mountain of terrors(6)

The shattered echoes of the Titan's roar still reverberated across the mountain, mingling with the howling blizzard that clawed at the jagged cliffs. The creature loomed over Dakota, its colossal form casting an oppressive shadow that swallowed the snow-covered landscape. Its chains rattled like the death knells of forgotten gods, dragging across the frozen ground with each thunderous step.

Dakota stood motionless, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. The faint smirk from before had faded, replaced by a focused, unreadable expression. The Titan's strength wasn't something he could brush aside—not without effort.

Dakota (thinking):

"I can't afford to waste too much mana. Thirty percent should be enough… if I don't get sloppy."

The Titan roared again, the sound tearing through the blizzard like a blade. Its molten gold eyes burned with mindless rage as it lunged forward, swinging its remaining arm with the force of an avalanche. The very air seemed to split apart, the pressure alone enough to flatten weaker beings.

Dakota vanished.

Not with a dramatic burst of speed or a flash of light—just gone, like a shadow fading under the sun. The Titan's fist crashed into the ground where he'd stood, pulverizing rock and ice into dust.

BOOM!

The mountain trembled, cracks spiderwebbing across the cliff face.

But Dakota was already above it.

He descended like a reaper, sword gleaming with a faint, fiery light. He slashed downward, the blade cutting through the Titan's shoulder with precision. Sparks erupted as metal met enchanted steel, the Titan's roars drowned out by the sound of grinding stone.

However, the blade didn't go deep. The Titan's body was more than just stone and metal—it was reinforced with dark magic, layers of cursed energy woven into its flesh like armor. Dakota landed gracefully, sliding back several meters across the ice, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Dakota (thinking):

"Tch. That barely scratched it."

The Titan retaliated immediately, swinging its massive chains like whips. They cut through the air with terrifying speed, each strike capable of leveling a fortress. Dakota darted between them, his movements fluid, almost effortless, but the sheer force behind each swing forced him to stay sharp.

One chain snapped toward him from the side—too fast, too close.

Dakota flipped backward, the spiked end grazing his cheek, a faint line of red appearing before the wound sealed almost instantly.

Dakota (thinking):

"Close."

His feet touched the ground, and without hesitation, he shot forward. His aura flared—controlled, sharp, like the edge of a finely honed blade. This wasn't the reckless release of power most warriors relied on. This was precision.

He weaved through the Titan's relentless attacks, closing the distance in a blink. His sword flashed again, this time targeting the creature's knee. A strategic point—cripple its movement, limit its reach.

CLANG!

The blade struck, sending a shockwave rippling through the Titan's leg. Cracks formed, dark energy seeping from the wounds like black fire. The Titan roared in pain and rage, stumbling slightly, but it didn't fall.

Instead, it brought both arms down in a crushing double-fist slam.

Dakota crossed his arms, conjuring a thin, translucent barrier of mana just in time. The impact was deafening—a collision of raw power against refined magic. The ground beneath him shattered, creating a crater, but Dakota remained standing, though his barrier flickered from the strain.

He gritted his teeth slightly.

Dakota (thinking):

"Its strength is absurd… but not invincible."

His aura flared brighter as he pushed the Titan's fists upward, breaking free from the crushing force. He dashed to the side, circling the beast at impossible speeds, becoming a blur against the white snow.

The Titan roared in frustration, trying to follow his movements, but Dakota was too fast.

Suddenly, Dakota appeared directly behind it, his sword glowing faintly with condensed mana.

Dakota: (coldly)

"Try this."

He thrust his sword forward, aiming for the Titan's spine. The blade pierced deeper this time, sinking into the magical core that pulsed within. A surge of dark energy exploded from the wound, forcing Dakota to leap back to avoid the backlash.

The Titan stumbled, bellowing in agony.

But it wasn't done.

Its body pulsed with dark magic, the runes across its form glowing brighter. The cracks Dakota had made began to heal, the cursed energy mending its wounds. Chains wrapped around its torso, tightening like a grotesque exoskeleton, reinforcing its already monstrous form.

It had entered a second phase.

The Titan's speed increased dramatically. It charged, faster than before, its massive fist blurring as it swung. Dakota barely sidestepped, feeling the rush of wind as the strike missed him by inches, carving a trench into the mountain behind him.

Dakota didn't retreat.

He countered, his sword meeting the Titan's arm with a clash of sparks and raw energy. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, forcing Dakota to slide back. He planted his feet, stopping himself just before the cliff's edge.

His expression darkened slightly.

Dakota (thinking):

"I can't drag this out any longer."

He released more of his power—still controlled, but enough to shift the battlefield. The air grew heavier, thick with pressure. The blizzard itself seemed to pause, as if the storm feared him.

His aura surged, fiery tendrils of energy spiraling around him. His eyes glowed faintly, a reflection of the power he held back.

The Titan charged again.

Dakota met it head-on.

Their clash was cataclysmic.

Fist against blade. Power against precision.

Dakota's strikes became faster, sharper. He targeted weak points—joints, cracks, the exposed core beneath the chains. The Titan fought back with relentless fury, each attack capable of crushing mountains.

Dakota ducked under a sweeping chain, countering with an upward slash that severed part of the Titan's arm. He followed up with a spinning kick, shattering one of its knee joints, forcing it to stumble.

But the Titan adapted.

It slammed both fists into the ground, sending out a shockwave of dark magic. Spikes of cursed energy erupted from the earth, aiming to impale Dakota from all directions.

He leapt into the air, flipping gracefully, dodging the spikes with inches to spare.

Then he descended.

His sword was a blur of motion, striking with speed and precision beyond human comprehension.

Each blow carved into the Titan's body, breaking through its defenses piece by piece.

But it still didn't fall.

With a desperate roar, the Titan unleashed its final attack—a massive beam of dark energy fired from its chest, aimed directly at Dakota.

Dakota's expression remained cold, but his aura flared even brighter.

He raised his sword.

Dakota: (softly)

"This is the end."

He channeled a condensed burst of mana into the blade—pure, lethal, precise.

Then he slashed.

A single, horizontal arc of energy shot from his sword, cutting through the Titan's beam effortlessly, like slicing through paper. The energy wave continued, striking the Titan square in the chest.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—

BOOM!

The Titan's body was cleaved in half, the dark magic within it destabilizing. Its upper torso slid off its lower half, collapsing with a thunderous crash. The cursed energy exploded outward before fading into nothingness, leaving only silence.

Dakota stood amidst the fading dust, his sword resting at his side.

He exhaled softly, his breath misting in the cold air.

Dakota (thinking):

"Thirty percent… just enough."

He turned his gaze toward the fortress—now fully visible, no longer hidden by illusions.

Dakota: (calmly)

"Your turn, Devil of Envy."

With that, he sheathed his sword and stepped forward, leaving the remains of the Titan behind.