"What is that…?"
"Isn’t that the Blackbite Rat Leader we fought last ti? But sothing’s wrong with it…"
"It has mutated," Ana interjected, clarifying the confusion within Jokyr’s group. Her gaze hardened as she observed the grotesque creature.
Jokyr and the others stared tensely at the Blackbite Rat Leader, hidden behind their masks. Despite the distance, they could sense its strength.
Vincent, closest to it, could feel it had power nearly at Tier 2, making him frown. Although he had fought a mutated primal during the Primal Hunt, this creature was evidently stronger.
With a roar-like squeak, the enormous Blackbite Rat Leader’s figure suddenly blurred, covering the 40-ter gap in just three strides. It appeared before him, swinging its front paw, claws sharp and glinting.
"Shroud!"
Clauny, who had just finished tending to Ana’s injured companion, couldn’t help but shout in alarm.
The others watching grew concerned as well.
However, when the creature’s attack landed, Vincent’s figure vanished, its claws slashing through an afterimage.
Vincent’s voice ca from beside Clauny.
"Why are you shouting? I’m right here."
A surprised yelp escaped their lips as they looked at him, wide-eyed.
"H-How did you get here…?" Clauny was still in shock.
It was nearly 40 ters away—they had no idea how Vincent had suddenly appeared beside them, especially with the thorny branches of Rossy’s skill guarding them.
Vincent was inwardly impressed by the effect of his Epic Quality movent skill.
Ignoring their shock, he turned to Jokyr.
"That thing is dangerous. I’d suggest you fall back. But if you think you can beat it, I won’t stop you. Decide quickly; we don’t have much ti."
Though he hadn’t tested its strength directly, he had an idea of its power source.
Primal Energy…
He had heard about it from Sophie, who also warned him to avoid entities emitting Primal Energy, as it could trigger his chaos energy to erupt and lose control.
For now, he hadn’t sensed any changes in himself. But he couldn’t risk endangering those around him, so he advised them to retreat.
Before Jokyr could respond, Clauny spoke up.
"Wait, what do you an fall back? How about you? Aren’t you leaving with us?"
Vincent didn’t answer and kept his gaze on Jokyr.
Seeing this, Clauny was puzzled and looked between the two.
"What’s going on?"
Jokyr explained simply, "If Shroud follows us, the Blackbite Rat Leader will track us. Shroud just activated the Aggro Scent, which usually lasts for an hour. And that big guy is still drawn to it…"
Even Ana and the others understood, but Clauny looked shocked.
"Are we just going to let him die?"
The mutated Blackbite Rat Leader didn’t remain idle and furiously charged toward Vincent and the others.
Vincent’s voice interrupted her, "Who said I’m going to die? Didn’t you just see how fast I am? That oversized mouse won’t even touch my shadow. Now go."
Without waiting for their response, he broke through Rossy’s barricade, slashing at the massive creature. He halted its advance but couldn’t leave any wounds.
"Tch, tough defense…" he thought, clicking his tongue.
Jokyr then decided, resolute as he commanded, "Let’s go. We’d only be a burden to him."
Clauny couldn’t believe it.
"What are you talking about? We can’t just leave him!"
This ti, before Jokyr could respond, Ana interjected, "I know you want to help him, but look around you—ask yourself if you have the ability to fight that creature. You’ve seen it; you’d die in a blink of an eye just from its speed."
Her face was still cold as ever, but worry flickered in her eyes.
Ignoring Clauny and the others, Ana thought of her own team and her unconscious companion, ’Little Winter.’ She had no way to assist, so she could only trust Vincent.
"If you want to thank him later, we need to get out safely first. Let’s go."
She led her team away without looking back.
’I’ll thank you personally the next ti we et. Don’t die…’ she thought as she moved with her team.
"H-How can she do that…? After Shroud saved her life?" Clauny muttered, dumbfounded.
Jokyr grabbed her wrist.
"Rember what happened when we fought that creature before it mutated. Be realistic; we can’t help him. If you want to help him, get stronger. Now, let’s go!"
Without hesitating, he dragged her along, following Ana’s group.
Clauny could only watch Vincent’s retreating form, her expression unwilling.
"Finally… no more distractions…" he murmured, glancing over his shoulder to see them leaving.
He then turned to face the three-ter-tall creature. Its eyes glowed a deep blood red, its sharp incisors like spears, and it was surrounded by a misty, dark aura.
It stopped, stood on its hind limbs, and glared at him.
It let out a deafening squeak.
Squeak!
Several dark auras erged from the ground, transforming into hundreds of Blackbite Rats.
Vincent didn’t hesitate and unleashed his full strength.
Origin Power Enhancent Activated!
Duskedge Wave!
Abyssal Venomlash!
As the venomous aura spread within a 10-ter radius, it killed hundreds of rats instantly. He swung his Duskedge Blade, releasing a crescent of purple energy toward the Blackbite Rat Leader, leaving cracks in the ground.
Swoosh!
The creature casually slapped it away, creating a cloud of dust where it landed.
"Seriously? It just slapped my attack away?!"
The creature squeaked again, summoning more Blackbite Rats.
"This thing’s got a rat factory!" he muttered, frowning.
He could feel his origin energy depleting rapidly. He’d only used his epic skills a few tis but had already consud over 3,000 origin energy—more than half of his current reserves.
He still had 2,300 origin energy.
He summoned an origin crystal and quickly consud it, instantly replenishing his energy.
Talent Activated!
10,000 Origin Energy!
"Let’s see who lasts longer." He chuckled, amused by his talent’s effect. As long as he had origin crystals, he had limitless energy.
Without holding back, he vanished, reappearing above the Blackbite Rat Leader. He swung his blade, combining Duskedge Wave with Abyssal Venomlash!
Boom!
Venomous aura exploded as the crescent energy from his blade slashed straight at the creature’s head, raising a purple cloud of smoke.
An agonized squeak escaped from it, signaling that his attack had hit its mark.
But then, hundreds of rats charged at him with furious, glaring eyes.
"Tch!"
He slashed at the surviving rats from his venomlash, cutting them down.
After he fell back, the smoke cleared, revealing the Blackbite Rat Leader, a huge gash across its face. However, it began healing within seconds.
"Damn, it can regenerate too!"
"Do I really have to use my chaos energy?"
Just as he considered unleashing his chaos energy, the Blackbite Rat Leader suddenly froze. It glanced in another direction, then back at him with an unwilling expression, before hurrying off as though summoned.
"What just happened?"
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