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***
(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I'm sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.)
Word Count: 2523
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Satiated, Reiji immersed himself in exploring his enhanced abilities and the profound changes to his appearance. His skills displayed an unprecedented rate of growth, surpassing even his highest expectations.
As he delved deeper, he noticed alterations in some of his existing skills, accompanied by the emergence of new derivative abilities. However, for now, let's shift our focus to Reiji's transformed physique and appearance.
The consumption of the monster meat triggered rapid cellular reconstruction within Reiji's body, resulting in remarkable effects that sculpted his muscles and bestowed upon him a more defined and resilient physique.
His body gained enhanced strength, while his speed and senses soared to new heights. Moreover, his Mana underwent significant augmentation, becoming even more potent and malleable, empowering him to wield it with greater proficiency.
However, Reiji found one aspect of his transformation displeasing—his hair color. As a master of shadows and darkness, the contrast of his white hair seemed contradictory.
Nevertheless, he couldn't deny that it gave him a certain allure and added to his overall appearance. Undeterred, Reiji utilized his mastery over magic to alter the color of his hair.
Despite the genetic changes resulting from his transformation, Reiji successfully darkened his hair to a deep shade of black. Although the transformation wasn't flawless, it brought him a sense of comfort and satisfaction.
Now, let's shift our attention to the newfound abilities that Reiji acquired through consuming the monster meat. While they may not have been overwhelmingly powerful, these skills possessed their own practicality.
One skill, 'Iron Stomach,' granted Reiji the capacity to withstand any potential side effects of consuming Monster Meat. This skill played a crucial role in facilitating the mutation of his body, allowing it to adapt to the unique properties of the meat.
It's worth noting that if the strength and abilities of the consumed monster equal or surpass those of Reiji, he will inherit the power and skills of the consumed monster.
He had also gained 'Lightning Field,' but soon realized its limited practical use. Unlike the Twin-Tailed Wolfs, who could effortlessly expel lightning, Reiji already possessed a natural affinity for lightning that was far more versatile and controllable.
Lastly, there was the boon bestowed upon Reiji by the enigmatic entity, "Spell Melding." The name itself provides a clear indication of its nature, but it's worth explaining nonetheless. Essentially, "Spell Melding" enables the fusion of two different types of magic.
To illustrate its application, one could combine a wind spell with an ice spell to conjure a powerful blizzard. This newfound ability opened up a realm of possibilities for Reiji, allowing him to unleash devastating and unpredictable combinations of magic.
Reiji stood outside, his spear firmly gripped in his hand, ready to engage in a fierce battle. Before him, a Kickmaster Rabbit hovered in the air, its agile movements indicating its formidable nature. With a swift motion, it unleashed a flurry of kicks, aiming to strike Reiji with precision.
The creature before him resembled a colossal ball of pure white fur, akin to a rabbit. Despite its outwardly innocent appearance, it surpassed the proportions of a typical bunny, reaching the size of a large dog.
Its most striking feature was its robust hind legs, which exuded an aura of strength and agility. Moreover, dark crimson veins pulsed with malevolent mana, tracing a sinuous path along its body.
Keeping his gaze fixed on the beast, Reiji deftly evaded each attack, a mix of intrigue and amusement flickering in his eyes. The bunnies' onslaught was swift, but with his enhanced senses, their movements appeared sluggish.
With crimson gleams in their eyes, the bunnies leaped into the air once more, prompting Reiji to swiftly swing his spear in a horizontal slash, aiming to sidestep their assault.
Much to his surprise, the beast generated a small barrier, resembling a compressed plate of air beneath its feet. Using this as a foothold, it launched itself into the air with even greater force, effortlessly evading Reiji's attack.
"Interesting," Reiji murmured under his breath, a malevolent smile curling upon his lips. With swift deftness, he returned his spear to his side and extended his hand toward the airborne bunny. The shadows on the ceiling shimmered and rippled as if infused with a sentient presence.
With a fierce clench of his fists, Reiji unleashed the shadows, propelling them forward in a swift and merciless assault. The tendrils of darkness surged towards the unsuspecting bunny, catching it off guard. "Shadow Descent: Crimson Rain."
In a horrifying spectacle, the razor-sharp edges of the tendrils pierced the creature from all sides, impaling it with ruthless precision.
Blood spurted forth, staining the air with a macabre crimson hue, while chunks of flesh were torn asunder, propelled through the air in a gruesome display.
The once vibrant eyes of the bunny turned lifeless, their spark extinguished, as its limp form dangled in the air, suspended only by the sinister grip of the tendrils.
Veins protruded from the broken body, a grotesque testament to the violence inflicted upon it, serving as a grim reminder of its merciless demise.
As Reiji unclenched his fists, the tendrils of darkness slowly receded, sinking back into the shadows from which they came. The lifeless body of the Kickmaster Rabbit fell to the ground with a sickening thud, its broken form sprawled motionless.
Reiji stood there, his gaze fixed upon the lifeless creature, a mixture of satisfaction and detachment in his eyes. The crimson rain that had surrounded the bunny dissipated, leaving behind a trail of carnage and a lingering sense of dread.
The surroundings returned to a semblance of calm, the echoes of battle fading away. Walking up to the monster, Reiji picked it up before heading back to his burrow.
...
...
...
...
...
...
"Man, even rabbit meat tastes awful," Reiji muttered to himself, disdain evident in his voice as he nonchalantly tossed the bone aside. "Now then, it's time to assess how consuming the bunny meat has affected my stats."
╔.★..═════════════════╗
Name: Reiji Sukehiro — Age: 17 — Gender: Male — Level: 12
Job: Dark Lord
Strength: 450
Vitality: 390
Defense: 350
Agility: 450
Magic: 620
Magic Defense: 620
Skills: Language Comprehension — Physical Resistance — Dark Magic Efficiency — Spear Proficiency — Darkness Affinity — Darkness Manipulation — Spell Melding — Increased Mana Recovery — Stealth — [+Image Composition] — Necromancy — Shadow Manipulation — Detect Presence — Detect Magic — Dark Lords Haki — [+Mana Manipulation] — [+Tri Elemental Affinities] — Iron Stomach — Lightning Field — [+Air Dance].
╚═════════════════. .★.╝
"It seems these monsters are becoming too weak to further enhance my stats. If I continue to rely on them, my progress will stagnate. It's high time I ventured to the lower floors in search of stronger adversaries," Reiji contemplated aloud.
"But before that, I must familiarize myself with these newfound abilities. There's something undeniably alluring about hovering mid-air and unleashing destruction upon everything below," Reiji mused with a hint of amusement in his voice.
And so, Reiji redoubled his efforts and trained with even greater intensity than before.
***
A swift and shadowy figure streaked through the labyrinth's corridors, moving so rapidly that he blurred into a mere phantom. It was none other than Reiji, a master of Air Dance, who had perfected the technique to an unparalleled level of skill.
Utilizing his newfound ability, Supersonic Step, he propelled himself off the walls with lightning speed. At times, he conjured ephemeral footholds in mid-air using Aerodynamic, aiding his agile navigation through the treacherous passages of the labyrinth.
With unwavering determination, Reiji raced forward, his heart set on finding the exit. However, his journey was abruptly interrupted by a bloodthirsty pack of Twin-tailed Wolves. Without a hint of fear, he confronted the ferocious creatures head-on.
One of the wolves lunged at him, baring its fangs and extending its claws. Yet, Reiji remained composed, effortlessly springing into the air and executing a graceful mid-air somersault. Infusing his spear with an ominous energy, he swung it in a wide vertical arc.
The malevolent power surged through the weapon, materializing as a sinister crescent moon that cleaved through the Twin-tailed Wolf's body with ruthless precision, severing it in two.
Witnessing the brutal demise of their comrade, the remaining Twin-tailed Wolves hesitated momentarily, paralyzed by fear. In that fleeting moment, Reiji's eyes glimmered with a predatory glint as he prepared to unleash further devastation upon his adversaries.
With a swift motion, Reiji extended his hand towards the pack of Twin-tailed Wolves, summoning a surge of electricity that crackled through the air.
The ambient energy swirled around them, coalescing into a vortex of electrifying power. Sparks and bolts of lightning leaped from Reiji's fingertips, dancing with untamed and dangerous intensity.
In an instant, he thrust his hands forward, unleashing a torrential blast of lightning that erupted from his fingertips with a deafening roar.
The discharge tore through the air, leaving behind a trail of luminous brilliance. It streaked towards the approaching herd of wolves, engulfing them in its electrifying embrace.
Writhing like serpents made of pure electricity, the bolts of power wrapped around their targets, overwhelming them with their unstoppable force.
Utilizing the unique ability of Spell Melding, Reiji gathered a mass of fire magic, intertwining it with the electrical onslaught. The fusion of spells ignited a cataclysmic explosion, engulfing the labyrinth in a blinding inferno. The intense heat and destructive force consumed everything in its path.
The once-dominant pack of Twin-tailed Wolves was reduced to smoldering remnants, their bodies torn asunder and charred beyond recognition. The labyrinth itself quaked under the impact, groaning as the blast illuminated the once-darkened expanse.
In the aftermath of the devastating display, silence fell upon the chamber, punctuated only by the crackling of dying embers and the fading echoes of the labyrinth's tremor.
Without a moment's hesitation, Reiji continued his relentless sprint, leaving behind the fallen wolves in his wake. As he pressed on, his path was marked by the lifeless bodies of Kickmaster Rabbits and Twin-tailed Wolves that dared to cross his way.
After a considerable stretch of time, Reiji's keen eyes caught sight of his long-awaited exit. However, his anticipation was short-lived, for his path was obstructed by a hulking monster that had eluded him thus far.
This creature was unlike anything he had encountered on the floor. Towering over two meters in height, it possessed a coat of white fur, similar to the other creatures in the vicinity. Dark red mana coursed through its veins, adding an ominous aura to its imposing figure.
Resembling a bear in some aspects, the creature exhibited a distinct feature: massive forearms that extended all the way to its feet, each armed with wickedly sharp claws measuring over thirty centimeters in length. This formidable adversary was none other than the Claw Bear.
To complicate matters further, the Claw Bear was engaged in a fierce battle with a pack of Twin-tailed Wolves, including the one that had earlier attempted to flee from Reiji's presence.
Gracefully landing on the nearby floor, Reiji observed the unfolding battle with an impassive expression. Despite the sheer numerical advantage of the Twin-tailed Wolves, it became apparent that the Claw Bear possessed unparalleled strength and durability.
Its power was matched only by its mastery of magic, demonstrated by the creation of pressurized wind blades capable of slicing through the wolves' resilient hides. Reiji couldn't help but grin as he observed the fierce confrontation unfolding before him.
This formidable creature, the Claw Bear, possessed strength and magical prowess that surpassed anything he had encountered on this floor thus far. It was a beast he had yet to devour, and its power intrigued him greatly.
His eyes shifted between the imposing bear and the scar-faced alpha wolf leading the pack of Twin-tailed Wolves. A faint mutter escaped his lips, barely audible amidst the chaos of battle. "I have plans for both of them."
With a surge of excitement coursing through his veins, Reiji sprang into action. He propelled himself into the air, his body defying gravity as he gracefully landed on an ethereal foothold conjured by his mastery of Aerodynamic.
From this vantage point, he gazed down upon the chaotic battlefield, a sinister grin slowly spreading across his face. Cracking his finger joints with an audible pop, Reiji reveled in the anticipation of what was to come.
Extending his hand, a mesmerizing glimmer of purple and black radiated through the dim surroundings, capturing the attention of both monsters and the surrounding darkness. The intense illumination grew in brilliance, forming a swirling sphere of ominous hues.
In a fraction of a second, the sphere surged forward, fragmenting into smaller spheres that unleashed their devastating power without discrimination. The onslaught swept through the immediate vicinity, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.
The deafening sound of explosions echoed through the air, accompanied by the sickening cries of destruction. The unleashed force tore through the environment with merciless fury, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
The monsters, caught in the maelstrom of violence, became hapless victims of the carnage. Their bodies were torn asunder, dismembered by the savage power that engulfed them. Limbs and entrails scattered across the battlefield, painting a gruesome picture of the relentless assault.
The wolves, once formidable adversaries, were now lifeless carcasses, their once-vibrant fur stained with blood and shredded flesh. The air reeked of death, a foul odor mingling with the acrid scent of burnt fur and singed flesh.
Even the formidable Claw Bear, known for its resilience, could not escape the merciless wrath. Its massive forearms, intended for defense, offered little protection against the onslaught. Deep gashes marred its once-powerful physique, revealing torn muscle and burnt fur.
As the dust gradually settled, Reiji touched down on the floor with an eerie calmness. His steps carried him closer to the wounded and weary Claw Bear, a cruel grin playing on his lips.
"It seems you have truly earned your reputation as the strongest," Reiji stated calmly, his gaze meeting the intense eyes of the Claw Bear, devoid of any trace of fear.
"But your reign ends here. If you wish to avoid your demise, I suggest you unleash all of your strength. Otherwise..." With a fluid motion, Reiji twirled his spear around his body, assuming a confident stance infused with the power of his {Dark Lord's Haki}.
A cold, malevolent gaze settled upon Reiji's face as he delivered his chilling proclamation, "I'll kill you." A sinister smirk crept across his lips, betraying the sadistic delight he took in the impending confrontation.
Responding to Reiji's provocation, the wounded Claw Bear rose on its hind legs, towering menacingly before him. Its crimson eyes burned with fierce defiance, unyielding in the face of Reiji's {Dark Lord's Haki}.
"Graaaooooo!!!"
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Author Words:
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