Chapter 40: The Porter of Life!

Even though Zorn was unarmed, in this fierce battle, he held a certain upper hand. His fists, seemingly forged from steel, moved with incredible speed, landing repeatedly on the head of the Dusk Rat King. For a time, the Dusk Rat King was driven back step by step. Roaring furiously, the Rat King raised its upper limbs and swiftly adopted a defensive stance.

Yet Zorn’s offensive momentum did not wane; it grew even more ferocious, pushing the Rat King into a corner. As an SS-rank Starmark Fighter, and also bearing the template and endurance of a world-class major boss, Zorn was brimming with overwhelming stats. Coupled with his experience and combat techniques, he naturally dominated this modest level-two boss.

As Zorn gradually exerted more power, each punch landed with the force of a crashing wave, battering the Dusk Rat King mercilessly. Enraged, the Rat King endured the blows and unleashed its “Dusk Night Claws,” the black glint of its talons radiating coldly. The attack swept like a violent storm, tearing through the air.

Normally, a Fighter would evade when facing such a boss skill, but Zorn showed no fear. Bolstered by his SS-rank talent “Iron Will: Iron Bones,” his arms already possessed formidable defense. Infusing a small amount of vital energy rendered his arms as resilient as iron armor.

With a fierce determination to tear open the opponent’s skull, Zorn’s fists clashed bloodily against the Dusk Night Claws. The clangs rang out like steel on steel, sparks flying amid the intense exchange. Though blood continuously splattered, Zorn’s arms seemed almost otherworldly. He poured every ounce of strength into his fighting skills, completely immersed in the battle. Despite being heavily wounded, the Fighter pressed on relentlessly.

Zorn felt a strange sensation welling within his heart, and sensed subtle changes in his punching technique. As a veteran who had undergone countless level-ups, he knew he was on the brink of another. Fighters often level up through life-or-death combat. At this moment, this level-two Dusk Rat King was both his stepping stone and catalyst.

Enduring a full burst of the Rat King’s boss skill, Zorn’s sleeves had been torn to shreds, his arms covered in blood and wounds, resembling a pair of bloody hands. Though the injuries appeared severe, they were not debilitating. After such an intense battle, Zorn had acquired what he needed and chose not to waste any more time. The rat plague outside was still raging, and if the Dusk Ratlings broke through, it would spell disaster.

The battle downstairs near Gloria appeared grim.

With a mighty blow to the Rat King’s head, Zorn simultaneously invoked the “Evil Spirit Authority,” channeling dark energy into a piercing force like spiritual steel needles aimed directly at the Rat King’s soul.

The Rat King blocked the “Dusk Night Claws” once again, surprising it slightly. After taking another punch, it began to summon its boss forbidden technique, preparing to finish off this damned human in one decisive strike.

But as the forbidden technique initiated, sharp, hissing cries erupted from the Rat King. Zorn’s Evil Spirit Authority interrupted the forbidden technique’s activation.

Dark magical energy surged violently within the Rat King’s body, causing spasms and loss of control. Thick crimson blood trickled from its mouth, and deep within its blood-red eyes, fear flickered.

The Rat King knew its forbidden technique was powerful, not easily interrupted by ordinary means, yet it had been broken by this seemingly weak human.

“How is this possible?”

“Afraid now?”

Zorn’s low, menacing laugh echoed. “Too late. I’ve prepared the perfect gift for you.”

In the next instant, a searing pain pierced the Rat King’s shoulders and soul. The twin serpents of the Forbidden Twin Serpent Ring shot out from behind Zorn, biting firmly into the Rat King’s shoulders.

Earlier, Zorn had thrown his finger to the corner precisely to set up this pincer attack. The effect was outstanding.

The Forbidden Twin Serpent Ring held a natural restraining effect against rodent creatures.

At the same time, Zorn unleashed the formidable power of the Evil Spirit Warlock boss skill: Life Drain.

Not only was the Rat King’s life force rapidly siphoned off, but also its soul and spiritual essence.

“No… no…”

The Rat King’s small eyes darted wildly as it struggled to muster its dark magic. But the dual suppression of a world-class boss and the forbidden seal item was not something it could easily escape.

As Zorn continuously drained the Rat King’s life, his severely wounded arms and fists visibly healed before his eyes. The simplest use of Life Drain was to steal the enemy’s life to restore one’s own.

As long as he did not die, Zorn could swiftly recover his body, soul, and spiritual essence through Life Drain.

World-class bosses possessed not only immense stats but also powerful mechanics.

Soon, Zorn ended the Life Drain.

With a heavy thud, the Dusk Rat King collapsed to the ground, its body in a half-dead, half-alive state.

Dragging the Dusk Rat King downstairs, a crimson mist of blood hovered in the air, thick and pungent. The staircase was littered with mutated gray rat corpses. Two Dusk Ratlings lay sprawled in pools of blood.

The Rose Witch Gloria sat on the floor, her blue-and-white court gown torn to tatters and stained a dark blood-blue. Bathed in the afternoon sunlight, the girl amidst the rats, blood, and broken bodies painted a harrowing and tragic scene.

The bloodstained witch had fulfilled her mission: she had stopped the rats from ascending the stairs, buying Zorn ample time to duel the Rat King one-on-one.

“Ugh, ugh…”

Gloria propped herself up, attempting to speak, but her neck had been pierced.

Bringing the Dusk Rat King beside Gloria, Zorn grasped her hand gently.

“You… did very well,” he said softly.

At that moment, Life Drain activated again.

From the Dusk Rat King’s body, life force and spiritual essence flowed into Gloria’s hand, rapidly healing her critical wounds.

An Evil Spirit Warlock did not heal wounds directly, nor restore life, but could transfer life, soul roots, and spiritual essence from others.

“I don’t heal; I’m merely a transporter of life,” Zorn remarked.

Soon, Gloria was fully restored, her face a mixture of joy and astonishment.

“You… aren’t you a Fighter? How can you heal?”

“This kind of healing magic is the specialty of the church’s transcendent priests,” she said.

Zorn glanced outside before replying, “This isn’t healing magic; it’s a blessing from the Lord.”

“The Lord’s blessing!”

Gloria’s heart trembled. She had been prepared to give her life for the Lord, yet the Lord had saved her! Once again, she witnessed the Lord’s greatness.

“Stop dazing,” Zorn nudged the slightly stunned Gloria.

“The two transcendent crystal cores extracted from those Dusk Ratlings are excellent spiritual materials. Though somewhat tainted, they work well as ritual components.”

“You keep what you killed. We must leave quickly; someone’s coming.”

“Ah… but I don’t have a containment box,” Gloria said. With her knowledge of transcendence, she knew contaminated materials must not be handled carelessly.

“Wrap them in your torn clothes,” Zorn advised.

Gathering their spoils, the two hurriedly descended the stairs. Though the Rat King’s pelt was fine, now was hardly the time to carry its corpse around.