The *Corpseforged Behemoth* snarled, its chest pulsing with necrotic energy as it rose to its full height—nearly three meters of jagged bone, iron-wrapped sinew, and glowing soul crystals embedded in its skull and ribs. Its four arms flexed, two bearing axes made from fused spine fragments, the others twisted into claws that shimmered with death-rot.
Kael took a slow step forward, Emberfang pulsing in his grip.
Elira held out her hand, forming a radiant soul barrier around them both. "We've never fought anything like this before."
Kael didn't look back. "Then we adapt."
With a roar, the Behemoth charged—fast despite its size.
Kael met it head-on.
The first strike shattered the stone floor between them. Kael rolled sideways, slashing Emberfang along the creature's flank. The blade connected—but barely sank through the thick corpse armor. Flames licked the wound but didn't spread.
System Alert:
—"Target Resilience: Tier 3.
Weakness: Core Crystals (forehead, right shoulder, lower spine).
Suggested Strategy: Multi-Point Assault."
"Elira—crystals!" Kael shouted. "We break those, we break it!"
She nodded, launching a barrage of soullight bolts toward the Behemoth's right shoulder. The impact staggered it—momentarily.
Kael leapt forward, channeling *Soul Strike: Ash Spiral*, his blade igniting in a helix of flame. He slashed upward—cleaving into the creature's chest.
But it countered—one claw catching Kael mid-air and slamming him into the stone wall. The breath was knocked out of him.
The Behemoth advanced maddened, relentless.
Kael forced himself up, blood dripping from his mouth. Emberfang trembled in his hand.
Then he whispered: "Burn it all."
System Response:
—"Devourer Threshold Reached.
—Unlock Skill: Soulbrand: Ember Break
—Effect: Mark target soul core with explosive soulfire. Delayed detonation.
—Risk: Temporary soul fatigue (moderate). Proceed?"
Kael grinned through the pain. "Proceed."
He vanished in a burst of flame reappearing behind the Behemoth mid-stride. Emberfang slammed into the exposed crystal at its spine.
The blade sank deep carving a mark of glowing fire.
The Behemoth turned to strike him down.
Kael whispered: "Break."
A pulse of burning red light surged through the creature's back. The marked crystal ignited—then exploded inward, fracturing its entire frame. The beast staggered, limbs convulsing.
Elira finished it with a beam of concentrated soullight, piercing its skull crystal.
The creature screamed then collapsed, its body dissolving into ash and smoke.
---
Silence fell.
Kael fell to one knee, breathing heavily.
Elira ran to him, supporting his arm. "You're insane."
He chuckled hoarsely. "Took something big to prove it?"
She smiled, but her eyes were worried. "That skill… it nearly drained you."
Kael nodded, rising. "But it worked."
Then, from the obsidian pillar, the *Second Soul Node* detached, floating toward him.
The system pulsed:
"Second Soul Node Claimed.
—Soul Forge Blueprint Completion: 63%
—New Trait Acquired: Soulbrand: Core Imprint
—Effect: Infuse soulbound gear with active traits from defeated enemies.
—Upgrade Option: Emberfang now eligible for mutation."
Kael reached out, hand trembling, and touched the node.
Fire and darkness flooded his mind—visions of war, dead gods, and the first Devourer forging weapons in a storm of ash. The forge burned within him now—clearer, stronger, alive.
When he opened his eyes, the chamber was glowing softly. Emberfang pulsed with new light—its blade longer, its color darker, streaked with ember veins.
"Weapon Mutation Complete: Emberfang [Tier 3 – Soulbrand Variant]
—Skill: Burn Mark—Each cut inflicts delayed soulfire burst."
Kael sheathed the weapon. "Let's get out of here."
Elira helped him toward the exit. But as they left the chamber, a shadow in the depths stirred—far deeper than where they'd fought.
A voice, ancient and bitter, whispered from beyond the stone:
"Another forges the path… It begins again."