Chapter 210: Grin
The wave of heat that burst from Red did not only stop Michael in his charge. It spread across the battlefield and reached Myles and the others as well. The waves pressed against their bodies like an invisible wall that carried both scorching temperature and crushing force at the same time.
The air felt thick and hostile. The breath they took turned heavier as if the heat itself tried to invade their lungs and even standing still required effort now as their muscles tensed instinctively against the pressure.
Myles and his companions did not suffer as much as the others because of their high level, but it was still annoying.
From where they stood. They saw clearly how Michael’s charge had been stopped abruptly. His body locked in place under that overwhelming force and that single moment alone told them more than enough about the level Red had reached.
"That... that power..." Ethan muttered under his breath, his voice tight as his eyes stayed fixed on Red. "That Blood Sun embryo... if that’s what it’s doing now..."
Another clenched their weapon harder until their knuckles whitening as the realization settled deeper.
"It’s going to become a huge problem. No... it already is," Victor said.
The words came out low, but the fear behind them was unmistakable, and even those who did not speak shared the same thought as they felt the oppressive heat continuing to radiate outward.
Myles said nothing. He simply watched, his eyes steady but also heavy with grave understanding as the situation unfolded in front of him.
"This is worse than I thought..."
The thought lingered in his mind as a fear tightened in his chest even more. Even with the level they had reached, even with everything they had gone through so far, the presence in front of him did not give him any sense of certainty.
Instead, it did the opposite. It stripped away any false confidence and replaced it with a clear and uncomfortable truth. That they might not be enough.
His gaze lifted briefly as he looked around again, scanning the battlefield for any sign of Lilian or Seraphina. He was searching through the chaos and the crimson light that covered everything.
But once again, there was nothing. No movement or their presence, nothing that suggested they were nearby.
His jaw tightened as frustration built inside him, and he gritted his teeth to force himself to pull his focus back to the present.
"Let’s start positioning ourselves slowly," Myles said, his voice firm as he looked at his companions one by one, making sure each of them understood. "We’ll flank him from all sides and attack on my mark."
They all nodded without hesitation.
Without wasting another second, the group began to move. Their steps were controlled and deliberate even among their anxiety as they spread out around Red and Michael.
They did not rush in blindly. Instead, they moved with purpose to circle outward to create space and angles. Their eyes constantly track Red’s position while adjusting their own.
Along the way, they also killed any of Red’s troops that stood in their path with swift and efficient strikes ending those distractions before they could interfere.
Blades flashed, weapons moved, and bodies fell one after another, yet none of them allowed their focus to drift away from the true threat at the center.
At the same time, Red had already closed the distance.
He stood directly in front of Michael now, his presence towering and suffocating as the heat around him continued to distort the air.
Michael’s body trembled slightly before he forced himself to move again and pushed against the pressure as he regained control of his senses.
The rage in his eyes burned even brighter than before, refusing to fade despite the overwhelming force pressing against him.
With a sharp breath, Michael stepped forward once more and swung his fire spear. Flames surging violently along its length as he launched his attack straight at Red.
Red watched the incoming attack with clear amusement. His grin widening even further as Michael still forced himself forward despite everything that had just happened.
A low laugh escaped from him at first, then it grew louder, echoing across the battlefield with a sharp, almost delighted tone that didn’t match the brutality of the moment.
"HAHAHA! Good... good," he said, his voice filled with twisted approval as his crimson eyes gleamed even brighter. "You’re not a coward after all."
His head tilted slightly as he focused entirely on Michael, the madness in his gaze deepening as the heat around him flared again.
"Then give me an interesting fight!"
Michael’s flaming spear cut through the air. The fire around it surging violently as it closed the final distance, but Red didn’t move away.
He didn’t even bother reaching for his sword. Instead, he raised his bare hand and met the attack head-on without hesitation.
The moment the flames collided with his skin, a sharp burning sound filled the air.
Fire engulfed his hand instantly. The intense heat charred his flesh as the flames tried to consume it.
However, Red didn’t pull back. He held the spear in place with nothing but his hands. His fingers tightening around the burning weapon as the fire continued to scorch him.
The smell of burning flesh spread faintly and the cracks along his arm glowed brighter under the heat, yet his expression didn’t change into pain.
Instead, he smiled wider.
A low chuckle escaped from his lips again, more unhinged as his shoulders trembled slightly from the sensation.
"Ah... this..." he muttered, his voice lowering into something almost breathless. "This feels good... Pain like this... I missed it."
His grip tightened further, the flames licking up his arm as if trying to devour him, but he showed no sign of retreating.
Michael didn’t stop.
His attacks came again and again, each swing fueled by rage as the flames surged stronger with every strike. His movements were fast and relentless as he tried to break through Red’s defense.
The fire spear carved arcs of burning light through the air, each attack aimed to kill and carrying the full weight of his fury.
But it was clear.
Red wasn’t fighting seriously.
He moved just enough to meet each attack, blocking, deflecting, or stopping them with his bare hands. Sometimes letting the flames hit him directly without even trying to avoid it.
His body shifted casually, almost lazily, like someone playing with a toy instead of facing a life-threatening opponent.
Michael’s flames grew fiercer, his attacks faster, his rage burning hotter.
But none of it pushed Red back even a single step.
Red only laughed louder as the exchange continued, his crimson eyes locked onto Michael with growing excitement. He clearly enjoys every second of it while treating the entire fight as nothing more than entertainment.
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