When the Minotaur halted, the ground stopped trembling, however nature was still quivering.
The being killed with fury, indicated by its name and skin, beamed down at Atkinson and Jordan. Its eyes were bulged. and bloodshot.
[Level 15: Raging Minotaur - Boss]
"(That's a whole a 9 level difference standing in front of me. And its Grade is a Fiend.)" Atkinson pondered.
The crimson-brown monster stamped one leg forward and released a powerful roar, its chest heaving. "*RRRROOOOAAAARRRRRR!!!!*"
[Raging Minotaur Has Used Unholy Roar!]
[All Stats Have Been Reduced By 5!]
The Minotaur raised its battle-axe and slammed it to on the ground, which surrounded both Jordan and Atkinson. Jordan leaped away from the attack in a swift motion while Atkinson dodged.
[You Have Used Evasion]
The Minotaur brought its giant gaze towards Atkinson. Its steaming body encompassing Atkinson with warm, misty aura.
A hint of fear slowly crept into Atkinson's mind, his jaw clenched in a mixture of anger and trepidation as he gritted out the words.
His tone was tight with tension, his fear and irritation simmering just below the surface as he pondered with gritted teeth.
"(I'm afraid, because of that damn Skill.)" Atkinson gritted.
The Minotaur raised its leg, its hoove hovering over Atkinson and slammed it down on him.
Atkinson's body dissolved into a swirling black mist that slithered behind the creature, vanishing from sight.
[You Have Used Shadow Walk]
He rose from the darkness and vertically slashed the Minotaur left leg with his axe.
[You Have Used Chop]
Yet the only visible wound was a scratch that did not bleed.
Atkinson cursed. "(Damn it.)"
Here is the rewritten line:
The Minotaur swung its battle-axe in a crushing arc, striking Atkinson with incredible force. Atkinson was launched into the air, his only weapon shattering into splinters as he attempted to parry the blow. Now defenseless, Atkinson hung suspended, his inevitable fall looming ominously below.
"(Shit. I'll sutter fall damage if I don't use a Skill But none are available at the moment that could render this situation null)"
Atkinson's eyes then glimmered. "(Something is coming.)"
[Essence Sense Is In Effect]
As Atkinson plummeted towards the ground, a blazing blue aura hurtled towards him. Just as all hope seemed lost, Jordan's hand shot out, grasping Atkinson's collar and jerking him to safety. Atkinson's vision blurred, and when it refocused, he found himself concealed within the branches of a nearby tree.
"(The hec-)" Atkinson was then interrupted in thought.
Jordan inquired, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Atkinson sighed with a hint of confusion. "(His Agility is absurdly high, to the point where he becomes nearly invisible. The speed at which he moves is so incredible that my brain struggles to comprehend it.)"
Jordan materialized two axes, and handed them to Atkinson.
"These should help," said Jordan.
The twin axes seemed to be forged from the scales of a mighty fire-breathing dragon, shone with an intense, fiery aura. The blades had intricate patterns that glimmered with a fierce inner light. The scales, polished to a mirror finish gave the axes an otherworldly appearance. The handles, crafted from dark, heat-resistant metal, fit perfectly in Atkinson's hands, providing a balance of precision.
[Name: Draconis Axe.
Tier: Legendary
Type: Weapon
Description: Wield the fury of a dragon with this axe, forged from the scales of a legendary fire-breathing dragon.
Attributes:
- Damage: 350+Strength
- Critical Hit Damage: +70% Of Strength And Dexterity.
- When In Use, It Grants The Skill: Dragons Fury.
Additional Effects:
- Ignites enemies on impact, dealing 50 fire damage over 5 seconds.
- Has a 10% chance to trigger a fire explosion on hit, dealing 200 fire damage to all enemies within a 5-meter radius and catches them on fire.]
"(These axes are insane. And since I have two of them, I'll do double the damage.)" Atkinson thought.
Jordan whispered to Atkinson, "Alright, I've got a plan. I've been studying the Minotaur's movements for a while, and I think I can take it down with one hit... but I need a distraction."
Atkinson raised an eyebrow. "(One hit? Furious Resilience reduces all attacks by times the amount and recovers all damage by 2 even 3 seconds. Even with these weapons I can do about 24 damage.) What kind of distraction?"
Jordan's eyes locked onto the Minotaur from within the tree. "I need you to take its attention, wear it down a bit. Can you do that for me?"
Atkinson stayed silent for a bit. "..."
"How can I trust you? You're not going to get me killed, are you?" he inquired with his eyes narrowed and his voice low and skeptical.
Jordan held out his hands, a calming gesture. "Trust me. I've got this under control. I just need you to distract the Minotaur for 30 seconds, and then I'll take care of the rest."
Atkinson countered with. "And what makes you think I can trust you with my life?"
Jordan's expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto Atkinson's. "Because I've got your back. We're in this together. Trust me."
Atkinson turned his eyes forward slowly nodded, hefting the Draconis Axes. "Okay, just don't look into my eyes like that."
Jordan's gaze changed and went towards the Minotaur. "I need to charge up my blade with a Skill, and then I'll be ready to strike."
Atkinson grinned. "(That sounds like bs.) Alright, I'll keep it busy. Just give me the signal when you're ready."
Jordan nodded. "I will. Let's do this."
Atkinson leapt from the branches of the tree, his eyes locked on the Minotaur standing infront. The Draconis Axes, their blades shimmering with a fiery intensity, gleamed in his hands as he plummeted towards the ground.
Atkinson pondered"(Why does it feel like these things are going to explode, or am I too skeptical?)"
As his feet hit the earth, Atkinson charged forward.
The Minotaur had sensed his approach and turned to face him. Its eyes beamed with rage as it raised its massive battle-axe, ready to strike.
The Minotaur quickly swinged to the ground with its battle-axe. Atkinson dodged to the side, avoiding the Minotaur's initial blow by mere inches.
[You Have Used Evasion]
He countered with a swift swing of the Draconis Axes, the twin blades slicing through the Minotaur's hide that surrounded its leg in a blur of flame and the sound of steel.
[-23 HP]
The Minotaur, unwavering, attacked, with its battle-axe, but Atkinson was relentless and charges forward. Barely dodging the initial attack, Atkinson clenched his weapons tightly and slashed the Minotaur's elbow.
[-45 MP]
[You Have Used Chop]
[-27 HP]
Atkinson then teleported himself from danger.
[You Have Used Shadow Walk]
After emerging from the shadows, he senses the Minotaur charged forward, its massive battle-axe swinging in wide arcs. Atkinson dodged to the side, avoiding the blow by mere inches. He countered with a swift swing of the Draconis Axes, aiming for the Minotaur's knee.
The axes bit deep into the Minotaur's flesh, but the creature barely flinched. It swung its battle-axe again, and Atkinson was forced to leap backward to avoid the blow. He landed hard on the forest floor, his chest heaving with exhaustion.
[SP: 237/470]
"(Damn stamina bar.)"
The Minotaur charged forward again, its battle-axe raised high. Atkinson knew that he couldn't keep dodging forever. He needed to come up with a new plan if he was going to survive.
Atkinson pondered. "(Since my movement Skills are on cooldown, I have to create as much distance when the Minotaur makes it wide arcs.)"
As the Minotaur swung its battle-axe, Atkinson saw his chance. He dodged to the side, avoiding the blow, and then swung the Draconis Axes with all his might. The axes bit deep into the Minotaur's ankle, causing the creature to stumble.
Atkinson took advantage of the Minotaur's momentary distraction. He launches himself upwards from off the arms of the Minotaur, using his speed and agility.
Atkinson landed on the creatures head and stabbed it between eyes. The blow distorts the air and the impact of the stab is visible as a burst of motion blur and scattered blood that reaches Atkinson's face and garments, highlighting its force.
"(That's wraps. 30 seconds have passed.)" Atkinson thought.
The Minotaur roared in agony. "*RRRROOOARRR!!*"
Jordan bursts from the trees, holding a flaming blade. He slices through the air with a deafening roar. The inferno-wrapped steel leaves a blazing trail, igniting the surrounding leaves as it arcs toward the Minotaur.
With a mighty swing, Jordan unleashes a devastating slash that cleaves the Minotaur in two, its body splitting apart like a charred log. The force of the blow is so immense that it creates a shockwave, sending splintered wood and shattered stone flying in all directions.
Atkinson, up top of the Minotaur's head, held on tight to its hide as the upper body feel to the ground.
The surrounding trees, once towering and green, now crumble beneath the blade's fiery wrath. Trunks splinter, branches shatter, and leaves are reduced to ashes as the blade tears through the forest, leaving a smoldering, apocalyptic landscape in its wake.
The air is filled with the acrid smell of smoke, ozone, and charred earth. The sound of crackling flames and crumbling wood echoes through the desolate clearing.
"That was simple," said Jordan with a smile.
Atkinson stood up amongst the flaming trees, he looked at Jordan with disbelief.
[You Have Leveled Up!]
[You Have Leveled Up!]
[You Have Learned Spirit Guard!]
[Soul Absorption Is In Effect]
"(What is a guy at this level doing here?)" Atkinson thought.
As Atkinson was pondering, Jordan's demeanor subtly shifted. His eyes, once bright, grew cold and calculating.
His gaze drifted upward, his eyes locking onto a point in the sky. He raised his hand, and the air around him began to ripple and distort. A massive flame erupted above, its blaze so intense that it illuminated the darkening forest.
Atkinson, sensing something amiss, turned to Jordan. His eyes widened in rage as he realized Jordan's intentions.
"You bastard!" Atkinson shouted, but it was too late.
With a swift motion, Jordan sent the gigantic flame plummeting toward Atkinson. The blast struck with incredible force, engulfing Atkinson in a maelstrom of fire and smoke.
The forest floor shuddered, and a crater began to form, its edges charring and smoldering. The crater deepened, its walls crumbling as it burrowed into the earth. Trees toppled, their trunks splintered.
When the flames finally dissipated, the forest lay in ruins. The crater, now a massive chasm, stretched far into the earth.
Jordan sighed. "It was fun while it lasted, CEO."
Next Chapter: Hunter's Exam (1).