Resolve (1)

WHOOSH-! WHOOSH-! WHOOSH-!

Shooting off with great speed, Commander Vanderson punched out several times in a span of a second as the rank 3 monster, which was unaware of his presence, quickly became overwhelmed by his lightning-fast strikes.

PUCHI-!

With his fist punching a hole through the monster's heart, he gazed impassively as its lifeless body fell to the ground.

Now that he had initiated the attack, Commander Vanderson knew that his cover would be blown, so he quickly began travelling at an astonishing pace, searching for any other monsters of the same rank.

A few hundred meters to his right, the hooded figure was battling with another rank 3 ape. Glowing softly, the gem embedded at the top of his staff shone a pale green light as a hurricane of wind engulfed his opponent.

Eviscerated into tiny pieces of flesh, the rank 3 ape stood no chance against the sharpness of the magical gale. Moving forward, the hooded figure travelled deeper into the horde searching for another rank 3 monster to slay.

At the far left was the bodyguard who, after learning that his young master hadn't kicked the bucket yet, became invigorated. As the flames that covered his figure flared brightly, expressing his excitement through his pyromantic abilities.

Opposite the bodyguard stood a rank 3 tiger, which stood threateningly ready to attack at a moment's notice.

As it gazed at the flaming figure standing before it, all its hairs stood on end as a subtle shiver travelled down its legs.

Roaring menacingly to release the fear that began to bloom inside its body, the tiger pounced forward.

Calmly stretching his palm out, the bodyguard conjured a blazing fireball, which slowly materialized and gave off a scorching sensation of hotness.

Feeling the fur on its body starting to blister just from the remnant heat of the spell, the tiger's instincts screamed danger. An intense danger which threatened its very existence.

Before the tiger even had a chance to complete its attack, the fireball fully materialized as the bodyguard flicked it toward the monster's face with unmatched nonchalance.

Smirking to himself, the bodyguard watched the tiger slowly melt under the might of the simple fireball.

***

Kang, who had blood streaming from his mouth after biting his lips too hard, watched as Otto was slowly overwhelmed with every clash that ensued against the Wyvern.

'I wish I was stronger! Why do I always never have the strength to be able to help those closest to me?'

Remembering the events of his childhood in the slums, Kang's face contorted into a pained grimace.

Gazing at Otto, who continued to fight even after a third of his whole body became charred black, Kang's desire for strength reached the highest of levels.

Concentrating on the small particles swirling in the air displayed in his mana vision, he projected his desire for power onto them.

Closing his eyes, Kang circulated the mana in his body in a specific as an eerie wind began picking up around him. Feeling a thrum of power enter his body, Kang grimly smiled as he roared loudly in his mind.

'Forbidden Art—Judgement of Doom!'

Laughing loudly, Kang felt exhilarated after experiencing the rush of supreme power flowing through his body, almost forgetting the price he paid to gain such power.

'No matter the cost, I will help you, Otto!'

Snapping his eyes open, purple tendrils of lightning snaked across Kang's pupils as his figure blurred, leaving behind many afterimages.

Rushing to the aid of his squad member and saviour, he released a harrowing aura, which caused the Wyvern to pause and flinch in alarm. A flinch which was keenly noted by Kang as a crazy light shone in his eyes.

'Time to die, you hideous bastard!'

With the release of the forbidden aura, a thunderstorm suddenly manifested into existence as thick dark clouds appeared in the sky, threatening to release judgment onto the countless beings below.

Using his mental energy to influence the thunderstorm, Kang roared at the top of his lungs and pointed toward the Wyvern.

"Impose heaven's judgment on humanity's enemies. Heed my command lightning!"

Responding to his words, the dark clouds released a bolt of lightning, which converged onto the huge abomination hovering in the sky.

ROAR-!

Bellowing in indignation, the Wyvern released a breath of fire which collided with the lightning attack and cancelled the strike out.

With his mental energy, Kang commanded the clouds to continue raining bolts of lightning down at the powerful monster.

Using the opening provided by the constant barrage of thunder strikes and lightning bolts, he neared the hideous abomination as a pillar of lightning erupted from his figure.

Appearing as if he was Indra's incarnation, Kang gripped his dagger tightly as he used the thrum of raw power he possessed to strike the Wyvern.

CRACKLE-!

CRACKLE-!

Crackling with electricity, Kang's body surpassed speeds which the naked could see as his elementally imbued artifact collided with the Wyvern.

PUCHI-!

Creating a deep gash in the monster's side, the knife tore through muscle and sinew. Since he activated a forbidden art, the power which Kang possessed tripled, boosting him in every aspect.

Strength, agility, and endurance were the most notable aspects which were strengthened. Causing a qualitative shift in Kang's combat prowess.

This also applied to his weapon if it was compatible with the element of the Forbidden Art, and in this case, it was.

Forbidden Arts were classed into three different categories depending on the price required to activate said art. They were Epic, Legendary and Mythical, and the danger which came about from triggering the art increased in that order.

With the cataclysmic storm in full swing, droplets of rain descended in a torrent from the heavens above, soaking the ground and partially cleaning the blood-soaked ground.

Faced with the sudden change in weather, Otto felt every part of his body which was burnt urticate, causing him immense pain.

Groaning, he tried to move his battered body, but the damage he received was just too much, causing him to stagger and fall to his knees.

Trying to say something to Kang, Otto desperately tried to use his vocal cords. Alas, a series of unintelligible noises came out instead.

A flood of sorrow assaulted Otto as he understood what the reticent man paid in order to activate such a powerful Forbidden art. An art which was able to change the climate in the blink of an eye required a colossal price to be paid.

Something Otto was unwilling to see play out.

Gazing at the figure wreathed in electricity in front of him, he felt very guilty.

It was a type of guilt which would haunt him to his grave.