Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points! - Chapter 87

Chapter 87: Arrogance And Ashes
The rain fell relentlessly, soaking the forest floor and creating a symphony of droplets against the leaves.

The moon barely pierced the dense blanket of clouds, and the occasional flash of lightning illuminated the dark woods in brief, fleeting moments.

Arkanos adjusted his gloves calmly, his expression composed as Seraphine held the reins of his horse.

She shifted nervously, her long cloak dripping wet as the storm continued to rage around them. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, clearly concerned despite her attempts to hide it.

“Lord Arkanos, is this really necessary? You’re taking a serious risk. Do you truly believe you can harm a fallen angel like… him?”

Without looking at her, Arkanos answered, “Of course.”

Seraphine’s grip on the reins tightened as her worry grew. “But… my Lord, this isn’t like the battles you’ve fought before. He’s dangerous, even for someone as powerful as you. You could—”

“Do you doubt my abilities, Seraphine?”

Arkanos turned his gaze to her, his sharp green eyes glowing in the darkness, silencing her words like a blade.

Her face flushed, and she quickly shook her head. “Never, my lord. I would never doubt you. I’m just—”

Before she could finish, Arkanos stepped closer and gently placed a gloved finger against her lips, silencing her again. His touch was firm yet surprisingly gentle.

“Hush now. Your only task is to look after my horse. Stay here and do not interfere.”

He narrowed his gaze.

“Have I made myself clear?”

She simply nodded, his finger still placed on her lips.

“Good.”

Seraphine’s heart raced as he stepped back. The warmth of his finger seemed to linger on her lips. Her fingers brushed against them instinctively, and a soft blush spread across her cheeks. Despite her fear for him, she couldn’t help but smile faintly, the moment staying with her as she watched him walk away.

In the clearing ahead, Arkanos approached Abaddon. The fallen angel stood tall and imposing, his dark wings folded behind him, their edges glistening in the rain. His presence seemed to warp the air around him, as though nature itself recoiled from his existence.

Abaddon chuckled darkly, his deep voice filled with amusement.

“So, you’re not going to use any weapons? How bold of you, Arkanos. Or should I say… foolish?”

Arkanos stopped a few paces away, his posture relaxed but practically radiating confidence. Rain dripped from his black coat as he tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk appearing on his lips as he responded.

“What better way to crush you and your pride in one go?”

Abaddon’s laughter grew louder, echoing through the storm. “Such arrogance. I almost admire it.” He narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious.

“Tell me, though, are you certain about this? No weapons, no artifacts. You won’t even wield your blade. Is this not a decision you’ll come to regret?”

Arkanos’s smirk widened as he raised a hand, his fingers flexing slightly.

“I’m not the one who will regret anything here. Remember my rules, Abaddon. No attacks on par with catastrophe-class magic. Everything else is fair game.”

Abaddon’s grin returned, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. “Very well, your majesty. Let’s see if your arrogance matches your strength.”

“I’ll give you one more chance, Abaddon,” Arkanos spoke in a cold and intense tone. “Tell me what you know about the Angels of Ruin, and I might consider sparing you the humiliation.”

Abaddon sneered. “I refuse. Do your worst, mortal. You’re as foolish as you are arrogant.”

Arkanos narrowed his gaze. “I see,” he said quietly. “It seems I’ll really have to punish your insolence. But let’s make this… interesting.”

Abaddon tilted his head, intrigued. “Interesting? What do you mean?”

“We’ll take turns,” Arkanos explained with a faint smirk. “You’ll have the first move—ten moves, to be precise. I’ll stand here and won’t leave this spot. Do whatever you like in that time.”

Abaddon chuckled darkly, his confidence returning. “I don’t know where this confidence is coming from… but I won’t take lightly to being looked down on.”

“You really won’t move? Fine then, let’s see how long that arrogance lasts.”

Raising his right hand, he summoned a dense orb of dark energy, a miniature star of swirling shadows. The orb pulsed with dense dark mana, emitting a low hum that made the air vibrate.

With a loud FWOOOSH, he hurled it at Arkanos. The projectile shot forward, leaving a trail of black smoke in its wake, before colliding with its target.

BOOM!

The orb detonated on impact, unleashing a massive explosion that shook the ground. The shockwave tore through the clearing, uprooting trees and flinging dirt and debris into the air.

Seraphine yelped, turning her face away as the blast sent rain flying in every direction. Steam hissed as fire met water, creating a fog that spread through the forest.

“Lord Arkanos!” she cried out, her voice trembling as she struggled to peer through the haze.

Abaddon chuckled, his voice cutting through the chaos. “I guess that’s the end of—”

“Of what exactly?”

The voice was calm, disdainful, and unmistakable.

Abaddon’s grin vanished as the fog began to clear. Through the lingering haze, Arkanos’s body became visible. The rain had washed away the smoke, revealing him standing exactly where he had been, entirely unharmed. His clothes weren’t even singed.

He narrowed his gaze as he said, “You think I’d be done in by such an attack? Please…”

“Don’t make me laugh.”

“And for your information, that was your first move.”

His gaze became condescending as he said, “Do try to use the others more wisely.”

Abaddon’s eyes narrowed. “I might have underestimated you,” he admitted, his tone colder now. “But I won’t make that mistake again.”

With a sharp SCHINK, he drew two obsidian-black swords from a dark rift that appeared on his back. The blades vibrated with dark energy, faint sparks appearing along their edges.

In that instant, Abaddon charged forward, his speed so explosive it left a crater where he had stood.

BOOM!

In a blur, he reached Arkanos and slashed both swords downward in a cross pattern.

CLANG!

Sparks erupted as the blades struck Arkanos’s torso, only to bounce off with a metallic ring.