vstars Chapter 278 One-on-One Battle Against the World Devourer
Chapter 278 One-on-One Battle Against the World Devourer
Because Voda Bloodsong wreaked havoc on the galaxy and caused great damage to the Empire while searching for Russell, the Grey Knights began to pay attention to this galactic "villain."
Russell staggered over, each step seemingly agonizing. His face was ashen, his breathing rapid, and golden psionic energy flickered faintly around him. The World Eaters burst into laughter at his sight.
"Boss, is this the hero who banished you?" a World Eater warrior scoffed. "He doesn't look like much!"
Woda Blood's eyes were filled with rage. He suddenly charged at Russell and kicked him away. Russell's body crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The World Eaters burst into laughter again, as if watching a boring farce. However, Russell struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with determination.
Woda walked up to Russell, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him up: "You're Russell, the one who banished me?"
Blood trickled from Russell's lips, but his gaze remained cold and unwavering: "Yes."
A flash of anger crossed Woda's eyes as he pressed the tip of his battle axe against Russell's chest: "By what right? By what right does a mere mortal banish me?"
Russell's voice was low and cold: "Because... I have something I must protect."
Woda's rage erupted completely, and he raised his battle axe high: "Then die!"
Voda Bloodrong's battle axe stopped just an inch from Russell's throat. A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, followed by a sinister grin. He released his grip on Russell's throat, letting Russell slam heavily to the ground.
“Perhaps I shouldn’t have killed you so quickly, human,” Voda’s voice held a hint of mockery. “That would have been too easy on you.”
Russell struggled to lift his head, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth onto the ground. His eyes were filled with wariness, but even more so with confusion.
Woda turned to face his men, his voice carrying a hint of authority: "What makes you think that such a weak mortal has the right to banish me?"
The World Eaters exchanged bewildered glances, unable to answer. Voda's laughter echoed across the battlefield: "So, I'll restore his strength and let you all see for yourselves how I crush him!"
A complex emotion flashed in Russell's eyes. He knew that Voda wasn't acting out of mercy, but rather to maintain his own authority. But this also gave him a glimmer of hope.
Arya rushed to Russell's side, a psionic aura shimmering around her. Her eyes were filled with worry: "Russell, are you alright?"
Russell nodded slightly, his voice weak but firm: "I'm fine..."
Woda's gaze swept over Russell and Arya, a cruel smile playing on his lips: "Rest well, human. Once you've recovered your strength, we'll settle this once more."
The World Eaters burst into laughter, as if watching a good show about to unfold. Voda waved his hand, leading his men in a temporary retreat.
The battlefield was silent, save for Russell and Arya. Russell's gaze pierced through the broken rock face, fixed on the distant sky.
In the dark dungeon, the clanging of chains mingled with the maniacal laughter of the World Eater warriors. Russell was chained to the wall, golden psionic energy slowly flowing through his body, repairing his damage. Casal and Arya were imprisoned in the next cell, the breathing of the White Scar warriors faint and rapid.
A few days later, the dungeon's iron door was violently pushed open. A world-devouring berserker, nearly 3.5 meters tall, walked in. His power armor was covered in battle marks, and his chain axe gleamed coldly in his hand. He ripped Russell's chains off and lifted him up like a chicken.
"The boss wants to see you, human." The berserker's voice carried a hint of sarcasm.
Russell was brought before Woda Bloodroof. Woda sat on a throne made of bones, her gaze fixed coldly on Russell.
"How's your recovery going?" Voda's voice carried a hint of mockery.
Russell's eyes were filled with determination: "Full recovery."
A cruel smile crept across Woda's lips: "Very well, begin your performance!"
The arena outside the dungeon was packed with Bloodskull warriors, their chain axes pounding the ground with deafening battle cries. Russell was pushed into the arena, his Blooddrinker entrenching tool gleaming golden in his hand. Opposite him, the Worlddevourer berserker—Grom—was like a moving mountain of steel, every scratch on his power armor a testament to countless battles fought with glory.
"Begin!" Woda Blood Glory's voice boomed like thunder.
Grom's chain axe activated instantly, its serrated edges grinding towards Russell at forty revolutions per second. Russell rolled to the side, the axe blade grazing his shoulder armor, sending sparks flying. Suddenly, the berserker's left hand extended a power claw, five sharp blades stabbing towards Russell's throat like venomous snakes.
Golden psionic energy formed a shield around Russell, blocking the fatal blow. However, Grom's brute force caused cracks in the shield, and Russell was knocked back several meters, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Is that all you've got?" Grom laughed maniacally, his power armor thrusters fully open, and he slammed into Russell like a cannonball. The arena floor shattered beneath his feet, scattering rubble like hail.
Russell leaped at the last second, the blade of his entrenching tool slicing through Grom's goggles. The berserker roared, his power claws sweeping across, tearing three deep, bone-revealing wounds into Russell's back.
"For the Blood God!" Grom roared as his power armor began to overload, crimson energy surging from his joints. This was the World Eater's berserk state, where pain perception was completely blocked, and strength and speed were tripled.
Russell's golden pupils contracted; he could see the energy flow within Grom's body. As the berserker charged again, he precisely inserted his entrenching tool into the power armor's energy conduit. Golden psionic energy surged through the conduit, and Grom's right arm suddenly exploded, sending blood, flesh, and metal fragments flying everywhere.
But the berserker seemed oblivious to the pain. With his remaining left hand, he grabbed Russell's leg and slammed him to the ground. Russell's head hit the rock, and everything went black.
"Die!" Grom raised his chain axe, its serrated edge already close to Russell's throat.
Just then, the golden psionic energy within Russell's body suddenly erupted. The Bloodthirsty entrenching tool split into twelve golden spikes, which, like blooming metallic flowers, pierced Grom's chest. The berserker's movements came to an abrupt halt, his power armor began to disintegrate, and his flesh vaporized in the golden psionic energy.
“For…the Blood God…” Grom knelt down and, with his last strength, hurled the chain axe at Russell. The blade grazed Russell’s shoulder and embedded itself deeply in the ground.
Russell staggered to his feet, his armor tattered, but his gaze remained cold and unwavering. The arena fell silent, broken only by the sound of Grom's mangled body burning in the golden flames.
Woda Bloodshine stood up, a dangerous glint in her eyes: "Very good, human. You have proven your worth."