Erend decided that he could no longer rely solely on the power of his fire.
Turning into a Dragon was still something he couldn't do now.
He's not that desperate to turn into a Dragon yet. And since the beginning, Erend wanted to avoid that until the end of this fight.
'Tut, open the Water Dragon Skill Set.'
Erend spoke to Tut inside his head. He didn't know if Tut could be reached right now.
Ahead there was a burst of flames rising into the air. The heat wave spread around and set some plants on fire.
'This is only going to get worse. Steve's rampage is getting out of control,' thought Erend.
["I'll open it." ] Tut replied shortly after.
Even so, there is a delay that makes him as responsive as usual. Erend didn't really mind that.
A moment later a Window containing the Water Dragon Skill Set appeared in front of Erend.
'I can get Skill All Water-based Power without taking Water Dragon Transformation, right?' Erend asked Tut.
[ "Yes, you can get it if you have enough Skill Points." ]
Erend nodded in satisfaction.
'OK. I will-"
Before Erend could finish talking to Tut, Steve with a body scorched by fire, was shot from behind a line of trees.
He came flying like a meteor with a fiery tail extending backward.
Steve grabbed Erend's neck and then slam him to the ground. Almost the same as what he had done to him.
However, what made it different now was that Steve kept pushing Erend above the ground while continuing to fly.
Steve takes Erend away from where they originally fought. Erend's body was dragged by Steve leaving a long mark on the ground.
'He's stronger than before!'
Erend could feel that the pressure of Steve's hand on his neck was getting stronger.
There is only one possible cause of that. Steve had drawn even more Magic energy from that cursed tree.
The skin on his face that had been peeling earlier was now peeling more.
Nearly half of Steve's facial skin was now gone, leaving the flesh of his face also starting to turn black.
'Tut! I will use 5 Skill Points to get All Water-based Power!'
Erend screamed inside his head at Tut.
Erend knew that if he didn't get the power soon he wouldn't be able to beat Steve.
Even though Steve's body didn't seem like it would be able to last for very long, that didn't mean that would settle everything.
It could be, when Steve's body is destroyed, the Magic power of that cursed tree will be released and spread wider because there is nothing to contain it.
That would be the cause of an even bigger disaster.
Steve lifted Erend's body off the ground. Then lifted it into the air.
Erend doesn't know how Steve got the power to fly without wings.
Steve's black eyes stared at Erend with obvious killing intent. Erend could clearly feel the endless madness and rage within those eyes.
[ New Skill Obtained: All Water-based Power (Lv.1) ]
Erend felt the same sensation as before when a new power entered his body.
Steve suddenly clenched his fist that didn't hold Erend's neck. Then with full power, Steve punched Erend in the stomach.
The fist didn't throw him like Erend thought it would. Instead, the fist lingered on his stomach for a few moments.
It didn't take long for Erend to understand why Steve just let his fists in there.
*SSSS...*
The sizzling sound accompanied Steve's fist which was clad in reddish flames started to melt his [Dragon Scale].
Steve's fist slowly penetrated Erend's scale. He started to feel pain.
Erend gritted his teeth. Then he immediately activated the skill he just got.
[ Skill activated: All Water-based Power (Lv.1) ]
A layer of water started to come out of Erend's body. White steam appeared because the water met the hot wave that Steve gave off.
Steve didn't seem to notice the change as his mind was being possessed by the Magic from that cursed tree.
His eyes kept staring at Erend like a mad beast who only had one wish. That is to destroy him.
Erend used the power of water to coat his fist. Then he slammed that fist into Steve's face with all his might.
*BUAGGGGH!*
The fist threw Steve down. His burning body and incredible falling speed made Steve look like a meteor falling from space to the earth's surface.
*BOOM!*
A big bang and an earthquake were created as Steve crashed to the ground.
A huge crater is created. Heat and fire spread in all directions.
Erend also fell after he hit Steve. But he immediately activated [Dragon Wings] to prevent it from hitting the ground.
Erend landed smoothly not far from where Steve fell.
Erend looked down to see the condition of the scale in his stomach.
"Fuck."
Erend cursed under his breath. If he had been a bit late Steve's fist would have penetrated his stomach and destroyed his organs.
Erend looked at the place where Steve had fallen in front of him.
The place was still burning with fire and Erend hesitated to get close.
So he chose to wait for Steve to wake up rather than approach the surprise attack he might take out.
It wasn't long before Steve stand up. With great difficulty, he pulled his body to stand.
The flames burning in his body had lessened a little. But that doesn't mean he's weak.
Erend looked at Steve intently. Looking forward to what he will do next.
He had also activated [All Water-Based Power] to coat his body with water. So he could prepare himself if Steve issued an unexpected attack.
Steve's body looks so horrible.
Nearly seventy percent of his skin had peeled off. Leaving red-black flesh that seemed to be burned by his own fire.
But the body still looks big and strong. Steve showed no signs that he was feeling any pain or weakness.
Maybe it was because he was still strong after all. Or maybe it was because his mind had been lost due to the corruption by the Magic of that cursed tree.
~~~
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