His speed increased even further. Mike became a blur—appearing, striking, vanishing—his movements sharp and relentless, cutting down masked figures one after another like ripe grain before a scythe.

Bodies fell.

Screams ended abruptly.

Then—

CLANG!

"Huh? You blocked it?" Mike jumped back, eyes narrowing as he looked at his next target.

The masked figure had intercepted his strike, blade held firm.

"Hm," the man said calmly. "From your armor, you look like a knight… but it seems you have some rogue-type skills as well."

Mike's gaze shifted briefly past him.

"Run away," he said calmly.

The woman the masked man had been fighting seized the chance. She grabbed her little girl and ran as fast as she could, repeatedly thanking Mike as tears streamed down her face.

Mike didn't stop her.

"Hm," the masked figure sneered, staring at Mike. "You saved her—but who's going to save you?"

He's a proper Rank 4, Mike thought, not bothering to reply.

Instead, he raised his hand.

Dark mana surged.

A magic circle unfolded beneath his feet as an ancient presence emerged.

"Kekekeke…"

A skeletal figure wrapped in eldritch robes rose from the summoning light.

"I sense the aura of something disgusting around here," Jace said, his hollow eyes glowing faintly. He looked around lazily before fixing his gaze on the masked figures. "Kekeke… so it was these filths?"

Mike glanced at him. "Do you know who they are?"

Jace nodded slowly. "Pitiful beings who were tempted by Malevolent Gods—accepting their power in exchange for becoming eternal slaves. Kekeke."

Mike nodded in understanding.

I see… so these are Devil Worshippers, Mike thought. He finally understood who they were and why that man earlier had been ranting about gods and power. They weren't insane—just mad fanatics.

It seems they used the pupularity of the annual auction of the Glorious Merchant House to launch this attack, Mike realized.

He summoned Inferna as well. Something felt off about the man in front of him. Even with Jace present, the masked figure didn't look bothered at all.

Soon, Inferna—the Infernal Spirit—appeared beside him.

She, Roselia, and Cryace had split up earlier, while Mike and Shadow handled the other two zones. They had divided into three groups to rescue people faster. But Mike had recalled Inferna immediately—his instincts screaming that the man before him was dangerous.

"Hm," the masked man said calmly. "A Lich, an Infernal Spirit… You must be a Awakened. That's why you can use all class skills so easily."

He raised his hand.

"But you chose the wrong opponent."

Dark mist erupted from his body. His form twisted—and then split.

The man's body shimmered as black mist wrapped around him, solidifying into knight-like armor.

"A Doppelgänger?" Mike muttered, staring at the black, drop-shaped crest forming on the man's hand.

Doppelgängers in this world were among the most dangerous existences. They weren't just a race—they were nightmares.

They could copy skills, appearances, summons, and even equipment.

And in most cases, Mike thought grimly, the copied equipment is stronger than the original.

The masked figure now held an identical Emerald Heart Sword, while his armor mirrored the Black Mithril knight Set perfectly.

Not only that, but the masked figure raised his hand—and copies of Jace and Inferna appeared beside him.

"Kekeke… how interesting," Jace laughed hollowly. "A Doppelgänger at this timing."

"As I said, you will die today," the masked figure declared coldly as the Doppelgänger charged at Mike, accompanied by the copied versions of Jace and Inferna.

Dark mist exploded outward as the Doppelgänger lunged.

At the same instant, the copied Jace and Inferna split off, engaging the originals.

"Kekekeke… fighting my own reflection?" Jace cackled as his staff slammed into the ground. Necromantic runes flared as bone spears erupted upward, colliding with identical spells cast by his copy. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the street, undead magic screeching as it tore against itself.

Inferna moved like living flame. Crimson fire wrapped around her form as she clashed with her mirror, infernal blades meeting in a storm of sparks and hellfire. Each strike burned hotter than the last, the air itself warping under their duel.

Meanwhile—

Mike stepped forward.

The Doppelgänger moved with him, perfectly synchronized, Emerald Heart Sword flashing as both blades collided.

CLASH!

The shockwave shattered nearby windows and cracked the stone pavement beneath their feet.

"So even your strength is copied," Mike muttered, sliding back.

"Copied?" the Doppelgänger replied coldly. "No. Improved."

The masked figure also moved in from the side, its sword aimed for Mike's neck.

Mike vanished.

Dimensional Step.

He reappeared above them, blade descending—but both enemies reacted instantly, crossing swords to block.

Too dangerous, Mike realized. If this dragged on, civilians would get caught in the aftermath.

I guess Emperor finally gets to play after a long time, Mike thought as he jumped back, creating distance between them.

"Emperor," he called.

The mark on his hand flared.

"It's only natural to call my pet when you're calling yours," Mike said with a faint smile.

A deep, ancient howl echoed across the battlefield.

Space distorted violently as a colossal magic circle unfolded beneath Mike's feet—far more complex and majestic than any summoning before.

The ground cracked.

The sky dimmed.

Then—

BOOM.

A massive form descended.

Fur like flowing silver-cerulean mist, eyes glowing with imperial violet light, fangs sharp enough to tear through space itself—

Etherfang Wolf Emperor.

He was at least ten times Mike's size, his mere presence crushing the air. Every breath he took sent pressure waves rolling outward like a storm.

The masked figures stiffened.

A circular domain expanded from Etherfang's paws, spreading instantly across the battlefield.

The air changed.

A translucent, ethereal boundary locked into place.

[Domain Activated — Domain of the Monarch]

Within it, all of Mike's allies felt power surge through their bodies.

Strength.

Speed.

Mana.

Control.

All increased by 50%.

At the same time, the masked enemies staggered as their movements slowed, their power forcibly suppressed.

–50% to all hostile entities.

"Now," Mike said calmly, "we fight."

Emperor growled deeply, eyes locking onto the Doppelgänger as both begun to fight.

The masked man also readied his twin swords as he rushed at Mike.

"Black Flame Art: Horizon Slash!"

Mike moved first.

Black fire roared along his Emerald Heart Sword as he swung. A massive crescent of black flame tore through the air, warping space in its wake.

The masked figure sneered and countered instantly.

"Blood Moon Art: Half Moon!"

A blood-red crescent slash erupted forward, colliding head-on with Mike's attack.

The two slashes met—

And detonated.

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