Magnus here, there are a 7 skill levels with normal being the lowest and ultimate being the highest. Normal skills range from hitting a bit harder like [Heavy Slash] and resisting harder hits a bit more like [Fortify]. Ultimate skills on the other hand tend to encompass a lot of combinations, it doesn't just fall into let's say offensive or defensive abilties. Ultimate skills do a lot of things at the same time with unparalleled efficiency. Technically one can evolve a normal skill to reach higher levels but there becomes a point where a skill can no longer be evolved. A normal level skill usually can only reach rare level and the more versatile ones can reach unique while a few ones can possibly reach legendary level. A prime example of this is [Heavy Slash], it's a normal skill that can only be evolved to rare level. The user can technically use it better as experience piles up but it'll never get stronger than what it is. To get more use from it, the individual must find a way to improve or add upon the skill. This is the only way to actually evolve a skill that already reached its peak. You lose the skill but you exchange it for a better one. Hmmmm that's too much of an info dump. Back to the story.
'Darky! I didn't know you could do this'
I look at the rusty kitchen knife in my hands and stare with awe.
I start waving around the kitchen knife while dark colors follow it around guiding me.
Hmph... this is taking a toll from my powers. I didn't want to do this yet... my powers are dwindling fast but once we kill the godkin, I'll be able to feed... and you'll be able to do what you want.
'Darky he's deeper in the cave right?'
I feel a pulse of agreement from Darky's weakening state.
Yikes, this must be taking a toll on him more than is expected.
I need to finish this quick.
I brandish the knife with renewed vigor and stalk the God-kin through the cave.
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'A knife?'
'Magnus, that energy... I can't feel it.'
Absolution gives me a grave look.
It's a look that says, if I'm not careful we might die.
Well not really die but she's scared since she doesn't know what we're staring at.
"Whoever is there. Come out and we can talk."
I try and activate [God Senses] but it only shows Viktor and a couple of cave animals.
I ready the long sword in my hand.
"Magnus?"
I nod towards Viktor.
He continues.
"That dark energy? It must be the work of dark magic... but I can't feel it's mana."
"Yes... I've never seen anything quite like it as well."
Before Viktor could reply, the cave temperature, which was already cold in the first place, suddenly drops to a bone-chilling level.
*slice*
*thud*
My vision suddenly shifts as my head suddenly falls to the floor.
I'm inclined to scream but the moment I do I'm back at the cave.
'Magnus are you okay?'
Absolution asks me what happened.
'I... I don't know.'
I subconsciously grab my neck and find it still comfortable attached to my body.
Was... it an illusion? If it was, I should've felt or sensed the change in the mana flow...
And I'm immune to most illusion magic due to my mental capabilities.
I notice that my hands are starting to shiver.
... Don't tell me... what happened was just all in my mind?
I shake my head. Those are questions for later.
Suddenly my instincts scream at me as I quickly back away.
*slice*
I see the sharp edge of a knife quickly rip through the air just where my neck was.
*step*
Then I hear the quick footsteps of a small creature.
*thrust*
"Magn-"
I instinctively raise my right hand blocking my face with my sword.
*crack*
The sound of metal splintering hits my ears as I see a dark creature wielding a black kitchen knife pierce my steel longsword effortlessly.
I let go of the handle.
[Limit Break]
With renewed speed I back away, making space in between the creature and me.
"Viktor, cast protective magic! This thing is too fast for you."
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Viktor nods and his seriousness returns.
I allow the new quickness of my body take over as my mind starts processing the situation several thousand times faster than any mere mortal could.
It's not normal, that's for sure.
Nothing below a divine level skill can block or hinder [God Senses] and I refuse to believe that a creature with a divine skill is having a hard time killing me.
*slice*
I dodge another slash as the knife cuts through the cave walls with ease.
'Absolution!'
'Yes Magnus!'
Two steel long swords appear from thin air and I grip both of them.
I focus myself and see the dark creature approach me with frightening speed.
[Fleet Footwork]
Body Power: 150 (30+20+50+50)
The spell increases my body power by 50 points, effectively increasing it but only its speed.
My [Limit Break] increases my overall body power by 50%, increasing the spell's even further.
I face the creature with increased speed and swing my left arm bringing down the sword towards it.
As expected, it raises its knife to block my sword.
*break*
The sound of glass shattering comes from the impact of the knife and the sword but I was already prepared.
I let go of the broken sword's handle and grip the other sword with two hands.
I maneuver quickly behind the creature while spinning then use the force of my current body power to slash the creature.
[Heavy Slash]!
The skill activates as the longsword quickly reaches the creature.
*crash*
The combined force of my skill and body power sends the creature pummeling towards a cave wall.
I hear Viktor gasp and say.
"Is it done? It's too fast, I can't properly see it."
I'm not sure myself. I can't sense it so I don't know if it's dead or not.
I look towards the sword I used to attack it and shake my head.
It's broken and only the handle is left.
It corroded the moment it touched the creature but thankfully I still hit it with that much force.
I dismiss the sword and the handle returns to my space.
I summon two more and wait for the creature.
Instead of using my skills to sense the creature, I focus on my physical senses and start feeling the movement of the area, the wind currents in the cave and the vibrations hitting the earth.
While I'm not as talented as my sisters in doing combat, I can at least do the basic combat senses developed by fighters all around the multiverse.
I deactivate [Limit Break] and let my body rest but I prepare my mind the moment the creature attacks again.
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'Darky! Are you okay?!'
I lift myself up from the rubble. Thankfully the dust and smoke is keeping me away from the god-kin.
.... This will be harder than I thought... My power while weak is far more superior than the god-kin... Yet we're losing...
'Yeah... He's strong...'
We must retreat... If the god-kin catches us, he'll kill us...
'I don't want to die!'
.... My power is dwindling... All those months of resting and feeding... Gone to waste...
We failed... I feel guilt as I try to focus... I failed Darky's expectations.
Do not blame yourself child... This person is just... Strange... We were no match from the beginning... Right now we need to retreat...
'I'll start running sir.'
I get up and use the last bits of Darky's power and dash out of the smoke.
*slice*
I manage to duck with Darky's power as I dodge a wind-like blade coming towards me.
I move even faster but pull back as the god-kin throws a sword just in front of me blocking my way.
"Magnus! It's cornered! It doesn't have much darkness left."
A shrill voice comes from the mage and the god-kin nods in acknowledgement.
I move quickly as I dodge the barrage of wind from the mage but each movement is draining Darky's power.
Dodge!
Within the barrage of wind was something I didn't notice.
A blade.
My eyes widen as I see the blade late flying along with the magic.
*crack*
The blade hits me on my chest and pushes me back.
*thud*
I hit the wall hard but thankfully Darky's power saved me.
But... He's running out of power.
I try to stand up but i'm getting tired as well...
*pant pant*
I slowly gasp for air, waiting for the god-kin to move.
Looking up, I see the god-kin holding another sword from his right hand.
'Darky... He has so many swords'
Boy... I think we are in trouble... We underestimated the god-kin...
I ignore Darky for now and prepare my next move. I let go of the knife and the darkness leaves it.
The knife crumbles to dust the moment it touches the ground.
Despite the god-kin's eye covers, I can feel him staring at me with great focus.
'Darky... I'll make a run for it. Can you give me a boost?'
I... Have no choice... Be ready...
Darkness enshrouds me once more as I prepare moving.
The god-kin notices and prepares a stance.
The mage starts chanting a spell but I ignore him.
*break*
The cave ground cracks as I shoot forward with great speed.
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"Viktor here he comes!"
I shout at Viktor and prepare myself for the quickly charging dark creature.
The creature quickly approaches me with breakneck speeds.
I immediately activate [Limit Break] and charge forward, with my long sword in front of me.
I swing it upward and bring it down with [Heavy Slash], increasing its speed and power.
The creature goes to block it.
I inwardly smile.
I expected that.
The blade clashes with the creature but instead of breaking or cracking, the blade-
*slice*
-cuts!
The darkness gets ripped apart by Blade no. 1's sharp edge.
It's tougher body resists the corrosive effect of the darkness and the sharpness manages to cut through its defenses.
Suddenly with the darkness gone, I see the bare skin of a human.
'What!?'
The blade is already too close and I couldn't move it away.
*slice*
*stab*
Blood spurts from me as my blade is blocked by a shadowy hand that manifested from the creature's shoulder and a shadow-like claw impales me on my shoulder.
"Magnus!"
I pull away and the creatu-
- two creatures allow me some space.
When I make some space, I see that the dark creature has created a bigger doppleganger.
Wait... It's not a shadow creature, it'sa human.
These thoughts run into my head as the shadow creature I fought starts to weaken. Eventually the darkness leaves it, leaving an unconscious child in front of me.
'What!'
"What!"
I hear Viktor's surprised voice. He's just as confused as I am.
In a gutteral voice I hear something from the coalesced darkness in front of the child.
"Let... the child... go"
"What?"
I'm utterly confused.
I use [God's Eye] and the dark creature is not registering.
It's a creature that is not affected by my identification skill.
It simply means... It's an alien creature.
Wait the only creatures that can confuse my senses are those things that come from the void.
No... It can't be... There has never been a creature from the void to be in Eldran without the notice of the gods.
No it must be connected to my fall.
Thankfully this thing is not one of the big 3 or else, I would've died the moment I saw it.
Now, I shake my head and focus.
Kid first.
"Did you take control of the kid."
In a pained voice, the creature replies.
"Yes"
"I see."
I raise blade no. 1.
Should I kill this thing? It's a void creature, albeit one of the lesser ones. It could prove to be a very powerful ingredient.
'Absolution, tell me what are the applications of void creatures.'
Absolution seems quiet and says 'Not much Magnus but they are a massively powerful source of energy. Felbeasts are the most physically strongest creatures and can destroy almost everything while lifehounds can provide a nigh infinite amount of energy'
I nod.
'Good, this abomination can serve us we-'
"WAIT!"
Huh?
I see the kid slowly standing up.
The dark creature screams to the kid.
"Sit down child!"
The kid flinches but bravely goes in front of the creature.
"Don't hurt Darky! I will fight you god-kin!"
My jaw drops and I look towards Viktor who is looking at me with a slack-jawed expression.
What the hell is going on?!