Warlock Ch 8. Point Blank
The impact was explosive. The shadow screeched in pain, its form flickering violently as the [Dark Bolt] discharged right into its center. Damian could feel the feedback of magic and raw force in his arm, like he had just swung a hammer made of pure energy. The shadow's HP bar dropped drastically.
[Spy Shadow] took 70 damage.
The hit had been much more effective this time. Close combat with the spell amplified the damage. Damian's heart raced, excitement coursing through him. He could do this. He wasn't helpless.
He pivoted just in time as another shadow rushed toward him. This time, Damian didn't hesitate. He sidestepped the shadow's attack, then spun and slammed his fist, infused with the glowing energy of [Dark Bolt], right into the side of the creature's head.
The shadow hissed and flinched back, its HP bar dropping even further. Damian could feel the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of finally taking control of the situation. He wasn't just casting spells—he was fighting!
"Alright," he muttered, grinning despite the danger. "Let's see how you like this."
The shadow he had injured tried to reform, its body flickering and twitching, but Damian was already moving. He threw himself into the fray, combining his punches and kicks with bursts of [Dark Bolt] at every opportunity. Each strike seemed to land harder when he was up close, and every spell fired at point-blank range did serious damage.
The shadow staggered, its form starting to dissipate. He was close to taking it down. Without giving it a chance to recover, Damian rushed forward and hit it with one final [Dark Bolt] to the chest.
The shadow let out a screeching wail before it dissolved into smoke, vanishing completely. Damian watched as its HP bar blinked out of existence, a wave of triumph washing over him. Two down, three to go.
Another shadow darted toward him, faster than the others, its movements more fluid and aggressive. Damian barely dodged the first swipe, his body twisting to avoid the sharp claws the shadow had formed.
This one was more agile, and Damian quickly realized that his close-quarters strategy wasn't going to work if he couldn't keep up with its speed. He needed to adapt.
"Come on, focus," Damian muttered to himself, feeling the pulse of magic under his skin. He gripped his hand tight, the mark on his palm glowing faintly again as he prepared for another [Dark Bolt].
The shadow lunged at him again, and Damian saw his opening. Instead of stepping back, he darted forward, letting the shadow get too close for its comfort. He swung his fist up, charging the [Dark Bolt] just before impact, slamming it directly into the creature's core.
The force of the blow sent the shadow reeling back, its HP bar dropping rapidly.
He followed up with a quick combination of strikes, infusing each punch and kick with the raw energy of his spell. The close range made his attacks even more powerful, and he could see the shadow struggling to maintain its form.
Finally, with one last shout, Damian blasted the shadow with another [Dark Bolt], the dark energy crackling through its body. The creature screeched as it dissolved into nothing, its HP bar disappearing in the same way as the others.
Three down. Two more to go.
Evelyn was still battling the remaining shadows, her hands weaving intricate spells through the air as she blasted them with waves of arcane energy. But Damian could see the strain in her movements. She was powerful, no doubt, but even she had limits.
"Damian, behind you!" she shouted, her voice sharp with warning.
He spun just in time to see one of the last two shadows rushing toward him, its claws extended and ready to strike. Damian barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side and narrowly avoiding the attack.
"Think, Damian, think!" he muttered, scrambling to his feet. The shadow circled him.
He couldn't keep just reacting. He had to control the fight.
Damian gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't rely on just [Dark Bolt]. He needed to push himself, figure out how to use his spells in a way that gave him the upper hand.
The shadow lunged again, and Damian dodged, but this time, he focused his magic not just on offense but defense. He concentrated on the tingling in his palm, willing the magic to flow faster, stronger. He imagined it wrapping around him, protecting him.
Suddenly, as if responding to his thoughts, a faint shimmer of dark energy enveloped his body—a barrier of sorts. It wasn't much, but it was enough to absorb the next hit as the shadow struck him again.
[New skill unlocked!]
[Shadow Barrier lv 1]
[Effect: Creates a barrier around the caster.]
[You have formed a barrier!]
Damian stumbled but didn't fall. The barrier held, though just barely. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized what had happened. He'd done it. He'd instinctively created a magical shield.
The shadow recoiled, confused by the barrier. Damian seized the opportunity, charging up another [Dark Bolt] in his hand. But this time, he wasn't just going to hit it from a distance.
He moved forward, dodging the shadow's next swipe, and slammed the [Dark Bolt] directly into the creature's core, following up with a quick elbow strike that sent the shadow reeling.
The creature hissed, but Damian didn't give it time to recover. He launched himself at it again, driving another [Dark Bolt] into its form at point-blank range. The impact shattered the creature, and its HP bar dropped to zero.
Four down. One more.
Damian turned just as Evelyn blasted the final shadow with a powerful arcane strike, the creature screeching in pain as its HP plummeted.
The last shadow was weaker now, flickering, barely holding itself together. Evelyn raised her hand for the final blow, but before she could cast, Damian stepped forward, his hand glowing with dark energy.