Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 122: [Core Dungeon] [9]

The sound made Zaina turn towards him in horror.

Akamir didn’t wait as he plunged his sword forward.

A sick sound of flesh cutting open echoed in the chamber.

"ARGHHH!!!!"

A scream echoed within the chamber as a dagger fell just beside Zaina.

The girl flinched, moving away as Akamir pulled out his sword.

A distortion formed where he had stabbed before a man turned visible to everyone.

He wore all crimson as he clutched his side that bled furiously.

The man dropped to one knee, coughing as blood spilled between his fingers.

The others quickly rushed towards them, encircling the man.

"What the hell is going on?" Luca asked, blade halfway drawn.

"Who is that?" Ronin’s voice was low, nocking the arrow.

He stepped forward, wiping the blood from his blade.

Akamir stood in front of the man. "Where are the others?"

He struggled to his feet, still holding his side, the blood wasn’t slowing. "That should’ve pierced my lung."

"I aimed for it," Akamir said, placing the sword on his neck. "Where are the others?"

"Barkel was right," the man said, "I should have waited."

Akamir blinked and the man began to blur out.

A smile crept on his face as he looked at him.

The world slowed down for Akamir as he felt a spark from his sweating blood.

"RUN!"

He yelled to others as he pulled himself away along with Zaina.

BOOM!!!

The man’s blood turned into a cluster of flame that blinded everyone.

The explosion swallowed the space in fire.

A deafening blast tore through the chamber, lighting it up with a wall of flame.

Akamir landed hard, holding Zaina against him as they hit the ground and rolled.

The only thing he could hear was his own heartbeat pounding like a drum.

Zaina coughed against his chest. "Wha—what was that?"

He pulled her up, checking her for burns. "You’re fine?"

"Yeah."

"Luca! Viros!" Akamir barked, eyes scanning.

"I’m alive!" Viros coughed from somewhere near a broken pillar.

He limped forward, shirt scorched, but his axe still in hand.

"Luca?" Akamir asked.

"Yeah," Luca groaned. "Burned my damn sleeve, though."

Akamir quickly looked at the man only to find he wasn’t there.

He looked around for any kind of clue but only found clusters of flames.

’Tch. Where did he go?’

"How many more of them are in here?" Lyselle asked, glancing toward the place.

Her answer was met with a sudden screeching sound. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Six figures stepped into view, each cloaked in deep crimson.

Their eyes were covered, but they moved quickly, surrounding the group in a wide circle.

Without warning, one of them slashed his own palm.

Flaming blood burst forward like a whip, snaking toward Ronin.

Ronin barely had time to raise his bow before it struck him.

The burning tendrils wrapped around his chest and yanked him into the wall with a crack.

"Arghh!!!"

Ronin yelled in pain as the flames licked his body.

Ragina raised a barrier, trying to defend herself and Lyselle, but another enemy swept his arm down, scattering droplets of fire that ignited midair.

The shield held for a moment, then shattered.

One blast struck her shoulder.

She cried out, collapsing beside Ronin.

Lyselle tried to retreat, her hands glowing with energy, but the flames were faster.

A wave of burning blood crashed into her, knocking her to the ground.

"Fuck!" Viros shouted and rushed in, axe raised.

He clashed with one of them head-on, steel meeting a burning blade.

But the enemy twisted, cut his thigh with a flaming dagger, and dropped him with a second strike to the ribs.

Luca moved next, fast and low, targeting the cloaked figure near Viros.

He managed to land a blow, but the attacker didn’t even flinch.

Blood sprayed from the crimson-cloaked figure’s mouth and turned into another burst of flame.

It hit Luca square in the chest.

He was thrown backward and didn’t move again.

The five fallen teammates lay scattered across the ground, groaning or unconscious.

The six crimson figures didn’t advance further.

They all turned in unison and looked straight at Akamir.

He stood alone now, sword unsheathed, coat singed.

They just stared at him.

Zaina stood behind him, breath shaking.

Finally, the tall man, perhaps the leader, walked forward.

He stood a few meters away from him, intertwining his hands in front.

"I have noticed your strength," he said, his voice emotionless. "Who are you, boy?"

Akamir tilted his head. "Why don’t you introduce yourself?"

The man paused for a second before he nodded.

"My name is Barkel," he said, removing his hood. "An executive of Bloodhound Omens."

"....."

Akamir kept on staring at the bald man while Zaina slowly held his sleeve.

"Someone with a dark green core at such a young age," he said, his voice impressed. "That’s a rare thing."

"A what!?"

A kick to Viros’ face made him roll over as he interrupted them.

Barkel kept on looking at him without any words.

Then, he slowly raised his hand. "Give me the girl."

Akamir’s eyes stayed locked on Barkel as the man’s hand rose, like he expected the demand to be obeyed without question.

Zaina gripped his sleeve tighter, her other hand trembling at her side.

When he didn’t reply, the man tilted his head.

"You seem like someone who values survival," Barkel said. "Give me the girl, and I’ll let the rest of you live."

Nayomi floated beside him, staring at them without any words.

"Akamir," she finally whispered softly. "Be ready."

Akamir glanced at her before he sheathed his sword.

He looked back at Zaina, who was drawing in deep breaths.

When her eyes met with his, she nodded her head.

’What?’

Akamir gave her a look.

’Are you saying I should sacrifice you?’

He sighed as he grabbed her hand firmly.

"Oye, idiots," Akamir said, glancing at those on the floor. "Do you guys trust me?"

Luca and Viros blinked towards him without any words.

"I do," Viros finally said, rubbing his face. "What about it?"

Barkel tilted his head. "What are you doing, boy?"

Akamir smiled at him. "How many did you kill before coming here?"

That question took the man by surprise. "What do you mean—"

"Earth Splitter."

His words were cut short when someone attacked them from behind.

The ground beneath them shook and multiple spikes rose from there.

The entire group was distracted by one man as their focus shifted.

"Now!"

Nayomi yelled and immediately Akamir began to dash.

He looked at Viros and Luca, signalling them to follow.

Those two didn’t think twice before they stood up and ran.

Akamir glanced at the professor who had attacked them.

’Thanks for helping us, man.’

He gave him one last look before he ran towards the enormous hole on the side of the chamber.

"Akamir, you are not—!"

"Don’t worry," he said, grabbing her by her waist before jumping down. "You will be safe."

The wind rushed past them as they fell through the darkness of the hole.

"Cannon Bolt!!"

Viros yelled as he jumped after them and Luca followed suit.

Just when Barkel got back to his senses, five out of seven were already gone.

---

Barkel stood in silence, his bloodstained hand still dripping onto the stone floor.

The professor’s body lay limp at his feet, neck twisted unnaturally, head rolled a few paces away.

It only took him ten seconds to take care of the nuisance.

The rest of his group were silent as they all waited for the little girl in their group to speak.

Out of Akamir’s group, only two were left behind.

Ronin and Ragina.

The rest entered the massive hole like some madmen.

"I can’t sense her," the girl finally said, her voice uncertain. "I..I think she is dead."

Barkel didn’t move, but his lips parted slightly. "You’re sure?"

"I don’t know," she said. "She vanished."

Ragina coughed weakly from where she lay slumped against the wall.

Ronin was still unconscious, scorched and barely breathing.

Barkel turned slowly, his gaze drifting to the gaping hole on the side wall.

He wasn’t really sure if he should believe in her words.

’That man is dangerous,’ he thought to himself. ’I wanted to recruit him but I don’t think it’s possible now.’

He walked forward and crouched near the edge of the hole, staring into the dark abyss.

"They’re alive," he finally said. "I don’t know how... but they are."

The girl behind him clenched her hands. "Should we follow?"

"No." Barkel stood. "We wait, she’ll come back up, one way or another."

His eyes drifted to the two wounded left behind.

"As for them," he said, his voice cold. "Give them a painless death."

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