Affinity:Chaos

"Shit!"

Grey cursed on seeing the attack which was currently flying towards him.

Bam!

The attack landed on his body, and he was sent flying. He landed almost fifteen meters away from his previous spot.

Looking at the earthen armor which was almost completely ruined from the attack, he couldn't help but feel lucky for awakening his earth element sooner. Had it been delayed just like the other elements, he would have been in serious problems in his current battle.

With the increase in his grade and stage, the strength of the earth armor has increased significantly. If before, it could defend against an all-out attack from someone in the Sixth stage, now it had no problem defending an attack of someone in the Eighth stage at least twice. But against someone in the Ninth stage, it could only withstand one attack.

He stared at his opponents calmly, being hit had disrupted his inscribing, now he has to start all over. If only he was already as proficient as Chris was, then he wouldn't have a problem dealing with these people.

"He's from the Qilin empire"

The youth in the Eighth stage suddenly said.

"Qilin empire, hmm, at first I only wanted to beat you up and let you go. But now, I've changed my mind, this will be your burial ground"

The cold-looking youth said arrogantly.

Although he was surprised Grey was able to survive their first onslaught of attacks. It still didn't change the fact that, to him, Grey wasn't an opponent who could bother them.

"What makes you feel you're capable of achieving such feats?"

Grey said in disdain.

'Since there's a chance to talk for some time, I'll take it happily'

He thought.

Normally, he wouldn't entertain them, but these aren't normal times. He needs the heart of the beast, and there was no way fighting with them normally will work. If he could take out one of them, or even two before the fight gets to the critical point, then that would be great.

"You'll know soon enough"

The youth didn't waste time and immediately went on the offensive.

"Wait!"

Grey suddenly stretched out both arms in front of him.

Seeing this, the youth narrowed his eyes but still halted.

"What?"

He asked coldly.

"Where are you from?"

Grey asked.

He really didn't give a shit where they came from, but currently, he'll do almost anything to delay them.

The trio looked at him before the other youth in the Ninth stage asked,

"Why are you asking?"

When he heard their reply, he felt elated. If he could at least delay them for three minutes, then it'll be great. But he knew that was just a pipe dream.

"Oh you see, I haven't really interacted with anyone outside my empire, so I thought maybe you could tell me how things are in your emp…"

Boom!

Grey who was still speaking quickly dodged to the side and an attack landed where he was previously standing.

'So impatient'

He complained as he once again engaged in battle with the trio.

Four minutes later…

Well, so far, Grey really hasn't been having a good time. Attacks were landing on him left and right, and he had used earth armor so many times that he couldn't keep count. Usually, after making the armor the first time, it stays with the Elementalist till the end of the battle unless it takes heavy attacks that will destroy it. But unfortunately for Grey, each time he makes one, it doesn't last up to a minute before it's destroyed, some were even destroyed instantly.

His still being able to fight is mostly because of the earth armor and his movement technique. Currently, he felt like the speed boost he got from both the lightning and the wind element isn't enough, as, although he was fast, he couldn't dodge all of them.

"He's strong"

The cold-looking youth said with a stunned expression.

Given their strength, they should be able to easily overpower Elementalists at the Ninth stage of the Arcane Plane. Yet, they have been unable to put down this person who is clearly in the Eighth stage. What's worse is that he isn't only defending, but he's attacking as well.

They've seen Dual Elementalists before, but they have to admit that Grey was the strongest they've seen. Unknowing to them, Grey was also using his wind element, but he was only using it to increase his speed and not using it to attack, so there is no way they'll find out.

The youth previously believed he could even deal with Grey on his own, but now, he knew he stood no chance against him. He even felt threatened, and it infuriated him, how can someone who is in a lower stage compared to him be stronger than he is? Not just that, but he also felt a sense of threat from him?

He immediately strengthened his resolve to kill Grey.

"We must kill him"

He said to the others.

They nodded their heads. He wasn't the only one who felt threatened by Grey, they also felt the same way. If they battled Grey one on one, they would not last five minutes before he makes short work of them.

Their opponent was from the Qilin empire, and there have been rumors saying they'll be going to war with the Qilin empire soon. The trio was from the Azure empire. And naturally, they'll also take part in the war. If they were to allow Grey to grow further, he'll become a big threat to them if the war starts.

Someone like Grey could greatly influence the flow of a battle since he can take on several opponents who are in a stronger stage than he is.

Their attacks became fiercer and soon, injuries started appearing in Grey's body. Although they weren't severe, at the rate the battle was going, it wouldn't be long before he falls.

Six minutes later…

'Just a little more'

Grey told himself.

He was already starting to lose hope in the battle as his inscriptions had been stopped halfway countless times during the battle. But this time, he was already almost done, in another minute, his inscription will be complete. Then these people will get it from him.

While the battle was going on, something was taking place that none of the people there noticed. Grey's blood was slowly flowing towards his bag like it was being attracted by a strange force.

Inside his bag, the previous pitch black egg was different compared to its previous appearance. Now, if one looks closer, they'll notice vein-like red lines moving around the egg, it was like a moving blood vessel. Grey's blood flowed in the direction of the egg and it in turn absorbs it. But there's no way the bleeding Grey will realize the blood which was flowing from his body was moving in the direction of the egg.

'Lightning Rain'

Grey used one of his strongest moves.

The trio was slightly taken aback by the sudden appearance of the lightning, but the two at the Ninth stage were able to escape the range of the attack quickly. The youth in the Eighth stage wasn't as fast as they were, and he was caught in it.

"Great!"

Grey didn't think twice and sent an earthen spear towards his opponent.

His current motive was simple, and that was to, kill these people. The thought of letting them go if he were to defeat them had already far left his head. He already noticed the killing intent from them, since they want to kill him, why would he let them go if he had the chance.

When he started cultivating, one of his mottos was, as long as you attempt to kill me, then I'll kill you first. Showing mercy to your enemies is the same as hurting yourself, he learned that from the different books he had read which told the stories of some legends who fell because they decided to show mercy to their enemies.

He already marked them dead the moment he sensed their killing intent.

The youth in the Eighth stage was unfortunately hit with paralysis when the lightning touched him, so all he could do was stare as the earthen spear moved towards him. Fear and despair were visible in his eyes, he didn't want to die.

Just as the spear was about to hit him, it collided with an arrow made of fire which came from his back.

The youth who closed his eyes opened them after some time. When he noticed he wasn't hit by the earthen spear, tears of joy fell from his eyes. He survived, he had escaped death.

A smile appeared on his face after this thought flashed through his head. But then, his smiling face froze, and his eyes were filled with unwillingness as his body fell lifelessly on the ground, he was dead.

"Don't celebrate too early"

Grey who noticed the youth's joy when he realized he wasn't hit said with a cold smile.

"How?"

The cold-looking youth asked dumbfounded.

He destroyed the attack Grey sent towards his friend, so how did he still get hit and die?

The other youth also stared at the dead youth with fear eminent in his eyes.

'Who attacked him?'

At the thought of this, he quickly looked around but still couldn't find anyone.

Grey stared at the two stunned youths and his smile grew colder.

"This place is really fitting for a burial ground. Only, it won't be mine"

He said as he launched himself towards them, above him was a silver symbol.