The C-Rank Elite Monster took a step forward, the ground shaking beneath its weight.
Its body was covered in obsidian-black armor-like skin, muscles rippling beneath. Its clawed fingers twitched in anticipation, razor-sharp and dripping with an unknown viscous black liquid.
Its mouth stretched into a mocking grin.
It knew.
It knew Asher was D-Rank.
It knew Asher should be terrified.
But Asher wasn't.
He lifted his sword, adjusting his stance. His breath was steady.
The monster's grin faltered.
Then, with inhuman speed, it lunged.
A blur of black rushed toward him.
Most D-Rank hunters wouldn't even see it move. They would be dead before they realized what happened.
But Asher Asher reacted.
His feet shifted. His body twisted.
The monster's claw barely missed his throat.
The force of the swipe shattered the stone wall behind him.
Dust exploded into the air.
Asher didn't hesitate. He counterattacked.
His blade slashed toward the creature's exposed side.
But the monster was fast.
It spun midair, twisting unnaturally to avoid the strike, landing several feet away.
Asher narrowed his eyes.
It dodged?
Most monsters fought on instinct. But this one? It was watching him. Studying him.
This wouldn't be a normal fight.
This would be a battle of skill.
And Asher Damien never lost.
The monster charged again.
This time, Asher advanced instead of dodging.
He ducked low, barely slipping under the creature's swipe. His sword lashed out, carving a deep wound into its thigh.
Black blood splattered the ground.
The monster roared in rage.
It grabbed Asher's blade mid-swing.
With inhuman strength, it ripped the weapon from his grasp and hurled it across the cavern.
Asher barely had time to react.
The monster's claw slammed into his chest.
Pain exploded through his ribs.
He was sent flying, crashing into a rock wall.
For a moment, everything was black.
Then a voice whispered.
Not in his ears.
In his mind.
"Call us."
His vision cleared.
And in the darkness behind the monster shadows moved.
The monster stomped toward him.
Asher struggled to breathe, his ribs aching. His body screamed at him to run.
But the voice inside his head whispered again.
"Call us."
He didn't know why but he obeyed.
His lips parted.
"Come."
The shadows around him shifted. Twisted. Rose.
A dark figure emerged from the void.
It was humanoid but its body was made of pure darkness, with glowing red eyes and long, jagged claws.
The monster froze.
The Shadow Being turned its head toward Asher.
And then it attacked.
The shadow moved faster than Asher had ever seen.
One second, it was beside him.
The next it was tearing into the monster's flesh.
The Elite Monster screamed.
The shadow sliced through its armor-like skin effortlessly, its claws leaving deep, blackened wounds.
The monster fought back desperately, slashing at the shadow.
But it was pointless.
The shadow didn't bleed.
It didn't falter.
It was death itself.
Within moments the C-Rank Elite was on its knees, trembling.
The shadow placed a clawed hand on its head.
For a brief moment, Asher saw its red eyes glimmer.
Then it crushed the monster's skull.
Silence.
The shadow turned back to Asher.
It waited.
Asher slowly exhaled.
Then, without hesitation he stepped forward.
And merged with the shadow.
His body felt lighter. His mind felt sharper.
He clenched his fist.
And felt power.
Real, undeniable power.
He looked at his reflection in the cavern wall.
For a brief moment his eyes were red.
Then, they returned to normal.
He smirked.