hotmtlnovel Chapter 167: Absolute Suppression
Chapter 167: Absolute Suppression
Chapter 167: Absolute Suppression
Determined to gain the upper hand, Orion steadied himself once more, focusing his full attention on the formidable Echo before him.
The increased density of mana within the arena heightened his senses, the calm lighting casting sharp reflections off the Echo’s polished armor and blade.
He tightened his grip on Realm Guardian, the obsidian longsword balanced perfectly but feeling oddly inadequate for the first time.
The Echo lunged again, closing distance with blinding speed. Orion pivoted smoothly, raising his sword defensively just in time.
Their blades collided fiercely, the metallic clash reverberating sharply through the chamber. Yet Orion immediately felt the impact radiating painfully through his wrist and arm—evidence of his opponent’s superior physical strength.
Recovering swiftly, Orion stepped backward, his eyes locked sharply onto the Echo’s precise movements, carefully analyzing its impeccable footwork.
The Echo’s stance was flawless—perfectly balanced yet flexible enough to adapt instantly to any threat. Each attack flowed directly into the next, devoid of wasted motion, constantly pressuring Orion into reactive defense.
‘Holy hell, this thing’s attacks are so precise,’ Orion thought to himself while dodging constantly. ‘Alright, let’s focus and see his attacks… he’s methodically trying to suppress me with each attack, striking my weak points to push me off balance and control my rhythm,’ Orion observed carefully, recognizing the underlying mastery behind the Echo’s movements.
Each exchange pushed him further, forcing him to draw deeply upon everything he’d learned thus far—yet, frustratingly, he still found himself slowly losing ground.
The Echo advanced like a top-tier warrior forged through battle, its sword flashing in elegant arcs and precise thrusts.
Orion summoned another volley of Flame Darts, his hand flickering with fiery power. A rapid succession of projectiles streaked toward the Echo, each dart meticulously aimed to disrupt its relentless rhythm.
Yet the Echo effortlessly shifted its weight, sidestepping most of the darts and deflecting the remainder with minimal effort. It countered instantly, lunging sharply forward with a precise thrust aimed directly at Orion’s heart.
Instinctively, Orion twisted aside, narrowly avoiding the deadly blow. Sweat streamed freely down his face, breath coming in heavy pants as he felt his stamina steadily draining.
He summoned another burst of power, whispering sharply, “Fireball!” The spell materialized rapidly, flaring brightly before launching toward the Echo in a fierce blaze.
But again, the Echo demonstrated supreme skill. It swiftly rolled beneath the incoming projectile, its armor barely singed, before springing upward to resume its unrelenting assault.
Orion’s frustration rose sharply, but he held it in check, forcing himself to remain composed, continuing to carefully analyze every movement the Echo made.
‘Its swordsmanship is leagues above mine,’ Orion grimly acknowledged, deflecting another powerful slash aimed at his side.
He desperately
The Echo lunged forward again, sword slicing sharply. Orion instinctively blocked, muscles trembling from the heavy impact.
His heart thundered fiercely, blood roaring within his ears. The Echo pressed relentlessly, each strike calculated and precise, driving Orion steadily backward, utterly suppressing him.
With mounting frustration, Orion’s instincts surged powerfully. Deep within, he felt the dormant Dragon Sense stir fiercely, dangerously close to activation. His eyes sharpened suddenly, senses expanding exponentially, reflexes heightening dramatically.
Just as Orion prepared to release this latent instinct, his mind sharpened by desperation, the Echo abruptly halted, sensing an immediate threat.
Before Orion could fully activate the Dragon Sense, the Echo swiftly moved, its blade slicing toward Orion’s exposed neck with lethal accuracy.
Time stretched strangely in Orion’s heightened perception. His body reacted instinctively, twisting sharply aside to evade the potentially fatal blow. His reaction speed surged dramatically, surpassing his normal limits.
Yet even as Orion’s instincts moved him, the Echo’s sword was already mere inches from his neck, its edge dangerously close, unavoidable and decisive.
The image of two thrones flashed briefly before his eyes. However, suddenly, bright runes throughout the chamber flared sharply, sensing the inevitable outcome.