[System: The guardian has used the spell [Elemental Shots]. Mana will now be injected into the chosen element of the guardian's desire. The selected element has become the primary focus in the randomization pool. Fire attribute shots now have a significantly higher chance of appearing.]
The abnormal imp and the human variant known as Neon immediately unleashed a barrage of attacks. Dozens of spells rained down from both sides as they dodged and countered any strike threatening their lives.
Though the abnormal originated from the imp race—beings known for magic and illusions—its mutation, caused by a shard from the Orb of Catastrophe, allowed it to wield a new attribute.
"Die!!!" Neon roared, blade closing in just as the abnormal was distracted by his feints. But even with sharp eyes, he couldn't anticipate what happened next.
The abnormal manifested a new specialty that took him by surprise.
"Sword ki…?" he muttered.
A sword formed entirely from the pure mana within the abnormal's body. It resembled Sword Ki, a technique exclusive to guardians who possessed the chi stat. Yet this was merely an imitation—a twisted version born from a complex manipulation of mana.
"Kukukuku! Taste my creation!! Mana manipulation, new and improved—Magic Edge: Magic Sword Manifestation!!"
The abnormal injected only a small amount of mana, yet it forged a blade sharper than ever. Its speed and power surged—its mana now possessing a physical form. Such precision meant the caster had mastered shaping mana down to its core.
"Empower! Increase my current speed—Basic Sword Arts: Triple Slash!!"
Neon clashed with the manifested sword, parrying its edge with his own. Their blades clashed violently. The impact shattered the vine shield that the abnormal conjured to guard against Neon's strikes. The human's strength was clearly outmatched—but he wasn't done yet.
[Special Ability: Thornerus Bone Structure has been activated by the guardian's desire. The host has chosen to utilize the special defensive ability. An exoskeleton has formed within the host's body, extending to create supporting structures.]
The exoskeleton formed beneath his scales, its supporting bones reinforcing his posture. Neon noticed the abnormal's mana had weakened slightly due to its reckless use. Even if just for a second, it was enough.
With renewed strength, he pushed forward, slamming the creature back. As he did, he spat on his blade—coating it in a venomous fluid.
[System: Due to the converted bodily fluids created by the fangs of the Hydra, the host's saliva has transformed into a potent poison. Stronger than the void serpent's venom, this new strain has temporarily replaced the original for 10 minutes.]
"You'll have to try harder than that!!!" the abnormal howled.
Its mana surged again, reshaping the terrain beneath their feet. The ground obeyed its will, forming a shield to block Neon's poisoned blade. But it was futile—the venom melted through the stone like acid, allowing Neon's blade to slash across the creature's skin.
His golden eyes burned with determination, tracking afterimages to predict the next moves. But time was slipping away. His buffs were nearing expiration.
He had to end this now.
"Hahahaha!! I knew it… You're stalling for time!! Do you think that will be enough to bring me down, fool?! I wouldn't dare face my kin unless I could avenge them! You wear a human's skin—but I see through it! You're a monster, hiding behind a false identity… Hehehehe… Too bad these will be your final memories!!"
The ground trembled. Something was coming.
The quake intensified—then suddenly, silence.
Moments later, the ground burst open as hundreds of imps emerged, surrounding Neon. Their eyes burned with hatred, their growls echoing with vengeance. They rushed him, blotting out the abnormal from view.
[System: Warning. Multiple debuffs have been stacked on the guardian! We advise immediate assistance. The guardian's health has drastically decreased. Warning! The guardian has entered a life-threatening phase! Zero chance of escape!]
Countless spells shredded his scales—his exoskeleton barely held.
Yet… Neon grinned.
Was he waiting for something? Was this all part of his plan?
Even at his lowest point, this homunculus… laughed.
Every decision he made had a reason. Every action a price.
So what was he gambling now?
Though he had a chance to retreat, he didn't. His body was torn apart, fiber by fiber. Meanwhile, the abnormal teetered at the edge of life, the intensity of the battle pushing both to their limits.
[System: You've chosen to detonate the Little Helper. The summoned imp has accepted its fate.
Outcome: Due to a stroke of luck, the explosion's power and radius have massively expanded. Fallen enemies have been converted into experience points.]
"Did you really think I wouldn't notice the disappearance of your army?! What do you take me for, a mindless baboon?!"
From deep underground, the abnormal erupted into the air. A massive bone impaled its body.
Neon's trap had worked. The creatures his enemy attacked had been illusions—a ploy to misdirect.
With the mana he saved, Neon forged a bone spike that launched the abnormal into the air. Vines wrapped around its limbs, restricting its movement. Another bone structure rose, revealing Neon standing atop it, riding a platform of his own creation.
The abnormal tried to escape with magic, but it was too late.
It noticed—too late—the leeches with the fangs of the Hydra biting into its flesh.
[System: The following debuffs have been applied to the abnormal imp:
[Weakening], [Paralysis], [Bleeding], [Poison], [Reduced Physical Resistance], [Reduced Magical Resistance], [Penetrable], etc.]
"I won't!! I won't allow this!!! You must die!!!"
The abnormal's final move—channeling the full power of the shard from the Orb of Catastrophe. Its body erupted with a dark, violent aura. A massive spell launched toward Neon.
[System: The Lesser Homunculus has detected the main body! For safety, its insatiable hunger has been halted. The homunculus has arrived at the main body's location.]
Neon responded with his final trump card.
His severed, mutated, sentient hand arrived at his side. With it, he transformed the twisted limb into a horrific weapon. He fortified it with the behemoth's scales and the Thornerus hound's bone structure.
[System: The Devouring Leeches' hunger has been satisfied.
Outcome: Guardian gains +9 Attack, +6 Health, +8 Defense, +10 Speed, +40 Mana.]
"Homunculus Shift—Bow of Abomination!!"
With this new power, Neon launched a massive needle—his final attack. Every last drop of his mana was poured into it.
The projectile pierced the monstrous spell hurtling toward him—canceling it entirely.
"Muhahahaha! Your attack canceled mine… but I'm still alive!!"
The spell had slightly shifted the needle's path, leaving it just a centimeter short.
The abnormal laughed—but as the smoke cleared, Neon leapt from his bone platform.
Fueled by brute strength, he swung his blade at immense velocity, propelling himself through the air.
He unleashed his final move.
"Basic Sword Arts—Whirling Death!!!"
At last, his sword struck true.
A devastating impact ripped through the abnormal's body—its form now nothing but mutilated flesh. The force even split the sky, tearing through the very limits of their confined space.
As the space unraveled around him, Neon finally looked up.
After an entire day of battle, the night sky greeted the victor.