Solar Blood Masters (171)

Chapter 171 - Rules of Play

Raphael landed roughly on a large, circular platform made of hard, dark metal. The impact reverberated through his human form, a jarring sensation he wasn't accustomed to, not in this fragile body.

He groaned, “Oof! That was… unexpected.”

The platform floated in a sea of utter darkness. An oppressive, infinite void stretched in every direction. Eerie chittering sounds, like a thousand insects whispering secrets, came from the darkness.

Raphael instinctively tried to activate his Electric Scale Prison for a shield, but it wasn’t working. ‘Damn, this human body… It’s so… vulnerable.’

Beside him, Pi Muram’s massive form stirred. He looked around, scanning the darkness warily.

“We should be on our guard, Raphael. This place… It's not safe. Creatures can attack from any moment, from that swirling darkness. We have to survive… for four minutes. That is the limit set by the hourglass statue piece. If we hold out for four minutes, then we can advance to the next phase. It’ll be our turn to make a move.”

“Survive for four minutes?” Raphael frowned. It sounded too easy.

SWISH!

Suddenly, a dark shape burst out of the darkness.

It landed on the platform with a heavy thud.

It was a monstrous creature, vaguely equine in shape, with a black carapace. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light, its sharp teeth bared in a menacing grin. A dark axe was slung over its shoulder.

It screeched had Raphael’s human heart pounding.

Then, it charged towards him.

“That’s a Dark Seahorse Tyrant, Raphael! Be careful!” Pi Muram shouted and shot webs at the monster’s feet, hoping to slow it down.

Raphael tried to activate ‘Gold Press’. But nothing happened.

“What the…?! Why can’t I use my powers?!”

He tried again, focusing his Solar Essence. He attempted to summon his Shadow Bat army, activate ‘Electro Speed’, even unleash his ‘Logia Mist’, but it was futile. None of his techniques worked.

“It’s this regression. Since I’m human again… I can’t use any of Shao Jin’s powers.”

He realized he was in his most vulnerable form.

Just then, the Dark Seahorse Tyrant broke free of the webs.

It barreled towards him!

“No! Why me?!”

Raphael screamed as he turned and ran. His human legs pumped furiously, but he was no match for the monster’s speed.

He could hear its heavy footsteps pounding the metal platform behind him, getting closer, closer…

The Dark Seahorse Tyrant swung its axe.

“I don’t want to die!”

Raphael closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

CLANG!

The axe struck something solid.

He opened his eyes.

A translucent, crimson shield hovered before him, deflecting the blow.

“Condensed Blood Barrier? How…?”

Before he could ponder its sudden appearance, the shield shattered. The axe came swinging down again, but just then, a web sling wrapped around the axe handle and yanked it back!

Raphael scrambled away. He stumbled and fell, landing beside Pi Muram.

“Thanks for the save.”

“Stop being so useless and pull your weight, human!” Pi Muram snapped.

“Sorry! I’m not used to this… body.”

THUD!

Another Dark Seahorse Tyrant landed on the platform.

“I’ll take one. You take the other. Now go! Before more arrive!” Pi Muram dashed towards his opponent, webs shooting forth from his spinnerets, entangling the monster’s limbs.

Raphael watched him go and took a deep breath, those memories of Butler Long’s training, they now flashed.

“I can’t use Shao Jin’s abilities. However… it seems I can still utilize my Bloodthorne abilities.”

He focused his Blood Essence, channeling it into his hands. A swirl of blood materialized, condensing into a Sapphire Blood Sword.

“It works! My Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon Solar Blood Spirit… It was always with me since way back then, when I was just a… when I was still under Ewa Nier’s thumb. But now… even without Shao Jin’s powers… I can still survive.”

“GRAAAH!”

The Dark Seahorse Tyrant charged with its axe spinning menacingly. It flung the axe towards Raphael. He dodged. He slid across the platform, then with a swift, upward slash, cut the monster’s ankle.

“Screech!” The creature howled in pain.

It tried to stomp him. But Raphael was too nimble. He dashed around its massive legs, delivering a series of precise slashes.

Each cut drew blood. But the monster was still standing and was regenerating, but slowly. He needed to find a weakness, a vital point.

“How do I get up there?” He looked up at the monster’s head.

The Dark Seahorse Tyrant picked up its axe and swung it downwards.

BOOM!

Raphael grinned. This was his chance.

He dashed forward and leapt onto the axe handle just as the monster lifted it.

But… he was shaken off!

He tumbled through the air.

‘Damn! At this height… this human body won’t survive the fall!’

In his desperation, he focused his blood magic.

A swirl of blood began twirling around his left hand, resembling spider webs. He shot the webs upwards. They clung to the axe handle.

“Sapphire Blood Webs!”

He swung upwards, landing back on the handle.

“Wow, these Sapphire Blood Webs might actually be useful.”

WHOOSH!

Just then, another Dark Seahorse Tyrant burst from the darkness above! It swung its axe straight down at Raphael!

“Damn!” He parried the axe with his Sapphire Blood Sword, then shot a web at the second monster’s face. It stumbled back and was momentarily blinded.

Raphael leaped onto its shoulder and narrowly avoided the third monster’s axe swing.

The impact knocked the axe out of the second monster’s grasp and one of its legs was sliced off.

Seizing his opportunity, Raphael unleashed his technique.

“Sapphire Spring Melody!”

A flurry of miniature blue dragons exploded outwards, tearing through the second monster’s neck. Its head was sliced into perfect spirals, then it rolled off its shoulders. The body collapsed.

The third monster, seeing its companion fall, roared and slammed its fist downwards to crush Raphael.

“Trying to crush me?” He smirked, then shot a web at the dead creature’s axe. He yanked it over and positioned the blade beneath the fist.

CRACK!

The fist slammed down and split the axe’s handle. Its blade pierced the fist, severing it at the knuckles.

“KYAAAAH!”

The Dark Seahorse Tyrant howled in pain.

Raphael didn't hesitate. He activated his stolen technique.

"Incinery Lamia!"

A fiery blood goat materialized beside him with its bloodshot eye and burning horns as the ground beneath it turned into lava. It charged and slammed its flaming body into the third monster's chest!

BOOM!

A blinding flash of light expanded .

And when it faded…

The Dark Seahorse Tyrant was gone. Incinerated.

Raphael landed roughly. He glanced over at Pi Muram, who was still battling his own opponent.

‘He still hasn’t killed that Dark Seahorse Tyrant? I suppose I am stronger than a mere Buddhist Pill Stage spider. I’ll go help him out.’

…

“Gold Radius!”

Raphael’s Sapphire Blood Sword blurred into a whirlwind of sapphire and gold. He was a human tornado of flashing light and deadly accuracy. The Dark Seahorse Tyrant barely had time to react before the golden arc of energy sliced through its neck.

Its head dropped to the ground with a sickening thud. It twitched once, twice, then dissolved into dark particles that vanished into the swirling darkness.

Raphael landed gracefully on Pi Muram's back.

‘Hmm, surprisingly, my Blood Pool hasn’t diminished that much. This must be a special property of my Spring Blood Dragon. It’s truly a treasure.’

“Don’t get too comfortable on my hide, human. We’re still in the thick of it.” Pi Muram’s sharp voice interrupted Raphael’s thoughts.

Just then, five Dark Seahorse Tyrants burst out of the darkness above. They descended with their axes raised. The bloodlust oozing from them was tangible.

“Five at once?! This is overkill! Just how long can four minutes be?!” Raphael exclaimed while staring up at the monstrous figures.

Pi Muram reacted instantly. He shot webs upwards, weaving them into a spiraling, orbital barrier that intercepted the Dark Seahorse Tyrants’ axes.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The barrier held, but its surface rippled precariously under the relentless assault.

“I can’t hold this for much longer, Raphael. Do something!”

“Maybe I can…” Raphael thought of a solution and yelled, “Arise – Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon!”

A geyser of blue blood erupted beneath Pi Muram’s legs. A silver fin poked out of the spring and began swimming around.

Raphael watched expectantly.

And then…

A small, sapphire dragon emerged. It was… tiny. Barely larger than Lu Jade in his smaller form.

“What…? It’s so small! What happened? Is it because I don’t have enough Solar Essence? So, my Solar Essence and Blood Pool need to work hand in hand for me to bring out the full potential of my Solar Blood Spirit?”

“Hey! Enough talk! Do something! My barrier is…”

BOOM!

The web barrier shattered!

The Dark Seahorse Tyrants descended upon them; axes swinging.

“Damn it! This will have to do!”

Raphael unleashed his tiny dragon. It soared towards the Dark Seahorse Tyrants.

“ROAR!”

Though small, it was tenacious. It weaved through their legs, dodging their attacks with ease. Its six silver eyes blazed and those razor-sharp teeth snapped at their ankles as a distraction tactic while blasting freezing beams from its mouth and nostrils.

But just as one of the Dark Seahorse Tyrants lifted its axe to crush the dragon…

WHOOSH!

The Dark Seahorse Tyrants vanished. They dissolved into darkness, leaving only a faint, sulfurous aroma.

“Hmmm, the four minutes must be over.” Pi Muram straightened.

They were teleported back to the North Druid Chessboard.

Pi Muram Emperor Calamity strength returned and he exploded with energy.

Raphael also returned to his Golden Bull Thork form, that nose ring of his glimmered.

He and Pi Muram stared at each other.

“The regression has been lifted.” Pi Muram stated.

“Indeed.”

“Now that your strength has returned, can’t you just end this deadly game, and… leave?” Raphael asked.

Pi Muram’s response was firm. “I’m not leaving… until I beat this game. Only by conquering this challenge… will the North Druid Chessboard recognize me as its new master.”

“But… why is it so important? It’s just a game, surely?”

“This is no mere game, bull! It's a Divine Grade relic, created by my great ancestor, Pi Shivalti. He was a brilliant Confucian scholar, a pioneer in the creation of Spell Diagrams and Formations! This chessboard… is the culmination of his lifelong work! Those who possess it… gain immense insight into scholarly cultivation. One can even use it to battle the most powerful of foes… even Sindoll would be rendered powerless within the rules of this chessboard. Such is its power!”

Pi Muram shot a web towards the chamber’s ceiling, and hovered above the chessboard to get a better view.

Raphael spread his massive black wings and joined him in the air. He noticed Lu Jade on the balcony looking up at them.

“There are seventy-two tiles… and twenty-four statue pieces… called Gos. Among these Gos are two very important pieces, the king and queen, known as the Gos Monarchs. Each Monarch leads their respective team. I am currently using the team with the queen, as you can see, she is the only golden piece aside from the king. As for the other Gos pieces… each possesses a unique attribute, as we witnessed earlier.”

He paused, allowing Raphael to absorb his words, then continued.

“The axe-wielding Gos are warriors. The hourglass Gos controls a player’s chances to play multiple times in a row, and can also restrict an opponent from playing a certain move.”

He then listed the twelve Gos pieces of each team and their unique properties:

…

Team (King)

Gos Monarch – King Leviathan: Wields a trident, commands water and possesses a powerful ‘Tidal Wave’ attack. Can also summon lesser sea creatures.

Gos Warrior - Stone Golem: Immense strength, wields a massive axe. Can create shockwaves.

Gos Warrior - Shadow Mantis: Swift and deadly, wields twin scythes.

Gos Trapper - Venomous Basilisk: Can create traps on certain tiles.

Gos Mage - Storm Drake: Commands magic spells.

Gos Healer - Emerald Phoenix: Heals allies, creates a protective aura of life force.

Gos Time-Turner - Chronos Serpent holding a hourglass: Can manipulate time within a limited area, slowing or accelerating it.

Gos Penalty Issuer – Weeping Willow: Can issue a variety of penalties, such as stat reduction, ability restriction, and even temporary banishment from the board.

Gos Mover – Shifting Sands: Can shift tiles on the board, creating new pathways and obstacles.

Gos Regular - Stone Guardian: High defense, slow movement. Acts as a shield for other Gos.

Gos Regular - Armored Beetle: Moderate defense and attack, can charge and ram opponents.

Gos Sacrifice - Crystal Butterfly: Weakest Gos, used as a decoy or to trigger traps.

…

Team (Queen)

Gos Monarch – Queen Leviathan: Wields a massive shield and possesses extremely powerful defense.

Gos Warrior - Stone Golem: Immense strength, wields a massive golden hammer. Can create shockwaves.

Gos Warrior - Light Mantis: Swift and deadly, wields twin daggers.

Gos Trapper - Entangling Hydra: Can constrict opponents and create traps.

Gos Mage – Sun Dragon: Commands magic spells.

Gos Healer – Emerald Phoenix: Heals allies, creates a protective aura of life force.

Gos Time-Turner - Chronos Viper holding a hourglass: Can manipulate time within a limited area, slowing or accelerating it.

Gos Penalty Issuer - Howling Banshee: Can issue a variety of penalties, such as stat reduction, ability restriction, and even temporary banishment from the board.

Gos Mover – Tectonic Plates: Can shift tiles on the board, creating new pathways and obstacles.

Gos Regular - Gold Guardian: High defense, slow movement. Acts as a shield for other Gos.

Gos Regular - Golden Beetle: Moderate defense and attack, can charge and ram opponents.

Gos Sacrifice - Golden Butterfly: Weakest Gos, used as a decoy or to trigger traps.

…

“Those sixteen black tiles below… they’re used for transportation between the twelve rows. In order for a Gos piece to advance to the center, it must land on one of those tiles. There’s also a Gos piece, the ‘Mover’, that can turn an entire row when its ability is active, allowing for strategic advantage.”

Pi Muram gestured towards the Tectonic Plates Gos, currently positioned four rows away from the Queen Leviathan.

“The main purpose of this game… is for the Gos Monarchs to get to the center first. Whoever reaches the center wins. And if either Monarch is defeated… well, the game is decided.”

Pi Muram then explained the rules regarding sacrificial Gos pieces, “They can be used as pawns, to protect the Monarchs from being killed by the warrior Gos or traps set up along the path.”

“This is a complex game, bull. It tests a player’s intelligence, their strategic abilities, their battle experience, and… their survival skills. Because players… can also suffer the consequences of their own folly.”

“So far, my Go Monarch, Queen Leviathan, is fifteen tiles away from the finish line, while the opponent, King Leviathan, is thirteen tiles away. To win… I'll have to delay his advance.”

“Why not use your hourglass Gos to delay the King’s advance, and then use the Queen herself to topple the king? Since your queen excels at defense, she can venture onto enemy tiles and survive a few attacks from the warrior Gos. Afterwards, she can advance towards the king and slay him,” Raphael suggested.

Pi Muram considered Raphael’s suggestion. He scanned the board with his eight eyes, calculating the possibilities.

“It’s… plausible, but risky. Yet… I dare to try it.”