Cassius wasn't a combatant, but what he lacked in brawn, he adequately made up for with cunning. The moment he noticed that the tables had begun to turn, he immediately made his way over to another pawn and refreshed the proverbial cards in his hand.
"GUAHHHH!!"
A pained howl tore from Stynx's throat. His body flailed uncontrollably across the floor as he desperately clawed at his throat, fingernails ripping into flesh.
"It's hot!" he screamed, froth spilling from his lips. "It burns! It burns—IT BURNS! IT BURNS!"
His voice dropped into something guttural and inhuman as his back bowed violently off the ground, locking in a grotesque arch. Then, without warning, his body began to swell, skin stretching tight like an overinflated doll—
BOOOOM!
The hideous mass detonated.
Bones, flesh, and blood burst outward in a nauseating spray—but instead of splattering across the walls, ceiling, and floor, the gore twisted, coiling back in on itself as if seized by an unseen force. Midair, the remnants condensed and violently altered their trajectory.
Daisuke's eyes widened as what remained of Stynx slammed into the fallen homunculus, fusing with it in a sickening union. In moments, the amalgam finished reshaping itself into a towering, muscular, two-headed fiend—its form crudely sewn together from chin to abdomen, as though stitched by some depraved hand.
Cassius laughed aloud, savoring the distraught etched across his adversary's face. "Imbecile!" he bellowed above the creature's domineering howl. "Did you honestly believe that you had won? That there was even a remote possibility you'd make it out of this room alive?"
Daisuke held his tongue, cautiously refining his guard as he watched the newly molded creature thrash about wildly, its blood-red eyes glowing with blind malice as it exerted its strength.
"Your incessant meddling ends here, Haxks Starfrost," Cassius gloated openly. "I'll make you regret the day you ever decided to cross us. Once I'm through with you, you'll be begging me to kill—"
PLOOWWW!
…
There was a blur of movement.
The homunculus swept a single arm through the air, the limb as thick as the trunk of a fully grown pine. Cassius never even had time to scream—his body burst apart like an engorged mosquito crushed beneath a titan's swat.
Without so much as a glance at what remained, the creature rotated its colossal frame and reached for the Knight Commander's broadsword. The sheer indifference of the act left both Daisuke—and the unseen viewers—wondering whether Cassius had been put down for a textbook case of Frankensteinian insubordination… or if he had simply been nothing more than disposable collateral.
DING!
[Vaerythos has been defeated!]
[Lag_no_Jutsu: Can you imagine being accidentally unalived by a monster try'na wipe its own ass? That's kinda what this feels like 🤕💩
ComboWomboKing: You'd be the laughingstock of heaven… or hell 😇 😈 🤡
TiltyMcTiltface: Savage!
TrashTalk-Tanuki: Did you guys notice Haxks' new daggers? They're awesome! Love the colors and the glow 😍🤑
RollForWaifu: +5 maybe?
PixelBandit: Whatever the case, this may be the last time you ever see them because Haxks is about to be clobbered.]
DING!
[Styraetheus | Lvl 108 | Homunculus | HP: 248083/248083]
Daisuke's grip tightened around his daggers as the newly augmented abomination let loose a throaty roar. With a contemptuous flick, the fiend hurled the broadsword skyward—then willed it to submit. The weapon answered, swelling to several times its original size.
CRASHH!
The blade impaled the stone floor, fractures spiderwebbing outward from the impact. A greedy grin split the monster's face as it wrapped its massive hand around the hilt, the grip fitting as though forged for its palm alone. Then, slowly, the full weight of its murderous gaze settled onto its chosen prey.
Dammit! Daisuke frowned. Sure, Stynx was as scummy as it gets, but he didn't deserve an end like that. As for this walking disaster—if I don't put it down right here, it's going to wreak absolute havoc on the city.
He glanced at the spot of ground where Cassius stood but moments ago, infuriated that the one person who could possibly shed some light on the Mhaledictus was gone.
DING!
[Level Up!]
DING!
[You have achieved the required level to unlock the Weapons Master class!]
DING!
[Congratulations! You have acquired one of the Ten Legendary Classes that exist in Sehreneti.]
[As the first individual ever bestowed with this renowned class, special privileges will be granted.]
DING!
[Calculating bonus rewards…]
[Name: Haxks
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Level: 50 | EXP: 14,586/390,625 (3.73%)
Class: Weapons Master [!]
The notification was bittersweet at best, but Daisuke didn't have time to dwell on it. Not while he stood before the vengeful monstrosity born from human greed.
The fiend threw both of its head back and howled, the sound reverberating through the throne room like a warhorn carved from bone.
Then the massive greatsword came down.
Daisuke's arms flew forward.
The impact was catastrophic.
Stone exploded outward as he was driven straight into the marble floor, his boots carving a crater deep enough to swallow him whole.
One knee slammed down hard, cracks veining beneath it, and a sharp grunt tore from his throat as the force of the blow traveled straight up his spine, devastating both his HP and MP.
Too heavy—!
The shield from his Impeccable Parry had snapped into existence—a small, translucent barrier just large enough to catch the blade. His dual daggers crossed beneath it, keratin screaming as they took the brunt of the force.
For a heartbeat, it held.
Then the barrier shattered like glass.
The sound was sharp and final.
Both daggers cracked along their spines, fissures racing through the material. Daisuke's eyes widened despite himself.
No… it can't be—
The homunculus didn't wait.
With a vicious snarl from both mouths, it wrenched the sword free and swung in a ruthless, sweeping arc meant to erase everything in front of it.
Daisuke ducked low, the blade passing inches above his head. But the throne room didn't survive the miss.
Stone pillars were sheared clean through. Support beams screamed and collapsed. The ceiling groaned like a dying beast as chunks of marble and crystal rained down in every direction.
"Shit—!" Daisuke hissed, springing backward as debris crashed where he'd been standing.
His daggers wouldn't survive another clash. He knew it instinctively. They vanished into his inventory mid-motion, replaced by the heavy weight of the Ironhide Bulwark snapping into his grip just as the homunculus advanced, feet crushing rubble with every step.
The sword came again.
Daisuke barely had time to raise the shield.
The impact was explosive.
The force hurled him backward like a fired cannonball, the shield screaming in protest as it absorbed the blow. Stone walls ceased to exist around him. He crashed through the far end of the throne room, masonry detonating outward as his body tore free of the structure and burst into open air.
For a fraction of a second, there was only sky.
Wind ripped past him as his body spun helplessly, blood roaring in his ears. Before he could gather his bearings, a blur of motion intercepted him mid-flight.
Soft arms wrapped around his torso, the sudden jolt knocking the breath from his lungs as they both plummeted together. The world inverted—and then the ceiling of an inner ward building rushed up to meet them.
CRASHH!
Wood, tile, and stone exploded inward as they smashed through the roof and slammed into the floor below in a violent tumble. Dust billowed, swallowing the room whole.
Daisuke groaned, forcing himself upright through the haze. His vision swam, but he pushed through it, instinctively turning toward the figure sprawled beside him.
"Tiphanna?!" he exclaimed raspingly. "Hey—are you alright? What're you doing here?"
The elven blacksmith barely stirred.
Her clothes were tattered and blemished, blood streaking down her temple. Bruises were already blooming along her arms and legs, her chest rising shallowly with each breath. She let out a faint sound—half a groan, half a breath—and then went still again.
Daisuke's jaw tightened.
"Damn it…" he muttered, gripping his shield as the distant roar of the homunculus echoed from the ruined palace above.
The fight wasn't over.
And now, someone else would have to pay the price for it if he didn't finish what he started.
He retrieved the daggers and inspected them carefully. But how am I supposed to fight that thing without a proper weapon?
The thought soured his mood. I just had these forged—and I'm already running into a wall.
With a pained groan, Tiphanna began forcing her body upright.
"Don't move," Daisuke urged, already willing an HP potion from his inventory. "I'll heal your wounds."
[Large HP Recovery Potion]
[A potion brewed by combining Celestia flowers, Vitaberries, Bloomwhisper Herbs, and Tranquiloak Sap. Its restorative potency varies depending on the concentration grade.
Item Effect: Replenishes 4,500 » 2,250 health
Cooldown: 20 » 400 Seconds]
Dammit! Daisuke scowled, fury churning through his veins. The debuff is still in effect at this distance? And even though that vile bastard's dead?