Ares had no choice—he had to fight to the end. He took a step back, analyzing his surroundings, but the beasts didn't give him any time to think. One of them lunged at him, its sharp fangs gleaming under the pale moonlight.
Ares (focused): "I have to move carefully… One mistake could mean my death."
At the last second, he twisted his body, barely dodging the attack. With a swift counter, he slashed his sword, severing the beast's arm. It let out a painful screech, but instead of collapsing, its eyes burned with an even greater fury.
Ares (gritted teeth): "What are these monsters?! Even after a fatal wound, they don't stop!"
But there was no time to hesitate. The other creatures moved in unison, launching a relentless assault. Ares was forced into a desperate battle, every strike barely keeping them at bay.
The Awakening
As the fight dragged on, exhaustion began creeping into his limbs. His breath grew heavy, his vision slightly blurred. Even with his skills, he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold out.
And then… something strange happened.
A burning sensation spread through his body, unlike anything he had felt before. It wasn't pain. It wasn't fatigue. It was something… awakening.
Ares (confused): "What… is this feeling?"
Before he could process it, another beast lunged at him. He raised his sword instinctively, but in that moment—
"BOOM!"
A surge of raw power exploded from his body, sending the creatures flying back. The ground beneath him cracked, and for the first time, silence filled the battlefield.
A figure watching from the shadows smirked.
Mysterious Figure: "Interesting… So, you've finally begun to awaken."
But what was this power? Was it part of the system? Or had Ares unlocked something even greater?
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End of Chapter 13.