Mithran Street – North Solaren
Maaja was systematically destroying the Flame Riders. His presence alone had accelerated the race into an unexpected, frantic pace. The influence of his unique Karnivox radiated outward, affecting the other beasts and forcing them to run far faster than their riders could manage. In the narrow, complex corridors of Mithran Street, the Flame Riders were unable to react. Many riders eliminated themselves, crashing into poles and stone walls, unable to turn quickly enough at the new speed. Several were unseated instantly after hitting their heads on low-hanging overground platforms.
Maaja: "Hahahahha! Ignorant juniors, witness the greatness of this old man! Chaos Flame Hands!"
Maaja's hands became enveloped in fierce yellow flames. He began a rhythmic chopping movement with both hands, releasing a sharp flame slash with every strike.
The riders hit by the technique were immediately knocked out, falling from their Karnivoxes like moths burned by a flame. While the riders suffered at Maaja's hands, the citizens above were reveling in the carnage, throwing wine and flowers from their balconies and windows. One rider had his face drenched in wine, flowers sticking to his skin and blocking his vision; he crashed straight into a support beam as a sudden curve in the road appeared.
Maaja: "Fool! He should have let his Karnivox lead on its own! Hahaha!"
In a split second, Maaja glanced toward a side alley and saw Kain slaughtering the thugs. His expression shifted into a bright, slow-motion smile. In that instant, he stopped attacking the riders and increased his speed, blurring past the pack.
The Lead Pack
Far ahead, Melvin and Horlen had finally managed to adapt to the lethal speed of the race.
Melvin: "Shit! Why is that old man suddenly increasing his speed? He's coming right for us and ignoring everyone behind him!"
Horlen: "Seems like he got bored beating the weaklings and decided to test us instead."
Maaja unstrapped his massive golden trident, the metal beginning to glow as it was covered in flames.
Melvin: "I don't think we're even strong enough for him to justify using that trident..."
Maaja closed the gap in a matter of seconds, pulling alongside the brothers.
Maaja: "You're the City Commander, right? You're doing a poor job here—racing while the city has intruders. A little kid is doing your job for you!"
Melvin: "Huh? What are you talking about?"
Maaja: "Forget about the race! Let's finish this rubbish first!"
Maaja aimed his trident, yellow flames spiraling around the tines. He threw it at a steep upward angle toward the rooftops of a nearby building.
Masked Goon (On the roof): "Shit, he found us! Aaaaahhh!"
The entire rooftop exploded on impact, the masonry disintegrating instantly. Many of the hidden saboteurs died where they stood. Melvin and Horlen, adapting quickly to the new threat, drew their blades and targeted the survivors who had managed to leap away from the blast.
Melvin: "Blazing Hearts Sword Style—Slashing Blaze!" (Similar to flame slash but can bend trajectory)
A slash of fire curved into the air in a perfect arc, slaying a masked goon who had jumped toward the far side of the building.
Horlen: "Oh, Fire of Maijin, protect me!"
Horlen leaped forward, a fire barrier manifesting around him for protection. His Karnivox let out a Flame Cannon blast directly at him, the force of the explosion launching Horlen through the air toward the enemies. Mid-air, Horlen swung his blade downward with crushing force.
Horlen: "Heat Slash!"
He unleashed an Ethereal Stage Heat Slash. The blade of heat was so long it cut four men in half and sliced through the building's rooftop structure.
Horlen landed on the blazing rooftop, his cape flickering in the heat. The golden trident hummed as it flew back into Maaja's hand, while Melvin pulled his Karnivox up behind them, standing ready.
A few hours ago – Daybreak Underground Sewer System – Northern Solaren
Rows of masked men, armed with a variety of weapons, stood in disciplined lines within the damp tunnels. A few stepped forward to take the lead.
Man in Red Demon Mask: "Today, the second day of the celebration week, we will disrupt the Karnivox race. We will pin the blame on the Cinder and Celyn clans as revenge for their ban. Our goal is to create friction between the Imperial Family and the two clans."
He looked across the assembled force, his voice echoing off the sewer walls.
Red Demon: "The capital of the empire has many experts above the Ethereal and Mystic stages. We must use this short interval to kill the Second Prince. Even if the assassination fails, we will frame it as the First Empress's attempt to eliminate him for the succession of the throne."
He paused, his eyes cold behind the mask.
Red Demon: "At the same time, try to eliminate the strongest talents of the new generation as much as possible."
Man in Yellow Demon Mask: "Boss Red, I have already arranged a group of thugs and provided them with sound-disturbing runes. Creating chaos will be no problem."
Red mask: "Very well. Let's go. 'May the one true fire prevail.'"
Masked Men: "May the one true fire prevail!"
Present
Yellow Mask (Comms): "Alert all squads! Attention! The Visionary stage expert spotted and eliminated our 13th standby squad. The Commander is active!"
Red Mask: "Everyone, the initial standby stealth plan is abandoned. All squads, go on full-on assault. Create maximum damage!"
With that order, every masked man hiding across the empire began a large-scale terror attack that no one expected. Among the masked forces were:
500 Grandmasters
150 Heaven Stagers
50 Profound-Heaven Stagers
20 Ethereal Stagers
5 Mystical Stagers
1 Visionary Stage Expert
Hundreds of men leaped across buildings and sprinted through the alleyways of Solaren. They waited for the Flame Riders and ambushed them from the shadows. Unit Guards standing by checkposts were taken down in a moment by masked men jumping from above. They were swift and precise. Until—
Melvin (Comms): "Solaren City Guards! We have intruders inside the Imperial Capital. Estimated around 800 men. Mostly Grandmasters and Heaven Stagers. Show them the heat of fire, people!"
Horlen: "Uuuuh, they are fire users too, if I had to guess."
As the Commander of the City Guards announced the order, the guards began the counter-attack. Units of City Guards and squads of masked men clashed on the rooftops. In the alleyways, a brutal dogfight unfolded within the crooked corridors of the city.
The Encounter
The Red Mask (Visionary) and Yellow Mask (Mystical) arrived at Rocian's location. Rocian was currently holding the thug leader—the one Kain had caught—upside down by one leg and was beating the shit out of him. He looked up. The Red Mask stood before him, with the Yellow Mask positioned behind. A huge pillar of smoke rose in the distance behind them.
The Imperial Knights stepped forward immediately.
Visionary Knight: "Your Highness..."
Rocian: "Trash him."
Visionary Knight: "Understood."
The Red Mask jumped down, walking slowly forward. The Visionary Knight closed the distance, his heavy armor clanking.
Mystic Knights: "Prince!"
Rocian: "Have fun."
Rocian spun his iron rod and delivered a final, bone-crushing hit to the thug leader. Simultaneously, the two Mystic Knights leaped into the air, striking down at the Yellow Mask. However, the Yellow Mask blocked both blades at the same time by crossing his arms in an 'X' formation.
He raised his head, his eyes gleaming behind the mask.
Yellow Mask: "Did you think you had the advantage because it's two against one? Then you are wrong."
Mystic Knight 1: "No... it's one vs three."
Kain Blinked behind the Yellow Mask, swinging his katana in a lethal arc aimed at the head. But the Yellow Mask was faster—he grabbed Mystic Knight 1 and threw him directly at the incoming Kain, forcing the boy to adjust. With his other hand, he tossed the second knight away like a ragdoll.
Knight 1 landed on both legs and instantly used Flame Acceleration to close the gap, swinging his sword low at the Yellow Mask's legs. Simultaneously, Knight 2 closed in from behind, charging a Mystic Flame Thrust for a killing stab.
The Yellow Mask moved with inhuman precision; he stepped heavily onto Knight 1's sword to pin it, grabbed Knight 2's wrist mid-thrust, and swung him around—slamming him down directly on top of Knight 1. Without looking back, he tilted his body and raised his hand, predicting exactly where Kain would Blink next.
Yellow Mask: "Mystic Tier Spell: Calamitic Explosion!"
A massive burst of energy erupted where Kain was about to appear. Kain reacted in a split second, Blinking once more to the far edge of the rooftop to escape the blast.
Below them, the two Visionaries clashed with their full strength. The resulting shockwave was so immense it forced everyone nearby backward. Kain had to stab his katana into the stone roof of the building just to anchor himself. Knights 1 and 2 barely resisted the force, while the Yellow Mask stood unfazed, calmly holding his hands behind his back.
Rocian, ever the pragmatist, had escaped the immediate blast zone by using the captured Thug Leader as a human meat shield.
The Red Mask reached into his dimensional pocket and pulled out a massive, jagged War Axe. Across from him, the Visionary Knight unsheathed his Long Sword, the steel glowing with suppressed power. Both prepared for a life-and-death struggle.
On the other side of the city:
A group of masked men moved through a narrow street, surrounding om
At a nearby cafe, Stency and Meena were enjoying their time until Stency noticed the unwelcome guests. She immediately dropped her drink, preparing for combat.
Aurin stepped out of his room the moment he heard Melvin's mobilization order echo through the city.
Jaden accelerated toward the capital, carrying Osmian through the air as they both stared at the massive pillars of smoke rising from the heart of Solaren.
The peace of the festival had vanished in an instant.
Next Chapter ———≈ ATTACK ON SOLAREN