Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 84: Blood and Steel

'I must be going crazy.'

That was the thought that lingered in Horo's mind as he charged at the beast head on. In response the beast let out another thunderous roar as it swung its weapon in a brutal horizontal sweep.

A small smirk was on Horo's face as he ducked down. A moment later an arm was lazily flying through the air, unhindered and unattached.

[-70!]

[Maimed!]

'Hahahaha~! Brave Child~! Offer your flesh to claim it's bones' 

"Horo!"

Leo called out in shock seeing his companion so heavily wounded. Horo merely grunted in pain as violet blood oozed from the stump of what was once his arm. Closing the distance, he slammed the stump against the body of the beast.

Tetsukiba let out a confused grunt as Horo kept close to it while dragging his stump against it's body. However the acrid stench of poison filled it's lungs followed by the unique sound of metal melting reached its ears.

[-104]

[Defence Down!]

Tetsukiba looked down and watched in horror as its armor began to bubble and dissolve, revealing patches of scorched, sizzling fur beneath.

It stumbled backward, a low growl rumbling from deep within its throat. The reek of melting metal and burning hide filled the air, thick enough to choke on. Steam hissed from its chest as violet acid chewed its way through layer after layer.

From beneath the helmet, Horo could see that the monster's eyes had become a bloodshot red

From beneath the helmet, Horo could see the monster's eyes shift—a glint of burning crimson behind a cracked lens.

[Enraged State Triggered!]

[Battle Trance – Activated]

 [Attack Power Doubled |

 Movement Speed Increased | 

Damage Mitigation Reduced]

Tetsukiba did not roar this time. There was no beast-like screech or wild frenzy. Just silence. Focus. The subtle shift of its weight as it's blade was sheathed at it's waist. A warrior's poise. Then—movement.

Like a bolt of lighting, the blade surged forward as if to cut through wind itself. Horo was unable to dodge due to the pain yet was lucky as he knelt in place, the strike sailing over his head. Leo on the other hand was not so lucky.

He couldn't afford to dodge the blade. The girls would be in danger. Gritting his teeth, Leo thrust his arms up in a guard just in time to catch the strike.

The impact was brutal, metal screeching against metal, and Leo's arms burned and joints ached as the force reverberated through him. His feet slid back, yet he held firm.

[-31]

Even with the block, he still took a considerable amount of damage. He knew he couldn't take another blow like that. Tetsukiba seemed to know that as it prepared for another Iai strike. However just as the screech of metal from its blade being drawn could be heard, a bullet of compressed air struck its face.

[-41]

Turning his head slightly, he saw Sonata standing there with a small smile on her face. She had joined the fray.

"What about the minions?"

Leo asked as he felt that would be too much for Lily, Nyx and Luna to deal with by themselves. However, before she could respond, there was a loud warcry-like shout that echoed beside him as a blur shot by.

Leo's eyes widened as he saw Luna using the walls of the cave to propel herself towards Tetsukiba like a speeding bullet. She swung her axe with a savage glee in her eyes.

[324!]

[Critical!]

Luna's axe caused the beast's already melting armor to crumble as the blade slammed into its chest like a brutal hammer blow.

"Sis?!"

Leo's confusion became panic as he looked back, expecting to see Nyx and Lily fighting alone. Instead, there was nothing as Lily was running towards Horo while carrying his severed arm. Nyx was nowhere to be seen.

"The kobolds disappeared when it made that slash attack from before."

Sonata explained as Luna started madly swinging at the boss with her axe. The monster was unable to find the opportunity to strike back but Luna's attacks were not landing either.

"Bad Doggy. Don't glare at people like that!"

Seeming to jump out from Luna's shadow, Nyx interrupted the fight between Tesukiba and Luna by stabbing her staff into one of the monster's eyes.

[-72!]

[Critical!]

[Blinded!]

Tetsukiba let out a pained, inhuman screech as Nyx's staff pierced its eye, the force of the blow sending a spray of dark blood splattering onto the floor. The beast staggered back, its massive form trembling from the pain, its vision now reduced to a single, seething blur of crimson. The deep, guttural growl it emitted was full of rage, but it was clear its focus had wavered.

Luna's eyes lit up at the opportunity, her savage grin widening as she raised her axe once more.

"You're in for it now!"

she shouted, charging in with renewed vigor.

Tetsukiba, still partially blinded, swung its blade with uncoordinated desperation, but Luna was too quick. She ducked under the wild strike and delivered a crushing blow to the beast's exposed side.

[372!] 

[Critical!]

The force of the attack sent the beast crashing into the cave's wall, the impact creating a loud, echoing crack. The beast let out a tortured roar, its once-pristine armor now crumpled and melted away, revealing its scorched hide beneath.

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Leo watched the scene unfold in a daze, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to process the madness around him. He glanced down at the severed arm that Lily was still carrying. Her face was pale, and the desperation in her eyes didn't escape him.

"Horo..."

he muttered softly, feeling his heart tighten in his chest. He couldn't lose his friend like this. Not after everything.

Leo's breath came in ragged bursts as he continued to watch Horo, his heart racing. The sharp sting in his chest from the earlier blow made every breath feel like a heavy weight, but that wasn't what occupied his thoughts. It was the sight of Horo's severed arm in Lily's hands