Chapter 86: The Young Fox Stirred by Waves of Killing Intent

Chapter: The Young Fox Stirred by a Wave of Killing Intent

"Surging Wave Fist!" Vinigo muttered under his breath.

A torrent of dark energy burst forth, exploding with a thunderous roar and sending the burly man reeling backward. Vinigo immediately leapt forward, his hand slicing down like a blade.

Caught off guard, the man hastily raised his greatsword, deflecting Vinigo’s hand strike. Unfazed, Vinigo withdrew half a step, sending another blast of energy directly at the man, forcing back his counterattack.

The man was strong, but he had never encountered an opponent like Vinigo. This was clearly the aura of a martial artist, yet these black energy orbs could be fired at will from a distance…

If his opponent was a mage or archer, the man would have closed in for the kill without hesitation. But against Vinigo, modeled after the Demon Fist, he had barely charged forward when he was launched into the air by a Rising Dragon Fist.

The Demon Fist’s uppercut was swift and devastating, as though a shadowy dragon soared skyward with his punch.

After suffering that blow, the man dared not approach recklessly again.

Approach cautiously? Fight a war of attrition? That might work, but as the man edged forward, Vinigo simply executed an Ashura Flash, phasing through his body. From behind, Vinigo kicked him, and before the man could turn, seized him for an over-the-shoulder throw, hurling him through the air.

Blood-red tiger-like stripes appeared on the man’s face; his eyes blazed with fire, and his entire form radiated a brilliant crimson glow.

He seemed like a molten giant conjured into the world.

"I knew it—there’s no such thing as a normal member of the Infernal Brotherhood," Vinigo snorted. "But as the Demon Fist, my goal is to challenge the strongest!"

"You are nowhere near enough!" Vinigo roared, red clouds of surging qi and blood billowing across his coarse skin.

Annihilation—Surging Wave!

The roaring surge, condensed into a ball of murderous intent, crashed down. The man howled, braced his hands around his greatsword, and charged forward, trying to break through the surge.

But his weapon shattered in his grip!

Stunned, the man dropped the broken sword. He seemed to have forgotten that his armor and weapon, already altered by Vinigo’s acidic mist, were no longer sturdy enough to withstand an attack like the Annihilation Surging Wave.

"The strongest!" Vinigo bellowed, leaping forward and chopping down on the man's skull—cracking it like an eggshell!

Vinigo’s hand collided fiercely with the man’s raised left arm. He was forced back half a step by the man’s immense strength, but didn’t pause. He hopped backward to dodge the counter, and seeing his opponent’s momentum carrying him forward, anticipated the attack by unleashing a Whirlwind Kick, creating a gusty barrier.

The man, unable to check his charge, plowed forward. His iron fist struck Vinigo’s bare foot and was instantly deflected.

Vinigo landed, rebounded, and pressed his furious attack against the staggering man.

Heavenly Demon Air Blade Kick! From above, a strike as forceful as a heavy crossbow!

The man took a kick to the head and was nearly knocked unconscious. Vinigo, not wasting the opportunity, closed in, crouched slightly, and took a deep breath.

Annihilation—Rising Dragon!

A massive, dark dragon erupted upward, roaring with destructive power, blasting the man through the roof and sending him crashing into the distant rocky wasteland.

Vinigo grunted, dismissing the character construct.

Without divine power infused, this Demon Fist couldn’t unleash the ultimate True Instant Hell Murder or Sky-Severing Sea Blade, but the Annihilation Rising Dragon was more than enough to subdue his foe.

After all, this man was not on the level of Madoth the Berserker or Akurs the Demon Wolf.

Vinigo rummaged through the man’s belongings, extracted a coin pouch and a few trinkets of little value, and tossed them aside.

He no longer cared for such meager spoils.

"Never mind, I’ll get someone to repair it tomorrow." Vinigo scratched his head, summoned his flying ramen bowl, and loaded all his belongings and the salvaged materials from his battered shop onto its back.

The Sky Whale wobbled slightly, then, as if nothing had happened, soared off toward Prism Manor with Vinigo and his cargo.

==A Young Man’s Journey==

Within the manor, the little wolf princess Arcana was playing tag with the big cat Cait Sith. Sophie, sword slung across her back, leaned against a tree, lost in thought.

Little Honey was studying diligently in the prayer room. It looked like a peaceful day—or so it seemed.

"What’s this?" Vinigo exclaimed, pointing at the heap of "bodies" sprawled at the manor gate.

"Oh, they tried to force their way in and ran into this little pup coming out from inside... you know the rest," Cait Sith—Sharpclaw—leapt before Vinigo to explain.

Vinigo smacked his forehead, and with a flick of his left hand, a gentle gust of wind surged forth, suspending the lunging wolf princess midair, spinning her gently.

"Never mind, they’re probably not important," he said, catching the young wolf tightly to prevent her from running off. He turned to the big cat and asked, "Has Honey been working extra hard lately?"

"Little Honey said that if she doesn’t, she’ll drag everyone down," Sophie replied, walking over. "She may look fragile, but she’s actually quite determined."

"And these people outside—where are they from?" Vinigo set down the little wolf, approached one of the "bodies," and rummaged through his belongings, pulling up his sleeve to check for tattoos or scars.

"Silver Helm Brotherhood?" Vinigo suddenly said.

Sophie tilted her head, puzzled. "There’s no distinctive mark, is there?"

"It’s just a guess," Vinigo replied. "Look, all of them have obvious calluses on their right hands—sword-calluses. An organization known for swordsmanship, appearing in Free Heaven—other than Sir Temp’s men, it can only be the Silver Helm."

"Silver Helm is connected to the Ram’s Call cult, come to think of it. Speaking of which..." Vinigo lifted another man, examining his right arm. After a while, he said, "There are faint traces of modification—just like the kind I use: mild, but safe."

"By the way, I ran into a thug from the Infernal Brotherhood earlier," Vinigo said, tapping his chin. "Maybe these incidents are connected."

"My lord, a visitor!" called the manor’s gatekeeper, waving and shouting to Vinigo.

Vinigo responded with a nonchalant "Oh," and, riding a current of air, glided nimbly to the gate.

"It’s you, mouse. So, did Sir Anthony Stone let you out?" Vinigo chuckled. "Prince of Thieves, Your Highness."

"So, you’re the master of this manor!" The visitor was a slightly portly man, unremarkable in appearance and lacking any notable strength. Yet he controlled all the thieves and smugglers in Free Heaven—clearly a remarkable figure.

"You’re still alive, I see," Vinigo teased. "Ah, and nice bodyguards."

Standing beside the Prince of Thieves were two fearsome giants, each over three meters tall, their skin tinged blue, their eyes lacking visible pupils and glowing with a strange light.

"Are these from the Ram’s Call?" Vinigo asked, gesturing at the half-giants. "So they’re the ones who broke you out?"

For some reason, the Prince of Thieves seemed intimidated by Vinigo and nodded.

"Not a bad deal—the Ram’s Call are a bunch of fools, but with a schemer like you, they’ll surely value your talents," Vinigo laughed.

The Prince of Thieves said nothing. One of his followers stepped forward, announcing loudly, "By holy decree of our great Prophet, you are ordered to hand over the recipe for the wine. Otherwise..."

Vinigo scratched his head and shrugged, snorting dismissively.

"So, they don’t really trust you after all. How about joining me? I could use an adviser, Prince of Thieves... Hmm, I don’t even know your name. At least give me a false one."

"You may call me Marlin, though that’s not my real name," the Prince of Thieves replied suddenly, then fell silent and stepped back.

At this point, Sophie and the little wolf princess appeared quietly behind Vinigo, awaiting his command.

"And otherwise?" Vinigo finally turned to the middle-aged follower who had spoken, sneering.

Vinigo’s attitude enraged the man, who spun around and shouted at the two half-giants, "Tear him apart!"

The half-giants didn’t move, only rolling their eyes and glancing at him.

Vinigo burst out laughing, pulling a bronze bear figurine from his belt and rubbing it gently.

"This is the true divine power for the Demon Fist."

The Bear Idol—symbol of strength and tyranny—divine power infused, the fantasy construct began: the Demon Fist descended!

Before his enemies’ very eyes, Vinigo silently transformed into the ultimate martial fiend, proudly displaying his devastating might.

"I am... the Demon Fist! I challenge the strongest!" Vinigo declared slowly.

The divine power of the Bear Idol was even more pure—a ruthless pursuit of ultimate strength, perfectly fitting for the Demon Fist.

Because it fit, it was powerful.

"Come, let’s have a worthy fight." Vinigo beckoned with his finger, stomping the ground. Blood-red flames erupted behind him, flashing into the vague shape of the character for "Heaven."

Wave of Killing Intent!

The half-giants exchanged a look of disdain; then, the slightly smaller one stepped forward, striding toward Vinigo.

His footsteps thundered; he was like a small mountain bearing down!

==I hear there will be recommendations next week, so I’m preparing more chapters. Only one question: can I keep up with the writing pace?==

==A young man hesitates==

==How about this—any time the clicks, recommendations, or favorites push me up a spot in the rankings, I’ll add another chapter?==