Chapter 8
Shin, trapped in the grasp of the Black Universal System, felt the raw power coursing through his body, difficult to contain. Notifications flashed by at lightning speed, each blinking line intensifying his anxiety. He was caught between two worlds: the world of reality and the world of power he was struggling to control. His body trembled from the effort. He had to move forward.
Black Universal System Activated.
Analysis in progress...
Progress: 3% of 100%.
Identity detected: Evolved Ganeesh (Level: ???).
Recommended skills: [Thunderstrike of Darkness], [Shadow Shield], [Spectral Speed].
Warning: Excessive use may cause side effects.
Every instant, every second, pulled him further into the unknown. Pain, fatigue, terror... all mixed in a whirlwind of conflicting sensations. But there was no time to think. The Ganeesh was here, and it was getting closer.
Takashi, on the ground, fought fiercely, every blow, every dodge more difficult than the last. The Ganeesh seemed to feed off this resistance, almost laughing, as if this was all just a game to him.
Raiden, beside himself, screamed with desperate urgency:
— "Shin! Do something!"
Shin slowly raised his hand, his mind in turmoil. The dark energy consumed his thoughts. He had no choice. He murmured in a weak voice:
— "Thunderstrike of Darkness."
A beam of black light shot out, cutting through the air with terrifying speed. It struck the Ganeesh, but the creature only sneered.
— "Pathetic. Truly pathetic."
The Ganeesh's voice vibrated with palpable disgust, as if he had had enough of this spectacle. Without warning, he launched into a furious charge, the earth trembling beneath his feet. Shin, in a reflex of survival, rushed to dodge. But the creature, enraged, gave him no respite. Each attack seemed more devastating, each of Shin's movements more desperate.
A cold, almost detached voice echoed in his mind:
Suggestion: Combine [Spectral Speed] and [Thunderstrike of Darkness].
Alert: High risk of energy overload.
Warning: The balance of power may be compromised.
The Black Universal System, relentless, was pushing Shin to his limits. He activated [Spectral Speed], and immediately, a crushing sense of speed flooded his body. His mind was tossed between a reality that had become an incoherent blur and movements of such rapidity he couldn't comprehend. Everything was happening too fast. He was lost.
— "It's too fast... I... I can't control anything!" he thought, his mind filled with panic. He felt his thoughts dissolving under the pressure.
In a flash, he disappeared, reappearing behind the Ganeesh. But the inaccuracy of his movement almost led to disaster. He tried to redirect his attack, but his body, already exhausted, faltered beneath him. His strike missed by inches, and the impact exploded the ground without reaching the monster.
The creature was unbothered. It slowly turned, a smirk playing on its lips. Its eyes gleamed with contempt.
— "You really think you can hurt me with that? Is that your best attack?"
Shin fell to the ground, panting, his body on fire. Every muscle protested, every fiber of his being screamed for help. The system seemed to want to crush him under its weight, and Shin knew he wouldn't last much longer. But he couldn't fail.
Raiden, eyes full of terror, shouted:
— "Shin, stop! You'll kill yourself!"
Chisato, still distant, cried out in despair:
— "This power will destroy you! Get a grip before it's too late!"
But it was too late. The Ganeesh, now visibly irritated, walked slowly toward Shin. He advanced with a menacing heaviness, like a shadow ready to swallow all light. The creature seemed tired of waiting. Its movements, once almost measured, were now filled with rising anger.
— "I've had enough. You've played with a power that's beyond you, human. Now, it's time to pay."
The ground trembled again under his heavy steps. Shin, in a final burst of will, tried to get up, but his strength failed him. A strange vibration rippled through the air, and an intrusive and almost oppressive notification appeared:
Black Universal System: Camouflage mode activated. Unknown presence detected.
The Ganeesh stopped dead in his tracks, the air charged with a new tension. He slowly turned his head, a trace of doubt crossing his gaze. Something was wrong.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the ruins, a dark silhouette gradually coming into view. A man, cloaked in shadows, appeared in the creature's line of sight. His eyes were as cold as ice, and a massive weapon rested on his back, gleaming with an unknown energy.
The Ganeesh roared, rage bursting from his voice:
— "Who are you? Why interfere in this fight?"
The man did not respond immediately. He moved forward with icy serenity, ignoring the Ganeesh's taunt. Once within range, he raised his weapon, his silhouette cutting sharply against the dying light.
— "It's over."
A brilliant flash of light erupted, piercing the Ganeesh from one side to the other. The creature screamed one last time before disintegrating under the impact. Silence fell, as sudden and intense as the blast.
Shin, still on the ground, stared at the stranger with wide eyes. His mind was too confused to understand what had just happened. Raiden, stunned, rushed to his side, but his eyes were equally fixated on the mysterious man.
Takashi, in the back, watched the scene, a glint of curiosity passing through his eyes.
The man slowly turned his head toward Shin, his gaze piercing. In a voice as cold as his eyes, he whispered:
— "This isn't over. Get ready to pay the price for that power."
And without another word, he vanished into the shadows, leaving behind a frozen group and a deserted battlefield.