Chapter 151: A Cunning Dragon!
Chapter 150
Predator’s Authority! A skill that, when activated, forces enemies weaker than the host to obey every single command unless they possess extreme willpower strong enough to resist it.
The moment the skill activated, it was as if the vessel had fallen under mind control. In a blur, it darted forward and smashed a solid punch straight into Max’s gut, forcing him to spit out blood violently.
[-5HP]
[HP: 25/100]
The impact drove the dragon into the ground, and more blood poured from his abdomen. But instead of finishing him off, the vessel suddenly froze. Its body trembled, and then, like a puppet, it spun around sharply as its eyes locked onto someone else.
"NOOO! You all should run away! His energy is low and he’s seeking a target to replenish it!" Max roared, his voice strained but still carrying authority as his hand shot forward, trying to stop the vessel.
The humans hesitated, torn between fear and confusion. Deep down, they didn’t believe their leader would ever do something like that—until, in an instant, the vessel bolted forward and crossed ten meters in the blink of an eye. It appeared right in front of the vice leader, whose eyes widened in terror.
"Lea... leader? Ugh!" the man gasped, but before he could even finish his words, his head was cleanly decapitated. His body fell to the ground with a dull thud.
Gasps and horrified screams filled the area as the demon vessel crouched down, tearing through the vice leader’s corpse like a savage beast. Flesh and blood splattered the ground.
"HE WAS RIGHT! THE STRANGER WAS RIGHT!" someone shouted, his voice trembling with disbelief.
"HELP US! Please help us!" another yelled, his tears streaming down as the fear caused his legs to shake uncontrollably.
"Max, you sneaky bastard," Pix burst into laughter inside the dragon’s mind, her tone filled with amusement, and an invisible smirk crossed Max’s face as he staggered to his feet.
"Oh? So you all suddenly want my help now?" Max asked coldly, his voice sharp and dripping with irritation as he stared at the terrified men scrambling around him.
Some bolted into the distance, disappearing into the shadows, while others, realizing there was no escape, quickly rushed to Max’s side, desperation written all over their faces.
"Please! We have seen his strength and speed. We can’t outrun him! You are our only hope! Please save us!" one of the men cried out, dropping to his knees before the dragon.
"Fine then," Max muttered, staring down at his bloodied abdomen. "I was supposed to help out of the goodwill of my heart..."
"ARGHHHH!" another scream cut him off. One of the men had tried to flee but was instantly caught by the vessel, who ripped into him mercilessly.
"...but you all trashed my help," Max said, his tone low and cold. "Which is why now, I’ll only help on one condition."
"Anything! Please, anything! Just save us!" the man begged again, trembling.
"Alright then," Max replied with a calm yet chilling smirk. "Once I’m done, I’ll tell you what I want. Not like you’ll even have a choice."
He cracked his neck, eyes glowing faintly as his system screen appeared.
[Skill: Healing (LV 1) Activated]
[-10 MP]
[+50 HP Granted]
[HP: 75/100]
In a blink, his wounds began to close. The torn flesh around his abdomen knitted back together, his energy spiking once again as the faint glow around him intensified.
Just in time—because the furious vessel had finished feeding and was now dashing toward him with murderous intent, claws extended, eyes burning with hellfire.
"I will kill you!" it roared in pure rage as Max suddenly crouched down, his gaze locked straight ahead.
[Skill: Adrenaline Rush Activated]
BANG!
He exploded from where he stood, faster than he had ever moved before. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before the charging vessel and, with a roar that shook the air, slammed his fist straight into its abdomen. A shockwave blasted outward as the demon vessel was lifted off its feet and hurled several meters away.
’Enough of holding back! You thought you stood a chance against me?!’ Max thundered inwardly, veins bulging across his arms. He was about to dash forward again when he noticed the vessel coming to a halt, its claws grabbing onto something.
Glancing down, he saw one of the uprooted lamp stands in its grip. The vessel wasted no time, glaring at the charging dragon with pure hatred.
"You dare mind control me? Curse you!" the demon vessel thundered, its voice trembling with fury. It cocked its arm back, muscles tightening, and with all the strength it had, it hurled the lamp stand like a spear toward Max.
The moment it left its hand, a loud bang echoed through the air. The sound barrier shattered as the stand tore through the wind, blistering toward Max at terrifying speed. In a split second, it was already upon him.
But Max didn’t flinch.
[Ruler’s Hand Activated]
Immediately, his hand glowed a fierce blue, and so did the stand. In an instant, it came to a full stop midair. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the lamp stand spun around and shot back—twice as fast as the vessel had thrown it.
The impact was brutal. The stand connected with the vessel’s abdomen, slicing clean through it. A gaping hole tore open, blood gushing out like a fountain.
Yet the creature didn’t die. Something like that couldn’t kill it and Max knew it. He crouched down on all fours, eyes blazing, watching the enraged vessel charge at him again.
[Dragon Roar Activated]
ROARRRRRRRR!
A thunderous roar split the air as visible ripples shot forward, crashing into the vessel. Within seconds, it halted its charge. No matter how hard it tried, its body wouldn’t move. The paralysis effect of the roar held it still like a statue.
"Goodbye, you inferior being." Max smirked, shooting forth from his crouched stance. In an instant, he appeared before the vessel, his body pulsing with raw strength. With only ten seconds left on ’Strength Surge,’ he cocked his arm back, muscles bulging like coiled steel.
The vessel’s eyes widened, panic creeping in as it struggled to move—but it was hopeless.
"I’ve just been toying with you from the very beginning. Once you get to hell, tell them I sent you!" Max’s voice thundered as he swung.
BAM!
BANG!
BOOOOOM!
His fist drove straight through the vessel’s head with overwhelming power. The impact created a deafening shockwave that blasted in every direction.
The creature’s body lifted off the ground before crashing down, caving the surface beneath as dust and debris exploded outward. Blood and brain matter splattered everywhere—the vessel’s head ripped apart entirely.
Tring!
[Quest Completed]
[Rewards will now be calculated and distributed...]