Hero of Darkness



Kahn's bold challenge to the entire Hero's Party sent shockwaves through the room, leaving even Maximus, who had refrained from participating in the previous antagonism, stunned. The members of the party, each regarded as exceptional talents and sources of pride within their clans and tribes, found it difficult to comprehend how this newcomer could openly challenge their authority and display such audacious hubris.

Borat, unable to contain his outrage, voiced his disbelief and anger at Kahn's audacity. His words carried a mixture of shock and indignation, reflecting the sentiments shared by the rest of the Hero's Party members.

The atmosphere in the pocket dimension grew tense as Kahn's bold declaration hung in the air. The challenge he posed, to fight them all together, seemed nothing short of madness. The members exchanged glances, their faces a mix of incredulity and determination. They were not accustomed to having their authority questioned or facing open opposition, and Kahn's words struck at the core of their pride and self-assurance.

"What the fuck did you just say? Are you out of your goddamn mind, you bastard?" asked Borat.

While they each possessed exceptional abilities and backgrounds that had earned them their esteemed positions, Kahn's sudden appearance had shaken their assumptions of superiority. The notion that this newcomer believed he could take on the entire Hero's Party was a direct challenge to their individual prowess and the collective might they represented.

The hostile atmosphere within the Hero's party took a dark turn as the members contemplated the consequences of Atreus's challenge. 

"Is this bastard on some suicide mission? Is he not afraid of death?" said Speki.

However, amidst the unsettling discussion, Rolakan, the snakekin mage, presented a sinister suggestion, reveling in the opportunity to exploit Atreus's regenerative abilities.

"Ha ha ha! Good for me. Although we don't have a healer in our group, I heard the Fenrirborne tribe members have great regenerative ability. We can't kill him since he's part of the group now, but it doesn't mean we can't rip apart his arms and legs.

He will keep regenerating over time, and we will keep torturing him until he begs all of us for forgiveness." spoke the mage with a sinister laugh.

Rolakan's sadistic proposal displayed a disturbing desire to inflict pain upon Atreus, taking advantage of his regenerative capabilities as a member of the Fenrirborne tribe. The suggestion hinted at a cruel intention to subject him to prolonged suffering, intending to break his spirit.

The air grew heavier as the party members contemplated Rolakan's idea, the group's unity fracturing even further. The conversation took a dark turn, leaving an ominous cloud hanging over their interactions and the impending battle that awaited them in the pocket dimension.

As the tension in the Hero's party reached its peak, Atreus grew increasingly exasperated with their empty words and lack of action. He folded his arms, displaying a bored expression, and called out their perceived shortcomings.

"Bah, are you guys only good at talking? It would've been useful if you guys spent this much time on training instead of bullshitting." remarked Atreus, giving a look of disdain towards the party members.

His statement struck a nerve with Pokawor, the Naga spearman warrior, who had been harboring anger towards Atreus.

"This fucker! I'm gonna fuck him up!" his rageful voice echoed in the surrounding.

The Naga warrior's face revealed his pent-up frustration, his desire for a confrontation with Atreus growing stronger. However, rather than backing down, Atreus embraced the challenge with mischievous glee.

"Hey, hey... Stop talking and fight me already. And fight me seriously."

A mischievous grin played on Atreus's face, indicating his eagerness to engage in a genuine battle. He made it clear that he had no intention of going easy on any of his fellow party members, asserting his determination to prove his own strength and expose their weaknesses.

"Because I'm not intending to go easy on any of you posers either."

BOOM!

BOOM!

As the tension escalated within the Hero's Party, a powerful energy permeated the surroundings, causing the ancient ruins to come alive. Eight distinct, vibrant auras emerged, each representing the unique abilities and strengths of the party members.

The colored auras enveloped the vast expanse of the white ancient ruins, creating a mystical and awe-inspiring spectacle that stretched across a 15-kilometer radius.

Conan, who had initially harbored fear towards Atreus, now found a newfound sense of confidence. The shared cause and the unity among his teammates emboldened him, allowing his own resentment towards Atreus to surface.

Previously, Conan had hesitated to act upon his resentment, aware of his own limitations as a 4th stage saint. However, with the collective power and support of his fellow party members, he felt a renewed sense of courage.

"You brought this on yourself, you damn blue mutt!" said Svana as she took her daggers out.

"Let's show this shithead who's he messing with. He wanted to face all of us together, right?

Then let's show him what happens when a roadside garbage dared to hold their head up against people who belong to the top of food chain." declared Borat and one after another, all of the spread up in mere moments.

Swoon!

Swoon!

The very next moment, a massive pillar of emerald aura coming out of Borat, one of the 6th stage saints of the group quickly arose and spread on the ground.

Crack! 

Crack!

Rumble!

Rumble!

"Domain Expansion : Nature's Fury!" shouted the green-maned lionkin.

As the emerald aura permeated the ground beneath them, an astonishing transformation occurred within the ancient ruins. Terraforming magic surged through the debris, causing the emergence of a mesmerizing sight. From the shattered remnants of the ruins, thousands of colossal vines, trees, and vibrant multicolored flowers sprouted forth.

These towering flora, shrouded in a deep green hue, reached heights of hundreds of meters and spanned dozens of meters in width.

This wondrous and unnatural phenomenon was none other than Borat's domain. His mastery over nature and the ability to manipulate plant life manifested in this breathtaking display of power. The vines intertwined and coiled, creating a sprawling canopy that stretched above, while the colossal trees stood as sentinels of Borat's domain, their branches reaching towards the sky.

The air became saturated with the scent of earth and vegetation, as the vibrant flowers bloomed, adorning the surroundings with a kaleidoscope of colors.

The once desolate and crumbling ruins were transformed into a vibrant, living sanctuary—a testament to Borat's command over the natural forces.

However, things didn't just end there.

Rumble!

Tremble!

As the sky above them darkened and the clouds multiplied, an ominous presence filled the air. In a matter of moments, the temperature in the vicinity plummeted to freezing levels, reaching zero degrees within a mere 10 seconds.

The sound of a frigid blizzard echoed through the surroundings, sending a shiver down Atreus' spine. This was the Snow Domain of Xavolees, the silver bearkin battleaxe warrior and the second 6th stage saint within the Hero's Party.

Xavolees' control over ice and snow was unparalleled, and his domain unleashed a powerful blizzard that could freeze millions of soldiers on a battlefield with its bone-chilling intensity. The howling winds and icy gusts carried the potential to incapacitate even a 3rd stage saint within a mere 10 minutes of exposure.

The party members, familiar with Xavolees' Blizzard Domain, braced themselves against the biting cold and the onslaught of the blizzard's fury. Atreus, in particular, felt the frosty tendrils of the blizzard creeping towards him, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by his fellow party member.

The clash of domains within the Hero's Party grew more apparent, as Borat's vibrant and verdant domain stood in contrast to Xavolees' chilling Snow Domain.

[Dammit! Are they insane?!

At this rate, Atreus would sustain grave injuries. I should meddle in if things get serious.] thought Maximus from afar.

The tense atmosphere within the Hero's Party escalated as Atreus intentionally provoked the members with his challenging words.

While Maximus wasn't inclined to initiate a fight with his own teammate solely based on words, Atreus's unyielding attitude and lack of consideration left him with little reason to defend or support such behavior.

Complicating matters further was the Law of the Jungle, a prevalent ideology in the Nadur Empire that governed their interactions. According to this law, defending one's honor and reputation was considered a valid cause for physical confrontation.

Atreus's deliberate provocation had provided the members with a perceived justification to attack him, as they sought to defend their pride and maintain their standing within the Hero's Party.

In the midst of this charged atmosphere, Maximus found himself torn between the desire to maintain unity within the party and the internal conflict caused by Atreus's provocative behavior. 

As a battle-hardened warrior, he understood the significance of honor and reputation, but he also recognized the importance of cohesion within their group. It was a delicate balance to strike, one that required careful consideration of the potential consequences.

BOOM!

BOOM!

As tensions soared within the Hero's Party, Speki, the red peacock-kin and fire elemental summoner, took center stage. With a wave of his hand, he conjured massive fireballs, each resembling a destructive cannonball, and summoned hundreds of towering firebirds that resembled majestic phoenixes. The fiery creatures circled around him, radiating intense heat and power.

In an impressive display of mastery over his domain, Speki activated his powerful domain, known as the Assembly of Purified Flame. This domain intensified the heat and intensity of his fire-based attacks, adding another layer of danger to his already formidable power.

Targeting Atreus, Speki directed his arsenal of fireballs and commanding firebirds towards him. The fireballs, resembling blazing cannonballs, hurtled through the air with devastating force, while the firebirds soared overhead, their fiery plumage leaving trails of scorching embers in their wake.

By logic, Fire and Blizzard should have canceled each other. But instead, they coexisted in a heterogeneous arrangement as one part was scorching hot while the other was freezing cold at the same time on different multitudes and directions. 

Under the combined pressure of Speki's domain and the previous domains unleashed by Xavolees and Borat, Kahn, in his Atreus persona, found himself constrained. The immense power and unified assault of the three domains created a formidable challenge that tested his resilience and ability to withstand the onslaught.

As the battlefield became enveloped in a maelstrom of elemental forces, the clash of domains intensified. The air crackled with heat and energy, and the sheer power of the combined attacks threatened to consume everything in their path.

And these were just 3 members.

The rest 5 members were strategically located in different directions, ready to attack as part of their teamwork against enemies.

[Warning! The host is under the debuff effect of 3 different domains.

All physical and magical stats are reduced by 30%.

Warning!

The host's senses and agility have been decreased by 40%] the system informed, warning Kahn about his precarious situation.

"All right then, that should be enough for a warmup." said Atreus carefully as he flexed his shoulders, cracked his neck and took the Goku warmup posture.

His gaze then landed on the party members that had spread afar dozens of kilometers in all directions.

Yet, there was no hint of fear or worry on his face as he asked in an insidious voice…

"Shall we get started?"