Chapter 56: That... that Was Close Call To Death!
Reon steadied himself, he felt a shift—a calmness settle over him, an instinctual awareness kicking in.
The chaos around him seemed to slow as he focused entirely on the Direwolf, feeling the pulse of energy in the air, the rhythm of the wind, the subtle movements of the beast as it prepared its next attack.
In that instant, everything fell into place.
Reon's eyes narrowed with fierce determination. Channeling his Sword Aura to its fullest—drawing on every ounce of his strength and the borrowed might from Cloudia—he lunged forward in a blur of speed and precision.
His blade cut through the air, catching the Direwolf off guard as he aimed directly for its exposed neck.
Cloudia seized the moment, striking in perfect synchronization from behind, her claws swiping at its hind legs to destabilize it.
The Direwolf howled as Reon's sword met its target, sinking into the less-protected flesh of its neck, his Sword Aura cutting through its defenses with a fierce burst of dark flame energy.
The beast staggered, its fierce winds beginning to dissipate as its strength ebbed.
Blood streaked down its fur, and yet, with one final, defiant snarl, the Direwolf summoned the last of its energy, raising a clawed paw high and swiping directly toward Reon's chest—a fatal blow, aimed straight for his heart.
Reon's eyes widened, caught off guard. Exhausted and drained from the fight, his body simply couldn't move fast enough to evade it.
In that heartbeat, he realized how close he was to death. The world slowed, and a single thought flashed through his mind: If that claw connects, it's over.
Just as the wolf's claws neared his chest, Cloudia sprang forward with a snarl of her own, launching herself in a desperate, full-force strike against the Direwolf's paw.
Her claw clashed with its own in a bone-rattling impact, sparks of energy flaring between them as their strengths collided.
The force sent Cloudia stumbling backward several meters, her paws scraping across the stone floor as she struggled to regain her footing.
As the beast collapsed, its massive form lay still, the winds dying around them as silence filled the chamber once more.
"Hahh... hahh…" Reon exhaled shakily, his hand trembling as he touched his chest, feeling the thundering of his heart.
The crushing realization that he'd been a split-second away from death left him momentarily speechless. But he was alive.
"That... that was close call to death." He murmured, a small, shaky smile forming as he looked toward Cloudia, gratitude gleaming in his eyes. "Cloudia… thank you. You saved my life."
Cloudia let out a soft rumble, her gaze steady and protective as she held his eyes, the bond between them strengthened in the quiet aftermath.
For a moment, they simply breathed together, side by side, knowing that they had both risked everything in that moment.
Suddenly, a familiar chime echoed through Reon's mind—a series of notifications from the system breaking through the stillness.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have reached the Pinnacle Stage of Sword Aura.]
[Ding! The Host's sword proficiency has increased. Host has advanced from Proficient Sword User to Advanced Sword User.]
[Ding! The Host has successfully completed the selected option. Host has received Celestial Heart Breathing Technique (??).]
[Ding! The reward has been stored in the System Inventory. Check your Inventory for further details.]
Reon lay on the cold stone floor, his chest rising and falling heavily, each breath deep and grounding.
For a moment, he simply stared at the misty ceiling above, the shock of the notifications washing over him in waves.
The Pinnacle Stage... the very peak of his current mastery, something he had only glimpsed as a distant goal until now.
Advanced Sword User.
The title lingered like a melody, and with it came an undeniable truth: he had ascended beyond the limitations of his former self.
He closed his eyes briefly, sensing a deep shift within. His Sword Aura now flowed as smoothly and steadily as a river.
The lingering imperfections he had felt during his training in the forest had vanished, smoothed into harmony after his harrowing battle with the Ironclaw Direwolf. The control he had sought was now complete.
His Sword Aura no longer resisted him. It no longer needed taming or shaping. It was him—a seamless extension of his will, calm yet devastatingly potent.
His entire body tingled with energy, the power within him settling into a refined, sharper form.
Reon slowly sat up, feeling the weight of his own strength settle in.
Beside him, Cloudia, her silver fur glistening faintly, lifted her gaze to meet his. Her blue eyes were filled with quiet pride, her ears twitching as though she could sense the subtle shift in his aura.
Reon reached out, his hand finding its way to her head. He gently ruffled her fur, their bond deepening once more in the aftermath of the intense battle.
"Thank you, Cloudia," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude. With her by his side, he felt invincible, ready for whatever lay ahead.
The Celestial Heart Breathing Technique was now his to claim, waiting like a promise in his inventory.
Suddenly, Reon felt a surge of immense power radiating from behind him.
Turning, he saw that the energy was emanating from the altar, its aura growing stronger with each passing second, filling the air with a pulsing, almost ominous glow.