In a remote stronghold deep within the Black Mountains, where rivers of ash flow over molten rock, Velgor, the gang's Vice-Captain, sat upon a throne of rusted iron. The hall was vast, filled with blueprints and ancient documents, illuminated by the eerie flicker of blue-flamed torches. A subordinate rushed in, drenched in sweat, kneeling without daring to look up.
"My Lord... news from Corinth," the subordinate stammered. "Kalykis and Harkan... both have fallen in battle!"
A heavy silence followed, broken only by the crackling flames. Velgor raised his eyes slowly, a fire burning within them that mirrored the eternal blazes of the mountains. He gripped the arm of his throne until the iron splintered beneath his palm.
"Two of my strongest commanders... fallen to a group of nameless mercenaries?!" Velgor's voice was low, yet laced with a terrifying rage. He stood and walked toward a massive map, his eyes locking onto the word: Corinth.
"It seems these fools do not know who they are challenging," he whispered coldly. One of his aides cautiously suggested waiting for the Leader's orders, but Velgor silenced him by slamming his fist onto the table, scattering papers everywhere. "No orders are needed. If I do not move now, the world will think we have lost our edge. Prepare everyone. We will make Corinth remember the name Velgor forever."
Two days passed in Corinth after the battle between Ray and Harkan. The city was slowly returning to its rhythm. Lina remained busy healing the wounded with steady, confident hands. On the walls, Zayn and Ray oversaw the watch, their eyes scanning the horizon with absolute vigilance.
Meanwhile, inside the System Chamber, Novarion had spent the equivalent of one real-world day—nearly 24 days of intensive training. His body and mind were now almost perfectly synchronized with the System, reaching a peak few could ever imagine.
Suddenly, a scout arrived, breathless and terrified: "My Lord... Velgor and his legion are heading toward the city!"
Zayn and Ray rushed to meet the threat. Novarion watched from his room for a moment before a prompt appeared:
[System: Major threat approaching. Danger Level: High.]
Novarion stepped out, appearing silently behind his comrades. Minutes later, Velgor arrived at the gates. "So, you are the mercenaries who defeated my men?" he sneered.
"We are not mercenaries," Ray replied firmly. "We are Hunters sworn to protect Corinth."
Zayn struck first, moving in a blur, taking down Velgor's followers one by one with lethal precision. Ray followed, their movements harmonized as if the city itself were guarding them. As the skirmish intensified, Novarion walked into the center of the confrontation. A new message flashed:
[System: Advanced Threat. Opponent: Velgor, SS-Rank Magic Warrior. User of Black Magic.]
Novarion locked eyes with Velgor, his calm exterior masking a tidal wave of power. "So, you are Velgor..."
Velgor smirked, his voice dripping with malice. "In the flesh. Here I am."
Novarion's voice grew stern, "You and your gang haven't just been trying to control cities... why?"
Velgor laughed mockingly, "What's it to you, boy? How about you fight me instead of talking?"
The city stood still, the wind carrying the whispers of the impending clash. The sky over Corinth turned a bruised purple, waiting for the first strike.
To be continued...