Forgive me for constantly talking about the Horde. It is just that when you face hardships in life it is normal to look back at past experiences to help you solve those hardships. But I guess this is the limit of my experiences. None of the bugs had high-speed regeneration. While they could close wounds off with special fluids or grow lost limbs when given the time, there weren’t any that could instantly recover.
It was the limit. Even if they had the biomass, cell division that fast would fry every living being. It was just the law of biology, chemistry, and physics. No matter how bullshit Horde’s evolution was nothing could overcome the laws of the very universe.
Yeah. Except this wasn’t my own universe. And apparently, bullshit healing powers were normal in this universe. I should have guessed when I saw things like healing potions and magic but none of them were on this level. Lupus regrow his eye I gouged out with my arrows, burn marks made with Blanche’s lightning, and didn’t seem to be bothered by the liters of blood he lost. Goddamn you, you furball! You should have cooked yourself with the heat generated due to cell division! Stop breaking the laws of science!
The good news was the fact that we were able to push him back. Of course, sometimes we had to take a step back but for every step we took back, he had to take 2 steps back. He didn’t seem to realize that we were pushing him back purposely.
Oh, he looked at where his house used to be.
Oh, his ears perked up.
Oh, I jinxed myself again.
Why does this keeps happening?
“You tricksters! Trying to push me back! Do you think you can win by severing me from my grandfather’s grace?”
Oh, it seems my speculation was correct.
Oh, Percavel got smacked in the face again.
Okay, I will stop. My hand went to my quiver and I realized that I had no arrows left. It was normal. We have been through 9 floors. While I recovered some of my arrows after every battle, most got broken during the fight.
“Out of arrows!”
I shouted.
I could have just used my spear like before but with the battlefield this hectic, I could easily hit one of my allies. Yeah, I have been firing arrows but I had more control over arrows that were made to fire, unlike spears.
Of course, I still had my sword and I could have jumped in close combat. But looking at everyone’s bloodied bodies and Agatha’s complexion getting paler every time she healed someone told me that wasn’t the best idea. Agatha’s healing and buffs were different from Blanche’s magic or Percavel’s martial skills. However, all shared the same limitation: Every cast took mana, mental power, or stamina. Sometimes all of those at the same time. Looking at Agatha, it was clear that she was exhausted. It was normal since while we pushed Lupus back our frontline took a lot of damage.
The only good thing I noticed was Lupus’s movements getting sluggish and less coordinated as we pushed him back. His warcry about pride and how he was going to kill us also turned into growls and roars. His sword swings were random and lacked any resemblance of technique. Suddenly, it fell on his hands. His sword was thrown away. He made noises filled with ferality. His voice was what I would have considered a gentleman’s before. Now it was gone, replaced by a wild animal’s. Even though I knew something like this was going to happen, the change was too drastic. Despite the intimidating growls, our frontline attacked, striking down Lupus with their weapons. But at that moment something weird happened. Even though the skin was ripped, flesh torn, bone cracked and blood spilled on the ground Lupus didn’t move an inch.
“Hyper Armor! It is dangerous! Back away!”
Duncan shouted. I didn’t know what he meant by Hyper Armor. But I could guess that it was related to how Lupus took those hits unflinchingly.
“No! Don’t back away! Hold your line!”
Even though I shouted with a voice full of confidence, I was gambling. Gambling with their lives.
The reason my order was a gamble was a simple one: My lack of knowledge. Maybe Lupus was going to unleash a one-shot attack after his state ends. Maybe he was going to buff himself enough to kill us. Maybe we should have backed away. However, I shouted once again.
“Be ready to block him! Don’t let him move!”
Like I said before, there were things in this world my experiences didn’t help me to understand or navigate. This moment was one of those. The only thing I could do was trust my instincts and pray. Heh, funny since I was sent here by a God.
Stolen story; please report.
Duncan looked back at me. But seeing me with my shield and sword pulled out ready was enough to make him to Lupus. At that moment, Lupus raised his head and howled toward the moon. Blood-red mana overflowed, pushing everyone back. Even though I was slightly far away, I was pushed back. Naturally, our frontline was thrown back.
(You have been exposed to Howl of the Void.)
(Iron Will neutralizes the fear effect.)
(You partly resisted the weakening effect. Your stats decreases slightly.)
My body felt heavy. Slightly? Slightly! This isn’t slight at all!
(You resisted the skill seal effect.)
(You failed to resist predation of the void. Until you kill the skill caster your body will be damage- ERROR.)
(Error.)
(One of your sealed titles reacts.)
(Your title “The One who Have Seen The End” awakens.)
(You resisted predation of the void.)
(You resisted the weakening effect.)
Okay, this is a lot to take in once. Especially since Lupus currently is growing in size becoming muscular and taller. Considering he was already taller and wider than Duncan who looked like he won several World's Strongest Man so this wasn’t a good thing for us. Another thing that wasn’t good for us was Percavel and Agatha rolling on the ground, crying and screaming.
Also, sickly purple-black stains spread on Duncan and Blanche. I guessed that was predation of the void. Considering the color and pain-filled expressions both of them carried, it was very painful.
Lupus smashed his claws to the ground. They pierced the ground. Then he lifted himself up, doing flipping the table motion.
“Ah, for fucks sake.”
He tore away a huge chunk of the ground, lifting it up and throwing it toward us. I grabbed Agatha and pulled her away from the huge rock of death. It was hard since she trashed around, screamed, and tried to claw me. Despite that, I managed to pull her away. When the rock hit and the dust was settled, I saw Blanche did the same thing for Percavel while Duncan was getting his ass kicked by Lupus. The fact that he didn’t die immediately was interesting. 3 of them were barely able to push Lupus back but now he can-
“A double-edged blade.”
His pitch-black fur was falling out and exposing the same black and purple stain Blanche and Duncan had. This skill he used must not have affected everyone even the user.
“His regeneration can’t keep up.”
(Frost Booster is activated. Your weapons will be enchanted with ice element for 10 minutes. During that time your weapon’s power will increase by 5 percent. Enemies hit by ice element will slow down and may get frostbite if their resistance is low.)
I didn’t have to use this for once until here but I now had to spend 2 uses. I sighed. Survival was more important. I looked at my sword. It gave out a very faint glow now. I also saw several snowflake-like patterns forming. It was beautiful really. I wondered why I didn’t notice it when I first used it.
“I was too busy getting my ass kicked.”
Ah, yes. I remember now. Anyways!
(Monstrous Strength is activated. Strength is increased by 25 for 135 seconds.)
I rushed forward as I threw Agatha to the side. I am sorry but I can’t really babysit her right now. While Duncan seemed to be able to hold his ground, that stain spread as he moved. I was sure both Agatha and Percavel also had those stains, possibly worse than both Duncan and Blanche. I just couldn’t see due to them wearing things that covered their entire bodies. Robes for Agatha and armor for Percavel. If I wanted my companions to survive and help me on the last floor I had to move quickly.
I leaped forward, striking Lupus’s side while Duncan was drawing aggro in front. When my sword hit him my entire body shook as if I just smashed my sword against a boulder.
Heh, looking at him now, he wasn’t so different from a boulder. Still, I was able to draw blood. A small victory is still a victory. He turned around and growled. He swiped his claws. I dodged his wide swing, a wave of mana hitting where I stood. An ice spear hit him and Blanche landed beside me.