Ex rank talent Awakening: 100% Dodge rate

"Huff… huff… huff…" Kite breathed heavily, extremely tired and struggling to catch his breath.

"What the hell is going on? How is he still fighting like he's perfectly fine?" he asked, bewildered. His desire state had already ended, its duration having been extremely long.

"We need to escape. The longer we fight him, the greater our chances of dying," Tail said, scanning the surroundings for an opportunity to flee. He quickly relayed his plan to Kite—escaping together had a higher chance of success than going alone.

"None of you are escaping today," Brian said, walking toward them confidently.

"That's not for you to decide!" Kite shouted, charging at Brian. He wasn't going to cower in front of him—he was of the mighty demon race.

Kite launched a powerful kick at Brian, the force behind it dangerous. Brian easily dodged but wasn't completely out of the danger zone, as Kite continued his relentless attacks, each strike flowing seamlessly like the perfect notes of a musical composition.

Tail soon joined the fray, supporting Kite's all-out assault with his claws.

Brian blocked their attacks calmly, his facial expression unbothered, not an ounce of concern in his eyes.

"Grey Empire Imperial Sword Technique: Annihilating Slash!" Brian swung his sword downward, a blue-colored aura emanating from its edge.

In an instant, Kite's legs were severed cleanly.

> [Annihilating Slash: A sword strike invented by the first emperor of the Grey Empire, Emperor Grey, after gaining an epiphany during one of his childhood training sessions. Causes 200% of total attack (+100% more attack as a result of your talent). Cooldown: 4 hours.]

Kite collapsed to the ground, his legs gone.

His mind reeled—one moment, he was attacking, and the next, he was lying on the ground, legless.

Tail felt a chill run down his spine. It was only now that he fully realized how hopelessly outmatched they were against Brian, even with Kite by his side.

"I might die… No, I will die if I stay here! I have to leave!" Tail's mind screamed in terror.

Without a second thought, he turned and ran, abandoning Kite.

"You bastard! Come back here, Tail! Don't you fing betray me!" Kite roared, furious at his retreating ally.

Betrayal burned through him like acid—he had ended up in this predicament because he chose to save Tail's life, and now Tail had abandoned him without hesitation.

"It's alright. No need to be angry," Brian said, his voice eerily calm. "He's only dug his grave and will be dying first."

Brian raised his sword once more.

"Grey Empire Imperial Technique: Heaven Fall."

He spoke softly, but the moment his sword swung upward, the sky turned black.

It felt like the apocalypse.

An illusory sword sliced through an illusory miniature sun, yet the illusion felt horrifyingly real. The cut sun plummeted, its heat setting the entire forest ablaze.

Tail, still fleeing, was forced to stop as he stared at the falling sun. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto his back.

"We're doomed," Kite muttered weakly, already accepting his fate.

---

Weeks earlier

"Now, Sword God, I will be teaching you the sixth and final technique of our empire," Commander Joshua said during a training session with Brian. "It's a technique taught only to knight commanders due to its lethality and wide-range destruction. Only the famous seventh technique surpasses it, but that can only be learned by the emperor himself."

Brian bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you for the honor, Commander."

The thought of learning the Grey Empire's final technique filled him with excitement.

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Joshua warned. "It's extremely powerful, but its requirements are immense. Even I haven't perfected it. In fact, I can't even draw out half of its power."

He turned serious. "This technique has one crucial requirement—an enormous reserve of mental strength and stamina. Strength comes second. Now, watch closely."

Commander Joshua gripped his sword tightly.

"Grey Empire Imperial Technique: Heaven Fall!"

He swung his sword upward, and a sword ray split a meteorite in two. The two massive halves plummeted, annihilating everything in their path.

Brian remained unscathed—Commander Joshua had already made the necessary arrangements to ensure his safety.

Brian's eyes gleamed with excitement. "So this is why you brought me to a remote location, Commander. Such insane destruction!"

Joshua smirked. "I believe you've learned it. Now, show me what you've got."

His face suddenly paled as he exhaled heavily. His breathing was labored.

Brian frowned. "Are you okay, Commander?"

Joshua nodded. "Yes, just experiencing the drawbacks of using the technique. My mental strength and stamina have been completely drained. That's what I meant about its steep requirements. A day or two of rest should be enough for me to recover."

Brian muttered in understanding. "Okay, Commander."

He checked his skill tab and saw the newly acquired technique, thanks to his talent.

>[Grey Empire Imperial Technique: Heaven Fall. Created by the first emperor of the Grey Empire, Emperor Grey, during the '#+$!(## battle before he ascended to godhood.

Attacks a heavenly body that falls and causes an attack equal to 500% of your stamina and strength stat, while completely draining your stamina and mental strength. Cooldown: 1 month.]

A happy smile spread across Brian's face. He couldn't wait to try it out.

"Grey Empire Imperial Technique: Heaven Fall!"

He slashed upward.

But unlike Commander Joshua's devastating meteorite strike, Brian's sword slash merely cut an extremely small stone.

The tiny rock plummeted and caused great damage, but compared to Joshua's destruction, it was a mere flicker of power. The affected area was minuscule in comparison.

Joshua chuckled. "Well, that wasn't so bad for a first try. Not everyone can even learn this technique—it's extremely difficult to master. Only five people know it right now. You make the sixth."

His voice turned thoughtful. "Compared to the destruction caused by the first emperor, when he used his version—he literally brought down a sun the size of this world—mine is also a far cry. So you should be proud of—"

Brian could barely hear Joshua's words.

A piercing headache exploded in his skull. His vision blurred. His stamina bottomed out. His body went weak.

Then, everything went dark.

Brian collapsed, unconscious.