Chapter 114: Chapter 114: A Body Tempering Beast (part 2)

Aiden didn’t respond immediately.

He kept watching it.

Even asleep, the creature gave off a presence far beyond the others they had faced. This was not something that would fall in a single careless strike.

A faint smile formed on his lips.

“…Finally.”

He adjusted his grip on the sword.

“This is what I was looking for.”

Graveknit glanced at him.

“Shall I assist?”

Aiden took a step forward.

“No.”

The moment Aiden stepped into the clearing, the beast’s eyes snapped open.

A low, deep growl rolled through the chamber.

It lifted its head slowly, then pushed itself up, its massive frame unfolding with a heavy, grounded presence. Dust and small bits of stone slid off its body as it stood.

Now that it was fully awake, its size became even clearer.

It was easily Aiden’s height.

Its limbs were thick, packed with muscle, and its claws dug slightly into the stone beneath it. Its eyes locked onto him, sharp and alert.

It knew.

This was not prey.

This was a threat.

Aiden let out a slow breath.

“…Good.”

He tightened his grip on his sword.

Graveknit stayed at the edge of the clearing, watching.

The beast moved first.

It didn’t rush blindly like the others. It stepped forward once, testing, then suddenly lunged with terrifying speed.

The ground cracked under its weight.

Aiden’s eyes sharpened.

“Bone Armor.”

A layer of hardened bone formed over his body just as the beast’s claw came crashing down.

Boom.

The impact sent a shock through him, forcing his feet to slide back across the stone. Pain traveled up his arm, but the armor held.

Barely.

“…Heavy.”

He pushed off the ground and moved to the side as the beast followed with another swipe.

Too fast.

The claw grazed his shoulder, sending him stumbling back.

Aiden steadied himself quickly.

“…You’re stronger than me.”

But his expression didn’t change.

Instead, his eyes grew colder.

“Then I’ll make up for it.”

The beast roared and charged again. He raised his hand.

“Bone Spear.”

Three spears formed and shot forward in quick succession.

The beast twisted its body, avoiding one, letting another scrape against its side, but the third struck its shoulder and pierced through.

It roared in anger, not pain.

That alone told Aiden everything.

“…Not enough.”

The beast closed the distance in an instant.

Aiden stomped the ground.

“Bone Prison.”

Bone pillars erupted from the ground, snapping shut around the beast’s limbs, locking it in place for a brief moment.

It struggled.

Cracks already formed along the bone.

Aiden didn’t waste that opening.

He rushed forward, no hesitation.

He stepped in close and slashed across its side with everything he had.

The blade cut deep.

Blood spilled.

The beast roared and broke free.

The bone prison shattered.

Aiden jumped back just in time as the creature slammed its body forward, crushing the spot where he had been standing.

Stone shattered.

Dust filled the air.

Aiden landed and raised his hand again.

“Fear Pulse.”

An invisible wave spread out.

For a split second, the beast froze.

Its body tensed, instincts clashing against the unnatural fear pressing into it.

That moment was enough.

Aiden moved.

He dashed forward, faster than before, his body finally responding the way he wanted.

He thrust his sword straight toward its neck.

The beast reacted at the last second, turning its head.

The blade pierced into its shoulder instead.

Not fatal.

But deep.

The beast lashed out wildly.

He couldn’t fully dodge this time.

The claw struck his side and sent him flying.

He hit the ground hard, rolling before forcing himself back up.

A sharp pain burned through his ribs.

“…Yeah… that hurts.”

But he was still standing.

Bone Armor cracked slightly, but not broken.

Across from him, the beast was breathing heavier now. Blood dripped from its wounds, its eyes locked onto him with even more hostility.

Aiden wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Then he smiled.

“…This is better.”

Strength alone wasn’t enough.

But combined with timing, skills, and pressure…

It worked.

He raised his hand once more.

Bone fragments gathered, forming another spear.

The beast lowered its body, preparing to charge again.

Aiden’s voice was calm.

“Let’s finish this.”

And this time, when they moved, it was not just raw strength clashing.

—

The fight dragged on longer than Aiden expected.

The clearing was no longer intact. Cracks spread across the ground, broken stone scattered everywhere, and the air was thick with dust and the sharp scent of blood.

Both of them had slowed.

The beast’s movements were no longer as explosive as before. Its breathing had turned heavy, uneven. Deep wounds covered its body, dark blood dripping steadily onto the ground beneath it.

Aiden wasn’t any better.

His clothes were torn in several places, stained with blood. Bone Armor had long since cracked and faded, leaving only fragments clinging to his body. His breathing was heavier now, and one of his arms felt numb from repeated impacts.

But his eyes were steady.

Still focused.

Still sharp.

The beast let out one last roar and charged.

Aiden didn’t move back this time.

He stepped forward.

At the last second, he shifted his body to the side, barely avoiding the full force of the charge. The ground trembled as the beast passed him.

Then he turned.

No hesitation.

He drove his sword forward with everything he had left.

The blade sank deep into the beast’s neck.

A wet, heavy sound echoed.

The beast staggered.

Its body trembled, strength draining out of it.

Then its legs gave out.

It collapsed with a loud crash that shook the clearing.

Silence followed.

Aiden stood there, his hand still gripping the sword buried in its flesh. He stayed like that for a few seconds, making sure it was truly over.

Then he pulled the blade out.

“…Finally.”

He took a step back and exhaled deeply.

Pain hit him more clearly now.

His side throbbed. His arm felt heavy. There were cuts and bruises all over his body.

“…That was rough.”

But then, slowly, a grin formed on his face.

“…But it felt good.”

It was different.

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