"Holy Light Slash." The Dark Knight exclaimed as he swung his claymore in a horizontal arc.
The slash landed a perfect hit on Sapphire and took out all her HP in one hit. He smiled at his clear victory, but gave a confused look as Sapphire's HP quickly regenerated back to max.
"Seems like you also have Appraisal, not like it matters much without a functioning brain." Sapphire mocked as she raised her katana.
"Holy Light Slash." The Dark Knight exclaimed again, swinging his claymore.
"Only an idiot would use an attack again that didn't work, or say the name of what attack they are doing." Sapphire spat as she swung her katana in an upwards arc.
The Shadow Slash destroyed the Holy Light Slash in an instant, knocking the Dark Knight backwards as it hit him with the remaining power, but he was quick enough to block the brunt of the hit with his shield. Sapphire continuously performed Shadow Slashes one after the other, overwhelming the Dark Knight with her attack speed.
"Guess having a sword that big gives you attack power at the expense of attack speed, granted you don't have much of either to begin with." Sapphire mocked as she reached right in front of him with Shadow Movement
Raising his claymore into the air he slammed it right where she was. Sapphire took a quick sidestep and dodged the attack, kicking the Dark Knight right in the face with an Energy Attack right after. He staggered a few steps backwards before regaining control of his movement.
"Can't even walk properly can you?" Sapphire mocked as she lowered her leg.
"Holy Light Field." The Dark Knight exclaimed as he pointed his sword to the ground.
An area of effect skill?
"Shadow Magic: Shadow Spear." Sapphire chanted as she raised her left hand upwards.
Just as the Dark Knight unleashed Holy Light Field the attack was obstructed by a similar field of shadows.
"That is not a Shadow Spear," the Dark Knight complained.
"It isn't, that is Shadow Field." Sapphire agreed as she lowered her hand. "I already told you, didn't I? Only a fool says the name of the attack they are about to perform."
"You!" The Dark Knight exclaimed.
"Are you done? Because I am just about done with this." Sapphire sighed, focusing Intimidation on the knight with a glare.
"Behold this, the pinnacle of Light Magic, Heaven's Judgement!" The Dark Knight exclaimed as he raised his sword to the sky.
Bright White light gathered on the blade of the sword as the knight lowered it, stabbing it in the air towards Sapphire. A beam of bright white light shot right towards Sapphire at a very high speed, destroying the ground in its path.
Energy Transfer and Concentration, 1% to Shadow Pulse.
Sapphire opened her jaws as a black-blue glow traveled up her neck to her mouth. Sapphire unleashed the Shadow Pulse just as the attack was about to reach, easily tearing through the attack and everything in the parh. Nullifying the Heaven's Judgement, it destroyed the Dark Knight in its path before uprooting a large part of the forest behind him.
"That was... a bit excessive." Sapphire observed with a nervous smile.
Just as she turned to check on Kesshō she was embraced by her. Kesshō rubbed her head on Sapphire's chest as Sapphire gently patted her on the head.
For someone this strong to be this scared, she must have some past trauma regarding those people. Sapphire wondered as she looked at Kessho.
"Experience Threshold reached, Midnight Wolf (Ambusher) has advanced from level 38 to level 40. All core stats have been increased. Proficiency-based skills level up bonus:
Midnight wolf (Ambusher) (female), name: Sapphire, level 40. HP: 3155/3155, MP: 3535/3535, Stamina: 4410/4410, Strength: 1539, Defense: 1965, Speed: 2392, Energy: 100% (1766321/1766321 units)."
So many things every time I level up, and I am still so weak, Sapphire sighed. And just why is she so soft? She exclaimed in her mind.
"Info: The softness of Spirit Wolf and Blood Wolf fur is based on their nature. A kind and gentle one will have soft fur, while a cruel one would have rough fur. The kinder the wolf the softer the fur, the crueler the wolf the rougher the fur."
What you are implying is I should keep her with me, a good idea if you ask me. As much as Kurai helped me, I still don't fully trust him, even less after hearing what this guy said. He was also looking for her, and I can't say for sure it was for a good reason. Sapphire pondered as she pulled Kesshō closer.
"So, what do you think of tagging along with me?" Sapphire offered with a smile.
Kesshō raised her head as she gave Sapphire a quizzical look.
"I will keep you safe, but I can only do that when you are with me," Sapphire pointed out.
Kesshō puffed her chest and gave an 'I can take care of myself' look, one Sapphire was all too familiar with due to using it very often.
"You weren't able to fight that dark knight, what if someone like him was to show up?" Sapphire pointed out.
Kesshō repeated her action, trying to look intimidating but failing miserably due to how she looks.
"You don't want to come along?" Sapphire inquired with a sad expression.
Kesshō gave a confused expression and looked around. Her ears drooped down as she shook her head with an even sadder expression, seemingly on the verge of crying.
"It's completely fine." Sapphire reassured pulling her close and patting her head. "No need to worry about anything, you can travel as you wish, just have fun and try to be safe."
Kesshō smiled brightly, her ears standing upright up. She tightly hugged Sapphire before pulling away and walking away, turning around and waving to her from a few steps away. Sapphire waved back as Kesshō launched herself into the air with the help of four wings, two outer wings covered in feathers like a bird, and two inner membranous ones like a dragon. Sapphire looked at the trail of blue-pink flames as she disappeared off into the distance.
"I believe you now have an understanding of my situation, or our situation more like." Winter mumbled with a smirk, coming up from behind.
"Are you implying that... you see me as cute and worth protecting?" Sapphire questioned as she turned towards Winter.
"Correct." Winter replied with a nod.
"Whatever, just stay at a distance of five steps at the least." Sapphire sighed with a wave of her hand.
"Would have been better if you were as cooperative as her," Winter sighed.
"In your dreams." Sapphire snarled as she walked down the path towards the forest.
"So, what now?" Winter asked.
"Nothing, just sleep through the night and wait for the morning. What I will do at the least. You are still a bit far from evolving so it would be nice if you will be cooperative and hunt something for me." Sapphire suggested as she perched herself on a low hanging branch, lying down on it with one leg hanging down.
"Sure, if that is what it will take for you to one day be like that, then I will certainly do it." Winter replied with a bow.
Sapphire sighed as Winter walked away into the forest laughing.
"Shadow Play, go hunt." Sapphire ordered as five shadows emerged from the ground near her.
At once four of the shadows dispersed into the forest, one remained behind by Sapphire, ascertaining her safety while she evolved.
Evolve to Midnight Wolf, Warrior.