Free Web NovelChapter 203: Fear Me (5)
Aric’s soldiers, who were standing behind the main force, revelling in their leader’s apparent victory, found themselves under a sudden and relentless assault from all sides. Confusion and panic gripped their ranks as they scrambled to respond.
In a panic, they let go of the chains holding the zombies, adding more fuel to the chaos. The undead immediately attacked what remained of Aric’s soldiers, but thankfully, the bandits got rid of them before they could harm the women.
Aric watched in bewilderment as his once-organised force was thrown into disarray. The air tendrils that had been his strength against Shinon now flailed aimlessly, unable to defend his soldiers against the assailants.
Aric’s eyes widened in shock as Shinon revealed the assailants as infamous bandits. He had believed Shinon to be a lone outsider, a formidable but solitary adversary.
Marcus had warned Aric about Shinon’s closeness with the General, and as such, Aric had placed spies around the military base to know if they sent any reinforcements to aise Shinon.
But according to his spies, the General or no one in the military had any knowledge about Shinon’s and Aric’s meeting. As such, Aric was feeling confident that he would easily defeat Shinon.
His confidence increased once Marcus informed them that Shinon had left alone for the meeting. Aric was confident he would win. Little did he know Ashton had other backers whom no one in the settlement knew about, not even his closest allies.
"This is not happening!?" Aric yelled.
The soldiers under Aric’s command were being systematically picked off, their ranks thinning with each passing moment. The attackers, concealed in the shadows and employing guerrilla tactics, struck swiftly and with deadly precision. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
As Aric panicked, Shinon kept smiling. Shinon’s earlier confrontation with Aric was not an earnest battle but a calculated diversion.
Darkwing and Shadowfang had a crucial role to serve. A role much more important than merely neutralising the sniper.
By taking down the said sniper, the shadow creatures had evaded the chance of the sniper spotting the bandits and signalling the bandits that it was the right time to strike.
As the bandits continued their assault, Shinon approached Aric with a crooked smile. He had played the role of the defeated man to perfection, luring Aric into a false sense of security. Now, the tables had turned, and Aric was the one caught off guard.
"You really shouldn’t have trusted a thing that moron told you," Shinon taunted Aric as he walked past him to pick up the Blade of Chaos.
"What are you on about?" Aric spoke, clearly enraged by the sudden turn of events.
"Marcus," Shinon replied.
Aric was in utter disbelief when he heard Marcus’ name on Shinon’s lips. He had worked under the assumption that Marcus remained a covert asset, providing him with valuable information as usual. But the realisation that Shinon knew of Marcus shattered the illusion of secrecy Aric had carefully maintained.
It became evident to Aric that Shinon had deliberately hidden specific details of his plan from Marcus. Consequently, Aric had been receiving incorrect information from his trusted source all this time.
At that moment, Aric couldn’t help but berate himself for his impulsive actions. He had failed to exercise caution and had rushed headlong into an attempt to eliminate Shinon, believing he had the upper hand.
The consequences of his oversight were now glaringly apparent, and he could only blame himself for the predicament he found himself in.
Aric’s rage and frustration were noticeable. He had prided himself on his cunning and manipulative tactics. Still, he had been outmanoeuvred by an opponent he had underestimated because he didn’t bother cross-checking the information he had received from Marcus.
The bandits continued their relentless assault, their numbers seemingly endless. Aric’s once-confident soldiers were reduced to a disorganised and demoralised mob, unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events.
It was only a matter of time before Aric lost his mind to unbridled anger. After all, his carefully constructed empire was unravelling before his eyes, and he couldn’t bear the sight of it.
Blinded by rage, Aric lunged at Shinon with a wild and uncoordinated strike. Shinon effortlessly sidestepped the attack. Aric’s movements were erratic and lacked the precision that had once made him a formidable adversary, which made it easier for Shinon’s [Combat Instinct] to do its work.
Shinon retaliated with a swift counterattack, delivering a series of precise strikes that sent Aric stumbling backwards. The once-mighty ruler was reduced to a dishevelled and desperate combatant, and his attacks became increasingly reckless.
Just then, Aric revealed his secret weapon, a golden sword that was strapped to his back. But even the blade couldn’t do much in the hands of a crazed man.
Aric swung his sword wildly, each blow lacking finesse and strategy. Shinon parried the strikes with ease, his movements quick and calculated.
While watching Aric flail his arms was fun, Shinon decided it was enough. With a quick and well-timed manoeuvre, Shinon disarmed Aric, sending his sword clattering to the ground. Aric, now defenceless, attempted to grapple with Shinon, but his efforts were in vain.
Shinon delivered a powerful blow to Aric’s chest that sent him sprawling to the ground. The former ruler lay there, panting and defeated, his once-confident demeanour shattered into countless pieces.
"How do you feel, Aric?" Shinon quizzed, squatting down to his opponent’s level. "Is it desperation? Anger? Or is it fear of death?"
Aric’s response was a mixture of incoherent muttering and defeated groans. Almost as if he wasn’t ready to admit his defeat.
"Don’t fear death, Aric..." Shinon finally mumbled. "For death isn’t what awaits you... It’s me. Fear me... for the things I would do to you will let you know what fear is."
"Y-You... you wouldn’t dare!" Aric finally blurted out. "I can be of use to you! I can even help you expose Marcus! How about that? It’s a great deal, isn’t it?"
"Quit embarrassing yourself..." Shinon, with a heavy sigh, decided to end the battle. He struck Aric with a non-lethal blow, rendering him unconscious.
The battle was over... but a war was about to begin.
