Living in a well (3)

The dim light of the moon that fell sparsely through the dense cluster of leaves, Erick's body started to morph.

The process was fast and almost natural to Erick, but to any onlookers it would look horrifying. Wart was no exception.

The strange scene caused him to even pause his attack. For the first time during this fight he felt uncomfortable. Maybe it was his survival instinct kicking in, but a vague voice inside him was warning him.

While Wart was hesitating, Erick finished his transformation. He might look demonic but he remained in control. Using the brief instance of rest he summoned his stats window.

Stats Window!

<Knight lv.17>

Exp 0/4000

Stats (morphed): 45.6/ 35.4/ 48.6

Soul Pets: 2 / 3

Skills [6 / 6]

Lv.0: Sword Mantle

Lv.1: Sword Strike, Sword Storm, Sword Pierce

Lv.2: Demonic Claw, Sword of Ares

'Even in this state I am coming up short in terms of agility and stamina. But I have reduced the difference in strength quite significantly.'

Erick roared and sprinted towards the stumped Wart before he regained his composure. In the blink of an eye he reached on top of the warbeast and slashed out with his swords.

Sword of Ares!

The spinning effect, coupled with the ignite function, didn't fail Erick this time. He managed to cut in the stretchy skin and even set part of the blood and flesh ablaze.

"Arggg!"

The pain was enough for Wart to snap out of his shock. Immediately a thick, slime-like liquid poured out from the warts on his head, dousing the fire and cauterizing the wound.

Erick didn't tarry and retreated. But not towards the ground. As soon as Wart started to scream and initiated the release of the slime, he jumped and slashed out again. Due to the pain Wart had failed to react.

"Now!"

Sword of Ares! Demonic Claw!

Erick spun his swords and traveled along Wart's front leg downwards, causing quite a few deep tears. He finished his attack by unleashing his corrosive demonic claw at the wrist joint. His enhanced strength tore off more than eighty percent of Wart's wrist.

"Fuck you, you insect!" Roared Wart. He was now completely enraged. The attacks were painful, but not something he couldn't bear. The main reason for his anger was the humiliation he was feeling.

It had been a long time since he had sustained so much damage. "I will fucking torture you till you beg me to kill you!" Wart roar shook the trees. He bit his damaged wrist and tore his webbed hands completely off.

'Wow, pretty hardcore,' smirked Erick.

Blood dripped from the dismembered wrist, but Wart was not paying any attention. He started to croak, sending strong, pressurized winds towards the vicinity. The pressure was great enough to shatter trees and flat the tall grass. Soon, their surroundings were cleared in a circular manner.

'This looks more like a well now,' thought Erick. The agility stat made one nimble and flexible but gave more acceleration than speed. In dense areas, like the forest, it was not always practical for large creatures.

'He cleared out a wide area so he could make better use of his agility.' Erick understood his opponent's plan just by observing their surroundings.

"Hey punk, I was just toying with you so far, but you forgot your place," Wart smiled maliciously towards Erick. "Now that we have more space, let me see how you continue to dodge."

By the time he finished speaking, Wart had moved.

'Too fast.' Erick didn't even see where the beast had moved. He only saw the beast fade, the ground crack.

Boom!

Only now did the sound catch up to the set off.

Bang!

The impact had barely sounded when Erick felt something slam into him, sending him flying. Erick nearly lost consciousness due to the power inside the slam. He flew straight and crashed into the 'wall' of the well.

The power was so great that it took three trees to stop his flight.

"Hahaha! How is it? Are you still alive!" A loud shout followed from his former spot. Erick coughed blood as he tried to stand and look towards the center of the open area. Wart was laughing and looking at him.

Even with his superior regeneration and stamina, Erick failed to recover.

"F…fuck…!" He barely was able to curse as his throat was filled with blood.

Slash!

"Ahhhh!" A painful cry sounded. Wart was spitting out blood as a piece of thick flesh was dangling from its mouth.

Erick had managed to use his demonic slash at the incoming tongue attack.

"Wh…what d-do you…think? Am I desperate yet?" Erick squeezed a smile and asked while panting.

"YOU!" Wart was shocked and even more enraged. His skin started to glow with a green luster. Not once had he imagined that Erick would counter his attack. He should barely be able to stand. So how did he react in time?

The answer was simple. Instincts! Pure instincts due to a lot of life and death battles. Erick had reacted fast because he didn't think, see or feel the incoming attack. He just acted!

It was clear that Wart would attack without any mercy. But Erick was not panicking. In fact, he was smiling. After all, he was finally out of danger.

Just as Wart readied himself to attack, light fell from above, binding him. He couldn't move.

"What is happening!" Wart was panicking. He didn't feel anyone approaching, he didn't even see the attack. All he could see was light reacting like never seen before. It was slithering like snakes, binding his limbs and body.

"You are one dumb frog. You created a 'well', but forgot one basic thing about wells. There is a sky above every well," Erick smiled and said.

Hearing that, Wart was first stunned but then hurriedly looked up. A female human was floating above them, surrounded by light. The light seemed hazy, but Wart could trace the source even above the woman. It seemed to be flowing towards her..from the moon?

"Who are you?" Wart shouted. For the first time he started to feel afraid. Truly afraid.

The woman ignored him and looked towards Erick with a smile.

"Hi Erick!"

"Hello Nuvia…or rather…Lady Hecate."