A dark gaseous substance began to spread from the Therianthrope, the stench was nauseating and putrid. The vapours looked dangerous and the group all stepped back instinctively.
John glanced at the others and gestured to them.
"Step away from it, we don’t know what it does."
"I got it," Octavia said as her hands began to shine green.
A gust of wind burst from her palm and redirected the fumes back towards the Therianthrope.
She continued doing so as John and the rest of the group surrounded the monster. The dark gas surrounded the Therianthrope, but it had no discernible effect on it. It stood still in its place, daring the group to attack it.
John accepted the challenge and lunged forward, slicing his dagger through the air and creating a gale that sliced through the dark gas and the Therianthrope’s body. The beast howled in pain, its flesh torn and bleeding. The gas around the beast stuck to John’s skin and it burned, sizzling on contact.
Projectiles from Maria and fireballs from Dalia rained down on the beast. A cloud of dust mixing with the dark gas.
The beast turned around and swung its arm against John, but he dodged, and a loud boom sounded. The ground shook, and a large crater was created where he once stood.
The beast roared and lunged through the mantle of dust and gas towards John, but it met the full brunt of John’s Shockwave as it was sent back flying. Stephanie jumped and landed a spinning kick on its back. The sound of bones crushing reverberated throughout the tunnel.
The beast collapsed on the ground and groaned. It struggled to stand, but it was too weak.
Everyone surrounded the Therianthrope, their weapons raised. They could now see it clearly as the dust and gas settled.
Its eyes began to shine red and energy crackled around it, but before it could do anything, John swung his dagger and landed a Critical Hit on its skull.
Kraaak—The dagger sunk deep into the Therianthrope’s skull, and the beast’s body began to convulse. Its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
[Therianthrope Killed]
[2-Star Core Obtained]
[3 Energy Obtained]
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief and dropped their weapons, exhausted and injured.
"Let’s get the fuck out of here," John said, his voice hoarse.
The group nodded and slowly began to make their way out of the tunnel, dragging their weary bodies towards the entrance.
"Ugh, fuck!" Stephanie coughed as she inhaled the scent the dark gas had left behind.
John chuckled and pat her back, "take it easy, baby."
As they reached the exit, they noticed that the sun was already setting. The sky was painted orange, and the air was chilly.
They stumbled out into the open and collapsed on the ground, taking in the fresh air and feeling the wind on their faces.
After resting for a bit, John and the rest of the group returned to the base. They were greeted by the smell of food and the sight of their comrades working on various tasks.
"Finally, some rest!" Dalia exclaimed.
"Yeah, don’t get too comfortable. We have to work hard. We only have a few days before Theodore and his men come for us."
"I’m not worried. We’re a lot stronger now," Dalia replied confidently.
"I sure hope so," John sighed.
He sat down and leaned against a wall, closing his eyes.
"I need some rest," John mumbled, and he soon fell asleep.
"We have to be ready," a familiar voice echoed.
"Huh?" John woke up to find himself alone in the lounge.
"Who’s there?" he asked, looking around.
"Over here," the voice replied.
John turned around and saw the silhouette of a man standing in the shadows. The man stepped forward, revealing himself, but it wasn’t a man, not really.
"Hello, John," a pale, white-haired figure said. It was the System.
"It’s time to get to work, John," it said.
John’s brows furrowed. He didn’t think he would see the System again, but here it was.
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"What do you want?"
"Why, the same as you, of course!"
"What do you mean?"
"I want you to grow stronger and beat the Luminars. Unfortunately, you can’t do that right now."
"Why not?"
"You’re still too weak, John. You need to get stronger before you can defeat them. Otherwise, you’ll just end up like all the other humans who’ve tried to fight them."
"And I assume you have some thoughts on how I should I do that."
"Yes," the figure grinned, or so John thought. Its features were hard to discern, John had trouble glancing upon the System for too long.
"I need you to do something for me. It’s very important, and it’ll help you grow stronger."
"Fine, but only if you give me the reward you promised," John replied.
"Of course," the figure said.
"What is it?"
"You have to kill Theodore. Only then will you be strong enough to fight the Luminars."
"Huh, news flash dumbass, Theodore is also way stronger than I am. I can’t kill him."
"Oh, don’t worry. In time, I will give you something that’ll make it easier."
"What is it?"
"An ability, one that will help you kill him."
"Why can’t you just give me that ability now?"
"Because it’s too powerful, and you’re not strong enough to wield it yet. You have to earn it."
"That sounds like bullshit to me."
"I assure you, it’s not. I’ll give you a taste of the power that you’ll receive."
The figure snapped his fingers and a bolt of lightning struck the ground next to John, leaving a scorch mark.
"If you can’t kill Theodore, then this is what will happen to you."
"I’ll do my best, asshole," John muttered.
"Good. I’ll be watching. Now go."
John blinked and the System was gone. He shook his head and stood up, stretching his arms. He took a deep breath and headed outside.
A wicked grin spread on his lips as he saw the scene in the courtyard. Jolene had done what he asked and she had gotten back together with Eric. Now all he needed to do was steal her from him completely and complete his revenge against his former bully.
Eric had taken the bait and was now flirting with Jolene. He was holding her hand and whispering sweet nothings into her ear. She was laughing and giggling, playing along.
John smirked and made his way over to them. He was going to enjoy this.
As he approached them, Eric noticed him and pulled away from Jolene, glaring at him.
"What do you want, bastard?" he growled.
John smirked and put his hand on Jolene’s shoulder.
"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to make sure Jolene is okay. I did fuck her quite roughly after all."