Ferocious Monster

As the intense battle between Vecna and the Elite Automatons continued, the odds seemed stacked against the Vampire.

There was a spot of brilliance when the Vampire was about to destroy the Magician Automaton, only for the sparks to be extinguished by the coordinated rescue of the Guardian Knights.

The relentless assault from the Automatons tested his limits, pushing him to the brink of exhaustion. Their coordinated attacks and sheer numbers made it a daunting struggle, even for Vecna's exceptional swordsmanship and vampiric agility.

It felt as if those Automatons didn't know what "Stamina" was for, and attacked with endless resources. This was mentally draining for Vecna, who had to keep account of so many variables in the fight.

With each swing of his Knightsblade, Vecna sought openings in the Automatons' defenses.

He danced and weaved through their onslaught, relying on [Split Second] ability that boosted his reflexes to evade their powerful strikes. His Uncanny Grip allowed him to scale walls and ceilings, utilizing the environment to gain an advantage in the chaotic battlefield.

However, the Elite Automatons proved to be formidable opponents. Their precision and relentless assault made it difficult for Vecna to gain the upper hand. Despite his best efforts, he struggled to cull down their numbers, and the tide of the battle seemed to be turning against him.

'Damn it! Could it be that they have caught on to what I intend?'

'Come on, not even the top 100 rankers would be able to do jack under the same conditions as me.'

Understanding that he had a small chance of executing his plan of taking down one of the Rogues or Sentinels, and under the constant assault that made his brain overheat thinking of ways to dodge, parry and counterattack when possible.

Screening the battlefield with his predatory eyes that remained dead cold, his eyes drifted on the Caster he pummeled down. This Automaton was in a precarious state, and it wouldn't be impossible to take it down.

Nonetheless, he needed to sacrifice a lot of his mental fortitude for this to work.

'I guess it's time I use that skill too.'

Taking a quick look at his Health and Mana, both looking in stable parameters, he made his mind on how he should proceed going forward.

[Health: 1686/2624 | Mana: 682/1032]

Vecna held the Knightsblade tighter, having its macabre pulsing veins shined with a crimson light that instantly garnered a reaction from the Automatons, who began another onslaught with the charge of the Guardian Knights.

'That's the reaction I wanted.'

He was calculative, having a grasp over their patterns and attack mechanics, yet it could only ease the pressure he felt as 10 Automatons attacked from all directions.

One might think that fighting a Boss Monster alone was easier than facing a squadron of Elite Monsters that could Kill you from any angle you might dream of.

Facing multiple enemies was always the sight of nightmares in most Games, from the originals, where your Raid of 20 people would wipe because you aggroed too many Elite Monsters before entering the Boss Room and progressing to today's generation, where Satisfy didn't change the rule.

This place kept up with its name. A Suppression Chamber constructed to screen out humans and beasts from the monsters.

When the Automatons noticed how Vecna didn't back away, their mana source ignited as if they smelled the chance of getting rid of this Vampire for good. What's more, he was serving himself on the platter as he advanced toward them.

'Novice's Resilience.'

[Defense has been increased by 20% for 60 seconds.]

'Golden Flash'

[Movement Speed has been increased by 50% for 3 seconds.]

Pushing forward, he suffered from the blows of the Guardian Knights, Rogues and Berserker before escaping the onslaught.

As he approached the back-line, he used [Soaring Leap] to dodge the Sentinels projectiles that were shot to hinder his plans. Approaching closer and closer with the Caster Automaton, Vecna sensed the perfect moment to unleash one of the unique skills he gained from becoming Caine's Reincarnate.

A simple, menacing, and devastating skill, Blood Requiem.

With his vampiric instincts heightened, he observes the automaton's movements, carefully analyzing its defenses and vulnerabilities. His eyes narrow, filled with an intense hunger for victory.

With a swift motion, Vecna repositions his body, his feet gracefully gliding across the terrain. His grip tightens around his sword, the Knighsblade, as he channels his dark powers. The air around him thickens, charged with the energy of ancient blood magic.

"There you are. Now let me teach you why playing a Caster sometimes is a bad idea."

--BIIIP-- --BIIIP-

[IMMINENT DANGER! SELF DESTRUCT SEQUENCE ACTIVATED!]

"Is that so?"

"Let me play you a Blood Requiem."

[Skill 'Blood Requiem' has been activated. You have sacrificed 10% of your Vitality for the use.]

Vecna was aware of what would ensue if he wasn't quick enough, an experience that he would rather not experience anymore.

With that thought in mind, a haunting aura envelops his body, emanating from the depths of his being. Shadows seem to writhe and dance around him, casting eerie silhouettes on the ground.

His form becomes ethereal, his figure shrouded in a cloak of darkness. The anticipation in the air grew while the Automatons sensed the impending power about to be unleashed.

Suddenly, time seems to slow as Vecna dashes forward with supernatural speed. His movements blur, leaving only a streak of crimson in his wake. His senses become finely attuned, honing in on the vital points of the Caster Automaton.

As he closes in, Vecna's sword pierces the air with a wicked hiss, leaving behind a trail of swirling crimson mist.

The blade gleams with a malevolent radiance infused with the essence of his vampiric power.

The sound of metal slicing through metal resonates through the chamber as his strike lands with deadly precision.

Blood Requiem springs to life in a display of nightmarish beauty. Streams of dark energy surge forth from Vecna's bloody blade, coalescing into twisting tendrils of blood that surge towards the Caster Automaton. The tendrils navigate the air, finding their mark with unerring accuracy.

Each tendril penetrates the Automaton's vital points, seeking to shatter its defenses and cripple its functionality. The deadly amalgamation of blood and energy courses through the automaton's circuits, disrupting its systems and sowing chaos within its metallic frame.

The Caster Automaton convulses, sparks flying as its joints lock and its mobility becomes a fractured mess. The Brain Circuit, the core of its operations, is overwhelmed by the vile power of Blood Requiem, reducing it to a state of malfunction and confusion.

[DANGER! D---D--DANGER!]

[SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING! FUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED!]

Amid the chaos, the Caster Automaton's mana energy of a deep blue suddenly morphed into a corrupted, crimson-black color, darker than the oxidized blood.

The amount of damage the Blood Requiem dealt to this Automaton pleased Vecna to the extent he smiled maliciously as he faced the malfunctioning machine.

[Vitals of the enemy have been destroyed, giving a 100% chance of a Critical Hit!]

[You have dealt 5784 damage to the target]

[Mana Wielding Automaton - LV. 65] (Elite) [1/20,560 HP]

What kept the Automaton "alive" was its beating heart, the Mana Core that shined with a corrupted crimson mana, pulsating with a radiant bloody energy that instantly caught Vecna's attention.

Before the rest of the Automatons interfered, he stabbed his large hand in the machine's chest, extracting its precious Mana Core made out of what he presumed was the same refined Mana Stone.

The Caster Automaton turned dead silent when Vecna withdrew his hand from its chest, revealing in his hand a large Mana Gem enveloped in Blood Mana that triggered a series of questions in his mind.

The radiant energy slowly dissipated into the air, leaving out a Crimson Mana Gem that had the splendor of a ruby.

All of the Automatons took to a stop as if they were confused by the scene that played out.

Meanwhile, Vecna stood tall, carrying himself with a sinister aura, as the macabre energies released by the skill Blood Requiem slowly subsided.

'Could it be? The skill's mana was so potent that it changed the properties of the Mana Gem?'

[Ding!]

[You have defeated an 'Advanced Mana Automaton', gaining the following rewards.]

[You will gain: 48,800 EXP; 1x Corrupted Mana Gem; Spell Book: Mana Barrier; Spell Book: Ice Lance]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

---

--

-

[You have reached level 23]

.

[Health: 2888/2888 | Mana: 1128/1128]

His curiosity regarding the Mana Gem was put on hold when he leveled up, feeling rejuvenated by the refreshing sensation of leveling up.

Amidst the onslaught, Vecna delivered a decisive blow with Blood Requiem. He dispatched one of the Automatons with a swift and calculated strike, causing a temporary imbalance in the enemy's formation.

"Have you sent your prayers? You should have. If not, do it now or it will be too late."

Commented Vecna coldly, being the one to push on the gas pedal, reaching a crucial turning point in the battle thanks to the benefits one always have when leveling up, a Full Recovery of their Health and Mana.

Drawing upon his vampiric instincts and honed skills, Vecna exploited this newfound opportunity by lunging at one of the Rogues that barely managed to block his Knightblade.

The automaton darts and weaves, launching swift and precise strikes with its daggers, attempting to exploit any opening in Vecna's defenses. However, its efforts got crushed by Vecna's second strike as it pauses the Automaton, struggling to stay upright.

Watching the smaller-sized Automaton that reached to his chest height, he once again striked, being heavy-handed on this next blow in an attempt to buckle its legs.

Undeterred by the nearby Automatons, Vecna enters a state of focused concentration. His eyes narrow with predatory precision as he raises his Knightsblad, its edge gleaming ominously in the dim light of the chamber.

Smiling with a nasty expression, he used his swift footwork to reach the Rogue's side before slashing like the monster he was, even activating [Lighting Strike] to prevent the Automaton from dodging or defending itself.

Vecna performs a quick and precise sword strike, aiming for a vital spot on the Automatons to deal high damage.

'Swift Strike.'

[You have dealt 1572 damage to the target]

With a surge of unearthly speed and grace, Vecna engages in a mesmerizing dance of death.

'Blade Dance'

The smooth activation of his skills were peerless. His body becomes a blur of fluid motions, seamlessly flowing from one strike to another. His movements become a deadly symphony of blade and shadow, striking with unmatched precision and efficiency.

As he moves, his sword traces intricate patterns in the air, leaving behind a trail of crimson mana. Swirling tendrils of darkness wrap around his form, enhancing his already supernatural agility and lending an air of menace to his every movement.

The sound of clashing metal fills the chamber as Vecna's blade meets the daggers of the Rogue Automaton with resounding force.

Each of Vecna's strikes were executed with uncanny accuracy, targeting the joints and vital points of the Automaton, and as the Advanced Machinery got caught off guard by Vecna's deadly artistry, it was forced into a defensive stance as it struggled to match his blinding speed.

Yet, the activation of [Lighting Strikes] was haunting particularly for the Rogue Automaton. It improved Vecna's reflexes and instincts when attacking a "fleeing" enemy to the extent that their roles were reversed.

[You have dealt a total of 3216 damage]

Ending his [Blade Dance] sequence with a successful offense, he didn't let the Rogue get scot-free and survive to regroup with the rest of Automatons.

[Rogue Automaton - LV. 65] (Elite) [6,785/24,560 HP]

Instead, he was relentless in his drive to end another enemy. The smell of a kill was enticing, and he could see it in his reach.

Vecna's relentless assault leaves the Rogue Automaton reeling, its daggers unable to find their mark amidst the whirlwind of Vecna's strikes. With each successful hit, the automaton's movements become increasingly erratic, its mechanical body showing signs of strain and malfunction.

'It got low-health. Let's end with a Blood Requiem. The sacrifice will heal with the level up.'

[Skill on cooldown!]

He tried to activate the skill when the 'Lighting Strikes' buff was about to end, taking full advantage of all of his skills.

However, he failed to synchronize himself with the long cooldown of the 'Blood Requiem'.

'...' (Eerie silence)

'Fuck. I thought Blood Requiem had a four minute cooldown. Urgh, I need to remember its cooldown times. Eight minutes is a lot for a fight.'

With no choice since his "Ultimate" was on cooldown, he acted shrewdly and continued giving himself space between the Rogue and other Automatons.

'Earthshock'

Dropping lower on the ground to strike the Rogue's leg, he followed with a combo as he slammed his fist on the ground, blasting a shockwave through the entire Suppression Chamber, momentarily staggering all the enemies surrounding him.

[Critical!]

[You have dealt 896 damage to the targets.]

This managed to disrupt their coordinated pattern at rescuing their comrade.

[Rogue Automaton - LV. 65] (Elite) [2,785/24,560 HP]

'One more down.'

Still, under the shock effect, Vecna delivers a final, devastating blow. His Knightsblade pierces through the chest of the Automaton, opening up its heart and revealing the precious Mana Core.

'Uncanny Grip'

Stabbing his left hand in the Automaton's chest, he withdrew it smoothly with the radiant source of mana, rendering the Rogue Automaton into a lifeless state, frozen in place. Its once formidable presence was reduced to a mere hunk of motionless metal.

[You have defeated an 'Advanced Mana Automaton', gaining the following rewards.]

[You will gain: 41,800 EXP; 1x Radiant Mana Gem; Skill Book: Pickpocket; Throwing Knives of Precision]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

.

[User: Vecna / Class: Caine's Reincarnate / Race: Low-Grade Vampire]

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[Level: 26(10,896/17,500)/ Title: The Fallen One; +4 more (Open Tab to see all)]

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[Health: 3,020/3,020 | Mana: 1,176/1,176]

.

"How was it, you bitch? Great struggles yield great rewards?"

"Much appreciated."

"Huhuhu."

With each defeated Automaton, Vecna's confidence grew, and he found his rhythm amidst the chaos.

The pressure on his shoulders didn't alleviate, yet, with two enemies down that were a constant worry for him, it got smoother.

Afterall, with his agility and movement speed, only the Sentinels, Casters and Rogues proved to be a handful in the beginning, while the Guardian Knights, tanky as they were, could be kited all over this Dark Chamber and slowly be bisected into metal chunks.

The remaining Automatons could feel the weight of their diminishing numbers, their formerly impeccable coordinated attacks now turning disorganized as Vecna dashed like a ghost from place to place, appearing and attacking like the menace he was.

Vecna, fueled by his drive to decimate those boom bots, pressed on, relentlessly taking advantage of their vulnerabilities.

With each passing moment, the scales of the battle tilted further in Vecna's favor. His combination of basic swordsmanship and vampiric skills allowed him to outmaneuver, outthink, and outlast the Automatons.

His Golden Flash ability boosted his speed, enabling him to swiftly close the distance between enemies and strike with deadly precision.

The next Automaton to fall under the sharp blade was one of the Sentinel Automatons who were like Glass Cannons once the protection of the Guardian Knights was nullified.

Knightsblade overperformed greatly and perfectly adapted to the new functions gained under the Sanguine Quenching. A blade that gave off endless honor and glory was now mercilessly culling down the metal parts of the Automaton.

A pure blade made to serve aspiring Knights got corrupted by an evil entity.

"I have nothing against you, Archer. However, you need to stay mobile against someone like me."

[You have defeated an 'Advanced Mana Automaton' gaining the following rewards.]

[You will gain: 39,880 EXP; 1x Radiant Mana Gem; Spell Book: Arrow Rain]

[You have leveled up.]

…

With the boosts of leveling up, he stood motionless as he took a bit of his time to check on the list of rewards, generous enough to trigger a Mass Reaction of the Satisfy Community. However, the Automatons, already enraged beyond repair in the conflict with Vecna, had other plans.

--Crack--

"Can't you give me a moment of breather?"

--Crack--

As he said that, sensing the approaching Automatons, his neck twisted to watch the Guardian Knights accompanied by the rest of the remaining machines. As if there was a human reaction from them, they stopped, making Vecna grin maliciously at their behavior.

"You think I haven't caught on to you interfering? How advanced can a Machine be in its intelligence and instincts to defend blind spots that not even monsters would be able to block?"

"Their pattern is rather rudimentary at best. Nothing impressive."

『Y-You're a monster. How could Siegfried let a monster like you inside the Proving Grounds?』

『This isn't something this Empress signed for.』

The voice of a woman came from the leading Guardian Knight, and unlike the confident tone she had previously, as she looked down on Vecna, this time it was fearful.

Vecna, with his neck twist, reacted by turning his body to match the neck, appearing "normal" as if nothing had happened to his body.

"Interesting Title you're calling yourself."

『Because I'm an Empress. Unlike you, who calls himself a God. You're nothing but a Blood-Drinker who snuck inside this Chamber.』

"Anyone can call themselves whatever they feel like. We're in a free World afterwards."

"Besides, it doesn't change the dynamic of our fight."

"..."

'Why am I bothering to talk with a boss monster?'

"Forget it. I don't feel like talking now. Once I take care of all of those bots, I'm certain I'll be meeting you soon."

'Wait. I can probe for some information, and maybe get some hints on what she might pull off?'

"Hmmm. Could it be?"

Vecna was reading the fluctuation of mana coming from the Guardian Knight, and once he paused slowly, thinking about something menacing, it was when the fluctuation got way-wire.

"You're next. Right?"

[...]

『You think better of what you wish for. Encountering me with that type of mentality would be your downfall, Vampire.』

"Huhuhu, what type of mentality? I just want to become stronger. Strong enough to do whatever the fuck I want without being bothered by annoying fools flaunting around their influence and money."

"Now stop dragging and piss off. I still have to farm Stat Points from your junk."

『I can have all of them self-destruct right now and disturb your plans with my creations.』

"Maybe. But this is a breach of what this Challenge should be all about. Suppression!"

"Until I take them to the point they can't fight, there wouldn't be a justified reason to have them self-destruct on me. At least this is how I view this whole Suppression Chamber and its purpose."

"I might be wrong. So prove me otherwise."

『Fine. You make sense. It would breach the contract I have signed with Siegfried. I will no longer get involved. We'll meet in the 3rd Chamber. Be ready for the worst test in your life.』

『This Empress will teach you a sore lesson.』

"Yeah, sure. Buzz off, and let me continue my fight."

--BIIP-- --BIIP--

[LINK HAS BEEN REINSTATED]