Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 334: Elite units (II)

Chapter 334: Elite units (II)

Seizing the opening, Vlad swung his halberd toward the creature’s chest with all his might. The blade met resistance as it sliced into the rugged, durable muscles, but the Guardian Tier demonic flames engulfed the wound, searing flesh and igniting internal organs. A sharp light flashed as the weapon cleaved through, and a guttural scream of agony tore from the creature’s throat.

Without wasting a moment, Vlad surged forward, pushing his speed to its limits. He raced through the forest, trees whipping past as he attempted to distance himself from the pursuing elite units.

Ten agonizing seconds passed before a stream of golden energy flowed into him—the Origin Force granted by the Plane Will for defeating such a formidable foe. The immense influx of power underscored the elite unit’s strength, but Vlad felt no relief. It had taken far too long for the creature to die, showcasing a vitality that bordered on the outrageous.

The sounds of destruction behind him intensified. Despite his best efforts, the other elite units were nearly upon him. The forest echoed with the thunderous footfalls of four more creatures. Their synchronization was eerie and unnerving. They burst through the trees, surrounding him on all sides. Their eyes glowed with a sinister light, and their bodies were poised with lethal intent.

Vlad’s muscles tensed as the location of the elite units appeared in his mind, thanks to the A.I. Chip, and he understood that just running wouldn’t work.

The first elite unit lunged from his right, its claw-like hand swiping toward his head with deadly precision. Vlad ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as the claws sliced through the space he’d occupied moments before. Simultaneously, another attacked from behind, thrusting its blade toward his spine. Spinning on his heel, Vlad parried the strike with his halberd, sparks flying upon impact.

A third creature leaped from above, aiming to crush him under its massive weight. Vlad slammed his palm into the ground, unleashing a burst of fire in all directions. The resulting blast threw the attacker off balance, causing it to crash beside him rather than on top of him.

The fourth elite unit seized the opportunity to strike from the front, its sword reaching out to impale him. Vlad crossed his halberd and free arm to block, the force of the blow sending a jarring vibration through his bones.

"These things don’t let up," he muttered through gritted teeth.

The elite units moved with shocking precision and skill, and their teamwork was flawless. They anticipated Vlad’s moves, adjusting their tactics in real time. It was clear they shared a collective consciousness, each one reinforcing the other’s actions.

Vlad knew he couldn’t sustain this for long. Channeling the full might of his red lightning and flames, he unleashed a whirlwind of energy around himself. The crimson aura expanded outward, forcing the elite units to momentarily retreat.

Seizing the brief respite, he dashed toward the narrow gap between two of the elite units, aiming for the shoreline. The ocean was his only chance of escape. But the elite units recovered swiftly, resuming their relentless pursuit.

They coordinated another attack. One leaped ahead, cutting off Vlad’s path, while the others closed in from the sides and behind. Vlad’s heart pounded as he realized they were herding him, limiting his options.

"Not good," he thought, urgency gripping him.

The unit blocking his path swung its massive sword horizontally. Vlad dropped into a slide, the blade slicing through the air just above him. As he slid beneath the creature, he slashed upward with his halberd, leaving a burning gash along its torso. The creature roared but remained standing.

Pushing himself up, Vlad continued sprinting. The other units were relentless, matching his speed. One launched a volley of jagged projectiles formed from its own corrupted flesh. Vlad weaved through the onslaught, but a shard grazed his shoulder pad, piercing the armor and leaving searing pain ripping through him.

He hissed but didn’t falter. Drawing upon the Heart of Wrath, he amplified his body’s capabilities even further. His muscles burned, and his vision sharpened as wrathful energy flooded his system.

"Just a little more," he urged himself.

The shoreline was now visible through the thinning trees—a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

The elite units, sensing his imminent escape, intensified their assault. They moved in unison, forming a tight formation to surround him. Their synchronization was unnerving, each action complementing the others’.

Vlad knew he had to break their formation. Summoning the power of the Inferno Comet Runic Set, he leaped into the air. At the peak of his ascent, he flipped his halberd downward.

"Crimson Tempest!"

He unleashed a devastating arc of red lightning and flames that slammed into the ground, erupting in a fiery explosion. The force shattered the earth and sent the elite units sprawling.

Landing amidst the settling dust, Vlad didn’t wait to see the aftermath. He sprinted toward the shore, lungs burning and limbs heavy.

But his momentary advantage was short-lived. More elite units emerged from the forest’s edge—half a dozen this time—their dark forms silhouetted against the twilight sky.

"How many of them are there?" Vlad exclaimed, frustration seeping into his voice.

A sense of urgency tightened around him like a vice. He was outnumbered and nearing his physical limits. The ocean was within his reach, but the path was closing fast.

Desperate, Vlad tapped into the deepest reserves of his power. The Heart of Wrath pushed forward more and more, the strain pushing the boundaries of what his body could handle.

The pressure his body and soul endured was overwhelming, but there was no other choice. With a thunderous roar, he charged forward, becoming a streak of crimson light.

The elite units moved to intercept, but Vlad was a blur. He weaved between them with unparalleled speed, each step leaving scorched footprints. Claws and blades swung at him, but he evaded with hairbreadth precision.

One creature managed to graze his side, the claws tearing through armor and flesh. He grunted in pain but didn’t slow down.

Breaking through the line of elite units, Vlad reached the cliff overlooking the ocean. The waves crashed violently against the rocks below, illuminated by moonlight.

Without hesitation, he leaped off the cliff, the wind whipping around him as he plummeted toward the tumultuous sea. Behind him, the elite units skidded to a halt at the cliff’s edge, their expressions unreadable.

Vlad hit the water with a forceful splash, the icy embrace jolting his senses as he dove deeper and deeper. He could not allow those things to catch his presence again.