Chapter 1498: The Critical Strike The Critical Strike Playing the tank role was something Gary could continue to do, over and over, but the nagging doubt clawed at the back of his mind, were they really making any progress at all? Blake could see the truth clearer than anyone. Even when he perfectly timed his strikes, when he followed the guiding white lines in his vision and slipped his swords into the smallest of gaps, his attacks were doing nothing. The blades connected, yes, but the damage was so shallow it was almost insulting. It was reaching the point where Ylva didn’t even bother to block anymore. She let the swords graze her, mocking him with every contemptuous smirk. Eventually, Blake knew, his body would fail him. His stamina would run dry, his vision would blur, and then the white lines would vanish. Without them, his technique would fall apart, and when that happened there would be no question of victory, they would lose. Still, he fought with all he had. His blades cut against her claws in a clash of sparks, each swing timed at the perfect second. Gary once again recovered enough to rush forward. Ylva, anticipating him, formed another of her ethereal spears. The moonlight condensed in her palm, lengthening into a shining white lance. She had already read his path. She knew exactly where Gary would be. But Blake didn’t let her. Sometimes you can’t rely on powers you don’t understand, he told himself. Sometimes, you just trust yourself. He charged forward, Qi exploding from his legs as he kicked off the ground. His body became the shield. The spear that was meant for Gary pierced him instead, freezing him mid-stride. Ylva blinked in surprise. She hadn’t planned that outcome, not at all. Gary didn’t hesitate. He roared as the massive warhammer materialized in his grip, both hands locking tight around the haft. This time he pushed himself further than ever, pouring every shred of Qi he had into his arms. The weapon came down in a devastating arc, faster than he had ever swung it before. The hammer struck Ylva’s chest. The barrier of moonlight that had shielded her body lit up, glowing brighter and brighter until fractures spread through it like shattered glass. The weapon smashed through, slamming into her ribs. For the first time, Ylva faltered, her arms shaking from the impact. But she wasn’t beaten. With a snarl of fury, she yanked the hammer towards her, dragging Gary in close, and slammed her fist directly into his chest. He flew backwards, bouncing across the ground as blood spewed from his mouth. [-100 HP] “Damn it... that one nearly emptied my bar completely,” Gary groaned, clutching his ribs. Before Ylva could finish him, Blake forced his battered body forward. He screamed, twin swords blazing with Qi as he unleashed a relentless barrage of slashes. He had seen the crack Gary’s hammer left, and he wasn’t about to waste the chance. He ignored the guiding white lines, throwing caution to the wind. His swords cut toward her chest with everything he had. One blade landed, carving a thin scratch across her chest right where the armor had fractured. But Ylva retaliated viciously. Her claws raked across his shoulder, tearing flesh, blood running down his arm. “You fool,” Ylva spat, blood dripping from her own lips now. “Do you really think this pathetic desperation can kill me?” Her claws came crashing down, and Blake caught them with his indestructible sword. But the power behind the strike reverberated through his body, shaking him to his core. His teeth rattled, blood filling his mouth until he spat red onto the ground. Seeing both opponents broken and staggering, Ylva summoned another spear. The first she hurled wide, missing Blake, but the second struck home. Moonlight clamped around him, freezing him in place once more. “Then I’ll rid myself of the most annoying one first,” Ylva sneered, claws raised. But Blake only smiled. His bloody teeth glistened under the moonlight. Ylva froze. Instinct screamed at her. She turned, too late. Gary was already on his feet, moving faster than she expected, hammer raised once more. She twisted her body and swung her fist out. The blow met his arm with a sickening crunch, nearly shattering the bones outright. Pain tore through Gary’s arm like fire. But he didn’t stop. “If you hit her twice in the same place,” Blake shouted, coughing blood, “you said the hammer would trigger. So do it! Prove it!” Ylva’s eyes flicked down. That was when she saw it, the weapon embedded in Gary’s leg. The strange sword Blake had dropped earlier. The sword that anchored its wielder, stopping them from being knocked away. Blake hadn’t told him to use it. He hadn’t needed to. Gary had understood, watching his teammate fight, watching him sacrifice everything to buy him time. Now the plan was clear. Gary’s free arm drew back, hammer thrumming with Qi. He swung, the Demon-tier weapon surging with power. The impact landed squarely on Ylva’s chest, the exact same place as before. This time the warhammer erupted with radiant blue light, glowing brighter and brighter until it seemed to tear at the very air. The special effect activated, a critical strike. The sound was apocalyptic. Her ribcage cracked like splintering stone, shockwaves bursting outward. The ground itself quaked, dust rising in waves. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢 Ylva’s body convulsed as blood gushed from her mouth, her head snapping back under the sheer force of the blow. For the first time, the Luna looked shaken. The battlefield stilled. Every fighter nearby felt the shockwave, Altered and Werewolf alike pausing mid-strike as the sound reverberated across the night sky. ***** For updates on MWS and future works, follow me on my social media below. 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