Chapter 21: Chapter 20- Labyrinth(3)
When the confrontation between the two sides was ongoing, Alex brought Valarie and Eve to safety; behind a boulder.
He could tell that the beast Edric was facing was probably around A-rank; otherwise, the Protagonist wouldn't have struggled to face the creature so long. There was no point in dwelling on how the beast arrived here since if Alex didn't do anything, Edric might get clawed to death.
He could see it. Edric was running low on gas given he had to use all three aces of his at once. He cannot sustain that form for long and once Edric returns to his original form, game over. Not only for the people within the labyrinth but possibly this world.
Alex was far from ready to die...at least without a fight.
"W-Wait...what are you trying to do?" Eve suddenly held his shirt just as Alex was about to get up.
Alex removed her hand from him and said, "Going to hit the iron when it's hot." Alex knew that the wolf wasn't completely unaffected, and sooner than later, he would also revert to his human self.
And that precise moment, when he would show vulnerability, Alex needs to strike.
However, the problem was how Alex could reach Wolf's blind spot when the duo were moving at such a ridiculous speed.
The answer was soon delivered to him, "I will use my skill to bring you there. Just don't move around much." Eve warned as she slowly pushed herself to kneel before Alex.
Yes, how can he forget that as an assassin, she surely must have a skill related to stealth?
"It's time!" Alex urged as he saw the wolf grabbing Edric by his wrist.
Eve rose to her feet, grabbed Alex's hand, and said, "Match my rhythm."
Her face dissolved into darkness and so did Alex's as both of them matched the shade of their surroundings. Rather than turning invisible, they camouflaged.
Just as Edric kicked the wolf in sheer desperation to throw him away, Eve and Alex reached behind a boulder which was nearest to the Wolf's landing zone.
Alex removed his hand from Eve's and before the woman could have even thought of saying something, the silver head unsheathed his sword and lunged at the creature with decisive precision.
*SQUELCH*
Edric and the creature both stood in complete shock upon seeing the blade pierced through the beast's chest and impaled him in a smooth, fluid motion.
"Alex?!" More than shock, Edric yelled his name in alarm since being near to that being who has hyper regeneration could mean only one thing.
"Cheeky brat!" The creature howled before slamming his palm onto the blade and effortlessly breaking it in half.
Alex pulled the other half out of the Wolf's chest and faced the creature.
The inhumane turned to look at the pipsqueak before asking, "I knew you were awake this whole time...but even a chicken like you can attack me is rather intriguing."
The wolf looked amused but none of them affected Alex's stance as he took a strong breath and advanced towards the beast,
"Second Step:" The wolf took a defensive stance, expecting the boy to attack him on his chest again.
However, much to everyone's astonishment, Alex's figure became a streak of light and before the beast could have raised his arms, Alex was standing behind the beast.
*Spurt*
"Quick Silver."
The creature looked at his arm with wide eyes as a deep cut was inflicted in the blink of an eye.
However, that shock turned into a grin as he regained his beast form once again and jumped from his spot.
"Alex!" Edric warned as the wolf crashed his feet against the labyrinth ceiling and lunged at the silver head at a threatening pace.
Alex nearly dodged that attack. The wolf's claws barely grazed Alex's shoulder as he twisted to the side, landing in a crouch. The air crackled with tension, but Alex's eyes remained sharp, focused.
The beast snarled, its massive form lunging again with frightening speed. This time, Alex was ready.
Clang!
Alex's blade clashed with the wolf's claws mid-air, the impact sending a shock through his arms. His footing wavered, but he gritted his teeth and forced the wolf back with a quick pivot.
"First Step: Linear Slash!" Alex brought the sword to be held by both his hands before a single slash was dealt in the air, with enough strength to tear his muscles as the shockwave travelled at a blinding pace and grazed the side of the wolf, making him bleed.
"Interesting!" The wolf howled, both in pain and excitement.
The wolf's howl echoed through the labyrinth, a bone-chilling sound that made the air itself seem to tremble. Blood dripped from its side, but instead of weakening, the beast's eyes gleamed with a savage fury, its excitement only fueling its strength.
"You're getting serious now, boy," the wolf growled, its voice deeper, rougher. Its body tensed, muscles rippling under thick fur as it dug its claws into the ground. "Good. Let me show you real power!"
Without warning, the wolf lunged forward with terrifying speed. This time, there was no pretence of defence—just pure, brutal aggression.
Thud!
Alex barely had time to react as the wolf's claws smashed into his blade, the sheer force of the blow sending vibrations up his arms. His feet slid back, digging into the ground as he fought to stay upright.
"Not enough!" the wolf roared, swiping again. The second hit was even fiercer, and Alex's arms buckled under the weight. He gritted his teeth, forcing his blade to stay up, but the wolf was relentless.
Jumping in the air, the wolf slammed its elongated fit right in the middle of his chest, making Alex widen his eyes before he was shot across the labyrinth like a bullet.
**CRASH**
Crashing against the wall, Alex groaned as he felt something broken within him and his heart rate was soaring higher than what could be regarded as normal during a battle.
'Not over...' Alex clenched the broken sword which was now in tatters before he forced himself out of the crater.
**BOOOOOOM**
Just the next moment something crashed at the spot.
The wolf snickered, "Already done, boy?"
The wolf was injured, yet the vigor from his eyes never subdued.
Alex barely held the sword with his still intact hand. Blood osbtructed his vision as he stared at the Wolf's back in frustration.
How ridiculously strong this being actually is?!
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A/N:- Will conclude this battle in the next chapter. Thanks for reading.
Chapter 22: Chapter 21- Labyrinth(end)
Enhanced durability, strength, regeneration, and something unique to this dire wolf; Echoes of the Dead.
With each murder he has committed the reverberation of his howls becomes more fierce, inflicting a mental pressure upon his enemies whenever the wolf howled.
Regardless of their levels, the dire wolf held the capability to stun them with his roar.
However, currently, despite not being under the spell, Edric couldn't move his body at all. He has overused his skills in the attempt to swiftly end this battle, but now, he regrets his decision. The wolf was stronger and held enough endurance to withstand those blows head-on.
And now, because of Edric's wrong decision Alex was on the verge of death.
Oppressive silence ensued in the labyrinth as Alex faced the wolf, who hadn't run out of fuel despite being injured and actively bleeding.
Alex underestimated the beast based on the previous owner's knowledge. He could tell that the wolf still had a lot of fight remaining in him, but Alex was no longer in his optimal state to continue fighting.
He tore the muscles of his right arm and was bleeding from several spots. Each blow the creature dealt, even if it was countered, sent bone-shaking shockwaves throughout Alex's weak body.
If anything was keeping the silver head going, then it was pure adrenaline.
"Brat, you were surprisingly entertaining for someone so small." The wolf snickered, scratching his furry chin nonchalantly, seemingly like the battle had already concluded and Alex was no longer a challenge for him.
Alex clenched his sword...he had to deliver the final blow somehow...and he had just enough strength to do it. However, if he used that stance right in front of the wolf, there was a great possibility for his attack to fail.
No....he can't have that.
'I need a dis-' Just as Alex was about to look around, searching for a possible distraction, a torrent of flame approached the creature from the left; startling the inhumane as he leapt away.
Valarie, who, despite bleeding from her head and having only her left eye accessible, used her flames to keep the wolf away from Alex and Edric.
Her body radiated with the Soul Energy she had been preserving as she kept launching waves of flames at the wolf one after another.
"Tch, annoying!" The wolf suddenly leapt toward Valarie, its movements a little sluggish compared to before but driven by raw determination. The creature's matted fur sang from her previous attacks, and yet, it pressed on. Valarie braced herself, her one good eye narrowing as she raised her battle axe, flames still licking the air around her.
The wolf lunged, but Valarie, despite her injuries, stepped aside with a sharp pivot, the edge of her axe grazing the beast's side as it passed by. A hiss of burnt flesh filled the air as the wolf let out a guttural snarl, landing and skidding across the dirt, a few small flames still clinging to its fur.
In utter agitation, the wolf kicked the air and the shockwave of that furious movement assaulted Valarie, throwing her off balance.
The wolf took the opportunity silently and took a massive stride toward Valarie, intending to finish off the brat in one full sweep.
*CLANG*
However, it was too early to think that these maggots would back down.
Eve, with her daggers held at her face level, stood before the creature. Several shockwaves traveled across her body even though she tackled the wolf by surprise.
'How Edric and Alex have been fighting this thing?!' The blue-haired bit her lip and pushed away the ferocious creature.
With a furious snarl, the wolf swung his massive paw toward Eve. She ducked, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the wind from the blow hit her like a hammer, knocking her back a few steps. Eve steadied herself, quickly darting forward again. Her blades flashed, slashing across the wolf's leg in a flurry of strikes.
But the beast was faster than she anticipated. He twisted, slamming its shoulder into her with bone-crushing force. Eve gasped as she was hurled through the air, crashing into the ground with a thud. Her vision swam, pain flaring up her side where the impact had landed hardest.
She pushed herself up, her body protesting with every movement. Blood trickled down her lip, but she refused to stay down. The wolf, sensing her struggle, pounced. Eve rolled to the side just in time, the wolf's claws tearing into the dirt where she had been moments before.
Without missing a beat, Eve spun on her heels, her daggers slicing through the air, aiming for the wolf's eyes. However, her attempt was wasted as the creature ducked under the attack and slammed his massive claw against her exposed ribs.
*CRACK*
Eve was pushed away, her daggers falling as she felt her ribs snapping at the impact.
She wasn't able to withstand the pain as she held her side and fell to her knees.
Her vision was blurry and bile welled up her throat as she barely retained her consciousness.
Through her unclear vision, she saw the massive and elongated paws of the creature advancing toward her, yet she had no strength to escape, let alone fight.
"Haah~you struggle to attain something impossible. All you humans are so simple creatures." Grabbing Eve's hair roughly, the wolf lifted her face before snarling,
"You actually thought you could beat me?"
Eve winced in pain with her eyes closed, remaining silent for a moment.
However, in the next moment, she opened her eyes which held nothing but mockery, as with a sly grin she uttered,
"Not me, but he can."
The wolf frowned and then suddenly all the alarms in his head went off as he hurriedly turned his eyes toward the silver-haired boy....only to find the tip of the broken blade inches away from his left eye.
"Oh shi-*BOOOOOOOM*" The wolf didn't have the time to curse, as the broken blade stabbed through his eye and exploded from behind his head—creating a gaping hole in the once intact head of the wolf.
Blood and gore exploded from the strike as the grip on Eve's hair loosened and soon the creature fell to his knees; his existence now becoming a part of the past.
Eve heaved a long sigh before turning towards Alex. His left hand sleeve was completely torn and his skin was burning red furiously. The boy looked pale in pain yet there was sheer blood-lust that his eyes still carried.
Edric, who didn't interrupt the efforts of his team members, walked towards Alex and after resting his hand on his shoulder, the raven-haired said,
"It's over, Alex."
Maybe the word 'over' was the trigger that allowed Alex's consciousness to slip away as he began to fall to the other side—only for Edric to hurriedly hold him.
Alex's first raid was complicated but successful.
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A/N:- I got Eve's illustration but I don't think WN would let me post here ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°
Thanks for reading.
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received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
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154 Power
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