's warhorse reared up and stomped down hard at Duanmu Huai!

"Hmph!!"

Facing the trampling horse, Duanmu Huai snorted and charged forward instead of retreating, slamming into the horse and instantly knocking it over. The warhorse lost its balance and whinnied as it fell backward. Then the whistling warhammer flashed past, snapping its neck at a ninety-degree angle—it was clearly beyond saving.

"Hah!!"

The Chaos Knight was no pushover either. The instant his warhorse was knocked down, he leaped into the air and thrust his lance fiercely at Duanmu Huai. Duanmu Huai, meanwhile, spun around and kicked the horse's corpse, sending it flying toward the Chaos Knight and blocking his attack.

The heavy corpse of the warhorse crashed to the ground with a loud bang, and for a moment, the entire battlefield seemed to fall silent once more.

Duanmu Huai and the Chaos Knight stared at each other. Then the Chaos Knight suddenly roared, and blazing red light burst from his eyes.

Rage!

Duanmu Huai was not surprised by the Chaos Knight's Rage skill. Every follower of the God of Tyranny knew this move, just as every Priest knew Holy Light. It was practically a beginner skill. If a follower of the God of Tyranny did not have Rage, he was definitely a fake.

Of course, Rage would greatly multiply his opponent's strength, but... Duanmu Huai was not fighting alone!

As the Chaos Knight lunged at him again, Duanmu Huai flashed forward, swinging his warhammer as he charged. At the same time, several dolls appeared out of thin air beside him, gripping blades as they pounced on the Chaos Knight.

These dolls did not have enough attack power to kill the Chaos Knight, but they could still cause him trouble. Seeing them leap toward him, the enraged Chaos Knight did not hesitate. He swept his lance across them, smashing apart the dolls Duanmu Huai had summoned. Then he thrust his lance forward, only for Duanmu Huai to bring his warhammer down hard upon it, pinning the Chaos Knight's lance firmly in place.

When the Chaos Knight's strike failed, he actually released his lance and clenched his fist, driving it into Duanmu Huai's Power Armor chestplate. The armor shuddered slightly under the blow. Duanmu Huai himself staggered, and the Chaos Knight seized the opening to grip his lance again and charge at him. Duanmu Huai raised his warhammer before him, blocking the Chaos Knight's renewed assault.

"Screeeech—!!!"

For a moment, neither side could gain the upper hand. The Chaos Knight panted heavily and growled as he pressed forward. Duanmu Huai stood firmly in place, resisting his advance. Then he suddenly extended his left hand toward the Chaos Knight before him.

"Bang!!!"

Flames burst from the launcher on Duanmu Huai's left gauntlet again. The Chaos Knight's body jolted, and he staggered back as though struck by an invisible blow. At the same time, his armor shattered piece by piece. The sudden change startled the Chaos Knight, but before he could react, a sharp pain tore through his knee. The next instant, he collapsed uncontrollably to the ground. Then all he saw was endless Dark Shadow completely swallowing him...

"Splurt."

The heavy, brutal Power Hammer smashed the Chaos Knight's head and helmet flat, turning them into a pile of broken flesh and gore.

"Phew..."

Duanmu Huai let out a long breath, then picked up his warhammer and turned to look ahead. At that moment, Elisa timidly poked her head out and looked at him uneasily.

"Black Knight, is it over?"

"No."

Duanmu Huai shook his head.

"The real one is here."

As Duanmu Huai spoke, a tall, imposing man emerged from the blowing sand. He was nearly as tall as Duanmu Huai in his Power Armor. His hair was tied into numerous small braids, and he carried a battle axe in one hand and a Silver Shield in the other. His bearded face was savage and fierce, and he looked like someone not to be trifled with.

Tyranny Zealot (Elites)

LV30

Yeah, definitely not someone to be trifled with.

"You are quite good, warrior."

Looking at his fallen comrade's corpse before Duanmu Huai, the man spoke calmly, seemingly not angered in the least by his companion's death.

"Strong, ruthless, cruel. My god needs followers like you to spread its teachings. There is still time. Return the sacrifice to us and become a follower of my god. Then..."

"Boom!!"

Before the man could finish, Duanmu Huai suddenly raised his left hand and fired a shot. The man reacted swiftly, immediately raising his Silver Shield to block Duanmu Huai's Charge.

"Very good!"

After the smoke cleared, the man lowered his shield, his face dark with fury.

"Since that is the case, I shall offer your head to the Skull Throne!"

As his words fell, the Zealot slammed his shield. A scarlet flaming Teleportation Gate suddenly appeared before him, and a large group of Demons slowly emerged. They had goat-like hooves, crimson bodies, elongated Xenomorph-like heads with long horns growing from either side, and huge black swords clutched in their hands.

"Kill him!!!"

At the Elite Zealot's command, the scarlet Demons roared and charged at the enemy before them with greatswords in hand.

"Hmph!!!"

Naturally, Duanmu Huai would not sit still and wait for death. He snorted coldly, his cloak fluttering without wind. Then dozens of dolls appeared behind him and rushed toward the army of Demons ahead!

"Graaahhhhh!!!"

A single doll was naturally no match for a Demon, but quantity could make up for quality. For Duanmu Huai, summoning dolls cost absolutely nothing and consumed no resources at all. He only needed to flood the field with them! If quality was insufficient, numbers would do just fine!

Soon, the two sides were locked in chaotic battle. Countless dolls were reduced to fragments beneath the Demons' swinging blades, but many Demons were also struck by the dolls' attacks, screaming as flames swallowed them and banished them back to their original world.

Seeing the Demon army he had summoned being held back, the Elite Zealot had no intention of giving up. Instead, he raised his shield and charged directly at Duanmu Huai. Facing the Elite Zealot's Charge, Duanmu Huai gripped his warhammer without hesitation, leaped into the air, and smashed it down toward the Elite Zealot's head!

"Thud!!!"

The warhammer struck the Silver Shield in the Zealot's hand, producing a dull boom. Both men took a step back, then the Zealot roared and swung his battle axe, chopping directly toward Duanmu Huai's waist!

"Tch!"

Duanmu Huai's expression darkened as he sensed the attack. The series of battles just now had already reduced his Power Armor's durability to 40%. He could not use Repair Skull to restore his armor in the middle of combat. If that axe landed solidly, he would probably be split in two!

Thus, he had no choice but to retreat, raising his warhammer at his side to block the Elite Zealot's strike.

Yet the Elite Zealot did not immediately retreat after missing. Instead, he stepped forward again and smashed his shield directly at Duanmu Huai!

"Bang!!!"

Duanmu Huai finally failed to withstand the Elite Zealot's shield bash. His Power Hammer was sent flying from his hand, leaving him barehanded and wide open. Seeing this, the Elite Zealot cried out excitedly, raising his battle axe high before bringing it down at Duanmu Huai with all his strength!

This is exactly what I was waiting for!!

In that instant, Duanmu Huai's eyes flashed coldly. He reached back with his left hand and drew a Mechanical Sword from his waist. As the Elite Zealot swung his battle axe and exposed an opening, Duanmu Huai thrust his sword forward, driving it straight into the Elite Zealot's body!!

"———!!!"

Feeling the intense agony erupt from within his body, the Elite Zealot roared. But Duanmu Huai did not hesitate. He pressed the button hard, and the next moment...

"Bzzzzz—!!!"

The Chainsaw Sword's blade began spinning at high speed, madly tearing through the Zealot's body. It sawed through his organs and bones as though they were wood. Duanmu Huai roared, gripped the hilt with both hands, and swung with all his strength. The Zealot's severed body was sent flying away—before falling flames turned it to ash.

"Whoooosh—!!!!"

Flames rained down from the sky, rushing straight at Duanmu Huai. He hurriedly grabbed the Zealot's Silver Shield and held it in front of himself, letting the raging flames roar past his sides. The surrounding dolls and Demon army vanished in the fire as well.

When the sudden inferno faded, Duanmu Huai could not help dropping to one knee. He looked up and saw, high in the sky some distance away, a massive Demon with Bat wings and a battle axe in hand. It wore a savage grin as it stared down at him.

"Ah, what an interesting prey. Your head is mine, mortal!"

Bloodthirsty Maniac! I knew you would not be able to resist coming here to cause trouble!

Seeing this Demon, Duanmu Huai sucked in a breath. This was one of the backbone forces in the God of Tyranny's Demon army. Clearly, it was a Demon summoned by the Zealot—or rather, it was the strongest enemy here.

Fortunately, he had prepared for this.

As Duanmu Huai considered his next move, a card quietly appeared before him.

It is time for you to take the stage!

Doll Maiden. Augis!

The instant the card flashed, a petite figure appeared before Duanmu Huai. She was a beautiful girl with silver-white twin tails, dressed in a sleeveless, off-the-shoulder black lace gown that wrapped around her slender body. Her delicate hands wore black silk gloves that extended past her elbows, making her look like a refined young lady.

Yet the gaps at the joints between her shoulders and fingers made it clear that she was not human, but a doll.

"Roar—!!!"

The Bloodthirsty Maniac opened its mouth again and blasted a stream of fire at Duanmu Huai. At the same time, the Traveling Case at the Doll Maiden's feet suddenly opened. A gigantic doll wearing a mask and top hat leaped from within. It resembled a nocturnal assassin, and it moved before the two of them like a shield, meeting the Bloodthirsty Maniac's fiery breath head-on!!

"Boom!!!"

The flames struck the Giant Doll and were immediately blocked. Then the Giant Doll extended its steel-like clawed hands and lunged directly at the Bloodthirsty Maniac!!

"What kind of trick is this?!"

The Bloodthirsty Maniac froze briefly at the sight of the Giant Doll that had suddenly appeared and was nearly its own size. Still, it did not take the creature seriously. It sneered and swung its battle axe down at the Giant Doll!

But what the Bloodthirsty Maniac had not expected was that, the instant its battle axe fell, countless threads shot out from within the Giant Doll. Like hardened chains, they tightly bound the Bloodthirsty Maniac's body and halted its attack.

Before the Bloodthirsty Maniac could break free of the Binding Vow, however, a sharp pain suddenly erupted from its back. The next moment, it wailed as it fell from the sky, its wings severed, and crashed heavily onto the ground.

At the same time, Augis lowered her right hand. Blood-stained threads flashed past it.

"Haaahhhhh!!!"

As the Bloodthirsty Maniac crashed to the ground, dazed from the impact, Duanmu Huai charged out of the sandstorm with a roar, holding the Chainsaw Sword high. He stormed forward, then drove the Chainsaw Sword mercilessly into the Bloodthirsty Maniac's eye. The blade began to spin wildly, shredding its flesh and piercing into its brain!

"Aaaahhh!!!"

The excruciating pain made the Bloodthirsty Maniac roar desperately. It struggled with all its might, but the Giant Doll held it firmly in place. Finally, the moment Duanmu Huai's sword pierced through the Bloodthirsty Maniac's head, scarlet flames erupted from its enormous body, completely consuming it in the blink of an eye.

At the same time, a system notification sounded beside Duanmu Huai's ear.

Quest "Escort," Phase One Complete!