Grade

"We meet again, Regressor."

The words rang inside his head.

Nox stared at the intruder, not wanting to believe his eyes. It was the guardian.

"Sarah, take the adventurer and run!" The Constellation ordered, manifesting several relics.

Activating his divinity, the Mythmaker prepared for battle. Even though he knew the chances were against him, it might be possible with the assistance of the other two.

Sarah roughly tugged on his arm.

"What are you doing? We need to get out! Now!" She shouted, looking extremely worried.

He was about to respond, but suddenly froze. A frightening amount of killing intent was emitting from the guardian.

[Do you think I'll let you get away?]

'The Phenomenon?'

"What.. did you do?" Nox finally noticed that something was off about the situation. The enemy seemed too calm, too relaxed.

"I'd be happy to tell you, but first." The guardian grinned, raising his arm.

His eyes widened. Previously, the guardian he had slain spoke in a robotic voice. But now, it sounded almost… human.

"You monster." The Constellation growled, firing a barrage of invisible attacks. Under the night sky, they were almost impossible to spot. Nox stared in awe, impressed at the precision required to pull off such a move.

However, the beast just stood still. Even as the bullets pierced into its metallic body, it remained unmoving. After a moment, everyone soon realized why.

"My turn." The monster flashed a cruel smile.

The steel body shone with a dark light. Slowly, the dents created by the attacks were reversed.

With the snap of a finger, several projectiles manifested themselves around the titan. 

Sarah stared in horror. "That's… grandma's divinity."

"Good eye, girl. Now, for your reward." The red eyes stayed unblinking as the bullets pierced through the air.

'So fast-'

Crack!

Several objects floated around the three humans, creating a barrier. The relics had defended them against the attack.

"They won't hold for long, get away from here!" Clenching a wooden staff, the Constellation begged Nox.

"I'll distract the robot." The Mythmaker refused to budge. He couldn't bare to let these people die without a fight.

"The kid's right." Sarah solemnly added. A green aura appeared around her entire body.

As they prepared to make their last land, the guardian slowly floated towards them.

"Good, good! Let's continue."

The guardian repeatedly launched itself at the barrier. Cracks formed with each strike, threatening to break with each additional blow.

As this was happening, Nox observed and made several deductions. First, the monster had two cores inside its metallic body. Glowing eerily, a large grey orb was positioned at the center.

Barely visible, a second white orb was placed inside his left eye. His divinity forcibly activated, resonating with it. Somehow... the beast had the power of the Phenomenon inside it, even if it was a tiny portion.

'The power source.'

Unable to withstand any more damage, the barrier shattered from the continuous attacks of the guardian.

At the same time, the Constellation smashed her staff into the ground. The floating relics began to shake uncontrollably as she gave a signal.

"Now!" She shouted, snapping her weapon in half.

Boom!

Shattering into a million pieces, a blinding light engulfed the surroundings. Dazed, the monster's bloodshot eyes momentarily closed, giving room for an opening.

[A relic has been destroyed.]

「You have received Thunder (Temporary)」

Nox used the fragments of energy as a cover, diving into the covers of the flying shadows.

The other two would distract the guardian for as long as they can, while he would land a surprise attack, just like he did to the other guardian.

Thunder pulsating through his veins, Nox tried to hide the growing fear in his heart.

Traveling at blinding speeds, he struggled to remain hidden. The translucent shards were simply traveling too fast. One shadow after another, he swallowed and became them.

Almost slipping out into the air, the Mythmaker managed to regain his balance as he approached the enemy.

'Calm… you have to calm down…'

Beads of sweat dripped down his face. Just a little more and he would be positioned to attack.

"Found you."

A voice knocked him back into reality. Staring right into his eyes, the guardian raised his arm. Smashing into his ribs, he gasped for air as the boy was sent tumbling down into the ground.

The sensation of cold metal filled his senses as the boy was helplessly lifted into the air. His legs flailed around, kicking the monster.

Managing to turn his head, Nox looked around him.

The Constellation was lying in a pool of her blood, with several holes in her frail body. Out of the corner of his eyes, he also saw Sarah. 

At least, what remained of Sarah.

Pieces of her body broke apart and drifted into the night sky. The girl stayed standing even after her death, being turned into a statue of ash.

In mere seconds, the entire battle had already been decided.

Or, had it?

From the deepest part of his consciousness, something opened his eyes. The original Nox looked around him. Just like last time, all that surrounded him was the endless abyss.

He frowned. 

An external influence was trying to affect his successor's mind. Letting out a sigh, the swordsman concentrated on the empty space and found the aggressors.

Hundreds of black tendrils were squirming around as they approached him.

Fallen entities were categorized by their stage of corruption. 

Most monsters are born as Voiceless. With low intelligence and weak augments at most, they were usually taken down by Awakeners before they could cause any damage.

If the abominations make it through the initial phase and absorb enough life energy, they turn Twisted. Gaining a boost in physical and mental capabilities as well as chances for multiple Curses, they were often capable of defeating multiple Awakened on their own; needing the help from Risen humans.

The third level of corruption was Vile. Most of humanity feared monsters that survived and evolved into this stage. Vile creatures are capable of decimating entire bastions by themselves; possessing powers bestowed upon them by Devils or fallen Constellations. They possessed high intelligence and could plan sieges and raids by controlling lower-level creatures. Only Exalted humans were able to rival them.

Starting from the 4th level, the strength of the monsters wasn't calculated by their Curses… but by how infamous they were. Entities at the Corrupt stage feed on the thoughts and fear of humanity, growing stronger the more recognition they gain.

On humanity's end, there were Triumphants. Each having strength that could rival even Constellations, they would be at the forefront in the war against the Phenomenon.

Only, there was only 1 living Triumphant.

No one has witnessed any abomination past the fourth stage, but it has been said that the day one is born… humanity will fall.

Mind eaters possessed the physical capabilities of a Twisted, but had little to no intelligence. They would mindlessly follow any given commands until either they or their enemy was destroyed. 

If left unchecked, they could devour the host's body from within and turn it into a mindless puppet.

Nox checked his energy reserves.

'1.3%'

The battle against the Constellation took a huge toll on his weakened soul. Soul enhancements were a thing of the past, and almost impossible to obtain in the modern world. Any remaining energy he had must be used sparingly.

Without any hesitation, he unleashed his aura on the incoming abominations. After this battle, he would be forced into an indefinite coma until his successor somehow found a way to replenish his soul.

Waves of orange light emerged from his hands, spreading across the horde of monsters like wildfire. The energy easily tore them apart, even devouring the blackened remains of the beasts.

Nox was one of the few humans to reach the level of Triumphant on his planet. Though his divinity had been forcibly sealed during his death, he was still able to utilize his aura.

******

The guardian wore a surprised expression for the first time in many centuries. He had expected to incapacitate the human with his Curse, but his technique was forcibly extinguished.

Even more, he felt backlash from the power that destroyed the mind eaters. A strange divinity had passed his impenetrable armor… and pierced his soul.

Perhaps, this battle would give him more excitement than he had expected.

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Grades :

Humanity: Mortal, Awakened, Risen, Exalted, Triumphant, ???

Evil: Undead, Voiceless, Twisted, Vile, Corrupt, ???