LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 137: Playing Around with Lucan
Yet Dante barely budged, slipping sideways at the last moment. The scorching heat rolled past, slicing the edges of his black cloak but failing to make direct contact.
Dante traced a small arc with his free hand, creating intangible shadows around his fingers. His calm, unhurried manner only fueled Lucan's growing frustration.
Lucan then spun around in a circular slash, launching his [Molten Cyclone] skill. A vortex of flames spiraled outward, promising to slice and burn anything caught within its radius.
But once more, Dante's form faded into the gloom like a living shadow. When the flames dispersed, Lucan found himself alone at the center, panting slightly. It was as if he had been striking at empty air.
Quiet footsteps behind Lucan alerted him an instant before Dante unleashed his [Dark Slash] skill and a broad crescent of dark energy flung forward with surprising power. Lucan managed to twist aside, raising his fiery blade to parry.
Sparks and black tendrils of energy crackled where their weapons met. Though Lucan succeeded in deflecting the brunt of the blow, the force still pushed him back a few steps, leaving dark scorch marks on his armor.
Dante chuckled under his breath, shadows flickering around him in response to his power. "Not bad," he murmured, "but I can see you're still holding something back."
Lucan clenched his teeth. The truth was, he wasn't holding back at all as this was already his highest output.
His arms trembled slightly from the impact of Dante's Dark Slash, a reminder that they were on completely different levels. Still, Lucan had no intention of surrendering. He couldn't because he had to survive since this battle would determine his and his protector's fate.
Lucan lunged again as he used his [Inferno Leap] skill. Fire erupted at his feet, propelling him straight at Dante at a speed that tore scorched furrows into the earth. Midair, he swung down with a flaming overhead slash.
Dante raised his right arm in a casual block, but at the last second, he vanished into a swirl of midnight vapor while utilizing the [Shadowmeld] skill, causing Lucan's blade to slam into the ground instead. A large spray of dirt and embers exploded outward.
Reappearing a few paces away, Dante greeted Lucan with an amused tilt of his head. "You're quick with that sword," he commented. "But you'll have to do better than that."
A growl escaped Lucan's throat. He mustered all the fire energy he could, launching into a rapid series of slashes that left streaks of flame in the air.
Each sword arc gleamed hot enough to melt steel. Yet each time, Dante's figure flickered away in a haze of darkness or angled itself to avoid a direct hit with disconcerting ease.
Seizing an opening between Lucan's swings, Dante darted forward with [Shadow Step] skill, his body melding briefly into the gloom before materializing almost nose-to-nose with Lucan. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
With a slight grin, he brushed a palm to Lucan's chest. A thin wisp of blackness wrapped around Lucan's body as he used his [Shadow Bind] skill.
Lucan struggled as tendrils of shadow latched onto him, threatening to immobilize his arms and legs. The flames around his sword flared wildly in response.
"Agh—!" With a burst of sheer willpower, Lucan's fiery aura expanded, incinerating the shadowy restraints before they could fully tighten.
He staggered back, breathing heavily. Smoke rose from his skin, and sweat beaded on his forehead. The difference in power was undeniable, yet he refused to concede.
Dante raised an eyebrow, showing an impressed expression. "Oh? You managed to break free."
He took a step back, allowing his own vitality to drain for a moment, as if giving Lucan another chance to attack. "Good, I'd hate for this to end too soon."
Lucan scowled as he observed Dante's relaxed posture. He had never met an opponent within the same rank who dismissed his attacks as child's play.
He was depleting his energy at an alarming rate just attempting to keep up. Meanwhile, Dante appeared almost bored, with no signs of fatigue or sweat.
Drawing in a shaky breath, Lucan planted his sword in front of him, channeling energy into its core once again. The flames darkened in color, moving from blazing orange to something closer to molten gold.
He leapt forward with renewed determination, unleashing another [Eruption Thrust] at Dante's chest.
In response, Dante parried with a swirl of shadow around his own forearm, deflecting the brunt of the blade. A shower of sparks and embers lit up the battlefield.
Lucan shifted instantly, twisting his hips to unleash a horizontal slash accentuated by his fiery aura.
Dante sidestepped elegantly, letting the strike cut harmlessly through empty space. He retaliated with a lightning-fast backhand slash of dark energy as he used another Dark Slash, aiming at Lucan's left shoulder.
Lucan instinctively raised his sword to block, but the force still threw him off balance. Sliding back several meters, he dug his heels into the dirt, struggling to remain upright. His breaths now came in ragged gasps.
All around, the watchers could see that Lucan was giving everything he had, yet he couldn't land a meaningful blow on Dante.
Meanwhile, Dante continued to toy with him, effortlessly avoiding lethal exchanges. It was clear to anyone with a discerning eye that Dante was stronger, faster, and more composed.
Lucan wiped sweat from his brow, eyes blazing with equal parts rage and desperation. His sword's flames guttered momentarily, a sign that he was nearing his limit.
"Stop mocking me!" he shouted, voice hoarse. "Fight me seriously or are you too arrogant to think I can push you that far?"
Dante paused, letting the tension thicken. Then he smirked, raising one hand in a placating gesture.
"All right. If you insist." His stance shifted slightly, shadows gathering more thickly around him.
Yet at that exact moment, Lucan's eyes narrowed, heart thundering as he gripped the hilt of his sword more tightly than ever.
As he was running out after trying everything he could without using his strongest skill, he then decided to burn his blood essence since this was already the original plan since he had anticipated that Dante should've been extremely strong in the first place.