Crunch... Crunch...
My sword dug deep into the monster's chest, piercing its vines and bark skin with a satisfying sound.
Unfortunately, I failed to hit the core of the creature.
Instead of defeating it, I had only managed to enrage the monster even further.
Its plant-like tendrils thrashed about wildly, grabbing my leg and wrestling me to the ground. I tried to resist, however, the creature used its body weight to pin me down.
"Bastard..."
I grunted through gritted teeth as I struggled to push the creature off me. My muscles strained, but I simply couldn't lift the weight of the creature. Its limbs that began to attach to my body, trying to tear away the flesh also didn't help.
I tried to cut them off with my sword, however, they regenerated a few moments later.
In the end, the only thing that kept me from being completely overwhelmed was my Ashen Armor. The thin layer of ash-like protection that covered my body acted as a barrier, preventing the creature's tendrils from penetrating my skin.
However, everything had its limits and I knew that if I kept being unable to break free from the creature's grasp, my Ashen Armor would eventually give way, leaving me vulnerable and defenseless against its onslaught.
'Time to test it out...'
Nodding my head internally, I focused my attention on the gray phoenix tattooed on my left arm.
[ Activate ]
As soon as I thought of the command, a surge of energy coursed through my body, igniting the dormant embers within the armor. The phoenix tattoo also came alive, spreading its gray flames across my entire body.
The passive layer of ash crackled and shifted, swirling around me with newfound intensity. Tiny sparks danced along the surface, hinting at the volatile power waiting to be unleashed.
Instantly, the air crackled with anticipation as the ash began to transform. From the protective layer emerged tiny, razor-sharp needles, each infused with the fiery essence of the armor.
As the needles sprouted, they pierced through the thin barrier of my skin, drawing forth droplets of crimson blood. A surge of heat washed over me, accompanied by a tingling sensation that raced through my veins.
"..."
For a moment, I simply stared at my fists that were now also covered with ash-like armor.
The monster also felt that something was different, its grip weakening slightly as it sensed the surge of power emanating from me.
For a moment, our eyes locked together and I grinned.
Pulling back my arm as much as I could, I sneered.
'Let's see if you can handle this.'
Boom...
As soon as I threw the punch, I understood the strength behind it. The force of impact was so overwhelming that upon colliding with the monster's chest, it was sent into the air in a violent arc.
Shaking off the remnants of the creature's hold, I steadied myself, my eyes never leaving the airborne monstrosity.
I flexed my fingers, feeling the power coursing through the ashen armor that now encased my fists.
Swish...
With a swift motion, I drew my sword once more, its blade reflecting the gray flames burning in my eyes. Gripping it tightly, I narrowed my focus, blocking out all distractions except for the task at hand.
At that moment, there was only one thought in my mind - to kill the creature before me.
As the monster crashed back to earth, I charged forward, ready to deliver the final blow. My muscles tensed, anticipation coiled like a spring ready to unleash its fury.
With a silent gaze, I lunged forward, my sword cutting through the air with deadly precision.
This time I didn't miss it.
The blade met its mark, sinking deep into the core of the creature with a satisfying crunch.
For a heartbeat, time seemed to stand still as the monster let out a weird grunt, its form dissolving into leaves and bark that scattered to the ground.
And then, silence.
It didn't last long though.
The silence was shattered by the sound of other awakeners fighting in the distance, their battle cries and the clash of weapons adding to the cacophony of chaos.
"..."
Glancing around, I ensured that no other threats lurked nearby before turning my attention back to the fallen monster.
Its once formidable form now lay scattered on the ground, a mere heap of foliage and wood. Satisfied that the creature posed no further threat, I began to inspect its remains.
Searching through the debris, I found remnants of what appeared to be valuable materials. Among the scattered leaves and vines, I noticed a shimmering object caught in the sunlight.
Brushing aside the foliage, I uncovered a small, crystalline shard, pulsating with a faint inner light.
I recognized it immediately as a Root Crystal. An Item that can only drop from the monsters of the Root Graveyard dungeon and can be exchanged for money in the fortress.
The chance of the crystal actually dropping is about 10%, making it a rare and valuable find.
'I'm quite lucky aren't I?'
Happily pocketing the item, I quickly deactivated my armor's active mode because my head was already beginning to spin from the amount of blood it drained during this short battle.
With a sigh, I quickly sheathed my sword and began walking again.
'I will try to kill the next one without using the armor.'
***
Swish...
A blur of movement, and the sound of metal slicing through the flesh echoed in the dark alley.
Bodies dropped to the ground one by one as a single silhouette moved with deadly grace.
He reaped lives of the beings that lunged toward him, with deadly efficiency and without hesitation. His yellow eyes burnt with calm flames that made him look both fearsome and composed.
As the last opponent fell to the ground, lifeless, the figure paused and pulled out his phone.
Pressing the screen, he quickly navigated through the contacts and dialed a number.
"I've secured the item."
...
"Yes, they have also been dealt with."
Looking at the fallen bodies of demons around him, the silhouette clenched his weapon even tighter.
"I will proceed to prepare it for extraction."
The yellow-eyed figure spent a few more minutes on the phone before sitting on one of the corpses and throwing his weapon into his spatial inventory with a sigh.
Taking a pristine box that was lined with velvet out of the grip of one of the fallen demons, the figure carefully opened it, revealing an inconspicuous obsidian-black rock nestled inside.
For a moment, he simply stared at the stone in his hand, before also putting it into his spatial inventory.
"I don't understand why they want this rock so badly."
The figure muttered to himself, before slowly walking toward the nearest shadow.
"But I suppose it's not my place to question their judgment though, as long as the payment is good."
The very next moment, as soon as his feet touched the edge of the shadow, he disappeared, leaving behind only an alley full of dead bodies.
It was as if he was never here in the first place.
As if a phantom had passed through, leaving no trace except for the silence and the scent of blood.