Struggling as a Villain

So the following week, the few pillars of the Crimson Clan were engaged in training and sorting out those mages and warriors who could play a vital role in the upcoming event.

Thanks to Richard's knowledge about Clion's warriors and how they generally attack, Richard is able to guide Lena, and based on that, she has sorted out a list of the three hundred soldiers.

Since their goal was to defend the base as long as they could, Lena focused on barrier-type mages the most.

"Can't the Duchess ask them to not attack Jin's base?" Jennifer asked as they sat around the tea table.

Bella shook her head, "She wouldn't ask the soldiers to betray their people."

"It isn't betrayal, tho? This is just a slight change in plans." Josh added.

Emily, this time, spoke, "Jin's people have murdered thousands back on Clion by sneaking through portals and targeting non-awakened citizens."

A sense of contempt could be sensed in her voice and everyone shared her sentiment.

"He is a vile creature....a disease that should perish," Ben added as he stabbed his dagger at the symbol of Crimson Claw.

.....

Away from these people, Richard could be seen sleeping in his room. His expression was serene and anyone who sees him at the moment would think that he is having a good sleep.

However, inside his head, Richard was struggling.

"Huff!" The Monkey King huffed as he twirled Ruyi Bang on his palm and gestured for Richard to approach.

It has been over thirty times since Richard came here, and by now, he has forced the Monkey King to utilize his weapon as well.

The fact he has to fight in his Elemental form for thirty minutes to reach this stage describes how powerful Wu Kong is.

"Haah...don't you get tired, at all?" Richard wiped the blood at the corner of his lips, as he supported his weight on his flaming trident.

It had been a while since Richard had felt so tired during a battle.

Through Wu Kong, Richard keeps reminding himself that he still has a long way to go, to call himself the strongest.

"*GRRRRR*" Getting annoyed by waiting, Wu Kong lunged into action.

His leap was high enough to make Richard twist his neck up and trace the fast-moving figure of the Monkey King.

Wu Kong twirled mid-air and planted his elongated feet on the roof before darting towards Richard faster than any bullet.

"Fuck!"

Richard had a fraction of a second to react, so he swiftly jumped to his left, barely dodging the staff that was about to burst his head like a melon.

Richard rolled on the ground, before pressing his palms and using the momentum to push him off the surface.

**CLANG**

He instinctively raised his trident, and it was met by the base of the Ruyi Bang, sparks erupted as they collided.

"Restless!" He complained before Richard turned into his immortal form and pushed Wu Kong back by using his flames as thrusters.

"*GRRR*" Wu Kong growled as he increased his size and brought himself to a pause.

Richard's thrusters were wasted against the fortification of the Beast King.

Richard clicked his tongue in frustration. He knew Wu Kong's size wasn't just for show—it meant more force behind every swing.

Richard levitated away and took a deep breath. He needs to retain his calm.

'He isn't coming this time...' Richard thought as he darted forward, closing the gap between them. His flaming trident spun in his hands like a blur as he aimed a thrust toward Wu Kong's midsection.

Wu Kong smirked, twisting his massive frame with surprising agility, and swatted the trident aside with the Ruyi Bang. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the air.

Richard released a condensed Flame Orb into Wu Kong's exposed side.

However, faster than the wind, the Monkey King swatted the orb with his staff and kicked Richard's chest

"AGH!" Richard spat blood as he was thrown away like a broken kite.

**CRACK**

Slamming against the wall, Richard's flame slowly dissipated.

Groaning, he pushed himself off the wall and stood back on his trembling feet.

'How long has it been...' He had decided to fight the Monkey King in combat; however, it seemed, he had to use a few spells as well.

"Time to end this..." Richard slowly muttered as he gazed at his opponent.

The first magic circle flared to life beneath his feet, glowing with intricate patterns etched in fiery red. A second circle formed above it, spinning slowly in the air. Then a third, a fourth—each circle stacked higher, radiating intense heat.

By the time the seventh circle appeared, the air was trembling with power. Flames spiraled upward like a blazing tornado, licking at the sky and filling the space with a deafening roar.

Wu Kong narrowed his eyes, gripping his Ruyi Bang tightly. Even he could feel the overwhelming energy radiating from the spell.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Richard raised his right hand, and very quietly muttered,

"Flame Tide." The seven circles burst open, releasing a colossal wave of molten fire. It surged forward like an unstoppable tsunami, consuming everything in its path. The ground cracked and melted under its heat, turning into pools of bubbling lava.

Wu Kong planted his staff into the ground, summoning a golden barrier to shield himself. The flames crashed into it with an earth-shaking impact, forcing him to dig his feet into the ground.

The sheer force of the spell pushed Wu Kong back, his barrier flickering under the strain. The wave of fire continued to rage, spreading out in all directions, reducing the once solid battlefield into a smoldering wasteland.

Richard elevated the force, using both of his hands and utilizing Aembr for the first time while fighting Wu Kong.

**CRACK**

The surface cracked and began to turn into lava as Richard continued to direct the catastrophic spell in a single entity's direction.

A spell, if not for his Black Heart, even Richard couldn't have utilized.

As the flames finally subsided, the battlefield was left glowing red-hot, steam hissing from the molten ground. Richard stood at the center, his breathing ragged but his stance unyielding.

Richard looked around to find Wu Kong when suddenly he heard,

"Not bad," That urged the redhead to look up, only to find Wu Kong sitting on a levitating Ruyi Bang.

Richard rolled his eyes, "You can fly now too?"

"And now, you can as well." The Monkey King levitated toward Richard, before jumping and extending the staff towards Richard.

"Although a bit premature, I am offering you the right over Ruyi Bang." The weapon glowed with a brilliant radiance, as Richard held it and heard Wu Kong saying,

"Let the world hear your roar."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.