The Achievement Junkie

Chapter 433 Jack vs Vladdy

Running through the crowds of the southwest fields, Ollan did everything in his power to create distance between himself and the raging demon after him.

Following Ollan like a hawk was Hadurt, battle-crazed and obstinate to steal away Ollan’s life for EXP. It would push the former champion into lv. 89, where Hadurt would only have to wait for the right moment to ascend. Then, he’d finally achieve the goal of his life and be able to seek revenge.

Both berserkers were determined but there was nowhere for Ollan to hide. The crowd offered nothing because Hadurt carved through the syndicate soldiers like butter with his new halberd.

"Come on, Ollan! Why drag it out?" Hadurt bantered.

Ollan remained unresponsive. He didn’t dare to incite Hadurt even more. All he wanted was to reach Pestro. Ollan was certain that should he get near enough to the Demon God, Pestro would instantly assault Hadurt to retrieve his weapon.

Hadurt knew exactly what Ollan was up to. And though he would prefer to duke it out in a manly fashion with his old friend, Ollan was forcing Hadurt to prove why he was selected as the champion.

On top of the demonic energy dancing around Hadurt, powerful static electricity crackled around his skeletal armor.

In the blink of an eye, Hadurt went from chasing Ollan to blocking Ollan’s path.

Cursing his terrible luck, Ollan turned and dashed back into the army. However, Hadurt appeared there as well, beheading all nearby syndicate members.

"Ollan, I’m sorry it came to this. Really, I am," Hadurt stated, appearing slightly calmed. "At least allow me to remember you as the honorable warrior you claimed to be and not the coward who ran away. You’d be the biggest hypocrite I know... not counting the gods."

Taking that in, Ollan sighed. He hated to admit it, but Ollan understood that Hadurt would never allow him to even get close to Pestro, let alone escape.

The lv. 85 berserker took in a deep breath, thinking of some of the brave warriors he’d defeated in the past, like the manager of Golden Haven. Unable to think of his name, Ollan chuckled, "Alright..."

"Good... Then prepare yourself. I’ll let you make the first move. But try running again and I’ll be forced to ruin you and your reputation," added Hadurt, keeping his halberd ready.

"Just a moment..."

Ollan took another couple of deep breaths before resuming his battle stance. While preparing his strike, Ollan asked, "Do you think Vladdy will be able to take on that hero?"

"I have no clue!" Hadurt laughed. "For all I know, Jack could get killed by some no-name soldier or he could slay a god. He’s the Legend of Trodar, anything could happen..."

"Yeah... I guess... Do we really have to do this?"

Hadurt nodded. "Can’t have it any other way, sadly. I’ll never forget you or your help, Ollan."

"Thanks... I appreciate that."

Knowing fully well who would win this exchange, both berserkers gripped their weapons tightly before the clash.

Then, they attacked.

Ollan charged with his greatsword. His strongest attack mixed with his strongest demonic buff, creating an attack meant to obliterate Ollan’s opponent along with the earth he stood on.

Hadurt leaped with a slash attack, boosted by his own demonic buff. Also, lighting coursed over the blade, adding another boost in attack power. There was also a sharp wind sandwiching the blade in order to increase the speed and cutting ability of the slash.

Both blades connected. One blade shattered. Blood was spilled out.

Sighing, Hadurt released his demonic aura, as well as the lightning and wind energy. He smiled slightly at the sight of his new level and bowed his head to the fallen berserker.

"Sorry... That’s just how the world works when those gods get involved."

Hadurt looted Ollan’s storage but didn’t touch Ollan’s armor. At the very least, Hadurt wanted his old friend to be remembered and honored correctly.

*****

"Die!"

Finally, Vlad arrived to assist in the killing of the two flame bodies. He charged with his shield in front of him, ready to bash first and kill second.

Jack activated Sudden Death to avoid the incoming attacks from the army. Following that, Jack recognized the guardian barreling towards him. Without any hesitation, Jack took the initiative and threw himself at the guardian.

The army cleared a path for Vlad, allowing the guardian to take Jack head-on without interruption. They completely trusted Vlad and were confident that he would quickly dispose of their enemies.

Before Jack connected with Vlad’s shield, the form of his large flame body suddenly changed.

Both of Jack’s wings disappeared and were replaced by arms. But then each of Jack’s hands shifted into a single long claw, matching the distant centipede’s arms but coated in black and white fire.

The shield of the berserker and the claw of the hero clashed, sending Vlad back a step and Jack back a meter or two.

’Someone help Jack! Jack’s gone crazy!’ Out of reflex and concern, Bowzer announced their need for help. Though he trusted Jack’s abilities, Bowzer didn’t feel confident about the sudden match up after witnessing that same guardian clash with Hadurt.

Along with the syndicate members nearby, Bowzer was surprised to see Jack like this, acting without reason. But something else overtook that surprise. Not only was Jack’s power suddenly stronger along with his flame body, but Jack managed to shrug off the shield bash attack decently well for someone under lv. 60.

That’s when Bowzer noticed something that caught him off guard.

Somehow, Bowzer’s level had reached the end of lv. 68. It didn’t make sense to the fox, but he couldn’t deny that it was a fact. Both Bowzer and Jack had reached lv. 53 amidst the huge battle with help from Dragov, but a sudden boost of fifteen levels was uncalled for.

Then, Bowzer remembered the purple energy in the eastern sky and the trembling of the ground.

Focusing on evasion, Bowzer took a moment to connect that phenomenon with a memory from his time inside the storehouse. Remembering how Tralon eviscerated the jakal army, Bowzer determined the only logical conclusion.

While Bowzer was trying to piece together what was going on, Jack was living in the fight. To Jack, all that existed was himself and his opponent.

Jack didn’t let up on the guardian, throwing yet another claw attack against the shield. His claw thrust forward with fire and blood-red energy.

The guardian tanked the hit, being pushed back oslightly.

But Jack continued, using Sudden Death to reposition himself and flank the guardian. However, the guardian’s shield still managed to block the next thrust.

Not wanting to waste time, Jack remained rational while enraged. The hero channeled his fury the best he could and decided on the next tactic to try. He opened his menu and instinctually selected a skill while upgrading it greatly before closing it and acting again.

Now flanking the guardian on the side nearest to his sword, Jack thrust forward with both claws.

Unable to properly block both attacks, Vlad readied himself to block one and parry the second.

Just as the guardian began to spin around, Vlad coughed up blood. Vlad blinked, not believing his eyes.

Both of Jack’s claws were already jutting through Vlad’s body, one in Vlad’s side and another in the upper chest to the side of the heart. Vlad’s body was already catching fire thanks to Jack’s black and white flame body. But the worst feeling came from Vlad’s internal organs, which were also burning away.

Vlad groaned, failing to cough up the drying blood in his veins as he looked back up at Jack’s face.

Kicking Vlad’s impaled body from his claws, Jack turned and groaned in pain. While Vlad perished in flames, Jack’s body was aching. His overuse of Greater Replenish was taking its toll after Jack cast it in conjunction with Time Stop.

Though Jack kept his intimidating appearance in front of the baffled army, the hero knew that his body would give out any moment now.