Ethan’s greatsword cleaved through the air, aiming to carve through the monster’s torso.
But it was fast.
Too fast.
The creature twisted its elongated, sinewy body, narrowly dodging the strike with an almost unnatural fluidity—as if it could see the attack before it happened.
Lisa’s arrows rained down from above, each one perfectly aimed at its vital points.
But the monster’s cwed limbs moved with terrifying precision, deflecting the projectiles with rapid, calcuted swipes.
Ethan gritted his teeth.
This wasn’t a mindless beast—it was adapting. Learning.
“Lisa! Try aiming for its legs!” he shouted.
Lisa nodded, adjusting her aim in an instant. She released two arrows in quick succession, targeting the creature’s knees.
The first arrow whistled through the air—only for the monster to pivot on its heel, twisting just out of reach.
The second, however—
THWACK!
It scraped across its thigh, drawing a thin line of bck ichor.
The monster hissed, its burning yellow eyes snapping toward Lisa.
It was angry now.
“Shit.” Lisa cursed, immediately backpedaling as the creature shifted its stance—getting ready to lunge.
But that tiny wound gave Ethan the opening he needed.
His blood pulsed.
He dashed forward in an explosive burst of speed, his greatsword raised high.
The momentum of his charge was brutal. The Ravager barely had time to turn before—
CLANG!
Ethan’s bde smmed into its cw, locking them in a test of pure strength. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through his arms, rattling his bones.
For a second, they were evenly matched.
Then—
Ethan’s lips curled into a vicious grin.
The crimson aura of his bde surged, the stored blood essence fueling his Blood ssh.
The Ravager’s yellow eyes widened.
It tried to pull away— but it was too close.
SCHLING!
The red crescent of energy erupted from Ethan’s sword, tearing straight through the monster’s outstretched arm.
Its forearm was severed completely, stopping just at the elbow.
The Ravager shrieked in agony, bck ichor spraying across the ruined ground.
But Ethan didn’t stop.
The second the bde connected, he pushed forward, twisting his stance in a perfectly fluid motion.
One final swing.
A clean, precise decapitation.
SPLURT!
The Ravager’s head spiraled through the air, before nding with a sickening thud a few feet away.
Its body twitched once—then colpsed.
System Notification
[Enemy Defeated: F++ Rank (Level 27) Ravager.]
[XP gained.]
Ethan let out a ragged breath, his body trembling from exertion.
The moment the adrenaline faded, he felt it.
The drain.
Using Blood Ssh back-to-back was brutal. He could feel the strain in his muscles, the way his stamina was rapidly depleting.
“Finally…” he muttered, taking a staggering step back before colpsing onto the ground.
He let his greatsword rest beside him, his chest rising and falling heavily.
Lisa walked over, nudging his leg with her foot. “That was harsh.”
Ethan let out a weak ugh. “You’re telling me…”
His whole body ached, but a familiar satisfaction settled in his chest.
They had won.
Ethan slowly pushed himself up, his body still aching from the fight. The metallic taste of blood lingered in his mouth, and the stench of the Ravager’s corpse filled the air.
Lisa was already looting the body, her movements quick and efficient. She wiped her forehead, smearing a streak of dirt across her cheek.
“That was close,” she muttered, tossing Ethan a small vial of red liquid she had pulled from the monster.
[Ravager Blood Extract (F++ Rank) – Can be used for crafting or consumption.]
Ethan caught it, gncing at the description. “What happens if I drink this?”
Lisa shrugged. “Could give you power… or kill you instantly.”
“Great.” Ethan stuffed the vial into his inventory. “Let’s keep moving.”
They had barely taken a few steps before Lisa froze.
“Ethan…” She pointed toward the ruined street ahead.
A group of five people stood there, watching them cautiously.
Their clothes were torn, covered in dust and dried blood. Each held a weapon—makeshift spears, knives, even a few rusty firearms.
