A circle of white fire burned around the beast.
"Ash, we need the beast inside the circle for the spell to work," Jessie said.
Ash, hearing this, instantly used Killing Intent on the beast to immobilize it for some time and rushed toward it.
He didn't know what the spell did, but he couldn't question it now. She said she was the leader here, so he would believe in her judgment for now.
[Killing Intent – 8 MP/Second]
[Total MP – 60/70]
He had used his last stat to increase his MP cap and then restored MP with beast cores so he was at 70 cap right now and -10 from the blade debuff brought his max to 60.
His eyes widened in shock. Six wolf beasts cumulatively took 12 MP every second, but this boss individually was taking 8 MP every second to keep the Killing Intent active.
"Ash, you can charge ahead. The spell will crumble the beast's defense, but it will double your defense!" Jessie urged.
The beast roared, claws tearing at the ground as Ash's Killing Intent pressed it down. Its scaled body shuddered, straining against the invisible pressure.
Every second was eating at his reserves.
[52/70 MP]
Sweat poured down his face. Damn… at this rate, I'll run dry before it even begins.
Jessie's voice rang sharp in his ears.
"Push it into the circle! Once inside, the spell takes over!"
Ash grit his teeth, tightening his grip on the blade. His instincts screamed at him to move now. He dashed forward, his boots slamming against the dungeon floor.
The beast froze, straining to break free of the pressure for a moment.
Ash disabled his skill. A swoop of claws came rushing, grazing his hair, then he rolled under its body. With a sharp slash, his blade dug into its hind leg. The beast howled and staggered sideways—straight into the glowing circle of white fire.
The instant its paw crossed the boundary—fwoom!
The circle ignited, climbing up like burning chains. The beast roared, its scales cracking under the magical pressure.
Jessie screamed, her voice echoing: "Now, Ash! Its defense is breaking!"
Ash didn't hesitate. He charged. His blade glowed faintly, his skill again freezing the beast, amplifying his precision.
[Killing Intent: 36/70 MP]
He struck at the gaps in its scales—throat, joints, underbelly. Sparks flew with every hit, ichor spraying, but the beast thrashed violently, throwing him back.
[28/70 MP]
At first, his blade was unable to cut deeper, but within the circle he could feel its defense crumbling, and his endurance was doubled, boosting his defense and stamina.
The boost only applied to his base stats, so weapon stats didn't change. It wasn't as big of a boost, but he was sure the beast got nerfed enough.
With Killing Intent still active, he pressed harder, locking its movements for just a second longer. He darted back in, blade flashing, carving deep gashes across its torso.
Ash was rethinking his MP.
[14/70 MP]
He turned it off for a second.
The beast screamed, flames eating at its armor, but it wasn't done yet. Recovering from the shocking daze that made it terrified of this man, it slammed its tail into Ash's chest—wham!
He flew back, crashing into a tree, coughing blood. His vision shook for a moment.
[14/70 MP]
Ash spat blood, his lips curling into a grin. "Tch… I've had worse." He staggered to his feet, blade trembling in his grip.
He burned the last of his mana.
[Killing Intent – 14/70]
The beast froze mid-roar, its body locked for two precious seconds. Ash roared back, charging forward like a predator closing in on the kill.
Slash—across the chest.
Stab—into the throat.
Then he threw the blade away to regain the 10 MP points debuffed from the weapon. But it meant he also lost his extra strength and agility.
Final strike—he grabbed claws that were covered in green poison from his pocket.
His hands plunged inside the cut he made near Beast's heart. He could feel the texture of its muscle, then ribcage and fibers against his skin. He left all the claws inside and retreated, a bloody mess, hands soaked to the wrist.
[MP: 0/70]
AsH MP hit zero, with another sharp cry the beast threw Ash aside.
Ash coughed blood on the ground, but a grin spread across his face. His heart was pumping—the rush of playing with death was enticing.
He had never been able to fight like this in his previous world. He always thought swift killing was the best way to kill. But he couldn't have been more wrong. The thrill of a bloody fight, getting yourself bathed in blood—
It was fucking awesome.
The battle barely lasted twenty seconds, but the thrill was overwhelming.
The beast, finally freed from Killing Intent, was so wounded it could die any second.
In its last desperate action to take its killer with it, black lights sparkled across its skin.
It was confident it had enough time to charge its final attack—but Ash had already driven poisoned claws near its heart. The poison should already be pumping into it.
He was unaware of its effects. He knew there were different types of poison—mild, strong, or paralytic.
But the poison of this lizard was corroding. He had never seen such strong poison in his previous life, so he expected a quick death.
The beast fell to the ground, coughing for some seconds, before its inner organs spilled from its mouth, tainted with green.
Ash shivered at the scene. It was gross even for him. He had done enough filthy things, but this was beyond control.
He ignored the mess and contemplated his condition. His MP had hit absolute zero. He planned to get the crystal from this beast and recover, but for now, he was too spent—he just wanted to lie on the ground.
[Congratulations! You have slain Lightning Dire Wolf]
[+200 Exp]
Jessie ran to him, her staff clattering as she knelt beside him. "Idiot! You nearly killed yourself!"
Ash chuckled weakly, spitting more blood. "Nothing new."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Five figures emerged after the initial claps.
"You're a tough guy. I planned not to get in your way. But see, you've given us the best opportunity to get rid of you."
The group they had left behind stood in front of them, threatening their lives.