(ch 22) killing a monster

*Rin wake up... Rin please wake up im serious*

*Alright... alright... im up... You would never believe i fell asleep on the most comfortable soft rock ever, its not even cold its quite warm....wait*

Raising her hand, she encountered a presence in front of her—a warmth that seemed to emanate from a living entity. The sensation suggested that this unseen entity was observing her, its breath gently brushing against her hand.

she slowly opened her eyes, she found herself met by the warm gaze of Sunny, who was looking down at her. Her head was gently cradled on his lap, creating a serene and intimate moment between them.

Until...

*Why are you so skinny?*

*Thanks Rin*

They rose to their feet, scanning the vast expanse around them from every angle. Raindrops pelted her face, accompanied by intermittent flashes of lightning that streaked across the sky, momentarily illuminating the darkness. The surroundings were shrouded in obscurity, except for the faint silhouettes of Nephis and Cassie nearby. Without her link to Sunny's shadow, distinguishing their forms would have proved challenging. Resorting to her crimson eyes was an option, yet the drawbacks were to big.

As moments passed, a growing sense of unease crept into her thoughts. A subtle disturbance lingered in the air, prompting Rin to furrow her brows in contemplation. Determined to unravel the source of this disquiet, she scrutinized her surroundings. After a while, clarity dawned upon her—Sunny's shadow. There was a distinct anomaly in its demeanor, as if it harbored an urgent message, silently beckoning the duo's attention towards an undisclosed revelation.

Rin and Sunny positioned themselves in quick succession, standing back to back as they watched around themselves

*Rin somethings not right*

*Yeah i feel it too*

She had already called forth her widow's bane, the black metal katana emitting an eerie ring as she smoothly drew it from its sheath. The ominous sound seemed to convey a shared discontent with the unfolding situation.

*Please, let me rest. I just want to rest.*

*You tired?*

*Nope, but sleep would be nice*

Both sleepers were.....well sleepy...

Feeling drained, both physically and mentally, they faced the relentless persistence of the Shadow, unwavering and adamant in its pursuit of whatever it was trying to show

Both individuals were exhausted, relying on one another for support as they leaned against each other, utilizing their backs to remain upright. The weariness was evident as they mutually upheld each other's weight to stave off fatigue.

Nephis turned her head and looked at them both

"What is it?"

He grimaced.

"I don't know yet. Something feels wrong."

Cassie shivered and got closer to Neph. Following his shadow's warning, all three looked around, trying to find any sign of danger in their surroundings.

Despite the shared vision she possessed, there was nothing amiss within her sight. The elevated portion of the cliffs towered over the turbulent sea, creating a diminutive island. Its terrain appeared rough and irregular, marked by numerous protruding ridges disrupting the visual panorama. Extending between their group and the nearest ridge was a substantial gap, scattered haphazardly with heaps of soil and towering boulders.

Nephis got up and summoned her sword.

"Do you two see anything?"

Sunny spoke first followed by Rin.

"Not really…"

"Cant see shit"

In that fleeting moment, yet another bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, casting a momentary glow upon the diminutive island. As the brilliance of the lightning briefly unveiled its secrets, her eyes widened in fear at what lay revealed before her.

*Sunny*

*What?*

*Look at the boulders*

*What...about....them.... Oh i see it*

Rin initially failed to identify the colossal, jet-black boulders encircling them due to their imposing size and irregular shapes. These motionless monoliths loomed tall, concealing their true nature from casual observation.

All around them, scavengers were silently lying on the ground.

They both came to a sudden halt, gripped by an overwhelming sense of terror. The hairs on the nape of her neck prickled and rose in response. As panic surged, she found herself unable to keep track—counting became a challenge, and she clenched her teeth in distress. The looming threat manifested itself in the form of not just one, two, or three, but a daunting eight figures.

The ominous cliffs harbored not just the quartet of humans seeking refuge from the foreboding expanse of the dark sea; an unsettling realization made her shiver involuntarily.

It became apparent that these towering cliffs posed a perilous threat, a menacing snare that extended its ominous embrace beyond the presence of the four individuals who sought solace from the murky depths of the sea. Her apprehension intensified as the unsettling truth dawned upon her.

Observing the myriad emotions etched across both individuals, Nephis felt a surge of tension coursing through her.

"Sunny...rin?"

*We need to tell them quietly*

He slowly turned his head to Nephis and whispered:

"Don't speak. Don't move. Just… stay where you are."

She followed his instructions without asking for the reason. However, a silent question appeared on her face.

Cassie did the same.

Rin gently shut her eyes, inhaling deeply as she endeavored to soothe the tumultuous waves of panic swirling within her mind. In the realm of challenges, no circumstance was truly devoid of hope; within every problem lay the potential for a resolution. All that remained was for her to channel her thoughts and uncover that solution.

*I'll help you*

*Got it*

The scavengers hadn't launched an attack just yet. It could be that they were taking a nap or biding their time during the storm, cautiously avoiding any movement to avoid drawing the attention of even more formidable monsters. Perhaps, they were simply oblivious to the presence of humans, raising the question of how adept these creatures were at seeing. Could they navigate in the dark? Chances are, not very well, or at least not with the same proficiency they had

There was still hope.

Sunny opened his eyes and looked at the small island again. But this time, his perspective was different. He saw the deep darkness, the clamor of the storm that drowned out most of the sounds, the large distance between the scavenger.

This was their territory. It was perfectly suited for a murderous shadow and an ancestor of ninjas. Didn't she dream of becoming a silent assassin? Well, here was her chance. She just had to execute each step perfectly… crawl through the darkness, strike without alerting the enemy, kill each of them with one precise blow.

Rinse and repeat. He already knew their strengths and weaknesses — all that was left was to put that knowledge to practice. And even if he makes a mistake, there were other means to fall back onto. Echo and Nephis could do their part if he were to land himself in danger.

Yes, that could work. It had to.

Sunny looked at Changing Star and Cassie.

"I'll take care of this."

Before they could react, he seemed to dissolve into the shadows.

This realm belonged to them, a realm tailor-made for a stealthy shadow and a descendant of the ancient ninja lineage. Hadn't she envisioned herself as a silent assassin in her dreams? Well, now the opportunity lay before her. All she needed to do was flawlessly navigate each step – slither through the obscurity, strike without raising an alarm, and dispatch each adversary with a singular, precise blow same as Sunny.

Moving with a silent grace, she lacked the stealth of Sunny, yet her ingrained muscle memory rendered her nearly undetectable. In that moment, a sense of tranquility enveloped Rin, as if she had seamlessly slipped into her true, innate element, allowing a newfound calm and focus to settle within her.

As the scavenger's ominous outline drew near, she cautiously decelerated, gracefully navigating around her intended prey. The colossal creature remained motionless, entirely unaware of the imminent danger inching closer by the moment. Rin, holding her breath, poised herself for the impending strike.

Glancing toward Sunny, positioned ahead with his own formidable adversary, they aimed to synchronize their actions seamlessly.

*one chance*

*Do it right*

*On go.....3.....2....1.....

GO*

Sunny encountered an issue when he unsheathed his sword prematurely, striking too soon in the heat of the moment.

She striked with her own sword aiming for the weak spot her focus completely on Sunny

'that was easy... But this idiot, i swear im gonna strangle him'

*SUNNY WHAT PART OF ON...GO... DO YOU NOT F#CKING UNDERSTAND!?!?*

*I THOUGHT YOU MEANT SWING WHEN YOU COUNTED TO ONE!*

*WHY THE F#CK WOULD I SAY ON GO THEN!?*

both their focus shifted back to the two scavengers they had....slain

It was done.

A surge of triumph welled up within Rin, despite Sunny's near blunder, courtesy of his questionable intelligence. However, she swiftly quelled the feeling. Now wasn't the appropriate moment for jubilation; lurking in the shadows were six targets awaiting their attention

She retrieved her own sword and jumped down from the scavenger's corpse.

Then, Sunny frowned and she noticed.

*Whats wrong?*

*Why is the Spell silent?*

*Oh.....*

It failed to proclaim their victories, neglecting to share the light fragments either.

"Check your kill, I'll do the same*

Sunny and Rin felt a shiver run down their spines as they turned to face their respective scavengers. Initially gripped by the fear that the creature might still be breathing, they soon discovered that it was not the case.

It was as dead as could be so was Sunny's.

However, on closer inspection, both noticed something that they had missed before.

Upon taking a closer look, both of them observed a detail that had eluded their initial notice. The moment this realization dawned on them, her expression turned noticeably pale....

The scavenger was dead. However, it wasn't their blades that killed it.

As she circled her target, her main goal was to remain inconspicuous, ensuring she didn't give away her presence to the enemy before strategically positioning herself for the impending attack. Once in the optimal position, her gaze fell upon nothing but the monstrous back of her foe.

They failed to spot a shared injury on both scavengers, extending seamlessly from the upper torso down to their legs.

The unbreakable carapaces were cut open like a tin cans. The scavenger's flesh and mangled organs could be easily seen through the large gap, oozing azure blood. It streamed down only to be washed away by the storm.

*We....are not....alone*

*Whats the gameplan?*

*Check each body, maybe there was a brawl anong them and they killed each other off*

She kept her widows bane summoned

The diminutive island lay in hushed serenity, interrupted solely by the haunting melody of the wind's howl. Raindrops continued their descent, creating an unyielding curtain that veiled every nuance and obscured distant vistas. Occasionally, an infrequent burst of lightning illuminated this desolate realm in brilliant white, only to be followed by a resounding thunderclap that reverberated through the trembling skies.

A shiver of cold fear gripped them as they cautiously approached the next scavengers, each moving independently. Even from a distance, she could sense that the creature ahead was lifeless, yet she felt compelled to draw nearer and confirm her intuition. Her suspicions proved correct upon closer inspection—the creature lay almost split in half, Its wet innards were lying on the ground in a messy pile. A grim testament to the brutality of the unknown assailant.

The once soothing embrace of darkness had transformed into a daunting and stifling presence, losing its comforting touch ages ago. A chill ran down Rin's spine, marking the unsettling shift in atmosphere.

*Yours is dead too im guessing?*

*Yep*

After carefully inspecting each of the eight monstrous beings and ensuring their demise, a wave of nausea and overwhelming fear gripped her. Initially, when Rin discerned that the ominous figures were mere scavengers, she believed the situation had hit rock bottom. However, in the aftermath, uncertainty had clouded her mind, leaving her questioning whether things could actually get any worse.

Through the rain and darkness Rin looked at Sunny

*Things officially went from bad to worse*

*Silently and carefully we need to leave go to Nephis*

*The killer could have already left...*

*im not willing to bet my life on that*

*Well...We can't just, not check, my fates a pain in the ass and i wanna bet that something is gonna welcome us very violently soon..... Oh i have an idea*

Sunny and Rin approached the ridge with deliberate and cautious strides, Their steps measured and unhurried. As she neared the edge, a sense of curiosity overcame her, but Sunny acted apun those feelings first causing him to carefully descend, making a conscious effort to minimize any noise and maintain a stealthy presence.

*I dont need to tell you how stupid of a decision this is*

*Rin we need to know what's with us here, I'll allow the joined vision so you can see what i can*

As she tuned into Sunny's perspective through her own eyes, a mild headache swiftly crept in, courtesy of the overwhelming influx of information.

The ridge didn't pose much of a challenge; he effortlessly scaled its moderate height. Hugging the rocky surface, he lifted his head and gazed downward.....

And she saw it too

*Sunny get down here, RIGHT NOW!*

*i....i...yeah im coming

Just below him, merely a few meters distant, a mysterious figure emerged, casting a distinct silhouette against the rugged rocks. This creature surpassed the scavengers in both size and menace, boasting jagged spikes sprouting from its robust carapace. The chitinous armor adorned in hues of black and crimson resembled an ancient shield tainted with newly spilled blood. In a departure from conventional pincers, bone scythes of terror extended from the joints of its limbs – each one possessing the length and keenness capable of effortlessly cleaving a scavenger in twain.

Sunny froze, afraid to move. He even stopped breathing.

*Sunny, slowly, come, here, I'll help you down*

*So that's the killer?*

*Yeah now, get down or ill kick you off here myself*

*Isn't that the same monsters that we saw retrieving the transcendent soul shards from the giant shark's carcass, or another of their kind?*

She got a flash of memories from Sunny on how the two creatures had cut through the horde of scavengers, killing or throwing aside any beast that got in their way.

*Slaughtering just seven of them would not pose a problem for something that deadly*

*Not to mention getting rid of four Sleepers.*

Sunny descended cautiously, ensuring not to create any noise that might give away his presence. Every inch of his body quivered with anticipation. Guided by Rin's silent instructions, he moved his limbs with meticulous precision, navigating down the ridge with the hope of avoiding any detection – be it through sound, perception, or any other means.

Luckily, the monster remained oblivious to Sunny's presence.

Upon touching the ground, Sunny and Rin instinctively took a few steps backward, their gaze still fixed on the ridge. Rin had to muster the courage to pivot around, a sense of dread creeping over her as if invisible daggers were penetrating her back. Stealthily, the duo proceeded toward the spot where they had parted ways with their fellow companions, navigating through the ominous atmosphere with caution.

After a short while, they made their way back to where Nephis and Cassie were anxiously waiting. The girls, feeling a mix of tension and nervous anticipation in the dim surroundings, received a heads-up from Sunny just before emerging from the shadows, signaling their approach.

"We are back"

Nephis moved, lowering her sword a little. Her face was a little grim.

"What is the situation?" she said, careful to keep her voice low.

*Just tell her straight, shes not stupid enough to attack the thing*

Sunny turned to Nephis

"There are eight scavengers around us. But they're all dead. The killer is one of those big monsters we saw, the thing with the crimson pattern on its carapace and scythes instead of pincers. It's hiding from the storm beneath a stone ridge not far from here."

As the lightning streaked across the sky, it cast a brilliant glow, revealing the world in an instant. In the wake of this electrifying display, it appeared as if twin white sparks had ignited within the depths of Changing Star's eyes. However, as swiftly as the radiance had appeared, it faded away, leaving those eyes once again shrouded in a mysterious shade of gray, concealing their secrets.

She tilted her head and whispered, as though talking to herself.

"An awakened monster."

Rin spoke

"Yeah. So, what should we do?"

Nephis thought for a while, leaning on her sword. Then, she looked at him and said:

*NO PLEASE NOT THE DRAMATIC PAUSE AGAIN!*

"...Kill it"

*I KNEW IT, WHY DOES SHE CONSTANTLY DO THAT?!*

***

Sunny appeared momentarily speechless, as if words eluded him. After a brief pause, he gathered his thoughts and uttered the first thing that likely crossed his mind.

"Are you nuts?"

*Probably*

Rin found herself nodding in agreement with Sunny; the notion of taking on that creature seemed utterly absurd, if not downright crazy.

*You probably shouldn't have said it that way thought, a bit rude..*

he cleared his throat and added:

"I mean… have you thought this through? How are we supposed to kill that monstrosity?"

Nephis slowly inhaled.

"It's not a question of thinking things through. We simply have no choice."

She glanced at Cassie, who was listening to them with a pale face, and explained:

"We can't leave the cliffs before morning, and neither can the monster. However, once the sun rises, it will easily see us and attack. Then, our only advantage — the element of surprise — will be gone. If we have to fight it anyway, it's better to be the ones initiating the fight."

Changing Star looked around and added:

"It's not completely dark yet. Although barely, I can still see. Once the night comes, this won't be the case. So we will have to attack it first, and do it soon."

Rin was silent listening in on the conversation, she needed to see both sides and speaking of the other side Sunny spoke up again

"This still doesn't explain how we are going to kill it. That thing just dispatched eight scavengers like it was nothing. We are not its opponents. We don't even know its weaknesses!"

Nephis frowned. After a short pause, she said:

"It's just an awakened monster."

*DID SHE SAY Just AN AWAKENED MONSTER*

*She indeed did*

Sunny found himself gazing at her in utter disbelief, and Rin, keenly observing their expressions, was well aware of the incredulous look on Sunny's face.

"What do you mean, "just" an awakened monster? Have you forgotten that all three of us are only Sleepers?! Dormant humans are not supposed to be able to deal with awakened beasts, let alone monsters. The fact that we can reliably kill scavengers is already abnormal!"

She looked back at him, undisturbed, and simply answered:

"But we are abnormal."

Sunny stood there with his mouth open, not knowing what to say.

Nephis sighed and pointed at Rin and Sunny

"Sunny, me you and Rin are not exactly ordinary Sleepers. Aren't we? Don't try and deny it.two ordinaries simply would not have survived in this place."

*As f#cked as this sounds.....shes kinda right*

"Rin, You, me, plus the awakened beast you have as an Echo, plus the advantage of a surprise attack. I'm not saying that it will be easy. We might die. But there's a good chance that we won't."

She looked down, at the silvery blade of her sword, and added after a couple of seconds:

"In any case. As I have already said, we don't have a choice."

In the ensued silence, Cassie, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly spoke:

"You are forgetting about the main advantage we have over that thing."

Both of them looked at her, surprised. Rin was already sitting down and resting, not caring about what she had to say

The blind girl turned to face them and slightly lifted her head.

"We are intelligent, and the monster is not."

Her words echoed in the darkness, it only briefly entered her ears before she simply layed down

It seemed that a fight with the bone scythe monster was inevitable ane she already felt her bones hurting

***

After a while, Sunny found himself immersed in the shadows, gazing at the formidable creature before him. A solemn air enveloped him, and his face bore a serious countenance. Clutching the Azure Blade firmly, Sunny took a slow, deep breath.

The unsettling sensation that had lingered earlier intensified, casting a deeper sense of foreboding over him.

*I don't like this.*

*To bad*

With a ladt message from Rin, he exhaled and raised his hand.

********

While monsters did exhibit a basic level of intelligence, it paled in comparison to the cognitive prowess of humans. Fundamentally predators, their actions were primarily driven by instinct. Despite a certain beastly cunning, it proved relatively manageable to outsmart them. This provided the four Sleepers with an opportunity to exploit their edge. With the plan solidified, they proceeded to make necessary preparations.

While Rin and Changing Star were getting ready, Sunny had retrieved the soul shards from the eight dead scavengers. After delivering them to the silver-haired girl and balck haired girl, he watched as Rin gave her shard to Nephis

"You need them more than me right now"

Hearing that she brought them to her chest and crushed them in her fist one after another, absorbing the essence of each shard into her soul core. After a few minutes, when the changes caused by the absorption were over, Nephis opened her eyes and slowly inhaled.

For someone in a dormant state, devouring the shards of eight awakened beasts felt like toppling sixteen dormant creatures. Though not monumental, this infusion brought about a noteworthy surge in physical prowess. Her entire being had undergone a transformation—strengthened, quickened, improved in every conceivable manner.

Harnessing every ounce of this newfound strength would be imperative for their survival.

Because of how attuned Nephis was to her physicality, getting accustomed to her new limits did not take long. Very soon, she looked at Rin and Sunny before asking:

"Are you two ready?"

Sunny let out a sigh and cast a fleeting look at his own shadow, seeking a bit of moral encouragement.

In response, his shadow chose to play it cool, deliberately feigning ignorance and giving Sunny the cold shoulder.

'Disloyal bastard!'

He looked over at Rin who smiled and nodded at him

*You ready Sunny?*

'at least someone here is friendly'

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Nephis nodded and turned to Cassie.

There wasn't much left to talk about. They had covered every topic, and mere words couldn't ease the worry in the blind girl's heart. Reflecting on it, Sunny wouldn't have swapped positions with her, even though she was the sole member of the group exempt from risking her life in combat.

Confronting the adversary, even in the face of fear, proved more empowering than helplessly anticipating the result, fully aware that you have no control over it. In those moments, taking action, no matter how daunting, offered a sense of agency that waiting passively could never provide.

*Sunny?*

Once again, her voice echoed in his mind, carrying a hint of concern that gently tugged at his senses.

*Yeah?*

*Don't die.... please*

*I wont, I promise*

Her expression hinted at the presence of a haunting memory, as if an emotionally painful scene was replaying in her mind.

*Dont do that*

His expression morphed into one of bewilderment as he gazed at her, his features contorted in confusion.

*Do what?*

*Dont promise that, it never ends well*

*Fine, I'll try not to die....better*

Her smile lit up once more, and he couldn't help but feel a warmth inside of his chest

*Better*

*You better not go dying on me either, still have to find some way of pissing you off*

*You wish, im as hard as a stone.....shut up, I know that look, dont say it*

They broke off with a positive aura around them

Cassie tried to put on a brave face. She turned to Nephis and forced a smile:

"Go and kill that thing. Maybe you'll finally get something decent to wear and stop making me feel so guilty."

A corner of Changing Star's lip curled up.

"Okay."

After that, she turned to Sunny and returned to her usual serious self.

"Let's go."

He glanced over his shoulder, watching as Rin's silhouette faded behind the corpse of the scavengers, then he finally turned away and departed.

After a short while, he found himself perched atop the craggy ridge, gazing down at the formidable monster below. The shadow clung to his form, amplifying Sunny's physical prowess. Their strategy seemed well-thought-out, boasting a strong likelihood of success.

Despite his efforts, a lingering sense of foreboding persisted within him, strongly suggesting that the outcome of this situation might not unfold in a positive manner.

*I don't like this.*

*Me neither, but its our only chance at survival"

'i hate it when she has a point'

With a sigh, Sunny raised his hand and summoned the silver bell.

Sunny sighed as he lifted his hand, beckoning forth the silver bell. Delicately shaking it, he ushered in a melodic resonance that harmonized with the tumultuous storm around him.

***

In an instant, the colossal creature below stirred, pivoting its massive form to trace the origin of the abrupt sound. A furious blaze of crimson lit up its eyes upon spotting Sunny.

However, unbeknownst to Sunny, he remained oblivious to the spectacle. The moment the bell chimed, he swiftly pivoted and leaped off the ridge without a moment's hesitation.

Although the ridge wasn't towering, the descent to the ground posed a significant challenge. Sunny collided with the rocks, executing a swift roll to mitigate the impact's force. Regaining his footing swiftly, he sprinted away, aiming to put as much distance between himself and the looming threat as possible.

A moment later, the ridge violently erupted in the wake of his footsteps. The colossal monster barreled into it, effortlessly demolishing the rock layers as if they were mere sheets of paper. Accompanied by a brilliant flash of lightning and a deafening thunderclap, the cacophony of the collapsing debris was almost drowned out.

Fixating on the retreating figure of Sunny, the creature aggressively lunged forward, aiming to impale him with one of its menacing scythes. A cascade of rock shards streamed like a relentless torrent from its spiked carapace.

Fortuitously, Sunny had distanced himself sufficiently. Undeterred, he seamlessly dropped his posture, covering several more meters in a swift run before pivoting around to face the relentless adversary.

Facing a monstrous creature towering over three meters in height, charging at him with the intensity of a speeding train, would cause anyone to hesitate. Despite this daunting sight, Sunny remained resolute, defiantly holding the Azure Blade high above his head.

After all, he was the bait.

'why do i always agree to this?'

Half a dozen meters away from him, the monster finally reached their trap.

Almost unnoticeable in the darkness and the pouring rain, the golden rope was strung between two massive boulders at the height of the creature's leg joints. Earlier, Sunny had lowered his body to run beneath it.

Driven by an insatiable thirst for blood, the monstrous creature charged forward, oblivious to the tightly stretched golden rope lying in its path. In any ordinary circumstance, a rope under such strain would undoubtedly give way instantly. Yet, this particular golden rope wasn't just any ordinary cord—it was a Memory, boasting an exceptional resilience that allowed it to withstand the monster's frenzied assault.

Regrettably, the same could not be said for the rocks to which the golden rope was tethered; they proved disappointingly mundane and succumbed to the impact, shattering into pieces almost instantly.

But the damage was already done.

With its front legs suddenly jerked backward, the scythe slayer lost its balance and crashed into the ground face-first, sliding forward on wet stone and leaving behind a shallow trench. Sunny jumped away.

The monster was unperturbed. Almost immediately, two bone scythes pierced the ground, jerking its massive body to a stop. In the next moment, unexpectedly swift and nimble for its size, it was already beginning to rise.

If it was allowed to stand up, their fates would be sealed

Fortunately, Sunny's Echo was faster.

As soon as the monstrous adversary tumbled to the ground, the second creature abandoned its charade of feigning death among the scavenger corpses. Springing into action, it swiftly rose and charged forward. Timing its assault to perfection, just as the initial foe attempted to rise, the agile creature leaped onto its carapace from behind. With formidable strength, it anchored the creature in place, using its weight to subdue the struggling foe. Skillfully, it secured its pincers around the arms of the creature, just below the point where the bone scythes menacingly protruded.

Despite the fact that the Echo was wounded by the spikes growing from the monster's carapace, it succeeded in immobilizing it, at least for a second.

A second was enough.

Suddenly, Nephis and Rin, concealed in ambush, materialized before the monstrous creature as if emerging from thin air. Swiftly maneuvering through the ominous scythes, they leaned in, unleashing powerful sword thrusts that carried the full force of their combined weight.

The team was uncertain whether the newly awakened creature shared the vulnerability on its back that its smaller counterparts, the scavengers, possessed. Yet, there was no grounds to dismiss the possibility of a potential opening between its exoskeleton and torso protection. It seemed to be more of a mechanical consideration.

When it came to flexibility, anything requiring adaptability couldn't afford to be excessively rigid.

The twin tips of the Changing Star and Rin swords deftly pierced the creature's hide from different angles, aiming to inflict maximum harm or even secure its demise. With precision, the blades vanished into the monstrous form, delving so deeply that their hilts made contact with the creature's chitinous exterior.

'Hell yes!' Sunny thought, triumphant.

The two girls found themselves utterly defenseless, standing mere inches away from the formidable creature, their swords firmly embedded in the monster's flesh.

*Crap, wish us luck sunny*

Sunny found himself at quite a distance, strategically maneuvering around the colossal creature with the intention of launching a surprise attack from its rear. Meanwhile, the Echo lay on the ground, recovering from being forcefully tossed off the adversary's back, appearing incapacitated and unable to contribute to the current situation.

At that moment, the two girls found themselves standing alone, bravely confronting the monstrous threat before them.

"Shit Neph MOVE!"

The scythes sliced through the air with a menacing intent, targeting Nephis's vulnerable flesh. In a sudden twist of fate, Rin leaped into action, hurling herself forward to push Nephis from the imminent danger at the very last moment. Sending both to the ground giving then a chance at survival

But they were only safe for a couple of seconds as the attacker got closer and wound up its pincer again

Untill..

another pair of pincers locked one of them into an iron grip. That gave gave them both another fraction of a second to react.

They both quickly ducked beneath the massive creature, strategically positioning themselves in the blind spot where the remaining scythe couldn't reach. It wasn't the most ideal hiding spot, considering the risk of the monster accidentally crushing one of them if it decided to lie down. Despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, they found themselves with no other viable options at that crucial moment.

*This is bad, this bad...*

*You are fine, hurry up though im gonna die here in a couple of seconds, don't stress though*

At that moment, Sunny found himself positioned stealthily behind the formidable creature. With a glimmer of hope to create a momentary distraction, he confidently wielded the Azure Blade, bringing it down in a slashing motion. The blade met the joint of one of the monster's hind legs, resulting in a striking display of azure blood. Nevertheless, unlike his previous encounter with a scavenger, the limb proved resilient, refusing to be completely severed due to its formidable toughness and thickness.

In the next moment, the leg disappeared from Sunny's field of vision.

*Crap.*

*Good crap or bad crap?*

As the notion crossed Sunny's thoughts, he instinctively lifted his gaze to meet the monstrous entity before him. To his surprise, it had swiftly pivoted, fixing its gaze upon him with a pair of intense crimson flames flickering within its eyes, radiating an unmistakable aura of bloodthirstiness.

*Bad crap*

Sunny barely had time to register what was happening before the pointed end of a bone scythe collided with his chest, packing the wallop of a battering ram. In a split-second reflex, all he could muster was diverting the looming danger by shifting his shadow onto the Puppeteer's Shroud.

Thanks to this swift and instinctive maneuver, his armor stood resilient. He narrowly escaped being skewered through the heart and spared from an impalement on the menacing scythe.

Still, it provided only a meager comfort.

Despite its diminutive nature, the impact was forceful enough to cause his ribcage to crumple, propelling his body into the air with a motion reminiscent of a tossed rag doll.

*SUNNY!?! HOLD ON I'M COMING, shit, shit shit shit shit shit*

… Suddenly, Sunny discovered himself sprawled on the ground, a peculiar sensation coursing through his body, rendering his breathing difficult. A bitter taste overwhelmed him as something unpleasant flowed from his mouth, causing him to struggle for air.

To his horror, he realized it was blood - he found himself immersed in the unsettling reality of drowning in his own life force.

Weakly, Sunny tried to move, but his limbs wouldn't listen to him. Only the shadow listened, enveloping his body and delaying the inevitable a little.

*I'm hurt...*

*Sunny hold on, its okay im coming*

As his thoughts began to meander at a leisurely pace, as if navigating through a thick mist, he lifted his gaze with anticipation, yearning to catch a glimpse of the celestial constellations.

To his surprise, a huge pair of fiery crimson orbs emerged from the shadows, steadily advancing toward him. Accompanying this unexpected encounter, an irate woman with eyes aglow in a vibrant shade of blood red fiercely. Joined in, it looked like she had a serious bone to pick with this monster

**********

As Sunny teetered on the brink of oblivion, a chilling awareness dawned upon him – the imminent embrace of mortality. Battling through the haze clouding his mind, his thoughts moved sluggishly, and an unsettling numbness enveloped every emotion within him. Amidst this mental fog, fear stood tall, refusing to be subdued.

Even though Sunny's body bore the weight of fractures and his mind grappled with paralysis, a resilient spark within him adamantly resisted surrender. The prospect of yielding to death was inconceivable; he was determined to muster every ounce of strength for survival.

The notion of granting the world the gratification of victory repulsed him. The mere idea was maddening. Hadn't he explicitly conveyed to Hero his unwavering commitment to endure, defying all odds and spitefully proving them wrong? Sunny refused to succumb, driven by an indomitable spirit that echoed his pledge to persevere against all challenges.

He had given her an assurance that went beyond mere words – a promise not just to live, but to defy the very concept of mortality itself. For her sake, he believed he couldn't succumb to death's grasp. He knew that failing her in this regard was unforgivable in her eyes.

That's right. He might be a shameless liar, but a promise was still a promise.

However, he found himself grappling with the daunting question of survival. No matter which angle he examined it from, the circumstances appeared utterly bleak, leaving him with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

As the scythe slayer closed in, its eyes gleaming with a menacing, bloodthirsty crimson light. In a fit of rage, a furious sword was hurled, diverting the attention of the colossal crab. Rin swiftly shifted, summoning her katana once more, gracefully sliding beneath one of its scythes.

With a swift motion, she skillfully sliced through the scythe-wielding assailant's hand using her katana. The attacker let out a roar of pain as Rin, positioned just a few meters ahead of Sunny, stood poised with her sword, ready to shield him from harm.

Sunny struggled to cut through the thick fog clouding his thoughts. His attempts felt futile and feeble, like trying to grasp at something elusive. Navigating through the haze proved challenging, requiring a concerted effort. The urgency intensified as he realized Rin's endurance was dwindling, urging him to concentrate and find clarity.

He needed an anchor.

He longed for something to ground him, to be his anchor in the chaos of his thoughts.

Suddenly, a fleeting idea seized his attention—a simple thought that had reverberated through his mind countless times, weaving itself into the very tapestry of his consciousness.

'Repetition, experience, clarity.'

Clarity…

He reflected on Nephis' teachings, realizing that the core of combat lay in the stark reality of taking a life. Every move in a battle boiled down to either ending your foe or safeguarding yourself from their lethal intent.

In comprehending this fundamental principle, he aimed not just to excel in combat but to attain a profound clarity of mind.

In those earlier days, the concept of "clarity" seemed elusive, its depth obscured by simplicity. However, amidst the chaos that now enveloped his mind, he found a newfound understanding of the term, grasping its significance.

He reshaped his perspective, constructing it upon the solid foundation of truth. In an instant, the ability to think returned to him, bringing with it a newfound clarity. Not only were his thoughts unclouded, but they raced through his mind with remarkable speed, devoid of any extraneous distractions. It was a profound experience of clarity, a mental transformation that allowed him to navigate his thoughts effortlessly.

***

Sunny gazed upward as the menacing monster closed in, coolly assessing his available choices. Meanwhile, Rin found herself teetering on the edge, struggling to maintain the defensive stance against the monster's relentless speed. Despite her sharp eyes tracking its every move and attack, her body lagged behind in reacting to the swift onslaught.

She found herself enduring cuts and stabs, each attack leaving its mark, and as the onslaught continued, the injuries began to accumulate, taking a toll on her body.

His body felt utterly incapacitated, rendering his limbs immobile. Though the shadow dutifully obeyed his every command, it was engrossed in a vital task—ensuring his immediate survival.

Despite the shadow's assistance, his endurance remained limited, and the prospect of lasting much longer seemed bleak.

*Th...than-k..thanks, Rin*

*Stop talking, just focus on not dying remember what you promised me*

Unfortunately, making that promise proved futile. It was beyond his control, making any further contemplation a pointless endeavor.

His body being rendered immobile meant Memories were out of reach.

In such a scenario, the only recourse left was relying solely on the Echo.

'might as well save her while im at it....is she really standing up to an awakened monster to save me?'

His reliance on the carapace scavenger meant that it would be the decisive factor in either thwarting the enemy's advances or securing their safety, protecting both him and Rin from harm.

The creature flexed its formidable might, propelling Rin through the air until she landed in close proximity. Swiftly, she wielded her sword, driving it into the ground to arrest her momentum.

He caught the soft murmur of her voice, a whisper that seemed to waver as she prepared her sword. Despite the noticeable tremors coursing through her entire frame, she adopted a determined stance, and he couldn't help but wonder if those quivers were a manifestation of pain or fear.

"One more second, just hold out for one more, one more second"

The menacing creature closed in rapidly, its sharp mandibles in motion, with thick saliva dripping down in a glistening cascade of transparent mucus. Illuminated by a sudden bolt of lightning, he swiftly took in the intricate details of every spike, scratch, and abrasion adorning the monster's formidable carapace.

The handle of Changing Star's sword was still protruding from its body, washed in azure blood.

With her katana firmly gripped in hand, Rin had dedicated the past 10 seconds to shielding him. For her, those fleeting moments likely stretched into what seemed like hours of enduring pain.

Rin faced off against a monstrous adversary adorned in an ebony carapace embellished with vivid crimson patterns, boasting a formidable physique tailored for chaos and carnage. The scythe slayer presented a striking and unnervingly menacing appearance, exuding a sense of dreadful majesty that sent shivers down the spine. It was a spectacle that commanded attention, albeit in a chilling and murderous fashion.

Paralyzed and unable to budge, he watched in utter helplessness as the menacing creature drew nearer, casting a looming shadow over Sunny's battered and bleeding form. Rin, stationed in front of the beast, seemed equally shattered, perhaps mirroring the injuries inflicted upon himself.

The ominous scythes elevated menacingly, poised to unleash their impending strike. As Sunny locked eyes with the fiery gaze of the formidable monster, a myriad of thoughts raced through their mind:

'Go to hell, you overgrown bug!'

The scythes zipped swiftly towards their intended targets – both bodies vulnerable in the impending danger.

In a sudden twist, just as all hope seemed lost, a colossal and enraged force collided with the menacing monster, forcefully propelling it aside. The unexpected savior revealed itself to be Sunny's trusty carapace scavenger, swooping in to defend in the nick of time.

No longer concerned about its own well-being, the Echo threw itself into a frenzied tangle of limbs with the adversary, grappling on the ground in a wild dance. Despite its smaller and seemingly inferior stature, the Echo's relentless assault, coupled with its complete disregard for self-preservation, forced the larger creature to hesitate.

In a chaotic display, the Echo aggressively thrust its pincers, delivering a barrage of strikes against the creature's sturdy carapace. The cacophony of chitin meeting chitin briefly drowned out the wind's howl. While the slayer's carapace mostly withstood the onslaught, a few noticeable cracks marred its once-impenetrable black surface.

However, it was still superior to the scavenger in every way. Even with one of its scythes pinned awkwardly under its body, the monster was more than able to repel the sudden attack. With an angry screech, it sliced with the other scythe, cutting one of the scavenger's pincer arms clean off. Then, it strained its legs and threw the smaller creature away.

In the process, the rear leg that was already wounded by Sunny broke off, but the monster didn't pay it any attention.

Consumed by a fiery madness and relentless fury, the creature unraveled its limbs with a deliberate slowness, rising from its twisted stance. A piercing screech echoed through the tumultuous darkness of the storm, causing a sharp pain in Sunny's ears.

'Now what?'

His mind briefly went blank, searching for inspiration.

Suddenly, a twist of fate unfolded.

As the formidable slayer advanced to deliver the final blow to the Echo, it had to adjust its posture, compensating for the absence of a hind leg to maintain stability. In that precise moment, a bolt of lightning struck the heart of the petite island.

Given the towering stature of the monster, the lightning irresistibly gravitated toward the hilt of the sword, protruding defiantly from its frame and pointing skyward at a subtle incline. In that extraordinary moment, the longsword wielded by Changing Star transformed into an unexpected conduit for the electric surge.

Instantly, hundreds of millions of volts of electricity coursed through the slayer's body.

Suddenly, a brilliant burst of light engulfed it, hurling the creature to the ground. Wisps of smoke gracefully ascended from the fractures in its outer shell.

In an unusual twist of fate, remnants of electrical energy twirled and cavorted on the beast's chitinous armor, gradually amassing on the vivid crimson patterns adorning it. Succumbing to this mystical force, the once-crimson design underwent a mesmerizing transformation, morphing into a radiant white incandescence.

Caught in the spectacle, Sunny gazed in astonishment at the unfolding phenomena.

He briefly entertained the notion that the monstrous being might have met its end in that fleeting moment. Alas, a solitary bolt of lightning lacked the potency to snuff out such a formidable creature. In the aftermath of the electric shock, the slayer exhibited signs of life, its form quivering ever so slightly.

Despite the evident wear and tear, the creature persisted in its existence, emanating a palpable air of malevolence.

Looking somewhat dazed, the monster gathered its limbs and tried to stand up. Slowly but surely, it was coming back to its senses. The bone scythes scraped against the rocks, helping it rise.

However, before it did, Nephis was suddenly right in front of it.

She clenched the hilt of the longsword, a wince crossing her face as the searing heat bit into her hands. With a determined twist, she manipulated the blade, causing the slayer's body to convulse, and deftly withdrew it, shattering a substantial section of its lower torso armor in the process.

The monstrous entity made a menacing attempt to strike her down with its scythe, yet Changing Star exhibited remarkable swiftness. Evading the attack with a swift sidestep, she deftly swung her sword in a seamless motion. The radiant, searing blade connected with the creature's limb just beneath the joint, effortlessly slicing through it. The bone scythe, now separated, soared through the air in a cascade of vivid azure blood, leaving a striking and visceral scene in its wake.

The slayer let out a bone-chilling screech, forcefully swatting Nephis away with one of its formidable legs. Sent sprawling, she tumbled across the rocky terrain, her sword slipping from her grasp. Momentarily disoriented, her eyes struggled to regain focus. However, Rin swiftly moved into action, positioning himself behind her just in time to catch her airborne form before Nephis could be hurt more

The creature, however, snapped back to reality, as if the abrupt agony of losing a limb jolted it into a heightened awareness. Towering to its complete stature, it unleashed a horrifying scream from its grotesque mouth, a manifestation of its intense anger.

In a surge of all-consuming animosity, it propelled itself menacingly toward Neph and Rin, its eyes ablaze with a burning hatred that seemed insatiable.

Yet, its advance was abruptly halted, thwarted before it could cover much ground.

As the furious creature unleashed its onslaught, the worn-out Echo bravely positioned itself in the beast's trajectory. With only one functioning pincer, it swiftly extended towards the vulnerable opening in the armor caused by Changing Star's sword. With a deft twist of its appendage, the resilient scavenger thrust the weapon deep into the foe's body, causing chaos within its internal workings.

Ultimately, the force exerted not only raised the monstrous entity slightly off the ground but also drove the razor-sharp pincer deep into its shoulder.

The skilled slayer swung their scythe with precision, puncturing the chest of the Echo in a decisive move.

Following this impactful strike, the creature spasmed a few times before succumbing to stillness.

The scavenger let out an enraged screech, violently thrusting its pincer to rip the larger monster's torso cleanly from its carapace. Taking a moment to proudly gaze at the eviscerated foe, it then stumbled and crumpled to the ground.

Exhausted, Sunny wearily dismissed the Echo, holding onto a glimmer of hope for its survival.

[You have slain an awakened monster, Carapace Centurion.]

The Spell's voice fell uselessly on his deaf ears. It sounded distorted and distant.

[You have received a Memory: Starlight Legion Armor.]

[Your shadow grows stronger.]

'I won.'

Sunny shut his eyes, surrendering to the waves of pain and fatigue that washed over him, embracing the sweet relief they brought.

The mist had returned, and with it came Rin, bearing the marks of a fierce battle – battered, bruised, and stained with blood. Yet, amidst the visible wounds, what struck him most was the expression etched on her face. It wasn't just the physical toll; it was the undeniable mixture of fear and sadness that made him think about his promise again.

"Hey, hey it's okay, Sunny your fine...j..j..j-just breath okay and keep thoses eyes open okay? Youre going to make it "

Exhaustion gripped him as he found himself fatigued; amidst the weariness, the echoes of her anxious and now angry voice lingered persistently in his ears.

"DAMMIT SUNNY....I TOLD YOU NOT TO PROMISE ME!! THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS"

As agony gripped him, his breath caught in a relentless struggle, yet amid the immeasurable pain, the warmth of teardrops gently caressed his face. Rin stood above him, a silent witness to his suffering.

"....."

Being submerged in a pool of blood wasn't exactly a delightful experience.

The faint groans emanating from Sunny prompted her to cast a concerned gaze his way, offering comforting words as she gently embraced him.

"D..o-..don't go please..... I..i.m... Im..sorry"

As his awareness wavered, he caught the hurried footsteps of another person approaching.

And then, two soft hands touched him…