Chapter- 26 The slaughter within the Ice forest
Edward was walking alone in an icy tundra, lost in a vast forest of ice. A blizzard was raging in the valley of this forest, making visibility nearly impossible. The intense and unforgiving gale carried snow from the mountain peaks and scattered it throughout the trees.
This process was known as mana distribution, a natural phenomenon that involved the scattering of mana around an ecosystem to maintain equilibrium in the region. However, while this phenomenon played a vital role in the health of the environment, it wasn't something one would marvel at, especially while experiencing it for ten straight days.
'I know I quit slurring long ago, but damn this wind!' Edward thought to himself. Normally, he would have yelled this out loud, but his lips were frozen shut. His eyes were narrowed in a futile attempt to see in front of him, and the weight of his luggage felt increasingly heavy as lactic acid built up in his muscles.
This environment was an ideal training ground for those with an ice affinity due to the natural spread of mana, but for Edward, it was nothing but a nuisance. He was extremely exhausted; his potion reserves were nearly depleted, his food had run out a day ago, and to make matters worse, his hat had blown away into the distance.
For the past ten days, Edward had been walking nonstop in this endless blizzard and had made no progress. His initial estimate of three weeks to reach the city of Ziach Rack now seemed overly optimistic.
As the chilling temperatures deepened and nightfall approached, his hunger grew increasingly desperate. It felt like being blindfolded and trapped in a room, endlessly searching for an exit.
While wandering the forest, he would occasionally encounter monsters, which he would slay.
Did he consume their flesh?
No
Why?
Because of the bad taste associated with its consumption,
Edward had first attempted to eat this delicacy several days ago. Let's just say it wasn't a pleasant experience.
While feeling his way around the side of a mountain, Edward fortunately found a cave—a cave he intended to use as a refuge for the night.
As he entered the opening cautiously, Edward spread his mana to detect any potential threats lurking in the darkness.
What he found was shocking: not just one, two, or even three, but twenty ice spiders were hiding in this large cavern.
Each spider possessed the power of a fourth-star user in the White Flame formula, if not stronger.
A normal person would have immediately darted in the opposite direction in a panic, but…
Is Edward normal? No.
Seeing the prospect of a slaughter or hell a fun battle handed to him. Edward's originally composed demeanor shifted the mana surrounding him originally composed of pure Ice mana, now had a malevolent feeling weaved into them. his Frost flamed Formula's sky blue aura now turned a crimson red.
His body started to shiver. Dropping his chanerie, he tore his shoulder bag off violently throwing it on the floor not controlling his strength.
This stupid act destroyed any remaining potion he kept and soiled the bag's innards.
But what did he care, dropping to his knees Edw- can he still be called that, No Aj, ripped the bad open and grasped the hilt of A crimson colored blade, a maroon colored hilt with a rhombohedron bottom, the edge of its blade had jagged protrusions that looked like the fangs of a beast. The sword was fitting. The Devouring sword Azpel is a sword that consumes mana in exchange for power… but what happens if said sword consumes the life essence of others?
Both a sword starved for energy, and Edward who was starved for blood. felt a form of kinship..
Tearing of the bandage covering the blade, like a child on Christmas day
He held the blade to his face and caressed the hilt while salivating.
Finally, Edward lost all reason, the only thing that could retrieve his waned sanity, was to satiate his desire to kill
Lifting his head, Edward's eyes darkened, and his pupils glowed a vivid crimson. All that remained in them was sheer insanity.
He dropped his arm to his side and began to walk, dragging his Azphel by his side to create an ear-piercing noise.
Skreech!
Finally, Edward forced his cracked lips to part and vocalized in a deep, scratchy, demonic voice.
"Oh my oh my. This aching in my heart oh yes oh yes!, it desires a momentary relief from my existential pain … but as I watch blood spill from vain I feel ecstasy, kekeke!, COME OUT FOR FUCKS SAKE!" yelled the crazed youth who donned a genuine smile as he sped up his movement
The spiders that had been idle suddenly became alert to the newcomer, sensing it as a threat.
Recognizing this potential danger, the ice spiders wasted no time in launching their attack.
In unison, the large ice spiders gathered ice essence and formed hundreds of ice spikes around themselves.
Releasing their attacks none of them of the spikes flew in coordination but still were aimed at the general direction of Edward.
The crazed youth who was rushing the Ice-spiders at extreme swiftness understood the threat that lay before him, but this only widened his smile and increased his giggling.
Preparing Azphel into a sword stance he inhaled a large sum of air allowing for the surrounding mana to weave seamlessly into his body fibers.
This increased Edward's power output to rival mid 5th star of the white flame formula.
"Heaven and Hell Sword's Art - 12th movement, the Depth of endless struggle" wisped Edward with a smile.
Finalizing his sword movement, Edward with one horizontal slash of 'Azphel' severed every spell in the vicinity.
Doing this Azphel radiated an ethereal blue as it consumed the mana within the ranged attack.
Seeing this the Ice spiders realizing their ranged attacks would prove futile started barreling toward Edward.
"Youdon'tneedtoallcomeatonce, becauseI'malreadycoming" The impatient youth shouted as he rushed forward, leaping into the air and causing destruction to the surrounding ground.
Charging the Ice spiders Edward brandished his crimson sword and launched an aerial assault of consecutive air blades infused with ice essence.
The spiders instincts altered them to the danger of the oncoming attack propelled themself backward and created several spires of ice underground to serve as a trap, for when the youth fell.
Edward whose battle sense was unparalleled, predicted every oncoming attack sent toward him.
Twisting mid-air Edward increased the control he had over his body's ice essence and forcible sent all of it into both his hands.
Edward, whose madness was evident, was not stupid enough to charge into a battle like a berserker.
…
Oh no...
Edward just wanted to enjoy his meal slowly enjoying the subtle flavors that came with it.
Performing several hand movements Edward released his spell.
"Ice spears"
Extending his hands countless magic circles formed behind him each creating a spear of ice
"Entertain me please" the Demented figure spoke with a grin.
The Ice Spiders knew this next attack launched would more or less severely injure or kill them.
The ice spider in a coordinated ploy sacrificed their comrades in the front to nullify the attack power.
Re-arranging their formation the spiders surrounded Edward and released many more ranged assaults Edward with a lazy flick of his sword he slashed every spell sent towards him.
"You guys are boring me," Edward said as his smile dimmed and his eyes grew more crazed.
Clapping his hands Edward's build-up essence in his body was used to propel his body forward.
Holding Azpel over his shoulder Edward released a series of diagonal slashes towards a group of Ice-spiders mutilating each one.
Jumping off the corpse of an Ice-spider he would consecutively plunge towards another. Edward mostly decapitated the spiders totally separating the head or just piercing a vital area, while simultaneously dodging attacks with extreme agility and precision.
As he bashed the last spider's head in
Staring at the remains of the spiders Edward still was not satisfied.
Frowning Edward spoke
"Was that all they could do?"
Staring at his blood-drenched body, Edward's anger started to peak due to the lack of challenge to provide such a view.
Gritting his teeth in frustration Edward brandished his sword before maddeningly swinging it in any direction decimating the already mutilated corpses of the ice-spiders and sending powerful blasts of ice around the cavern creating a large amount of damage.
His malevolent aura surged cascading a crimson glow across the whole cavern.
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I tried my best for my first-ever action scene :}
>.<
Bad
Bad
Bad
Bad
:D
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