The pack circled, growls rumbling like thunder. Dozens of glowing eyes locked onto us, but the Alpha didn't move.
It was massive. Muscles bulged under jagged fur, its spine cracked outward with crystalline growths that pulsed like veins of lava. Its eyes weren't just red they focused. Intelligent. Hunting.
Elira stepped beside me, blades drawn. "Protector, stay back. I'll handle..."
Too late.
The Alpha lunged.
Faster than a boulder, heavier than a bear. My instincts screamed..
And my body moved.
I ducked under its swipe, dust exploding from the impact. Speed surged through me. My blade flashed, hardened with mana, slashing its leg.
The Alpha snarled, black ichor spilling onto the ground. The wound sizzled like acid.
"Whoa. That's new."
The beast spun, tail whipping like a mace. I flew backward slammed into a wall.
HP chunked down.
HP: 150/180
[Regeneration Activated]
HP: 168/180
I staggered upright, laughing nervously. "Ha… not bad. But I've got hacks."
---
The wolves swarmed the Nerulians, but Elira and Bran cut them down with fierce precision. Lyra chanted healing spells, sweat dripping down her brow.
But all eyes kept flicking back to me because I was actually holding my ground.
The Alpha roared, charging again.
This time, I didn't dodge.
I met it head-on. My blade clashed with its crystalline fang, sparks flying. The shockwave rattled the ruins.
The beast's strength was overwhelming but so was mine.
"Come on then," I growled, grinning. "Let's see who breaks first!"
---
We traded blows in a blur. My muscles screamed, but my body refused to slow. Each time the Alpha landed a hit, regeneration snapped me back together. Each time I struck, its corrupted flesh tore wider.
But the more I fought, the more I noticed its wounds weren't healing. Mine were.
Its snarl wavered.
Elira's voice rang out, sharp with disbelief. "He's… overpowering it."
"Or suicidally insane," Bran muttered.
"Both," Elira sighed.
---
Then the Alpha did something strange.
Its body trembled. Black ichor pooled around its paws. A voice low and guttural slid into my mind.
"So… you are the anomaly."
I froze. My breath caught.
The Alpha was speaking.
"You… can talk?!"
It grinned, jagged fangs glinting. "You… will feed the core."
Before I could respond, it surged with a burst of corrupted energy. Its crystal spines glowed, mana spiking like wildfire.
I skidded back, eyes wide. "Advisor what the hell is that?!"
[Observation: Corruption Core awakening. Danger level: High.]
---
The Alpha lunged again, fangs glowing like blades.
I raised my weapon and at the last second, my body responded with something I hadn't commanded.
My arm glowed. My blade stretched unnaturally, as though mana itself obeyed my will.
Mana Shaping evolved.
The strike cleaved clean through the Alpha's shoulder, severing its arm in a spray of black ichor.
The beast howled. The pack scattered.
And a chime rang in my head.
[Level Up!]
[Body Evolution Progress: 11% → 19%]
New Skill Acquired: Mana Shaping (Lv.3)
Mana can now be extended into semi-ethereal constructs.
I stared at my glowing blade, stunned. "…Did I just unlock a lightsaber "
Elira groaned. " Watch out!"
---
The Alpha staggered, ichor pouring from its wound. It growled weakly, hatred burning in its eyes.
But then it smiled.
"Enjoy… your gift… anomaly."
The corruption inside it detonated. Black energy surged outward like a wave.
"Get down!" Elira screamed.
The ruins erupted in darkness.
---