Hitman with a Badass System
chapter-974

The flames of darkness, unleashed from Michael's hands through the power of the Ring of Fire, grew in intensity until they transformed into a colossal wave resembling a crescent moon. With a sweeping motion, the fiery crescent surged across the sky, obliterating warships and reducing Guardians to mere ashes. Hovering high above Hulwik island, Michael engaged the entire army single-handedly, his Half Celestial stage granting him an unassailable advantage. Despite the relentless barrage of spells and cannon fire unleashed by the Guardians and the warships, none could come close to harming him in his formidable state.

Alpha Guardians Vivienne and Roshan, recognizing the urgency of the situation, joined forces against Michael. Vivienne unleashed her devastating spells, weaving intricate patterns of mystical energy that illuminated the battlefield. Meanwhile, Roshan, the Alpha Guardian of the beast guardians, roared with primal fury and underwent a stunning transformation, assuming the majestic form of a golden lion. Radiating a brilliant glow, Roshan stood nearly eight feet tall, his presence commanding and awe-inspiring.

To provide cover for Roshan's close-quarters battle with the Dark Lord, his unit, the beast guardians, followed suit, transforming into their primal forms. In the sky above and the sea below, airships and warships focused their attacks on Michael, intensifying their assault to unprecedented levels. The battlefield became a mesmerizing spectacle, vibrant and alive with the dazzling array of spells shimmering in every hue imaginable. The sky resembled a tapestry of light as hundreds of Guardians soared through the air, converging upon Michael like a relentless swarm of bees, their determination radiating in their every move. The scene unfolded as a grand battle, where the clash of powers and the symphony of destruction painted a vivid picture of chaos and heroism in equal measure.

As the guardians closed in on Michael, a sinister grin spread across his face, foretelling his impending move. With both hands raised, each gripping a dark sword, Michael began to invoke Ignitia's ultimate form. The very moment his spell took hold, foreboding clouds materialized in the sky, their darkness rivaling the deepest midnight. Crackling with potent lightning energy, the clouds unleashed rumbling echoes that drowned out the sounds of spells and cannons firing. Even those observing the war from a safe distance could sense the palpable electricity in the air, and their attention was captivated by the spectacle unfolding before them.

Onlookers murmured amongst themselves, their voices tinged with both awe and trepidation. "Look at the Dark Lord's power," one whispered, eyes wide with astonishment.

"Those clouds... they speak of an immense force gathering," another commented, a shiver running down their spine.

A hushed silence fell over the crowd as they anticipated the impending cataclysm. It was as if the very atmosphere held its breath, aware that a powerful spell was about to be unleashed upon the battlefield. The sight of the ominous clouds above the Dark Lord only served to reinforce their belief that they were about to witness a display of unfathomable might.

As the guardians soared through the sky, a sense of urgency gripped them. They swiftly channeled their energy into casting protective spells to shield themselves from the impending danger. Vivienne, in particular, summoned every ounce of her magical prowess to create a massive shield that enveloped the entire group. The shield shimmered with a radiant, ethereal glow, its surface rippling with intricate patterns that seemed to dance and shift.

The strain of such a powerful spell was evident on Vivienne's face. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, and her hands trembled as she poured her energy into the shield. The sheer magnitude of the task began to take its toll on her, evident as a trickle of blood escaped from her nose. Despite the physical weakness creeping over her, Vivienne's determination burned bright, fueled by her unwavering commitment to protect her comrades.

The shield grew stronger, its luminosity intensifying as Vivienne pushed herself to the limit. It stood as a formidable barrier, radiating a sense of stability and resilience. The magical energies within the shield interwove, creating a complex web of protection that warded off any malevolent forces that sought to breach their defenses. It was a testament to Vivienne's unwavering resolve as she channeled her magical essence into safeguarding her fellow guardians, even at the cost of her own well-being.

The guardians in the air abruptly halted their advance toward Michael, seeking refuge beneath the shelter of their protective shields. In that very moment, Michael's chuckle resonated through the expanse of the sky, its chilling sound sending a shiver down the spines of the guardians.

"I can't decide whether to be impressed by your futile efforts or find amusement in them. In the game of kings, it's the pawns who meet their demise first. You all should have abandoned the guild while you still had the chance," Michael sneered at the guardians, their impending doom a pitiable sight in his eyes. Once, there might have been a glimmer of mercy in his heart, but now it was overshadowed by sheer pity.

As Michael's words echoed through the air, a sudden motion caught everyone's attention. With a swift downward motion, his arms unleashed a torrent of black lightning bolts, descending from the ominous clouds above him. The onslaught resembled a merciless rain of electrifying power, effortlessly piercing through Vivienne's valiant defense shield that encased the guardians. The bolts struck their targets with a searing force, overwhelming their defenses like a hot knife through butter.

The impact was devastating. The once valiant guardians, now victims of Michael's wrath, plummeted from the sky in a charred and smoking state. Their bodies, once adorned in proud armor, were reduced to a smoldering mess. From a distance, it appeared as if a swarm of bees, stripped of life, descended in a macabre display of tragedy and destruction.

As the spell unleashed its devastating power, a collective gasp escaped the lips of the onlookers who watched the battle unfold from a safe distance. Their eyes widened in disbelief, and their hearts sank with a growing sense of horror. The display of Michael's immense power had surpassed anything they had witnessed before.

"He... he just took them down like they were nothing," whispered one onlooker, a tremor of fear lacing their voice.

"I've never seen anything like it," another murmured, their voice filled with dread. "The Dark Lord's power... it's beyond comprehension."

Whispers of fear spread through the onlookers like wildfire, and a sense of trepidation began to overshadow their initial curiosity. The once-distant threat had transformed into a living nightmare before their eyes.

"Is there no end to his power?" a shaken voice quivered.

"He's become more than a mere mortal... he's become a force of nature," someone replied, their voice laced with resignation.

"He is... unstoppable," whispered a shaken observer, their voice barely audible. "We underestimated him... and now, I fear for what lies ahead."

The onlookers stood in stunned silence, their hope diminishing with each passing moment. The aura of fear that enveloped them grew stronger as the realization sank in that the Dark Lord's power knew no bounds. The once faint whispers of doubt transformed into a collective realization that they were facing a force beyond their comprehension, and the weight of their fear settled upon them like a heavy cloak.

Vivienne's shock lingered as she witnessed the futility of her powerful shield. However, her shock quickly turned to sheer terror as she felt the Dark Lord's gaze upon her. In a desperate attempt to protect her, Roshan, in his primal form, lunged at Michael, aiming to intercept any move the Dark Lord might make. With a powerful leap, Roshan reached Michael, sinking his teeth into the Dark Lord's head.

Gasps filled the air as the onlookers and guardians witnessed this daring act. Yet, their astonishment turned to disbelief as they realized Roshan had only bitten into an afterimage left behind by the Dark Lord. The collective gaze swiftly shifted to Vivienne, and their hearts sank when they saw the real Dark Lord standing behind her.

Vivienne, oblivious to the danger lurking, gradually felt a growing sense of unease. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she sensed a presence behind her, creeping fear seeping into her very being.

"Vivienne!" Roshan's roar echoed through the battlefield as the guardians surged forward, driven solely by their desire to protect her, disregarding their own lives. But before they could reach her, the Dark Lord seized Vivienne by the neck, lifting her effortlessly into the air.

In a desperate bid to distract the Dark Lord, the warships unleashed a barrage of cannon fire, their aim fixed upon him. Yet, Michael swiftly cast the Silenes spell, enveloping himself in a temporal pocket where time slowed to a crawl. Within this altered reality, he maneuvered Vivienne directly in the path of a fiery cannonball, simultaneously adjusting another cannonball to strike her from the opposite side. It all unfolded within the suspended time of Silenes, a mere blink of an eye.

The guardians and Roshan, their hearts pounding with urgency, had little time to react as they witnessed the two cannonballs collide with Vivienne, shattering her bones. Before she could even utter a scream, Michael, with a chilling flick of his wrist, snapped Vivienne's neck, extinguishing her life in an instant. The battlefield fell into stunned silence as the lifeless body of the Alpha Guardian crumpled, a tragic testament to the Dark Lord's unfathomable power.

The onlookers watched in dismay as the Alpha Guardians, one by one, fell before the relentless might of the Dark Lord. Whispers of despair and hopelessness swept through the crowd, their voices tinged with fear and resignation. They could scarcely believe their eyes, witnessing the seemingly insurmountable power of their adversary.

"He's unstoppable," one spectator muttered, his voice laden with defeat. "The Guardian Guild doesn't stand a chance against him."

"Perhaps it's time for them to yield," another suggested, a note of desperation in his tone. "To avoid further bloodshed, they must surrender."

The realization struck them hard—this was not a battle they could win. The Dark Lord's overwhelming dominance left them shaken to their core. Some even dared to speculate what would have happened if he had brought his full army to bear upon them. The scale of devastation would have been unfathomable, a thought that sent shivers down their spines.

In the midst of the turmoil, the Empress of Awor, known for her poise and strategic brilliance, remained calm. She stood at a vantage point, observing the unfolding chaos with a discerning eye. A subordinate approached her cautiously, sensing her presence.

"Your Highness," the subordinate began, his voice tinged with respect. "It was a wise decision for us to stay away from the Dark Lord's path."

The Empress, her gaze fixed upon the battlefield, nodded slightly. "Indeed," she replied, her voice steady and unwavering. "There is power in aligning with the unstoppable force rather than opposing it. We shall find a way to work with him, for the benefit of our empire."

Her words held a sense of calculated determination, and those who overheard them couldn't help but wonder what plans lay hidden within the Empress's mind. While the rest of the onlookers were filled with fear and despair, she saw an opportunity in the face of the Dark Lord's might, a chance to shape the future in her favor.

A hushed silence fell over the onlookers as they turned their gaze toward the Guardian Guild headquarters, their eyes widening with awe and disbelief. A thunderous roar erupted from within the walls of the stronghold, resonating through the air, capturing their attention. And then, as if summoned by some ancient power, a majestic creature materialized above the guild—a golden dragon with not one, but two magnificent heads, its ethereal form colossal and awe-inspiring.

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd as they beheld the mythical creature hovering in the sky. Whispers of amazement and wonderment intermingled with their shock.

"By the heavens, what is that?" one onlooker exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.

"I've never seen anything like it," another replied, his eyes wide with awe. "A two-headed dragon, and it emanates such power!"

The onlookers watched in rapt attention as the majestic dragon circled above the headquarters, its radiant presence casting an ethereal glow across the battlefield. There was an air of hope and anticipation, an inkling that perhaps, against all odds, the tide of the battle could still be turned.

Amidst the whispers and murmurs, the Empress of Awor stood with an impassive expression. Her eyes remained fixed on the mystical creature, studying its every movement with keen interest. With a calm yet resolute voice, she addressed her companion.

"This dragon is one of the Guardian Guild's last line of defense," she stated, her tone carrying a note of determination. "They have unveiled their ultimate trump card. Let us see what this mystical being is truly capable of."

Her words hung in the air, a quiet declaration of her intent to witness the unfolding events with strategic insight. The onlookers, despite their fear and uncertainty, found a glimmer of hope within the Empress's composed demeanor, knowing that this mythical guardian might just hold the key to turning the tide of the battle against the Dark Lord.