MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1100: The Shadow Soldiers-1

At the Blue Planet, within the Vampire Domain, Bryan, Rider, Bringer, and Tiara were observed in discussion, awaiting Anthony's conclusion with the Blood Queen.

While they waited, the structure shuddered violently, its roof erupting outward with a thunderous boom that echoed throughout the building. Their gazes snapped upward in unison as colossal slabs of debris hurtled down towards them with immense speed and destructive force. Without hesitation, they became blurs, dematerializing from their positions and reappearing elsewhere.

Chunks of concrete impacted their former location, the ground quaking intensely as fractures spread like intricate webs across its surface. Their attention immediately shifted sideways, detecting a profound, metallic scent of blood saturating the air. It was clear, without any need for confirmation, that the confrontation between Anthony and the Blood Queen had commenced in earnest.

Their heads once more turned skyward, observing Anthony encircled by several Vampires. He dispatched them with nearly instantaneous, overwhelming ease before vanishing, presumably heading for the expanse of outer space where their battle would no longer be constrained by the Domain's limits.

Before they could even formulate a plan or react further, the Vampire officials who had previously welcomed them materialized beside them with astonishing celerity, far exceeding the capabilities of Bryan and his companions at their present strength. Although the Vampire Queen had issued no direct orders to attack or eliminate them, their association with Anthony, the instigator, rendered them undeniably guilty by default.

Their fists lashed out with lethal accuracy, intending to finish these youths before they could even contemplate a response. However, in the subsequent moment, their shadows contorted unnaturally, writhing as if imbued with life, and from these twisting shadows, four distinct presences arose, as if summoned directly from the netherworld. A gargantuan broadsword, a chained blade intricately linked, a razor-sharp claw, and a reinforced palm materialized, each intersecting their attackers' blows with perfect, flawless timing.

With blasts that tore through the wind and violent shockwaves, attacks and defenses collided with cataclysmic might. The chamber disintegrated into dust and rubble with ease, the very building detonating outward due to the immense force generated by these four opposing powers.

Bryan, Bringer, Tiara, and Rider stood frozen in stunned disbelief, their eyes wide with shock. They had perceived nothing preceding the clash, which was entirely understandable given the vast and almost incomprehensible disparity in power between themselves and the formidable beings now confronting them. Then, emerging from their shadows, Igris, Bellion, Beru, and George stepped forth with an air of calm composure, their presence steady and serene.

The Vampire officials' eyes narrowed into sharp slits as they regarded the Shadow Soldiers with confusion and mounting apprehension. The Shadow Soldiers, however, were unperturbed; they moved immediately, their forms becoming streaks of black as they surged forward, unleashing their own devastating assaults without a moment's hesitation.

The Vampire officials reacted instantly, their weapons materializing in their hands as if by instinct, intercepting the onslaught with practiced ease. Yet, the instant the two sides clashed once more, the entire Blood Castle was obliterated, leveling to the ground with cataclysmic fury. The impact radiated outward in all directions, threatening to annihilate everything within the Vampire Domain itself.

One of the officials within the Vampire Domain found himself compelled to act. His body vanished from his spot, reappearing mid-air as he expelled his mana in immense quantities. Employing pure mana control and honed precision, he stabilized the violent tremors and the devastating shockwave that jeopardized the existence of every Vampire within a radius of several thousand kilometers.

The remaining Vampire officials also dematerialized from their positions, quickly grasping that continuing the battle on this site would inevitably result in the demise of countless Vampires. They understood the Blood Queen would hold them accountable without mercy upon her return. With this realization firmly in place, they ascended into the sky with remarkable speed, their forms dissolving into outer space, confident that these peculiar shadow-summoned entities would pursue them without fail.

Igris immediately sheathed his sword, halting his advance. As a Knight, his understanding was clear: his liege's command was to safeguard the Dragon, Bryan. With the adversaries having retreated of their own accord, there was no need for pursuit.

Bellion mirrored this composure, securing his chained sword to his waist and resuming his steady stance, both fully comprehending and respecting the directives they'd received. George, despite possessing comparable power, remained silent. Not being part of their inner circle, he simply held his position, his gauntlet tightly fastened, prepared to act should the situation demand it.

Only Beru showed outward eagerness, his sharp, ant-like eyes fixed intently on the sky, observing the Vampires awaiting his and his comrades' approach. Just as Beru prepared to move, Bellion's calm, knightly voice broke the silence: "Commander Beru, I trust you haven't forgotten your duty."

His words made Beru pause. He couldn't abandon Tiara and rush his enemies while neglecting his assigned task. His eyes narrowed momentarily as an idea sparked. He raised his clawed hand, his mana humming steadily, and in the next instant, his mana completely enveloped Tiara. He was, at this moment, merely replicating Anthony's earlier feat, allowing them to survive within the vacuum of space just hours before.

Tiara smiled softly, reaching for the glasses Anthony had gifted her and carefully putting them on. With that, Beru's wings beat once. This single motion generated such immense wind pressure that a massive chasm tore open beneath him.

In the next breath, he shot towards outer space with a fierce battle cry. He had lingered in the shadows for far too long; this was a chance to unleash some of his pent-up power, even if only a little. Though his liege had spoken of future battles against the Angels, he had no indication of when those winged beings would make their next move.

Observing Beru's departure with Tiara close behind, George, Bellion, and Igris couldn't help but let out faint sighs. They exchanged glances of silent understanding. They could fathom Beru's eagerness; truth be told, they too felt a similar urge surge within them, but they possessed a far greater degree of restraint and discipline over their impulses.

With Beru leading the charge, Bellion's eight wings unfurled wide before beating powerfully. With a thunderous burst, he propelled himself forward at incredible speed. George didn't hesitate, his body surging forward like a bullet rending the air, his eyes locked onto his intended foe, a faint, nearly imperceptible smile gracing his lips. Igris, true to his nature, remained utterly silent; he simply launched himself forward, his cape billowing dramatically behind him as he followed without delay.

And trailing these three figures were Bryan, Rider, and Bringer, their bodies entirely enshrouded in their mana.