Blood flowed, followed by more sounds, beats, and mist. Their leader wasn't the only one attacking. Most unleashed their strikes, but Ultium had his right hand free and even if his steps turned slower, he had plenty of blood. Frankly, he was starting to get enough heat out of this.
However, what came next put his blood and life into the cold drenched piss-infusing mood. The leader felt dreadful. Swords clustered together, forming combos left and right. A few of them hit each other, turning the slashes into stabs. They failed to utilize their blood formation in time and it was a mistake of their leader.
And Ultium already dealt with two devils, rendering the blood-formations useless. Perhaps they wouldn't work either because Ultium was far too savage.
And gone.
Blood mist and thud echoed.
“Above!” the halberd user shouted, crouching and bleeding. Ultium jumped not that high, but he almost appeared as if he teleported.
Hovering three meters above the ground, he cruised in mid-air by some strange blood art. It wasn't Flying Steps for sure, but it was similar. Finding footing in the air was possible when one struck the air with enough force, momentum, or something unique. Blood was enough. His affinities towards it helped a lot in this regard.
Those with wind, space, or other space-involved powers held much easier movement advantage over others. Flying was possible even for fodder below Level 50, albeit limited, and not that long unless one had some wing artifacts, great equipment pieces, or sets.
Ultium jumped as if there was a wall above him, going down and aiming at his target. He shattered the halberd user alongside the incoming thick chop that went against his revolving blood.
Crashing at the ground, others weren't quick enough to stop him, intercept him, or move toward him.
Numbers were dwindling, but not the blood.
Ultium gave them time when he penetrated the halberd user's chest, pinning him to the ground, and creating holes. The remaining fools encircled him in fright. He looked at them, eyes blazing in a fierce red storm. He got up, swiping his palm, deflecting every strike when sizzling blood encompassed his arm like shied, looking thicker and denser with every kill.
Looking at these unfortunate souls wasn't fine, so he went straight at offense when his palm and legs overcame some hurdle and his wounds itched. He was still alive. And burned in the heat of blood and restless heart.
Ultium sidestepped poorly, but because there weren't that many enemies left, he could afford it. He went for the sturdiest-looking knight wearing thick armor, aiming the tip of his spear at a barely exposed gap. It wasn't even centimeters wide. Perhaps little of it was right, as most helmets came off from the rest of the armor. It had its uses.
Fingers went deep, following some blood aura, and storming force that severed veins and muscles. In a heartbeat, blood flew like a geyser from the intact armor.
Ultium didn't know how many foes remained any longer. There were those alive but unwilling to move, or those dead, or alive, yet unable to hit him. He finished some of them in an instant.
Their leader was furious, gripping his long sword, and far underestimated their plans and experiences.
Ultium was bleeding profusely and moved like someone wounded, yet hit them back as if he was stronger than ever before. It wasn't some form of berserk ability. The leader understood that. It was about some nasty blood art, flesh, and craziness. He was a devil but had never seen something this crazy.
It wasn't as if he was underestimating Ultium too much. They didn't make many mistakes, and even managed to hit him dozens of times! He was bleeding, feeling wounds, and moved in foreign and his own blood. Blood was an advantage and disadvantage for devils. Perhaps that was the answer he was looking for.
This monstrosity that was nothing more than a human dog crashed their formation, and combos, killing almost half of them. Nothing. This devil was nothing but a dog in the eyes of the military that held many devils from many clans and families in their ranks. The general population wasn't aware of many things. The military was part of that as well, but they were closer to some rumors, thanks to Mindarch and some exclusive footage, information, or trades.
None of them through Ultium's power was something grounded on merit, reputation, or if it was even deserved.
Now, standing before the real deal and bloody pit, the leader was uneasy. His grip loosened like his mind. He unleashed something they didn't expect, but perhaps some knew this would come. Their boss knew it already. They didn't trust it. The dog was no dog. It was a dragon hiding in the midst of an unfilial land.
Fewer foes were left around this plain.
“One,” Ultium stated a single word, or was it a number? Standing, suit, and his hands filled with the blood of his foes. His next move was simple when they pounced at him all at once. Even their leader gripped his palms, unleashing his all-out slashes that moved every power of his heart and blood arts.
Ultium relaxed his right hand, ending his spear by broadening the fingers and forming a claw out of every blood he had at his disposal. Each finger turned into a sharp fang-like cluster of mana and blood, looking like jewel moving water streams.
“A single strike?” the leader mumbled as he felt his sword was slower than a snail. Fear gripped his heart. “He wants to get this over with?”
Right. Ultium lowered his posture and swiped his legs in an unnatural stance around him. As he did so, his fingers left afterimages of bloody fangs, holes, and strikes behind. They moved as he turned on the spot, claiming a head, weapon, armor, or limb with each move, turn, and sway of his fingers.
At least a single dot was at their chest as well, cutting into the armor and turning it obsolete when swiping fingers cracked the rest apart. Blood and metal collided next, before falling to the ground. Their armor didn't seem to help them all that much after all, even if Ultium would digress. They kept up with his favorite tool, which was worth some praise.
This left a single knight alone. It was the leader with a long sword who defended with his sword successfully. It was half of its size by now, thanks to the sizzling cut right in its half Ultium stopped his dance and straightened his back. Looking at the sole survival of this attack, he didn't have that many fingers, yet it wasn't that bad. Unsurprisingly, he smirked in success.
“Die...”
“No!” the leader shouted. There were others around that were still alive, barely breathing. Perhaps they could help after crawling to their feet.
Yet, it was too late for regrets or hopes. This slowly creeping day was a bloody nightmare.
Ultium bathed in his intimate glory, grace, mist, blood, heart, and beats, overseen by few but none of his team.
Standing, hands gripping over his face, blood dripped between his fingers.
“Still not enough...” He mumbled.
***
High in the air, Bagus left this section of the land. He went right above the plains, mountains, or stone-cold places, going straight to the next Sector after Lisa figured their time was changing like their path.
Thanks to their communication, David and Itrosh gave her enough information to move forward. Ultium was the secondary idea, as it was something that David argued about. As long as Ultium’s independent moves wouldn't cause them any trouble, Lisa was fine with that. They left him in dust, but not for long. They had their battles and there would come a reunion very soon. Itrosh kept up with Bagus's pace. David wasn't far off either, or so he said.
Lisa wasn't entirely sure about it because she wasn't feeling the surroundings that well.
After a while, an interesting Sectors came to their view. It was their first resting location, looking like a savage dark savanna, cracked earth, and dull forest. By now, around five hours passed since they separated, so a lot of things happened down below.
Unexpectedly, none attacked them in the air, which Bagus took with a smile on his face and Lisa wasn't that happy. She thought someone would move at them. From the looks of it, most groups went against the ground team first, but Lisa had endless nerves about what it meant. She wasn't sure if it was proper. She was starting to feel she was missing something very crucial.
Murai didn't care about her worry. Bagus wasn't that inflexible in the air, and he had high defenses and power right below that of Ultium. He laughed at Murai from time to time; he wouldn't back down even if those Crows came back.
Landing, their current location was a dark forest filled with chasms, deep crevices, and cave systems that were part of a rather unique Sector. It was part of Province 3's unique lands, looking barren in different ways than mountains and rocky plains. It was as if dozens of Overlords and Sages went rampant and crashed the earth. Mostly flat, forests of all kinds ranged from gray plains that were full of lingering fog. Such variety went hand in hand with most of this temple, let alone this Gate. Once thriving in vitality, now it was full of deep canyons and chasms, creating a perfect hiding spot.
Most chasms went deep into the ground, giving some beasts and people places to live in darkness, or doing other things like mining or shady business.
Lisa preferred this kind of place, so Bagus landed in one such chasm that wasn't so deep or large. Not only it was a fairly remote and unpopular place, but since there were thousands of these chasms, finding them should be difficult.
Lisa knew how this place operated in the shadows and chose this as their rest. Mana in these lands held dark properties, filling the chasm with perpetual fog as if it were night all the time because of the distant artificial sun.
It was also impervious to most senses, so deals of all kinds and businesses happened in this Sector. A lot of things can hide, die, and turn here, away from the towns and cities, or even some Overlords. Not Mindarch, Lisa knew. That soul construct should see and feel everything if he truly wanted that. Not even Amelius stopped him.
Lisa bet on those spying capabilities, but not words or help. Mindarch was silent, not acting for the sake of Hunted. There was a high-class interest in their existence, so he must be observing them without helping Hunters either.
It was near perfect place to hide some secrets, deals, or do something that shouldn't be done. David knew this place very well.
Feeling right to be good was adequate, but could it work for their purpose and this Hunt? At worst, Lisa thought this place was good to defend, and fleeting to the fog was easy. Bagus will rest and their enemies might not find them in time. However, they weren't potential but guaranteed. They weren't alone in this place. Itrosh and David assured that idea.
Bagus, Murai, and Lisa were the only ones here; the others would come when they could. Ultium won't, albeit he could. David doubted that, so he told Lisa to trust this process because it wouldn't be fine. He didn't send them any message since their departure, which was nothing surprising for anyone from Lost Brothers.
David at least assured Lisa that Ultium would be fine and that she shouldn't think of him as some poor soldier or tool. He was more than that, but not in Lisa's mind. She had to squeeze every opportunity she held down to their core benefits.
He was the strongest, so she hoped he would shield their group from the toughest enemies. Maybe she was right. There was no way to tell.
Being free and set on his own choices, Ultium did that even without hearing and seeing her voice.
For the past five hours, David teamed with Itrosh for the sake of this mission. They often worked as a team anyway, followed by Bagus or others, so they were familiar with one another. They fought, scouted, and figured threats from kilometers away thanks to her Wind Sound Waves.
They fought, intercepted, or hindered those problems while giving some ideas to Bagus and Lisa, so they would fly further away. It moved smoothly and way better than Lisa predicted. She liked to be right, but feeling it in this case wasn't as pleasing.
David and Itrosh should come to this chasm soon. Ultium was strong so it went without question he will be fine. Lisa told him the rules and target, so either he would come to them before Scorching Light, or David would drag him back.
“Hm? What a nice place.” Murai mumbled as he jumped from Bagus, looking around and seeking that fog, lifeless rocks and soil, and caves that made up the bottom of this chasm. He saw enough thanks to Lisa's body and his Night Vision was useful. Soul Read felt nothing alive in his proximity.
“Yeah? I fear this doesn't make me happy. It is dreadful.” Lisa said, floating up to see the chasm. “Alright, plans are clear. Let's wait for Itrosh and David before returning to the flight. Ultium fights and does his work like that damned David wants. Screw them both!”
“He will be fine.” Bagus snorted.
“Shut up. There are dozens of Hunter groups all around us, behind, or ahead. I don't like this in the slightest. We lost some of them, or some stopped to follow us. Fear works, right?”
“What is bound to come will come. I will rest and protect you all if it comes to that. Hunts are like that. It isn't fine, so it isn't fine to expect it to be so,” Bagus argued, lying down, and with a flash of light, some meal appeared before him, coming from his necklace.
“Good to be such a good Grifhart...” Lisa moaned and looked at Murai. “What do you have to say?” Murai didn't refute her in a long while. Fear was a powerful tool, followed by a powerful reputation that was following fears. She had hers. Murai must have his fair share as well. The existence itself was tremendous.
“Fear is right, but I still think a big mistake was to travel through the sky.” He quacked. “It's boring. I couldn't train, nor mend to this... charade of a caravan.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Bagus laughed at his annoyed quacks. He chewed on some meal where his feathers trembled and his head twitched. Something moved beyond the shadows, stopping his bliss.
Unlike before because of lacking distance, Murai felt approaching souls. They were weak, but not every one of them.
Lingering thuds and roars echoed, and growling noises spread from beyond the chasm. It was about a dozen meters deep, outgrown by some moss, and hiding in the fog. There was a forest above, as well as some plains with further chasms that were either connected or alone. Some were sporadic; not really that useful, deep, or wide.
Behind death-looking trees, quite a large group of beasts appeared, followed by a shrouded figure. Beast sniffed the ground and trees, wincing their heads towards one particular chasm.
Ferocious-looking Grand Rhinars took their Hunt seriously, like any popular hunting beasts that were tamable for most Beast Masters. They were beasts of questionable origin, but clear evolutions made them strong and tamable. Fog hid others, more lucrative tools. Rhinars were just toys, barely dogs for some folks.
It was a species that stemmed from one particularly heavy Divine Beast. The quality of their Bloodline was weaker, but Rhinos, large beasts originating from the Radagan were like their godfathers. Their tough hides were like the finest armor, and a large spike for a weapon crashed mountains like tofu.
Rhinars were like ants before true Rhinos. They were closer to Gnarwals, who were larger beasts than coyotes with tough defense and weight.
Rhinars were a stable species, so their evolution choices were plentiful. However, Rhinars or Gnarwals could become one if they met their requirements, or used a fitting Influence Item.
Grand Rhinars were an evolution of regular Rhinars who were beasts like wolves. They followed natural selection, growth, and power since birth. They grew quickly, so their Levels were generally high, and high-level ones were very rare, making their further evolutions tough to seek or hunt.
Grand Rhinar, in a sense, was a choice of their first or second evolutions. The body was a mixture of many low aspects that came from Rhinos. Grand meant they were bigger and stronger variants of Rhinars.
Their legs held cat-like properties, with some leanness to them, allowing for better dexterity and flexibility, but not speed. They were too burly for that. In theory, they didn't need speed. The upper body had a tough hide and a big spike on their head was an obvious token stemming from Rhinos. The thick hide was around their side, neck, and head. Legs had fur, looking weirdly unnatural. Jaws were at the bottom of their head, fairly further from the spike. Growls, howls, and sharp teeth came from them.
It was a wonder if flexibility was even possible for such burly yet not that tall beasts, but it sure was deadly, considering dozens of them came here after many kilometers of pursuits. That, or they waited here for Bagus for a long time, or chased them from the closer Sectors.
“Bloody hounds!” Lisa cursed as she realized they had been got. “Bagus, you jinxed it! I said we hadn't shaken some fuckers away.” She said to him; chewing on the thoughts.
“Having another Beast Master behind our backs for snacks sounds like a good idea.” Bagus chuckled and quickly finished his meal.
“Well, those beasts don't sound to be that hard. They purr and growl like cats and hounds.” Murai mumbled and got ready like Bagus. Both were unable to see the approaching enemies, but both held very little interest if they were here or not. Either way, they came over and it was time to fight it out.
Murai stretched his wings and neck, finally cheering that such change came. He cheered so silently that Lisa wished to grab his beak and twist it sideways. They should just remain quiet and hide. This was no chance. A great Hunter came instead.
Some disinterested fleeting better be forgotten for Murai, who was already fed up with his lacking time. His expression changed, his smile widened, and mana was never this flowing, stressing, and shaking in excitement under his feathers.
He hadn't learned a lot from Pillage to crack some codes or ideas. But he sure was an interesting old fellow who had plenty of experiences to give. Heavenly Shaping and its efficient rules had passed Murai's plentiful experiences, so the first level of success had been cracked down. Some of Murai's results already bore their fruit because Shaping itself wasn't something like eclipsing transformation like upgrades of the Mana Cores. It was about controlling what one had.
Every spell needed a unique approach to the Heavenly Shaping. It wasn't as universal as Murai hoped, unfortunately. It was a specified, special, and unique Shaping foundation that gave a lot more than a dozen ideas. It had hundreds, if not more privy and curious studies. If one followed it like that, of course.
Pillage expressed his melancholy of the past—or most likely current time—that not many would think of his technique as something ground-breaking or worth researching. He had already done so, so those aside from him worked with bits of his whole mountain that was his Heavenly Shaping.
Most of his students—and those willing to use it—worked with a couple of ideas at a time before moving to different studies or focuses. Easing the delays was the primary purpose of his technique, so Murai wasn't that surprised that not many would do so.
He was in a unique position because he discovered one interesting topic. Pillage was unfortunate. He was betrayed because his technique was blasphemous in the past. It still had its worth, however, but someone in the past stole his life work while waiting for his passing
What came of his own legacy was then turned into mild or wicked history. Levandis had one part of his work, so Murai found it curious and expressed his concern. He wouldn't mind paying and giving Pillage what he deserved. It wasn't about Karma or Fate. Those things better get lost in his opinion.
When Murai mentioned how he found this part of his work, Pillage had almost no reaction besides whimpering howls, saying that Gods were sick, but not a reason for everything. The universe was.
It answered more reasons than answers, so Murai wasn't as forceful and let this topic go for a better time.
Heavenly Shaping was a self-found technique. It followed one's steps, rather than this world's, and Boosts couldn't affect it. It would just read and give it some wording like a brush pointing at the painting without touching the canvas. It had a variety of thresholds and Murai's present Level 21 Heavenly Shaping was good.
However, that was incorrect. He bet he had passed some Levels in the past days, but it wasn't as if it was some curse. He hadn't gotten a word since this world wasn't spinning right. According to Pillage, every five levels was like a gate, and his technique had corresponding gifts. Its internal structure was the reward itself, so Murai had no locks or voices to think about besides his tries and following this technique.
It was a true legacy, so he was happy for what it was. Learning and discovering what it could hide and do was most up to the individual. Its established structure was definitely wide, and with Pillage in the picture, what better thing was possible?
But there were still some motions that Pillage made according to this world's rules. It was a notion that benefited those following it, and abilities, spells, and some attributes were that. One had to have them for Shaping, and even if they were all connected, there was something neat about this world's gifts and Boosts.
Pillage gave this idea to Murai, even though he was deeply enraged even after so many millennia. He wasn't some Breacher or Taboo Maker. He was just a beast that followed the rules of this world like many in the past. That went on until he did touch something. When the rules shacked him in return, he decided to pursue the peak and change the outcome.
He failed
Then met his End.
Murai's Shaping was at Level 21, and his skill was far better than that, so Pillage promised him that Surge and Surge Efficiency would give him the advances that he desired. Murai already started to use them to some extent, albeit only inside the Heavenly Shaping Manual. It was one of the main validations of his dogshit manual that could influence all spells.
Murai could implement it to his Sharpblade, Flame Shots, Nova, and other spells, and even try and learn new ones. Self-found ideas were fitting choices that most Shaping Manuals were great at giving, and any mage could elevate their arsenal because of them. Add to that some tomes or teachers, and one could get stronger by leaps and bounds.
Murai was a little bit difficult. He had limited interest in spells because of his body and core. It was and wasn't his choice in a way. Since the start, his species had crazy ways of handling mana, thus Shaping was difficult. Murai's soul either couldn't work with it, or it was just bad compatibility between mana, soul, and his body. Murai considered it no guess but a fact. Pillage agreed.
Besides that, his abilities were long strong. His Peak Layering and Beak's Blitz were his best tools, and he had no doubts about their usability since he tested them numerous times. Some parts of them could depend on the Shaping. At least from the little what that Will of the Battleworld said.
Blitz was incredible in the previous Gate. The Fatality was especially haughty and sharp. Now, his Peak was... kind of savage. He couldn't think of any other word. It was both stressful and heavy on his neck, spine, and beak. At least, its effective powers were on par with Blitz's Fatality, but its bigger outputs were dangerous thanks to its layering.
Murai had limited ways to train it on top of Bagus, but before their departure, he spent a long time figuring things out on the go, or inside his Manual. He had time and protection of his Helpers, so he had nothing to stop him.
Now, it was time to witness some of his results. Grand Rhinars will have to adapt to him. Not him to them.
Lisa moaned even further, clutching her flowy hair and face. “Ugh... Fine. More fools would come if we don't fight this Beast Master. There are three choices before we move. Leave a message to Itrosh and David when we leave, or..” Lisa's words were cut short when she looked at that pair of beasts.
Murai was long battle-ready, and so was Bagus, who flared and stretched his neck and wings and feathers. He copied Murai's act and neither cared for her words.
Men. Lisa was surrounded by idiots. Their group was far too important to attack others willingly. These enemies must've moved outside of their steps. Lisa slapped her forehead, surrounded by maniacs, and her own mind followed them. She felt it affected her a little.
There was no denying that. Sometimes, she was a maniac as well, or even worse, so she had no excuses to say to their hopes. Murai itched for a fight for days, but she always held him back, telling him that this Gate was dangerous and that he should be a good duck and back down his lofty head.
It wasn't something Murai liked for sure. He didn't like being told what to do.
Not anymore.
Grand Rhinars were beasts welll over Level 40, so they were good target practice dummies. Some were closing on Level 50, looking bigger than others. None were below Level 40 at first run over Lisa's memories.
And there were dozens of them soon surrounding the chasm's edge, looking down on their targets, wincing in heads, and growling restlessly. Beast Master also stepped forward, glancing past the edge.
“An interesting pit of hopes. Almost like a grave. Shame that I am no Earthling or the one with nature.” Beast Master told, showing his face. He was a twisted demon with many eyes and a wide mouth. He looked human, with pairs of limbs and a stable head and neck. A long and thick cloak was hiding most of his other features.
Burying them in this chasm was a nice wish, and the encompassing fog hid more of his toys. Grand Rhinars growled as if agreeing to their master. Quite a numerical advantage was good, but when considering Bagus, things were tougher than they were.
This Beast Master was Level 72, which meant the surrounding Grand Rhinars were just specks of his tools. He had more beasts lurking around, hoping for their chances. Be it in some canopies, trees, shadows, crowns of trees, or sky, they waited.
Grand Rhinars were easy to breed, so he had a reasonable amount of them for feeding his stronger beasts or using them as fodder or tools. They made good hunting dogs, and their sturdiness was higher than most other similar beasts
As for their physicality, their defenses were a high priority, their jaws were meant to grip and not let go, and thanks to the thick and sharp spike, they could pierce and kill larger prey than themselves. Most spikes were dozens of centimeters long and some big ones were half a meter long.
The only downside was probably the legs, which were a bit thin, but they were enough to move their bodies. The saving grace was the hind legs that were a bit thicker in thighs and twisted in tight muscles, tendons, knuckles, and bones, so they could pounce and propel their bodies forward. That went well with their spike.
Their Bloodline purity wasn't that fine, but it wasn't a factor to be scared of or be glad for. For Bagus, meeting a large swarm of low-level beasts didn't make a big difference because killing often underwhelmed this whole leveling process. Blood. A simple lucky strike could kill even high-level targets, turning a sizable difference into a lethal act. Of course, this was easier said than done most of the time, especially further down the line of Levels.
There were many instances of murmurs about Extremes dying because they were overconfident. That was a norm across the 100 Levels. At every stage, there were differences, and gaps between talents, bodies, and skills.
Life was fragile and a lot of beings understood that fact.
Dozens of Grand Rhinars were there and more were coming or waiting beyond the chasm. Most observed the edge, hoping for an order to go in.
From the bottom, Murai Read and noted at least thirty of them. A big push of his Sonar revealed even more of them; not just Grand Rhinars. There were other enemies, stronger and harder to Read because of his range, or this place.
A small confidence was a gap between Ends and chance. Being swarmed wasn't a great choice, and Murai could feel it and sense his twisting choices and hopes. He wasn't expecting to flee. It was time for a fight.
This decision was a rule of the majority. Bagus followed suit, which left Lisa alone, grunting and looking at them as if they were foolish.
“We go at it, Lisa,” Murai said as his body began undulating force and trembles of mana. He let go of his hesitation since this time was a good choice to further his learning. It didn't matter to him if their level and numbers were beyond him. He could fight against them by using tricks, his experiences, and what he already had.
It was enough.
“Finally some small fries for a small fry! Happy birthday! Murai!” he whispered to himself, figuring that his thoughts were weird. Lisa was speechless and let this go.
Mana Sonar gave him quite a detailed overview of the situation. “Bagus, there are touch stronger fools up to your side. Dozens of them. Most, if not all are stronger than these spike beasts. Dozens are hiding too so take care of them. Leave the rest to me.
Bagus didn't know what he quacked about. Lisa took it into her mouth. “Stupid... beasts. Fine. Bagus, take care of who you think is tough.”
“Which direction is mine?” Bagus asked after figuring out the obvious task.
“Direction? Every single one of them. Greet that gazing idiot as well and his puppies. Onto the left, beyond the chasm is a good start.” Lisa gestured with her finger, following Murai's efforts to act like a leader. The toys of this Beast Master were plentiful and soon many Grand Rhinars began jumping down, gnawing onto the walls, or using holes for paths. Beast Master wasn't coming. He wasn't moving. Instead, he backed away, disappearing into the fog after figuring that his target was clearly up to his beasts. He will swarm them!
“They want to keep us here? Bullshit. Hah! They are far too comforting in their mere peasantry. This will be their grave. Not ours.” Murai judged as he rose his beak up in a lofty manner.
As if understanding these quacks that Lisa didn't translate, Bagus turned his own beak up as well. He was looking far more impressive than a little duck aside from him.
Then, he flicked his wings, flooding the bottom of the chasm with wind and turning the fog away. It wasn't as bothersome, but it gave them more visibility and choices in their upcoming battle
“Alright. I trust you in this one,” Bagus said as he flew away, disappearing above the chasm. He left Lisa behind, whining that he should stay closer just in case, but that was her other conscience thinking.
Too little, too late. At least there was some good news. Half of the Grand Rhinars went after Bagus and didn't jump down. That still left quite a few left over to Murai, who was ready to take them. What will happen above wasn't on his mind.
He will gladly take this bottom as his arena, while Lisa could help him if she wanted. She already tried her lackluster flesh and found some bits, but it was like a shadow touching upon something bigger.
For some reason, she shrunk back and didn't want to help other than in the mid or long-range. She was yet to become a real fighter, even though she would love that more than anything. For that to change, she needed more power, chances, or some sort of precious energy that she knew she didn't have. OR guts. She realized something and wasn't willing to go over some vague line because she lacked a lot of things.
Murai wasn't upset or surprised. What occurred more than five hours ago was a rare picture of Lisa's rare lost side. He considered it as her unhindered and savage self, and it won't come out very often
Or it was an experiment and nothing more. In that case, he couldn't judge her whatsoever because he was about to do the same thing.
Perhaps some treasures would help her. How about some materials with sona or soul properties? She needed it like Murai needed a lot of things. Lisa was young, thanks to her third life which wasn't that old and far. What else she had in mind? She didn't even know what her race needed to grasp, but her path as this ghost was set in stone upon her creation. Not as a Life Companion for a Blessed, but for something much worse, better, or weirder than that.
If she would prove herself, getting yet another chance in life wasn't a dream. A fourth life? Third chance. Her first life was the regular kind that went through the Afterlife with a wipe of the origin, while the second and third ones were much different
She wondered where it all went wrong or why. Could she even give these Rhinars a taste of her powers and crash her insides? It wasn't worth it; she wasn't even aware of how tough those Hunters back then were, or how strong they were. Perhaps she could reconsider her choices once more. She will have to try it since Murai was stubborn and already went onwards, taking the first pounces for shining balls of mana.
Murai flared up like a goofball of mana, desires, and flashing light. He was glad that he was alone, the arena was wide, and anyone in sight was annoying him with killing intent.
Every Grand Rhinar had their sights set on him, killing and hunting his skin, neck, and feathers.
Slaughter. It was how he wanted to start as well.
“Oh! My blood is boiling! Prepare your necks, little puppies.” He growled and quacked loudly after the first Grand Rhinar pounced toward his torso, its spike shined and arrived like a spear.