With his current strength, Mammon knew he was far from capable of defeating the black wolf on his own. He had no weapons or magic that could make any difference.
"Well, it's actually quite simple," the white wolf said, her voice calm despite the situation.
"There's a spell I can cast that would defeat the black wolf, but it requires a lot of preparation time. That's why it keeps attacking, I can't get the time I need."
"So, you're saying you need me to buy you enough time to cast the spell?" Mammon asked.
"Yes, about two minutes would be enough," she said, nodding.
"Alright, I can do that, but there's just one problem, I can't use magic, and I also don't have a weapon," he admitted.
"Hmm, I understand. I can provide you with a weapon, but it's not an ordinary one. The question is whether you'll be strong enough to use it," she said thoughtfully.
"I'll do my best," Mammon replied, determination lighting his eyes.
The wolf's hind leg struck the ground twice, and a rumbling sound followed. Moments later, a sword's hilt began to rise from the earth, glowing very faintly.
"Take it," she instructed.
Mammon grasped the hilt and pulled the sword free. As he did, the blade shimmered, and the color of the hilt shifted from black to red. He immediately inspected the sword.
Name: Cinderblade, Flame's Unyielding Wrath.
Grade: Special
Attack Power: 50 - 150 Fire damage.
Durability: 100 - 150
Requirement: Level 20 (Overridden)
Special Ability: Has 20% chance to add damage to each attack.
Description: A blade crafted by a Mighty magical beast, meant to be wielded only upon attaining human form. It possesses the power to ignite internal fires within its targets. The ability to release a burst of flame, causing nearby enemies to burn is embedded in the weapon.
A grin spread across Mammon's face. With this weapon, he finally had a chance. He equipped the sword and readied himself.
"You shouldn't be able to wield that weapon," the wolf noted, "but I temporarily removed the restriction. Use it wisely."
"Thank you. I'll make it count. Start preparing your spell," he said.
"What's your name, human?" the wolf asked suddenly.
"Mammon," he answered.
"Then good luck, Mammon," she said, her voice carrying a strange warmth as she closed her eyes to concentrate.
Mammon moved forward, unsheathing the sword. He cast aside the scabbard, raised the weapon, and pointed it directly at the black wolf's eyes.
"I'll kill you," he muttered, more to himself than to his opponent.
The black wolf charged, its claws slicing through the air with lethal intent. Mammon dodged the first swipe, his heightened dexterity barely enough to evade the strike. He knew the wolf was capable of magic, which made it even more dangerous.
The black wolf charged again, leaping with claws outstretched. Mammon darted forward, flooding the blade with mana. As the wolf soared above him and just as the wolf was about to land on him, he slid beneath its belly and slashed its stomach wide open as he passed.
*-1673!*
The sword's magic ignited, the internal burning effect kick-started immediately and the black wolf's health began to drain steadily.
*-32* *-35* *-40*
The black wolf was furious. Its claws started to glow with a white mist, and it charged again. This time, it swung wildly at Mammon, missing initially, but a sudden invisible force struck him. He crashed hard into a tree, pain lancing through his body.
*-300* *-559!*
Dazed, he lay gasping for air, the impact having knocked the breath out of him. Then he heard shouts from inside his head.
"... t… p!… mon!… et up!" At first, they were hard to discern, but they eventually cleared up.
"Mammon! Get up!" The female voice said in his head in panic.
His vision cleared, and he saw the black wolf racing toward him at a terrifying speed. Somehow, he managed to scramble away and pick up his sword.
"I'm ready with the spell. Just let me know when you want me to fire," the white wolf said.
"Okay, let me come up with a plan," Mammon replied.
The black wolf turned and sprinted toward him, its form partially shrouded in a veil of mist. Mammon knelt down, gripping his right shoulder as if he had given up.
"I see you've accepted your fate. Now, die!" the black wolf's voice echoed in his mind.
"Start charging your attack now!" Mammon instructed the white wolf mentally.
She began to focus her power, a growing ball of fire forming above her as the black wolf closed in. But it remained oblivious, its attention locked solely on Mammon.
As the black wolf lunged, Mammon suddenly moved, sidestepping with a smirk. The wolf's trajectory brought it face-first into the massive fireball. It exploded upon impact, the damage, breathtaking.
*-10'000!*
*-100* *-105*
The black wolf was burning due to both internal and external burns. It quickly used some of it mist to cool of the burning.
"That's all I can do, Mammon," the white wolf said, exhausted, lying down and surrounding itself with a protective wall of fire.
"But the black wolf still has over 3,000 HP! Isn't there anything else you can do?" Mammon pleaded.
"I could try something, ... but without a bond, it might not work," she said hesitantly.
"We have to try. This is our best chance while the black wolf is distracted."
"Alright, come closer," she instructed.
Mammon stepped toward her, hesitating as he neared the wall of fire. But to his surprise, it didn't burn him; instead, it felt cool and soothing. He stepped through without hesitation.
Standing before the white wolf, he asked, "What do I need to do?" he asked.
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