On the other side of the city:
Gunshots cracked through the battlefield as Liam sprinted, weaving between streams of poisonous projectiles fired from Boris. Raising his gun, Liam squeezed the trigger.
The mana-infused bullet tore through the air, glowing faintly as it raced toward Boris.
Boris reacted instantly, thrusting his hand forward. A liquid poison barrier formed just in time. The bullet struck, shattering upon impact, taking the barrier down with it.
A twisted grin stretched across Boris's twitching face, his expression alight with sick pleasure.
"How pointless..." he mocked, his tone sharp with disdain.
"I thought you had more than just running around and throwing stupid attacks like this."
But then, the shattered bullet fragments began to shine.
"Hah?"
Boris muttered, glancing down.
Before he could act, the fragments exploded point-blank, the blast searing his vision with blinding light.
"AGHH! MY EYES!!!"
Liam halted his sprint and lunged forward, seizing the opportunity. His legs blurred with speed as he closed the distance. With a precise motion, he hurled both guns, pone spinning in from each side. His eyes gleamed with confidence as he pulled a small detonator from his coat.
"I have to time this right..."
The spinning guns veered inward, converging on Boris. They clashed together low, between his legs, triggering the mechanism inside.
A volley of bullets discharged, tearing into Boris's legs and paralyzing him. His breath hitched in panic and agony as he crumpled to the ground. His head snapped toward Liam just in time to see him flash past.
"What is he..?!"
A strange weight pressed against his chest. Eyes wide, Boris looked down.A bomb device was strapped to him.
"No... YOU CANNOT—"
The bomb's lights flickered rapidly.
Then
BAMM!
Detonated.
A thunderous explosion engulfed the entire street. Fire roared outward, bursting through every crack and alleyway as the ground quaked beneath the impact.
From above, Liam stood atop a building, his glasses gleaming as they reflected the raging inferno below.
"Damn it..." he cursed softly.
The smoke coiled upward in heavy waves, the battlefield drowned in its aftermath.
"I lost my guns... I know I went a bit overkill with that attack, but now that I've lost them, I think I made a mistake."
With a slow turn, Liam began to walk away, his coat flaring in the wind.
"I need to regroup with the others. They can't hold them forever."
But before he could leave, the buildings surrounding him began to shake. The ground rumbled violently. With a deafening groan, the structures rose, floating up into the air. Then blocked his path.
Liam froze, his jaw tightening.
"Ah, shit...!"
The massive buildings collapsed toward him with terrifying speed. Liam sprang back just in time, barely avoiding the crushing impact.
"Looks like I'm too late to avoid this."
From the thick clouds of dust, a massive rock pillar erupted, hurtling at him. Liam twisted aside and landed gracefully, using the stone's surface for support. Rising, he scanned the chaos, eyes sharp, posture locked and ready.
Then a voice drifted out from the haze.
"Liam... I've heard a lot about you."
Liam narrowed his eyes, his body tensing.
"Usually, my fans don't try to kill me first before expressing their admiration."
he replied dryly.
A faint scoff came from the dust.
"Hmph. I never said I was a fan."
The sound of deliberate footsteps echoed closer. A silhouette grew clearer, step by step, until at last he emerged into the open.
A tall, imposing figure. His physique sculpted with muscle beneath his uniform. His sharp, dark-brown hair whipped in the wind, and his piercing brown eyes locked directly on Liam.
Liam's gaze hardened.
"Vin..." he thought grimly.
"First son of Gastrias. Head of one of the most powerful and prestigious noble families in Darkvill."
He didn't blink, his focus locked.
"As the leader of the Special Mage Force, he wields Earth Magic. Though he prefers close combat... his endurance and durability make him a living monster to face."
Frustration clawed at Liam's chest. His fist clenched.
"I hate to admit it... but I have no chance against someone like him."
Vin's calm, confident voice cut through the silence.
"What's wrong, Liam? Can't find a way through me?"
Liam chuckled lightly, shaking his head.
"Not exactly... well, maybe."
He lifted his gaze, unflinching.
"It's like you were made specifically to counter me and my abilities."
Vin smirked faintly, folding his arms across his chest.
"Oh? Giving up so easily?"
He tilted his head with intrigue.
"I thought you were that arrogant bastard whose ego outweighed even his intelligence." Vin pressed.
"That's what a few lucky soldiers told me after they survived you. But now that I'm facing you myself... it doesn't seem like they were right. Were they?"
His words were sharp, his tone firm, his gaze cutting.
Liam stayed quiet for a moment before answering.
"I don't think my ego should be of your concern."
His voice was steady.
"That was a long time ago. Things change... I, have changed. If anyone should be accused of arrogance, it's your own Special Mage Force members. Or should I say... were?"
Vin's expression shifted slightly. He remained silent, the words settling deep. Then his head tilted up, his eyes narrowing.
"Were, you say..." he muttered.
Then his finger rose, pointing past Liam's shoulder.
"Then... who is that behind you?"
Liam stiffened. Confusion flashed across his face as he turned his head and his blood ran cold. Behind him, a massive green gas cloud churned, thick and poisonous. At its center, a black silhouette.
"No... Impossible!" Liam whispered, horror freezing him in place.
The toxic cloud swirled, condensing into a shape. Limbs emerged, forming slowly, grotesquely, until the haze vanished entirely.
Standing tall in its place was none other than…
Boris.
His wicked smile was sharp, disturbingly real. It sent a chill down Liam's spine.
"Hello, little human..." Boris greeted, his lazy eyes curling into a grin.
Liam stood frozen, completely stunned.