Hidden Act: Subjugation Of The Final Boss [3]

Noah's eyes glowed with an eerie red hue as the power of the demonic disciple surged through his veins.

The air around him pulsed with a dark energy, his body encased in a red aura that flickered like flames.

Across from him stood Rylan Voss, sword drawn, eyes narrowed with determination.

Rylan charged forward, his sword gleaming under the dim light of the arena.

Noah stood still, waiting.

In the blink of an eye, Rylan was upon him, his sword slicing through the air.

But Noah sidestepped effortlessly, the blade missing him by inches.

Rylan didn't stop.

He swung again, faster, more desperate.

But each strike was met with a casual dodge, a minimal movement from Noah as though he was toying with him.

A smirk crept across Noah's face.

He could feel Rylan's frustration, his desperation growing.

Noah raised his hand, fingers curling in the air, and whispered, "[Constellation's Insight]."

In an instant, the system in his mind displayed Rylan's stats, weaknesses, and strengths.

Noah's smile widened as he focused on Rylan's stamina bar—it was already halfway depleted.

He knew Rylan's swordsmanship relied on speed and precision, but speed required energy.

And Rylan was running out of it.

Noah raised his arm, his hand enveloped in a chilling red mist, and with a flick of his wrist, a barrage of red icicles shot toward Rylan.

Rylan barely had time to react, raising his sword just in time to deflect the incoming shards.

But the force sent him stumbling back, his feet sliding across the stone floor.

He gritted his teeth and lunged forward again, his blade aiming for Noah's side.

Noah raised his arm again, blocking the blade with his forearm, but instead of the expected slash of metal against flesh, Rylan's sword collided with something solid.

Red ice.

Rylan's eyes widened in shock.

Noah's entire abdomen and chest were covered in a thick plate of red ice, almost like armor.

Rylan pushed forward, putting all his strength into his strike, and managed to crack the ice slightly.

But as his sword cracked the ice, it shattered in his hands, the blade splintering into pieces.

Rylan staggered back, breathless, staring at the broken remnants of his weapon.

Noah chuckled softly, looking down at the small crack in his ice armor, then back up at Rylan.

Rylan's chest heaved with heavy breaths, his body trembling with exhaustion.

Noah's system activated again, showing Rylan's stamina bar—it was almost empty now.

Rylan took a shaky step back, but his legs were weak, barely able to hold him up.

Noah's demonic power surged again, the red aura around him growing darker, more intense.

His mana levels were higher than ever, his physical attributes enhanced beyond normal human limits.

He could feel the power coursing through him, and it felt intoxicating.

Noah lifted his hand, summoning another wave of red icicles, this time aiming directly at Rylan's chest.

Rylan raised his arms in a feeble attempt to shield himself, but he knew it wouldn't be enough.

The shards slammed into Rylan, sending him flying backward, crashing into the stone wall behind him.

He groaned in pain, slumping to the ground, his vision blurring.

Noah walked toward him slowly, each step deliberate, savoring the moment.

Rylan struggled to push himself up, but his body refused to obey.

His arms trembled, his legs felt like lead.

He glanced down at his hands, bloodied and trembling.

His body was at its limit.

Noah stopped in front of him, looking down at his broken opponent.

Rylan didn't move or say anything.

He just stared up at Noah, his breathing shallow, his eyes filled with a mix of defiance and defeat.

Noah raised his hand one last time, the red aura swirling around his fingers, ready to deliver the final blow.

But then, something flickered in Noah's mind.

The system chimed in, a message appearing in his vision.

[Target's stamina: critically low.]

He already knew Rylan was done.

The fight had been decided the moment Noah tapped into his demonic power.

Noah took a deep breath, feeling the cold fog escape his lips, the air around him chilling.

His body was beautiful in this form, his skin pale, his eyes glowing with an unnatural red light.

Noah knew he looked every bit the demonic disciple he had become.

His appearance was terrifying yet mesmerizing.

He stared down at Rylan, who was barely conscious, his body broken and exhausted.

Noah lowered his hand.

There was no need for a final attack.

Rylan couldn't fight anymore.

The battle was over.