The first Reveler collapsed in a heap of dissipating smoke and bone fragments, its final screech still echoing faintly in Derek's ears. He staggered back, chest heaving, blade soaked in sludge-like ichor that sizzled against the Night Fang's edge.
" One down. Two to go "
The battlefield was silent for a breath. Then the silence was shattered.
The two remaining Nether Revelers lunged at Derek from opposite directions—twin horrors made of smoke, molten flesh, and twisting bone chains, their grotesque robes trailing behind them like death's own cloaks.
[Skill Activated: Faststeps]
Derek's feet blurred as he burst backward, narrowly avoiding the first hook aimed at his chest. The second hook followed a split second later, arcing low toward his legs. He twisted mid-air, blade scraping against the bone spike, deflecting it off course. Sparks flew.
His boots skidded against the gravel as he landed hard, breath catching in his throat. "Damn, they're syncing up."
[System Warning: User stamina dropping rapidly. Tactical reposition advised.]
"No shit," he muttered, just before another screech echoed through the air.
The left Reveler surged forward, chains whipping around like mad serpents. Derek ducked one, flipped over another, and drove Night Fang straight into its gut.
Szzzzzt—
The blade bit deep, cutting into its unstable form—but again, the creature began to reform, bubbling flesh sealing over with smoke and screeching ash.
"I really hate this regeneration thing," Derek grunted.
He tore the sword free just as the second Reveler arrived, clawed fingers raking through the air.
[Skill Activated: Adaptive Combat - Calculating trajectory...]
A faint glow passed over Derek's eyes as he twisted aside, the creature's claw grazing his shoulder.
Pain bloomed sharp and immediate. Blood dripped down his arm, hot and thick.
[Warning: Laceration detected. Minor bleeding in progress.]
Derek gritted his teeth. His first injury. His first real wound.
"Fine," he spat. "You want blood? Come take the rest!"
He dropped into a low stance, sword reversed in his grip, letting the pain anchor him, sharpen his focus.
The Revelers moved in a rhythm, one attacking, the other circling, then switching in perfect, nightmarish sync. They weren't mindless—they were trained. Or worse, instinctively tactical.
Derek had no time to breathe, no chance to rest. It was constant movement. Strike. Dodge. Block. Evade.
He used Faststeps again, surging behind one of the creatures, landing a devastating strike that severed a limb—only to watch it slither back on moments later.
"Okay," he panted. "They're not invincible. Just really, really stubborn."
[System Notification: Side Mission Time Remaining – 6 Minutes]
[Tip: Kill faster, bleed slower.]
"Thanks for the support," Derek growled.
He tossed the bottled mineral water into his mouth between dodges, feeling a jolt of recovery as his stamina began to climb. His body ached all over, muscles crying for relief.
Then he saw his opening.
One Reveler stepped too far forward. Derek rushed in, feinted left, then struck right—driving Night Fang clean through the shadowed veil of its head.
The creature let out a banshee shriek.
Smoke exploded from its body as it reeled, arms flailing wildly. The second Reveler charged immediately to cover its companion, chains lashing like vipers.
Too late.
[Critical Hit Registered]
[Nether Relever (2) – Vital Core Destroyed. Status: Terminated.]
The body collapsed into smoke and ash, leaving behind a pulsing, corrupted crystal. Derek stumbled forward, barely catching his breath—until the last Reveler slammed into him full force, claws tearing into his side.
Blood sprayed from his ribs. He crashed into a rock, wheezing, stars bursting behind his eyes.
[Major injury sustained – Rib fracture detected. Moderate internal bleeding. Immediate care advised.]
Even without the system's warning he knew he that he had sustained serious injuries.
"Can't stop now..."
He staggered up, clutching Night Fang like a lifeline. His face was pale. His body screamed to shut down. But his will—his rage—burned hotter than ever.
[Emergency Protocol Active: Adrenaline Surge - Temporary bonus to strength and reaction speed for 60 seconds.]
Derek exploded into motion.
He fought like a devil—lunging, parrying, sidestepping. He used every bit of training, every skill, every instinct.
Faststeps burned through his mana, his sword arm grew heavy, but he pressed on.
He caught the final Reveler in a dash-strike, slicing both arms clean off.
The creature shrieked, but even armless, it lunged—mouth opening to reveal rows of shadowed, melting teeth.
[Skill Activated: Bloodburst (Suppressed Mode)]
A low shockwave burst from Derek's wound. His blood ignited in a faint red haze. His next swing burned with raw, primal power—
—and cleaved the Reveler in two.
Ash exploded. Smoke scattered.
[Nether Relever (3) – Status: Terminated.]
Silence returned.
Derek dropped to one knee, Night Fang buried in the dirt.
[System Notification: Side Mission Complete.]
[+80 EXP Earned]
[+1 Mystery Box (D-tier) Acquired]
[Congratulations: Level Up Achieved – Level 3]
[Level Up Bonus: +10 to all Attributes. Passive Regeneration Increased.]
He laughed, breathless, coughing blood.
"Yeah... totally worth it."
He pulled the sword free and stood, swaying. His body was bruised, bleeding, and exhausted.
But he was alive.
And stronger than ever. Guess the old saying was true,
Every great hero needs a few scars here and there.
Author's Note: Sorry for not updating, thanks for the golden tickets Sir ramcharger and my fellow daoist for the power stones, I am in the middle of a stormy exam week, I will make time for 2, no 3 chapters a day