Chapter Twenty-One: Only Beginning
Dusken had to admit that his Innate ability had shattered his expectations. The dark flame fused with his blade, enhancing its qualities in extraordinary ways.
The speed of his slashes, the sharpness of the blade, and the power of his attacks were all amplified far beyond what a level-one sword should achieve.
These thoughts lingered in the back of his mind as he sprinted toward the remaining beastman.
He could feel it, his speed and strength had increased after slaying the first beastman.
The abyssal points he had gained enhanced his physical capabilities, made his energy flow better and also increased his strength slightly.
The alien wasn't idle either. It fired arrows at Dusken, but with each slash of his sword, the arrows were effortlessly destroyed.
He closed the distance between them with relentless determination, a grin spreading on his face.
When the gap narrowed, there was a brief pause before Dusken lashed out with a kick. At such close range, the beastman couldn't fire its bow. It raised its arms defensively, blocking the strike.
A fist shot toward Dusken's skull in retaliation. With his longsword too close for a quick counter, Dusken spun it in his hand, pushing the hilt outward to intercept the blow.
The punch collided with the sword's hilt, forcing him to slide backward across the forest's soft soil. The wind scattered chaotically due to their short collison.
'The distance is just right,' he thought.
Wasting no time, Dusken twirled his sword again and unleashed an upward slash.
The blade cut through the air and the beastman's body, starting at its lower abdomen and tearing upward through flesh to its chest.
'Too easy,' he thought. It seemed that the beastman wasn't skilled in close combat, and Dusken used it to his advantage.
The alien let out an ear-piercing scream and staggered back, crimson blood dripping steadily from the gaping wound.
The forest breeze carried the metallic stench of blood, and despite its injury, the beastman turned and fled deeper into the woods.
Dusken followed closely, relentless in his pursuit. The beastman halted only when it reached a large tree, slumping against its trunk. Its furious gaze locked onto Dusken, its voice dripping with venom.
"I will kill you and eat you whole, piece by piece," the beastman snarled.
Dusken froze, the creature's words sending a ripple of caution through him. His eyes darted around, scanning for any hidden threats. Something felt off.
Despite its pain and the blood loss, the beastman's calmness was unsettling. Dusken knew better than to underestimate a desperate foe.
His father had always warned him of this.
¬Never be careless around an enemy making their last stand.¬
These words had been drilled into Dusken from day one. So, right now, he wouldn't let down his guard in front of the beastman.
As if answering his unease, the beastman extended a hand, and the surface of the tree began to shift unnaturally.
Suddenly, thick roots erupted from the trunk, surging toward Dusken with alarming speed.
'So, this is its ability?' The thought crossed Dusken's mind as he instinctively reacted.
His sword, still blackened by the dark flame, flashed forward. The roots, coiled like ropes, seemed unbreakable, but his blade sliced through them effortlessly.
Dodging one attack and countering another, Dusken's strikes were precise and unrelenting as a wide grin was planted on his face.
He noticed something peculiar. Ever since his Innate ability had enhanced his weapon, the sword's sharpness had far exceeded what was normal for its level.
It wasn't just a level-one sword anymore; it was nearly at level two, if not at the peak of level one.
If it can do this to my sword, what would happen if I used the dark flame on myself?
The thought was tempting, but Dusken shook it off. He sidestepped, as a root lashed at his previous position, his movements fluid and calculated.
His blade continued to cut through the roots, but their numbers seemed endless. More replaced those he destroyed, and it was a tiring endeavor.
Dusken smirked. The beastman's ability, while impressive, must consume a significant amount of magical energy.
The more roots it summoned, the faster it would exhaust itself. All Dusken had to do was outlast it.
But he wasn't content with waiting. He craved the thrill of battle - the adrenaline, the challenge, and the sweet taste of victory.
After all, he was the protagonist of this story, reborn and given a second chance. He was the center of it all.
Laughter spilled from Dusken's lips, echoing through the silent forest.
The sound was cold, unhinged, and filled with a confidence that sent a chill through the beastman.
Charging forward, Dusken faced the onslaught of roots with unwavering determination.
One came from his right; he spun, severing it with a single slash. Another lashed out from the left; he twirled his sword and did the same thing, bisecting it with ease.
It wasn't long before more than seven roots were cut apart, but more still replaced them.
Dusken clicked his tongue internally as this was getting out of hand. The thought of making the dark flame fused with him resurfaced in his mind, but he kicked it away.
His sword could only cut the vines because it was enhanced. What would happen if it lost that enhancement?
He would simply be trapped by the roots with no way to escape. The deadlock went on for seconds, drawing to minutes, yet, there was no victory in sight for Dusken.
His muscles ached from the constant swinging of his sword, which greatly reduced his capabilities in the battle.
A hidden root shot up from beneath the ground, aiming for his leg. But before it could reach him, dark particles began to swirl around Dusken, and a card appeared in his hand.
Spell Card Activation: Nightfall Whisper.
A mournful, incomprehensible melody filled the air, lonesome and haunting. Shadows from the roots and even Dusken's own rose, solidifying into a dark, obsidian shield. The shield absorbed the impact of the attacking roots, protecting him completely.
Dusken grabbed the shield, and with it in hand, Dusken surged forward. The beastman's end was near, but Dusken wasn't finished… he was just beginning.