Second World

'What about that tiny orbs that appeared before he struck me?' Jack continued to ask Peniel.

'That was Avenging Orbs. Every time an Avenger received a hit, they will get this orb that lasts for two minutes. A maximum of ten orbs can be generated. Each orb increases the Avenger's damage and defense by 1%. When the Avenger performed a skill, they can choose to sacrifice these orbs. Each sacrificed orbs enhanced the executed skill by 10%.'

'And the skill an Avenger got for passing the trial on the first try?'

'It's called Thorn Vest. It reflects 30% melee damage back to the attacker. This skill lasts for twenty seconds at its first level.'

'Any visual cue when this skill is used?'

As if answering Jack's question, Ironfist armor emitted a soft red glow with thorny surfaces. Jack's assaults had picked up in speed at this time. His Dexterity far outpaced his opponent's. Adding to him using two swords with high attack speed, while his opponent was using a single two-handed sword which was heavy and slow. Hence, Jack could slip through Ironfist's skillful moves and hit him. It was at this time the thorny red glow appeared.

Ironfist received damage but so did Jack. Under normal circumstances, Jack would have continued going for the offense. But at this time, his HP was not ideal. Ironfist was the same. He had drunk some restorative potions after hitting Jack with Counter-Strike and Power Strike, yet he was not out of danger yet.

As if having a mutual agreement, the two disengaged and backstepped away. The two stared at each other with apprehension.

"I thought you are just someone who depends on superior attributes to overpower your opponents. It appears that I have misjudged you," Ironfist said.

"A lot of others did as well, don't beat yourself for that," Jack replied.

"What is that sword style you used? Where did you learn it?"

"Interested? I can teach you if you want. It is called the ultimate sword style for killing Corporate United people. But of course, if you wish to learn, you will then have to quit your guild first. Otherwise, you don't have the chance to use it."

"Your mouth is as aggravating as reported."

"Thank you for the compliment."

The two were chatting but were also using restorative items at the same time. Jack used healing potion, basic healing potion, basic rejuvenation, and basic regeneration potion successively. Ironfist had drunk the basic potions before so they were still on cooldown. He instead used Heal scroll, Regeneration scroll, and another potion that Jack had no idea what it was.

"You are not bad for a youngster. I haven't had a good fight these days. Let's get serious then," Ironfist uttered as he held his two-handed sword in a ready pose.

"You are not bad as well for a geezer. Unfortunately, I'm not interested to accompany you play," Jack said and replaced his Whirlwind Falchion with Rapid Dazing Staff.

He activated Life Burning Art and his speed increased further. He used Charge towards the Guild Core. Ironfist did the same. While charging, Jack cast a spell. Three runes formed at the same time.

Ironfist's Charge brought him to the position that blocked Jack's path. Jack's spell formation was completed at the time. It was Magic Bind. A ring of light was formed and targeted one of Ironfist's legs, but when it tightened, it clamped at empty air. Ironfist was one foot away.

'It missed?' Jack was surprised.

Ironfist swung at him, Jack met the claymore with his Storm Breaker. His strength of using a one-handed sword could still rival Ironfist who used two-handed, but he was pushed back a little.

Jack cast Mana Bullet and Energy Bolts as his right hand continued to fence with Ironfist. Whenever his range attacks almost hit, it seemed that Ironfist had shifted to a different position.

'It was a martial art!' Jack came to a realization. He thought at first Ironfist had used a skill to evade his spell, but if it is so, it won't be able to be used consecutively. There should be a cooldown, but Ironfist had continued using it against his range attacks.

"Not bad, old man!" Jack exclaimed as another rune was completed expeditiously.

Ironfist's mana-sensing ability informed him of the danger. He quickly stepped away but realized it was not far enough. He made a jump but still sensed the danger. He stabbed his long claymore onto the floor and stepped on it and jumped high, just as a ring of ice exploded out.

The danger he sensed was from the possibility of getting frozen. If he was unlucky enough to get frozen, then it was over for him. No matter how expert a martial artist was, it was useless if they couldn't move.

Jack was amazed by the old man's fast thinking and reaction. The jump aided with his claymore had sent him high enough to escape Ice Ring. Peniel had informed him before that several elite classes received a boost in their jump, but Avenger was not one of them. So he was rather sure that his Ice Ring would hit.

But despite his spell's failure, he wasn't discouraged. The next move came to him as soon as the initial one failed. Three runes were formed simultaneously while Ironfist was still in the air. The floor below Ironfist lighted up while he was dropping. However, before the Arcane Turbulence came out, Ironfist took out a scroll. An explosion of wind sent him away from the danger zone, towards Jack, another claymore appeared in his hands. He cleaved the large sword at Jack when he came near.

"Got you!" Jack exclaimed.

Jack had expected this hi-ranking guild to have some other common magic scroll aside from the healing ones, at least one movement magic scroll. The Wind Jet scroll was particularly useful. Jack himself had gained benefit multiple times from it. Now that Ironfist had used it, he won't be able to use another one even if he had one, due to the cooldown time. Ironfist had also used Charge not long ago, so Jack surmised he should not have any other movement skill or tool at this moment.

Jack used Shooting Dash. He had kept this move until now. His two-time dash brought him away from Ironfist and close to the Guild Core. Ironfist, who realized he had been tricked, chased over, but his speed was slow. He took out another scroll and used it. It was Haste which increased his movement speed. But Jack was already much in the lead. The Haste scroll only put Ironfist's movement speed at the same level as Jack's.

Five-rune spell formation was completed on Jack's staff just as he arrived beside the guild core. Jack placed the completed spell right on top of the Guild Core. Ten crimson chains burst out. When Ironfist tried to reach the Guild Core to prevent Jack from hitting it, the ten crimson chains snapped at him.

Ironfist could sense that these ten chains were no joke. He used his mystic steps again to evade but there were just too many chains. He had to use his claymore to bash the ones he had no time to evade to prevent them from tangling him, but this just cause him to retreat.

While Ironfist was busy with the crimson chains. Jack had re-equipped his Whirlwind Falchion. He used Cross Slash at the Guild Core, causing a large amount of damage.

At this time, every member of Corporate United received an emergency notification that their Guild Core was under assault. But they were still busy dealing with the Demon Weed outside. They could not afford to disengage from the defense. Currently, there were large numbers of level 42 special elite Demon Flowers keeping them busy. There were even several level 47 rare elite which shaped like a large stem with long leaves that lashed around. Even the Flame Succubus was having a hard time trying to contend with these many foes.

Director Forcelabor sent a message to General Manager Ironfist, as he was the one guarding the Guild Hall inside, "what happened?"

"This Storm Wind kid had sneaked inside," Ironfist replied.

"What? How? Why didn't you call for help?"

Ironfist didn't answer. He did feel regret now. He had underestimated this kid.

"I will send some people, try to hold on!" Forcelabor said. Their defense would weaken but he didn't see a choice. If the Guild Core was destroyed, then all would be lost. They were still under the impression that a Guild Headquarters would no longer be theirs if the Guild Core was destroyed by Jack.

Jack, in the meantime, continued to hack away at the guild core with abandon. The Myriad Ensnaring Chains lasted twenty seconds. He was free to do as he please during that time frame. His opponent was a melee class, so there was nothing Ironfist could do aside from watching him in frustration.

The Guild Core was already very low on health when the crimson chains vanished. Ironfist shouted in rage as he lunged forward. But Jack had paid attention to his spell remaining time. Once the Myriad Ensnaring Chains was out, he placed the guild core and Ironfist into one line in front of him. Four-rune spell formation was formed as Jack cast Mana Beam spell.

A thick blue laser shot out from Jack's staff, piercing through the guild core and crashing at Ironfist. Ironfist staggered by the blast and lost almost 1000 HP.

Jack then sent a Flame Strike, the guild core finally broke. At the same time, every member heard a notification, "your guild core had been broken by Everlasting Heavenly Legends, 20% of current guild resources had been taken. And from now on, Everlasting Heavenly Legends will possess Corporate United's Guild Hostage Token, gaining the rights to 15% guild resources gained."