NABC Chapter 102 Don't Unlock
Chapter 102 Don't Unlock
Hercules stood still like an immovable mountain, his lion-skin cloak billowing in the wind. His lips curled into a feral grin, revealing teeth clenched with raw determination. His massive club gleamed in the fractured light, a primal weapon that seemed to hum with the weight of countless battles. Locking eyes with Lucius, Hercules swung his club in a wide arc, the force of his motion tearing through the air.
A deadly gust of wind howled from the strike, its sharp edges slicing through the battlefield like an invisible scythe. The ground gouged into jagged scars as it barreled toward Lucius.
Lucius moved like liquid shadow, his form a blur as he slid under the incoming blade of wind. The ground cracked beneath him as he braced, his crimson eyes narrowing. Before he could counter, Hercules slammed his fingers into the earth, the impact shaking the battlefield.
Lucius' voice cut through the air, tinged with surprise. "What in the abyss are you doing?"
A thunderous roar erupted from Hercules' throat, shaking the very air. With veins bulging in his massive arms, he ripped a colossal chunk of earth from the ground. The boulder was a monstrous thing, covered in dirt and glinting with veins of rock, and he hurled it with a mighty heave.
The boulder flew like a meteor, blotting out the sun as its shadow engulfed Lucius. The battlefield trembled at its approach, the air thick with the sound of its velocity.
Lucius didn't flinch. His body became a streak of dark motion, dashing to the side in mid-air with supernatural agility. The boulder crashed into the ground behind him with an ear-splitting boom, sending debris flying like shrapnel.
Landing gracefully, Lucius' crimson gaze turned ice-cold. He extended his hand, and the shadows obeyed his silent command, swirling and coalescing into a grotesque, obsidian club. The weapon pulsed with malevolent energy, jagged spikes jutting from its surface.
"Is this what passes for strength?" Lucius sneered. "Let me show you real power."
With a roar, he lunged at Hercules, shadows trailing him like spectral claws. Their clubs collided in a thunderous explosion of force, the impact sending shockwaves rippling outward. Dust and rubble erupted around them as if the earth itself recoiled from their clash.
Hercules gritted his teeth and drove his immense strength into his weapon, forcing Lucius backward. The ground beneath Lucius cracked and crumbled as he skidded, but his movements were precise, his legs shifting to absorb the force.
"You think brute strength will save you, old man?" Lucius snarled. With a sudden feint, he ducked low, slipping under Hercules' guard. Shadows erupted from his feet like a coiled serpent, propelling him upward as he delivered a devastating uppercut.
The punch connected with Hercules' jaw. Blood sprayed from his mouth, staining his lion-skin cloak. Hercules staggered back but planted his feet firmly, his chest heaving as he wiped the blood with the back of his hand.
"Not bad," Hercules growled, his voice thick with rage and exhilaration. He spit out a glob of blood and grinned wider, the fire of battle igniting in his chest. "But it'll take more than that to keep me down, boy."
Lucius smirked, his shadow-wreathed form pulsating with malice. "Let's see how long your arrogance lasts."
The ground trembled as Hercules charged, each step like a drumbeat heralding destruction. His club swung in a blinding arc, a blur of raw power aimed to crush Lucius. But Lucius was faster, a streak of darkness weaving through the storm of blows. Each dodge left afterimages of shadow, confusing even Hercules' sharp eyes.
Lucius retaliated, his shadowy club morphing mid-swing into a serrated whip. It lashed out, carving deep gashes into Hercules' lion-skin cloak and ripping through his bronze-like flesh. Hercules roared in pain but pressed forward, using his raw bulk to close the distance.
With a fierce roar, Hercules feinted a wide swing and instead thrust his shoulder into Lucius, slamming him into a jagged boulder. The stone cracked under the force, fragments showering the battlefield as Lucius growled in frustration.
"You're nothing but talk," Hercules spat, raising his club high. "Let's see how your shadows handle this!"
He brought the weapon down like a falling star. Lucius narrowly rolled away, the club smashing into the ground and unleashing a shockwave that tore apart the earth, sending massive fissures radiating outward. Dust and debris filled the air, and for a moment, the battlefield was a chaotic haze.
Out of the haze, Lucius emerged like a wraith, his eyes glowing like twin infernos. He extended his arms, and tendrils of shadow erupted from the ground, writhing like serpents. They coiled around Hercules, binding his limbs and dragging him to his knees.
"I'll show you what true power looks like," Lucius snarled. The shadows tightened, cutting into Hercules' flesh like blades.
Hercules gritted his teeth, veins bulging as he flexed against the restraints. With a primal roar, he shattered the tendrils, the sheer force sending shockwaves through the air. Before Lucius could react, Hercules lunged forward, grabbing him by the throat.
But before he could strike, a voice interrupted, sharp and full of cheeky bravado. "Whoa there, big guy! Save some glory for the rest of us!"
From the smoke and debris, Rex Xander emerged, his form wreathed in dark flames, the Sword of Damocles glinting ominously in his hand. He strode forward with the casual air of someone showing up late to a party but fully intending to steal the spotlight.
Hercules froze mid-swing, his brow furrowing. "Young warrior! I hope thou dost not have mercy on the enemy?"
"Mercy? Nah....Just making sure you don't hog the kill." Rex smirked, his golden eyes gleaming mischievously. "Besides, someone's gotta keep things dramatic."
Lucius, barely conscious, lifted his head to glare at Rex. "You... insignificant—"
Hercules raise his brow "You're tenacious! You can still talk after taking three labors?"
Rex didn't let him finish. With a sudden burst of speed, he closed the distance, the Sword of Damocles crackling with dark energy. "Sorry, shadow boy. Looks like you've reached the end of your god-tier free trial."
In one fluid motion, Rex plunged the blade into Lucius' chest, piercing through his heart. The sword's power erupted, releasing a shockwave of dark energy that obliterated the surrounding shadows. Lucius let out one final, guttural cry before his body disintegrated into ash, leaving nothing but silence in his wake.
System alert: Perfect clone of Lucius Noctis defeated
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+ 300 ability points
New skills unlocked
Aegis of eternity: Harbinger can create a timeless bubble that isolates them from time's flow. Inside the bubble, they are immune to damage, healing rapidly or simply freezing in place until it's safe to emerge.
Passive skill: Titan's will cooldown reduced to 20 hours