The Attributes of the Avatar of the End-2

After assuming the Iai stance, he unleashed a strike so fast and powerful that the very spot where he had crouched seemed to collapse inward. Then, like a black star ascending back into the sky, he surged forward, reaching the monster and slicing through it.

But he knew it wasn't enough. He attempted to activate Medium Healing without the system's aid, but he failed. His condition worsened—his cells regenerated, but they also developed tumors. He had no choice but to stop. He quickly put distance between himself and the monster.

The battle between the two men had suddenly shifted to an entirely new dimension.

The young boy, his gaze empty, observed the man they called the Hero. He felt nothing in particular. To him, none of this seemed worthy of meaning.

He wasn't doing this for a grand cause. He wasn't doing it for anyone. He was simply doing what he did best.

His body adapted quickly. Once again, he leaped toward the Hero, using his body as a weapon. The Hero turned his back to dodge, but his arm was caught by the Hero's spinning swords. Yet, instead of being severed, his skin's resistance had increased to the point where it prevented the swords from turning.

The Hero reacted instantly, accelerating the blades' rotation. The young monster's footing wasn't firm enough, and the sudden shift unbalanced him, launching him into the air.

At that moment, a system notification reached the Hero.

[System reboot complete. Efficiency reduced by 50%.]

The Hero didn't hesitate for a second before activating Flow.

[Medium Healing!]

This time, his condition improved, but due to the tumors and the system's reduced capabilities, he was far from fully recovered.

[Flow activated!]

The world around him vanished. Only the young monster remained, still propelled into the air.

He immediately activated one of his skills—[Fireball]. But rather than launching it at his opponent, he infused it into his sword. The goal wasn't to strike with the fireball but to heat the metal to white-hot temperatures, hoping to deal more damage in close combat.

Now that I can use my skills again, do they also rely on Matron? Can he nullify them like he does with magic?

Why have I never considered this before?

He swung his sword through the air toward the airborne monster. The latter dodged mid-flight. The Hero immediately took off after him, appearing behind him in an instant, using his [Slash] skill—but the effect was negligible.

The young monster, unfazed, grabbed him by the throat. Even direct contact was toxic to the Hero—inside his black armor, his body began to wither.

But something was off.

The Hero vanished.

It was merely a clone, enhanced with a skill.

The real Hero remained on the ground, observing the effect this monster had on everything around him.

[Luck x3]

[Skill activation failed!]

The young one stared at the Hero, who hadn't moved an inch. A strange, indescribable feeling began to rise within him. Memories stirred—too many personalities clashed within him, making him unstable.

Unfortunately for the Hero, and for the world, the personality that had just awakened was influenced by an ancient calamity.

"Ah… Ah… Ah…"

The young monster made sounds as if trying to laugh or test his voice. He flexed his fingers slightly, as if warming up.

He slowly descended to the ground under the Hero's watchful gaze. The Hero was waiting for the perfect moment—the one chance to end this once and for all.

But he didn't realize that this was only the beginning.

The boy began bouncing from side to side, rolling his shoulders. Seeing this abomination perform warm-up stretches irritated the Hero, despite Flow regulating his emotions.

But his concentration only sharpened.

Then, he charged at the Hero once more. The Hero reacted swiftly—but the system crashed again.

[Reb00t in progress… System has been replicated! A new system has been detected.]

The Hero understood well that the system's failure was due to the monster before him, but he couldn't comprehend by what sorcery it was possible. The system governed a large part of his power and had helped him reach the heights where he once reigned, but now, it felt as if he were falling from those very heights.

[Mission: Destroy the host.]

And the fact that the new mission was to destroy the host made him realize that a part of the system had been hijacked and that even the system itself considered this monster an unprecedented threat.

[Reb00t failed. Attempting repair.]

Again? Damn it.

Once more, the mental strain was overwhelming. All the emotions and psychological pressure that Flow had suppressed were abruptly unleashed. His deep state of focus shattered.

But he couldn't afford to fall—not now! Thoughts haunted his mind.

If I give up… is that wrong?

I just want to be forgotten.

I don't want to feel anything anymore.

I just want to run away!

Despair engulfed him. He had finally decided to change—but it was too late.

If I cry… is that wrong?

"Why?" he asked, contradicting himself. "You're just destroying everything."

Yet, strangely, his question received an answer.

"I have no interest in understanding this world."

"Ah."

That was all the Hero could say.

He understood now.

This child was a mistake.

His mistake.

"Skills are down. Magic too. But honestly… you're still too young!"

The Hero moved at great speed, reaching the monster before he could react. He had the advantage—an overwhelming one. The monster couldn't even keep up.

He swung his sword, slicing through the boy's arm.

But before the severed limb could hit the ground, the monster's regeneration took over, and the wound vanished. The boy countered with a punch aimed at the Hero's gut, but the Hero blocked it with his free arm and retaliated with a powerful kick.

Where did he learn that?

I've never seen anything like this in this world.

The exchange of blows grew increasingly brutal. The young monster took more hits than he gave. He was more technical than the Hero—but in return, he lacked speed and power.