The corrupted slime closes in, its grotesque, dark-purple mass glistening as it devours everything in its path.
Rumble rumble...
Twisted vines and crushed creatures churn within its body like some macabre stew. Valeria's panicked shouts echo through the forest, her voice laced with desperation.
"Eclipse! Any time now!"
She's terrified, and frankly, who wouldn't be? But I stay hidden, crouched in the shadows of a nearby tree cluster. My breath comes in shallow gulps, and sweat slicks my palms.
Luckily, she is really fast. Almost too fast to be a random person.
Valeria's ponytail whips behind her as she sprints ahead, splashing through puddles and tripping over roots.
Her movements are frantic, her head darting back to check on the slime as it inches closer.
She probably thinks I've abandoned her. Let her. It's better this way.
"Run this way, don't look back," I'd told her earlier, pointing deeper into the forest. A simple instruction. She didn't question it then, though I'm sure she regrets that now.
I adjust my grip on the potion vial in my hand. The dark liquid inside seems to pulse with a malevolent life of its own. If this works, great. If not… well, I'll figure that out later.
The corrupted slime shifts, its gelatinous form rippling as it pursues her. Somewhere deep inside its body, I spot it—the Bloodfern. Vibrant red petals, preserved and pristine, swirl amidst the slime's murky depths.
So it can't consume mana item...
Valeria stumbles into the thickest part of the forest, exactly where I need her to be. The trees here grow close, their roots snarled like tangled webs. The terrain will slow the slime, buying me a crucial few seconds. She skids to a halt at the edge of a sharp drop—a rocky ravine stretching below.
She stands there, frozen, staring into the abyss. Her voice is barely a whisper. "I'm sorry, sisters. Looks like I won't be the one finding you."
Her words hit harder than I expect. For a moment, my resolve wavers. Then the slime shifts again, its massive form undulating as it bears down on her. I don't have time to feel guilty.
I uncork the vial. The smell of dark mana hits me, sharp and acrid, like burning metal. It's a warning, but I tip the potion back anyway, letting the liquid burn its way down my throat.
The effect is immediate. Power surges through me, electrifying my veins, sharpening my senses. My muscles feel like they're going to explode, but the pain is secondary to the strength flooding my limbs.
A blue screen materializes in my vision:
Trait Gained: Shadowblade Mastery
Effect: Temporary skill boost from dark mana infusion
Void Strike: Enhances cutting power with dark mana
Intimidating Presence: 10% chance to inflict fear
Blink Step: Rapid movement for quick strikes
(Duration: 5 minutes)
Ten minutes. I should be a lot more faster now.
Valeria doesn't see me approach. Her gaze is locked on the ravine, resignation written all over her face.
When she does...
She flinches, her eyes widening as she registers me. "Eclipse? What—?"
"Just do whatever I told you to do for now."
I draw my blade, now shimmering with dark mana, and lunge at the slime.
"Are... are we going to fight that thing?!"
Yes.
"But I told you before... my fire attack can't do anything to it!"
"And it will still probably won't"
"What?!"
"Use whatever you got... wait for my command."
"Are you serious?"
The slime shoots a part of her giant body at us.
After both of us jumps away, the liquid starts vaporizing the ground it landed on.
Valeria face goes pale, realizing it might be impossible to win this.
"Valeria."
"Eh?"
"Run around the slime."
"More running?"
Then another attack coming right at us. At that moment, we both execute the plan, running around the slime in different direction.
The slime, a giant of puddle, is having a hard time landing her shot because of the trees providing us both cover and momentary hiding spot.
Not to mention, there are abnormally fast human circling it, making confusion.
Then it is time to attack back.
The first strike cleaves through its gelatinous body, sending a shudder rippling through it.
The creature recoils, its translucent mass reforming almost instantly.
As if any attack done would be harmless to its body.
So the aim is for the heart—the crystal buried deep within.
I just have to find a second where it's heart moved a little closer to her side as if now it would be impossible for my dagger to reach it.
Or I make it do it herself.
Void Strike.
My blade carves a path, dark energy trailing behind it like smoke.
Then fortune shows itself:
Intimidating Presence.
Now more than ever, it sees me as a threat. The slime writhes, its body convulsing.
It's whole attention is on me.
Knowing this, it instantly moves its heart as far as possible from me.
It knows to put a stop on me first.
A wave of its mass surges toward me, but I sidestep, activating Blink Step.
And that is it.
"Valeria!" I call out, my voice sharp.
She hesitates, but only for a moment. Raising her hands, she summons a spark of fire.
"Here goes nothing! Red… Fireball!"
From behind one of a tree, the flames crash into the slime, spreading across its surface.
It doesn't react to it as it felt no pain.
And that's my opening.
Because of the Blink Step, it still think I am where I was before.
With a burst of speed, I leap behind the fire left on its body, my blade aimed directly at its core.
The impact reverberates through my arms as the knife sinks into the crystal, cracking it with a sound like shattering glass.
The slime freezes, its body quivering.
I crash on the ground, still looking at the slime.
It doesn't move.
It doesn't die, too.
For a moment, everything is still.
Did it work?
Then my answer comes.
The crystal crumbles, and the creature collapses, dissolving into a dark puddle that seeps into the ground.
It's over.
The forest falls silent, the only sound our ragged breathing. I stagger back, clutching my knees as the last of the potion's effects begin to fade. My limbs feel heavier, and an ache settles into my bones.
Valeria stares at me, her chest heaving. "What… what was that? That speed..."
I wipe the sweat from my brow, avoiding her gaze.
"Are... Are you okay? Master Eclipse?"
I get up, nodding.
I felt a little woozy now that the duration of the potion expired.
That brief surge of power, the darkness clawing at the edges of my mind—it wasn't natural. And it sure as hell wasn't safe.
"We're done here," I say, forcing myself to straighten.
I spot the Bloodfern, pluck it from the ground, and tuck it into my pack. Another piece of the trial complete.
Valeria doesn't say anything as we make our way out of the forest. But I can feel her gaze on me, heavy with unspoken questions.