Chapter 4: Battle for survival

A vibrant azure flame burst forth from those colossal eyeballs, casting a dim glow across the surroundings, like of night bulb. Before me stood an enormous serpent, its flesh decayed and its bone exposed , lookinglike a being from hell itself. The snake turned its head towards me, its jaws opening wide, and a dozen of skeletons spilled out. Each skeleton was nearly my size, with four hands that tightly gripped battered swords, their bones enveloped in a dark purple fire. A small flicker of light ignited within their empty eye sockets.

Without a moment's hesitation, I sprinted away, desperately trying to create distance between myself and my death. Their slow pursuit gradually quickened, and I realized I needed to gather my essence, channeling it into my legs to enhance my speed. However, such an act came at a tremendous cost. If I were to engage in battle within the confines of the cave, that undead snake would surely make me its bony slave. My only hope was to believe that it is hiding there, away from the light.

I ascended the mountainside, utilizing the terrain to gain a strategic advantage for the impending confrontation. Eventually, I stumbled upon a colossal boulder. As I passed by it, I charged it with my essence, delivering a mighty kick in the hopes of distracting the pursuing skeletons. Although my efforts showed marvelous effect, the skeletons still managed to gradually close the distance between us.

Finally reaching the summit, I launched myself at the nearest skeleton, my sword aimed directly at its skull. To my dismay, it deflected my attack with ease. Swiftly evading its companions' strikes, I retreated. It became painfully clear that I was no match for their superior skill.

The skeletons began to circle around me, their relentless assault imminent. In a final desperate attempt to survive, I infused my sword with essence, lunging at one of the skeletons behind me. Once again, his swords intercepted my attack, but this time his sword shattered, and my strike landed on the shoulder bone of my adversary, cracking it. Seizing the opportunity, I darted sideways and swiftly descended the slope.

I needed a plan to overcome these formidable adversaries. Although our power levels seemed comparable, their experience far surpassed mine. Alas, they closed in on me once more, chasing me in a relentless triangle formation.

As I reached a dead end—a steep downward slope—I found myself with no alternative but to leap sideways and swiftly engage them. In a desperate act, I hurled two of the skeletons down the hill. Now facing the remaining eleven in close quarters, I braced myself for their onslaught. They struck with precision, landing three hits—one on my right and two on my left.

My plan had failed, and I attempted to retreat, but a forceful kick to my gut sent me hurtling downwards. Although the fall wasn't enough to kill me, it left me with broken legs, ensuring I would be bedridden from the impact.

I cried out for divine intervention, "Help me, God!"

Crash...!

The pain was excruciating, but I managed to fracture my legs deliberately, without causing further harm. Despite the agony, I fought back, cracking open the skulls of the two skeletons that came before me.

"You have slain two Intermediate Rank 5 beasts!"

"You have gained a Soul Puppet Bone demon"

In the midst of this seemingly hopeless situation, a glimmer of fortune finally shone upon me.

Status:

Name: Vincent

Age: 22

Aspect: Dream (D)

Skills: Dream Manipulation

Rank: Intermediate

Flaw: Hard-Luck

Soul Core: (2/2000)

Soul Artifacts: Baneful Sword, Bone Demon (Soul Puppet Intermediate Rank 1)

Crash! Crash! Crash!

The bone demons thudded onto the ground.

With unwavering resolve, I struck their skulls, utilizing every ounce of my essence. I managed to crack open nine skulls.

Ding! Ding!

Yet, two of them managed to steady themselves.

Summoning the bone demon to divert their attention, I assumed a defensive stance. Meanwhile, I ordered Boney, my soul puppet, to advance. As Boney distracted the skeletons, I seized the opportunity to strike, shattering one skull .

The demon, sensing its waning power, plunged its sword into Vincent's shoulder. Ding!

With its last remaining strength, vincent hurled his sword, infused with essence, at skeleton desperately trying to kill boney.

Summoning my final reservoir of strength, I flung my sword towards the skeleton that was fully engrossed in attacking boney. The blade gleamed with the essence I had infused it with, hurtling through the air with unparalleled speed and precision. It found its mark, colliding forcefully with the distracted skeleton's skull. As the sword connected, a resounding "Ding!" echoed through the air, a testament to the success of my strike and the defeat of the formidable adversary.