24 Empire of Clash and Michael Gobson

"Who are you?" Kanzis glared or at least tried to get his subordinates ready to spring up in action, even if they were shivering.

"If you could ask the question after five minutes then I might think about it," Leo says

"You're bold for someone standing alone against the Imperial Army and..me," Kanzis said, gesturing to the thousands of soldiers behind him. His aura flared, a wave of oppressive energy spreading through the area. "Do you even realize who you're dealing with? I am Kanzis, the Looter, and I will claim whatever strength you possess."

Leo tilted his head, seemingly unimpressed. "Looter, huh? You're welcome to try."

Without warning Kanzis charged forward, his massive Shadowblade cleaving the air with a deadly arc. The ground beneath his feet cracked from the sheer force of his strike.

Leo didn't move. Instead, he simply raised his Odachi with one hand, effortlessly parrying Kanzis' attack. The collision sent shockwaves rippling through the area, but Leo remained unshaken.

Kanzis' eyes widened. "What the—?!"

"You'll need more than brute force to entertain me," Leo said, his smirk widening.

He disappears from their view and appears in front of Kanzis, the commander doesn't get a chance to defend himself as he is thrown like a cannonball his subordinates don't get a chance before they are 'slapped' into a bloody mist by Leo, who looks surprised "These guys...they died like that?" Even he wasn't sure how they were around A- in strength or did he overestimate them? Well, it was the result of Leo using Divine Aura at the lowest level for this fight.

Kanzis groaned, struggling to rise. His armor had absorbed a portion of the impact, but the damage was severe. Blood dripped from his lips, and his breathing was labored. He coughed violently, clutching his ribs. At least he didn't aim for my face... he thought grimly. Otherwise, he was certain he'd have ended up like his unfortunate subordinates.

Leo approached Kanzis slowly, his expression one of mild amusement. "Well, you're tougher than your lackeys. At least you didn't go down in one hit." He crouched slightly, tilting his head as if examining Kanzis like a curious predator. "I'd hate to kill you, though."

'Your Unique Ability is too good to let it go to waste.' Leo didn't voice his thoughts.

Kanzis gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand. "You think you've won already?" he growled, his voice strained but defiant. "I haven't even begun to fight."

Kanzis' aura flared once again, and the shadows around him began to writhe unnaturally. His eyes glowed with an eerie light as he activated his trump card: Looter, his Unique skill, The shadows turned into humanoid dark beasts and monsters he killed in the past rising to fight by his side.

"Now, let's see how you handle this!" Kanzis roared, commanding his shadows to attack.

Leo chuckled, unbothered by the sudden change in the battlefield. "Oh, this is interesting," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "But if you think numbers will save you…"

"Don't underestimate me Majin, these monsters are capable of tearing likes of you apart in seconds." Kanzis tried to threaten him though it only made Leo laugh.

"Hahahaha, let's see." Leo says with a mocking smirk.

Kanzis, wielding the Unique Skill [Looter], could summon monsters that he killed over the years. Each of these creatures, while not exceeding A-rank, was formidable enough to give most seasoned adventurers a hard time. He could only maintain control over 5-6 monsters at a time, due to the limitations of his skill. These monsters were darkened versions of their original forms made from darkness.

A Shadow Hydra (B+), a Hellflame Behemoth (A), an Ironfang Direwolf(B), a Black Knight(A-), and Enroki (A-).

The Shadow Hydra and Hellflame Behemoth first, their monstrous forms towering over the battlefield.

Leo dodged them only using his physical strength

As Kanzis brought forth more monsters.

Leo decided to create his [Wood Clones] and immediately four identical copies of himself appeared on the battlefield, causing Kanzis' eyes to widen as he laughed "Haha, these parlor tricks won't save you Majin, once I kill you your strength will become mine."

The Ironfang Direwolf attempted to break through with its [Metal Howl], but a clone sliced through it effortlessly. The Hellflame Behemoth, roaring with molten fury, charged toward Leo's main form or at least what is assumed, only to be met with a devastating slash from Leo's odachi, splitting it in two effortlessly.

The battle became a spectacle of power and special skills, but Kanzis' monsters, despite their strength, were no match for Leo's overwhelming might.

As Leo effortlessly cut down the last of Kanzis' summoned monsters, his ethereal blade dissolved into glowing embers. He strode toward Kanzis, his crimson armor shimmering ominously in the fading light. Kanzis stumbled back, sweat dripping from his brow, his composure shattered. His trembling voice cracked as he spoke:

"W-who are you, Majin? Why are you helping these monsters? Join me! The Eastern Empire rewards the strong. With your power, you could rise above all others!"

Leo stopped a few steps away, his piercing gaze cutting through Kanzis like a blade. He chuckled darkly, tilting his head slightly as though Kanzis had just told a ridiculous joke.

"Join you?" Leo's voice was cold, dripping with disdain. "Do you take me for a fool? I know what the Eastern Empire does to those it can't control. Empire 'rewards' the strong, you say? Only until they're no longer useful. I serve no one."

Kanzis' face twisted in desperation. "Y-you don't understand! You don't know the power of the Empire! It's bigger than you—bigger than any Majin! Refusing me is suicide!"

Leo leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "You don't threaten me, Kanzis. You amuse me. But if you're done begging, we can end this charade."

Realizing there was no negotiating, Kanzis' desperation turned into reckless determination. He clutched a glowing amulet around his neck, muttering an incantation that made the air around him vibrate with unstable energy. His power surged, his Unique Skill [Looter] tapping into its hidden reserves. The ground split beneath him as he screamed, summoning his trump card.

From the dark, swirling void above Kanzis, a massive creature emerged. A Medium Dragon, its obsidian scales glinting with unnatural light, descended with a thunderous roar. Its twenty-meter-long body radiated malice, and dark energy seeped from its razor-sharp wings and jaws.

Kanzis grinned maniacally, his earlier fear replaced with twisted glee. "I gave you a chance, and you spat on it! Let's see how you handle the Dragon of Darkness! You may have been strong, but nothing can face the wrath of a dragon!"

Leo didn't flinch. Instead, he threw his head back and let out a mocking laugh that echoed through the battlefield. The Spectre villagers and soldiers hearing the aftermath of the battle from a distance shivered at the sound, and Kanzis' grin faltered for a moment.

"A dragon, you say?" Leo said, his voice thick with amusement. He gestured lazily toward the towering beast. "This? This is what you bring to challenge me. Fine. Let's 'dance'." His voice turned mocking at the end.

Leo's divine aura flared violently, the ground beneath him cracking and splintering as his energy surged. With a casual flick of his hand, he summoned Rengoku, his mighty Avatar. A towering, spectral warrior cloaked in golden energy rose behind him, standing 40 meters tall, twice the height of the dragon. The avatar's skeletal visage glowed with an otherworldly light, and its twin fiery blades ignited, illuminating the battlefield like a second sun.

The Medium Dragon growled, momentarily hesitant at the sheer presence of Rengoku. Kanzis, though initially confident, now stared at the massive construct with wide, disbelieving eyes.

Leo smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. "Your dragon looks a little… small. Did you forget to feed it?"

Kanzis shouted, "Size doesn't matter! A dragon's strength—"

Before he could finish, Leo's Avatar moved, its speed belying its massive size. Rengoku's blade slashed downward, the air splitting with a deafening crack. The dragon barely dodged, letting out a roar of defiance as it retaliated with a blast of dark energy.

The energy beam struck Rengoku's chest, only for the Avatar to absorb the attack without flinching. Leo crossed his arms, letting his construct do the work, using it like a limb, with his mind.

"Was that it? My turn," Leo said, his eyes gleaming.

Rengoku swung again, this time faster and with more precision. The dragon tried to evade but couldn't escape the sheer reach of the fiery blade. The attack severed one of its wings, sending the massive beast crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact.

"No! That's impossible!" Kanzis screamed, falling to his knees as the dragon writhed in agony.

Leo took a step closer, his voice calm but filled with deadly intent. "A dragon's strength means nothing against overwhelming power. You've lost, Kanzis. Do you see it now? The Empire's might is a farce. Just like you, did you think I wouldn't know about these little amulet tricks?"

It was the cliché move of every villain.

As Kanzis screamed in frustration and despair, Leo gave a single command to Rengoku. The towering Avatar raised its blazing twin blades, crossing them above the wounded dragon. With a final, devastating slash, the fiery weapons cleaved through the beast, unleashing an explosion of light and heat that illuminated the battlefield.

*KABOOM

The shockwave rippled across the land, silencing everything in its wake. The once-mighty Dragon of Darkness was gone, reduced to ash and embers scattered in the wind. The crackling of flames was the only sound left, and the imperial soldiers in the distance stood frozen in terror.

Leo dismissed Rengoku with a wave of his hand, the flames surrounding him dying down as his oppressive aura faded. With an almost casual stride, he approached Kanzis, who was trembling in the dirt, his once-proud demeanor shattered.

"You should be grateful I can't steal Unique Skills," Leo said, his voice calm but cold, each word cutting through the silence like a blade. "So, I'll keep you as my 'guest,' for now."

He conjured a glowing rope of magical energy, tying Kanzis' leg with it. Kanzis was too defeated to resist, reduced to a pitiful, shrunken figure.

Leo turned his gaze toward the temporary encampment of the imperial soldiers, his voice calms yet resonant with authority. "Tell the Empire what happened here," he ordered his tone like a decree. "Let them know that the Spectre Village is now under the protection of the Empire of Clash. Should they dare return, I will show them what true despair looks like."

Though he spoke softly, his words reverberated across the battlefield, carried by an unseen force that reached every ear.

The villagers, who had been watching the battle from a safe distance, were awestruck. None had seen power on this scale before. The Mistress of the Spectre Village stood at the forefront, her nine tails glowing faintly, her expression a mix of relief and admiration.

As Leo approached, dragging the now-pathetic Kanzis behind him like a sack of grain, the Mistress stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Lord Leo," she began, her voice trembling with gratitude. "You have not only saved us from annihilation but have also given us hope. We owe you a debt we can never repay."

Leo waved his hand dismissively, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "I didn't do it for your gratitude," he said. "I did it because it was the right thing to do. That's all."

The Mistress raised her head, her eyes glowing with sincerity. "Even so, we cannot ignore your strength and kindness. The Spectre Village will not forget this day. We would be honored to swear loyalty to you, to your Empire of Clash. Please, allow us to serve under your banner."

Leo paused for a moment, his crimson armor glinting under the fading sunlight. He looked at the villagers, their hopeful eyes reflecting their trust in him, and then at the Mistress, whose expression was one of genuine resolve.

"Serve me, huh?" Leo mused, scratching his chin. "If that's your choice, I won't stop you. But know this..if you join me, you'll be under my protection, but you'll also be under my rules. Do you accept that?"

The Mistress smiled warmly, nodding. "We accept, Lord Leo. You are the guardian we've prayed for."

As the villagers cheered and began to surround Leo in gratitude, Kanzis whimpered from the ground. Leo, still in his peace-loving uncle appearance, glanced down at the pitiful commander and sighed theatrically.

"Now, what do I do with you?" Leo muttered, dragging Kanzis along. Thinking about his dimension he opened a portal to it and threw Kanzis inside it.

The villagers erupted in cheers and applause as Leo stood at the center of the celebration, his appearance still that of a noble samurai but his aura unmistakably commanding. The ripples of this battle would soon spread across the continent, shaking the foundations of nations and empires alike.

~~~~~~

(Side Story- The Goblin Gang)

"Ghahahhahh ghala gag." The Gobi told Venelana about his plan for the celebration of the recent victory over the Goblin Lord.

"I don't understand a thing what you are saying Gobi, I am not my King who has All-Speak." She said with a deadpan.

The Goblin organizer slaps his forehead as takes out the translator Gran had made for Goblins.

"How about we use the Gold Age theme the Gold we looted from the Goblin Lord is enough to make it." He says his eyes already showing dollar signs.

If Venelana's face could have gone even more deadpan than it was when it did "You just want Gold to steal and I already have an idea for the celebration you guys are going to do Michael Gobson dance moves, if you succeed I will give you guys the dress he wore while he did gold walk." She says with a smirk.

Gobi immediately starts daydreaming wearing a luxury suit and making Goblinas fall in love with him.

Venelana leaned back on her chair, sipping a goblet of fine wine as Gobi stared off into the distance, his eyes glinting with ambition.

"Ahh... Goblin ladies fainting left and right, cheering my name," Gobi muttered, swaying side to side like he was already moonwalking on gold-plated tiles.

"Focus, Gobi!" Venelana snapped, snapping her fingers in front of his face. "You haven't earned the suit yet. First, you and your gang have to nail those Michael Gobson dance moves."

Gobi shook himself back to reality, puffing out his chest. "Ghahahah! Easy! We are natural dancers!"

Venelana raised an eyebrow. "Natural? You slipped on a banana peel just last week while trying to bow."

"That was a tactical slip!" Gobi shot back, crossing his arms indignantly. "I was disarming my opponent with comedy!"

She rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, disarming a Golem with comedy."

"But whatever you say, Gobi. But if you mess this up, you're cleaning the entire banquet hall and polishing the gold plates. With your tongue."

Gobi gulped but quickly recovered. "No worries, boss lady! We've got this! Goblins, assemble!"

From behind a bush, why it was in the office no one had any clue, a scrappy group of goblins tumbled out—one tripping over another, two already fighting over who got to wear the sparkliest shoes, and a particularly small goblin spinning on his head without realizing he'd set his hair on fire.

"Okay, team!" Gobi announced, puffing his chest and pretending he didn't notice the chaos. "We're going to rehearse the legendary Gold Walk! We'll become legends in Goblin history!"

One of the goblins raised a hand. "What's the Gold Walk? Do we just walk on gold?"

Gobi smirked. "No, you unpolished pebble! It's this!" He attempted to moonwalk but instead tripped over his oversized shoes and crashed into a barrel, sending gold coins scattering everywhere.

The goblins immediately abandoned rehearsal to scramble for the coins, fighting like rabid dogs.

Venelana sighed, facepalming. "This is going to be a disaster."

Still, as she watched Gobi dramatically stand atop the barrel, throwing coins like confetti and shouting, "GOBLINS FOREVER!" she couldn't help but smirk. It might be a disaster, but at least it would be an entertaining one.

~~~~~

Size matters, but even more the inner strength.

So should I make Mc rip off Shadow Monarch?

I don't think so, I think I will give this ability to Akali her Shadow Manipulation and it will also open our roots to the beautiful waifu.

I hope side story was good.