Nova drew her sword and activated her Est. The creature in front of her was no joke.
"Second gear," she whispered. She created a new skill, where she could greatly reinforce her Est with a small amount of Nox.
A black fog spilled out and lightly covered her Est. She sprinted forward immediately. The creature sensed her large killing intent and screamed. Its eyes were painted red in madness.
Her sword clashed with the creature's wooden baton. Nova pressed forward with all her strength, but still could not break through.
She jumped back and stood still. The creature took its turn to attack as well. It madly dashed toward Nova and launched an assault.
Nova dodged the attack. 'Slow but strong,' she evaluated the monster. She was more confident in her stamina, so she decided to take the long approach.
Slowly, wounds accumulated on the creature. She repeatedly attacked in short bursts to wear the monster down. After minutes of constant battle, she found an opening.
"Sword Coat," she pounced on the creature and stabbed right into its heart. She fell to the floor immediately.
The creature's soul disappeared into the ring. She observed her Nox Marble. As she absorbed more creatures, the marble would fill.
'That one was a lot,' she also found that the stronger the creature was, the more essence she would absorb. Nova excitedly waited to see the results.
She got up and began to explore the area for an exit. The cave was extremely dark, but there were occasionally a few lighted torches.
The long tunnel finally branched out into multiple smaller tunnels. Nova stood at the entrance debating. Even when she inspected with her Est, each tunnel seemed identical.
Nova was about to give up but saw a faint trail of the essence.
'It might be the same as the creature from outside.' Without much thought, she chased after the image.
'Why is it so fast?' Nova strained her body to keep up with the bullet-like speed. She passed by the dull cave walls.
'There's nothing here.' Besides the creature in the beginning, the rest of the cave was suspiciously barren. Nova's skin itched as she felt something was seriously wrong.
After an eternity and endless tunnels, the essence finally shot through a tall door. Nova slowed down and stopped at the doors. It was a massive double door. Nova had to push her head back just to look at the whole thing.
She was about to place her hand on the door, but she felt slight bloodlust.
WHOOSH
As she stepped back, a metal arrow grazed her forehead slightly.
'A second slower and I would've been dead,' Nova shuddered at the thought. She quickly located where the person was and launched a counterattack.
"Blast"
BOOOM
A ball of Est shot out of Nova's palm. She squinted and tried to identify to attacker. However, no one was there. Like a ghost, the area became silent again.
"Huh-," Now Nova felt a presence behind her. She glanced back and saw a terrifying scene. A stone statue with a long sword swung down at her.
She drew her sword quickly and parried the attack.
BOOM
Nova's body still went flying into the opposite wall. She coughed up a small amount of blood.
'It broke a couple of my ribs in one shot,' she chuckled out loud in desperation.
WHOOSH
The air beneath Nova began to waver. Her dark hair slightly lifted in the air. Nova drew in a deep breath before she whispered
"Second gear"
***
BOOM
Nova clashed with the creature. She furrowed her golden-tinted eyes. Even with her bonus, she was at best the same level as the creature.
She threw out thick crescents of yellow and black mist. However, the creature easily dodged and deflected them.
'What's with these creatures?' she cursed internally. Ever since she stepped into the wilderness, it has been stronger monster after stronger monster. Nova felt a slight tinge of regret.
BOOOM
Once again, the creature sent Nova flying. Her body slumped down the wall as blood trickled down her face.
"I'm tired"
She didn't want to move from her lazy spot. All the constant fighting and incessant need for strength tired her out. She remembered her pain from the past, her pain right now, and shudder at the thought of the pain she would have to go through in the future.
It was tiresome.
However, there was just one thing that pushed all her concerns away.
Nova rose from the rubble and dusted her clothes. She smirked. 'Yea, I'll go through hell for you dad.'
Her torn clothes kicked up with another gust of wind, but stronger. Nova's second gear coated her Est with Nox. It was a simple and effective way to utilize her new power. She carefully used Nox in fear of the consequences, but now she couldn't afford to be picky.
The dark marble spun fervently and pumped out Nox. Her vessels dilated to accept more energy. The Est and Nox worked in perfect harmony. Black and golden fog surrounded Nova's body passionately.
Nova's eyes pierced through the fog. The creature took a step back as it gazed at her.
Her left eye was pitch black, like endless darkness sat lonely resting. Her right eye was bright and golden, eager to wage war against everything.
Nova opened her plum, red lips. In a hoarse voice, she whispered out loud
"Third Gear"