As soon as the voice fell, the Kronan warrior swung the massive cudgel in his hand with terrifying momentum and overwhelming strength.
"Go to hell!"
While it was generally known that the Kronan race was physically inferior to the Asgardian Protoss in most cases, this individual's massive, hulking form was clearly an exception to that rule.
Naturally, Rowe had no intention of engaging such a colossal opponent head-on. He swiftly dodged aside and retaliated with a swing of his warhammer.
Judgment!
The Hammer of Judgment lashed out with a resounding bang, slamming into the Kronan's waist.
But this mighty, unusually large warrior possessed a level of durability far beyond ordinary Kronans. Even after receiving the full brunt of the Judgement strike, he merely shed a few small fragments of stone from his waist. It was hardly enough to slow him down.
"Hmph, a Protoss," the Kronan scoffed. "But you won't be the first I've slain."
Though his tone remained arrogant, the Kronan's actions betrayed a shift. After witnessing Rowe's strike, his movements grew noticeably more cautious. Gone was the careless aggression—he now fought with measured and deliberate precision, revealing solid combat experience.
Rowe, agile and nimble, weaved around the Kronan's strikes, always seeking openings to target his vital spots.
Boom! Another attack missed as Rowe slipped beneath it, his body lowering just in time. He slid forward with fluid motion, passing directly between the Kronan's legs.
Holy Light Strike!
Channeling divine energy into Verrigan's Fist, holy light interlaced with flames as the warhammer crashed into the back of the Kronan's knee.
Boom—!
The Kronan groaned as his knees buckled, bringing his massive form crashing down.
Rowe prepared to follow up, but the Kronan recovered with alarming speed, sweeping his grounded leg in a powerful arc that struck Rowe in the side.
The blow was thunderous. Rowe was hurled across the battlefield, slamming into a rock before coming to a painful stop.
Dazed, he grit his teeth and rose, casting a glance at the Kronan's leg where he'd struck. There was still no significant damage—just a few bits of gravel flaking off. The warrior's stone-like body was absurdly resilient.
Rowe began to consider retreat.
The Forest of Delight was home to a significant Kronan presence within Vanaheim. If he didn't dispatch his opponent quickly, more would undoubtedly arrive.
With that in mind, he reached for his Swiftness Potion, ready to make his escape.
But the Kronan seemed to anticipate this. With a malicious grin, he seized a nearby boulder, tossed it into the air, and swung his cudgel like a baseball bat.
BOOM!
The massive stone exploded into smaller fragments under the force of the strike, hurling the sharp debris toward Rowe like a shrapnel storm.
Rowe's eyes widened. He quickly summoned San Qi and raised his hand.
Holy Light Shield!
A large, glowing shield formed instantly before him.
Bang bang bang!
The gravel pounded against the shield of light, staggering Rowe with its relentless barrage.
The Kronan paused in surprise at the shield's resilience, but soon sneered and repeated the same maneuver. Another boulder shattered into lethal shards.
The fragments flew like cannonballs, and Rowe, boxed in by terrain and time, was forced to rely on the Holy Light Shield again and again. However, the shield, while powerful, wasn't invincible. Its structure wavered under the continuous assault.
Seeing this, Rowe clenched his jaw and prepared to counter.
As the Kronan charged in, swinging his cudgel with crushing intent, Rowe raised the Great Shield of Light.
BOOM!
The cudgel struck and shattered the faltering light barrier.
Rowe used the moment to close the distance, forcing the battle into close quarters.
They exchanged blow after blow. Dozens of strikes clashed within seconds. Rowe, with superior speed and precision, evaded most of the Kronan's attacks and retaliated with powerful counterstrikes. Yet the Kronan's stony exterior resisted his blows, and even glancing hits from the Kronan felt like being pummeled by a siege weapon.
Still, Rowe persisted.
When the Kronan missed once more, Rowe spotted his chance. He raised his warhammer and slammed it into the ground.
Accept the cordial greetings of fairness and justice!
Sword of Justice!
A radiant sword of divine energy erupted from beneath the Kronan's feet.
Caught off guard, the Kronan howled in pain as the light sword pierced his soles, scattering rubble and shattering his balance.
"Argh!" he screamed, collapsing to the earth.
Seizing the opportunity, Rowe rushed forward, both hands gripping Verrigan's Fist.
Hammer of Justice!
The Kronan managed to raise his cudgel in defense, just in time to intercept the warhammer.
BOOM—
The shock from the enchanted hammer passed through his weapon, causing his massive frame to tremble violently. Dizziness overtook him.
Rowe didn't let up.
Another Hammer of Justice followed, this time smashing directly into the Kronan's face.
BOOM—!
The blow obliterated part of his facial structure, sending stone shards flying. His face was left a mangled mess, and he struggled to stay conscious.
In a desperate final move, the Kronan lunged forward and headbutted Rowe.
CRACK!
Their foreheads collided with a devastating impact. Rowe saw stars and was sent sprawling.
Staggering, the Kronan tried to rise but failed multiple times. He gasped, groaning, still dazed and bloodied. His weapon lay nearby.
"You... you damn trickster... never fought someone with so many damn tricks before," he muttered, seizing his cudgel with effort. "But I won't fall for the same one twice!"
Meanwhile, Rowe shook off the dizziness and activated Faith's Recovery, allowing divine energy to begin healing his internal injuries as he weighed his options.
Then—
BOOM BOOM BOOM—
The ground trembled under heavy footsteps. Three more Kronan warriors arrived, racing toward the fight.
"Boss!" they called out.
The lead Kronan laughed. "Perfect timing! A Protoss dog is here—kill him with me!"
Rowe's heart sank.
Four Kronans—one massive and three still larger than him—charged forward.
"Your death is sealed!" the leader bellowed, leading the charge.
No choice remained.
Rowe inhaled deeply, summoning the sacred power within.
King's Blessing!
Holy light surged around him, condensing into radiant armor that enveloped him in divine brilliance. Like the paladins of legend, he stood encased in sacred might—majestic, holy, invincible.
But the King's Blessing came at a cost. Its energy drain was immense. Rowe had enough power left for only two or three more attacks.
The Kronans reached him.
Rowe's hand flared with light as he faced the incoming wave.
Blind Light!
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