Within Nature's Grove, a cloaked figure dashed through the forest, their steps light and swift.
Behind them, an abomination with an alarming aura gave chase, hot on their heels.
However, the figure's pace remained the same.
Unhurried.
It was as if they were taking a casual stroll instead of evading the maw of a harrowing Defiled.
Sitting atop the cloaked individual's shoulder was a pitch-black phoenix.
It seemed no larger than a fledgeling, though, upon a deeper glance, one would find it slowly growing.
Its intelligent yellow eyes scanned the Defiled, mirroring its owner's calmness.
After an interminable length of time, the figure suddenly stopped and whirled around.
'This place should be good enough.'
Alden thought.
He had come to a halt inside a small glade.
The abomination growled, slowly inching towards him.
It wouldn't have sensed him at all if he had the Runic Item active. Alas, that was currently within the confines of his Dimensional bracelet.
The young man decided against using it because he wanted to test himself.
Alden hadn't remained idle for the past month.
He wanted to see how much he had progressed during this time.
And he had the perfect way to do that:
Fight a Devil.
Others might call Alden crazy for daring to go up against one of its kind as an [Apprentice] - he had, after all, almost lost his life in his first encounter with one. However, after a certain point during his travels in the Wilderness, he discovered that the Beasts had become much too easy for him to handle.
Alden needed something stronger.
Faster.
More… dire.
Only then could he show maximum improvement.
And that…
That was the most important thing.
As he stared at the Defiled Bear snarling at him, Alden summoned a short sword.
He slowly got into position, tensing his knees slightly. Beneath the hood of the cloak, his lips threatened to curl into an enthusiastic grin.
With measured composure, Alden observed the Devil pause a fair distance away from him.
It was as if it was sizing him up.
The young man basked in the calm before the storm, savouring the temporary stillness.
The moment did not last for long.
In a flash, the bear exploded furiously into motion. Ignia immediately flew up to the upper branches of a tree.
Alden sent a burst of mana to his feet, activating [Haste].
The world slowed.
At the same time, he shifted his body slightly and slashed diagonally in an upward cut with his sword.
The Devil's claws came within inches of his cloak. Alden suppressed his worry and put all his body's strength into the strike.
The result?
A small gash appeared on the bear's neck. It roared with irritation, and Alden grinned.
'Seems like I've gotten a little faster.'
Whether that was because of the hellish tempering he had received during the past month, or because of his increased familiarity and proficiency whilst using [Haste], he didn't know. What he did know, though, was that it was very much a welcome change.
Alden's anticipation soared.
He saw the abomination whirl around, snapping its maw shut towards him with harrowing might.
The young man remained unbothered.
For in the next moment, a magical barrier, invisible to the naked eye, abruptly manifested in the bear's path. Alden held on to the skill for a few more seconds, just as the Defiled's frustration peaked.
'Hmm… not bad. If it was me from a month ago, I'm sure it would have crumbled almost instantly.'
Satisfied, Alden allowed the Devil to come close and strike. He blocked and smothered a groan, finding himself pushed a few paces back.
Crushing force crashed into Alden.
However, his whole skeleton no longer rattled as it did before.
Of course, there was still some intense discomfort, but it was not to where he would cough up blood anymore.
'Haha!'
Alden marvelled at the giddy feeling of becoming stronger.
It was intoxicating.
…Almost addictive.
His grin widened.
Then, he stowed the short sword away.
In the next moment, his entire aura changed. If before Alden seemed like an excited youth, now he exuded an air befitting a harbinger of death.
It was a stark change.
And one that the Devil noticed.
Unfortunately for the abomination, it was too late.
Numerous tentacles erupted to life around Alden.
One…
Two…
Three…
Four…
Five…
Six…
Seven…
Eight.
Alden had not been lazy after leaving the Waterfall of Stars.
Every day, for the past month, he would push his mind to the limit, hoping to control another thread.
This was the result of his constant effort.
To a spectator, he now appeared like an eight-armed demon, ready to claim the Defiled's life. Alden, who had once been the prey, had now turned into the hunter.
He did not stop there, though.
As the shadowy tentacles chained the bear in place, he walked up and placed a palm on the Devil's chest.
Then he whispered:
"Be gone."
In response, the abomination's skin began to crumble. A low hissing sound resounded in the small glade.
Without circulating his mana, the Defiled slowly disintegrated under Alden's touch.
It was as if he had truly turned into the Abyss.
That said, there were a couple of limitations that inhibited Alden from using this facet of his power too much.
First, he had to touch the target with all five of his fingers and his whole palm - Alden had made a conscious effort to avoid wrapping his whole hand on the hilt of his sword.
Secondly, it was less effective than [Abyssal Entropy].
That was not to say it wasn't devastating. However, it certainly took longer, as evidenced by the fact that the bear was not dead yet.
If he had used his Magic Class, the Defiled would have already met its end.
As it was, though…
Alden was content to let the bear suffer a little.
'I'm not going crazy, right?'
He coughed and cleared his throat.
Alden began whistling a merry tune, conveniently ignoring how he wanted the abomination to be in more distress. Soon, the spark of life in the bear's eyes went out.
Just like that, a Devil had died by his own hands. Of course, if he hadn't used his decay, the fight would have been a lot more troublesome.
Alden whistled for Ignia to come down, and he quickly, and efficiently skinned the bear.
Then, he was on his merry way, a happy smile on his face.
Alden was content with his gains.