Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

On the third day of the final round, Vasco Joel faced a relentless horde of Emberfang Ironwolves.

The wolf-like beasts and shapeshifted werewolves with their red eyes and iron fangs closed in on him, their predatory instincts honed for battle.

"You fucking dogs! Come some– get some!"

Vasco's eyes flickered with determination as he unleashed his elemental prowess. He raised his hands, summoning forth Elemental Clones with a mastery unique to Elementalists.

[ Skill: Flame Ifrits ]

Each clone bore the fiery essence of his Flame Ifrit Skill, mirroring his movements and intentions. He had spent a significant amount of Spiritual Force on them, which was only possible because he was an Elementalist. He would have run out of Spiritual Force and dropped on the ground after executing the Skill if he had Eren's stat values as his own.

The Flame Ifrits manifested with an ethereal brilliance. These fiery entities bore an uncanny resemblance to Vasco's physical dimensions, standing tall and mirroring his stature. However, their forms lacked distinct facial features, giving them an otherworldly and mysterious appearance.

The flames that composed the bodies of the Flame Ifrits seemed to have been compressed and sculpted into humanoid shapes, acting as a fiery shell encapsulating the essence of Vasco's elemental power. Each Flame Ifrit radiated an intense heat, casting a warm glow in the surroundings as their fiery silhouettes moved with fluid grace.

This use of the clones was completely to anyone from Anfang. The clones Vasoc had created acted as if they were really alive. They did not need any additional instruction from their creator either. It was as if they already knew what they were supposed to do.

The lack of facial features didn't diminish the Flame Ifrits' expressiveness. Instead, the flickering flames seemed to convey an array of emotions – determination, aggression, and unity in their purpose. Their fiery limbs moved seamlessly, synchronized with Vasco's commands, turning the elemental clones into an extension of his will.

Vasco didn't stay quiet either. He started casting his long-range elemental spells around him in various forms, targeting the enemies that were all around him with exceptional precision.

One could say that he had become an accomplished summoner and a well-established ranger at the same time. The variety of the Skills he had in his arsenal allowed him the freedom to pull this off.

Vasco, like everyone else in Anfang, had a Skills cap. It meant that he couldn't exceed a certain number of Skills he had kept unlocked for himself in the Mesh. This Skill Cap was based on various factors. But to a large extent, it was associated with one's Profession.

Vasco wasn't like Eren who had multiple Professions. Therefore, the number of Skills he could keep active in the Mesh was limited. So he had carefully selected his Skills and honed them to perfection. He would have had a much easier time dealing with his enemies if his Elemental powers weren't suppressed by the suppression runes active in the test.

'That muscle head must be having an easy time because the suppression runes won't affect him much,' Vasco cursed in his head before focusing on the task at hand.

As the Flame Ifrits engaged the Emberfang Ironwolves, their movements were a dance of controlled chaos. The clones could cast a Skill or two of their own, allowing them to attack Vasco's enemies effectively.

Flames trailed behind them as they executed swift attacks and evasive maneuvers. The compressed flames that formed their bodies intensified with each strike, leaving a trail of scorched air in their wake.

Despite the lack of distinct facial features, the Flame Ifrits emanated an aura of power and elemental mastery. The compressed flames that constituted their bodies pulsed with vibrant energy, reacting to the elemental commands of their summoner.

Howl!

The Emberfang Ironwolves, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of these fiery doppelgangers, hesitated for a moment. It was all Vasco needed. With a swift motion, he commanded his Elemental Clones to unleash a synchronized onslaught.

The Elemental Clones lunged forward, flames dancing around them as they engaged the demonic creatures. Flame Ifrit's power surged through their attacks, searing through the iron-

like fur of the wolves. The surroundings echoed with the clash of elements as Vasco seamlessly coordinated his every move with the Elemental Clones.

[ Skill : Flame Salamanders ]

As the battle unfolded, Vasco, using his Flame Salamanders Skill, conjured fiery creatures that circled him like guardians. These elemental companions added another layer to his defense, intercepting the relentless strikes of the Emberfang Ironwolves.

Yet, the relentless assault took its toll on Vasco. His mana reserves dwindled as the battle raged on. He was affected the most by the suppression runes after all.

With one powerful Emberfang Ironwolf remaining, an A-Ranked adversary, Vasco found himself on the brink of exhaustion.

"EREN!"

In a moment of urgency, Vasco reached out through their mental connection, calling for Eren's assistance. The A-Ranked Emberfang Ironwolf, recognizing Vasco's weakened state, seized the opportunity and lunged forward with a ferocious attack.

Just as the metallic jaws were about to close on Vasco, Eren materialized beside him.

Blitz. Swoosh. Clash.

[ Skill : Unlimited Weapon Works ]

The butcher swiftly swung his dual swords, Rigor Mortis, intercepting the A-Ranked enemy with a cascade of purple lightning and red fire.

Together, Vasco and Eren fought as a synchronized force, combining their skills to overwhelm the remaining Emberfang Ironwolf. The corridor became a battleground of elements, a dance of fire and lightning that ended with the defeat of the A-

Ranked werewolf.

"Th— thanks, Eren. I… I thought I was a goner."

Breathing heavily, Vasco nodded to Eren in gratitude.

The fight had tested their limits, but their teamwork had proven essential in overcoming the metallic onslaught.

"Hahahaha," Eren and Vasco both heard joyous laughter behind them that was laced with a bit of mockery. "Look at you two pussy cats. Breathing like a dame who has just been railed by her lover," Horen the body cultivator approached them practically unharmed and covered in his enemies' blood.

"Those werewolves were nothing—"

Bzzzzt! Bzzzt! Bzzzzt!

Horen was about to brag some more in front of his allies when he heard a distinct sound. His jovial expression quickly transformed into a frown as he realized the next batch of enemies had already arrived at the scene. And this time, Horen had to face something he didn't want to face at all.

"Those giant flies. They are back," Horen started the obvious as he looked at his allies.

Eren and Vasco had darkened expressions on their faces as they both came to the same conclusion. That Horen had practically invited this new batch of enemies to approach them by jinxing their arrival.