A System That Beats Death

As the guards struggled to hold back the invaders, the explosion was completely forgotten. No one had the leisure or ability to check on the condition of the Emperor and likely assumed in the dark recesses of their mind that he was already dead. Without a cause, their morale unconsciously decreased, and the situation became one of desperation instead of a valiant stand for their nation.

Muffled by the clang produced by colliding metal and the death wails of the fallen, a single hand broke through the remnants of the Imperial Palace. From it, the Emperor emerged with a sooty appearance and torn robes. He observed the battlefield with a grimace before remembering the person he was about to sentence.

"Like the others, he was a mere pawn", the Emperor muttered. It was pitiful. The fact that someone could be so confident with a backing they didn't know was fake.

He then slowly walked past the severed arm. Steadying himself, he then inhaled deeply. The iris of his eyes began to constrict, his blood circulation intensified to the point where his veins visibly trembled, and his hands began to contort. When the process was complete, he then stepped onto the battlefield.

Taking one step backward, the guard narrowly dodged the spear. His eyes then widened when the weapon's trajectory swerved to include his face. Frantically, he defended with his saber and gritted his teeth while trying to muster more strength. In the next moment, however, the spear was then suddenly retracted. Before his muscles were even allowed a moment of reprieve, the spear bore deeply into his abdomen. As if in disbelief, he then gripped the spear as if trying to ascertain if it was real or not. The brigand then yanked his spear out of the guard and continued to look for another opponent without acknowledging that another life was ended.

Spotting a seemingly formidable opponent emerge on the battlefield, he charged after making sure that it was not one of his brothers. When the spear neared, the person did not defend with a weapon or move. Instead, the person snatched the spear out of midair and threw it. Before the brigand could register what happened, his skull was seized and crushed in the same second. Before the spear landed, it indiscriminately pierced through the c.h.e.s.t of over a hundred men.

The force of his blows rivaled that of a catapult's. Bodies that weighed two hundred were handled like mere paperweights by him as he barreled into the battlefield. With his b.a.r.e hands, he tore apart dozens. Whether he tore through lungs, hearts, bones, or brains, it did not matter as the only thing on his mind was death to the enemy. He then stopped to take a deep breath. It seems age has caught up to him.

Upon recognizing the Emperor, the guards were both stunned and joyous. It was shocking that the Emperor was beyond human but then they began to think that it should be expected from those of true dragon heritage. 'Unlike the other fakes, our Emperor is a true dragon', they thought.

It was hard not to be inspired with the Emperor leading and the guards began to fight back. Stepping backward, the brigand narrowly dodged the arrows. His eyes then widened when a saber suddenly threatened to slice off his nose. Panicking, he barely managed to deflect the slash with the shaft of his spear. In the next moment, he then felt the air leave his body as a firm kick was planted on his stomach. Before he could even process the pain, his head was separated from his body. The guard then cheered as his kill count increased once again.

As his claws became dyed in the crimson vestiges of the dead, he did not once think about stopping. When his swing was about to behead one of the enemy lieutenants, the strike was abruptly parried by a sword.

"As expected, you instigated this", the Emperor stated with a scowl.

"Partial vessel of the dragon. How does it feel to lose an entire empire?", the Great General sneered.

"You even know of the dragon heritage, who are you really!?", the Emperor growled as he once again slashed. As the claw began to move, it sliced through the air and had enough force to cause a shockwave. Before it could land though, the blow suddenly ceased as the Emperor began to cough up blood.

Protruding through his abdomen was the Great General's blade. He had been stabbed!

With his spleen punctured, excruciating pain racked his body. The transformation reverted as it could not withstand the material the blade consisted of and his vision started to fade.

"H-how!?", the Emperor muttered.

"Did you never wonder what became of your brother? This blade is tempered in his blood", the Great General mused.

"HAHAHAHAHA! I told that softie thinking people were naturally kindhearted would result in his demise", the Emperor laughed heartily despite all the blood dripping from his mouth.

His eyes then narrowed and he suddenly attempted a final blow. Caught off guard, the Great General took the full force of the strike and a shockwave emanated throughout the battlefield. Externally, the Great General seemed unaffected but a fire underneath the armor marked the spot where he was struck.

The Emperor then collapsed for good.

The Great General turned to the stunned palace guards afterward and stated, "Is there anyone left who dares to challenge my rule?"

When absolute silence reigned, the battle was thought to be over. Before it could truly end though, a horn sounded.

Foreign troops of over five thousand rode in battle. At the forefront was Shen, leading the enemy swarm as a commander.

'He's still alive!?', the Great General thought. Shen had never left for long enough to amass an army of this size nor properly ally with someone who had this much resources.

'I should've been more wary of the Crown Prince. Those of the dragon blood are as sly as snakes'

As the battle started anew, those who had newly arrived fought against the invaders. They couldn't even be considered reinforcements for the palace guards as they had already lost their will to fight and did not know the enemies of their enemies.

Amidst the chaos, a man slowly rose. Once again with only an arm, he followed the steps of a former general. Picking up a sword from a fallen soldier, the final spar between student and teacher began.

[A-Rank Quest:

Objective: Kill the Great General

Reward: False Phoenix Heart

Points: 10000]