CHAPTER 330: CHAPTER 330 - ATLAS’S CHECKMATE

Lei Shen stood frozen in shock and panic as the flames crawled across his entire body, and someone’s voice screamed right beside his ear.

In that fleeting moment, something shot out from his shadow. A dark tendril that whipped forward and wrapped tightly around him. A chain followed, snapping through the air and coiling around his body, while a sharp blade circled his neck.

In an instant, Lei Shen was no longer alone. Beside him floated a burning skull, its remaining bone clinging to his own body. And there was also a figure clad in full armor, with a tail of chains and blades wrapped around Lei Shen’s throat.

And yes, they were Everburn and Kurogasa. Now restraining the lord in place, trapping him completely in their grasp.

Lei Shen’s eyes widened with panic, his troops frozen in confusion and fear, unsure of what to do. Any wrong move could mean their lord’s instant death.

Lei Shen darted his eyes left and right, desperate to see who was holding him hostage.

"Damn it! Damn you, Atlas! You sneaky bastard! You vile scum! Who are they?!" Lei Shen roared in fury.

Atlas smiled faintly and began to walk forward slowly, his steps calm and measured.

"Oh... yes... they’re my subordinates. Or do you want their names?" he said casually. "I don’t think that’s necessary. Knowing my name is enough."

"Damn you, Atlas! Damn you! You think just because I’m held hostage like this, you’ve already won?!" Lei Shen shouted furiously.

Atlas always brought Kurogasa on every journey because he was the most suitable person for spying and watching anything Atlas’s eyes could not catch. Even while Atlas had been in the city for the past few days, Kurogasa never once revealed himself; he only watched and discovered anyone who might be secretly watching them.

And when they had obtained that information, that was why he also brought Everburn down. When that skeletal undead is not using anything, he is truly completely invincible and cannot be detected by anything.

The combination of Kurogasa and Everburn was a perfect mix of spy and scout.

Everburn could reconstruct his bones into anything. He could run fast, jump high, climb, and even fly. As long as he didn’t ignite his flames, he was completely undetected!

Even before this, he had been standing beside Lei Shen, who did not realize that two enemy figures were ready to slit his throat right next to him.

"I think the cards have turned?" Atlas said casually. "Now, who do you think is close to death!"

"ATLAS!" Lei Shen roared, foaming with rage. "You bastard! You scum! You think you can push me into a corner. You cannot corner me. I have far more troops than you. One single strike and everyone behind you will die. Try to do anything to me and you will be smashed, Atlas. Do you think I can be killed so easily with one sword stroke? What a joke. You will pay for underestimating me, you little worm—"

At the same time, light lasers flashed from the tips of every rifle among Lei Shen’s troops, and they all aimed straight at Atlas.

"Move those two swords even once," Lei Shen screamed in pure fury, "just a slight move, and every single one of the people you brought will die. I will tear you to pieces. I will leave you with nothing, Atlas. You will be erased. Do you understand? One move and they are all gone. One move and you are gone. I will make sure there is nothing left of you, Atlas, nothing at all."

Atlas gave a thin smile and kept walking as if he were calm, even though the threat was so fierce.

"Do not move! You will die!" Lei Shen kept shouting threats.

Then the many lasers shifted and aimed at someone standing behind them, and now all of them were locked on Luna’s body.

Ember moved angrily at that, but Luna held her back from doing anything.

For the first time, Atlas fell silent.

"Now, make even the smallest move. Do you think you win just by holding me? I can kill them faster. Now you want to kill me? I am sure you care more about your friends being killed. I know that. Ha ha ha. You are a lord with a very weak heart. You will not dare hurt me while your friends are the ones taken captive. Ha ha ha, Atlas, you are so naive."

Lei Shen kept shouting loudly even though the sharp blade was pressed to his throat. His face looked ecstatic as he enjoyed the moment.

"Now, release my bonds! Let us call this over. And settle the consequences." the man continued.

"Oh... you want to withdraw again? This would be the second time then." Atlas replied calmly after that.

In that very moment, a sudden gunshot rang out, followed by the sharp sound of a projectile being deflected once more. This time, Ember had thrown herself in front of Luna, shielding her from the attack. The bullet grazed her right arm, and it became immediately clear that she was badly wounded.

Atlas turned his gaze toward Lei Shen, his expression still calm and unreadable. "I think it’s time to end this."

A sudden rush of movement followed. Everyone’s attention shifted as, from beyond the clouds, countless figures shot downward at incredible speed.

All eyes lifted to the sky as a large group of people descended, flying rapidly toward them. Within moments, the sky above was filled with the airborne forces of Gacha Haven, now aiming their weapons at Lei Shen’s troops. Serenith, Krythalis, and two hundred soldiers mounted on identical flying swords appeared, forming a formidable presence in the air.

Lei Shen’s face twisted in horror as he took in the sight.

"You’re cornered now," Atlas said calmly. "I brought far more troops than you could ever imagine." He smirked slightly.

"You know," he went on, "you thought you were clever, spying on me and tracking my movements in the city. But you never realized. I was the one watching you all along."

"Shut up! You bastard, you fool!" Lei Shen shouted in panic. "There’s a traitor among us! Someone leaked this! I’ll curse whoever dares betray me!"

Atlas smirked again. He had picked this place on purpose, letting them come at him here, knowing Serenith and Krythalis would be ready when the time came.

He was not cornered or trapped. He had done the opposite. He had lured his enemies to this quiet spot, far from prying eyes.

He had made sure there would be no reinforcements coming to their aid, and he had planned to win without shedding blood or asking anyone to sacrifice themselves.

Yes, Atlas had designed this whole scene with help from Kurogasa, Everburn, and Edrik.

"Now," Atlas called out, his voice cutting through the air. "Anyone who wants to live and earn mercy, drop your weapons and stop using magic."

"You dare?" Lei Shen shot back, furious. "Anyone who tries that will face severe punishment. Do not you dare!"

Atlas then spoke again, firmly. "You hear me! Drop your weapons if you want to stay alive!" he shouted loudly, throwing a sharp threat back at his enemies.