"Howl! Growl!"
Aria's heart raced as the terrifying roars of multiple predatory beasts echoed near them. Her nerves tightened, sensing the danger rapidly approaching.
"Whoosh!"
She spun around just in time to see a massive Thunder Wolf charging toward Aengus, its eyes glowing with hunger, drawn to the salivating energy Aengus was radiating in his vulnerable state.
Aria's face turned cold with killing intent.
Swish, Slash!
Without hesitation, Aria sprang into action, her body moving in a blur of shadowy motion. Her new skills from the Shadow Wolf allowed her to dance through the battlefield like a ghost, confusing the Thunder Wolf. It barely had a moment to comprehend what was happening before its head was already severed from its body.
The heavy thud of the head hitting the ground was followed by the collapse of the rest of the wolf's lifeless form.
"Buzz, Buzz.."
Before Aria could catch her breath, the ground trembled beneath her feet. She instinctively spun around, her keen senses picking up the distinct movements of several more beasts closing in.
She looked and her eyes squinted as she saw more Thunder Wolves, followed by a horde of ferocious beasts: Three-Headed Infernal Lions, Fire Eagles, Wind Griffons, Ironhide Boars, Bloodthirsty Chimeras, and massive Skull-Crusher Apes; all advancing toward them in a terrifying swarm.
They came in waves, drawn like moths to a flame, their eyes gleaming with the desire to consume the powerful energy that radiated from Aengus.
These beasts were no ordinary creatures. They ranged from C to B rank, and Aria could even sense a few A-rank monsters prowling within the horde, though their numbers were fewer.
Still, their auras were overwhelming, a clear reminder of the real danger they were facing.
Aria's face grew solemn as she realized the gravity of the situation.
The beasts were here for one reason: to devour Aengus whole, to gain more power for themselves. And they were not going to stop until they had torn him apart.
She was vastly outnumbered, and while her skills and stats had improved, taking on so many high-level monsters alone was a difficult task.
Yet, she knew she couldn't let them reach Aengus. He was too deep in his synthesis to defend himself.
"Come on, Aria, You can do this.." She muttered herself in determination.
Summoning all her courage, Aria prepared to face the monstrous horde. She activated her Shadow Vision, allowing her to see even the subtlest movements of the approaching beasts, and readied her Shadow Slash, prepared to unleash its full power.
Combing with Infernal Lions' might within a few swifts movements she took down two more beasts that was about to reach Ethan.
"Omni-Devour," he whispered coldly, extending his right hand and activating his newfound Ultimate Skill, his face devoid of any emotion.
Buzz... Buzz...
A massive, terrifying black hole, much more powerful and larger than before, formed beneath his palm.
Whoosh!
In an instant, a Thunder Wolf was swallowed by the void. Aengus absorbed its mana, skills, soul, and even fragments of the beast's memories.
[You have acquired new active skills: Thunder Step (C), Thunder Storm (C), Thunder Summon (B) ]
[ Strength +3, Agility +2 ]
[ Orgin Mana + 300 ]
As he absorbed more of the beast's essence, a cold determination filled him, and his aura intensified, signaling the beginning of a devastating rampage.
"Howl!"
The beasts let out painful howls as they were being devoured like ants.
When the beasts' screams reached Aria, her attention shifted back to Aengus, bringing a relaxed smile to her face despite her injuries.
She continued fighting alongside him, effortlessly taking down B-Rank beasts. The pressure she had felt earlier gradually lessened with his participation.
With Aengus retracting his aura of Origin Mana, the attraction that had drawn the beasts ceased completely. The remaining creatures, about 300 in number and already were near death.
As their battle was nearing its end, a few strangers' voices echoed through the trees.
"Ryann, stop being such a scaredy-cat. There's got to be something amazing here that attracted so many beasts. Let's check it out!" A confident female voice broke through the stillness.
"No, I don't feel good about this! Let me and Tina go back. You can all die here. They're literally B-Rank beasts! Can't you see that, goddammit!" A frustrated male voice, timid yet firm, responded.
"Hahaha... What a coward Ryann is. Little Tina, why are you even with this guy? He doesn't have the balls," came the mocking giggles from a few more females in the group.
"Fuck!"
"What the hell?"
Their laughter was cut off abruptly as the group emerged from the dense jungle, their eyes widening at the scene unfolding before them. The sight of the aftermath of the battle, with beasts strewn across the ground and two powerful figures standing amidst the carnage, left them speechless.