Chapter 240: Dark puppet

Shaan gripped his rune tightly, activating the cursed item’s effect. A wave of golden-yellow energy enveloped his entire body. Without wasting another second, he activated Aspira Ignis, ready to finish off the Resistance leader.

[Aspira Ignis remaining: 60%]

"It’s time to put an end to this bastard!"

Shaan dashed toward the piles of rubble scattered around him and swiftly climbed onto the nearest boulder. He pushed himself to move faster. As he approached the Resistance leader, he leaped into the air and launched a surprise attack.

"Take this, you bastard!"

’Cling!’

Shaan’s face turned deathly pale. ’H-How is this possible?’

The Resistance leader effortlessly blocked his attack. He glanced over his shoulder and flashed Shaan a faint smile. "Not bad. You’re much stronger than I expected." His smile widened. "But that doesn’t mean you can defeat me so easily."

The Resistance leader counterattacked, forcing Shaan backward. He immediately swung his sword at Shaan, but Shaan ducked beneath the blade and struck back.

"I won’t let you win this time!"

’Slash!’

The Resistance leader doubled over as Shaan’s blade cut into his side. Fresh blood trickled from the wound. The dark crimson glow in his eyes suddenly vanished. He staggered before collapsing onto the ground.

"F-finally...."

Hearing the man’s weak voice, Shaan froze. Something about it sounded different. This wasn’t the harsh, ruthless voice of the Resistance leader he had heard before. Instead, it sounded frail and helpless, as if the man had lost all will to fight. Shaan’s hands began to tremble. Perhaps Chelsie had been telling the truth all along.

"Sir!" Without thinking, Shaan rushed toward the fallen man. "I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to—"

"No." The Resistance leader’s eyes widened. His lips trembled uncontrollably. "St-Stay away from me. Please."

"S-Sir, what do you mean?"

"J-Just go away!" The man shoved Shaan away as tears streamed down his face. "Please... I-I don’t want to hurt anyone. I don’t want to..."

Shaan fell silent. Fear filled the man’s eyes. He looked utterly helpless, as though he had no control over his own actions. Shaan’s doubts began to fade. Someone really was controlling Chelsie’s father, turning him into nothing more than a puppet. But who? Who could do something so cruel to an innocent man?

"Sir, please calm down." Shaan slowly approached him again. "We can talk this through."

"No. You don’t understand." The Resistance leader’s face grew even paler. He grabbed his hair and tugged at it frantically. "T-That person... H-He... He’s too powerful. He’ll never let me go. Never!"

"Sir, who is this person you’re talking about?" Shaan asked, confusion clouding his face. He tried to remain calm as he approached the man. "Please, tell me what happened—"

"ARGHHH!"

The man’s sudden scream made Shaan freeze. The Resistance leader clutched his head and writhed on the ground, thrashing uncontrollably. Shaan tried to calm him down, but the man couldn’t hear a word he said. Instead, he shoved Shaan away, sending him tumbling to the floor.

"No!"

A desperate scream echoed throughout the chamber. Then the Resistance leader fell unconscious. Silence descended upon the room. Shaan stood frozen, staring at the man in disbelief. He had never witnessed anything like this before.

"Sir... Sir..."

He slowly got to his feet and checked the man’s pulse. "His heartbeat is still there, though it’s weak. Shaan let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."

"Sir, can you hear m—"

Suddenly, the man’s hand reached out and immediately clamped around Shaan’s throat. Shaan tried to break free from the grip, but he was completely powerless. Slowly, the man opened his eyes, then lifted Shaan’s body high enough to leave him completely immobilized.

"Uugkhh"

"Interesting potential. Your power can increase dramatically. You almost killed my host just now." The Resistance leader’s deep voice rang out again. His eyes glowed bright red. "People like you would make excellent additions to the Dark Lord’s grand plan." He flashed a wide grin. "My Lord would gladly grant you anything you desire. All you have to do is serve the Dark Lord and—"

"Y-you’re insane." Shaan shook his head. "I-I will never serve anyone!"

The Resistance leader fell silent for a moment. "What a shame you have to say that." He tightened his grip around Shaan’s neck. "That makes you a threat. And threats must be eliminated immediately."

Shaan struggled to breathe. His dual short swords slipped from his hands and clattered to the ground. His lips began to turn blue, and his vision grew increasingly blurry. His chances of escaping dwindled by the second, and he had no idea what to do.

’A-am I going to—’

’Swoosh!’

Something shot through the air and slashed the Resistance leader’s arm. Shaan dropped to the ground, finally free from the deadly grip that had nearly killed him. Thankfully, the attack had arrived just in time. Otherwise, he might have died right there.

"W-what just..." Shaan coughed. He slowly turned his head and spotted several figures standing in the doorway. "M-Miss Khaya?"

"Surrender now. We’ve already defeated all the other members of the resistance." Miss Khaya stood alongside several of her members. "The resistance members will be judged according to their actions."

"Hmm..." The Resistance leader pulled the spear from his shoulder and glanced at Miss Khaya and her companions. "So, there are still a few nuisances left." The corners of his lips curled upward. "This is getting more interesting by the second.

"Use everything you have to take this man down!" Miss Khaya fixed her gaze on the Resistance leader. A golden-yellow glow began to envelop her body. "And don’t let him escape!"

"Understood!" all the members shouted.

"I’ll gladly take you all on."

Miss Khaya and her members immediately charged at the Resistance leader, launching a coordinated assault. However, a magical sigil appeared in an instant, and a black-armored warrior materialized before them, gripping an enormous katana in his right hand.

The warrior swung his blade, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that swept Miss Khaya and her members away from the portal.

"Damn it."

"I told you. I’m no weak opponent," the resistance leader smiled. His index finger slowly pointed forward. "Ronin, finish them all off!"

Ronin launched another attack. Miss Khaya and her members dodged every strike before counterattacking, triggering a fierce battle between the two sides.

’Clang! Clang!’

"I won’t let any of you leave here alive!" The Resistance leader launched a brutal assault on several of Miss Khaya’s members. "I’ll make sure you all rot in darkness!"

’T-this is my chance.’ Shaan slowly rose to his feet, gathering what little strength he had left. ’I-I need to close the portal before he notices.’