Chapter 37: Pest(2)
As they reached the site where the creature had left the crater, its chest lay wide open, bathed in an ominous red glow. Cole's eyes narrowed as he peered closer, and dread crept over him like a shadow.
But what unfolded before their eyes was far from natural. The creature's wound seemed to defy nature itself, rapidly knitting itself back together. Fibers of red energy danced across the gaping wound, seamlessly reconnecting sinew and flesh.
In a matter of moments, the creature rose to its feet, its body renewed and more menacing than ever. The sinister gleam in its eyes had intensified, and it bore an unsettling air of invincibility.
Cole's expression turned grim as he realized the true extent of the creature's capabilities. "It's adapting," he muttered, his voice laden with concern.
As the creature's aura continued to skyrocket, its energy levels were off the charts. It was ascending, surpassing the realm of mere danger and pushing into the terrifying territory of an S-rank threat. Cole and his companions watched in awe and trepidation as the creature's ether surged in power, a chilling indication of its newfound might.
Belial, anxious to assist, began to move forward, but Cole firmly held him back. "Don't forget, I'm the strongest human to ever exist," Cole said confidently, his eyes fixed on the evolving monster. His unyielding determination and belief in his own abilities kept him resolute even in the face of such overwhelming power.
With each passing moment, the creature's ether continued to escalate, exuding an oppressive and volatile presence. Its adaptation talent, a unique and dangerous gift, became all too apparent. The more it endured, the stronger it became. It seemed insatiable, driven by a relentless hunger.
The creature's eyes glowed with a malevolent hunger as it muttered, "I need... food!" It surged forward with incredible speed, aiming to close the distance between itself and Cole.
However, Cole remained as elusive as ever, his body surrounded by a protective radiance. The creature lunged, but no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't touch him. Each attempt to strike Cole was met with failure, the powerful heat emanating from his body keeping the monster at bay.
Cole remained in a defensive posture, his movements calculated and precise. He wasn't just evading the creature; he was learning its patterns, its movements, and flow of its relentless attacks. Every step, every strike, every monstrous roar only served to enhance his understanding of his foe.
Xin and Belial watched in awe as Cole appeared to dance with the creature, his mastery of ether synergy and embedded attacks shining through. The ground shook with the impact of their battle, and the very air seemed to crackle with tension as the two powerful beings clashed.
Belial turned to Xin, his voice filled with awe and admiration. "This is... incredible. Cole is on a completely different level. He's not just surviving; he's dominating this fight."
The creature, realizing that it was utterly outmatched by Cole, shifted its malevolent attention to the two bystanders, Belial and Xin. With a terrifying glint in its eyes, it lunged at them, driven by its ravenous hunger.
Panicked but determined to protect themselves, Belial and Xin swiftly conjured a multi-layered sound and darkness barrier in front of them. The barriers materialized, forming an intricate web of protection. However, the creature's power was far beyond their expectations.
With a savage force, the creature tore through the barriers as though they were mere sheets of paper. The sound and darkness dissipated into the air, leaving Belial and Xin exposed and vulnerable, their eyes filled with fear.
The creature was mere moments away from reaching the defenseless pair when, in the nick of time, Cole intervened. With astonishing speed and strength, he grabbed the creature's extended arm, his powerful grip causing the monster to bellow in agony.
Veins bulged on Cole's arm as he exerted immense force, crushing the creature's limb with a sickening crack. The creature's momentum halted, and its agonized howls echoed through the forest. It thrashed in pain, unable to escape Cole's vice-like grip.
Belial and Xin, relieved and grateful, watched in awe as Cole, their protector, held the creature at bay. They had witnessed his remarkable abilities and indomitable will throughout this encounter, but now they were truly witnessing his heroism in action.
As the creature's cries of pain and agony continued, a different voice, one that sounded distinctly human, emerged from the depths of the monstrous being.
"Please... help..." the voice implored, filled with desperation and suffering.
The sudden revelation struck a chord within Cole, causing his heart to race. His mind raced to put the pieces together. The voice, the plea for help—it was clear that something more complex and sinister was at play here.
"Lex... What have you done..." Cole muttered to himself, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and disbelief.
Before their eyes, the creature's wound seemed to defy nature itself, rapidly knitting itself back together. It rose to its feet, a sinister gleam in its eyes.
"When dealing with monsters like these," Cole spoke with a almost sad tone, "you have no other choice but to completely obliterate them. You two, step back and cover your eyes."
Cole extended his hand, fingers poised like a gunslinger ready for a duel. A brilliant white light began to emanate from the tips of his outstretched fingers, slowly growing in size until it resembled a small house-sized sun.
"It's so hot..." Belial exclaimed, his voice laced with astonishment
{Alert: heat levels rapidly rising}
Oracle conjured a protective shield around belial and Xin, anticipating the impending eruption of energy.
And then, it happened. A spectacle that defied imagination as if Cole unleashed the force of miniature a white dwarf and a radiant white ball of searing heat energy burst forth. Its density and gravity tore through everything in its path, an unstoppable force of nature.
{Sirius Flare} - the incantation echoed in their minds as they beheld the cataclysmic explosion. The white-hot inferno incinerated trees, vaporized the oasis
Seeing this the creature started running the opposite way but the creature's desperate attempt to flee was in vain, for the white-hot onslaught of the attack was relentless.
The immense gravitational force generated by Cole's attack began to pull the creature back, as if the very fabric of the universe conspired against its escape.
With every step, the creature struggled against the invisible bonds of this cosmic maelstrom, its limbs flailing wildly as it was inexorably drawn back into the heart of the cataclysmic explosion. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the creature's resistance waned, and its agonized roars pierced the air.
"UUAAAAHH-"
As the creature was dragged closer to its inevitable demise, its form began to distort and disintegrate under the relentless pressure and searing heat. Its roars grew more frantic and pained, echoing through the chaos, until finally, with a blinding flash of incandescent brilliance, it was consumed entirely by the Sirius Flare.
The explosion reached its crescendo, a brilliant and blinding display of raw power. The shockwave rippled outward, sending shockwaves through the forest, flattening trees, and reshaping the very landscape. In the aftermath, silence descended upon the scene, save for the crackling embers of residual energy and the heaving breaths of the two.
With the threat obliterated, Cole finally let his hand fall, the intense light of the Sirius Flare gradually diminishing. As the dust settled and the world around them began to regain its composure
Belial, with a mixture of awe and concern, approached the aftermath of Cole's devastating attack. His eyes traced the path of destruction, which included the obliteration of an entire mountain. The sheer power displayed left him in disbelief.
"Looks like the world is stronger than I thought," Belial muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a hint of admiration and a dash of unease. "It looks like you'll have to wait a bit longer, guys."
Meanwhile, in the shadows, a familiar and ominous figure emerged. It was Lex, the enigmatic individual who had been linked to the creation of the monstrous entity. He watched the aftermath of the battle with a sinister smile, seemingly unaffected by the destructive force unleashed by Cole.
"Even his weakest attack is this destructive," Lex remarked, a tone of amusement in his voice. He strolled through the cavernous mouth of a massive, defeated monster, his presence exuding a sense of foreboding.
As Cole continued to sense the energy that had inexplicably appeared and then vanished, he grew increasingly perplexed.
"That was odd..." He muttered to himself
There was an inkling of recognition in the energy, but it had disappeared as quickly as it had come.
(Hard scene break)
Ugh.
"Why did I have to be stuck on this stupid mission with you? I could do it by myself just fine," Pacey grumbled, his frustration evident as he sliced through a goblin with a razor-sharp gust of wind, remaining afloat.
Cassidy, an A-rank hunter, hovered nearby with a nonchalant expression. His supernatural water arrows pierced through another goblin that had sneaked up behind Pacey. "Aw, don't be like that," Cassidy replied with a chuckle, his voice light-hearted and easygoing. "It's just a short, light-hearted mission. It's not that bad."
Pacey, still simmering with annoyance, swung his arm with fierce determination as more goblins closed in on him. His swift attack barely missed Cassidy, who deftly sidestepped the powerful strike.
"Whoa there, lil buddy," Cassidy quipped with a playful grin, dodging Pacey's assault as if it were a mere game of tag. His relaxed demeanor was in stark contrast to Pacey's agitation.
The two hunters were on an unusual assignment, one that had been handed down by Natalie, who had instructed Cassidy to keep an eye on Pacey.
"I already finished my side of the village. How about we go—"
Pacey abruptly walked off into the forest, ignoring Cassidy's words. He ventured deep into the woods, the dense foliage threatening to swallow him and hide him from view. Cassidy quickened his pace to catch up, nearly losing sight of the headstrong young hunter.
He found Pacey leaning against a sturdy tree, the weight of unspoken burdens evident in his posture. Taking a deep breath, Cassidy approached and broke the silence.
"I have a feeling that this is about Guild wars" he said gently.
Pacey remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the distant trees, as if he could escape into their depths. But eventually, he glanced at Cassidy, his eyes harboring a mixture of frustration and uncertainty.
Cassidy sensed the need for a connection, a sharing of experiences. He leaned against a nearby tree, his expression thoughtful. "You know," he began, "when I was around your age, I got chosen for the guild wars."
Pacey turned his gaze toward Cassidy, curiosity piqued despite himself.
"Honestly," Cassidy continued,
"when I went, I was scared. I was just a C-rank hunter back then, inexperienced and full of doubt. The first time I participated, I lost." Cassidy's voice held a tinge of vulnerability, revealing a side of himself he rarely showed
Cassidy continued, his voice carrying the weight of his experiences. "But you trained hard, harder than I ever did when I was your age."
Pacey's natural mean-looking face softened slightly as he listened to Cassidy's . His brows furrowed as he contemplated the idea that maybe, just maybe, there was something more to their partnership than Cassidy's initial nature had suggested.
Pacey realized that while their personalities and approaches were vastly different, there was something to be gained from Cassidy's guidance and wisdom.
The anxious feeling of being chosen for the guild wars, the fear of failure, and the intense drive for self-improvement were sentiments that resonated with Pacey. He had often been viewed as the intimidating one, the one who approached everything with a stern demeanor. But in that moment, he understood that perhaps, underneath it all, he shared more in common with Cassidy than he had thought.
Cassidy's story was a reminder that strength was not just about physical prowess but about dedication and the willingness to confront one's own limitations. Pacey's natural toughness began to yield to a more contemplative expression, reflecting the newfound understanding that there was value in opening up, in sharing experiences, and in being receptive to guidance.
Cassidy smiled warmly, his eyes filled with a hint of pride and encouragement. "Besides, if you end up placing, I will personally ask Cole to promote you to B rank."
Pacey was taken aback by Cassidy's offer. It was an unexpected gesture of support and mentorship, and it was something he had not anticipated when they first embarked on their mission together.
Cassidy's chuckle filled the air as he turned to leave. "And that'll probably help you get a girlfriend for once in your life."
Pacey's expression shifted from surprise to indignation. The comment hit a nerve, and he clenched his fists in anger. "Why you—!" he began, his voice rising in irritation.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
TheBlackstar
TheBlackstar Dear readers,
I want to apologize for the delay in publishing this week. Some unexpected problems have arisen, making it difficult for me to continue writing. I am truly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and I kindly ask for your patience and understanding. There's a possibility that I may release a double chapter next week to make up for it. Thank you for your support, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
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