Chapter 36: Amaterasu

A black flame envelops my body causing the phoenix to retreat its kicks instinctively. My body drops to the ground but before it smashed me into pieces the black fire spread out like a tree trunk, holding my body up.

Slowly regaining my consciousness I ignore the recent notifications and notice the black flames that were spreading like a forest fire on the ground. The black flame had finished coating my body and it created a thin layer of fire on my sword and dress. The white part of my eyes shone purple while my pupils were gone leaving a pitch-black X and Diamond in my eyes.

Looking back up I saw the fearful face of the phoenix. Its feathers shine even brighter causing me to flinch slightly. Thousands upon thousands of white spears made of fire volleyed onto my sea of black flames. As the white fire landed on my black flames they battled it out causing immense heat to envelop the Canyon of Volcanoes.

Even the heat made me feel slightly faint so I knew I had to finish this quickly.

『Status』

[Name: Arpious]

[Race: Dark Siren]

[Status: None]

[Servants: 3]

[Subordinates: 6]

[Level: 21/50]

[HP: 19/100 MP: 57/80 SP: 16/30]

[Strength: 15 (+15)]

[Defense: 10 (+10)]

[Magic: 25 (+25)]

[Speed: 15 (+15)]

[Luck: 1 (+1)]

[Charisma: 10]

…

"Yeah... I have to finish this quickly,"

sssss

Taking in a sharp breath I bend my knees, getting ready to jump straight at the airborne phoenix. Activating [Boost] another surge of power erupts from within my body. Sending the surge of power towards my legs and arms I jump, full power at the phoenix. Readying my sword behind me I concentrate as much [Amaterasu] into it, causing the sword to crack slightly but turn completely pitch black.

Seeing my attack, the phoenix creates a sword out of a white fire in its beak. As it held the sword of fire in its beak, it slowly formed into a physical silver greatsword. Veins of gold and green passed through the hilt and blade causing it to shine just like the phoenixes feathers.

Swinging my katana right at the phoenix, it retaliated by swinging the greatsword with its beak at me. As our two swords clashed white fire and black fire sprung in different directions, destroying parts of the Mountain of Twilight.

"ARGGGG!" I yell while the phoenix screeches,

"REEEEAAAA!"

My sword started to crack even more but so did the phoenixes greatsword. Soon I felt a drop in the phoenixes strength, either due to it getting tired or the sword losing its strength, either one didn't matter though because I used this moment to smash the greatsword into shards.

As the greatsword shattered I kept up my swing cutting the phoenix right in half ignoring the toughness of its body. Cutting the phoenix in half, a massive blade of black flames followed my swing, making it look like it was burning and cutting the sky itself.

The relief of the battle ending was quickly ended by my body plummeting to the ground. Feeling myself slip in and out of consciousness I try to create a cushion of black flames beneath me like before but realize my mana was dried up.

"Shit,"

*********

"Arpious!" I call out.

Seeing her dress and sword dissipate into kindles of black flames I create a net using [Thread Manipulation]. I was able to only slightly hinder her fall causing her to create a small crater in the ground below when she landed.

Seeing her with her eyes closed I quickly check to see if she still has a heartbeat. Placing my ear near her chest I hear the small beats of her heart.

*sigh*

"She only passed out," I muttered.

Looking at the corpse of a phoenix I couldn't believe my eyes. I knew that Arpious was strong but not this strong. She was even able to eliminate the second strongest mountain guardian, something I couldn't even dream of achieving.

"You are amazing,"

BOOM

Interrupting my proud moment for Arpious I hear an explosion in the distance. Turning around I see the signs of war still erupting in the canyon.

"WHAT HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN! OUR PLAN WAS PERFECT! ONCE WE SACRIFICED THE FIRE HARPIES WE COULD USE THE SECRET TECHNIQUE TO INCREASE BOTH OF OUR POWER! WHY COULDN'T THIS DAMNED PHOENIX JUST WAIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, ONLY THEN WILL WE HAVE OUR 100% CHANCE AT KILLING HER!" I hear someone shout in the distance.

The first thing that came to mind was… James.

Snapping my head towards the voice it indeed was James. He was sweating profusely with a face of pure anger. A white fire enveloped his body and sword.

Seeing me, he turns his attention towards me raising his sword towards me while charging at me.

"ARGGGGG!" He cries out.

Waving my fingers a few invisible threads wrap around him tightly. Some of them knocked the sword out of his hand.

I was surprised at seeing how my threads didn't burn under his fire.

"Must be a buff type skill,"

The more he struggled the farther they cut into his skin. Seeing this I wanted to finish him off quickly but remembered what Arpious wanted to do with James.

Releasing the tension on the threads they crawl their way out of his skin leaving him to flop on the ground immobilized. Waving my fingers again I wrap thicker threads around him, turning him into a cocoon.

Letting out another sigh of relief I carry the cocooned James and Arpious into the shadow of the phoenixes corpse. They slowly sunk into its shadow eventually causing them to disappear completely. A normal person would have not noticed unless they were able to use [Shadow Magic] or higher.

"Oh yeah, Arpious doesn't know this trick yet. I have to thank her for letting me go on that stealth mission. If it weren't for that, my body control and overall control over my skills wouldn't have increased this much. She is still using the shadows like she still has [Shadow Control]. Heh, at least I'm better at this than her," I amuse myself.

********

[Day 21]

Waking up but still feeling drowsy, I try to move my limbs but feel electricity shoot through them instead. Groaning in pain slightly, I open my eyes.

The first thing I saw was Kumo laying down on the bed right next to me. Cracking a slight smile at her sleeping face I check my status.

『Status』

[Name: Arpious]

[Race: Dark Siren]

[Status: Sore]

[Servants: 3]

[Subordinates: 6]

[Level: 32/50]

[HP: 96/100 MP: 80/80 SP: 30/30]

[Strength: 15]

[Defense: 10]

[Magic: 25]

[Speed: 15]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 10]

[Skills: [******] [Thunderbolt (2/3)] [Boost (2/5)] [Scratch (3/10)] [Mind Magic] [Shadow Magic (2/10)] [Berserk] [Swipe (2/10)] [Poison Immunity] [Disease Immunity] [Virus] [Commanders Presence] [Army Control] [Forbidden Magic: Medusa] [Fire Immunity] [Lightning Resistance] [Water Control] [Flying Sense] [Enhanced Senses] [Enhanced Regeneration] [Horse Beetles Extreme Senses] [Liquid Fire Secretion] [Domain of the Night (Locked)] [Demonic Berserker] [Body Modification: Boiling Veins] [Amaterasu] [Body Modification: Cursed Wings]

[Body Modification: [Fangs] [Cursed Eyes] [Aquatic Lungs] [Metal Bones] [Mark of a Berserker]

[Mastered Weapons: [Scythe (Partial)]

[Soul Equipment: [Fire of Deaths Sword: Raiu] [Fire of Deaths Armour: Araes Dress]

[Titles: [Blessed by the ********* Spirit of *************] [Savage Assassin] [Heartless] [Blessed by a Star] [Chief of the Fire Harpies] [Blessed by the Overlord Spirit of Curses]

…

When did I get this soul equipment section? Or maybe I got it right after obtaining both Raiu and Araes Dress. To be honest I have a pretty good guess… it's linked to my soul… like it could mean anything else.

Also, should I just use [Body Modification: Boiling Veins] right now, since I'm already practically dying from pain… whatever.

[Calculating excessive amount of XP]

...

[126080 XP gained in total]

[You leveled up (x18)]

Looking over at the notifications from what I presume was yesterday I feel satisfied at how much XP I gained. Remembering the phoenix and the battle we had yesterday started to make my body pump adrenaline but knew that I have to figure out my current situation.

Activating [Body Modification: Boiling Veins] I feel a slight warmth from my heart spread into my veins. Closing my eyes, expecting to feel an eruption of pain… I don't. It just feels like somebody cleaned the blood from my body and injected fresh, warm, blood instead. Feeling the warm sensation dissipate I relax my body once again trying to move my body.

Feeling the control over my body slowly return, I move my legs and then my upper body out of bed. The rustling soon woke up Kumo who was amused by the sight of me struggling to get out of bed.

"Don't just lay there! Help me out!" I yell.

"Pffft, HAHAHA, alright, alright," Kumo stands up while wiping away tears of laughter.

Helping me onto her back I realize we are back at my house in the Canyon of Volcanoes. Kumo sat me down on a chair, next to the table we usually eat on. Plates of the same food as always are brought into the room as we both devour all of it in seconds.

"I'm kind of getting sick chicken and eggs… I can't wait till we get back home," I mumble to myself while rubbing my bloated belly.

Feeling much better I asked Kumo about what happened yesterday and all she pulled out was a… cocoon?