Apocalypse Baby-Chapter 156: Bad Choices [4]

With a flick of his wrist, Alex sent the arrow flying back.

It whistled through the air.

THUNK!

The archer’s eyes widened in horror just before the arrow pierced through their skull.

They dropped instantly.

Another one down.

Alex barely had time to recover before more fireballs rained from above. Vines lashed out, trying to coil around him like hungry serpents.

But he was already moving.

Ducking. Twisting. Slipping through gaps in the attacks like a phantom.

One by one, he tore through the stragglers, slicing them down until only a handful remained.

Now, the battlefield was almost empty.

Only the strongest were left standing.

In front of him stood Ella, her cold gaze unwavering.

Beside her, Freya remained bound, vines wrapped tightly around her body.

Behind him, a squad of five—

Two tanks, a swordsman, a spearman, and the fire mage.

Alex exhaled sharply, assessing the situation.

He had a choice to make.

Then—he moved activating [Fast and Furious.]

His body blurred forward, wind howling in his wake as he charged straight at Ella.

She was the biggest threat. She had to go first.

BOOM!

His fist slammed into her barrier—a compact, shimmering magic shield that materialized just in time.

The ground cracked beneath their feet from the sheer force.

Alex’s eyes narrowed.

She blocked it?

Most shields would have shattered on impact.

Instead, hers absorbed the force, rippling but holding firm.

Tsk.

She’s tougher than I thought.

Without hesitation, Alex unleashed a flurry of sword strikes, each one a blur, each one aimed to break through.

CLANG

CLANG

CLANG.

Each hit struck the barrier like a hammer against steel, sending waves of energy outward—

But still, it didn’t crack.

Instead, it pulsed, absorbing everything.

Alex’s lips curled slightly.

"Oh…"

Now this was interesting.

He could feel it—her magic shield was even stronger than his [Aegis Arcane].

But he bet it cost a lot of energy to maintain.

Ella lashed out.

Vines shot toward Alex, twisting like whips, aiming to ensnare him—

But he lunged backward, dodging with a sharp, fluid motion.

Then...

BOOM!

A fireball streaked toward him from behind, its heat searing the air.

Alex barely twisted out of the way, the flames brushing past where he stood just moments ago.

His eyes flicked toward the source.

The fire mage.

Tch.

If he couldn’t take down one, he’d eliminate the others first.

More spells came, streaking through the air like deadly comets.

But Alex was too fast.

His body became a blur—mirages trailing behind him as he darted sideways, slipping past every attack.

A shadow on the battlefield.

Then—he dropped low, dashing toward the ground, picking up speed.

"He’s coming this way!" The spearman’s voice cracked with panic.

"Stop him!"

The two tank-like players immediately moved to intercept.

The first barely had time to raise his weapon before...

SLASH!

His head hit the ground before his stance was even complete.

The second tank swung his shield forward, aiming to bash Alex with full force.

But his attack hit nothing.

His eyes widened.

Alex was gone.

Then a sharp presence tingled at his back.

Before he could react...

SHINK!

A blade pierced through his chest.

His breath hitched. His vision blurred.

Alex yanked the sword free as the tank collapsed.

Three left.

The swordsman, spearman, and mage.

The two melee fighters roared and charged together.

Alex didn’t even spare them a glance.

He ignored them completely.

Speeding past.

Straight toward the mage.

Panic flickered in her eyes.

She raised her staff, desperately trying to cast a spell.

But it was too late.

Alex’s foot slammed into her chest with a brutal kick.

WHAM!

She flew backward, tumbling across the ground.

Then a furious scream came from behind.

"You bastard!"

The spearman.

His spear lunged toward Alex’s back, the swordsman attacking at the same time.

Alex’s hand shot out...

SNATCH!

He caught the spear mid-thrust.

Before the spearman could react...

CRACK!

Alex’s elbow smashed into his nose, a sickening crunch echoing through the battlefield.

The spearman staggered back, dropping his weapon, clutching his face in agony.

Alex, now holding the spearman’s weapon, didn’t hesitate.

SHINK!

In one fluid motion, he slashed the throat of the swordsman.

Blood sprayed as the swordsman staggered, gasping. His knees buckled. He collapsed, lifeless.

But Alex was already moving.

Without breaking stride, he lunged the stolen spear toward the mage, who was crawling away, desperate to escape.

THWACK!

The spear impaled her, pinning her to the ground.

She let out a strangled gasp. Then silence.

Two dead. In an instant.

"Damn you!"

The spearman, now recovered, roared in fury.

Rage twisted his face as he threw a wild punch straight at Alex’s head.

But Alex barely moved.

His hand snapped up, catching the fist mid-air with effortless ease.

The spearman’s eyes widened.

Alex tilted his head. Smirked.

"You call that a punch?"

The spearman trembled, despair creeping in.

Alex tightened his grip.

"This is how you throw a real punch."

Then...

BANG!

Alex’s fist slammed into the spearman’s gut.

But it didn’t just hit, it pierced.

Flesh ripped.

Bone shattered.

Alex’s arm went straight through, his bloodied fist bursting out the spearman’s back.

The spearman coughed, his body convulsing.

Then, like a puppet with cut strings—he dropped.

The spearman groaned, blood dripping from his mouth as his body trembled.

Alex ripped his hand free, pulling it out with a wet, sickening sound. Read exclusive content at novelbuddy

The spearman’s body shuddered. His knees buckled.

Then, he collapsed.

Dead.

Alex exhaled, shaking the blood off his hand as he surveyed the battlefield.

Two left.

He turned his gaze toward Ezekiel, but he was gone.

Alex raised an eyebrow. Then, a low chuckle escaped his lips.

"Smart," he muttered.

Ezekiel must have fled to the next trial. He knew they stood no chance.

That left only one person.

Alex turned to her.

Ella.

She stood there, her grip tight on her staff, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

Alex took a step forward.

Ella’s breath hitched.

She suddenly raised her staff, pointing it at Freya, who was still trapped.

"Don’t move!" she screamed.

Alex stopped. His eyes narrowed.

Ella’s voice was sharp, filled with desperation.

"One more move..." she tightened her grip on her staff, her magic crackling with raw energy.

"…and I’ll grind her into pieces."

Ella lifted her staff, her eyes burning with determination.

She spoke, and the vines wrapped around Freya twisted tighter—threatening to crush her.

Alex paused for just a moment.

Then, he grinned.

"Do it...if you can."

Ella’s expression darkened.

But before she could react Alex vanished.

In a flash, he was right in front of her.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Too fast.

Her instincts screamed, but it was too late.

WHOOSH!

The blade swung.

THUD.

THUD.

Ella’s eyes widened in horror.

Her hands...

They were gone.

Both hit the ground, her staff clattering beside them.

A moment of stunned silence.

Then....

"AAARRRGHHH!"

A piercing scream ripped through the air as Ella fell to her knees, clutching her bleeding arms.

Freya shuddered, frozen in fear.

Ella’s scream was bone-chilling.

The vines strangling Freya began to shrivel and crack.

Within seconds, they withered into dust.

She was free.

Freya stumbled forward, breathing heavily, her heart still racing.

Then, she looked up.

Alex was already walking toward Ella.

His blade dripped with fresh blood.

His cold, merciless gaze locked onto Ella’s trembling form.

He was going to finish the job.

No hesitation.

Freya’s eyes widened.

She moved before she could think, stepping between them and throwing up her hands.

"Wait!"

Alex halted.

His expression darkened.

He tilted his head slightly, frowning.

"What the hell are you doing?"

His voice was low and sharp.

Freya swallowed, her hands trembling.

"Wait...don’t kill her."

Alex’s eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

"You... don’t have to." Freya’s voice was urgent.

"She can’t cause any more trouble. Not like this."

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Alex’s frown deepened.

A tense silence.

Then, his expression turned cold.

His next words were like ice.

"Freya, the fact that you chose to remain naive after everything you’ve faced…"

He exhaled sharply, his gaze filled with disdain.

"Is quite irritating."

Freya’s breath caught in her throat.

Then...dark flame erupted from Alex’s palm, surging toward her like a vengeful specter.