The Archfiend System

Chapter 7: Vax

Klein’s shout rang out through the courtyard, filled with fierce determination as he lunged at Manny, delivering a single, devastating punch. 

The impact was brutal, echoing like thunder as it connected with Manny’s face. 

The force of the blow sent Manny flying through the air, twisting and turning like a ragdoll caught in a storm. 

Dust and debris erupted around him, swirling chaotically as shockwaves rippled through the ground.

Klein didn’t hesitate. He propelled himself into the air, effortlessly hovering above Manny’s airborne form, a predatory gleam in his eyes. 

As Manny reached the peak of his flight, Klein descended, slamming him back down with a force that shook the earth beneath them. 

The ground exploded into a crater upon impact, debris scattering everywhere and sending the surrounding knights reeling.

A heavy silence fell over the Garrison Whites who remained conscious, their faces frozen in shock and disbelief. 

Manny, one of their esteemed commanders, had been defeated so easily, his strength rendered insignificant against Klein's newfound power. 

The image of Manny soaring through the air lingered in their minds, a stark reminder of how dramatically the balance had shifted.

As the dust began to settle, whispers spread among the knights, fear and uncertainty radiating through the group. 

They exchanged anxious glances, their earlier bravado fading into doubt. 

The weakling they had once disregarded had transformed into a formidable force, and they now stood amid the chaos of the courtyard, confronting the reality of Klein’s power.

“I can’t believe this,” one knight murmured, his voice barely audible. 

“Is that really Manny?”

Another knight shook his head, disbelief etched across his features. 

“No way. He’s supposed to be unbeatable. This can’t be real.”

Klein landed gracefully, his wings folding behind him, exuding calm confidence. 

He surveyed the stunned faces around him, a smirk playing on his lips. 

“Did you honestly think you could bully me forever?” he asked, his voice steady and taunting, slicing through the tension. 

“You’ve underestimated me for far too long.”

A realization settled over the knights like a dark cloud. They had misjudged Klein, the quiet boy they once tormented. 

Now, he was someone to be taken seriously, a powerful presence they dared not provoke. 

A palpable fear began to permeate the air, heavy as they considered their next move.

The courtyard remained eerily silent, echoes of the battle lingering in the minds of the onlookers. 

Manny lay in the crater, struggling to regain his composure, while Klein stood tall, embodying transformation and unyielding strength. 

The Garrison Whites exchanged wary looks, fully aware that Klein was no longer the weakling they had once dismissed. He had become a force they would not want to provoke.

Klein stood proudly over the unconscious form of Manny, the once-boastful Garrison White now reduced to a defeated heap on the ground. 

He cast a quick glance at Manny’s limp body before looking away, a wave of satisfaction washing over him. 

“I didn’t kill him, did I?” he mused aloud, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. 

The question felt half-hearted, and he shrugged it off, dismissing the notion. Manny had brought this upon himself.

Around him, the Garrison Whites, a formidable group of warriors, stood frozen in stunned silence. 

Their confidence lay shattered by Klein’s sudden display of power. 

They had never witnessed anything like it before,the Divine Archfiend System in action. 

Klein’s gaze swept over them, a predatory gleam in his eyes, causing even the bravest among them to flinch. No one dared to move, let alone challenge him.

Klein stretched his wings wide, the metallic feathers glistening in the sunlight, creating a dazzling spectacle that momentarily mesmerized the onlookers. 

“If anyone wants to challenge me, now’s your chance,” he called out, his voice calm but laced with authority. 

The courtyard fell into an uneasy silence. Not a single soul stepped forward. The Garrison Whites understood their disadvantage; they were outmatched.

“Thought so,” Klein muttered, the smirk remaining on his face as he turned away. He walked out of the courtyard, leaving the Garrison Whites behind to grapple with their wounded pride and fallen comrade. 

He had made his point, and a sense of satisfaction filled him, knowing he had exacted his revenge.

---

A few days later, Klein had already begun to make a name for himself among the System Bearers.

However, inside the guild hall of the Garrison Whites, tension simmered. Vax, the captain of the Garrison Whites and one of the top 100 System Bearers, was livid.

“I was away for two days, and you lot allowed some nobody to embarrass you like this!?” he roared, slamming his fist against the desk. 

The impact sent papers flying and cracked the wood, a resounding echo of his fury. His subordinates trembled under his glare, none daring to speak. 

They had never witnessed Vax’s wrath before; he was usually known for his calm demeanor. This attack on his guild had pushed him past his limits.

“Who dares humiliate my guild like this?” Vax demanded, his eyes blazing with anger as he scanned the room, expecting answers. 

The Garrison Whites had a reputation to uphold, and the recent events threatened to shatter it completely.

One of the guild's officers hesitantly stepped forward, his voice quivering. “It… it was Klein, sir. Klein S’roar, and he recently awakened the Divine Archfiend System.”

Vax’s expression darkened further at the name. Klein. The sound echoed in his mind like a death knell. 

He had heard whispers about this newcomer but had not anticipated him being so bold. 

This raid on the Garrison Whites’ base was a direct affront to his authority, and Vax swore he would not let it go unpunished.

“Klein S’roar… I’m going to personally welcome you to the world of System Bearers,” he declared, his voice low and steely, a promise of retribution hanging in the air.

Meanwhile, Klein and his sister Mara strolled through a busy street, relishing their ice cream cones. 

The warm afternoon sun bathed the cobblestone street in a golden hue, while the sounds of street performers and merchants haggling created a vibrant atmosphere.

Mara giggled as she licked her ice cream, her eyes sparkling with joy. 

“See, Klein? I told you that being famous wouldn’t stop us from having our usual sibling outings. It’s like nothing has changed at all.”

Klein grinned back, nodding as he took a big bite of his cone. 

“You’re right. I guess I got too caught up in my own head. I’m glad we could do this,” he replied, feeling a sense of normalcy return.

But just as they settled into their comfort zone, a cold chill raced through Klein. His instincts, honed by his Archfiend Insight, screamed that something was off. 

The hairs on the back of his neck prickled, sending alarms ringing in his mind. “Mara, get down!” he shouted, shoving his sister to the ground as he dropped to his knees.

In an instant, a blinding flash of white light sliced through the space where their heads had been, tearing through a nearby fruit stall and sending debris flying. 

The acrid smell of ozone filled the air as shocked cries erupted from onlookers, panic rippling through the crowd.

Klein spun around, scanning the area to identify the source of the attack. 

A tall, imposing figure emerged at the end of the street. Long silver hair flowed down his back, and his icy gaze bore into Klein with a menacing intensity.

“Who the heck are you?” Klein demanded, instinctively reaching for the sword strapped to his back. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down for even a second.

The man began to walk toward him with a slow, deliberate pace. 

His movements were smooth, almost graceful, yet they carried a palpable threat. The crowd instinctively parted around him, sensing the danger he radiated.

“My name is Vax,” he stated, his voice sharp and commanding. “I’m the Guild Master of the Garrison Whites—the same guild you destroyed while I was away.”