Joe took shallow breaths as his eyes fell on the black blade. It felt different under his grasp. It was slightly heavier but also seemed more solid than before. Its bladed edge was slightly more pronounced and Joe could feel the energy of the white rune coursing through it. Add to that [Outsider’s Enhancement X2] and Joe felt like this was the Black Blade in its peak condition.
Joe shifted his attention to the Gluttanor before him. His eyes glided up the Gluttanor's form. Before they eventually came to a halt, choosing to focus on the tight collar around its neck. Joe's mind raced as he thought of attacking measures he could take. “According to Syr, that collar is the reason that bastard can maintain control over the Gluttanor. If I manage to cut it, the skill should be undone. Their Mana Signatures are intrinsically linked with one another. Breaking that connection, should theoretically undo the skill. Yes, that should work.”
Joe was just about ready to act on this line of thought, but doubt started creeping into his mind unannounced. “Wait, if I cut it down. What if it doesn't undo the skill? What if instead it breaks the connection between them and that thing ends up going berserk. If it starts going on a rampage because the connection is severed, that could be dangerous. I can't endanger innocent lives, not again…”
The ground trembled as the Gluttanor took a step forward. Joe's attention was attracted to Red standing atop its skull.
“You know kid,” Red's spoke loudly. “You may think that you're helping those girls by messing with me but that couldn't be further from the truth.To those girls I am their master. Their savior. Those girls don't have parents, their Mana Signatures are a joke and they don't even have Academy Licenses. Their lives are worthless, they are nothing but discarded trash! But I decided to help them out. Thanks to me they have jobs and they can earn money. These are things they could've never acquired in a million years. I take care of my pets, all they have to do is obey!”
Joe's fsce boiled with rage. “A savior? What bullshit!” his grip tightened. “You're just an asshole who thinks of human lives as nothing but pets. For what you've done to those girls. I'll make you pay. I'll make you regeret ever laying your hands on them!’
Joe blasted forward with only a streak of black mana lingering In his wake. The black sheep fluttered in the breeze and his eyes silent focused on Red and his pet.
“Don't let him get close Gluttanor!” Red warned at the top of his lungs. “Use Earth Stomp!”
His words reached the Gluttanor's ears and it responded accordingly. It lifted its massive foot cloaked in mana and slammed the surface with full force. The ground vibrated violently as the Gluttanor's mana resonated with earth. A few seconds later, a wave of razor sharp spears erupted from the earth. [Skill Activation: Earth Stomp]
They came surging towards Joe like a tidal wave. They sprouted one after the other as they looked to puncture anything that moved. They were about 3m long and their thickness complemented their length. Brown mana cloaked their tips emphasizing their lethality.
But Joe had no intentions of slowing down. He clenched his teeth and swung the black blade horizontally with all the strength he could generate. [Mana Tool Skill: Mana Slash] A colossal black arc took shape and it zipped through the air at nearly untraceable speed.
[-140 Mana Pool Points]
[Current Mana Pool:560]
One by one, it demolished each and every spike in its path like a wrecking ball, slicing through them with ease. The arc didn't stop there, it kept its pace and trajectory closing in on the Gluttanor's right leg.
Red's eyes widened at the shear scale, sweat dripping down his forehead. “Y–You have to stop it Gluttanor! Use Hardening!”
Mana erupted from the Gluttanor. More cracks manifested on the earth as it established its footing. It didn't move an inch, ready to face the incoming arc head on. [Skill Activation: Hardening]
The collision occurred, and a massive shockwave pulsed throughout the battlefield. Joe himself was forced to stop mid dash as he tried to establish a firm footing. He covered his face with the black blade protecting himself from the raging wind.
As the winds died down, Joe looked on to see the results of his efforts.
Unfortunately, The Gluttanor was still standing.
Its leg dripped this purple and gooey substance. Joe wasn't sure if it was blood or something else. It manifested where [Mana Slash] had struck so it had to be blood. The cut while evident wasn't anywhere near as big as it should've been. The Gluttanor should've lost its leg. But there it was standing tall like a mountain.
Red's face was one of relief and surprise combined into one. His chest heaved as he looked down to see that the Gluttanor was still standing. “No way, how could a kid like that release a slash that powerful. I've never seen anyone break through hardening before, much less injure Gluttanor. That brat is dangerous.”
Joe couldn't hide the disappointment in his face, as he saw the extent of his assault resulting In nothing more but a mere flesh wound. “Releasing a seal isn't enough. I guess I'll have to take things up a notch. “
[Mana Tool Skill: Charge]
All the Mana around the Black Blade was condensed and absorbed into the blade until it disappeared into nothing.
[The Black Blade Is Gathering Mana]
Joe smirked, before he dashed forward. His body became the only thing cloaked in mana and The Black Blade was left naked.
“What the hell? Where did all the mana around his blade go?” Red questioned himself. He then shook his head, “no it doesn't matter. I won't let that kid release another one of his attacks.” Red tapped the Gluttanor's skull with his boots. “We can't let that kid attack or get anywhere near us, kill him now! Gluttanor! Use raging tongue.”
The Gluttanor's maw opened and its pink and lengthy tongue rolled out of its mouth. And it was massive. It reared back its neck before it launched the colossal tongue towards Joe. [Raging Tongue]
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[6 Seconds Before The Charge Is Complete]
Joe saw the incoming tongue and immediately launched himself to his right side. The tongue blew past him with its spittle fitting the air. Joe then pressed forward ignoring the stinging pain assaulting his wounded leg.
The Gluttanor wouldn't let him dodge that easily though. It swung its tongue to the right like a whip looking to demolish Joe's body on contact.
Joe's eyes were alerted to the danger. He flipped over the incoming tongue and landed on its opposite side. He then swung the black blade and sliced it cleanly.
Purple liquid gushed out, as a massive part of the Gluttanor's tongue collapsed to the ground.
The Gluttanor staggered back in pain. Its loss of balance also affecting Red. It screamed, its roar filling the air with anguish. It took a few seconds before the Gluttanor regained its balance and some sort of composure. But as it looked down where Joe once was. He had vanished without a trace.
Red's eyes darted around frantically. “Where is he?” When Red felt a cold chill coming from above, his eyes rose to the heavens.
There he was, Joe had the black blade over his head. [Charge Complete] Joe swung the blade in a swift vertical slash. An arc larger than anything he had unleashed before manifested. It rained down on Red and the Gluttanor devouring them in its piercing darkness. [Skill Activation: Mana Slash]
[Total Skill:179>334]
When Joe touched down on the ground. The earth was soaked in purple liquor and he could see the scattered pieces of the Gluttanor. Oddly enough there was no mana beast core. When the Gluttanor was first summoned, Joe recalled its mana flow that was deeply connected to Red. It flowed like that of a human, but now that he started thinking about it, he didn't rember ever seeing a mana beast core. The Gluttanor didn't have it.
That wasn't even the oddest part, before Joe Took another step. The Gluttanor's corpse dissolved into pure brown mana. Losing its physical form completely. The light followed a straight trail and Joe traced it with his gaze.
The light led to Red's figue. It got absorbed into his body before disappearing.
Red lay on the ground a few meters away from Joe. His legs had been sliced off but he was still breathing. He must've tried to dodge the attack but lost his legs in the process. Blood pooled beneath him in large volumes. His mouth was also spilling blood as he coughed painfully.
Joe strode towards him lethargically. “Tell me, where is Mikey?” Joe's voice was controlled and measured, his eyes harbored no sympathy for Red.
Red could still some how drag himself to sit somewhat upright. He looked at Joe with dull eyes, his hand slipping into his pocket. He escaped with a green crystal. He crushed it into a million pieces with the last of his strength. He then dug deep into his lungs, before he responded. “Go… to hell!!”
Joe loomed over him. Without saying another word. He lifted the blade over his head. And in a split second, he brought it down at full force. Decapitating Red, and ending his life right then and there.
[You Have Leveled Up]
[You Have Leveled Up]
[You Have Leveled Up]
[You Have Leveled Up]
[Current Level: 28]
[The Black Blade Has Leveled Up]
[The Black Blade Has Leveled Up]
[The Black Blade Has Reached (Lvl 17)]
[You Have Unlocked A New Skill: Mental Resistance]
[Updates Attributes]
• Skill: 53>61(+2 Class Boost Attribute Points)
• Strength: 50>58(+10 Black Gloves Passive Boost Points)
• Speed: 52>60(+10 Black Boots Passive Boost Points)
• Defense: 45>49(+18 Black Sheep Passive Boost Points)
• Mental Strength: 41>45
▪︎ Additional Attribute Points:4
Joe's eyes were becoming woozy. The blood oozing down his leg was flowing excessively now that he was no longer using [Outsider’s Enhancement]. He couldn't really focus on the notifications before him either. He was just about to turn around but he couldn't leave Red laying there, scum like him needed to purged from this world.
His mana coiled around the corpse and the severed head before it devoured them, reducing them to nothing.
[+1 Native Soul Has Been Stored Inside Your Body]
[Soul Count: 2]
With that done, Joe turned around and limped back towards the Meat Is Money store dragging The Black Blade by his side. It didn't take him long until he arrived. He he came through the broken wall he created, now a bloody mess.
He breathed heavily, his balance wobbly as he held into a part of the wall with his free hand. The store itself was quiet the moment he entered. The customers from before were still there and just the sight of them made Joe's blood boil. “Get out all of you!” He yelled with all the energy he had left.
“Did he actually do it? Did that kid kill Red?” one of the customers questioned.
Within seconds, the store exploded into a frenzy as all the customers darted for the exit. They shoved and toppled each other, each person trying to get ahead.
“That kid's a monster I'm out of here!” Another shouted.
Within seconds, the store was rid of customers. All that remained were the waiters and Shelly. And by the look of things she managed to heal the girl from earlier. Joe had a faint smile before he fell on his back.
Shelly immediately rushed towards him, “You’re bleeding… let me help.” She said, kneeling next to him.
Joe wanted to tell her no, that she needed to save her mana but he was honestly going to bleed out at this rate. He allowed Shelly to use her skill, although be it with a heavy heart. He was relying on her again.
[Skill Activation: Regeneration]
Shelly placed her gentle palms on Joe's wound applying pressure before a soothing green light smothered the injured area. Joe's pain eased and his blood began to dry as the wound slowly closed. After a few seconds, he was completely healed.
Joe opened his eyes and was welcomed by Shelly's warm smile. He sat upright slowly, “Sorry Shelly. Looks like I had to rely on you again.” Joe clenched his fists in frustration.
“What's wrong with that? We're friends, of course I'll help. Besides, it's such a small injury that the Mana Cost is miniscule so it's all good” She smiled, warmly.
Joe didn't know how to respond to that. Friend.. although he was nineteen that's not a word he heard often. He only had 3 friends really to speak of back on earth and one of them was his sister. He just didn’t have time for things like friendship. But for some reason, hearing someone cal him a friend made him shed a small tear which he made sure he hid of course.
With his injury healed, Joe regained his footing. He picked up the black blade and sheathed it. His attention turned to the waiters at the store who all looked at him with blank expressions.
One of them, a girl with black short hair, decided to speak up. “Did you really do it? Did you kill master?”
Joe had a wide grin on his face, “that's right. Now you guys are free.”
“Free?” Another one snapped. “Do you have any idea what you've just done? We've lost our jobs! How am I going to take care of my little brother? He'll die of hunger if I don't make money!” The girl collapsed to her knees and just released an ocean of tears.
Numerous other girls did the same thing and just released it all. Others just stood there, frozen.
This was not what Joe expected to see. He hoped he'd get to see some happy faces but he didn't see a single one of them. He needed a way to help these girls but before he could wrap his mind around this particular problem. A loud cry resonated throughout Perina.
Joe and Shelly glanced at each other before they dashed out of the store. Was it an attack? Was it Mikey? There were a lot of possibilities.
They dashed from the store back to the center of the town. At the speed they were traveling at, it only took them a minute before they reached the center of town.
And that's when they saw it. At the town square. A long pole loomed over everything. And at the top of the pole pinned by countless enormous nails to the skull.
Was the lifeless corpse of the young boy John.
The boy Shelly captured back then.
Numerous townspeople had gathered around the pole and were throwing countless rocks at his corpse.
“Die you Trash Can Freak.”
“This is what happens when you steal!”
Some of them would shout as they threw stones relentlessly. Blood pooled beneath the motionless corpse helplessly.
At that moment, Joe and Shelly realized something. This wasn't your average town. It was a town made in hell.