Chapter 215: Vain (2)

Jake bit his lip as he watched his sword close in on Vain’s neck.

At this distance, there was no way Vain could block it in time.

The blade was about to slice straight through his neck.

’That’s what happens when you’re too arrogant!’

Jake couldn’t help but think that Vain had simply underestimated them from the very beginning, and now that arrogance was about to cost him his life.

If Vain had taken them seriously from the beginning, Jake had a feeling it wouldn’t have been this easy to land a clean hit on him.

After all, just moments ago, Vain had been able to block both of their attacks with ease.

’This guy is definitely strong.’

Jake’s eyes narrowed as the blade continued toward Vain’s neck.

’But his arrogance gave us the opening we needed.’

The Sword of Light finally touched Vain’s flesh.

But—

Ting...

Jake’s eyes widened.

A strange necklace suddenly shimmered around Vain’s neck, its surface glowing with a faint light.

At the same time, Jake felt the blade slow down as though it had suddenly entered deep water.

The closer he tried to push it toward Vain’s neck, the more resistance he felt, until the sword seemed almost completely frozen in place.

Jake’s expression twisted in disbelief.

"Dammit! Not another Enchanted Artifact!"

Jake couldn’t help but feel that these Enchanted Artifacts were starting to get on his nerves.

Seriously.

How many damn treasures did this guy have?

Weren’t Enchanted Artifacts supposed to be rare?

Then why the hell did it feel like everyone he fought had one?!

Then Vain didn’t give him any time to react.

The moment Jake’s attention shifted, Vain’s eyes flashed.

BOOM!

A violent surge of lightning suddenly erupted from his body, spreading outward in every direction.

In an instant, a powerful lightning field enveloped the entire area around him.

Jake’s expression changed.

"AAAGH!"

"Jake!!"

Seeing what was happening, Aria shouted helplessly.

She could barely follow their movements at all, and a wave of helplessness washed over her as she realized there was nothing she could do to help.

Jake’s body violently convulsed as electricity coursed through him, causing every muscle to tense uncontrollably.

His hair stood on end, and his muscles tightened uncontrollably as the powerful current surged through him.

He gritted his teeth as he desperately tried to endure the shock.

"SON OF A—!"

Vain didn’t let him finish.

His figure flashed forward, lightning crackling around his arm as he clenched his fist.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared directly in front of Jake.

"Die!"

BOOM!

Vain’s lightning-covered fist slammed straight toward Jake’s face.

Or so he thought...

BANG!

Vain’s eyes widened.

A giant greatsword suddenly appeared between them, blocking his fist.

Samu’dra stood firmly in front of Jake, gripping her massive greatsword as she used the blade to intercept Vain’s attack.

Lightning immediately surged through the weapon and into her body.

"...Ah—!"

Her body violently convulsed from the electricity.

Her muscles trembled, and sparks danced across her scales.

Yet despite the pain, Samu’dra didn’t retreat even a single step.

She simply gritted her teeth and continued holding the greatsword in place.

Seeing the pain on Samu’dra’s face and the blood beginning to seep from between her scales, Jake couldn’t help but shout in worry, despite the electricity still coursing through his own body.

"S...amu’dra...!"

Vain stared at her in surprise.

Even while her body was being ravaged by his lightning, the naga remained firmly between him and Jake.

It seemed this monster was genuinely determined to protect him.

Vain’s gaze shifted toward Jake.

’Could it be... this bastard wasn’t lying? Is he really friends with this monster?’

Then a thought suddenly crossed Vain’s mind.

’Could his Class be a Beast Tamer?’

It would explain everything.

The way this naga protected Jake, the strange bond between them, and why Jake seemed completely unafraid to fight alongside such a dangerous creature.

Before Vain could finish his thought, Samu’dra suddenly moved.

Her grip tightened around the greatsword.

BOOM!

A powerful force erupted from the blade as she activated her Earth Control.

The ground beneath them immediately began to tremble.

RUMBLE...

RUMBLE...

Cracks spread across the ground as the earth itself seemed to respond to her command.

Vain’s expression changed.

’What is this monster planning...?’

The trembling rapidly intensified.

Large chunks of stone began to rise from the ground around Samu’dra, while the entire area shook violently beneath their feet.

Vain hesitated for a brief moment.

Should he continue attacking or retreat?

He didn’t hesitate for long.

He chose the latter.

ZAP!

Lightning burst from his body.

His figure instantly flashed backward and disappeared from in front of Samu’dra.

A moment later, he reappeared a considerable distance away.

BANG!

Vain landed firmly on the ground, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the giant naga.

He wasn’t about to fall for the same trick twice.

More importantly, he had already learned his lesson.

He couldn’t afford to underestimate these two.

He had no idea what other tricks this naga might have hidden, and continuing to fight recklessly when he didn’t know her full capabilities was simply asking for trouble.

For now, Vain decided it would be better to keep some distance and observe them first.

Of course, it was nothing but a bluff from Samu’dra.

She had simply gambled that Vain would be wary enough to retreat after seeing her activate Earth Control.

And judging by the distance he had put between them, it had worked.

Samu’dra quietly released her grip on the greatsword and deactivated the Earth Control.

The trembling ground gradually began to settle.

She had no intention of chasing after him.

In truth, she had only wanted to buy Jake some time and force Vain to retreat far enough for the strange electric field around them to disappear.

Once the Earth Control was deactivated, Samu’dra turned her attention back toward Jake.

She was still trembling slightly from the electricity coursing through her body, but she remained standing firmly in place.

"Are... you... okay...?" she asked Jake.

Jake forced his trembling body to straighten as the last traces of electricity faded from his muscles.

"I’m fine..."

He took a breath before looking at Samu’dra.

Then his expression immediately changed when he noticed the blood seeping through her scales.

"Wait, you’re the one who should be saying that!"

Jake hurried toward her, his eyes filled with concern.

"You’re bleeding!"

Samu’dra glanced down at her wounds as though she had only just noticed them.

"This is... nothing."

Jake’s expression became firm.

"No...! From now on, just stay behind me."

He stepped in front of Samu’dra, putting himself between her and Vain with his sword ready for another attack.

"..."

Samu’dra’s gaze lingered on Jake’s back as she remained silent, unable to look away.