The Phantom Riser

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE - THE ASCIENT OF 207

Victor conjured up six fireballs from behind him. Each was as big as one-third of his size. They looked even more condensed than his usual fireballs. Kiro grinned. He knew exactly what that move was. “I can’t believe he learnt that already. Really, these guys are leaving me behind,” Kiro said under his breath.

***

System Update

Victor Vaneki

Skill Move: Truth Seekers (Fireballs are deployed that can be controlled remotely or homed on a target. Special word spells give them special effects as well)

Limit: Six Fireballs

***

“Accel!” Victor yelled. The fireballs went at Nuri at a tremendous speed, way faster than his usual fireballs. Nuri bent his way through, slipping through like a snake and made his way towards Victor. That way, he would get to Victor before his fireballs recovered momentum. He was wide open. “Protecc,” he said under his breath. The fireballs moved even faster this time and appeared between Nuri and Victor. Nuri cursed as he took a step back again. “Attecc!” The fireballs charged at Nuri, but not as fast as the first time. this time however, they were locked in on him, following him as he changed direction. Victor added twists by making some enlarge to get him within their range and shrinking them back. He was actively making hand gestures, changing their directions whenever he deemed necessary.

***

System Update

Victor Vaneki

Skill Move: Lift the house (Moves a portion of the ground up to a desired height)

***

***

System Update

Victor Vaneki

New element acquired: EARTH

***

Nuri was about to land on the ground after evading one of Victor’s fireballs. The ground beneath him came straight at him, forcing him to land awkwardly. Victor quickly had his fireballs surround Nuri as the ground pushed him upwards to meet them.

“When did Victor learn to use earth?” Karenia asked.

“I don’t know. The last time, he couldn’t use any other element till he became a High Riser. I’m as surprised as you.”

And boom. Nuri made a swift impact with all six of Victor’s fireballs, which were yet to disappear still. It forced a great deal of dust to scatter blurring out everyone’s vision. It created a convenient camouflage and Nuri looked nothing more than a shadow as he ran through. “Flare,” Victor said and his six fireballs exploded around Nuri creating more dust than expelling. But this time, Nuri waited for the dust to settle. The dust was just as much as a camouflage for Victor as it was for him. He was almost caught off guard. He never expected that Victor would be able to react under those circumstances.

The dust settled to reveal Nuri’s energy shield. He had protected himself against Victor’s surprise attack like he did against the last one. The surprise on Victor’s face was apparent and this forced a grin on Nuri’s face. “What? Because I call myself ‘One’, you really didn’t think I was a one-trick pony now, did you?” he teased.

“Pony, yes. It doesn’t matter how many abilities you have nonetheless. Your defeat was always certain. Prolonging it doesn’t change a thing.”

“Ah, yes, you’re all very confident. Is this something the Phantom Riser taught you or were you all this cocky from birth? Was it the power rush? Don’t think yourself powerful. I’m only a thing of amusement. If you can’t defeat me till now, then you’re completely hopeless against Jovak. Or do you intend ganging up against him like you did Isaac? Our defeat is certain though, but it just might help prolong it,” Nuri goaded.

Kiro observed Nuri keenly. How long had he been following them? He had to have been following them to know so much. Unless, Isaac described it all to him. But Isaac didn’t strike him as that kind of person. And to have been able to stay undetected by him and Karenia was a feat to be lauded. Why hadn’t Jovak stolen his ability yet? And Isaac’s? Unless he was saving those who were exceptionally good at manipulating their abilities? He would need allies after all. Strong allies. He wasn’t going to do everything himself. And he needed strong Risers that would do his bidding efficiently. But how many others are with Jovak that they are not aware of? Even worse, how strong were they? If they were as strong as Isaac and Nuri, that would be especially troublesome. and Jovak, how strong was he now? Had he finally reached the level thirty? It was troublesome to think about. Even the Ranger that was on the loose was enough to worry about. They couldn’t stay here any much longer. They had to be on the move.

Victor respawned his fireballs and continued his attacks. But this time, Nuri made to effort to run away. He somehow extended his shield to serve as an armor all over his body. Victor’s fireballs bounced away like they were just balls. “It was a fun fight Ascient, but this is the end of the road. I hope the Phantom Riser will do better,” he said before driving a punch through Victor’s stomach, sending him flying. He closed the distance between them in less than a second. Victor cringed on the ground.

“I’m impressed by your honesty, Phantom Riser. I was certain you would interfere to save your friend. Or am I doing you a favor by taking him out?” Nuri goaded.

“What are you talking about? The fight is still on,” Kiro grinned.

Nuri looked back to see Victor struggling to get up. How was heh able to do so when it took even the beast longer time?

“We don’t have much time now. End this Victor,” Kiro said.

“I look forward to it,” Victor replied.

***

System Update

Victor Vaneki

Skill Move: Fire Cloak

Time Limit: 00:30

***

Nuri was pale upon seeing Victor’s ability. He took a few steps back, almost tripping on the way. “What the hell is this?”

***

Jovak waited on a cliff with a group of Riser teams. They would be at least fifteen teams all together. Isaac was also in his midst.

“If Nuri doesn’t return, then I would finally be able to go myself,” Jovak said.

“Nuri will fail. I’ve fought them before, so I’m sure of it,” Isaac said. His face went grim when he recalled the incident. “That Phantom Riser, he possesses something extremely powerful. He’s dangerous.”

“I’m glad he lived up to the hype. He would make defeating them all the more worthwhile. It’s all a game and everything is going just as I scripted it to,” Jovak replied with a smirk.