The tunnel shuddered under the force of the shadow entity's presence. Kael's body hummed with energy, every nerve screaming, every muscle taut. The Forbidden Immortal System pulsed like a heartbeat in his skull, clicking and whirring with a mechanical precision that made the air feel electric.
[Host Status: Strength 140/100 | Potential: 45% | Bloodline Absorption: 12%]
[Curse Activity: Extreme | Warning: Overexertion May Trigger Permanent Effects]
[Enemy Status: Unknown High-Level Entity | Evolution Phase: Active | Threat Level: Critical]
The shadow moved again, faster than thought, its massive form stretching like smoke. Its red eyes glimmered with intelligence, assessing Kael as much as he assessed it.
[Target Analysis: Multiple Weak Points Detected | Core Energy Source Visible | Recommended Action: Precision Strike]
Kael's fingers twitched, threads of energy snapping from them with blinding speed. The system highlighted the creature's weak points in bright, pulsating lines, guiding his strikes in real-time.
"Let's see what you're really made of," Kael whispered, stepping forward.
The entity lunged, claws flashing like lightning. Kael dodged effortlessly, energy from the system flaring around his arms as he countered. Each strike he made was calculated, precise, absorbed and enhanced instantly.
[Combat Adaptation: Active | Reflexes +25% | Strength +30 | Host Potential: 55%]
He struck the first weak point—the shoulder joint—and felt threads of raw power flow into him. The system clicked incessantly, reporting:
[Target Weakness Exploited | Combat Essence Acquired +20% | Host Strength 165/100 | Curse Activity Rising]
The shadow reeled, its form flickering. Kael smiled. The more he fought, the stronger he became. But the system's warning pulsed like a siren:
[Caution: Curse Activity Extreme | Risk of Loss of Control 42%]
Kael ignored it. "I am no one's puppet," he muttered. "Not gods, not curses, not fate."
The entity's attack intensified, claws tearing through the air, energy blasts erupting from its form. Kael parried, dodged, and countered, the system guiding every motion. Sparks of stolen power danced along his body as he absorbed fragments of the entity's raw energy.
[High-Level Combat Feedback: Host Adaptation Optimal | Reflex Enhancement +15% | Strength +35 | Potential: 65%]
Kael's body surged with new strength. Every absorbed essence, every stolen fragment, was a step closer to transcending mortal limits. The system clicked faster, mechanical lines pulsing wildly, almost like it was alive.
Then the entity shifted, its form breaking apart and reforming into something larger, more monstrous. The air itself seemed to burn with its presence.
[Enemy Evolution Detected | Power Surge +Unknown | Engagement Risk: Maximum]
Kael's grin widened. "Finally… the real test."
He lunged forward, threads of energy wrapping around the entity's torso, pulling and twisting with mechanical precision. The system displayed tactical suggestions at lightning speed:
[Weak Point Sequence: Spine → Shoulder → Core]
[Attack Probability: 78% → 92% → 95% | Host Risk: High]
Kael moved in perfect synchrony with the system, each strike hitting true. Energy and power flowed from the entity into him, each pulse strengthening his body while the curse tugged hungrily at his soul.
[Host Strength 200/100 | Potential: 75% | Curse Pull: Severe | Bloodline Absorption: 15%]
Pain lanced through him as the curse tried to assert control, whispering threats, tempting him to stop, to falter. But Kael's mind was steel.
"I am beyond your control," he whispered, voice low and cold. "You will obey me."
The entity roared, energy slamming into Kael in a devastating wave. The system clicked furiously, issuing real-time commands:
[Evasion Required | Probability of Survival: 68% | Countermeasure: Multi-Thread Energy Dispersion]
Kael's body moved with uncanny precision, energy threads snapping outward, absorbing impact, redirecting force. He struck again, targeting the entity's core this time, following the system's glowing guides.
The entity faltered, its form convulsing as energy ripped from it into Kael's body. He absorbed it all, feeling himself transcending mortal limits in real time. His strength, his reflexes, his senses—everything skyrocketed.
[Host Strength 250/100 | Potential: 90% | Curse Pull: Critical | Combat Essence +50%]
Kael's grin widened, teeth glinting. He could feel the entity weakening, but the risk of the curse taking control was higher than ever. Sweat and energy crackled across his skin.
"This ends now," he said, lunging with all the force of a storm.
The final strike hit the entity's core, threads of energy snaring it, binding it, draining it completely. The creature let out a sound like the cracking of the world, then collapsed, its form dissipating into shadow and sparks.
Kael staggered slightly, energy flaring around him, system lines pulsating wildly.
[Target Neutralized | Combat Essence Acquired +100% | Host Strength 300/100 | Potential: 100% | Curse Status: Critical]
For a moment, everything was still. The tunnel was quiet except for the mechanical clicking of the system. Kael's body thrummed with power beyond mortal limits. But the system's voice was sharp, insistent:
[Warning: Curse Pull Critical | Immediate Stabilization Required | Risk of Permanent Host Corruption: High]
Kael grinned, chest heaving. Pain, danger, and power collided inside him like fire. "I don't care," he whispered. "Nothing controls me… nothing will."
In the shadows, the remnants of the entity flickered, leaving behind a faint pulse—an echo of power and a warning of things to come. The system clicked rapidly, highlighting every trace of the enemy, every residue of energy, every growth Kael had gained.
And somewhere, in the empire, forces he had yet to see stirred, sensing a new predator in their midst.
Kael's eyes gleamed with a mixture of hunger, thrill, and vengeance. He had won this battle. But the war against the empire—and the gods—was far from over.
The tunnel was silent, but Kael felt the pulse of the world shift around him. Threads of energy and system feedback snaked through the darkness, guiding him, waiting for his next move.
"Bring it on," he murmured. "I am ready for anything."