But Wu Chen was ready. He tightened his grip on the spearhead, his mind focused and his body primed for battle.
The demonic humans lunged at him, their claws slashing through the air. Wu Chen met their attack head-on, his movements swift and precise.
The battle was intense, the demonic humans' strength and coordination pushing Wu Chen to his limits.
But he fought with everything he had, his determination unwavering. He used his newfound power to its fullest, striking with precision and landing blow after blow.
As the fight dragged on, Wu Chen's sharp instincts picked up on something unusual.
The demonic humans' movements grew increasingly erratic, their attacks losing precision and coordination.
It was as if their strength was draining away, their once-menacing power fading with every passing moment.
A flicker of excitement surged through Wu Chen as he realized what was happening.
this wasn't just a coincidence.
It was him.
His unique ability, one he had only begun to understand, was at work.
Not only could he predict attack patterns and decipher fighting styles, but he could also subtly erode his opponents' strength the longer the battle lasted.
It was as if his very presence disrupted their energy, sapping their power and leaving them vulnerable.
However, Wu Chen knew this ability had its limits. The effectiveness of this draining effect depended on the gap between his strength and his opponent's.
If the disparity was too vast, the impact would be minimal, barely noticeable.
But against foes of comparable or slightly higher strength, the effect was undeniable.
A slow, inevitable weakening that turned the tide in his favor.
A grin tugged at the corners of his lips as he pressed his advantage.
This was no ordinary battle; it was a test of his growing power, and he was beginning to see just how far he could push it.
Wu Chen seized the opportunity, striking with precision and landing a blow that sent one of the creatures reeling.
With a final, desperate lunge, Wu Chen plunged the spearhead into the chest of the lead demonic human.
The creature let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing as it collapsed to the ground.
The other creatures hesitated, their glowing eyes filled with fear and hatred, but they still pressed forward. Wu Chen dealt with them calmly, evading their attacks with calculated precision and finding openings to strike.
The young girl's eyes widened in awe. Despite her injuries, she could see how the boy—no, the young man. Fought with a calm, almost serene focus. His every move was deliberate, as if he were toying with the creatures. These were Special Mortal Creatures at Level 2 and 3, capable of overwhelming ten men of the same level from her village. Yet here was a boy, no older than sixteen, battling all three of them with ease. It was nothing short of extraordinary.
Wu Chen stood over the fallen creatures, his chest heaving with exertion. He had done it—he had defeated a group of powerful foes. But before he could catch his breath, the familiar voice echoed in his mind once more.
[ You have slain a Special Mortal Creature Level 3: Demonic Humans. ]
[ Do you wish to absorb the Special Demonic Core? ]
[ You have slain a Special Mortal Creature Level 2: Demonic Humans. ]
[ Do you wish to absorb the Special Demonic Core? ]
[ You have slain a Special Mortal Creature Level 2: Demonic Humans. ]
[ Do you wish to absorb the Special Demonic Core? ]
Wu Chen hesitated, his mind racing. He had just absorbed two demonic cores, and the power they had granted him was undeniable.
But he also knew the risks.
The potential for corruption, the danger of losing himself to the demonic energy. Yet, the thought of gaining even more power was tempting.
After a moment of contemplation, Wu Chen made his decision. "Absorb," he said, his voice steady.
The black smoke rose from the corpses of the demonic humans, swirling around him before being absorbed into his body.
The surge of energy was even more intense this time, and Wu Chen felt his strength increase exponentially. His muscles bulged with power, and his senses sharpened to an almost supernatural level.
[ Demonic Core Absorbed. ]
[ Power Level Increased: Mortal 1 Master. ]
Wu Chen stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, his chest heaving as he absorbed the surge of energy from the demonic core.
The power coursed through his veins like a raging river, filling him with a sense of invincibility.
His muscles felt stronger, his reflexes sharper, and his senses heightened to an almost supernatural level.
The wounds he had sustained during the fight began to heal rapidly, the pain fading into a dull ache. He clenched his fists, feeling the raw energy pulsating within him.
But as the adrenaline began to subside, Wu Chen's mind turned to the young girl lying on the ground.
She was still breathing, though barely, her face pale and her body trembling. He knelt beside her, his voice soft but urgent. "Can you hear me? Who are you? What happened here?"
The girl's eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused but filled with fear. "They... they came out of nowhere," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"They killed many in... my village... my family..." Her words trailed off as tears streamed down her face.
Wu Chen's heart ached for her, but he knew there was no time to grieve. The forest was still teeming with danger, and the demonic humans he had just defeated might not be the last.
He needed to get her to safety, but where could they go? The forest seemed endless, and he had no idea where he was or how to navigate it.
"Can you walk?" he asked, helping her sit up.
The girl winced in pain but nodded weakly. "I... I think so. But we need to hurry. They're still out there... more of them..."
Wu Chen's eyes narrowed. "More? How many?"
"I don't know," she replied, her voice barely audible. "But they're everywhere. They've taken over the forest. No one is safe."