Theos attacked with every ounce of energy he could summon, his body pulsing with the primal power he had cultivated over the years. Each strike was fueled by his determination, each movement driven by the knowledge that failure would mean death. His fists cut through the air with blinding speed, and the force of his blows sent shockwaves through the cave, shaking the very ground beneath him.
But as the beast observed his relentless assault, it seemed to understand the weight of Theos's effort. Its eyes glimmered with a cold intelligence, recognizing that this was no ordinary opponent. The beast's stance shifted, its muscles rippling as it prepared to counter his every move. It had faced warriors before, but this fight—this struggle—was unlike any other.
Theos could feel the beast's power radiating from it, a deadly force that seemed to match his own. Sweat dripped down his face, his body aching from the strain, but he refused to stop. Every bone in his body screamed, but his will was stronger than the pain.
Theos sidestepped just in time, narrowly avoiding the beast's deadly swipe. His legs burned with exhaustion, every step a reminder of the grueling battle he was enduring. Gritting his teeth, he planted his feet firmly on the ground, drawing in his remaining energy.
With a deep breath, he unleashed an Impact Destroyer. The force of his attack reverberated through the cave, a shockwave rippling outward as his glowing fist collided with the beast. The creature let out one final, guttural roar before collapsing, its massive body hitting the ground with a deafening thud. Theos stood over its lifeless form, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.
For a moment, he allowed himself to feel the triumph of victory. But then, a thought flickered through his mind: If one perfectly timed strike could bring down a beast of this level, what if I could harness that power to take down an entire group?
The idea sent a thrill through him. Defeating multiple monsters in a single blow wasn't just a matter of strength—it would be a test of precision, control, and growth. If he could master such a feat, it would push his development even further, bringing him closer to his ultimate goal.
Theos clenched his fists, a newfound determination blazing in his eyes. "One hit," he murmured to himself, "to end them all."
As the first beast collapsed, the others roared and charged forward. Theos energy surged. Spotting a vulnerable area where he could strike them all at once, he dashed behind the pack. With precise timing, he unleashed his Full Force Impact Destroyer, a devastating attack that sent shockwaves through the battlefield, annihilating everything in its path. He decided he would call this move universal impact destroyer.
After the fight, Theos wandered through the cave, his mind fixated on ways to strengthen his natural affinity. He passed shimmering lakes and ancient relics that seemed to radiate silent praise. Yet, none held his interest—until his gaze fell upon something unusual. In a dark recess of the cave lay a pond of blood, its surface pulsing with an ominous, otherworldly energy.
As Theos approached the pond, a grotesque, disfigured beast crawled out of its depths, its form twisted and unnatural. He froze for a moment, then muttered under his breath, "That's my cue to leave. If a Tier 5 beast shows up, I might not make it out alive." Without hesitation, he began to back away, his instincts urging him to retreat before something even worse emerged.
As Theos ventured deeper into the cave, he defeated beast after beast, their relentless attacks barely slowing his progress. Wiping sweat from his brow, he muttered, "This is exhausting. I need to find a real challenge—an opponent strong enough to push me to the brink. But so far, not a single beast has come close."
Theos focused his energy, attempting to craft a mask using his abilities. However, what formed was only half of a mask, jagged and incomplete. He stared at it, frustration bubbling within him. It was a clear sign—he still lacked control over his affinity.
His resolve unwavering, Theos decided he would create a full mask—no matter the challenge.
Theo resumed his journey, his footsteps echoing softly through the cavern's vast, winding chambers. The air grew heavier as he ventured deeper, the once-familiar walls of stone now seeming alien and foreboding. His senses remained sharp despite the exhaustion gnawing at him, a consequence of his relentless training to master his affinities.
As he turned a corner, his breath caught in his throat. Towering before him was a beast of colossal proportions, its shadow stretching across the cavern floor like a looming storm. Its sheer size dwarfed him, its presence exuding an aura of raw power that sent a shiver down his spine.
Theos hesitated, his muscles tense as he weighed his options. He could feel the strain in his body—the relentless battles and affinity training had sapped much of his energy. A confrontation now would be foolish. With a deep breath, he steadied himself and made the calculated choice to slip past the creature, staying close to the shadows.
Each step felt heavier as he walked on, his mind turning over the encounter. It wasn't fear that made him retreat—it was strategy. He knew his limits and vowed that the next time he faced such a beast, he would be ready.
"Time sure flies by... I wonder how Rose is doing," Theos muttered softly, his voice carrying a deep, wistful tone. His gaze drifted absentmindedly toward the darkened horizon, as though searching for some distant connection. The weight of his words lingered in the air, a heavy reminder of the life and bonds he had left behind.
He knew that the world of the strong was unforgiving, and that his path—this endless journey of training and combat—was the only way to carve out a place for himself in it. To be strong, to even survive in such a brutal reality, he had to sacrifice much. Yet, even as he embraced this harsh truth, the thought of Rose tugged at his heart.
It wasn't regret that consumed him, but a quiet ache, a longing for something he could never turn back to. He pushed the feeling aside, focusing instead on the cold, hard reality before him. His strength—his relentless pursuit of power—was the only currency that mattered in this world.
As the night stretched on, the weight of the day's battles and the uncertainty of the future gradually faded from Theos mind. The relentless pursuit of strength, which had consumed his every waking moment, began to lose its grip on him. The cold air of the cave wrapped around him like a blanket, and slowly, his tense body started to relax.
Lying on the rough stone ground, Theos closed his eyes, the soft rhythm of his breathing slowing his racing thoughts. His mind drifted away from the harsh realities of the world he inhabited, and in that moment, the only thing that mattered was Rose.
Her image filled his mind—her laughter, her kindness, the sacrifices she had made for him. He thought about everything she had done, how she had always been there, a constant presence of warmth in a world that often felt too cold. The memories of her touch, her words, the moments they had shared, flooded him, each one a bittersweet reminder of the life he had left behind.
As sleep finally claimed him, Theos heart settled, and for the first time in a long while, he found peace. In his dreams, it was Rose's face he saw, and for a brief moment, he was no longer a solitary warrior in a cave of endless battles—he was simply Theos, and Rose, the two if them laying close to each other