Chapter 315 Chapter314-The Mysterious Cloaked Assassin
Saphir, observing 56 and 63's relentless resistance, gently tapped his wand.
The flames grew even more intense, obediently gathering around him.
His eyes, ablaze with a fiery luminescence, didn't hesitate for an instant before unleashing an even fiercer assault upon 56 and 63.
A fiery radiance pierced the darkness, illuminating the entire battleground, with the surrounding air searing from the intense heat.
56 and 63 were pushed back by the blistering heat of the flames, dodging left and right, seeking an opportunity to retaliate.
However, the magical flames Saphir had summoned were immensely powerful, forming concentric barriers around him, preventing 56 and 63 from approaching him at close range.
An assassin robbed of the ability to strike from close quarters loses his greatest combat advantage.
With composed mastery, Saphir directed the flames in the arena, steadily constricting the positions of 57 and 63.
The safe space available for their agile maneuvers dwindled progressively.
Just as 57 and 63 seemed on the brink of defeat, 54, who had been observing from the sidelines, finally made his move.
Having taken a brief moment to recover, he felt considerably rejuvenated.
However, he had an unsettling realization.
The stronghold's fundamental element of darkness appeared to be depleting.
His recuperation was noticeably slower than usual...
When 54 acted, it was with the force of a thunderbolt.
His silhouette vanished from its spot, as if transcending spatial boundaries, instantaneously reappearing behind Saphir.
The dark dagger in his hand, ghostly in its presence, traced a chilling arc of cold light as it thrust directly towards Saphir's heart.
54 had hoped this sudden ambush would force Saphir on the defensive, potentially liberating 56 and 63, trapped at the epicenter of the blazing inferno.
Yet, to his surprise, Saphir seemed to have anticipated his move.
Almost the very moment 54's dagger was unleashed, two balls of flame, as if preordained, rushed forward, enveloping the dagger in 54's grip.
The roaring flames, with their intense heat, swiftly disintegrated the dark energy enveloping 54's dagger, producing a symphony of crackling and popping sounds.
The metal's conductivity was exceedingly swift, and coupled with the aftermath of Element Fusion, the temperature of the flames Saphir wielded was palpably on another level.
Almost instantly, 54 felt the searing burn scalding his palm.
Left with no choice, he released the dagger, slipping back into a stealth mode as more flames began to hurtle towards him.
The master assassin was compelled to retreat, widening the gap between himself and Saphir's onslaught.
"Did you think I wasn't watching you? Forever skulking behind others, always striking from the shadows. Damnable wretch!" In Saphir's crimson gaze, it seemed as if flames blazed ferociously.
A derisive laugh escaped his lips, echoing with endless mockery.
54 gritted his teeth, his right hand subtly flipping to reveal another identical dark dagger.
This blackened weapon seemed exclusive to AGHHO, with every assassin from the organization wielding one on their assassination quests.
Their distinction lay in the grade of the blade – a reflection of the wielder's prowess.
The one 54 had initially used was noticeably sharper, cloaked in a more intense ethereal glow.
The one he now held was clearly inferior, likely a backup.
His eyes, flickering with uncertainty, remained locked onto Saphir.
Although 54's ambush hadn't inflicted any harm on Saphir, it wasn't entirely fruitless.
Saphir's attention had been momentarily diverted, causing a brief lapse in his mental control over the flames.
This granted 56 and 63, entrapped within the roaring fire, a precious moment to breathe.
Sharing a fleeting glance, they bit their tongues in unison.
Blood spurted forth, instantly transforming into a smoky haze in the searing heat, enveloping them both.
They then melded into the shadows, reemerging at 54's side.
The trio of master assassins regrouped, all with eyes of grave intent fixed upon Saphir.
From beneath his dark cloak, 54's raspy voice emerged, "Saphir, I don't believe you can maintain this immense strength forever. Once the duration of your Arcane Skill ends, you will still meet your doom today!"
Saphir responded with a chilly laugh, casually retorting, "You're not wrong. My Arcane Skill can't last indefinitely. But it's more than enough to deal with three vermin like you."
In a flash, Saphir's silhouette darted amidst the flames, instantly appearing before the three master assassins.
Clenching his wand, a surge of fire magic erupted from its tip.
Flames roiled around Saphir, forming a massive circle of fire.
Burst after burst of flames, now tinged with a soft blue hue, charged directly towards the trio.
Overwhelmed by the intense heat, 54 and his companions hastily dodged.
Once the fiery onslaught subsided, the trio began their counteroffensive.
56, 63, and 54 shifted their positions, darting left and right, seeking the perfect moment to strike.
Yet, Saphir's gaze remained hawk-like, unwaveringly fixed on their every move.
The fiery barrier around him continued to blaze fiercely, allowing no opportunity for a surprise attack.
After numerous stealthy maneuvers, 56 managed to close in on Saphir.
However, the dark dagger in his hand never found its mark.
Saphir, agile as a fire sprite, moved with an uncanny fluidity.
His evasions were impeccable, leaving the trio with no window of retaliation.
Jets of flame sporadically spewed from the tip of his wand, forcing the three to retreat continuously.
Stealthily, 63 drew near, launching an ambush from behind Saphir.
It seemed his surprise strike was about to land, a fleeting glint of triumph flashed in 63's eyes, only to vanish in an instant.
Astoundingly, Saphir's form simply vanished from where he stood.
Though each of the three master assassins possessed keenly honed senses, capable of distinctly feeling Saphir's aura in their midst, they couldn't pinpoint its source.
Not until Saphir reappeared on the opposite end of the battlefield.
"Watch out! This bastard can move through flames!" 54 cried out in alarm, his voice frantic. "Don't give him an opening. If we can hold out until his Arcane Skill's duration ends, we'll have the upper hand!"
Yet, 54's warning came a tad too late.
With a graceful sweep of his wand and a chanted incantation, Saphir summoned a rope of flame from the roaring fires.
It rapidly coiled around 63's ankle, restraining him. Before 63 could break free, Saphir completed his magical incantation, and a storm of flames engulfed the arena.
63 valiantly resisted, but the flames' might was overpowering.
He could only erect a barrier made of dark energy to fend off the blaze.
As the flames met the shield, the sound of intense combustion echoed.
The shield began thinning at an alarming rate.
The firestorm was of such potency that even dark energy could be consumed by its fury.
If those flames were to make contact with the flesh, wouldn't one be incinerated instantly?
Panic set in, and 63 desperately retreated, hoping to escape the battlefield.
But with the fiery tether still clinging to his ankle, he couldn't break free in time.
All he could do was cry out in sheer desperation.
Upon witnessing the dire situation, 54 and 56 immediately joined the fray, forcibly breaking through the fiery barricade to stand beside 63.
As the most formidable among them, 54 took upon himself to counter the matured firestorm, while 56 brandished his dagger, attempting to sever the flaming tether ensnaring 63's ankle.
With each thrust of 54's dagger, a shimmering dark luminescence emanated, and only after expending significant energy was he able to dissipate the firestorm.
Sensing Saphir still channeling even more potent fire magic, a fierce glint flashed across 54's eyes.
Without hesitation, he lunged forward, barreling directly towards Saphir. An intense skirmish rapidly ensued.
The razor-sharp dagger in 54's hand, trailing a ghostly light with every swing, clashed with the torrential downpour of Saphir's fiery onslaught.
Their dance of flames and blades echoed continuously, the two forces clashing with vehemence.
A murderous intent blazed in Saphir's eyes, with no one standing to deter his relentless thirst for vengeance.
Suddenly, a sharp whistling pierced the air.
A dark silhouette appeared between Saphir and 54, blocking Saphir's lethal strike.
This mysterious assassin was cloaked in a black robe, his face entirely obscured by the hood, rendering his true features indiscernible.
He wielded an identical black dagger, yet his prowess far surpassed that of the trio, 54 included.
After a brief clash, he effortlessly repelled Saphir with a mere palm thrust.
"The line is drawn here, young one. You've inflicted enough damage upon AGHHO to take pride in," the cloaked assassin intoned in a deep voice.
"Who are you?" Saphir inquired, his gaze wary.
The robed assassin remained silent, his gaze sweeping over 56, 63, and 54.
The three master assassins met his gaze and promptly bowed their heads in reverence, as if the sudden appearance of this figure indicated an entity they dare not cross.
Narrowing his eyes in contemplation, Saphir, after a brief pause, voiced his suspicion: "Could it be... Are you the elusive elder of AGHHO lurking here?"
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