20th chapter! That's probably 50,000 words, huh? Not bad for a 1st time writer i guess?
Hope the story isn't too hard to digest so far...man I need more than just 24 hours in a day....
Enough from me, enjoy the chapter!
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Such a battle freak, this Wourein, as always.
If possible, I don't wish for any further deaths. The only one that I want to kill is Del'thrush; anyone else can be considered for later, if they are part of the conspiracy as well, the Overlord included.
As he rushed towards me, I stood firm and repelled every single attack of his; blocking each and every punch he lashed out with my axe. As expected of the leader of the Werewolves Clan, even when punching on such a solid hard object, tougher than steel, he shows neither pain nor slowing down of his attacks.
"What's wrong, Buvul? Come on, fight back! This shouldn't be all you got, is it?!" (Wourein)
"I don't want to hurt you any further. My goal is not to defeat you, it's the destruction of Del'thrush." (Gideon)
"HAH! Hurt me, don't make me laugh! A mere human that you are now, don't even think for one second that you can actually do any further harm to me-" (Wourein)
I deflected his next punch to the side, by tilting the axe slightly as his fist hits the flat side of the axe. During the brief moment he lost his balance, I unleashed a fierce uppercut with [Burst Stream], almost slicing off the extended right arm of his. If I had been a little faster, I would have taken off more than just his fist.
He regained his balance just in time and leaped back, looking at the missing right fist of his, growing back to normal in front of his eyes. He flexed his newly grown fist, trying to get used to his new hands.
Werewolves have regenerative capabilities, allowing them to regenerate, even parts of their limbs, if they were to be destroyed or sliced off, at the cost of their stamina and vitality. Together with their decent strength, and high movement and attacking speeds, were what made werewolves such a threat to the humans.
"Don't underestimate me. I may have become physically weaker than before, but my speed is now incomparable to when I was an Ogre Lord. In some ways, you can say that I'm stronger than before, especially when dealing with speed-orientated demons such as you." (Gideon)
"Yes...you are quite strong, as expected of an ex-[Six Pillars]. Being able to adapt to a human body in such a short frame of time, and having such strength...but, don't underestimate me!" (Wourein)
Wourein howled with a mighty rage, as he claws himself on his arms. As the blood flows, his body grows slightly larger, with the most noticeable change being his thighs. His claws protruded, growing bigger and longer. He is definitely stronger than what he was mere moments ago, I can feel his strength emitting out from him, as my entire body tensed up, getting ready for anything he is going to throw at me.
"Let me see you deal with this now!" (Wourein)
He rushed forward at a great speed than before. Nothing that I can't handle though. I aimed for a counter, slashing down where he would be an instance from now.
However, my attacks connects with only the air, as he disappeared from my sight almost immediately. The next thing I knew, I was flung forward, with an impact from my back.
"Dammit! That was fast..." (Gideon)
Then, another attack came from my right, as though trying to pierce right through me. However, being as tough as I am, Wourein only managed to claw in a third of an inch into my body. Hurts like hell though, this is probably the first time someone managed to cut in me so deeply.
The attack blasted me to the left, and I had to tumble a few times before regaining my posture again. I looked at Wourein, his face filled with the joy of battle.
"It's been awhile since I have the honor of seeing you use this skill...[Bloodfury], isn't it?" (Gideon)
"Yes, I'm surprised you still remembered. At the cost of constantly losing blood, I gain additional strength and unparalleled speed! My trump card, so as to say. Making afterimages are simple, while this skill is still active. You could never beat me while I was in this mode." (Wourein)
"You could never deal enough damage to me to make me yield even if you were in this form, before you had to revert back to normal." (Gideon)
"That is true...perhaps, when you were Ogre. What about now?" (Wourein)
"Who knows, feel free to find out." (Gideon)
"That...I SHALL!" (Wourein)
Once again, he disappeared from my field of vision. I couldn't even track which direction he went, don't even mention where he actually is now.
Tsk, this might actually be quite the tough battle...
Within milliseconds, countless cuts formed around me, as I went to the defensive. Even if I want to attack, I couldn't move carelessly. After all, one wrong move could mean more than just a few small cuts.
For awhile, I just stood there, taking every single hit he dished out on me. Although I have a extremely tough body, it's not invulnerable to damages. Little by little, tiny trickles of blood began to flow.
"How's that! Can you beat me now, HUH? CAN YOU?! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET TOO FULL OF YOURSELF!" (Wourein)
I tried to go for a few random strikes around me, but all of my attacks hit empty air. Instead, I received a counter from Wourein with my guard down during my attacks.
"Where do you think you're aiming? Try harder if you can!" (Wourein)
"That hit...actually hurt a little! Why don't you try harder? Maybe you can do more than just scratches!" (Gideon)
"Such big words from something who can't even touch a single strand of fur on me!" (Wourein)
I ceased all form of attack, as I taunted Wourein. To be honest, there isn't anything I can do here, other than being a standing target for him. Curses, I didn't expect him to be this fast!
(Master...you look pathetic.)
Oh come on, cut me some slack here, Eva...he's a lot faster than I expected; I thought that I would be able to keep up with him now, even when I had no chance as well when I was still Ogre.
(Tsk tsk tsk, there's no choice, looks like I have to help you out a bit, don't I?)
Nope, it's alright, I can last through his attacks-
(I said, LOOKS LIKE I HAVE TO HELP YOU OUT A LITTLE, DON'T I?)
Alright....please help me, my awesome partner Eva?
(Well, since you insist...okay!)
The axe in my hand slowly dissolves, as it flows back into my arm. Then, countless spikes lashed out suddenly from my silver right arm and simultaneously, the attacks stopped, and I caught sight of Wourein. He's a few meters away, from my right, with wounds all over his body.
He must have been unable to dodge the spikes fully, but also got away just before getting utterly impaled in the nick of time. Judging by the trickles of blood flowing out of his body, he should have been caught by quite a bit of spikes, but not too deeply impaled.
(Common knowledge dictates that no matter how fast you go, a sudden attack from all-sides will definitely hit someone that's buzzing around like a bee. Now, finish the job by yourself, master!)
That Eva...she's really too overpowered for an artifact. Being able to pierce through the hide of the Werewolves clan leader is one thing, but being able to stop him in his tracks with just one single attack? That shape-shifting skills of hers, looks like i've underestimated it by quite a fair bit.
"Grrr...this isn't over just yet!" (Wourein)
Ah, his wounds have closed. Looks like he removed his [Bloodfury]. His body has definitely shrunk back to its normal size once again. Even though his wounds have recovered, I can tell that more than half of his vitality have already been consumed from the recovery. At this point, it's rather clear to anyone who would the victor be if the fight continues.
"Wourein, I have said it once, and I'll say it again. I do not wish you hurt you any further." (Gideon)
"Enough with your pity! If this is how you want to be...how about this - if you can defeat me I'll tell you everything I know about Del'thrush, how's that?" (Wourein)
"What do you know about him? What's that wretched bone-head planning this time?!" (Gideon)
When the name Del'thrush came out from Wourein's mouth, I find myself getting slightly more agitated. With a single command, I regained my axe once again, holding it pointed towards Wourein.
"Wahahaha! Getting the motivation to fight, I see! Yes, I know his secret little plan, but to get it out of me you'll have to defeat me first!" (Wourein)
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"...Very well then. If you insist on it, I'll grant you your wish!" (Gideon)
This time, I'm the one who rushed forward towards Wourein, with a great burst of speed from [Burst Stream]. In a instance, I was within striking range of Wourein, my axe swung upwards with great strength. He managed to avoid it by stepping to the back, but I din't expect that to hit anyway. Taking advantage of the swinging force, I released my grip on the axe, and it flew out of my hand. As expected, such an unexpected move took away his attention and increased the time he took to recover his balance.
This brief period of opportunity...I won't miss it!
Using both [Accel] and [Two-point-step of the Black Wolf], I re-directed myself to the left instantaneously and relocated myself behind Wourein. With such instant acceleration and movements, coupled with the fact that Wourein was distracted, he totally lost sight of where I was.
Placing the end of my two palms together, I strengthened my arms with [Augmentation] and with [Burst Stream], pushed out both palms simultaneously, and the distal phalanx of my ten fingers pierced through his back; His limbs straightened out from the shock-wave of the impact as he let off a loud howl in pain.
"[Special Technique - Ferocious Maul of the Silver Wolf]" (Gideon)
I pulled out my fingers, as the clan leader of the Werewolves collapsed on the floor. The rest of the werewolves howled in anger, and from their expression, they were ready for a desperate battle of vengeance. However, with Asellus still watching their every move, and witnessing her burst strength before, they can't afford to move too carelessly.
"Worry not, at the last second I dispersed away some of my strength, this attack might be deadly but should be in no means fatal. If you quickly bring him back to safely, he'll definitely be safe. I do not wish to see the [Six Pillars] lose another member and fall into Del'thrush's...Oh right, Del'thrush!" (Gideon)
Damn it, now that he's knocked out, how am I going to get the information out of him?
(Master, leave it to me!) (Eva)
Oh right, I still have Eva's mind-reading technique!
I held Wourein up and walked towards the rest of the werewolves, as though to help him up and return him to them. Suspicion can be felt emitting from their looks, but after a short while, they prioritized the recovery of their leader, and began to came forward to retrieve him. After returning Wourein back to the werewolves, they hastily retreated from me.
As they retreated, Asellus began to walk towards me, wiping her forehead while breathing out a huge sigh of relief.
(Extraction of memory complete! Sending them over to you now, master!)
Memories that aren't mine began to flood my mind, from what I believe to be the least recent to the most recent. I closed my eyes to concentrate on the images.
The meeting of the [Six Pillars]...darn it, looks like Del'thrush really did exposed my identity. Looks like I'll have to be more careful, especially with Selena. I hope i'll never have to meet with her at my current state.
Then, Wourein sneaking about and trailing Del'thrush to the north of his domain...he's next to a huge boulder, touched it and it shifted away, exposing a huge hole beneath it, which Del'thrush walked down into.
Hmm...could that be his underground lab? At least it's a useful lead that I could follow.
After the last of him entered the hole completely, the boulder automatically shifted itself back. Wourein...he tried moving it inside, but it was of no use; the boulder just wouldn't budge. Attempts made to destroy the boulder was also futile.
Other than that...there isn't anything else much that's useful within his memories-KUHH?!
(M..Master!) (Eva)
My thoughts were interrupted as I was struck and knocked back by a extremely huge and speedy figure. The sudden rush of the attack caught me by surprise and without any preparation, causing me to be stunned and had the air knocked out of me.
I was only stopped when I hit onto what I presume is a rather large tree. Then, an additional heavy blow on my abdomen left me gasping for air, as the attacks came rushing down on me. I quickly opened my eyes, and hastily tried to guard myself from the attacks with little success.
"JUST...HOW FAR...DO YOU WANT TO DISGRACE ME, BUVULLLLLLL?!" (Wourein)
The next blow of his came down from his right, a palm strike on my face that slammed me onto the ground, as he continued his rush of attacks. After all the built-up of damage from the previous bout, I can't seem to defend as well as I wanted!
"I...I'm the...leader of the Werewolves! We shall...either fight til victory...or...death...!" (Wourein)
Despite being so gravely injured, to the point where some of his wounds aren't healing, and the obvious lack of breath and vitality, Wourein's attacks doesn't seems to be getting any weaker. Even if I somehow got my guard up, the lack of breath is causing me a drop in my defenses.
"Don't be...an idiot! If you...die, it's all...over! Why, can't you understand...that!" (Gideon)
I fought back a little, while keeping my defenses up. Wourein has abandoned all sorts of defense in exchange for his final burst of attacks on me; no matter how many times I strike at him, he doesn't seem to react to them at all!
"ENOUGH OUT OF YOU! EVEN IF...I LOSE MY LIFE HERE...I'LL TAKE YOU WITH...ME!" (Wourein)
Wourein lifted both his arms, clutching his fists, and began to swing both fists down simultaneously, madden with rage and fury.
(Master, watch out!)
Eva took control over the silver right arm, and expanded outwards to form a make-shift shielding. Wourein plummeted again and again on the newly-formed shield covering me, with each blow seemingly getting stronger than the next.
"COWARD! DON'T HIDE UNDER THIS, FIGHT ME, FIGHT!!!" (Wourein)
(Tsk...! For a guy with one feet in the grave, he sure is strong...I don't think i can...hold this up much longer...!)
"ARGHHHHH!" (Wourein)
He clutched both fist together, and lifted it up high, fully with the intention of swinging down the hammer of wrath upon me. I tried to move or roll aside, but with Eva there shielding me, I couldn't absorb her back and move away in time!
I'll have to take the hit, and survive!
I forcefully remove the shielding by absorbing it back into my silver arm, and braced myself for the incoming blow...that never arrived.
The next thing I know, before his arms can even begin to swing down, his sides were pierced through, by a tiger's arm. Wourein limbs went limp. His arms came flopping downwards, as he no longer had the strength to keep them up.
"...So, this is...it, huh...? Death...from combat...not a...bad way to...go..." (Wourein)
With that, Wourein passed on, and the entire area became silent.
(Master...I'm...I'm sorry that I was a burden in this fight...) (Eva)
Don't give me that, if not for you, I might have not survived til now. You're the furthest thing away from a burden. You're my partner, Eva. (Gideon)
(...Master...! Thank you...) (Eva)
"Sorry, Gideon. When Wourein suddenly rushed over, Even I was caught surprised, and stepped aside to avoid the attack..." (Asellus)
Asellus, with her tiger-arm still stuck deep within the side of Wourein's abdomen, looked rather apologetic. She must be feeling some guilt for stepping away, I guess?
"It's alright, if I was in your shoes I probably wouldn't even be able to react at all. You did fine, to lower our causalities and even came to save me, thanks for that." (Asellus)
"It's fine, I still need to to help me punch Vergil, you know. Still, for me to have killed a [Six Pillar]...ahh, this is such a great sin-Eh?!" (Asellus)
Wourein's body began to glow in a faint light, and appeared...slightly transparent?
Almost immediately after, he disintegrated into countless sparkling dust, and fade away. What was that all about? If I remember correctly, werewolves don't disintegrate into dust when they die. I looked around the area, and I can see still a lot of dead werewolves' bodies.
"Asellus, do you know what's that all about?" (Gideon)
I looked at her, and her face had a very weird expression on it. It was a mix of disbelief and shock.
"This...this is...Absorption?!" (Asellus)
"What?! You mean, your 2nd absorption is the, the, the...Werewolves clan leader, Wourein?!" (Gideon)