Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

Atlas paused for a moment before continuing. "If I were you, I'd retreat, hide, and come back another day to seek revenge."

"Hah." Kaelzar let out a short laugh.

Now, they stood face to face as the moonlight began to fade, signaling the approaching dawn. Perhaps, by the time the battle was over, the sun would already be rising.

"To deal with a cowardly, weak lord like you, I have no reason to retreat, Atlas," Kaelzar said. "I could kill you and your entire army right here, right now. Or should I weaken you first, just enough so you can watch as I slaughter them one by one?"

Atlas remained silent for a moment before responding.

"For a lord who has suffered such a crushing defeat, you still know how to talk big, huh, Kaelzar?"

"Don't call my name so casually," he snapped, his tone sharp.

Atlas immediately took a battle-ready stance, his body crackling with an aura of water and lightning. His vision had become sharper than ever, allowing him to see every detail with precision.

Kaelzar, meanwhile, gripped his sword tightly, his massive shield raised, fully prepared to face him.

The battle began in an instant.

Despite his injuries and the thick snow beneath him, Kaelzar lunged at Atlas with impressive speed. The blond-haired lord swung his massive shield, striking with overwhelming force.

Atlas attempted to block with his spear, but the sheer impact sent him flying backward.

Before he could fully recover, Kaelzar was already closing in, his sword flashing as he launched a rapid follow-up attack.

Atlas barely managed to parry with his spear before repositioning himself to counterattack. His weapon had the advantage of reach, but Kaelzar's speed and precision left him with little room to act.

Even with the power boost granted by Morganna, Atlas still found himself struggling to keep up. This lord was simply on another level.

The Wavebreaker Spear's abilities were mainly designed for area attacks. Powerful in group battles but less effective in a one-on-one duel. The passive buff did grant Atlas increased defense and a slowing debuff on his opponent, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap.

Spinning his spear overhead, Atlas unleashed a flurry of thrusts aimed at Kaelzar. However, the scout-rank lord blocked every single strike with his massive shield, rendering Atlas's attacks completely ineffective.

"You're far too early to challenge me, Atlas!" Kaelzar roared, pressing forward relentlessly as he drove Atlas back, his sword slashing with fierce precision.

"In terms of level alone, you're leagues beneath me! You have no chance! You and your army will suffer a devastating defeat. All because you underestimate your opponent!"

Kaelzar kept up his assault, forcing Atlas entirely on the defensive. Every attempt Atlas made to counterattack was effortlessly blocked by the massive shield, leaving him with no opening to strike back.

Kaelzar's strengths were undeniable. His near-impenetrable defense combined with his speed made him a formidable force. Even in his current wounded state, he was far from an easy opponent.

Then, in a sudden burst of movement, Kaelzar's figure blurred.

In the blink of an eye, he struck with overwhelming force.

Atlas managed to block with his spear, but the sheer power behind the attack sent him hurtling through the air. He tumbled wildly, his body flung back with incredible force.

However, just as it seemed he would crash violently into the ground, Atlas twisted his body midair. Landing firmly on his feet, he drove his spear into the earth, steadying himself. His crimson eyes burned with determination. There was no fear in his gaze, despite the overwhelming difference in strength between them.

"Well, Kaelzar," Atlas said, his voice unwavering. "Don't get me wrong. I never intended to face you alone from the start."

He whispered softly, "Zefyros."

CREAAAKKK!

A deafening crack tore through the battlefield.

From a swirling vortex of water and crackling lightning, a figure emerged. The spirit beast, infused with water and lightning energy, burst forth.

The dawn's first light mixed with the dazzling display, painting the battlefield in brilliant hues.

"That changes nothing!" Kaelzar spat, immediately charging forward.

But now. It was one versus two.

Atlas moved with newfound speed and agility, now that Zefyros had entered the battle and successfully diverted some of Kaelzar's focus. No longer the sole target of relentless attacks, Atlas could finally maneuver more freely.

[Epic - Lightning Step (Active Skill) Lv. 1]

With a burst of speed, Atlas dashed just as the blond-haired lord prepared another rapid shield strike aimed directly at him.

[Elite - Thunderpierce Thrust (Active Skill) Lv. 7]

Seizing the perfect opening, Atlas unleashed another skill. His spear shot forward in a flash, crackling with immense water energy, its trajectory aimed directly at the exposed back of Kaelzar's neck.

"Not that easy, Atlas!"

Kaelzar reacted instantly. His figure blurred once more, dodging the strike at the last moment before countering with a swift, sweeping arc of his massive shield, immediately following up with a precise sword strike.

Meanwhile, Zefyros continued its relentless assault from the sides, launching waves of water and lightning that forced Kaelzar to shift his movements. The spirit beast's attacks disrupted his rhythm just enough for Atlas to evade once more.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Atlas spun his spear and launched a rapid series of thrusts, seeking an opening in Kaelzar's near-impenetrable defense.

And this time, he found one.

[Elite - Flurry of Spears (Active) Lv. 4]

A flurry of rapid spear strikes pierced forward, and though Kaelzar managed to deflect most of them with his sword, one landed. A precise hit slashing across his right wrist.

Blood splattered onto the thick snow beneath them.

Atlas grinned.

Now, he pressed harder. His movements became even faster, more relentless. Thrusts, swings, slashes. Each time Kaelzar retaliated, Atlas pulled back just enough before surging forward again, his spear a blur of continuous attacks.

The tides of battle had shifted. Now, it was Kaelzar who was forced onto the defensive.

That didn't mean Atlas was escaping unscathed.

If anything, the battle had turned into a brutal exchange, where both sides now bore severe wounds. What was once Kaelzar's one-sided injuries had now evened out, Atlas, too, was suffering.

A deep slash marred his right arm, blood dripping steadily from the wound. His ribs throbbed in agony, having endured repeated blows from Kaelzar's massive shield. Some were likely cracked, maybe even broken.

And yet, thanks to his temporary vampire mode, every time Atlas managed to land a hit, drawing blood from his opponent, he felt a surge of healing energy flow through him. The damage he dealt fed into his own recovery, restoring bits of his strength.

Still, the vast level gap between them was undeniable.

Kaelzar's sheer durability as both a tank and a fighter made him an exceptionally difficult opponent. His formidable defenses, combined with a semi-fighter build that granted him considerable attack power, ensured that even Atlas, despite his relentless offensive, was sustaining grievous injuries in return.

After several more brutal clashes, the two warriors finally pulled back, standing at a distance from each other.

Atlas's head was now streaked with blood, a crimson trail running down the side of his face. His arm and chest bore deep cuts, evidence of the punishment he had endured.

Both men stood there, panting, their breaths ragged from exertion.

And yet, despite the damage, despite the fatigue weighing on their battered bodies. Neither of them showed any sign of yielding.

The fight was far from over!