SSS Ranked Transmigration: Taming Beauties and The Beasts!

Bastion rotated just in time to see the blazing lance streak toward him. He then dropped into a low stance, sword held horizontally, channeling every ounce of his flame aura into a defensive shield.

The collision was deafening as the flames collided, sending a shockwave ripping across the battlefield. Loose stones, shards of ice, and motes of foxfire were blasted in every direction.

The whirling dust dissipated, revealing Bastion, who was still standing despite appearing to be on the verge of collapse. Smoke drifted from his sword, and the blade shone an intense red, as if it were about to melt. His face distorted with pain and fury.

Cain breathed heavily, channeling the residual power from Infernal Ascendance back into his body. This war of attrition was pushing both sides to their limits. But this was actually what Cain had wanted all along, as one of his reasons to fight Bastion was to also train his combat experience.

Cain felt the strain on his limbs despite his increased strength. Maintaining Infernal Ascendance required a substantial energy draw, and even with his high energy stat, the constant high-level attacks were exhausting him. He could feel beads of sweat rolling down his temples, and every breath seemed like he was breathing fire.

Despite the obvious damage, Bastion moved with terrifying speed. In a burst of movement, Bastion charged again, launching a savage uppercut with his sword that nearly severed Cain's head off.

Cain ducked, whirling foxfire forming a protective barrier around him, but Bastion slammed down on it with his elbow, shattering it like glass. A sharp ache radiated through Cain's arms as the force of Bastion's blow transferred through the barrier.

Bastion then followed up with a diagonal slash, which Cain barely parried with a foxfire-encased arm. Sparks flew forth, and the friction dug into Cain's forearm.

Despite Infernal Ascendance increasing his fire damage, Cain found himself on the defense once more. Bastion's tremendous strength and unstoppable will carried him through every strike.

The clones attempted to help, but Bastion's fury punished any blunder or effort to flank. It was all Cain could do to stand his ground.

Clone A dove in, sacrificing itself to draw Bastion's attack. The sword slashed the clone's chest wide open with a blaze of foxfire energy. While Clone A vanished in a cloud of orange flame, Clone B hit Bastion from behind with an explosive foxfire orb aimed at his exposed back.

However, Bastion anticipated the maneuver, spinning at the last second to block with the remnants of his flaming cape. The orb exploded safely behind him, searing the ground.

The battle spiraled into a breakneck dance of parries, thrusts, dodges, and blasts of flame and ice. Each time Bastion swung, molten lines appeared on the ground, reflecting the ferocity of his power.

Each time Cain retaliated, the air filled with swirling foxfire or icy shards that slammed fruitlessly against Bastion's armor.

They were locked in a dire stalemate as Bastion was on the verge of collapse from overexerting his blood-burn, yet too enraged to surrender. While Cain struggled to maintain his increased fire damage and keep pace with Lucan's raw power.

Both bled from various wounds, and their bodies were damaged and burnt. The once-large battlefield has become a firestorm of swirling embers and dancing flames.

…

"Uncle Fenix, is big brother Cain going to be alright?" Sylvia shook Fenix's hand and asked with a worried expression. Explore more adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

When everyone in Cain's group heard it, their attention suddenly shifted to Fenix, as some of them had also been worried about Cain's safety since they knew that Cain's rank was way lower and the reason he could contend with Bastion was just from the temporary power.

Even Ayla, who had been enjoying the fight with her entire focus on the fight, just realized that Cain seemed to be in trouble and immediately looked at Fenix as she also worried about Cain's safety.

"Don't worry too much since he didn't even ask for my help." Fenix chuckled as he patted Sylvia's head, reassuring her.

Fenix was honestly surprised and impressed with Cain's strength since he hadn't expected that Cain really had the ability to deal with Bastion quite easily.

Because when Cain explained to him previously, Cain mentioned that if the situation was really dire, he would unleash his full strength and help him. This was the reason why he didn't worry too much, as he thought that Cain didn't even use his full strength.

"Butler Zen, can you guess his rank and what kind of bloodline he has?" Garran raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Butler Zen.

"I can't say for sure, but I think his rank hasn't even reached the Conqueror Rank yet for sure. As for his bloodline, I have some guesses, but it's still vague as of now." Butler Zen replied with a confused expression since he really can't see through Cain.

"Tch, you're not helping at all. You can't even stand your ground against that big guy, what can you do?" Garran shook his head, teasing Butler Zen.

Hearing that, Butler Zen wasn't going to take it without putting up a fight as he answered with a sneer. "If you say so, can you even stand a chance fighting him? He is of your age, but you might even get killed without him lifting his finger if you were fighting against him."

"..."

Garran was speechless as Butler Zen just put salt on his wound by stating the fact that Cain could even fight toe to toe with Lucan's protector by himself.

…

Clone B leaped to Cain's side, its body shimmering from repeated damage. Together, they faced down Bastion, whose chest heaved from ragged breathing. Bastion's eyes, however, were filled with the same lethal determination.

For a heartbeat, no one moved. A hot wind swept around them, carrying the stench of ash, blood, and burned dirt. The sky overhead was hazy from dust and smoke.

They met eyes. Bastion's red-rimmed look was filled with hatred and despair, a furious glare that indicated he had taken his final, desperate measure. Every strained breath sliced through the silence like a dagger.

Then he spoke with a bitter yet resolute expression. "I…will not die without avenging him."