Chapter 81 - Final Preparations Part 3

The fight showed no signs of stopping. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, the constant echo of impacts against stone and flesh reverberating through the dungeon chamber. Adam, now free from the effects of paralysis, found himself once again in the fray. Every movement of his body carried an undercurrent of frustration and determination. His breaths were ragged, his muscles aching with exertion, yet he pushed forward, unwilling to relent.

Shu's movements were calculated, precise, and imbued with a refined elegance that belied the ferocity of his martial arts. Each strike of his fists and feet radiated with the concentrated force of his Ki, the energy visibly enhancing his blows. His body twisted and spun as he delivered a powerful roundhouse kick aimed at the tiger's ribs, the impact producing a sharp *crack* that echoed across the chamber. The beast stumbled momentarily, but its eyes burned with undying rage as it steadied itself and retaliated.

Adam took the opportunity to strike. His Spectronomicon hovered and cackled menacingly, floated by his side, its faint glow illuminating his features. With a deep breath, he summoned the massive devilish arm from his body once more. The grotesque appendage, pulsating with raw power, swung down at the tiger like a hammer. The beast dodged at the last moment, its reflexes impossibly fast, but Adam anticipated the movement. Activating [Spectral Mist Step], he vanished in a blur of smoky intangibility, reappearing behind the creature. His clawed hand slashed downward, the jagged edges of his transformed arm carving into the beast’s thick hide.

The tiger roared, its voice a deafening mix of pain and fury, and lashed out with its electrified claws. The arcs of electricity danced through the air, crackling with lethal intent. Shu barely dodged the sweeping strike, leaping backward and landing with practiced precision. Adam wasn’t as fortunate, a stray spark grazing his shoulder and causing him to wince as his arm momentarily went numb.

"Shu! This thing doesn’t stay down! What the hell are we supposed to do?!"

Adam shouted through gritted teeth, his voice strained. Shu landed another blow, his palm striking the tiger’s jaw with a resounding sound.

"We fight, Emir needs more time!"

He said tersely, his eyes never leaving the beast. Meanwhile, Emir clung tightly to the cube in his hands, his small frame trembling but steady. Even as Nikolai finally set him down, the boy remained focused, his wide eyes locked onto the swirling energy within the cube. Beads of sweat rolled down his temples, his lips moving in silent concentration.

"Keep going, kid!"

Nikolai shouted encouragingly, his voice breaking slightly from the adrenaline. He watched the chaos unfolding before him, ready to bolt with Emir at a moment’s notice. His enhanced suit allowed him to move at incredible speeds, and he wasn’t taking any chances.

The tiger lunged again, its massive form closing the distance with terrifying speed. Shu met its charge head-on, his fists glowing as he executed a series of rapid strikes aimed at the beast’s head and chest. Each impact caused small shockwaves, but the tiger didn’t falter. Instead, it retaliated with a swipe of its claws, forcing Shu to roll to the side to avoid being torn apart.

Adam took advantage of the distraction. Summoning his strength, he extended both hands, each grotesque and warped by [Physical Manipulation], their edges razor-sharp. He swung with all his might, the attacks leaving deep gashes in the tiger’s side. Despite the damage, the beast’s movements remained relentless. It roared again, shaking the very ground beneath them, and launched another barrage of electrified strikes.

Amidst the chaos, Adam’s ‘Cursed Vision’ activated. His eyes burned as his enhanced sight revealed a faint, glowing aura surrounding the tiger. A system window flickered into view in his mind's eye, providing information that sent a chill down his spine.

[ Skill: Indomitable Spirit (Passive) Lv6 ] [Additional Information] [A high-grade passive skill that embodies unyielding resilience. As long as the user is alive and continues to fight, they cannot be fully incapacitated in battle. No matter the severity of injuries or exhaustion, the user will always find the strength to rise again, driven by an unshakable will.]

Adam read the description, his mind racing.

"No wonder this thing won’t stay down."

He muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and despair. His breaths came faster as he realized the implications.

"We can’t just wear it out. It’s not just tough; it’s... unkillable. This isn’t a fight we can win by force alone."

He glanced at Shu, who was locked in a fierce exchange of blows with the tiger. Despite the martial artist’s skill and Adam’s own devastating attacks, the creature showed no signs of slowing. Adam’s eyes darted toward Emir. The boy was still holding the cube, his face pale but resolute. Could Emir’s ability truly sap the tiger’s strength in time? Or was it all a futile effort? Adam called out, desperation creeping into his voice.

"If we don’t figure out a way to calm it down or take it out permanently, we’re screwed!"

Shu grunted as he blocked a swipe with his forearm, his Ki flaring to absorb the impact.

"Then think of something! As per my master's orders, I’m not letting this thing get to the kid!"

The tiger roared once more, its claws sparking with renewed energy as it launched another assault.

Adam’s mind raced amidst the chaos of the battle, the tiger’s thunderous roars reverberating through the stone walls of the dungeon. Every breath he took was labored, his body pushed to its limit, but his thoughts latched onto a single, desperate idea. The image of Abbess Xinhui flashed vividly in his memory—a woman who had once been his mortal enemy, now something closer to an ally or even a servant. Her transformation had been a direct result of his skill, [Parasitic Undead Plague], but her case had been unique. Adam recalled the details of the skill’s description: it required a significant portion of infected biomass to enter the host’s body, and the greater the amount introduced, the faster the infection would take hold. However, this process ultimately killed the victim, turning them into an undead.

In Abbess’s case, the infection had affected her differently, possibly because she had already been undead to some degree. The fact that her heart had been the organ replaced by his parasitic biomass likely played a role as well. But that skill alone wasn’t enough for what Adam had in mind. He needed something more. Another possibility came to mind—[Vampiric Infection], a skill designed to temporarily control a living creature based on the amount of blood absorbed from it. By itself, this wouldn’t help much either. However, a wild thought struck him: what if he could combine both effects?

The idea was audacious, maybe even foolish, and Adam wasn’t sure it would work. After all, these were two separate skills. But if he could recreate even a fraction of the transformation that had occurred with Abbess, it might be enough to subdue the monstrous tiger. The beast had to be stopped, and quickly. Its ferocity and unrelenting attacks made every second critical. There was no time to dwell on uncertainties.

“Keep it busy!”

Adam shouted, his voice cutting through the din of battle. Shu responded without hesitation, leaping into action. His movements were sharp and calculated, every strike targeting the tiger’s legs and joints in an attempt to unbalance it. The tiger roared, its claws swiping through the air with deadly force, but Shu weaved around its attacks, retaliating with swift, punishing blows. His precision and speed bought Adam the opening he needed.

The boy darted toward the tiger, his enhanced body allowing him to move faster than any ordinary human. The beast turned its attention to him, its glowing eyes narrowing as it unleashed another earth-shaking roar. Lightning crackled across its body, and Adam barely managed to dodge the arcs of electricity lashing out in random directions. His focus was singular—get close enough to make his plan work.

The tiger lashed out with a massive paw, the claws slicing through the air with a force that could tear him apart. Adam ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as the strike missed him by inches. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the electrified tail that followed, then sprang to his feet and lunged forward, his claws digging into the tiger’s side. The beast snarled in fury, thrashing wildly as Adam climbed onto its back.

Clinging tightly to the tiger’s thick fur, Adam felt its muscles ripple beneath him, every movement a testament to its raw power. The beast bucked and twisted, trying to throw him off, but Adam held firm. He could feel the heat radiating from its body, the electric energy coursing through its frame threatening to overwhelm him at any moment. His grip tightened as he pulled himself closer to the back of its neck.

Now that he was in position, uncertainty struck him.

“What now?”

He muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the tiger’s roars. He had never consciously activated [Vampiric Infection] before—it had always been a passive effect tied to blood absorption. He had no idea how to trigger it deliberately. Panic began to creep in as the tiger’s thrashing grew more violent, and Adam knew he only had seconds before he was thrown off or worse.

Desperation forced his hand. With no other options, he made a choice that felt absurd at the moment.

“If this doesn’t work, I’m dead anyway.”

He thought grimly. Feeling foolish, he decided to mimic the vampires of fiction. Opening his mouth wide, he bit down on the tiger’s skin.

The instant his teeth made contact, something changed. His canines elongated unnaturally, transforming into sharp, deadly fangs that easily pierced the tiger’s thick hide. Warm blood flooded his mouth, and Adam froze as an unfamiliar sensation washed over him. It was as though the world around him slowed, the chaotic sounds of the battle fading into a dull hum. The taste of the blood was unlike anything he had expected—it wasn’t metallic or unpleasant. Instead, it felt invigorating, as though he was drinking pure vitality, unlike the sensation when he drank Abbess's blood.

For a brief moment, he felt connected to the tiger, an odd understanding of its raw, untamed essence passing through him. But the moment shattered when the beast let out a deafening howl.

Electricity surged violently across the tiger’s body, the arcs of energy intensifying to a blinding degree. Adam’s body seized as the first jolt hit him, a sharp, searing pain that coursed through his entire being. He clenched his jaw, suppressing a scream, but the next wave of electricity was even stronger. His muscles spasmed uncontrollably, and his vision blurred from the pain.

Unable to hold on any longer, Adam was thrown off the tiger’s back. The force of the discharge launched him through the air, sending him crashing into the dungeon wall with a bone-rattling impact. He crumpled to the ground, gasping for air as pain radiated through his body. If not for his enhanced physical stats, the impact would have killed him.

Adam lay sprawled on the cold, stone ground, his body twitching uncontrollably as if his muscles had forgotten how to obey him. The residual electricity from the tiger’s previous attack surged through him, leaving a persistent, stinging numbness in his limbs. It was as if invisible chains had wrapped around his body, binding him in a cruel mockery of helplessness. Every attempt to rise was met with resistance—not from the outside, but from within, as if his body itself had turned traitor. His fingers clawed weakly at the stone, his breathing ragged, frustration bubbling beneath the surface like a volcano waiting to erupt.

“Move, damn it. Move!”

The thought screamed through Adam's mind as he fought against the paralyzing effects. His vision blurred, and for a moment, despair threatened to creep in. The tiger was still rampaging, and every second he spent immobilized was another second his team was at risk. The room seemed to spin around him, the faint crackle of electricity lingering in the air like a cruel taunt.

Then, cutting through the haze of his frustration and pain, a system window materialized before his eyes. The glowing text was clear, authoritative, and impossible to ignore:

[You have consumed Mid-level Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger - Rank B blood! The elemental energy coursing through your veins invigorates your body. Electric resistance is temporarily enhanced.]

The words seemed to burn themselves into his mind, and Adam blinked hard, forcing his vision to focus. Relief flooded him as the message registered. Almost immediately, the paralyzing numbness began to dissipate. The tingling in his limbs faded, replaced by a warmth that spread through his body like a comforting balm. It was as though the tiger’s blood had awakened something within him, a temporary surge of power that purged the lingering effects of the attack.

Testing his newfound mobility, Adam clenched his fists, watching his fingers curl with ease. The stiffness that had gripped his body was gone, the paralysis dispelled entirely. A determined smile tugged at his lips, even as the situation remained dire.

“This… this resistance is from the blood?”

He murmured, his voice rough but tinged with resolve. His gaze sharpened, now fixed on the ongoing battle ahead. There was no indication whatsoever that the infection would have started, but the realization that the tiger’s blood could grant him an edge reignited the fire in his chest.

With a grunt, Adam pushed himself off the ground, ignoring the residual ache that clung to his muscles. He broke into a sprint, each step sent a jolt of renewed energy through him, and his focus zeroed in on the scene unfolding before him.

The Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger had regained its momentum, its movements a blur of feral precision. Shu was locked in combat with the beast, his strikes a symphony of controlled chaos. His fist slammed into the tiger’s side with the force of a sledgehammer, sending a shockwave through the air. Without missing a beat, he pivoted and followed up with a spinning back fist that connected with its jaw, the crack reverberating like a gunshot. The beast staggered momentarily but recovered with unnerving speed, its glowing eyes burning with primal fury.

The tiger roared, its body radiating electric energy in chaotic waves before it unleashed its devastating technique. Razor-sharp arcs of electrified air sliced through the space around it, carving into the stone walls and floor with ease. The deadly cuts forced Nikolai into action, clutching Emir tightly to his chest, he moved with desperate agility, dodging the onslaught with hairbreadth precision. Sparks danced in their wake as he zigzagged across the chamber, the boy clinging to him in silent terror but without looking away from the cube.

Adam didn’t hesitate. Without a word, he activated his mist form, his body dissolving into a translucent vapor that streaked toward the tiger like a spectral arrow. The electrified cuts passed through him harmlessly, their crackling energy barely grazing his intangible form. For the first time since the battle began, he felt the tides shifting—however slightly—in their favor.

As he closed the distance, Adam reformed directly behind the tiger, his feet landing softly against the beast’s rippling back. His claws sank into its fur, anchoring him in place. The tiger immediately reared back, letting out a deafening roar of fury, but Adam didn’t waver. Without hesitation, he sank his teeth into its massive body again, the sharp fangs piercing its flesh. Warm blood flooded his mouth, the metallic tang both nauseating and intoxicating.

The tiger’s reaction was immediate and violent. Its body erupted in a cascade of electrical discharges, the energy crackling across its fur and illuminating the chamber in harsh, flickering light. But this time, Adam held firm. The shocks coursed through his body like a tidal wave, but the resistance granted by the blood dulled the pain. He could endure it, and he would.

The beast twisted and bucked beneath him, its claws swiping at its own back in desperation. Adam’s grip tightened, his claws digging deeper as he clung to the tiger with unyielding determination. Each swipe of its massive claws narrowly missed him, and when they came too close, he shifted into mist for a split second, avoiding the strike before reforming and pressing himself closer.

His mind raced as he focused on the infection. The skills [Parasitic Undead Plague] and [Vampiric Infection] came to the forefront of his thoughts, their mechanics overlapping in his imagination. He willed them to work together, envisioning the tiger succumbing to his influence, its power bending to his will. But nothing happened. The connection refused to form, leaving him grappling with frustration.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Shu, noticing Adam’s struggle, altered his strategy. His strikes became more deliberate, targeting the tiger’s limbs and joints. He drove his elbow into its hind leg with a bone-crunching force, then followed up with a spinning kick that slammed into its shoulder. His precision was impeccable, each attack designed to destabilize the beast and prevent it from focusing on Adam.

Seconds turned into agonizing minutes. Adam’s body screamed in protest, his muscles straining under the pressure of overconsumption. The system chimed again, another warning flashing in his vision:

[Warning: Blood consumption approaching critical overcapacity. Excess energy saturation may result in severe damage to the user's body.]

The message glared at him like an unyielding demand to stop, but Adam ignored it. Pain coursed through him in relentless waves, the imbalance of energy wreaking havoc on his senses. His vision blurred, and a sharp, searing ache radiated from his core, threatening to overwhelm him.

His mist form faltered, his body becoming fully tangible. The tiger’s claws found their mark, raking across his side and drawing blood. The impact sent a jolt of pain through him, but he refused to let go. Closing his eyes, he blocked out the chaos around him, pouring every ounce of focus into the infection. His thoughts narrowed, his will burning with a single purpose: to make the beast submit.

Adam felt his body reach its breaking point. His muscles screamed in agony, his veins burned as if molten metal flowed through them, and his mind teetered on the edge of collapse. Each second stretched into an eternity of unbearable pain, and just when it seemed his body would fail him completely, something shifted inside him.

A sudden, jarring sensation pulsed through his core. It wasn’t physical—it was deeper, resonating in the connection he shared with the parasite embedded within him. The ‘Overmind's Parasite’, which had sometimes felt like a separate entity, seemed to respond to his desperation. For the first time, it aligned perfectly with the ancient power of the Jiang Shi’s heart, momentarily breaking its equilibrium.

A spark of understanding passed between them, and then it happened. The two powers intertwined, their essences merging in a way Adam had never experienced before. The resulting energy was chaotic, raw, and alien—a force entirely new. He felt the shift ripple through his body, a primal, violent transformation.

Adam’s jaw finally unclenched, releasing his grip on the tiger’s flesh. Blood dripped from his mouth as he fell back, coughing violently. He barely had time to process what had just occurred before the tiger roared and thrashed, its powerful body dislodging him in a single motion. The force hurled Adam through the air, and he landed hard on the dungeon floor, rolling several times before coming to a stop.

Pain engulfed him. His muscles spasmed uncontrollably, his chest heaved with shallow breaths, and nausea churned in his stomach. The agony was unlike anything he had felt since the first time he used his ghostly powers without suppressing his pain receptors. It was as though his body was being torn apart from within, each cell protesting against the overload of energy.

His vision blurred once again, but the glowing system window that appeared before him cut through the haze:

[The skills [Parasitic Undead Plague Lv1] and [Vampiric Infection Lv1] have resonated with the Demi JiangLich Adam Scholar.] [The unique racial skill [Soulcrusher Virus (Variant) Lv1] has been successfully created.] [Congratulations!]

The sight of the notifications brought a faint smile to Adam’s lips, despite the bile rising in his throat. He gagged, nearly vomiting, but a flicker of satisfaction pushed through the discomfort. He had done it, he had created a skill by himself!

[ Skill: Soulcrusher Virus (Variant) Lv1 ] [Additional Information] [Unique racial skill of the JiangLich race. Transmitted via blood, either directly or indirectly. Its purpose is to corrupt the mind and soul of the victim passively and progressively. Alters memories of influential figures in the victim’s life, replacing them with the image of the JiangLich. The affected individual will not recall those erased by this method, and all emotions tied to them will transfer to the JiangLich.] [ Cursed Vision Knowledge ] [Notice: The greater the power disparity between the JiangLich and the victim, the longer the process will take.] [Tip: The process can be significantly accelerated with repeated contact with infected blood.]

Adam read the details, his hands trembling as he wiped blood from his mouth. The corners of his lips curled upward into a grin. His breath came in ragged gasps, but a rush of pride filled him.

However, the tiger’s guttural roar reminded him of the ongoing battle. He pushed himself to his feet, his body still aching but functional. His eyes fixed on the beast, noting its movements had slowed. The Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger, once relentless in its attacks, now staggered. Its limbs twitched sporadically, and occasional spasms caused it to flinch violently. The corruption was working.

Shu, dirty and exhausted, still maintained a defensive stance. Nikolai, cradling Emir in his arms, leaned heavily against a stone pillar, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. The room was filled with the sound of labored breathing and faint crackles of residual electricity.

For several agonizing minutes, the tiger remained in this erratic state. Then, its body began to slump. Its legs buckled, and its head drooped low, chest heaving as it panted heavily. The beast’s strength seemed to vanish, leaving it motionless in the center of the chamber. Adam staggered forward, watching the scene unfold with cautious relief.

Another notification appeared before him:

[The skill [Soulcrusher Virus (Variant)] has completed the corruption of the mind and soul of the target Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger - Rank B.]

Adam exhaled, his relief palpable.

“Looks like… it’s docile for now.”

He said, his voice still strained. He glanced at Shu and Nikolai.

“We might have—"

His words cut off abruptly as an overwhelming sensation coursed through his body. Every hair on his skin stood on end, and a primal fear rooted him in place. His instincts screamed at him, warning of something unnatural, something predatory and filled with hatred. The tiger hadn’t moved, but its eyes… its eyes locked onto Adam’s with an intensity that froze him in place.

The creature’s pupils were blown wide, its irises shimmering with an otherworldly light. Pure, unfiltered rage emanated from its gaze, a hatred so profound it felt suffocating. Adam’s stomach churned, his instincts begging him to run, but he couldn’t look away.

Another system notification appeared, its message chilling:

[Warning: The JiangLich Adam Scholar is now the target of the Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger - Rank B’s fury and hatred. The creature will receive a massive boost to its statistics as a bonus to confront the source of its suffering.]

Adam’s throat went dry.

“What? …”

He muttered, taking an involuntary step back. The tiger’s body began to tremble, its muscles rippling as raw energy surged through it. The battle wasn’t over—if anything, it was about to escalate to an extreme Adam wasn’t expecting at all… He felt a wave of confusion and frustration crash over him. How could he now be the target of the tiger's fury? The question lingered in his mind as he tried to steady his trembling body, but the answers eluded him. The messages from the system provided little clarity, and his own instincts screamed at him to act, though his limbs felt like lead.

Unbeknownst to Adam or his companions, the Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger’s rage stemmed from a deep and tormented history. The tiger had been born and raised in captivity, its life confined within cold, metallic walls. Its only companions were others of its kind, caged and suffering in adjacent cells. The constant torment came at the hands of Lord Varek, a figure the tiger had come to associate with every ounce of pain and despair it had endured. Varek's cruel experiments pushed the boundaries of morality, turning the tiger's existence into an unending nightmare. It had watched helplessly as its kin were subjected to fates worse than death, leaving it the sole survivor of its species—a living embodiment of Varek’s twisted ambition.

Now, the infection that Adam had unleashed had overwritten the tiger’s memories, replacing the image of Lord Varek with his face. The tiger’s soul boiled with murderous rage, convinced that the one responsible for all its agony stood before it at last. For the tiger, this was justice, retribution that had been far too long in the making.

With a roar that shook the walls of the dungeon, the tiger surged forward, its muscles rippling with newfound strength as the system’s statistical boost coursed through it. Adam had no time to react. In the blink of an eye, the massive beast was upon him, its claws descending with terrifying precision.

The impact was devastating. The tiger’s claws raked down Adam’s body, tearing into him and pinning him to the ground with such force that the earth beneath them cracked and crumbled. Blood spattered from Adam’s mouth as he let out a piercing scream of agony, the pain blinding and all-consuming. His vision blurred, his thoughts a chaotic whirlwind. He couldn’t defend himself—there was no time, no space, no chance.

“Adam!”

Shu’s voice rang out, raw with desperation. Without hesitation, the man launched himself forward, channeling his Ki into a fierce, concentrated kick aimed directly at the tiger’s side. The strike was powerful, yet the tiger, now bolstered by its enhanced stats, reacted with startling speed. It turned its head, intercepting Shu’s attack with a vicious snap of its jaws.

The tiger’s fangs sank deep into Shu’s leg, eliciting a scream that echoed through the dungeon. Shu collapsed to the ground, clutching his bleeding limb, his face contorted in pain.

“Damn it!”

Nikolai shouted, frozen in horror as the scene unfolded. His hands trembled, gripping his weapon tightly, but his mind raced with indecision. He knew he wasn’t fast or strong enough to intervene without risking his own life.

The tiger’s gaze returned to Adam, who was still trapped beneath its massive paw, gasping for breath and drenched in blood. With a low, guttural growl, the beast reared back, preparing to deliver the final blow—a death bite aimed squarely at Adam’s neck.

Adam’s heart raced as he watched the tiger’s jaws open wide, its fangs glinting menacingly in the dim light. He couldn’t move, couldn’t summon the strength to resist. This was it.

But just as the tiger lunged, a blur of motion burst through the dungeon’s entrance, moving with incredible speed. Before the beast could strike, a devastating force collided with its head, sending it flying across the chamber.

Adam lay motionless, barely conscious, his breathing shallow. He forced his eyes open, struggling to focus on the figure that had intervened. Through the haze of pain, he saw her—Abbess Xinhui.

She stood tall and unwavering, her posture radiating authority and unyielding strength. Her crimson eyes burned with an intense light, and an ominous aura of cursed energy and corrupted Ki surged around her, crackling like a storm.

“This beast will not harm my master any further!”

Abbess Xinhui declared, her voice echoing with an unnatural resonance. Her words were a promise, a declaration of her unwavering loyalty and resolve.

The tiger rose once more, its massive frame trembling with fury as it unleashed a roar so deafening that the very walls of the dungeon quaked in response. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling, the sound reverberating through the chamber like an unstoppable force. Its eyes, glowing with unrelenting rage, locked onto Abbess, who stood firm, her aura a tempest of cursed energy.

Adam, sprawled on the ground and struggling to breathe, could only watch helplessly. Shu remained crumpled nearby, clutching his injured leg, his face pale and glistening with sweat from the unbearable pain. For the moment, everything depended on the woman, but even she did not seem entirely sure of what she was up against.

The Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger, now brimming with an unnatural power, was an unpredictable foe. Abbess's sharp gaze studied the creature, her muscles tense, ready to strike. But the unknown—the tiger’s enhancements and abilities—loomed as a dangerous threat.

Before either could make their move, a sudden, piercing shout broke through the tense air.

“I did it!”

Emir’s voice, high-pitched and strained from the effort, echoed across the dungeon. The boy, standing near the far wall with trembling hands gripping a glowing device, looked up with wide, triumphant eyes. His chest heaved as he yelled again, his words cutting through the tension like a blade.

“I finally did it!”

Both Adam, barely conscious and writhing on the ground, and Nikolai saw the shimmering system notification materialize in front of them. The glowing text was a beacon of hope amidst the chaos:

[The skill [Indomitable Spirit] has been successfully destroyed.] [The elemental energy of Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger - Rank B has been successfully encapsulated in the 'Interdimensional Containment Cube'; skills [Electric Fur], [Electroclaw Frenzy] and [Electric Ki Generation] have been disabled.]

Adam’s bloodied lips parted slightly as he stared at the notification, his mind racing to process what this meant. The tiger, for all its might and fury, had been neutralized. Its powers, the very things that made it a devastating opponent, were now sealed away.

Abbess’s crimson eyes flicked toward the notification, understanding the significance in an instant. Without hesitation, she launched herself forward, her body moving with blinding speed. Her shout, sharp and fierce like the cry of a warrior unleashing their full strength, filled the room:

“Haahhh!”

Her arm extended, palm open and glowing with raw energy, as she twisted her body mid-air. The movement created a violent spiral of wind, the force so immense that the very air seemed to crackle around her. The whirlwind spun faster and faster as she brought her palm crashing down onto the tiger’s exposed flank.

The impact was cataclysmic. A spiraling shockwave exploded outward, sending debris flying in all directions. The tiger’s massive body twisted violently under the force, its limbs flailing as it was hurled across the chamber like a ragdoll. It slammed into the dungeon’s stone wall with a thunderous crash that made the entire room shake. Cracks spiderwebbed across the wall as the tiger’s limp form crumpled to the ground, motionless, finally defeated.

For a moment, silence blanketed the room. The oppressive tension dissipated, leaving only the faint sound of dust settling and the labored breathing of the group.

Nikolai was the first to break the quiet, his voice filled with a mix of awe and desperation.

“That… that was incredible! Seriously, I’ve never seen anything like that, but, uh…”

He gestured toward the door, his tone rising in urgency.

“Can we please get out of here now?”

His words jolted Adam back to reality. He blinked slowly, his gaze shifting from the unconscious tiger to Abbess, who remained standing tall, her aura still crackling faintly. Even as his body throbbed with pain, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude, even toward her.

—————

In the main chamber of the ruins, Li and Drake sat slumped against the cold stone walls, their bodies drenched in sweat. The air was thick with the sour tang of exertion, and the faint sound of dripping water from the ceiling only amplified the heavy silence between the two. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, muscles throbbing and aching from the brutal training session they had just endured.

Li wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, leaving a streak of dirt across his skin, and exhaled heavily.

“Man, we’re really pushing ourselves, huh?”

He said, his tone laced with both pride and fatigue.

“Meanwhile, Adam and Nikolai probably spent the whole time just sitting around, watching the kid do all the work.”

Drake, though equally exhausted, chuckled softly. His voice was kind but firm as he replied.

“Not necessarily. You know, even Abbess ran off in the middle of the fight earlier. No warning, no explanation. I just hope nothing bad happened.”

Li scoffed, leaning his head back against the wall.

“I doubt it, for all we know, she probably just wanted to check on Adam again.”

A mischievous grin crept onto his face as he added.

“Honestly, I can’t blame him. That lucky guy! Imagine having a woman that gorgeous following you around everywhere. I mean, look at her! She’s... well, you know what I mean. It’s enough to make anyone jealous.”

He stretched his arms out dramatically and continued with mock indignation.

“Here we are, killing ourselves training, and there’s Adam, probably lounging around somewhere with her feeding him or something.”

Drake laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck.

“Li, you really have a way of putting things.”

He muttered, unsure of how else to respond. However, their brief moment of levity was abruptly shattered as the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor. Both of them turned toward the entrance just as Abbess Xinhui entered the room.

Adam was cradled in her arms, his body limp and battered, his face pale and marred with blood and dirt. His breaths were shallow, and he seemed too weak to even register what was happening. The woman’s expression was steely, her crimson eyes sharp with determination as she moved with him.

Behind her, Nikolai stumbled into the room, supporting Shu, whose right leg was drenched in blood. Shu’s face was twisted in pain, his teeth clenched as he limped forward with Nikolai’s help. And finally, trailing behind them, was Emir. The young boy’s face was a strange mix of relief and worry, his small hands clutching a glowing, cube-like device that seemed to pulse with faint energy.

The sight jolted Drake into action. He sprang to his feet, the strain in his muscles momentarily forgotten as he rushed toward the group.

“What happened?!”

He exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. His eyes darted between Adam’s unconscious form, Shu’s injured leg, and the faintly glowing cube in Emir’s hands.

Li, still seated, stared wide-eyed at the scene. For a moment, he said nothing, then muttered under his breath.

“Never mind. I take it back. I don’t envy Adam at all.”