Midnight (3)—Devil Eyes.

Learning how to control and manipulate mana was like trying to create a container to hold something that existed, but didn't at the same time...

The agility of the {Devil-eyed White Primate} was off the charts, and Cain could barely follow its movements.

The only reason he lasted so long, was the immaculate combination of his skills, control and perception stats, and a good amount of mana regen potions...

To maintain his steady consumption of mana, he was constantly drinking vial after vial of mana regen potions. He had stockpiled a lot of mana potions, but they were being consumed very fast. He was drinking one potion per second.

BANG!

Once again, the {Devil-eyed White Primate} managed to dodge the barrage of attacks, striking Cain multiple times in his midsection.

'That freaking hurt!'

He launched backward again but managed to keep his balance as he gulped down an HP Regen potion. The heat of the potion traveled to his wounds, producing an itchy sensation, indicating the healing of his injuries...

'If I don't find a way to counter its insane speed, I'm going to die before I carry out my plan.'

Different scenarios played out in his head on how he could use his skills with maximum efficiency to beat the extremely dangerous mutant.

"Growl..."

Suddenly, the beast let out a guttural growl as a milky white aura burst out from its body like a tidal wave.

"Shit! It's activated a skill!"

Cain instantly knew he couldn't afford to hold back...

"Metal Manipulation: Golden Armor."

A major part of his mana pool instantly disappeared as he activated his greatest defensive skill. This was the same skill he had used in the fight against the {Crimson Demon Bear}.

His entire body was completely covered in 3 inches-thick metal layers. Although it cost a lot, it was still worth it when it came to the defense it provided him.

"Now!"

Suddenly, the mutant let out a beastly howl...

One moment, it was standing before him, and the next, it was no longer there...

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

***

The speed of the {Devil-eyed White Primate} increased at an exponential level. The golden suit of metal was covered in dents in a split second, and Cain's internal organs were left rattled by the impacts of the attacks.

'Shit!'

Cain activated his magic again, consuming more and more mana until he just turned into a metal ball. He still couldn't escape from the wrath of the {Devil-eyed White Primate}, as its unrelenting attacks kept hammering down without pause.

'Is there nothing I can do against this freaking thing?'

Cain was strong, but the {Devil-eyed White Primate} was stronger. So much so, that he was unable to lift even a finger against it t. He was completely helpless against it.

Its speed as well as its {Spatial Shift} skill made it almost impossible to catch. If its speed wasn't so fast, he would have used {Metal Creation} to produce chains that could bind it, even if it was just for a few moments.

Its strength wasn't too overwhelming but coupled with its insane speed, it turned from having the lethality of a normal rifle to possessing the deadliness of a machine gun.

'There is only one way to survive this thing, and that is to become faster. It's not possible to be as fast as it is, but if I can find a way to increase my speed, I might be able to hold on much longer.

Cain took a look at his stats...

Name: {Cain Lenosi}

Level: 17.

Strength: 82. (30).

Agility: 111. (20).

Stamina: 22/56.

Vitality: 34.

Defense: 24. (-5).

Control: 3.7. (0.2).

Perception: 2.7.

HP: 1,520/3,200.

MP: 1,000/2,100.

Magic: 49.

Resistance: Poison- 5%.

Skills: Golden Blood, Mana Blade, Lightening Edge, Blade Mastery Lvl. 2, Burst Step, Metal Creation Lvl.2, Golden Severance, Metal Manipulation, *Fear, *Bloodthirsty, Blood Ingestion Regeneration.

Titles: Champion of Ashur (locked).

Free attribute points: 20.

System points: 2,000.

{Inventory}. {Shop}.

He instantly dumped his free attribute points into his agility...

His armor was already heating up, making him feel like he was about to turn into a well-done steak.

The formerly over 3-inch thick metal scales had been beaten into thin metal sheets. The mutant only saw red at this point. It just focused on getting him out of his shell and eating him up.

BANG!

He launched the scales of the metal armor off like a porcupine, hoping to deal some damage to the {Devil-eyed White Primate}.

"ROAR!"

While it managed to dodge most of them, it was unable to dodge them all.

It sustained a few minor injuries to the chest and torso. These injuries didn't affect its combat power a lot, but they still infuriated the beast.

Like a bullet, it burst forward with unparalleled speed. The white aura that had been surrounding it had disappeared, but it was still faster than Cain.

BANG!

The cooldown time for {Lightening Edge} had expired, and this time, he was able to block every attack. This was because his speed had increased by so much because of the free attribute points.

The mutant beast had an agility value of 300, while he was formerly 91+(30). Under the effects of {Golden Blood}, his agility stats will transform into 182+(30). This is because the effects of {Golden Blood} only affected his base stats. It couldn't influence the stats of an external item he made use of. With the addition of the free attribute points, his base stats transformed into 111+(30) when normal, and 222+(30) when using {Golden Blood}.

Although he wasn't as fast as the {Devil-eyed White Primate} he was still fast enough to dodge.

'Speed...'

Cain knew he needed to go faster...

He suddenly entered a state of comprehension...

He had. a sudden idea to try to control the way he utilized his mana...

He thought back to his skill, {Burst Step}. He hadn't been using it in the fight because it only increased his linear velocity and didn't constitute a gross speed increase. It did increase his speed by 30%, but he was being economical with his mana, so he tried his best not to use it unless necessary.

But now, he realized that he had no choice.

Learning how to control and manipulate mana was like trying to create a container to hold something that existed, but didn't at the same time...

It was a profound and mystical feeling that didn't seem to make any sense, but he found a bit of understanding when his back was pushed to the wall so much...

'{Burst Step} has me utilize the explosive nature of mana to propel myself forward in a burst of speed, increasing my linear speed, but it doesn't do so very efficiently. I have to try something different using {Burst Step} as the foundation. I need more speed... '

As Cain was lost in his thoughts, the {Devil-eyed White Primate} didn't even give him any breathing space. When it noticed Cain's momentary lapse in concentration, it was its chance to go in for the kill...

Its previously wide mouth suddenly stretched out so much, it formed a literal ear-to-ear grin. Its fangs jutted out, and its Canines grew even longer. They also became aerated in a vicious thick white miasma that gurgled out from their throats

It planned on using its most deadly attack skill, {Savage Bite}, on the distracted Cain.

The beast took a subtle step forward and suddenly vanished from sight.

It had activated its skill, {Spatial Shift} once again, this time, appearing directly behind Cain. The red glow of excitement and bloodlust in its eyes couldn't be hidden as it chomped down.

CLANG!!!

With the speed of lightning, Cain's {Devil's Broken Claw} shot forward, intercepting the creature's attack. But the creature didn't even seem to mind, as its terrifying jaws continued pushing forward, completely disregarding Cain's strength.

"Big mistake, monkey."

In a cold empathetic voice, Cain held onto the furry coat of the {Devil-eyed White Primate} as he activated his killer move, hoping to put an end to the mutant's life ahead of schedule.

'Turns out I don't need your help, Teddy. At the end of the day, animals will always be animals. It's my win.'

"Golden Severance!"

A tsunami of metal attribute elemental energy burst out from Cain as he rapidly consumed his mana to activate his killer move.

This was a move that had never once failed to claim the life of his foes.

Through a stroke of luck, the {Devil-eyed White Primate} had allowed him to lay his hands upon it, which wasn't good news for the mutant. He was physically stronger, which means that unless through self-mutilation, the {Devil-eyed White Primate} had no way to escape from him.

He had calculated the amount of time necessary for its {Spatial Shift} skill to be in use again, and since it had just used the skill not too long ago, there was no way in hell it could use it again.

'I win.'

Cain was a bit let down. Although his life was constantly in danger, he still enjoyed the fight. The {Devil-eyed White Primate} was his strongest opponent to date, and he had hoped he would be able to gain more than just a few extra levels or stat points.

He was also displeased with the fact that he wouldn't be able to return the beating he had received, but the fact that the creature was about to pay with its life was a bit comforting.

A golden pillar of light appeared in his hands, and the piercing aura made the eyes of {Devil-eyed White Primate} contract. As his life depended on it, Cain gripped the {Devil-eyed White Primate} tightly with one hand and brought his sword down diagonally onto its temple with the other.

Cain stared into the eyes of the beast and wasn't surprised to see its eyes contracting in fear...

However...

Its contracting black hollow eyes suddenly gained a bit of life in them. The previously dot-sized white pupil suddenly expanded till it filled up its eye sockets, with only a bit of black left at the rims.

The change was so sudden, Cain had no idea what to make out of it. His sudden feeling of unease made him hasten his attack. The speed of his falling sword increased even further, and before half a second could elapse, the edge of the blade was half a centimeter away from the mutant.

Cain was already assured of his victory...

Suddenly, it felt like time slowed down...

The eyes of the {Devil-eyed White Primate} shone brightly. Cain could see the movement of its eyeballs, as it turned its focus away from Cain and into an empty patch of space in the distance.

A flash of white, and a brief second later, it was gone...

BOOM!