Hitman with a Badass System

Michael's growl reverberated through the swamp as he rose to his feet, seething with frustration at the abrupt escape of Griffy. His anger, however, was swiftly redirected as he faced the arrival of the angel. The confidence radiating from the angel told Michael that he was facing an opponent of great power – an opponent who showed no fear even in the face of a god.

"Resist all you want, rogue god," the angel's voice resonated across the swamp. Its tone alone conveyed the angel's immense power.

"You won't escape through teleportation," the angel declared, producing a glowing red rune-engraved metal plate. The plate split into fragments that dispersed in every direction around Michael.

Gradually, the space around him thickened, stifling his ability to employ shadow teleportation.

"How did you find me?" Michael inquired, despite being aware that his use of power had alerted the pantheon to his presence. An executioner from their ranks had tracked him down.

"You're neither the first nor the last rogue god I'll hunt," the angel proclaimed with a commanding air.

With little hesitation, Michael lunged at the angel, unleashing a barrage of rapid punches. The angel, however, didn't raise a hand to deflect the blows. Instead, he absorbed the onslaught, his body almost inviting Michael's assault. A final kick propelled the angel back, sending him crashing into the swamp's watery embrace.

Yet, the angel swiftly rose to his feet.

"A mere Level 2 god, how disappointing," the angel sneered, astonishing Michael with his assessment.

Enduring Michael's blows had allowed the angel to gauge his divine level.

In an instant, the angel's wrist moved, revealing a small glass container containing a radiant sliver of energy. The energy emanating from the container was palpable.

Michael surged toward the angel, recognizing the angel's intention to absorb the sliver of grace and amplify his abilities. However, as he charged forward, two massive hands emerged from the watery depths, seizing his legs.

Michael glanced down to see imposing metallic hands locking onto his limbs. He strained to free himself, beating his metal wings to ascend into the air. Yet, he felt as though he were being drawn by mountains, their strength far surpassing even a god's immense might.

"You will accompany me to the pantheon, whether you like it or not," the angel declared before ingesting the grace sliver.

The moment the energy entered the angel's mouth, a radiant glow enveloped him, catching Michael's attention.

[Warning!]

[The angel has reached God Level 5…]

[The system recommends the host to escape…]

"Use a teleportation scroll!" Michael shouted within his head.

[Teleportation is unavailable…]

[The host lacks the required points to break the teleportation lock…]

The system's response offered no aid to Michael. Reacting quickly, he unsheathed his dark swords and invoked the power of death. The surroundings plunged into absolute darkness.

Nonetheless, the angel's radiance outshone the darkness, the disparity between a Level 2 god and a Level 5 god unbridgeable.

"God of Darkness, I've been anticipating your arrival in this realm," the angel spoke, his voice devoid of emotion.

The two metal hands that had ensnared Michael's legs gradually emerged from the swamp, unveiling themselves as towering metal golems. These constructs stood nearly ten feet tall, their bodies constructed from a dark, ancient metal that seemed impervious to wear. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent red light, and their massive fists clenched, ready for combat.

"These golems have brought down so many rogue gods. And you will not be an exception," the angel said.

Without hesitation, Michael engaged the golems, launching his attacks in a desperate bid to break free. Black lightning erupted from his hands, streaking toward the golems, but the bolts seemed to be absorbed by their metallic bodies. He then unleashed dark beams, hoping to pierce through their defenses, but the golems held firm. Even when he summoned dark flames that should have consumed everything in their path, the flames merely danced upon the golems' surfaces without inflicting damage.

The angel, his power amplified by the grace, exerted control over the golems. With calculated precision, they advanced on Michael from both sides, their heavy footsteps sending tremors through the swamp. Each blow they struck was like the collision of mountains, and Michael's attempts to fend them off were growing increasingly futile.

[The quest 'The Mystery of the Misty Swamps' is completed…]

[The host has received one million badass points…]

As Michael continued to battle the relentless golems and the empowered angel, the sudden notification from the system brought a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. The prospect of earning a significant number of badass points through a completed quest was a welcome surprise.

Amid the intense clashes and exchanges of power, Michael managed to steal a quick glance at the spot where he had left Carmella. To his relief, she was nowhere to be seen, and he deduced that she had likely found safety with their cousin outside the treacherous swamp. With no physical body, Griffy seemed to have momentarily halted her attacks and disappeared.

With his focus back on the battle, Michael exerted his strength, causing the golems' hands to crack and buckle under his power.

"If you surrender and come with me to the pantheon, I will not hurt you," the angel coldly said.

His grip on the golems tightened as he listened to the angel's cold offer. Surrender was not an option for Michael. His determination to survive and find a way out burned within him.

In the midst of this life-or-death struggle, Michael turned to the system for aid, seeking a solution to escape the dire predicament.

"System, take a loan and get me out of here," he growled silently within his mind, urgency coating his thoughts.

[The system can take a loan of ten million points and add it to the existing eleven million badass points to find a solution…]

[However, the host must survive at least five more minutes in this battle for the system to break the teleportation barrier…]

[Warning!]

[The host has no way of earning twenty-five million points in this realm in a short amount of time…]

The system's notifications came rapidly, outlining the options and challenges before him.

"Do it!" Michael's voice boomed in his thoughts, his determination unwavering as he gave the command to the system.

"Being a god doesn't mean you're at the top of the food chain in this world," the angel taunted as the golems tightened their grip on Michael's hands, rendering him immobile.

"You lack worshippers, angels, and any real claim in this realm," the angel continued to approach Michael, his hand producing glimmering golden shackles.

Struggling against the unyielding hold of the golems, Michael conjured his dark flames in an attempt to burn through the metallic restraints. However, even the intense heat of the primordial flames failed to weaken the resilience of the metal used in the construction of the golems and shackles.

"And you fail to grasp the extent of an angel's power," the angel asserted, raising his hands to emphasize his words. His cultivation in the Soul Ignition Realm not only heightened his soul energy, but it also granted him mastery over a specific element. By the time a practitioner reached level 4, the Elemental Attunement Realm, they had to choose an elemental affinity to specialize in.

This angel had chosen metal, granting him absolute control over his metallic constructs, including the wings attached to Michael's armor.

"No one stands above or beyond the pantheon," the angel declared, his fist clenching. With a swift motion, Michael felt his armor constricting, the once-sturdy metal wings torn away from his back under the angel's unseen manipulation.

Enduring the agony of his armor adapting to the changes, Michael utilized his remaining strength to levitate above the ground. The golems responded with defiant roars, yet the angel's punch struck with devastating force, causing Michael's armor to shatter. Exposed and vulnerable, he gritted his teeth against the pain while confronting the undeniable power of the angel.

"Level 2 gods cannot prevail against level 5 gods," the angel asserted. With the temporary boost from absorbing the level 5 god's sliver of grace, he effortlessly overpowered Michael within a matter of seconds.

In the midst of seemingly insurmountable odds, a peculiar whistling sound pierced the air. The angel abruptly halted, his attention drawn to the source of the noise.

Out of nowhere, a volley of fireballs struck the angel squarely in the chest, propelling him backwards through the air. The impact of the powerful energy blast shattered the grip of the two golems holding Michael captive, causing them to crumble.

As the golems struggled to regain their footing with indignant roars, a hand landed on Michael's shoulder. Looking up, he saw a tall, dark-haired female orc standing beside him. Her eyes held a mixture of shock, surprise, and even a glimmer of joy as she assisted him to his feet.

"Quick, we haven't got much time!" she urgently urged Michael, her voice betraying a sense of urgency. He found himself amazed by the sight of a long cannon in her hands, its design almost reminiscent of a firearm. Without hesitation, she aimed it at the golems and pulled the trigger, sending another formidable burst of energy toward them. While the golems endured the onslaught, the sheer force of the impact submerged them into the swamp's murky waters.

"Follow me," the orc instructed, prompting Michael to move swiftly. He had little choice but to trail after her, leaving the chaotic scene behind as they raced away from danger.

"Who are you?" Michael panted as he sprinted alongside the orc.

"No time for explanations. NOW!" The orc's voice resounded urgently. Abruptly, Michael's gaze caught sight of Vedora sprawled on the ground, just inches away from the luminous metal plate that the angel had hurled at the beginning of their confrontation.

Reacting swiftly, Cain opened his mouth and a swirling vortex materialized before Michael and the orc. Without hesitation, Michael seized Vedora from the ground and leapt into the portal's embrace. Yet, just before he vanished into the portal, he glanced back and caught sight of the angel.

"I'll track you down," the angel's declaration reverberated through the swamp. Ignoring the warning, Michael and the orc vanished into the portal's depths, leaving the angel behind.