V3 Chapter 29
“Rustle, rustle.”
As Cian was thinking about it deeply, suddenly, at this moment, soft sounds of something rustling against the grass rang out.
Turning towards that direction, his face retained its ice-cold indifference as he saw a pair of powerfully built wolves with gleaming blue fur came out. Their standing heights almost reached that of an adult human’s height- giant ass wolves. Their green-tinted eyes glared at him. And their cruel white fangs gleamed with a cold light in the night.
“Hm, here comes more annoying bunch,”
Cian let out a sigh as he saw the number of the wolves increased- more coming out from the cluster of trees and shrubs.
[Windwolves.]
Looking at the color of their fur, one can easily recognize their race. Though there were many known types of wolves, Windwolves are big wolves that are infamous for their uses of wind magic along with their swift speed. Well, they might be stronger for other people, but to him, their speed is nothing to speak about. And their meager wind magic is also not a threat. The only problem he might have is their numbers.
Fwoooosh.
"Tsk-!"
Cian jumped back as without giving out a warning, dozens of wind cannon blasts in his directions. The strong power behind the wind they shot blasted plants and trees around the area and even created large craters on the ground. Seeing their attack missed, the wind wolves let out loud howls, and they charged at him with incredible speed. They moved like gusts of wind, as they jumped nimbly from trees to trees, chasing after him.
At first glance, these WindWolves seemed to be weaker than any monsters that Cian had encountered up until now. They were just beasts that can use a bit of magic. In fact, they are a bit smaller than the likes of a JaggerJaw. But what the WindWolves lacked in size and strength, they made for with their agility and intelligence- and most of all…numbers.
If you see one in the area, then surely expect a dozen of them nearby. That's a saying of the Humans about them that they share with Goblins. Furthermore, like wolves, they are one of the most cunning advanced races of magical beasts which is not inferior in intelligence to that of a human. Especially how they take advantage of their numbers to attack their prey.
When two of the WindWolves attack in front, expect another attack from the back. And if you can still, evade them, there will be another group that will be waiting for you when you least expected it. From every direction, and even from above- they will come, seek for an opportunity, and will surely take any chances present. They are one of the most troublesome pack monsters that you just can never let your guard down.
Individually, they are weak but with a large number, even powerful elites would become a part of their diet. That’s why dealing with wolf-type beasts must be double in caution. If you let your guard down even a moment, you will be the one eating the dust. In this forest, they are the ones responsible for the many deaths of trial participants. And that was backed by Asceius, claiming that wolf-type magical beasts are one of the worst to be entangled within this world.
"Though fast indeed, but the number and how they completely look similar with each other was the most annoying. Moving with this speed makes it as if they were multiplying instead- damn it, so annoying, it makes my head hurt!"
Cian couldn't help but complain.
"So stop moving around!!"
Then, with irritation, he waved his hand, and crimson flames erupted, engulfing at least six to seven of them in a torrent of blazing energy. Some were burned, dying, but those from behind were scared and slowed down their approach- well, just long enough for him to charge at them. Black liquid-like lines flow through his arm and congealing and transforming into a thin, black sword.
A sharp gleam could be seen on its edge, seemingly displaying the intent to cut anything and everything in its path. Three Windwolves once again jumped towards him. Cian snorted. The black sword on his hand slashed and it instantly opened two of the Windwolves up as he ran through them leaving their four halves to fall to the ground with a squelch.
Another group of sharp wind blades cut through the air, along with a great number of swirling wind missiles came shooting. However, without even stopping, his figure once again flashed and he appeared in front of the third wolf. The wolf, looking at him suddenly appearing in front of it, was startled. It opened its jaw, revealing sharp, elongated canines as it tried to bite him. But before it could clamp its teeth, the black sword passed its neck, decapitating it in instant.
Unlike the JaggerJaw, the Windwolves fur might be hard and tough for normal weapons, but against his [Imagis Realis], their defense is like paper in front of him and his sword.
Then, another group came. Cian frowned, not giving even a moment to breathe, the wolves came charging right at him. Fwooosh. Fwooosh. Fwoooosh. He slashed his sword with incredible speed, however, his eyes somewhat widened in surprise at what happened next.
One of the wolves came forward, seemingly trying to clash against his sword head-on. And when the blade was upon it, it let out a roar, and its body glowed in a dim green light, and it actually crossed its claws in front of it and crashed against his sword. It even opened its large jaw to bite onto the sword, successfully stopping his movement.
Does it even know the magic spell; [Wind Barrier]?!
Now, this is indeed a surprise!
[Wind Barrier] is an intermediate-level spell of the Wind Magic System. It's a combination of defense and boost-type magic. However, it's not something a magical beast should know.
Screeeeek!!
A grating noise sounded as the blade clashed against the fangs and claws of the magical beasts.
With hard claws against the sharp edge of his blade and even a fortified Wind barrier Spell, even [Imagis Realis] wouldn't be able to cut through it. Taking this opportunity the wolves immediately pounced on him from every direction. However, Cian didn't panic. Bone-like scales akin to that of a beetle appeared on top of his skin, instantly giving him armor.
No, it's much better than armor as sharp bones came out of his back. The claws and fangs that attacked his body, was easily repelled by it, and some who throw their bodies at him were immediately skewered by the sharp bones. Looking at his strange figure, the wolves stared in horror, and they stopped. However, the distance they were standing at was just too close.
Bones and stingers came out flying from his back and arms- hitting many wolves who were too close, killing some, while injuring the rest. Then he curled his right hand into a fist. He held that fist aloft as if he were going to throw a stone, and then swung it down at the wolf that's still stopping his sword, as if trying to crash the black blade with its fangs.
With a loud muffled noise, the fist plowed into its exposed stomach. And with an expression still uncomprehending of what had happened, the wolf flew back faster than it had charged and crashed into another group of wolves behind it. With enhanced strength through skill and magic combined, Cian's casual fist is like a full-powered blow made from a sledgehammer.
A shockwave even came from the back of the wolf, and the beasts behind had not expected to be hit by their comrade, or even be involved by what has happened out of nowhere, was knocked along with it. Without even being able to scream, the wolves behind were squashed as they went straight, and crashing against a nearby tree. The tree even broke. The wolf that had been punched by Cian, has its stomach caved in, and one can easily understand the condition inside just by looking at it. It died in an instant, along with the one behind it. Though, third seemed to still be alive, but barely.
Cian grunted, somewhat feeling numb from the impact. But it immediately disappeared. His fist was wrapped in a delicate dark-colored magic circle. All his dark magic was condensed into this circle.
Apart from Earth Magic that specializes in defense, Dark Magic is also good at fortification effect. Though, the current list of magical spells known by man in the current era, the Dark Magic has the least offensive power among elemental magic. Due to it being considered one of the taboo, it has the least number of practitioners, as well as the fact that most ancient spells for the Dark Magic have been lost. Now, it's only seen as Magic that specializes in Curses.
But he is different. He knows several Offensive Dark Magic Spells, and most of them are fortification and enhancement type magic. Thus, in terms of Magic, Cian who has an incredibly high affinity for Dark Magic, excelled at magic to protect himself far more than that to defeat his enemies. Coupled with that was his dozens of skills usurped from Monsters, competing for strength is not something he would fear.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
That was how he had strengthened his physical abilities. Even without [Imagis Realis] the toughness of their fur which the wind wolves prided themselves with, was like a scrap of paper in comparison to him. And far more than that, exposing itself like that in front of him was nothing less than the height of folly.
Even if he's alone in this Ruins, Cian never felt worried about his life. Because he is confident he can protect himself.
Cian clenched his fist and stared at the magical beast.
"No matter how many of you come, it's no use."
Seemingly understanding his words, the faces of the wind wolves were twisted into such an expression of hatred it seemed like it would kill a man. They growl in danger. However, instead of turning around and escape, they let out a loud roar one after another and their magic auras exploded as if they wanted to continue the battle.
As he had expected, after letting out a loud, menacing howl, the wolves didn't seem to feel fear, and they rush at him. Looking at him, Cian still wore the same indifferent expression. He felt a rush of power through his body. As if feeling every cell in his body was trembling in excitement, the muscles in his body had started to grow tense, his limbs and body filling with strength.
"If this what you want, then so be it. I'll send you all to Night,"
His lips slightly twisting to one side in a grin. The previous slovenly attitude like that of an indifferent teenager aura that he usually gave out, had all but vanished. He smiled gleefully as he watched the rushing monsters. He senses their thick murderous auras and it further incenses him. His blood also started boiling.
Without waiting for them to reach him, his entire body disappeared. The Windwolves stopped on their tracks, confused and bewildered by the sudden loss of their target. However, a moment later, bone-like spikes suddenly came shooting from above and the beasts that were in the area were immediately slaughtered, pierced by these bone spikes that came raining from the sky. Some were still alive, however, but now wailing and crying in pain with their limbs or abdomen pierced.
Cian softly landed on the ground, but with a soft tap with his toe, his body blurred and moved incredibly fast, he was immediately in front of a wolf that was suddenly disoriented from the sudden change of the situation. With his eyes, he could see each move the monsters made quite clearly. The black sword in his hand slashed at the monster's neck, followed by his leg striking at the wolf's abdomen.
As soon as he had killed one monster in an instant, he immediately turns around, and once again jabbed at the throat of the others with minimal movement. Then, his arms blazed in flames, and with a wave of his hand, the flames swallowed a panicking group. Howls and wails echoed in the forest. The stench of burned flesh and blood wafted in the air.
He continued killing with a great smile on his face. His figure appeared and disappeared among the group of wolves. The sword on his hand could hardly be seen in the dark surrounding. The painful wails of monsters echoed like an orchestra playing.
He watched that with cold eyes and swung his left hand to the right. The black sword flashed like a black whip. The wolf's claws and his sword collided. With a squealing, high-pitched noise, the claws broke in half. The beast opened its eyes so wide it seemed like they might pop out. However, before it could, the sword went towards its body, creating a large gushing wound that spilled its viscera.
Cian landed on the ground, suddenly another wolf pounced from behind. But without even turning around, sharp spikes suddenly came out from his back. The sharp bone-like spikes were launched, piercing through the wolves, killing them instantly. Bones crackling echoed, and his hunched back slowly straightened, regaining his stand.
The hunters had become the prey. It was now beyond massacre. Cian was using his sword, and speed, and varying skills to their absolute limit and various kinds of attacks and defenses all appeared within his hands. A dozen bodies collapsed. Fifteen. Twenty, Thirty... and more. Cian weaved through the trees and roots, and reap the lives of the magical beasts that appeared in his sight like a grim reaper.
The wolves, intimidated by their companion's death started to be cautious, realizing that the creature in front of them is not a prey like they thought he is, but a predator as well. Cian appeared. The blade sword dripped with blood. A menacing smile on his lips. He stepped forward, and the wolves step back, growling.
They were scared.
For the first time, they felt fear.
“If you’re not coming, I will,”
However, the awakened reaper cannot return to sleep with only just a few souls to keep.
His body flickered and he disappeared. The alarmed Wolves started to panic, looking around them. Cian appeared above them, one hand clenched. His fist hit one of the wolf’s head, and before it could even cry out in pain, the Windwolf was dead, its head buried in the ground. His appearance and the gruesome death of their comrade ignited their anger once again, and they charge towards him simultaneously. But of course, the Demon Prince didn’t retreat and instead met them head-on with equal madness.
And another bout occurred against him, and the large pack of wolves.
With the black sword in his hand, his arm swung down, cutting one into two. The area was devastated. Everything was broken, and even a lot of trees collapsed. Ducking, he evaded a wolf’s sharp claws, and roll again, came wind blades passing through him. His eyes narrowed and launched his body towards the nearest wolf. However, the wolf’s quite fast than expected, and it was able to dodge his attack. The wolf waved its claws in retaliation, then pouncing at him, but only getting air- before its front paw even moved, Cian had already accurately predicted its displacement, perfectly dodging it using the smallest movement. He then used the short opening to quickly attack, continuously cutting into the wolf’s body 3 times.
Amidst the pouncing wolves that had attacked him from every direction, Cian looked as if he was dancing with the beasts. A choreographed dance, as he moved, dodged, and evaded even before the wolves made their move. The angry wolves hop around him, sending a barrage of deadly blasts of winds and wind blades, spitting from their mouths.
Some determined wolves dashed to and fro fighting a way through the thick overgrown bush and maze-like trees, evading every devastating attack before making his own attack, decimating the monsters wolves that came up at him with a ferocious slash, splitting the pitiful beasts in half sending gory particles scattering about.
With his enhanced strength, and the increasing power of [Imagis Realis], the monsters were easy to slice through, but the aftermath was gruesome. Each contest bore a similar fashion of death and gore until he was able to make his way through the pack of wolves continuously parrying whistling blades of winds, and blasts of cannons.
Cian had already lost count of how many beasts he had killed. Still, he continued killing without rest. But the short fight he had expected never came, rather, another group of monsters started to come one after another, seemly without end. Seemly attracted by the noise of battle, and the stench of blood. Or perhaps, this is intentional, and he is really being targeted?
Still, he grips his sword, his expression never changed, as a manic, madness crept over him. As long as there is no monster of the same caliber as the JaggerJaw, no matter how many his enemies are, he would not fall down. In fact, his fighting spirit is rising even more, stronger, and fiercer. The stench of blood suffused in the air, and the overgreen was now dyed in crimson. But the more blood he smelled, the more his fighting spirit and murderous intent also grows.
Like a possessed man, he continued swinging his sword against the large pack of wolves. He had always considered death an unavoidable professional hazard. He had fought all his battles with the expectation of death at the end of the rope but still survive without suffering a scratch. And he had moved through the enemy fire with such thoughtless serenity that even his people accepted the easy explanation that he believed himself invulnerable.
Though, he felt he has mellowed down after coming into this world, but the desperate battles in this Ruins are making him resurrect those feelings of thrills that Death is always beside him. His mind was completely focused, his face showing a bit of caution. Under his acute senses, reactions, and judgment that surpassed a human’s limit, when the rest of the wolves raised their bodies making pouncing motions, their movements, direction, and line of displacement clearly appeared in his head.
His speed was becoming faster, his strength stronger. His reaction and reflexes was reaching beyond its peak. His body suddenly lowered, his right foot kicking at the ground. He used the force generated from the kick to charge forward with his body at an unbelievable angle. Immediately, two gusts of wind carrying a bloody aura sailed across his back. His left hand lightly touched the ground, his body doing a nimble roll using the charging momentum, the wolves attacking from the left all missing, while the other wolves collided with a “BAM” the instant he dodged.
Finding that the opponent had unexpectedly appeared at its side, the wolf quickly twisted its body, opening its mouth, using its sharp fangs to bite towards his neck. However, Cian's movements were a lot faster than its own. The black sword slid across the wolf’s body, causing blood to spurt out along with a painful howl. Then, almost without pausing, directly cutting backward, once again piercing the wolf’s body, killing it instantly.
Several gusts of wind assaulted him together. Still, he didn’t turn around, his body in a squatting position lying down in an instant, concurrently swing his right arm, the black sword cutting upwards. The other Windwolves immediately pounced at him, the one in the middle being sliced in the stomach by the full power stroke he made. Afterward, Cian quickly got up, completely avoiding the attacks of the other wolves at the same time. He then pinpointed an opening, stabbing forward.
The pack of wolves moved crazily, bringing up earth as they pounced, accompanied by overlapping howls. His body like an illusory shadow, dancing between the green figures of the pack of wolves, at times moving right at a time moving left, and at times like having a death wishing suddenly rushing towards the beasts that he purposely grouped together…
His positioning appeared completely random as if moving as he pleased. Yet, if there was anyone here, he would doubtlessly be dumbstruck by his swaying figure. As if looking at an alien that could not be measured by common terms. Because every time he moved, where he stepped would always be an opening that had just appeared- his next position, another opening, and the previous opening would almost instantly be covered by a frenzied beast.
Under his calm exterior, nobody could imagine the number of images that instantly crossed in his brain.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
In a second, like a dragon swimming in the sea, he shifted his body four times with incredible ease, when his feet landed on the ground, in front of him was the completely open wolf pack. He swiftly charged at the wolf that he had focused all of his attacks on, fiercely stabbing towards it.
Being surrounded by the wolf pack, from an outsider’s perspective, each time he time dodged was always alarmingly dangerous, a hair-widths mistake and he would be buried under the claws of the wolves. Yet in such a concentrated group of enemies, the rate that he attacked was not at all low. Striking at an average of every 3 seconds, every instantaneous opening, all his moments to accurately strike. Not to mention every time he attacked, it would always strike that same target, until it fell. Not only is he avoiding their attacks, at the same time, creating openings while dodging, controlling their positions.
Someone that can do this to such an extent must have peak control on their bodies, possessing incredible combat instincts, or able to see the future- which, Cian has all.
… …