"System," I muttered through gritted teeth. "Inventory."
A faint light flickered before me and I quickly grabbed a High Potion, uncorking it and downing it in one swift gulp. The liquid burned on the way down, but warmth bloomed in my chest a second later. Muscles began to knit back together. The sharp pain dulled, replaced with a thudding ache—but I could move again.
I exhaled, steam curling from my lips.
Then I dashed forward, the ground cracking beneath each step as I pushed my body to its limit again.
The god stood there unmoving, those crimson sigils across his arms pulsing faintly. But there was something new on his face now—a slight tilt of the head, the corner of his lips curling upward.
Amused.
He was enjoying this. Watching me burn myself out, trying to scratch a being who hadn't even gone all out yet.
"Let's see if you still smile when I start hitting back," I growled under my breath, my aura flaring as I closed the distance.
And then—he raised a single finger.
No flourish. No chant. Just the quiet, deliberate motion of power incarnate.
At the tip of that finger, violet energy spiraled into existence.
A sphere no larger than a coin, but spinning so fast it hummed like a scream held underwater.
The air around it twisted violently, warping light, vibrating space.
System Notification:
WARNING: Unknown Energy Detected — Danger Level: LETHAL.
Evade Immediately.
My eyes widened.
Every instinct screamed move.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as the pressure around that tiny orb spiked—
and he hadn't even fired it yet.
I gritted my teeth, muscles tensing as my vision tunneled on that deathball.
Because I knew—
If that thing touched me…
There wouldn't be a body left to bury.
Then—he released it.
A soft flick of his finger, like he was brushing dust off the air…
And the violet orb screamed forward.
It didn't explode on launch.
It didn't crack the ground.
It just moved—
So fast, it ripped a line through space itself, a silent tear of annihilation.
"Phantom Dash!" I roared, vanishing into a blur of afterimages.
But even as my body flickered through the trees, zig-zagging in desperate escape—
BOOOOMM!!!
The orb detonated mid-chase.
Not on impact—
But on proximity.
A violet eruption swallowed the forest in a flash, a shockwave of unholy energy tearing trees from their roots and flattening everything within a hundred meters.
I felt it hit.
The edge of the blast clipped me mid-dash, like a god's backhand—
"Ghh—!!"
My vision spun as I was launched like a ragdoll, smashing through branches, crashing into dirt.
Burning pain licked my ribs and legs.
Smoke.
Dust.
Silence.
I coughed, blood dripping from my lip.
And through the haze, that god still stood unmoving, watching—
amused.
System—"Inventory," I muttered through gritted teeth.
A faint flicker of light opened the translucent menu in front of me. My fingers trembled, but I tapped the glowing vial icon without hesitation.
[High Potion – Consumed]
A cool surge rushed through my veins the moment I downed it—
burning pain dulled, cracked bones groaned back into place,
and scorched skin began stitching itself together.
I exhaled sharply, steam rising from my body as the healing kicked in.
"Tch... Not done yet."
I pushed off the ground, eyes narrowing at the god still standing there, calm, untouched.
His amused smirk hadn't faded.
I roared, "Colossus Form—activate!"
My skin hardened like stone, muscles bulging with divine tension as veins lit up like molten lines beneath the surface. Earth cracked beneath my feet the moment I dashed forward.
But—
He moved faster.
A blur.
Before I could react, his double knees slammed into my jaw, lifting me off the ground like I was weightless. My head snapped back, vision spinning—
CRACK—CRACK—CRACK!
A whirlwind of blows crashed into me mid-air.
His fists slammed into my ribs, his elbows into my chest, his feet digging into my gut. Chops—blunt and brutal—hammered my shoulders, collarbone, sternum.
I couldn't even scream.
Stone skin cracked under the sheer force.
Colossus Form trembled.
I was a statue being shattered midair.
I roared—pain tearing from my lungs as if it could silence the agony—
but he wasn't done.
With a monstrous grip, he grabbed the top of my mouth and jaw, fingers like steel pressing into bone.
Then—
SLAM!!
My body smashed into the ground, the impact thundering through the earth like a quake.
I bounced, back arching in raw, stunned pain, ribs wide open—exposed.
WHAM!
His hook kick landed clean against my side.
CRACKKK—!!
My body twisted midair, sent flying like a broken doll through shattered branches and dust.
"System…" I wheezed.
"Activate Auto-Healing—now…!"
System Notification: Auto-Healing Protocol Active.
> HP: Critical
Administering Potion…
Stock Remaining: 9 Potions, 5 High Potions
A warm surge flushed through my chest as the potion kicked in—knitting torn muscles, steadying my pulse.
But I knew—
That was just the beginning.
As my body spun from the brutal blow, pain flaring through every nerve, I slammed my palm against the ground, dirt and grit biting into my skin.
My boots dragged, heels carving deep into the earth as I slid from the momentum, slowing just enough to stop myself from crashing into another tree.
"Verdant Renewal," I growled under my breath.
The moment the words left my lips, a pulse of green light rippled from my hand, sinking into the ground.
Roots responded. The earth hummed.
Nature stirred.
A glowing aura—soft but wild—spread across my limbs as the skill took hold.
Verdant Renewal: Active.
> Healing initiated.
Drawing life force from the earth…
I exhaled sharply, body trembling as warmth flowed back into my shredded muscles, slowly closing internal wounds and easing the ache.
It wasn't instant—but it was enough to stand.
And across the ruined clearing, the exiled god stood still—watching me.
Amused. Intrigued.
The fight was far from over.
I blinked—once—and the world narrowed into instinct.
[Skill Activated: Axe Kick of the Dragon's Tail]
Description: A brutal, sweeping axe kick that comes down from high above, mimicking the arc of a dragon's tail. This kick can break through stone and is capable of knocking opponents flat on their backs.
My body launched skyward in a clean arc, wind spiraling around my limbs like coiled serpents. Muscles flexed, breath held—I twisted mid-air, channeling every ounce of momentum into my descending heel. It carved through the sky like a divine guillotine, the sheer force of it splitting the air with a deafening shriek.
"HAAAH—!"
Boom—!
My heel plummeted down like judgment itself.
And then—
He raised a single arm. One arm.
Askaroth.
He didn't flinch. Didn't even glance up.
CLANG!
The blow crashed into his forearm like thunder against a cliffside. My leg vibrated from the sheer rebound. And then, with a flick—
BOOM—!
I was launched like a ragdoll, flung through trees, leaves exploding around me in a storm of green.
[System Alert: No Damage Dealt]
Target resisted all force-based kinetic impact. Defense Type: Divinity-Class Resistance.
Mid-flight, I snarled, spinning mid-air as I forced a shout:
[Skill Activated: Vengeful Rush]
Description: The user charges at its enemy with lightning speed, using its powerful limbs to close the distance. This strike can knock enemies off balance, opening them to follow-ups.
My feet hit the earth—just once. And then I vanished, a blur of rage and speed.
CRACK!
I slammed into him chest-first, a full-body bash with enough power to uproot trees—he barely shifted.
Then—
His fist blurred.
BAM. BAM. BAM. BAM.
Four punches buried deep into my stomach, each hit a shockwave. The world spun. My breath escaped me in a ragged grunt.
I refused to fall—I lunged in desperation—
CRACK!
My headbutt met his face.
He didn't even blink.
Instead, he tilted his head, as if amused. Then—
WHAM!
His forehead collided with mine. A cannon blast of pain. My skull exploded with white light as I was driven into the dirt, the ground cracking beneath my body.
[System Alert: HP Critical — 17% Remaining]
[Auto-Heal Triggered]
[Verdant Renewal Activated]
Regenerating health via earth energy...
The ground beneath me glowed faintly green as my breath came in ragged, shallow gasps.
But I wasn't done yet.
Not even close.
I coughed up blood into the dirt, the taste metallic and foul. My body felt like it was about to collapse under the strain, but the system was already working, pulling me back from the brink.
[Auto-Healing Active]
> Verdant Renewal: Absorbing ambient energy...
> Potion Reserve Used: 7/10 Remaining
> HP Restored: +20%
> Stabilizing vitals...
Status: Recovering
My ribs cracked as they shifted back into place, and the burning in my muscles faded—my limbs shaking but alive. I gasped for air, pushing myself up from the dirt. The healing didn't stop the agony, but it slowed the bleeding.
Just as I found my balance, I saw him—Askaroth, standing tall, his form crackling with divine energy.
[System Scan - Target: Askaroth, the Broken Flame]
> Passive Skill Detected: "Divine Embers"
Description: Constantly regenerates physical integrity and divine power by absorbing ambient celestial energy. Cannot be interrupted unless under specific nullification effects.
Status: Fully Restored
"Dammit," I hissed under my breath.
He wasn't done yet.
A deep violet glow radiated from his form, his wounds closing before my eyes. He had healed completely.
My chest tightened as he smirked, an unsettling calm to his expression. "I do hope you're ready for more. This is far from over."
And then—he vanished.
[Warning: Incoming combo detected – Prepare for follow-up]
Before I could react, his knee exploded into my chest, sending me flying backward. My body barely had time to register the impact before he slammed a backfist into my face, followed by a spinning heel that took my breath away.
BAM!
CRACK!
I hit the ground hard, pain radiating through my ribs.
[System Warning: Health critical – 20% HP Remaining]
The ground around me cracked as I tried to lift myself up, desperate to stay conscious.
"Stay with it... stay with it," I muttered to myself.
I pressed my palm to the earth, forcing my body to move, my wounds slowly healing under the system's power.
[Auto-Healing Active]
> High Potion Reserve Used: 4/5 Remaining
> HP Restored: +80%
> Stabilizing vitals...
Status: Recovered
I stood shakily, the pain still coursing through me, but there was no choice.
"Let's see how long you can keep this up, god." I spat.
I could feel my body healing with each passing second as the high potions coursed through my veins. My HP was rising, the pain in my muscles slowly dissipating as the healing effect kicked in. 7 out of 10 potions remaining. I was back on my feet, but barely. The aftereffects of that last blow still lingered, and I knew I was in no shape to take another hit from him.
"I need a buff," I muttered under my breath. My mind raced, but the options seemed slim. My familiar, the one card I had left to play, wasn't an option. If I summon them now... they'll be torn apart instantly. The weight of that realization hit me hard. My familiar was powerful, yes, but against a god-like being like Askaroth, they stood no chance.
[System Scan - Familiar Summon Status: Unavailable]
Note: Familiar will be instantly overwhelmed by the target's overwhelming divine strength.
I clenched my fists, frustration boiling over. There was nothing more I could do... unless I pushed my body to the absolute limit. No familiar, no external help—just me.
I stood tall, breathing deep, my muscles tensing as I prepared for the next round. "Think. Adapt. Survive."
The system beeped, confirming my healing process was complete, but the reality set in. I had just barely enough to keep going, but was that enough? The massive Askaroth loomed in front of me, fully aware of my every move.
I locked eyes with the godly figure, determination burning in my chest. If I could just land one blow...
I charged forward, my mind focused and ready for the strike. I activated Freight Breaker—a full-speed body tackle that hit like a freight train. The force sent shockwaves through the air as I propelled myself at Askaroth. But that wasn't the real attack.
As my body collided with him, I immediately transitioned, using the impact as a springboard to launch into my next move.
[Skill Activated: Scorched Requiem]
I twisted mid-air, my leg arcing up in a blazing hook kick. Flames surged around my foot, wrapping in a fury of searing heat. The air crackled with raw energy, and as my leg shot forward, the force of the flames intensified. It was more than just a kick—it was the full might of my rage, a strike fueled by everything I had left.
The system chimed in:
[Skill Info: Scorched Requiem - A high-speed hook kick powered by raging flames. The target is struck with the full force of the blazing kick, sending them flying and leaving a lingering burn.]
Askaroth didn't even blink. He just stood there, his gaze unwavering, completely unaffected. My foot slammed into his chest, but it felt like hitting a mountain. The flames flickered out almost immediately upon impact, as if they were snuffed out by his sheer presence.
He didn't move, didn't flinch. He simply looked at me, his eyes filled with a quiet, condescending amusement.
Damn it, I thought. The attack didn't even faze him. What is he made of?
I stumbled back, every muscle in my body aching from the impact, and I took a step back, glaring at him.
As I stood there, breathing heavily, my body still trembling from the previous exchange, I heard his voice.
"You're a tough human," he said, his tone filled with cold admiration.
"What?" I muttered, barely able to register his words before the world around me suddenly blurred. Before I could react, he vanished.
In an instant, his figure reappeared, and a barrage of kicks rained down on me. I couldn't even see them coming—just the feeling of bone-shattering impacts. Each kick hit with the force of a thunderclap, sending shockwaves through my body. The first series of kicks launched me up into the air, my body jerking and twisting under the brutal assault.
System Alert:
[Warning: Multiple incoming attacks detected.]
I had no time to even react before the second wave hit. His kicks, faster than anything I had ever experienced, slammed into me one after another. My body felt like it was being battered by an unstoppable force—each blow harder than the last. My limbs screamed in pain as I was sent soaring through the air. My vision blurred, everything becoming a chaotic swirl of light and motion.
Then, as I tried to stagger back to my feet, he spoke again, his voice dripping with cruel finality.
"100 Divine Punishments."
Suddenly, the space around me seemed to warp. System Warning: Extreme Danger Incoming!
Before I could even process the words, a hundred divine kicks descended like a storm of meteors. They struck me all over—my head, chest, stomach, back. I felt my bones crack under the relentless assault. Each kick left a burning trail, like searing marks against my skin. My body flew backward, my feet lifted from the ground as I was sent spiraling into the air. My senses overloaded with pain, and everything felt like it was breaking apart.
System Alert:
[HP Critical! Auto-Healing Activated.]
I hit the ground hard, the impact sending a shock of agony through every inch of me. I gasped for breath, but it felt like my chest was caving in. The overwhelming power of his attacks left me no room to counter, no way to recover.