Chapter 221 - Break Through It

Expecting the eccentric entity to continue talking, Ren reacted half a moment too late to the incoming attack  at a blinding speed from Butcher, narrowly guarding against it with the edge of his blade. Though the sharpness of Belus sank into the flesh of Butcher's forearm, it only smiled gleefully, pushing its arm deeper into the blade as an abhorrent squelch birthed itself. 

"More. More. More! I want to taste it; that precious, pure resolve behind those eyes of yours! You're holding on so desperately to it, aren't you? Your humanity. He-he-he. Sorry, it's both my job and hobby to tease you; I want you to break...I want to break your soft body between my fingers. Oh...Just thinking about it…"

Monster doesn't even begin to describe this thing! He thought. 

As Butcher brought its face close to Ren's, pressing close to him as it allowed the blade to sink deeper into its arm, a closer view of its accursed canvas was awarded. Beneath the mask of skin plastered on the surface, hints of its true flesh could be seen; barren of any skin of its own, its bare, blackened flesh laid beneath. 

The stench emanating from it was worse than anything he had smelled up until this point; it was a walking pile of corpses, smiling with its wide teeth tinted in a shallow crimson, decayed with a grimy substance. 

"Achelous: Wave Hammer!"

Saving Ren from the awful sight and stench came a blast of condensed water, melded into a tight form as it crashed against the side of Butcher harshly, sending the rotten entity flying off to the side. Falling back to his comrade's position, Ren slid his blade back into its sheath. 

"The plan is still to make a lot of noise."

"Huh? Why?"

"That bastard confirmed it--they're in here somewhere. I don't think it's that big of a place, if we make a commotion, I'm sure they'll get the idea. Once we're grouped up, this'll be cake."

Explaining the plan to Macheo, Ren slid the sleeves of his coat up to reveal his bare arms, rushing towards the battle once more as Butcher stood itself back up unnaturally; compressing its legs like a spring as its torso pulled itself up as if a string lifted it.

"Scheming? Go ahead!"

Without a care in the world, Butcher met the white-haired mage halfway, wildly throwing its fist directly down towards his skull. 

Gracefully, the blow was redirected and countered with an elbow directly to Butcher's nose, knocking the entity back with the force behind the attack. 

If my theory is correct, then this thing has probably adapted to fighting against weapons primarily. There aren't many bastards crazy enough to use their fists against a beast like this, but I'm one of them, Ren thought. 

Backing his fist with a bountiful aura of darkness, Ren threw a punch against Butcher's chest, sending a shock wave vibrating through the chamber. Although it exhibited sharp instincts, it was clear to him that it lacked any real martial arts skills, simply flailing its body around and contorting it to fit its needs at each moment. 

As I am right now, I'd bet on myself to win against Asterius eight times out of ten. I doubt this random "field boss" on this floor is as strong as that monstrous minotaur. I've felt despair, I've been through hell--this isn't it. I can feel it; this thing is some immovable, all-powerful wall I must overcome. It's just an obstacle blocking my way, Ren thought. 

Dropping his stance down, he opted for a leg sweep, focusing his reinforcement on his leg as he managed to shatter Butcher's shin with a resounding, stomach-churning crack. Even this wasn't enough to lessen the glee from the monstrous entity as it simply laughed, flailing its compromised leg around before being interrupted by a flurry of fists thrown against its body. 

Supporting Ren in his close-combat endeavor, arrows of water flung around and jabbed into Butcher's body, locking it down for a moment before another elbow fell down against its forehead like a meteor. Feeling the impact, Butcher's eyes rolled around in its head as it smiled, giggling happily. 

That's right...I'm not alone. I have comrades now--and all of them can kick some ass! 

"Ho--interesting! Interesting! Show me more!"

It's not that tough; I'll take care of this in a snap! He thought. 

Seeming to be barely affected by the attack, Butcher received another impact in the form of a knee directly against its chin. Sending off the tall creature's form with a kick, Ren followed up by throwing a few dark lances, lodging them into its flesh. 

"Oh? Ah..."

Butcher looked at its body curiously, attempting to touch the lances as its fingers were rejected by the darkness, recoiling from the volatile force. 

"Araphel: Detonation!" 

With a snap of his fingers, he collapsed the form of all the spears into pure volatility, releasing a massive explosion of dark energy as the shock wave sent him flying back, only landing by the grace of Macheo's extended hand. 

"Did you get it?"

"...Way to trigger the classic trope. I hope so." 

By the time the smoke and dust had settled, there was nothing to be seen where the monster once stood. 

Did I…? Ren thought. 

"Over there!"

Macheo called out, pointing towards a far wall. Turning his eyes towards the appointed direction, he saw it--Butcher was mangled and burnt, still holding its frivolous, chilling smile as it began to sink itself into the bounds of the wall. 

"...You're really quite strong. I'll have to retreat for now."

"Wait! Tell me where the others are!" 

It was a desperate ask, but he knew he had to try. As the question was heard by Butcher, its smile faded into a stoic expression. 

"I suppose I should keep my promises, hm? It's not like you can leave here unless I will it or die. There."

Snapping his fingers of different complexions, Butcher caused a hole to birth itself in the rightmost wall, opening like a sphincter. Although it was a disgusting sight, Ren could focus on rushing towards this new pathway. 

"Wait--hold on, Ren!"

Barely able to stop his companion, Macheo grabbed hold of the sleeve of his coat with a cautious expression worn. 

"Oh, don't you worry. I'm not a very deceitful person outside of combat; I rather enjoy doing things with my own two hands. Try not to die on your way to me, alright?...Especially you, white-hair. I want to enjoy your flesh with my own tongue."

Butcher seemed to read the problem present on Macheo's worried face, smiling before fully sinking away into the wall. Freeing his coat from the blonde adventurer's grasp, Ren continued to move towards the newly opened passage. 

"Creepy bastard."

Ren muttered with a disgusted look plastered on his face, shaking his head to rid himself of the sight of Butcher's lengthy tongue. 

"Let's go." 

"...Alright. Don't regret this."