[Time: 00:07:00]
"Who cares," Val replied, ignoring Byrhemmoth's mocking words.
'I've reached my limit.'
Val knew he was at his limit. Pain coursed through his badly injured body—one arm had been severed, one eye was blind, and blood stained the ground around him. Thinking this was the end, Val only smiled weakly, staring at his enemy with a determined gaze.
"Didn't you want to take my body? Go ahead and take it... if you can turn my soul into ash," Val challenged.
[Time: 00:06:16]
As time continued to pass, second by second, Val didn't show the slightest care. His gaze never left Byrhemmoth, who seemed to be completely provoked by Val's sharp gaze.
Byrhemmoth's face was flushed, but his shoulders seemed to tremble slightly, as if there was fear lurking behind his anger. Gritting his teeth, growling at Val's gaze full of courage and determination.
Without thinking, Byrhemmoth launched himself forward, attacking with both hands drawn.
Seeing Byrhemmoth starting to get closer, Val immediately pulled out his sword that was stuck in the ground. Although staggering, he pulled the sword out of the ground with the last of his strength. Hissing occasionally, he swung the sword forward.
He gave it his all, gripping the heavy sword with one hand. His feet were firmly on the ground, preparing to face the incoming attack.
At the same time, Byrhemmoth was getting closer,
"Now die!"
[Tantrum, Roar, Greed Lv. SSS has been activated]
[Time: 00:05:54]
A thick red aura appeared around them, making the atmosphere even more terrifying. Val could feel Byrhemmoth's strength continue to increase, waves of dark energy pressing on him from all directions. He was almost dragged back, but the red aura around him grew stronger, as if giving him the strength to hold on.
[Time: 00:05:19]
In the next second, the red aura turned even thicker, from pink to dark red. Val realized that the power he released was able to withstand Byrhemmoth's push.
Byrhemmoth, who thought he could easily defeat Val, felt that the more he released the dark element, the stronger the pressure he got.
"Your skill is still useless!" Byrhemmoth scoffed, even though his body was now restrained by a force he couldn't understand.
[Time: 00:04:37]
Byrhemmoth looked down, and his eyes widened as he realized the dirty liquid on his body was drying up. Fear crossed his face as he looked up at Val who was getting closer, a triumphant smile etched on his opponent's face.
Unfortunately, before Byrhemmoth had time to get angry, the red aura surrounded the two of them. Spinning into a vortex and a magic circle with faint ancient writing appeared.
Val took advantage of the opportunity; with one strong push, he stabbed his sword into Byrhemmoth's body.
[Time: 00:03:50]
Byrhemmoth almost lost his balance. His wasted eyes stared at Val's hand holding the sword, then shifted to Val's severed arm that continued to bleed.
Strangely, the blood did not fall to the ground, but floated, carried by the wind currents that swirled around them.
"What kind of power is this?! Which constellation blessed you?!"
Byrhemmoth screamed in panic, trying to move his body, but the dark red aura locked his movements.
[Time: 00:02:24]
Val realized that there was not much time left. With a smile that contained a mixture of frustration and victory, he said,
"Now you know what it feels like to suffer. The pain you inflict on others."
Byrhemmoth bluffed, mobilizing more dark elements, hoping to destroy the red aura. But he didn't realize, the red aura had now turned into the color of blood that surrounded them. He pushed Val away, trying his best to stall time while he circulates his dark aura to overpower the red aura that is eating him alive.
[Time: 00:01:41]
Byrhemmoth, who felt trapped, stared at Val with eyes full of hatred. He began to insult Val,
"You are quite strong, for a human with only one arm. Yet … I am changing my mind, I will not get your body. Die here!"
Val frowned at the insult. But, at that moment, he felt Byrhemmoth's aura darken, the overwhelming intimidation making his body shiver.
Tring!
Tring!
Two notification sounds rang inside of his head. Val looked up to see a message in the air that appeared before him.
[Dangerous amount of power detected! Get away and seek cover immediately!]
[The enemy is launching a life-threatening attack! Evade immediately!]
It was such perfect timing that Val couldn't contain his amusement.
Val chuckled. The corners of his lips lifted, his eyes gleaming with defiance as he stared death with his cold yellow eyes.
"Who will die?"
[Time: 00:00:54]
Byrhemmoth felt fear creep up on him. His heart was beating erratically, but he stared at Val with one last hate.
"So you have chosen death, human!?"
The monster said, gathering all of his dark aura and power to his right hand, his left hand poured countless sparks of black aura to suppress Val's power.
[Time: 00:00:33]
The red aura turned completely black, forming a violent storm around them as both of their powers intertwined, creating ripples that stormed the sky.
Explosion of dark aura propelled Byrhemmoth forward, launching himself to kill Val with the strongest attack he could muster. His whole liquid-solid body created a spark of dark explosion as he got closer.
[Time: 00:00:12]
Val smiled smugly. "Yes. We're both going to die!"
He raised his sword once more, staring at death that was approaching, unfazed. An explosion of gold-red aura exploded from every pores and inch of his skin, lighting up Val's own body.
As he got closer, Byrhemmoth could feel a chill on his spine, yet he couldn't stop, his pride wouldn't let him lose to a mere human. He stared at the human who looked like the god of gold, condensing every power he had into his right hand.
Val smirked and also did the same, his only hand absorbing every ounce of power he had, preparing it to duel the monster.
[Time: 00:00:03]
"You cra–"
Byrhemmoth opened his mouth as if to utter a curse, but Val interrupted him first in a cold voice,
"Die."
Their fist collided, a mix of both aura created a split second of silence before an ear deafening explosion and blinding gold aura filled the sky.
[Time: 00:00:01]
BANG!!!
A massive explosion filled the Dungeon, shaking the ground and setting the entire place ablaze.
"Aaaaaaaghhh!!!!"
Everything was reduced to dust. When the smoke cleared, all that was left was barren land. Byrhemmoth, with its body melting, slowly disappeared into the ground, his eyes devoid of life.
In front of the shattered, giant hole in the ground, Val laid on his back, burned and wounded. Blood continued to flow from the top of his head and his heart could still be heard faintly.
He was blind and bleeding profusely. Both of his arms were gone, yet his heartbeat was still there - although it was starting to weaken, trying its best to keep him alive.
Val coughed and spat out blood from his mouth. His eyes stared blankly at the spot which Byrhemmoth were slowly disappearing.
'This is my only way to take revenge.'
A sense of calm crept into his heart as he finally was able to rest, even though he knew his death was near. He let his thoughts drift, remembering those who had been lost because of him. The faces that were erased at that time now flashed in his mind.
"Sorry..." he whispered, almost inaudible.
Tring!
A message sound appeared again.
[Special Quest Successfully Completed. Rewards will be received in 3 seconds ....]
While struggling to endure the pain, Val's vision began to blur, his breathing became heavier. He closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the darkness.
In the silence, he began to ignore the faint system notifications, as if they were no longer important.
Tring!
[As life's flame burns weakly, the constellation calls to the brave Hunter.]
[1 unseen message]
[Auto open message in 3 seconds …]
His heartbeat grew weaker, while his scarred face became paler.
[2 seconds ….]
[1 second ….]
It was as if the system was giving a reward to the lifeless corpse, only to understand that Val had given up.
Tring!
[Special Quest from the Ambrosia Constellation has been completed!]
[Congratulations! You have received a title!]
[Title: Undying Hunter]
Val's heart stopped at the last notification sound.