Through the simmering waves of fire and ash, Atticus narrowed his eyes in alarm as a tremor tore through his being.
The tree felt like an unbreakable mountain wall. He'd expected a clean slash, the trunk getting torn to shreds the moment his attack landed, yet the opposite occurred.
The tree was actively dispersing his will. The longer he clashed with it, the more of his will he lost.
Atticus gritted his teeth and poured in more and more will, his suit absorbing far more mana than it should ever handle, working in overdrive as he tried to break through the tree's defenses.
But its effects were absolute. His will engulfing the blade scattered, leaving the katana bare.
'Shit!'
But the moment the blade touched the bark, a deafening crack rang out. Atticus's eyes lit up.
'The life weapon!'
