Assimilate All Talents

Chapter 312: Enemy of my Enemy

Above the palace, blood swirled in intricate patterns, forming an ominous vortex under Nisha’s control. Her expression was calm yet focused as she manipulated the swirling mass. This was her law technique, [Ancient Blood Arcana], a power that transcended advanced magic. The vortex grew denser, pulsating with raw power, before it unleashed a crimson deluge aimed directly at Sol.

Sol stood his ground, unflinching as the bloodstorm descended. His hand tightened around the Tynamo Cannon. With a swift motion, he pressed a button on the cannon’s side, activating its secondary function.

As the blood rained upon him, the cannon hummed loudly, drawing the crimson torrent into its barrel. The deadly rain unraveled as it entered, transforming into concentrated energy that replenished the weapon’s depleted reserves. For a moment, Sol smirked, confident in his strategy.

"Thanks for the charge." he muttered, his tone laced with mockery.

He knew Nisha was channeling a large spell. Beyond sending a few shadow beings to stall her, he had done little to intervene, trusting the Tynamo Cannon to handle it. He calculated that the massive spell would not only drain her mana but also fully recharge his weapon, granting him at least one more devastating shot. The cannon had endured Torben’s law technique before; this should have been no different.

But as the blood rain was siphoned into the cannon, a memory surfaced. It was Deus’s voice, a grave warning echoing in his mind:

’When blood rains, don’t look up. Look behind.’

The words struck him like a thunderclap. Instincts flaring, Sol released the Tynamo Cannon mid recharge and dove to the side.

SHINK!

A blade whizzed past, grazing his side. The attack was so precise it would have cleaved him in two had he stayed a moment longer. Sol rolled to his feet, clutching his side. The wound wasn’t deep, but the cold burn of the blade’s touch sent a chill through him.

Worse, the injury wasn’t regenerating. Even with [Invincible Body], which accelerated his healing fivefold, the wound remained stagnant. Sol quickly identified the issue: foreign mana from the blade lingered in his body, countered only by his regeneration barely keeping it at bay.

His eyes narrowed as he turned toward the attacker who now stood between him and the trio of enemies.

The figure paused, tilting its head as if intrigued. It hadn’t expected Sol to evade.

"Who—?" Sol began, but the figure snarled, pulling back its hood.

Sol spun his shadow sword, using [Reflect] to deflect two blood spears and parry Carmilla’s whip in one fluid motion. But in doing so, he left an opening for the goblin, which seized the chance to land another shallow cut along his arm.

"Four against one." Sol muttered under his breath, frustration mounting. "I feel like I’m a dungeon boss being ganged up on. This isn’t fair."

Despite his irritation, he fought on, each movement calculated and deliberate. Every swing of his shadow sword carried immense power, but even that wasn’t enough. The palace walls crumbled under the intensity of their battle, forcing them to continue on the ground. The soldiers and vampires had long fled, unwilling to be caught in the chaos of an A-rank clash.

At first, Sol had managed to control the fight’s momentum, but the goblin’s addition tipped the scales. Even with his considerable skill and strength, the combined assault of four A-rankers began to overwhelm him.

He dodged another blood skewer but instead of replying with an attack of his own, he was forced to retreat as Carmilla’s whip slithered toward him, attempting to ensnare him. The goblin darted forward, its blade slicing a thin line across Sol’s cheek.

"You’re slipping." the goblin taunted, grinning wickedly. "Overwhelmed, are we? This is justice for killing my brother."

Sol said nothing, his breathing heavy. His mind raced as he calculated his next move.

’Should I ascend another skill? No, I can barely handle one as it is. Disable their abilities? Too risky, that’s harder than ascending a second skill. And the tether... If it breaks, the shadow moon will vanish, and she’ll recreate the blood moon.’

If the blood moon returned, Crestel City would be doomed, with no way to stop the empowered vampires.

Before Sol could act, a blinding flash of golden fire erupted from the side, forcing the goblin to retreat. The intense wave of heat shimmered in the air, momentarily halting the fight.

"What—?" Nisha exclaimed, raising an arm to shield herself.

A new figure entered the fray, cloaked in golden flames. He descended from above, sending a torrent of fire toward the four attackers.

Sol’s eyes widened as he recognized who came to help him. "Victor?" he asked, surprise evident in his voice.

Carmilla’s shock mirrored his. "The hell do you think you’re doing?!" she demanded.

Victor looked at her with a hardened gaze. "Doing what I should’ve done long before this turned into a complete shitshow."