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[Intimidation Activated!]
└ -12 DE
→ [Intimidation]
└ C-Rank
└ A pressure-based ability that releases a concentrated wave of demon energy toward a target, overwhelming their instincts with fear and hesitation. The sudden surge of hostile presence can disrupt focus, slow reactions, and make weaker opponents instinctively recoil, creating an opening for the user to strike.
└ Duration: 1 Minute
└ Cooldown: 12 Seconds
└ Cost: 12 DE per activation
[Limitations]
└ The effectiveness depends heavily on the difference in willpower between the user and the target.
└ Opponents with strong mental resistance or higher rank may only feel minor pressure.
└ The ability does not cause physical damage and only affects the mind and instincts.
└ Repeated use against the same opponent will gradually reduce its effectiveness as they adapt.
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In that moment, the man standing before Ron, with Alex just behind him, felt a pressure unlike anything he had ever experienced.
It didn't feel like gravity lowered; no, it felt like his entire body couldn't move because there was something that felt like it was circling his mana core, ready to strike at any movement.
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[Individual Affected!]
[Name]
└ Adrian Rover
[Time]
└ Lasting 1 More Minute
[Rank]
└ D-Rank
[Beast & Beast-Rank]
└ Divine Beast Spawn
└ A-Rank
[Deity]
└ The Owl Deity
[Family Degree]
└ 4th Degree - Highest tier of a non-noble family.
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Just because someone is highly powerful doesn't automatically mean they hold a higher rank within the scout squad appointed by the church's hierarchy.
They measure it based on trust and the number of completed tasks, and Ron has only just begun. So, at the very least, he hasn't earned any merit yet.
While Adrian—the individual Alex used [Imitation] on—felt an immeasurable pressure, he still had the ability to summon his tamed beast.
Ron waited, and Alex smirked, "Let's try this baby out."
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[Equipped Abyss Blade!]
[Information]
└ Rank: D
└ Price: 120 Coins
└ Description: A rare weapon forged in demonic energy. Grows stronger with its wielder.
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The Abyss Blade is a simple sword made from dark steel. The blade is slightly black in colour and doesn't shine much in the light.
It has a straight, sharp edge and is about the size of a normal longsword. Near the base of the blade, a few faint markings are carved into the metal.
The guard is small and plain, while the handle is wrapped in dark leather for a steady grip. Overall, the sword looks clean, modest, and practical, with only a subtle hint that it was forged with demonic energy.
But only Demons are able to sense that demonic energy, meaning Adrian couldn't sense anything.
But he wasn't finished, "The Great Owl Deity…" Adrian pulled his right arm out, then tried resisting the pressure, but he still couldn't move. Ron was waiting, patiently, "I summon the…"
Alex walked up, as [The Abyss Blade] formed into his palm, and then, he didn't wait, not like Ron.
Stab!
"Thk!" Adrian spat out blood, as he looked below his chest, still unmovable, but alive, breathing, barely, "Thk!"
He felt his throat feel rough, and then, an insurmountable amount of blood began pouring from his mouth down to the rooftop they were standing on.
"W-what," Adrian looked down, "W-who, are you… Tsk!"
Alex stabbed Adrian from behind, cleanly right in the middle of his chest.
"If you don't want to die fast, then you mustn't speak." Alex whispered, keeping the blade within the stabbed wound, "If you don't want to feel pain, don't resist. Lie down on the floor, and we'll take care of the rest."
Adrian fell, then, for some reason, began to chuckle. He remained on the floor. Ron crept up and then whispered the following.
"Sir, pardon me. But we should keep him alive; it would serve a far greater purpose. If we don't, the hierarchy will gain suspicion, and most likely aim it towards me, as Adrian's target is Ron Von Vosterfold." Ron said, kneeling, as Adrian stopped giggling for a split second.
While Alex was about to sleep, Adrian's chuckle interrupted.
"You think this is over now that you've got me in a chokehold?!" He looked up, gazing straight towards Alex, "It's long from being finished. And now, you've messed up. Once the church's hierarchy is on your tail, you can never escape their grasp—and you never will!"
TSK!!
Alex crouched down, lifting Adrian's head, then sneered.
"Look at me, Adrian Rover. Son of a cheap 4th-degree family. Tossed around by society, you are nothing, you understand?" Alex confidently said, "Having an A-Rank Divine Beast Spawn, part of the owl deity, isn't bad. But it was all worthless, your entire existence was worthless, everything about you was a mess, up until the bitter end. Don't you think?"
And for that second, Adrian felt true fear for the first time.
'How does he know my name and beast…?'
Alex's eyes widened, his face now gazing directly towards Adrian's soon-to-be-dead body.
"Now, you must be thinking how I know all this, aren't you?" Alex asked, not looking for a response, "Well, think about it."
Ron stood near them both, prepared for anything, weary.
"Be careful," Ron stated, "Something's off."
Alex looked at Ron, "No worries, I have this guy in a chokehold."
Suddenly, Adrian raised both his hands out wide, "Oh, what the hell." He smiled, "There's no reason for me to know or understand what you can do… Tsk."
He spat out more blood, Alex kept his head held, "I'm about to die here either way. So, by the name of the church, the deities, and the ones who come before me."
"Alex, back up!" Ron yelled, "Get away from him, now!"
Alex looked at Ron, and then realised he had already wasted [Quick-Step]. However, [Intimidation] remained active.
Then, Adrian grinned, closing his eyes, "It's too late." Everything felt like it was coming to a close, like time itself was stopping just before Alex, as a bright light began to form around Adrian.
Instead of running, Alex knew it was already far too late—so he chose to keep stabbing Adrian, again and again.
But even that came too late.
"By the grace of the heavens. I, Adrian Rover, will…" Everything slowed down again. Alex's arm seemed like it stopped in time during that moment, "Self-implode."