A fierce, dark, and ominous pillar made out of shadow descended from the sky. It was scary only for Nero's enemies. The first monster didn't even have time to notice her absence, as Nero stood on the next beast and didn't even wait for the result of her actions.
On the other hand, Jung clearly saw the madness. Nero's attack was sharper than any blade, faster than any bullet, and deadlier than any skill Jung had ever seen.
Her abilities were in perfect harmony, synchronizing with each other, making Nero a formidable opponent Jung would rather avoid.
Thankfully, she was on his side. Changing her location every second, she was hard to spot. All Jung could concentrate on was the gore scene she left behind.
The tall horror, completely dismembered and butchered, couldn't even drop to the ground as it stayed on its legs, drained of blood. The monster cried in pain, mixed with the dread of losing its life.
[Nero Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Lover]
[Spoils delivered in your inventory.]
Nero, with no care in the world, did the same thing to the others as well. She was the same colour as her enemies, yet she seemed more ominous, and her movement looked like a dance from real nightmares, her paws more horrifying than the scythe the Grim Reaper himself used.
Jung wanted to fight. His desire to feel victory was stronger than ever. Even though it suggested that Nero could handle the situation, Jung saw approaching forces from the monsters and found the opening to involve himself.
"Come at me, you pricks," he shouted, enthusiastic to get the opportunity. With an axe in his hand, he dashed to the closest horror, steadying his breathing and steps, he swung his weapon.
Shifting Cloud activated without his authorisation and mutated his exoskeleton. It was an automatic function and happened instantly, cladding his body with newfound vigour and stretchiness.
As his hand got closer to the beast, Jung studied it and added all the strength he could muster. He struck down the first beast, slicing through it from the waist to its knees. Blood spurted onto his face, covering his one eye and blocking his vision.
Jung couldn't reach higher. Yet, he felt an upcoming palm in his direction. The air was cut because of the pressure. Jung acted on his instincts, sidestepped to the right side, spun his body, and, using the momentum generated by his muscle memory, he struck once again.
This time it was the other leg. He quickly cleaned his eye, seeing the outcome of his effort, he smiled and moved without stopping.
Someone as thrilled as Jung couldn't acknowledge anything outside of his targets. The first opponent was brought to its knees, making it easier for him to observe it and look into its eyes.
His expectations were met. The monster was essentially dark; there was no skin, no mouth or nose, and only red circles shone, radiating inhuman pressure.
Jung was filled with determination to slay this beast. It was like a scream in his core, demanding him to kill it, so Jung happily agreed to this impulse and beheaded the monster.
The Mutation worked splendidly, even better than the last time. It felt like he was using his physique to its limits, without actually demanding much from it.
[You Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Jester]
[Spoils delivered in your inventory.]
It was the first kill of the day. An opener, a warm-up before the actual fight commenced. And as more monsters neared and Nero became fiercer than ever, Jung discovered all the motivation he required to slaughter more.
Accelerating, he appeared before the next nightmare. Slashed with his might, he tensed his body and supplied it with enough lightness to move with no delay and awkwardness.
Every time he swung his axe, the meat was cut. Even his blocking process drew blood and inflicted wounds upon his enemies.
One time, two monsters dived him at the same time, surrounding him and delaying so others' would join and besiege him. It was a smart move that would catch any foe, unless the subject was Jung, as he knew how to escape the blockade, even before his last death, soldiers tried to encircle him in hopes of capturing him.
He knew how that effort ended for the warriors, and the only reason he died was a truck-like carriage that emerged out of nowhere and stomped him to the ground. Unfortunately for the nightmares, there were no carriages around.
Jung moved confidently, evading one of the hands that stretched to hit his head. While doing so, he pounded at the assailant by jumping into the air and swinging his axe to sever its head. He carried out his plans with precision, but due to the lack of power, he couldn't finish it in one swift motion.
His axe was made of persona, finite energy he could summon and withdraw any moment he wished. After landing on the earth, he conjured a new weapon and attacked again. Choosing the same spot just to finish his kill.
After three to four minutes, the battle ended. Jung, alongside Nero, killed Nightmares. At least those closest to them.
[Nero Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Innocent]
[Nero Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Jester]
[You Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Lover]
[Nero Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Lover]
[You Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Jester]
[You Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Innocent]
[Nero Slayed Tier VI Nightmare.] [Innocent]
…
…
…
[Naaaaaaah!] The system wailed out of nowhere. [I am too lazy to announce more, count yourself.] She sounded distressed, expressing her irritation, she went silent soon after.
Yet, she was awake. Jung could feel and notice that after her last evolution, she barely slept and always stayed awake, even if she never spoke.
"What's wrong with you?" Jung asked with concern but heard another voice that brought him to his senses.
"Let her be," Nero addressed Jung and said about the system with a peculiar familiarity.
"You can hear and speak with us?" Jung asked, satisfaction clear in his voice and face. Having separate conversations was a huge headache for him, and this new opportunity caused a surge of emotions in his heart.
With a kid-like wonder, Jung bombarded them with an infinite stream of questions from which he got zero attention, only curses.
"Vex, I am so sorry you have to deal with him," Nero said, clearly employing a name.
[It's okay,] the system responded. [I am used to it.]
"Wait, wait. I said, Wait!" Jung repeated himself countless times. "What Vex, who is Vex?" He had an existential crisis and even slapped himself.
[It's me, of course,] the system replied with the same, unchanged, eternal, and peace-bringer voice. [Nero is calling me Vex; guess you can also try it.]