Chapter 35: Phoenix

Activating both skills I feel immense power rise within me. The deathly feeling emanating from my body drew the attention of most fire harpies on my side only to quickly divert it right after in regret.

"That's creepy," Kumo says while inspecting my blade with her eyes.

Ignoring her, I try to find where there is the most commotion so I can level up faster. It didn't take me long since [Fire Magic] was used everywhere. Houses burst into flames while there were screams of anguish ringing throughout the canyon.

"Hmmm... I thought I could use [Fire Magic], but it seems I can't control a fire that was created by somebody else. Wait… Maybe I can…"

After waiting for a couple of minutes I see clashes of different weapons. You couldn't hear them since the screams and crackling of fire suppressed the clashes of swords and spears.

Scouting for a bit longer I see what looks to be a skirmish of about 30 fire harpies. More than half of them are on the opposing side so I thought I should help out. Dashing towards the fiery skirmish I swing my katana sending blades of black flames towards the opposing harpies. Even though they all missed they got what needed to be done… engulfing the red flames. As my black flames devoured the red flames I manipulated them with [Fire Magic]. Using this opportunity I used the flames to create some space between both sides.

"I knew it. Even though I can't control the fire of life, I can control the fire of death,"

As the harpies on my side saw my flames they couldn't help but shiver at the thought of getting on my bad side. As the opposing harpies slowly backed away I used this chance to catch them off guard. Sprinting through the deathly flames I jump out unscathed slashing 2 harpies in half instantly.

After seeing the tides turn, the harpies on my side were filled with perseverance. Battle cries were heard, suppressing the crackling of fire and screams of dying harpies. The other harpies that heard this let out their battle cry upping the speed of our destruction.

While the harpies were crying out I was sweeping through hordes of harpies. The more I fought the more worry rose in me.

"Why are these guys so fast compared to the ones on my side. One of them could hold their ground against 3 on my side. Though this boost is like nothing when compared to me," I muttered.

Ignoring the notifications, I stopped my killing spree to have a conversation with Kumo.

"Notice anything out of place or strange," I say while instantly appearing right next to Kumo.

I deactivated both of my fire of death skills to have a calm conversation with Kumo.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure you noticed this but they are somehow stronger than the harpies on our side. Eventually, we will lose since our side is losing warriors faster than the opposing side," Kumo says.

tsk

"How are they even doing this?! It could be that James is involved since I haven't seen or heard of him yet or maybe-" getting cut off, an insane amount of pressure appears on the battlefield.

Trying to stand up I realized that a shadow had enveloped the canyon we were attacking. Slowly raising my head I see the silhouette of a bird blocking the sun. The temperature in the air started to rise as I sweat profusely.

Looking at Kumo I realized she was struggling to stay conscious of the suffocating amount of heat. Directing my eyes at the silhouette I realized it had disappeared. Looking around frantically I tried to find it but only saw red flames slowly turning white with hints of a rainbow being formed inside it.

Feeling killing intent from behind me I quickly dodge a white spear made from flames. Knowing whoever shot that was dangerous I circled away from the canyon so the others don't get hit by any collateral damage.

Feeling like I was far enough from the canyon I looked up to see the same silhouette of a bird. Nobody moved just us staring at each other. Soon the sun was starting to rise and the silhouette cleared up. The first thing that came to mind was...

"Phoenix,"

"So you're the guardian huh," I say while slightly relaxing knowing what my opponent is.

Even though I was still on edge knowing it's one of the four guardians I at least had a rough estimate on how strong it is.

"Damn cursed being," said a voice that resonated through my head.

I couldn't tell whether it was a man or woman since it sounded right in between both of them.

"Is this what they call telepathy…? Nevermind that you're looking down on me aren't you? Why does everybody look down on me…?"

"Why should I use my full power against somebody as weak as you. I only helped out to get the corpses of fire harpies to increase my power once again. Only then will I have a 100% chance at killing that arrogant dragon," said the phoenix.

Raising my blade up I swung my katana at it creating blades of black flames. Seeing these flames the phoenix grimaced and clicked its tongue in disgust. Charging at me I see the body of it, a 5-meter phoenix with white feathers. When the sun hits its feathers, rainbows are formed which increases the temperature in the air slightly. Both of its eyes were purely white. I couldn't tell if its pupil was white or it just didn't have a pupil at all.

The phoenix formed wisps of white fire that charged at me with insane speed. Barely deflecting them with my katana I try to envelop the flames with the fire of death but they just collide with the pure white fire.

"Ah, shit,"

Seeing that the wisps were only distractions I cursed myself while the phoenix was right in front of me. Dozens of white spears spiraled around me as I ran around trying my best at getting away from them. I wasn't just cowardly running away though, I was also firing [Thunderbolt]. When the bolt of lightning collided with the phoenix it just made the phoenix's feathers shine brighter.

tsk

I guess the only thing I can rely on is my sword and [Forbidden Magic: Medusa]. Turning around I see the phoenix swooping down at me so I use this chance to do a flip high up into the air. Seeing this the phoenix pulls up a bit which sends its body flying directly at me. Using this chance I line my sword with [Acid Secretion] and swipe at the phoenix. A blade made of black fire mixed with acid was heading towards the phoenix which responded by sending a blade of white flames at it. When they collided they led to a huge explosion but droplets of acid were still flying towards the phoenix.

As the phoenix felt the acid eat away at part of its body it flinched slightly but continued to swoop towards me. Taking advantage of the flinch, I grab onto its feathers while activating [Forbidden Magic: Medusa].

Its feathers started to crumble then working their way to its skin. As its skin started to cave in a turn to stone the phoenix let out a cry.

"KEKIRIIIII!!!!"

Somersaulting in the air it flung me off its back causing me to create a small crater in the ground due to the impact.

Groaning from the pain I hear a loud...

CRASH

Jolting my head back up I see the Phoenix landed on the ground. Its tan talons were gripping onto the rocky surface creating cracks in the ground. Standing back up I hear its voice resonate in my head once again.

"I guess I'll get serious…"

White flames wrapped around its body raising the temperature to an extreme level.

[Fire Resistance has leveled up (x2)]

[Fire Resistance has evolved into Fire Immunity]

Lucky~

Feeling the temperature drop I felt much lighter than before. It was like the heat was pressing down on my body.

Seeing the white flame finish wrapping the phoenix it grew a second pair of wings.

Giving me no downtime the phoenix appeared right in front of me smacking me with its talons. Before I could even hit the ground it kicked me once again... and again... and again. It was kicking me like a ragdoll in the air. The fire on its body still started to burn me even though I had [Fire Immunity]. Feeling my conscious slowly slip away I felt a familiar feeling dwell inside me…

kill... kill... kill... KILL... KILL... KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL DEVOUR DEVOUR DEVOUR DEVOUR DEVOUR KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL DEVOUR DEVOUR DEVOUR DEVOUR KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL…

[The Overlord Spirit of Curses has acknowledged your persistence at battle]

[Gained the following skill]

[Body Modification: Cursed Wings]

[The Overlord Spirit of Curses has revealed your secret title… Blessed by the Overlord Spirit of Curses]

[Overlord Spirit of Curses has granted you full access to your title]

[Fire of Life has evolved into Fire of Death]

[Fire of Death has assimilated with Fire Magic and Acid Secretion]

[Assimilation has created...

"Amaterasu,"