Kapitel 44: Variable (14)

Lucius and Elandrialith continue their relentless fight against the grotesque creature. The battle is visually striking, with both of them augmenting their bodies with mana, moving so quickly and powerfully that they become blurs to the naked eye. The atmosphere is thick with tension as they unleash every ounce of their strength, pushing the limits of their endurance.

Elandrialith fights with calculated grace, her movements fluid and precise as she uses her connection to the forest to channel her mana into powerful attacks. She entraps the creature in vines and roots, only for it to break free time and time again, each escape becoming more violent as it lashes out with increasing intensity. Lucius follows up with his own rapid, relentless strikes, his dagger a flash of silver against the monster's dark, shifting flesh.

The creature, now in a furious frenzy, becomes harder to control. Its erratic behavior grows more unpredictable, and Elandrialith's focus slips for just a moment. That single misstep proves costly. With a guttural snarl, the creature hurls her through the air, her body crashing through several trees before landing far from the battleground. Bruised and temporarily dazed, she is forced to withdraw, leaving Lucius to face the creature alone.

Lucius's breaths come fast and shallow, but he steadies his stance, refocusing his mind on the battle ahead. He shifts his grip on his dagger, its blade now a thin sheen of blood and dark mana residue. The creature snarls, advancing on him with a horrifying eagerness, its eyes filled with an unsettling blend of intelligence and hatred.

The ensuing fight is brutal and unforgiving, each strike and dodge pushing Lucius closer to his physical and mana limits. He weaves around the creature's attacks, narrowly dodging its claws as he lands critical hits wherever he can. But with each passing minute, his stamina wanes, his mana reserves draining to the point where he feels a chill seeping into his limbs.

Then, the creature lunges, and Lucius realizes—too late—that his reflexes have slowed just enough for it to gain the upper hand. Its claws are inches away from his torso, ready to tear him apart—

But before the creature's strike can land, a swift, dark blur intervenes. A black-hued blade slices through the air, cutting cleanly through the creature's body with such force that it splits the air itself. The creature reels back in agony, its body lurching as dark blood oozes from a deep, vertical wound.

Ash steps forward, his recovered form steady and emanating a quiet power. Lucius meets his gaze, giving Ash a small nod. "You can take it from here," he says simply, retreating to the side. Ash nods back, understanding without words, and Lucius takes a moment to examine Ash's stats as they flash before his eyes:

[SYSTEM DISPLAY: Ash Braker's Status]

• Name: Ash Braker

• Level: 15

• Race: Human

• Class: Swordsman

• Specialization: Raven Style Swordsman

• HP: 580/580

• MP: 360/360

• Strength: 82

• Agility: 91

• Endurance: 76

• Intelligence: 68

• Raven Style Swordsman Skill: Level 2

• Physical Refinement: Level 1

• Passive Skills: Enhanced Reflexes, Combat Awareness

• Active Skills: Quickstep, Precision Strike, Mana Burst

Lucius raises his eyebrows, impressed by the sudden leap in Ash's abilities. The effects of the White Lily Flower had not only enhanced his stats but also amplified his Raven Style Swordsman skill and unlocked physical refinement. Knowing this, Lucius feels a glimmer of relief as he observes Ash facing down the creature.

A heartbeat of silence passes before the creature and Ash move, their bodies blurring out of sight for a millisecond before colliding in a powerful clash that sends shockwaves through the forest. Lucius, though forced back slightly by the force, stays composed, his eyes tracking the rapid exchange of blows.

Ash's swordsmanship is nothing short of breathtaking. He moves with fluid grace, his sword an extension of his body as he meets the creature's attacks with equal ferocity. The speed, agility, and sheer strength he displays surpass what any ordinary human could manage, even a highly trained warrior. Each swipe of his black-hued blade leaves trails of golden runes in its wake, and his footwork is precise, each movement grounded yet nimble.

The creature, sensing the shift in power, grows even more aggressive, lashing out with a fury that seems almost desperate. It claws and snaps at Ash, but he parries each blow, his sword whirling in deadly arcs. The ground beneath them quakes, cracks splintering outward from the force of their clash.

Ash's face remains set in calm focus, his mind fully absorbed in the rhythm of battle. As he maneuvers around the creature, he identifies a flaw in its defenses. He watches its body language, analyzing the small spasms and erratic movements, deducing that it's struggling to maintain its composure as its fractured mana core destabilizes further. His gaze sharpens.

With a sudden burst of energy, Ash unleashes a technique from the Raven Style—"Shadowburst Piercing". He thrusts his sword forward, not once but multiple times in rapid succession, each strike so fast it seems to bypass the air itself. A series of devastating thrusts puncture the creature's torso, and with each thrust, dark ichor sprays outward. In moments, the creature's body is riddled with deep wounds, its writhing form barely holding together.

Seeing the fractured mana core exposed, Lucius doesn't hesitate. He raises his handgun, lining up his shot with practiced precision, and fires several rounds, each bullet crackling with imbued mana. The bullets find their mark, piercing through the creature's fractured core, and an explosive burst of energy erupts within its chest. Mana fragments scatter like shards of broken glass, disintegrating into particles of light as the core collapses.

The creature lets out one final, blood-curdling scream, its body convulsing violently as its form begins to decay, flesh peeling back to reveal dark bones and twisted, sinewy tendons that quickly crumble to dust. It staggers, falters, and collapses to the forest floor in a lifeless heap.

Lucius stares down at the decaying remains, his handgun lowered as he watches the creature's form dissipate. With a neutral, almost dismissive expression, he mutters, "Good riddance."