Chapter 55: Juggernaut

BOOM!

The Fomorian's huge axe split the earth with a powerful shockwave, raising a large dust cloud which obscured my vision.

"Tsk!", I hissed as I tried to discern my enemy's position, my eyes darting across my periphery.

"Damnit where-?!"

Before I could complete my sentence, a heavy footstep called my attention to my left just in time to dodge a brutal sneak attack.

SWHOOSH!

The beast's axe whistled through the air, cutting through the stubborn dust fog and blowing it away – revealing the horrifying figure it held within its maws.

I performed a pseudo-back handspring and landed on my knees, before raising my head to the monstrous figure.

THOOM!

The monster was already upon me, swinging its axe down with zero hesitation. My eyes shrunk to a pin-size as I clambered out of its way.

BOOM!

Its axe fell again like the ruthless blade of a guillotine, hacking everything in its path without mercy. I stared at the monster with a strange mix of fear and awe.

So... this is the power of a Fomorian...

In Celtic mythology, Fomorians are beings described as monstrous and deformed. They reflect early Irish cultural perceptions of the "other" or the untamed wild. They are central to tales of conflict with the Tuatha Dé Danann, symbolizing the struggle between civilization and chaos in early mythological narratives, likely rooted in the tension between ancient peoples and the forces of nature they sought to control.

In other words, Fomorians are the very embodiments of chaos.

I'd rather say that they're merely just ideas born from the twisted parts of the human mind...but...

I looked up at the severely wrong figure of the Fomorian; it was pure disorder, chaos at its finest.

HUMPH!

It snorted again, indicating that it was ready to charge once again.

I instantly readied my blade, a glint of light shone on the foil of Silver Lining.

BOOM!

The Fomorian charged forward again at breakneck speeds, showcasing the ghastly power of its Level 12 physique. It raised its axe high, ready to cleave me from head-to-toe once it closed the gap.

So predictable!

The Fomorian had used this move repeatedly and as a result, I've come to expect it. I jumped away, backing out of the impact zone to clear away from the attack when suddenly, the beast eyes swerved in my direction.

"Huh?"

Almost instantly, the Fomorian stomped its leg into the ground and twisted its body around using its leg as a pivot. The battle-axe it wielded in its hands, twisted in kind, rushing at my direction.

"Wha-?!", I blurted out in a startled tone, barely being able to bend my back to dodge the attack.

F-Fuck!

I fell on my hind and quickly rolled away, dodging a deadly stomp from the ruthless monster. It turned in my direction and gave chase, swinging its axe at a deadly angle.

BAM!

I raised the Silver Lining and inadvertently used it to parry the beast's attack or at least tried to. The monster's towering size and overbearing weight simply sent me flying to the side.

CRASH!

I tumbled across the ground before coming to a screeching halt.

"Ugh...", I looked up, sighting the approaching mass of the Lone Fomorian.

I said I'd kill this thing?

I thought in resignation; the damn monster was just too powerful and overbearing, too strong, too fast...I mean how the hell does he move that hunk of mass so quickly and why the fuck did he have to be smart?

I grimaced as I recalled its earlier actions, it had perfectly anticipated the fact that I had adapted to its previous attacks and reacted in kind. Had he been even a little more discreet or faster, I would have lost my upper body.

I glowered my eyes as I struggled to my feet, using the Silver Lining as support.

The situation seemed hopeless.

THUMP!

The ground shook once again, signaling the Fomorian's advance.

"Shit...", I cursed as I watched it burst into another mad dash, its axe reaching head-twisting heights.

I need some breathing space...

I thought as I pushed my body away from the attack, before bolting off into the fog.

FOOM!

I cut through the fog of sand, advancing through it.

ROAR!!!

"Argh!", I winced in pain as I raised my hands to cover my ears. The earth-shattering bellow of the Fomorian seemed to hold a beastly fury that forced the world to bend to its will.

The fog of dust that enshrouded me, parted the moment the shockwave collided with it and I in kind, was sent flying.

I tumbled for several meters before stopping, my head rose to view the towering beast in the distance.

Jus...just what is this thing?

I asked myself as I stared at the monster with a mix of bewilderment and dread.

[Level 12. Lone Fomorian]

THOOM! THOOM!

The fog parted as the Lone Fomorian approached, its overbearing presence throwing everything into bedlam.

The Lone Fomorian was truly the embodiment of chaos.

This...this...

I looked down and bit my lip, the reality of my situation was slowly setting in. I balled my hand into a fist and struck the ground.

I can't lose...I can't die...not after I had just gotten out of there! I can't die!

I looked up and stared at the approaching juggernaut, the dark light in my eyes consuming my fear.

The Profane Cockatrice was stronger than me...it was better yet...I had its legs on a plate.

My gaze pierced the figure of the Lone Fomorian, who's eyes were filled with odious wrath and abhorrent madness.

I got up to my feet and chuckled before saying, "You're no different."

[Skill: Fear Inducement has been active.]

I leaked my bloodlust before dashing towards the beast, Silver Lining in my right-hand and...

Open.

A lace of sparks connected across a vague outline, forming a strange hatchet in my left.

[Equipped Item: Maladroit Ax]

An immense pressure descended on me, causing me to stumble slightly.

[Skill: Resistance is active.]

Resistance came to life, bringing clarity to my mind and relieving the pressure slightly.

As I ran towards the towering behemoth, I crossed my hands, taking a different stance.

[Skill: Battle Arts has been activated – Axe Chin Na.]