The back door of the white car swung open, revealing a striking woman clad in a dark blue armor-like dress. She stepped out with an air of calm authority, her emerald jade-embedded chain glinting mysteriously in the light. Her long, flowing black hair danced in the wind, framing her face with an eye-catching beauty.
Following her was a man who appeared to be around Ashan's age. He was fully armored, his gear a striking mix of pitch black and scarlet patterns. A shield was strapped to his back, and a long sword hung at his waist. Unlike the woman, he wore an arrogant expression, his demeanor radiating confidence.
Ashan focused intently on the pair.
'As expected. They are the S-rankers who were supposed to come as reinforcements.'
—-----------------------------------------
Name- Sorin Ashby
Age- 30
Gender- Female
[Power Rank- S]
[Specialty- Healer/Mage]
[Strength- 190]
[Stamina- 210]
[Endurance- 150]
[Agility- 200]
[Other Powers and Skills]
<>Nature Blessing (Healing Type) - S
Healing skill which allows to heal the user and others
<>All Element Magic - S
Greatly increases the efficiency, control, and power of all elemental magic.
<>Combat Insight - A
Briefly see enemy weak points
<>Mass Restore - S
Heals all nearby allies at once
<>Lightlash - B
A whip of light that damages and binds the target
<> Aura of Hope - A
Boosts morale, increasing healing.
—-----------------------------------------
—-----------------------------------------
Name: Rowan Ashby
Age: 20
Gender: Male
[Power Rank: S]
[Specialty: Combat Fighter]
[Strength: 300]
[Stamina: 250]
[Endurance: 310]
[Agility: 300]
[Other Powers and Skills]
<>Blade Dance - S
An instinctive sword technique where rapid, fluid slashes flow naturally from the user's movements, striking multiple enemies without conscious intent.
<>Life Steal Slash - S
Absorbs health with each sword strike
<>Whirlwind Strike - C
Spin in place with a weapon, damaging nearby enemies
<>Shield Wall - A
Creates an impenetrable defense with a shield
—-----------------------------------------
'Hmm... impressive. Both of them are very powerful. In terms of strength and some other stats, I'm just a step away from them. Even though Infinite Absorption has raised my stats, it seems like it can't do more because this body is weak. I need to make my body stronger.'
Ashan recalled what he knew about Sorin and Rowan.
'Sorin was known for her kindness, a hero who had fought valiantly until the end. She had suffered greatly, losing her parents during a dungeon raid. Her gentle nature and striking appearance earned her the title of 'the Divine Flower.''
His gaze shifted to Rowan, and annoyance flickered in his eyes.
'And that bastard is her only brother, Rowan. An S-ranker notorious for his bad attitude. He looks down on others because of his strength, and Sorin has faced countless troubles because of him. The most disgusting part is that during a future dungeon raid, he will disobey the leader's orders out of greed and get killed by a monster. Sorin will lose one of her hands trying to save him. His actions will indirectly lead to the end of this world.'
'There's nothing good that can come from getting noticed by them. I should take my leave.'
Just as he turned to go, Rowan's sharp voice cut through the air.
"Stop right there. Who are you?"
Ashan quickly concealed his Sharingan, meeting Rowan's gaze with an emotionless expression. The B-rank raider who had been speaking with Ashan stepped forward, bowing his head to Rowan.
"Greetings, sir. I'm the leader of the Black Warriors who came here first to stop the dungeon break. This gentleman here was the one who helped us defeat the trolls."
Rowan approached Ashan, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized him.
"Well, well, a masked hero, huh? You must be powerful to have taken down those trolls alone. I'm thankful from the bottom of my heart, but we need to know who is wandering around without permission."
"Umm, sir, I think we shouldn't question his identity as a gesture of gratitude since he did a great deed," the B-rank raider interjected, trying to defuse the tension.
Rowan's fury ignited, and he released a wave of mana into the air. The atmosphere grew heavy, and everyone fell silent, the raider trembling in fear.
"You dare to give advice to me? Know your place, you weak bastard."
"I'm so sorry, sir," the raider stammered, bowing deeper.
Rowan turned back to Ashan, who remained unfazed.
"Brat, lower your pressure. You've got some wild behavior," Ashan said, his voice deep and commanding, like a ruler addressing his subjects.
The raiders gasped, shocked that he had just commanded an S-ranker.
Rowan's eyes widened in disbelief. For the first time in his life, he was being commanded by a stranger. A mocking smile crept onto his face.
"You're a puffed-up chicken too. From your voice, you sound like a middle-aged man. Do you know who I am?"
Ashan maintained his cold demeanor. "Yes, you're an unmannered brat who doesn't know how to speak to others. Am I wrong?"
The raiders' throats dried up in fear, and they began to step back, unsure of what would happen next.
"Who the hell is that lunatic? Is he out of his mind? Does he even know who he's talking to?"
Rowan's veins bulged with rage, his blood pressure rising as Ashan humiliated him in front of the crowd, tarnishing his image.
"You dare to...? Ahh... never mind. We'll figure out who you are after you reveal yourself. Take off that mask."
Ashan stepped closer to Rowan, hands clasped behind his back. "I refuse."
Rowan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, stabbing the ground with his sword. "If you're not going to remove the mask, then I will. How about that?"
Ashan clapped his hands once. "Great! Take it off if you can."
As soon as he spoke, Rowan lunged forward, his hand darting toward Ashan's mask. But in an instant—
Swish...
Their positions switched, leaving Rowan frozen in place. His mind raced as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. He turned to see Ashan looking at him, a smile playing on his lips.
'Our places switched? How is that possible? This man... Yes, this is his doing.'
Without a second thought, Rowan turned back and lunged again, attempting to grab the mask. Once more, their positions switched, and the same scene repeated several times in rapid succession, leaving the raiders dumbfounded.
Rowan gritted his teeth in frustration.
'This fucker is making a fool out of me. I'll show you what I can do.'
Suddenly, Rowan's reaction speed surged. He closed the distance between them, determined to grab Ashan's mask.
'As expected. He's not an S-ranker for nothing. He adapted quickly. I need to stop this.'