Absolute Cheater-Chapter 120: Against Metis II

"Stay focused," Emily advised, her voice steady and authoritative. "This isn’t over yet."

Asher nodded, stepping forward with deliberate calm. His gaze was fixed on the direction of the roar, anticipation gleaming in his eyes. Whatever was coming, he was ready to face it.

A swirling portal materialized before them, its energy crackling ominously in the air. Asher froze mid-step, an uncharacteristic stillness overtaking him. The others in his squad were similarly paralyzed, their movements halted before they could react. Even before the figure emerged, the sheer presence emanating from the portal was suffocating.

Asher instinctively gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on his weapon as he attempted to break free of the invisible force binding him. Just as he was about to push himself further, Emily placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Leave it, Young Master," she said calmly, though her voice carried a rare edge of caution. "This is a being far beyond your current strength. Resistance is futile."

Her words sent a chill down Asher’s spine, but he trusted her judgment implicitly. Slowly, he relaxed his tense posture, though his eyes never left the portal. The air around them grew heavier, the oppressive aura intensifying as the entity began to take form.

From the swirling depths of the portal stepped a figure cloaked in shadow, their presence dominating the battlefield. It was clear this was no ordinary opponent, but something far more powerful—and far more dangerous.

"No wonder I felt the presence of the Magnus blood around here" the being said, his voice deep and resonant as he pulled back his cloak, revealing his towering form. He stood at nearly twice Asher’s size, his skin unlike anything human, etched with black tattoos that seemed alive, slithering and shifting like snakes across his body. His eyes were an endless pitch black, their gaze piercing straight into Asher’s soul.

"You, Metis dog," the being growled, his tone laced with disdain. "Are you forgetting the treaty? No higher ranks are allowed to interfere with beings more than three levels below them."

The words hung heavy in the air, directed toward the Metis invaders who had dared to summon such a formidable presence. The Metis warrior nearest to the being stammered nervously. Before they could respond, the towering figure dismissed them with a scoff, turning his full attention to Asher and his group.

"I know the rules," the being said, his lips curling into a wicked smile. "And I am not here to break them." His voice dripped with mockery. "My name is Tirh. And you, human female—what is your name?" His gaze shifted to Emily, his tone dripping with amusement and condescension.

Emily met his eyes unflinchingly, her voice calm and steady. "Emily," she replied simply.

"Ah, Emily," Tirh drawled, as if savoring her name. "I’ve only brought E and D ranks with me. I’ve come simply to observe. I assure you, I am here only to ensure that no... misunderstandings occur." His grin widened, revealing sharp, unnervingly white teeth.

Behind Tirh, five figures emerged from the portal, their appearances exuding a menacing aura. They were clearly Metis warriors of E and D ranks, standing silently in deference to the towering figure.

Tirh gestured lazily to the newcomers. "These are my subordinates," he said, as if introducing a mere formality. His eyes returned to Asher, lingering on him for a moment longer. "And you must be the leader of this little group," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "The one they call ’Young Master,’ yes?"

The Metis warriors glanced at Asher and his team, their expressions filled with contempt. To them, Asher and his allies were insignificant, mere obstacles in their path.

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"I am just here to observe how my elites fare against the elites of the Magnus household," Tirh said, his tone dripping with mock amusement. With a casual motion, he reclined mid-air, as if seated on an invisible throne, his posture radiating careless arrogance.

Emily glanced at him briefly, her expression unreadable, before stepping back, signaling Asher and the others to handle the incoming enemies. Her calm demeanor conveyed confidence in their abilities, even in the face of this unexpected challenge. Continue your saga on novelbuddy

Asher’s blood pulsed with anticipation. He raised his scythe, its crimson glow intensifying as he faced the Metis warriors now standing before him. The enemies bore the distinct insignias of their ranks—E and D-class warriors, each exuding an aura of practiced combat readiness.

"Stay sharp," Asher instructed his team, his voice firm and focused. "These are no ordinary opponents."

The Metis warriors spread out, their movements calculated and synchronized. Each one exuded the signature aura of their race—a mix of illusions and raw combat proficiency. The air crackled with tension as the battlefield fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional hum of energy weapons and the rustle of armor.

Tirh watched the unfolding standoff with a bemused smile, his black eyes scanning the field with predatory interest. "Let’s see if you’re worth the reputation, Magnus heir," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

The tension in the air was palpable as the Metis warriors advanced. Asher stepped forward, his crimson scythe gleaming under the faint light of the outpost’s broken lamps. His team spread out behind him, forming a defensive line to counter the incoming foes.

The first Metis warrior charged, moving with blinding speed. It was a feint; the moment Asher adjusted his stance, an illusion shimmered into view—a duplicate of the attacker lunging from the opposite direction.

Asher smirked, pivoting on his heel and slicing through both the illusion and the real attacker in one fluid motion. The illusion dissipated, but the Metis warrior stumbled, clutching a deep wound on his side before collapsing.

"Focus!" Asher barked at his team. "They’ll use illusions to confuse you. Look for patterns—they can’t hide their intent entirely."

The battle erupted into chaos. Emily stood to the side, arms crossed, observing with a faint smile. Though she was there to ensure Asher’s safety, she allowed him the opportunity to prove himself. This was his fight, and she trusted his instincts.