We both dashed at the same time, our movements synchronized. As we collided, the impact reverberated through my forearm, the force driving me back, my heel digging into the ground to steady myself. Despite my best efforts, I could feel him wielding a slight power advantage, his strength pressing against mine. With a quick decision, I seized his left arm with my hand, feeling the energy coursing through me as I charged up a punch, my determination fueling every movement. "Die, damn it!" I snarled, the words escaping through gritted teeth as I prepared to unleash my attack. In the corner of my eye, I caught the glint of sunlight on his sword as he slashed upward, the deadly arc aimed directly at my chest. Reacting on instinct, I leaned back, narrowly dodging the lethal slash. "That was close." I thought, a surge of adrenaline fueling my senses as I took a step back, his relentless pursuit driving me to the edge.
He continued his assault, slashing at me from left to right, then left again, each movement executed with precision. It was then that I realized the reflex skill I had acquired was being put to the test, my body moving with an agility and grace born from it. Or maybe it's just my battle experience? As he thrust his sword forward, I made a split-second decision, launching myself to the left with all the speed and agility I could muster. In the air, his bone sword extended towards me, a deadly threat poised to strike. With a surge of determination, I lashed out, my foot connecting with the sword with a resounding crack. As the kick landed, I realized that I had cracked his weapon. It wasn't enough. I need to keep the pressure on.
But wait, I'm open! His relentless pursuit left me vulnerable, and as he closed the distance between us, the ground cracked beneath his feet with each powerful step. With a fluid motion, he twisted his hips, executing a maneuver that seemed almost graceful in its execution—a beautiful ballerina spin. Like a toy spin top, he slashed across my abdomen, the force of the blow sending me flying through the air until I landed hard on the ground, my breath escaping me in a sharp exhale. As I knelt at the edge of the road, my gaze fell to the wound upon my abdomen, assessing its severity with a grim determination. It wasn't too deep. I would live to fight another day.
Facing me once more, he sprinted forward with a predatory gleam in his eyes. You truly are the Head of War. With a steadying breath, I stood up, my arms spread wide in a silent challenge. "Do it, now!" I urged him, baiting him to strike at my chest once more. He accepted the challenge with ferocity, thrusting his sword forward with an immense power that threatened to overwhelm me. But I refused to yield, sliding to the left with a calculated grace, narrowly dodging the deadly thrust. Seizing the opportunity, I grasped the sword with all the strength I could muster, feeling a sharp pain lancing through my hand as I did so. With a swift motion, I shook the sword, using its momentum to flip him off balance. But as I released my grip, I realized the cost of my actions—my hand was cut, the wound throbbing with a vicious intensity. That thing was sharper than a razor blade. I couldn't rely on grasping the sword as a counter, nor could I evade his attacks indefinitely.
Looking to War, the dust around him settled, revealing his form unscathed despite the violent flip I had subjected him to. He recovered from the maneuver with a swiftness that spoke of his resilience. I eyed him warily as he slowly began to advance towards me, his movements measured and deliberate. "Regeneration, bone manipulation, lucky, aren't you?" I remarked, a note of sarcastic admiration mingling with my words.
He continued his approach, his gaze unwavering as he responded in a calm, measured tone, "You're holding out on me. You can't be out of options yet." His words held a hint of skepticism, a silent challenge for me to reveal the full extent of my abilities. He's cautious, I noted with a flicker of satisfaction. Alright, I'll use it.
----------------------------------------
Soul: 275 (-25)
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Skill Combination (Perfect Counter + Strength Booster) - Stacked the Perfect Counter and Strength Booster skills. The cooldown has activated for both of these skills, not for skill combination, however. You have one use left.
----------------------------------------
I stood with my arms stretched wide yet again, the challenge hanging in the air like a taunt. "Finish this, War," I urged him. He stopped walking, his gaze locked onto mine as he assessed the situation with a cautious scrutiny. After a few moments of tense silence, he shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of skepticism coloring his features. "I have no idea what you're doing. But I'm not one to believe in such bulls**t." he declared as he brought his sword to his side. With a swift motion, he reached into his pocket, withdrawing a small jar and dumping its contents over the blade of his sword. The material absorbed into the bone, transforming it into a dark, menacing black. "Just in case, though." he stated calmly, the implication of his actions not lost on me.
I recognized the material immediately—it was Recruitment's signature black concrete, imbued with a strength and durability that rendered his sword virtually indestructible. His sword was now beyond its previous power. I refused to let fear consume me. "Come on, then!" I challenged him, my stance unwavering as I kept my right arm forward, ready to face whatever he had in store for me. With a silent determination, he leapt towards me, his sword poised for death as he thrust forward.
I took the sword straight to my chest, feeling the searing pain as it pierced deep into my flesh, but I refused to falter. Keep it in, I urged myself, my body moving on its own as if guided by some primal instinct. With a swift motion, I sliced the sword at War's fist, severing it from his grasp in a spray of blood. Ignoring the crimson stains that now marred his shirt, I grabbed the sword lodged within me, a burst of adrenaline coursing through my veins as I juggled it in my hands with a fierce determination. Gripping it tightly, I aimed it like a stake towards War's head, my voice ringing out with a fierce resolve. "Let them cut your flesh, so you can destroy their organs!" I roared, my words echoing in the tense desert that enveloped us.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
I jammed the sword into War's brain, the bone blocking his forehead offering little resistance against the force of my attack. I knew I wasn't done yet. My adrenaline surged to its peak. In a final, desperate act, I made a fist with the remaining strength I had left and punched the almost flat end of the sword with all the force I could muster. In an instant, the sword transformed into a bullet, shooting through War's head with a sickening crunch.
War flew back, his body crashing onto the coarse dirt with a heavy thud. He lay sprawled, spread-eagle, his once formidable form now lifeless and still. With trembling hands, I pressed against the wound, trying to stem the flow of blood as I waited for the telltale sign of my health indicator to appear.
----------------------------------------
Health: 4000 (-12000)
----------------------------------------
I could've opted for something safer, a strategy less risky, but in that moment, with everything hanging in the balance, I knew that driving that sword into his skull was the surefire way of ending him for good. As I lay there, contemplating my next move, a thought flickered through my mind. "Would Nullify stop the bleeding?" I wondered aloud, the words escaping in a breathless whisper. Almost immediately, the System responded, its presence a jolt that startled me out of my reverie. "Yes." it confirmed simply, its voice echoing in the recesses of my mind. "Oh, Christ! You scared me. I forgot you existed," I chuckled weakly, a rush of relief flooding through me at the reminder of its existence. I focused my will, summoning the power of Nullify to cover the gaping hole in my chest.
----------------------------------------
Soul: 255 (-20)
Skills:
Lvl. 1 Nullify - Nullify one ailment or status. 20 soul to use, one week cooldown. (Activated) The one week cooldown has commenced.
----------------------------------------
The hole in my chest began to regenerate, the skin knitting back together as the bleeding gradually subsided. But despite the superficial healing, I didn't feel much better at all. With a heavy heart, I turned away from the sight of War's lifeless body. I started to make my way towards the city. Wait.. why didn't the quest completion notification show up? Then, a sudden, thunderous noise echoed behind me, reverberating through the air like a sonic boom. Instinctively, I spun around, raising my forearm to block the rush of air that accompanied the sound.
"What is it now?" I muttered under my breath, my senses on high alert. And then, to my disbelief, War's voice pierced the air, resonating with a monstrous, deep, and methodical tone. "Hahaha... hahahah.. you thought I was done?!" he taunted. How is he still alive? I thought in disbelief, my mind reeling at the sight of him standing once more, still damaged but undeniably alive. As he wobbled unsteadily on his feet, I noticed something was off. Why is he wobbling like that? He pointed to his head, where the fatal blow had been struck, and explained in a strained voice, "My brain was destroyed, yes, but I repaired it. It seems as if I was unable to completely repair it correctly." His frustration was palpable, his movements growing more erratic with each passing moment as he struggled to maintain control over his failing body. "ARGHH! I messed up my brain! I will... I will... kill you if it's the last thing I do!" he declared with hatred.
Then, with a horrifying transformation, his arms began to morph before my eyes, transforming into pure muscle fibers that pulsed with an otherworldly strength. Is he... mutating? I thought, my mind racing to comprehend the impossible sight unfolding before me. As his legs lost their skin, revealing the raw power of his muscular form, War grew larger and larger by the second, his body swelling with an unholy strength that defied all reason.
War continued to grow larger and larger before my eyes, a sense of dread settled over me like a suffocating blanket. I stood frozen in place, realizing the futility of trying to stop him in his current state. If I made a move on him, he could easily swat me aside like a mere insect.
Finally, his growth came to a halt, and I watched in awe and horror as he reached a staggering height of fifty feet, his immense form towering over me like a grotesque monolith. His body was a mass of pulsating muscle, his sheer width comparable to that of a colossal whale. But despite his monstrous size, it was the sight of his bleeding eyes that sent a chill down my spine. This certainly isn't healthy. To my disbelief, War let out a deafening roar, his voice echoing through the air like a thunderclap. "That's not all!" he bellowed, his words filled with a primal fury that sent shivers down my spine. Bone soon began to adorn his visage, acting as armor yet again and adding to his already formidable presence.
I have to get the sword! Without hesitation, I dashed past him, narrowly evading a massive haymaker that threatened to crush me beneath its weight. Bending down, I reached out and grasped the bone sword that lay discarded on the ground. Despite the searing pain that shot through me as I held it tight
----------------------------------------
Soul: 180 (-95)
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Skill Combination (Sword Power + Weapon Mastery) - Stacked the Sword Power and Weapon Mastery skills. The cooldown has activated for both of these skills, and for skill combination.
----------------------------------------
I held the bone sword in a classic forward stance, preparing to face the colossal figure before me. War's booming voice pierced the desert once more. "Take it, you'll need it!" he bellowed.I tightened my grip on the sword, feeling its weight in my hand as memories of past battles flooded my mind. "This brings back some sore memories..." I muttered.
----------------------------------------
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Sword Power and Lvl. 3 Weapon Mastery have unmatched synergy with each-other! The parameters of the skill combination are altered. The combination of these skills is made into; "Lvl. 3 Powerful Sword Mastery" To use this skill as intended, keep your battle short.
----------------------------------------