Kapitel 48: Nascent-Fallen

The taste of copper lingered in Levi's mouth as he activated his demonic transformation. He had made a grave mistake by underestimating the Black Wing of Lunacy, but he wasn't about to repeat that mistake.

As the transformation took hold, Levi felt raw power surge through his body, reshaping him into something far more menacing.

His form began to change in real-time, bones cracking and muscles bulging. In mere seconds, Levi stood at a massive two meters tall, dwarfing his previous stature.

Menacing claws extended from his fingers, sharp enough to rend flesh with ease. Blood-red horns sprouted from his forehead, their wicked points gleaming ominously under the crimson moon that hung in the sky of this twisted realm.

The Black Wing of Lunacy, which had previously towered over Levi, now seemed to shrink in comparison to his demonic form.

Levi's gaze dropped to his torso, where the monster's teeth had torn into his flesh just moments ago. To his amazement, the wound had already stopped bleeding and was closing at an incredible rate.

"Fascinating," Levi thought, making a mental note to study this ability further when he had the chance.

The demonic transformation clearly held more secrets than he had initially realized. But for now, he needed to focus on the task at hand – defeating the evolving monstrosity before him.

The Black Wing seemed taken aback by Levi's sudden metamorphosis, its multiple eyes blinking rapidly in what might have been surprise.

However, it quickly recovered its composure and lunged forward with heavy steps, its elongated arm clawing at Levi with deadly intent.

This time, Levi could see the attack clearly. His enhanced reflexes and heightened senses made the monster's movements seem almost sluggish in comparison. There was no way he was going to let it land a hit on him again.

In the last few days, Levi had dedicated himself to getting used to the demonic transformation. His progress had been remarkable, and now it was time to put that practice to the test.

With a graceful movement that belied his new, hulking form, Levi crouched low, allowing the Black Wing's arm to pass harmlessly overhead. In the same fluid motion, he surged upward, his fist flashing forward with incredible speed, aimed directly at the creature's torso.

The Black Wing noticed the incoming attack and immediately began to use its shape-shifting ability, its body starting to ripple and distort. But Levi was prepared for this. In a split-second decision, he activated his other ability – Lunacy!

A burst of sickly green aura erupted from Levi, washing over the Black Wing and striking at its mind. While not powerful enough to drive the creature completely insane, the ability served its purpose – momentarily disrupting the monster's concentration and halting its shape-shift mid-process.

A predatory smile crept across Levi's face as he noticed the Black Wing's ability falter. Seizing the opportunity, he channeled his demonic essence into his fist, coating it with a dark, swirling energy.

The impact was devastating.

Levi's enhanced fist met the Black Wing's partially shifted torso with a resounding boom that echoed across the desolate landscape.

The creature stumbled backward, a clear imprint of Levi's fist visible on its mottled skin.

"How was that, huh?" Levi taunted, his voice deeper and more menacing in his transformed state.

But he didn't wait for a response. Instead, he pressed his advantage, unleashing a barrage of essence-infused punches on the still-reeling monster, not caring about his essence stock which was running out rapidly.

His attack was very effective, the Black Wing, caught off guard by the sudden reversal of fortune, struggled to defend itself against Levi's onslaught.

Each punch landed with bone-crushing force, sending shockwaves through the creature's body. Its attempts to shift and evade were consistently thwarted by well-timed bursts of Levi's Lunacy ability.

As Levi continued his relentless assault, he felt a sense of exhilaration.

The power flowing through him was intoxicating, and for the first time since entering this nightmarish realm of the sanctum, he felt truly in control. The Black Wing, which had seemed so terrifying just moments ago, now appeared slow and clumsy in comparison to his enhanced abilities.

However, as Levi prepared to land another crushing blow, something deep within him rang an alarm.

And acting on pure instinct, he leaped backward, his clawed feet digging furrows in the ground as he skidded to a halt.

A fraction of a second later, one of the crude spears he had prepared earlier whistled through the air, embedding itself in the ground where he had been standing. The wooden shaft quivered from the impact, black essence coating its surface and sizzling ominously.

"Damn fuck!" Levi cursed, realizing what had just happened.

The Black Wing had used telekinesis, an ability he had almost forgotten about in the heat of battle.

The Black Wing's multiple eyes focused on Levi, a newfound wariness now in its alien gaze.

The creature's body began to undulate more violently, and Levi sensed that it was preparing for something big.

Suddenly, the air around them seemed to thicken, becoming heavy with malevolent energy. The Black Wing's wings, which had been little more than useless appendages until now, began to twitch and expand. The veins pulsing beneath their surface glowed brighter, and before Levi's eyes, they started to grow and reshape themselves.

"Shit," Levi muttered, realizing that the creature's evolution was accelerating. The obscured rank in his vision flickered again, and for a brief moment, he caught a glimpse of what it was becoming.

[Black Wing of Lunacy]

[Rank: Nascent-Fallen]

Once again, Levi's senses screamed at him, to act fast. If the creature completed its evolution, it would become even more powerful. He needed to end this fight quickly.

With a roar that was part battle cry and part frustration, Levi charged forward once again. But this time, the Black Wing was ready for him. As Levi approached, the creature's newly empowered wings swept forward, creating a gust of wind so powerful it momentarily staggered him.

Levi instinctively covered his eyes, bracing against the sudden gust of wind. When the wind finally subsided, he cautiously opened his eyes. His face instantly went pale with shock and disbelief.

In front of him stood not just one, but a swarm of Black Wing monsters, all surging toward him with terrifying speed and intent.

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