The swamp mist hadn't thinned when the five men stepped out of it, each marked with the same twisted tattoo that ran black over the skin of their neck.

Vein Bloom cultivators, every one of them, their energy sharp like unsheathed blades. They spread out in a half-circle, eyes settling on Arden's group, but more precisely on the crystal case at his waist.

Arden's gaze swept them once, calm and precise. "Two battle mages, one assassin, an artificer, and a mage. Vein Bloom, ranging from low to peak stage. Nothing we can't handle."

Rael cracked his neck, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "So what you're saying is, warm-up time?"

Nyra smirked, icy wind swirling faintly at her feet. "Looks like the Outlands delivered our sparring partners."

Arden's tone was dry, almost mocking. "Appropriate punching bags, more like."

That drew a low chuckle from Rael, and even Nyra let out a laugh. It faded only when the five Creed members closed in, their steps heavy, their eyes carrying that smug arrogance the organization was famous for.

"You've got something that doesn't belong to you," one sneered, voice deep and thuggish. "That herb—Moonveil Blossom. Hand it over. We traced it here."

Arden tilted his head, meeting their gaze without a shred of fear. "You traced it here? Good for you. Must've been tough work. But there's just one problem, it belongs to me. And I don't share what I sweat for."

The words landed sharper than a blade. The leader's face twisted with anger. "You dare mock us? Do you even know who we are?"

"Of course I do," Arden said lightly, eyes flicking to the tattoos that gleamed without shame. "The Creed. Dogs who used to hide their brand, but now wear it out in the open. Bold, I'll give you that. Though boldness doesn't mean brains."

That was enough. The group bristled, their tone snapping like whips. "You'll regret that. We can let you crawl away alive if you hand over the herb now. Refuse… and you'll beg for death."

Before Arden could speak, Rael stepped forward, frost spiraling over his gauntlets as sparks of lightning snapped between his knuckles. "Not a chance, dogs. You'll be the ones begging."

The assassins' dagger shimmered with black smoke. "Don't say we didn't warn you."

Then they charged.

The clash was instant, the swamp exploding with noise.

BOOM!

The first battle mage slammed the ground, jagged stone spires erupting toward Arden. Arden's eyes narrowed, life energy pulsing outward. Lotusfang Aegis! Green-white petals of light burst open before him, deflecting the stone and throwing it back in a shockwave.

The assassin slipped through the mist, reappearing behind Nyra with blades raised. But she was already moving, her senses sharpened beyond human limits. Cryogale Shards! A dozen crystal lances spiraled out, slicing through the air. The assassin twisted, but not fast enough, one shard grazed his arm, freezing his blood where it touched.

Rael laughed as another battle mage barreled toward him, twin axes wrapped in flames. "Now we're talking!" He clashed head-on, frost coating one gauntlet while lightning arced through the other. Their strike shook the ground, sparks and ice spraying outward as Rael shoved him back with raw force. "What's wrong? Thought you had strength!"

The artificer hung back, strange orbs buzzing around him, each sparking with violet light. They shot forward like homing missiles, zig-zagging through the mist. Arden flicked his hand, his crimson life energy flaring. Lotusflare Conduction! Chains of glowing lotus patterns snapped into the air, lashing at the orbs and detonating them before they could touch his team. The swamp lit up with bursts of light, steam rising.

Zephyra leapt into the fray with a thunderous snarl, her claws wreathed in cerulean flame. She struck at the elemental mage, who tried to fend her off with a wall of swirling water. But her flames burned through, lotus-shaped blasts scattering water into steam as her claws carved through. The mage stumbled, barely throwing up another barrier.

"Don't blink," Arden warned calmly as his aura pulsed outward. The assassin came again, faster this time, but Arden's life energy chains lashed forward, catching his blade mid-swing. Arden pulled him in, fist glowing with fire. Ignis Core Ascendant! He slammed a burning strike into the assassin's chest. BOOM! The man flew back, his armor scorched black.

Rael's laughter carried over the chaos. "You call yourselves Vein Bloom? I've fought slimes with more bite!" He swung wide, his ice crackling with lightning. Frostbound Arcs! Spears of ice shot out, each sparking with electricity that chained between the enemies. The artificer cursed as one spear pierced his barrier, jolting him with electricity that rattled his body.

Nyra's voice was sharp, her tone almost mocking. "Too slow." She raised her hands, air and ice merging seamlessly. Glacial Tempest! A cone of freezing storm surged forward, dragging one of the mages inside. He screamed as wind blades cut him while shards of ice lashed his skin, his movements slowing with each second.

Zephyra pounced again, her claws glowing brighter, the wind fanning her lotusflames. She roared, flames bursting outward like petals. Crimson Bloom Strike! A lotus-shaped blast exploded, ripping through the elemental mage's defenses and leaving him staggering in shock.

"Pathetic," Arden muttered, stepping through the haze. He flicked his wrist, and his shield bloomed again, deflecting another barrage. His calm voice cut through the chaos. "Your mistake wasn't joining the Creed. It was meeting us today."

The Creed members regrouped, their expressions twisted between fury and disbelief. The leader spat blood, his voice shaking. "Damn it… now I see. The rumors were true. A stable party of dual-affinity freaks, the masked man, and his beast. So it was you."

His words hung heavy, greed flashing in their eyes. "If we capture them… the organization will reward us. We'll rise higher!"

Their aura began to change. One by one, their energy spiked unnaturally, skin glowing faintly with corrupt veins. A hybridization, weaker than what Arden had faced before, but still enough to tilt the ground.

Rael's grin faded into a sharp smirk. "Oh, so they've been given toys too." Lightning danced over his arms. "Good. Makes this more fun."

Nyra's eyes narrowed, her storm already gathering around her. "Hybrid or not, you'll still fall here."

Arden exhaled, his own aura deepening like a storm rolling in. Life energy surged from him, petals of light scattering in the air, blending with fire. He spoke low, voice carrying through the mist.

"This only proves how far the Creed has dug its claws in. They're not hiding anymore. And if they think parading hybrids makes them untouchable…" He shook his head, his calm tone cutting like a blade. "It just gives me a reason to crush you properly."

The Creed members roared as their bodies twisted with new strength, their confidence returning.

The swamp shook as the next clash began.

A/N:

Please Send Powerstones, Tickets and Gifts for better updates. Encourage my creation😭🙏🏽.

Also, Engage by leaving Comments. Your Reviews are also well appreciated!!.

Thanks for the massive support thus far🔥.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.