Chapter 155: The end of Vance’s arrogance
"Then we strike now!" Vance decided with desperate authority. "While he’s distracted!"
But Ethan’s voice carried across the battlefield with conversational clarity. "Are you planning to join your subjects eventually, or will you continue hiding behind their corpses?"
The question froze all three Gold-rank leaders as they realized their ’strategy’ had been transparent from the beginning.
"He’s been watching us the entire time," Walsh whispered with dawning horror.
The last twenty-five subjects died while their leaders watched.
...
The stronghold fell silent except for the groans of wounded survivors and the crackling of fires that had erupted during the systematic slaughter. Nearly three hundred subjects lay dead across multiple platforms.
Lord Vance stood among the carnage, his Peak-Gold aura flickering with barely contained fury and growing despair. Beside him, three remaining Gold-rank captains maintained defensive positions despite witnessing the futility of conventional resistance.
"Impressive demonstration," Ethan said conversationally, stepping over corpses casually. "But ultimately unnecessary. I’m not here for genocide."
Vance’s C+ grade Swordsmanship talent blazed to life as his weapon materialised in his grip. Decades of combat experience guided his stance while enhanced capabilities prepared for what might be his final battle.
"Then what do you want?" he demanded, though his voice carried notes of desperation rather than confident authority.