The night grew darker, cloaking the forest in an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of dry leaves rustling beneath Alcard's feet as he struggled to evade the mutated Cyclops' relentless attacks. Only the faint moonlight filtering through the towering trees provided him with any visibility after the small torch he carried had slipped from his grasp and extinguished in the damp earth. His breathing remained steady, though his heart pounded in rhythm with the tension creeping through his body. With practiced precision, his hand reached for the small bottle hanging from his belt. The thick, crimson liquid inside rippled slightly, as if eager to be unleashed.
"There's no other choice," he murmured to himself before downing the potion in one swift gulp.
A searing heat surged through his body instantly, igniting every fiber of muscle that had been weighed down by exhaustion. His once-dimly glowing eyes now blazed like fire, the Bloody Potion taking full effect. Every inch of his body felt stronger, more powerful, yet beneath this surge of energy, he remained acutely aware of the lurking danger—the cost of losing control.
The Cyclops' single eye gleamed wildly, filled with raw, primal rage. Its massive body cast a shadow over the moonlight, its heavy breaths rumbling like distant thunder. With an earth-shaking roar, the monster swung its massive tree trunk weapon, aiming directly for Alcard's chest with shocking speed for its size.
But this time, Alcard did not retreat.
With an inhuman reflex, he raised his sword and met the attack head-on. A deafening clang echoed through the trees as steel clashed against wood, sending a shower of sparks into the air. The force pushed him back several meters, his boots digging deep into the damp ground, but he remained standing, his fiery gaze locked onto the beast.
He moved swiftly, sidestepping and launching a counterattack. His blade slashed across the Cyclops' arm in a precise strike. Though the wound was not deep enough to fell the creature, it was enough to fuel its fury. The Cyclops bellowed, its eye burning with heightened aggression.
Without hesitation, the monster raised its weapon again, this time aiming for Alcard's head. But with the speed of a shadow, he ducked low, letting the attack pass over him before pivoting sharply and driving his blade into the creature's abdomen.
A thick, black blood gushed onto the damp earth, staining the mud beneath them.
The Cyclops staggered, clutching its wounded stomach with a trembling hand. Yet, even in pain, it became more frenzied, launching a relentless barrage of wild attacks. Alcard knew time was not on his side. The Bloody Potion granted him overwhelming speed and power, but he was also painfully aware of the strain it placed on his body, pushing him beyond his natural limits.
Taking a deep breath, he gathered every ounce of his remaining strength and leaped high into the air, his blade poised for the final strike. The Cyclops tried to block the attack with its bare hands, but Alcard's speed far exceeded its reflexes.
The sword cut clean through.
A brutal slash tore across the Cyclops' thick neck.
A final, agonized roar echoed through the forest before the massive creature lost its balance and collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash. Dirt and leaves scattered in every direction, leaving behind a heavy silence, broken only by Alcard's ragged breaths.
With unwavering steps, he approached the fallen beast, lifting his sword once more to ensure its death. Blood poured freely, soaking the already damp earth, while the sharp stench of death filled the night air.
"These mutated monsters are becoming more dangerous," he murmured, giving the corpse a light kick to confirm it was truly lifeless.
With practiced efficiency, Alcard cut off one of the Cyclops' ears—a trophy of his victory. The severed ear, darkened and twisted, bore marks of the mutation that had corrupted the creature. This was no ordinary Cyclops—this was something far worse, a growing threat beyond what he had anticipated.
After scanning his surroundings for any remaining dangers lurking in the shadows, he turned and began his slow walk back toward the village. His body felt heavier with every step, but his resolve remained unshaken. At the forest's edge, he paused, glancing up at the night sky now scattered with dimly glowing stars.
"It's done," he muttered, though he knew this was merely the beginning of something far greater.
His silhouette, with eyes still burning red from the potion's lingering effects, stood stark beneath the pale moonlight, an empty void growing deeper within him. Though this battle had ended, Alcard knew that far greater challenges lay ahead. Somewhere beyond the night's veil, stronger monsters awaited him, along with the unraveling of mysteries far darker than the abyss itself.
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