MIGHT AS WELL BE OP
Chapter 153: Protagonist Halo

In a valley cloaked by jagged mountains, their peaks obscured in the dense, sinister atmosphere of chaos.

Bryan and a demon faced each other, the air hung heavy, pulsing with the dark energy of the demon's aura, twisting the natural order into an ominous, almost suffocating haze.

Wisps of chaotic fire drifted from the demon's spear, licking at the ground and searing marks into the earth.

Bryan gripped his sabre, the blade glinting with a faint, otherworldly shimmer as he called upon his mana and aura, his eyes set with unwavering focus.

Both combatants were poised, a silent tension brewing as the elemental forces around them awaited the storm of their clash.

Bryan was the first to break the silence, surging forward in a blur, his sabre ignited with the glowing power of his.

[Inferno Wave]

He swung down, sending a wide, searing arc of flames toward the demon.

The fire lit up the darkness, carving through the chaotic haze with a fierce, burning brilliance.

The demon responded with an almost casual flick of his spear.

[Abyssal Flames]

Black fire erupted, clashing with Bryan's, the dark flames seemed to consume light itself, swallowing the blaze of the inferno wave as if it were merely fuel to feed its dark hunger.

But Bryan was relentless, he twisted his grip, channeling the flow of mana into his weapon, infusing his next move with a surge of water.

His blade gleamed with a blue shimmer as he unleashed a technique.

[Bryan Sabre Technique: Water Type: Drowning Slash]

A wave of water followed his strike, cascading over the rocky terrain in a relentless torrent.

The ground trembled, cracks snaking across the valley as water surged, drenching the earth.

The demon narrowed his eyes, raising his spear in a counter.

[Demon Spear Technique: Chaotic Spiral]

A vortex of chaotic energy spun from the spear, meeting the wave with a chaotic whirlwind that split the water around him, scattering droplets in a glistening arc.

Bryan moved swiftly, his body enhanced by aura, each step made the ground quiver, every slash brought with it a burst of energy.

His sword shimmered again, now crackling with electric fury as he released yet another technique with a different element this time.

[Bryan Sabre Technique: Lightning Type: Spark Rend]

Arcs of lightning danced along the blade, igniting the air with the stinging scent of ozone.

He struck, a bolt of pure energy ripping through the valley toward the demon.

The demon's response was cold and precise, he leveled his spear, drawing upon his chaos he casted instantly.

[Fire Magic: Hellscape Fissure]

A jagged rift split the earth, consuming the lightning and sending dark flames roaring toward Bryan.

The flames shot upward, forming a blazing wall that bore down on him with fierce intensity.

But Bryan held his ground, channeling his mana into the earth itself and casted immediately.

[Earth Magic: Rockfall]

Boulders materialized above him, plummeting into the path of the dark flames, each impact scattering burning debris.

Stone and fire intermingled in a chaotic storm, the mountain quivering under the pressure of their elemental powers.

Shards of rock and embers rained down as Bryan surged through the dying flames, his sabre poised and alight with a searing crimson.

He quickly switched to another technique with utter fluidity.

[Bryan Sabre Technique: Fire Type: Searing Slash]

His blade cut through the air with an intense heat that turned the ground beneath him molten.

The demon sidestepped with supernatural agility, and efficiently replied, each move crisp and timely.

[Demon Spear Technique: Shadowed Pierce]

His spear extended in a quick, lethal thrust, leaving afterimages that confused Bryan's sight.

In a blink, Bryan felt a sharp, burning pain across his side as the demon's spear grazed him.

A narrow miss, but enough to draw blood.

Gritting his teeth, Bryan forced himself to keep moving, his body now fueled by the will to survive and conquer.

He inhaled deeply, focusing, and unleashed a dragon exclusive attack.

[Dragon's Breath]

A torrent of scorching fire poured from his mouth, roaring through the valley like an unleashed dragon, flames licking the trees and sending their charred remains tumbling.

The sheer heat forced the demon to leap back, his feet skidding against the fractured ground, his chaotic aura barely holding back the intense flames.

The demon retaliated quickly.

[Chaos Magic: Chaos Storm]

A spell that darkened the sky with swirling chaos, bolts of dark lightning and gusts of corrupted wind lashed out in every direction, tearing apart what was left of the valley's tranquility.

Trees splintered, their trunks thrown asunder, and the mountainside began to crumble under the relentless assault.

Bryan's focus sharpened, and he channeled his mana into a spell of his own.

[Lightning Magic: Flash Storm]

Lightning erupted from the heavens, illuminating the darkened sky with a crackling network of pure energy.

Bolts collided, sparks and shadows weaving together in a nightmarish tapestry of light and dark.

Their spells collided overhead, scattering clouds and splitting the chaotic atmosphere.

Bryan felt the weight of exhaustion creeping in as his mana reserves stretched thin.

But he would not relent, not now.

He pushed himself beyond his limits, his aura flaring wildly around him, a testament to his indomitable will.

The demon lunged forward, his spear spinning in a deadly arc, as it delivered another technique.

[Demon Spear Technique: Cataclysmic Sweep]

A wide dark wave of energy flowed off his spear, tearing through rock and soil alike, leaving behind a deep ravine that carved through the battlefield.

Bryan met the assault head on without hesitation.

[Bryan Sabre Technique: Wind Type: Tempest Strike]

His sabre slicing through the air in rapid, precise motions, each slash carried by the force of a roaring wind.

The two forces clashed, sending shockwaves across the valley.

The mountain shook, loose rocks tumbling down its slopes as sinkholes formed in the earth beneath them.

Bryan's grip tightened, his arms numb from the effort, yet his spirit burned brighter, unyielding even in the face of death.

The demon's face twisted in dark satisfaction, sensing Bryan's waning strength.

He raised his spear, calling forth a spell.

[Chaos Magic: Eclipse Veil]

A spell that shrouded the entire battlefield in darkness, obscuring Bryan's vision and making every shadow a potential threat.

But Bryan activated a skill he had always hidden, although not as ridiculous as Anthony's and not a passive skill.

[Mana Eyes]

His vision piercing through the darkness, allowing him to see the faint trails of chaotic energy as the demon moved.

Then, at the edge of his endurance, Bryan felt a surge within him.

His aura intensified, his mana expanded, his power surged to new heights.

Breaking through his previous limits, he entered the SS rank.

[Author's Note: Protagonist Halo; Activate]

A radiant glow surrounded him, illuminating the darkened field, casting aside the shadows in defiance.

With newfound strength, he moved with vigour.

[Bryan Sabre Technique: Earth Type: Crushing Boulder Slash]

His blade struck the ground, creating a colossal fissure that spread like a fracture through glass.

Chunks of earth rose, crashing toward the demon in an unrelenting wave.

The demon met this with an attack of his own.

[Demon Spear Technique: Desolation Stab]

Driving his spear into the ground with chaotic energy that detonated, sending the fissured earth scattering like shards.

The ground split, and Bryan could feel his own strength slipping even as he fought to control the surge of power coursing through him.

Every breath burned, his muscles ached, but his resolve remained unbroken.

For a final, desperate attack, the demon raised his spear, channeling all his chaotic energy into a last, overwhelming blow.

The spear crackled, seething with the intensity of his chaotic flames.

With a roar, he unleashed another assault.

[Demon Spear Technique: Abyssal Lunge]

His spear transforming into a jet of darkness aimed directly at Bryan's heart.

Bryan countered, summoning every ounce of mana and aura left within him.

His sabre blazed with elemental energy as he unleashed his own move.

[Bryan Sabre Technique: Water Type: Deluge Cut]

Water burst from his blade, forming a protective surge that met the dark flames head-on.

The energies collided, spiraling together in a chaotic cyclone of water and fire, dark and light, mana and chaos.

The impact unleashed a shockwave that split the earth between them, a massive ravine forming as the land itself could no longer withstand their clash.

When the dust settled, Bryan remained standing, though barely.

His breath came in ragged gasps, his arm hung limp, and his body bore the marks of a harrowing struggle.

Blood streamed down his side, and one of his arms was missing, torn away in the chaos.

But he had endured, pushing himself beyond what he believed possible.

His vision blurred, but he forced himself to stand tall, staring down at the fallen demon.

The chaos surrounding them began to dissipate, the valley bearing the scars of their battle, fractured mountains, scorched earth, and gaping ravines marking the land as a testament to their clash.

Bryan's last remnants of strength ebbed away, and he fell to his knees.

The taste of victory was laced with agony, the price of survival almost too high.

Yet he had overcome, breaking through his limits, facing down a force that should have destroyed him.