Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2398: Sneak Attack

Soleo Fortress

Just three years ago, this mountain stronghold was one of Valarynʼs proudest defenses, a bastion standing firm against the relentless tide of elven invaders. Now, its once-great walls bore the marks of conflict, battered and twisted to suit its new purpose: an elven fortress, starkly loyal to its conquerors.

At the base of the mountain, hundreds of elven camps sprawled across the rocky terrain, housing tens of thousands of warriors clad in dark armor that glistened under the cold desert moonlight. Strategically placed throughout the ridges above were nests for the wyverns, their shrill cries slicing through the night as they watched over the area with keen eyes and restless wings.

The fortress itself was carved deep into the mountain, an intricate web of chambers, halls, and tunnels stretching far beneath the surface, fortified to house and protect hundreds of powerful Magus. On this particular night, in the most opulent chamber of Soleo Fortress, Azrazel, the highest-ranking elven commander on the planet, lounged in decadent comfort. Through the wide windows, the vast desert stretched out beneath the star-speckled sky, a serene view that contrasted sharply with the sounds filling the room.

Multiple beautifull female dark elf surrounded Azrazel on his bed, their seductive laughter, and moans mingling with his, echoing through the luxurious chamber.

But outside this chamber of indulgence, the fortress lay under an ominous shroud.

Unseen, silent figures crept through the shadowed corridors. These grand magus-level assassins possessed a terrifying ability: they could phase effortlessly through solid matter, slipping between shadows as if they were mere ripples in the air.

One by one, elite elven Magus, seasoned warriors, fell. Each death was swift and silent, executed with a level of precision that left no trace, no pulse of spirit force to trigger any alarm. A hand clasped over a mouth here, a dagger flashing in the darkness there — and in seconds, another body disappeared into the shadows, pulled out of sight without a sound.

The Ghostblade unit, among the Magus Allianceʼs most feared forces, had finally reached their destination — the entrance to the commanderʼs chamber. Silently, they assessed the scene beyond the heavy doors. Two dark elf Magus, each radiating the power of a full moon level, guarded the entrance. Inside, five dark elf women lay on the bed, surrounding the target: Azrazel, the elven commander himself.

At the signal, two Ghostblade operatives melted through the walls, phasing directly into the chamber with a silent, deadly purpose. They advanced swiftly, closing half the distance toward their target before Azrazel, with his formidable senses, snapped to attention.

”YOU DARE DISTURB ME, VERMIN!” he roared, his voice booming through the room with a thunderous echo. The shout alerted the two full-moon elite guards at the door, but they had no chance to act. In a blink, the third Ghostblade operative dropped from the ceiling above them, landing with deadly precision. His twin daggers flashed, and in an instant, both guards were decapitated, their heads falling silently to the floor.

SPLLAATTT!!!

Inside, the two other Ghostblade operatives surged forward, each wielding a gleaming blade charged with tier 7 techniques. Their strikes came from opposite sides, forcing Azrazel to react. He launched himself forward, diving off the bed and leaping toward the open balcony.

But his path was cut off. Standing on the balcony, cloaked in shadow, was Major Kouga himself, his presence radiating a dark, predatory intent.

”Youʼre not going anywhere!!” Kouga said, his blade gleaming under the moonlight.

The Major unleashed his battlefield domain, the very air around him warping under the force of his aura, masking the area within the chamber, then his hands crackled with deadly intent as he summoned an icy blade power into his twin blade, preparing to strike with his signature tier 8 technique, [Split the Frozen Hell]. With a swift, decisive motion, Kouga charged, the frigid energy radiating from his blades creating a haunting chill that seemed to freeze the very air. He closed the distance in a flash, unleashing the technique in a wide, arcing slash.

A burst of frozen energy struck Azrazel, cutting through the dark elfʼs defenses and piercing his chest in a deadly, precise blow.

”ARRGHH!” Azrazel howled in pain.

His skin turned pale, ice creeping up his wound even as he summoned a torrent of inner energy to force the freezing effect away. He activated his defensive artifacts — powerful items stored in his domain sprang to life, surrounding him in an ethereal barrier. ṚáɴỖ𐌱Ëṥ

But before he could stabilize himself, the three Ghostblade operatives closed in from every angle, their forms like shadows converging with relentless precision. Each wielded a deadly technique, and their strikes coordinated to overwhelm Azrazelʼs defenses.

The artifacts protecting him shimmered under immense pressure, cracking one by one until they shattered in bursts of magical debris.

Azrazelʼs face contorted in rage as he hissed, ”YOU DAMN HUMAN!!”

Furious and desperate, the elven commander channeled his power, prematurely forcing his battlefield domain to erupt. The malevolent energy surged outward, clashing violently with Major Kougaʼs domain in an explosive collision of power.

The two forces collided, unleashing a wave of destructive energy that rocked the entire chamber.

KAABBOOOOOM!!!

The blast was massive, a fierce shockwave tearing through walls and shaking the mountain fortress to its core. Outside, the sound echoed through the stronghold, instantly rousing the entire encampment. Tens of thousands of elven warriors snapped to attention, weapons drawn, their eyes turning toward the command chamber with fury and fear.

”Intruder in the stronghold!” a voice shouted, rallying the ranks.

Within moments, waves of elven soldiers surged toward the stronghold.

####

Emery stood at the fortress entrance alongside the Valryn grand magus—the princess and her elder advisor, Grand Magus Archie. As the sound of the explosive clash reached them, it became the signal theyʼd been waiting for. The first responders arrived in a swift, disciplined formation—twenty dark elf magus charging into the strongholdʼs entrance, weapons raised and spells crackling in their hands. But they were ambushed by the seasoned Grand Magus Archie, a sword master whose strikes blazed with fierce white lightning. With each sweep of his blade, arcs of lightning shot forth, cleaving through the elven magus. In moments, the entrance was strewn with the fallen, their bodies scorched and slashed before they even had a chance to react.

The princess turned to Emery, her gaze intense. ”Did they succeed?” she demanded, her voice laced with urgency.

Emery, known for his exceptionally strong divine senses, had been assigned to monitor the situation in the commanderʼs chamber. Concentrating, he extended his senses deep into the fortress, piercing through the chaotic clash of battlefield domains. He located Azrazelʼs familiar aura—still flickering, indicating that their sneak attack had been unsuccessful.

Azrazel staggered amidst the debris, his chest covered in frost, a gaping wound running clean through to his back. His face twisted in pain, but he let out a fierce, guttural snarl, slamming his fist against the ice encasing his torso. Shards splintered outward, and with a surge of his energy, he expelled the lingering chill from his wound, blood seeping as the ice fell away.

Despite his injuries, he raised his head with a wicked grin.

”Commendable attempt,” he sneered, his voice laced with venom. ”But you all failed!”

In response, Major Kouga shifted his stance, while the three Ghostblade warriors fell into formation, closing the circle around their target. Kougaʼs eyes narrowed as he replied, ”Itʼs a bit too soon to claim that. We are still here to finish the job!”

Emery caught the exchange through his divine sense, relaying the situation back to the princess.

As she listened, her frustration was evident, her patience wearing thin with each report.

With a firm tone, she commanded, ”You will Inform me the moment the target is down!”

She spun around, gaze locking onto the battlefield, where reinforcements flooded toward the stronghold. Without another word, she surged forward to join the fray.

This was all part of the plan; they knew the initial attack might not be enough to kill the target outright. Major Kouga and the Ghostblades had a fifteen-minute window to finish Azrazel, while the second team, which included Emery, would ensure no reinforcements interrupted the fight.

But barely a minute had passed before Emery noticed a dangerous shift—the second wave of elven reinforcements brought more than they anticipated. Striding at the front was another grand magus, his long white hair flowing, his entire form radiating lethal intent.

Emeryʼs pulse quickened as he assessed the threat, recognizing the strength of a seasoned veteran Grand Magus elf.