The violent golden aura that had promised the protection of an absolute, S-Ranked artifact collapsed in a ragged spray of dying sparks.
The Vice Leader lay sprawled on the shattered concrete plaza, coughing up thick crimson fluid. His pristine dark designer suit was shredded, soaked through with blood and scorched.
The ancient obsidian necklace clutched in his trembling fingers had gone entirely cold.
All his confidence, his corporate prestige, and the untouchable arrogance of being a superior A-Rank warrior had been broken within a single second.
"Stay... stay back..." the Vice Leader rasped, his voice a whimper as he looked up. Using his bare elbows, he scrambled frantically backward, desperately putting distance between himself and the terrifying teenager standing before him. "Don't come near me! You monster!"
