No Escape

Selyne's voice echoed through the dungeon as Samuel's flaming dagger tore through her flesh. The scent of burnt scales filled the air, Her body twisted, trying to escape, Her regeneration had slowed. Samuel could see it, the once smooth, flawless skin now struggling to mend itself.

She needed water.

With desperation, she whipped her tail around, knocking Samuel back as she turned toward the lake. Her eyes, wide with fear, If she could just reach the water, she could heal. She could fight.

But Samuel wasn't going to let that happen.

The moment she lunged, he grabbed her tail, his fingers digging into her flesh. With raw strength, he swung her through the air and slammed her against the rocky dungeon wall. The impact shook the ground, cracks forming. Selyne let out a choked cry, green blood spilling from her mouth.

She tried to push off the wall, dragging herself forward with her fingers. Samuel dragged her back.

She struggled, her body twisting, trying to claw her way toward the lake. Her breathing was fast, each movement weaker than the last.

Samuel kneeled over her, his fists clenched. This was the moment.

He activated Earth Magic, letting his power surge through his body. Stone gathered around his fists, hardening it. He lifted his fist high and slammed it into her face.

A loud crunch echoed through the dungeon.

Selyne let out a pained scream, her body jerking. Her skull cracked, her nose flattened under the force of the blow. Green blood splattered across Samuel's arm, but he didn't stop.

He hit her again.

And again.

And again.

Each punch sent pain through his body, he didn't care.

Each impact caved in more of her face.

Her bones shattered by his fists, her once mesmerizing beauty twisted into something unrecognizable. Yet, she still tried to regenerate.

Her flesh twitched, trying to reform. She was still alive.

Samuel's breathing was heavy, his eyes burning with rage. His hands trembled, blood dripping from his fingers. His own or hers, he didn't care.

She was still moving.

Her lips parted, a weak, pitiful sound escaping. She was begging.

Samuel's face twisted.

He wouldn't stop. He couldn't stop.

He had suffered too much.

All the bullying. The humiliation. The pain.

He saw their faces—Tobias, Ethan, Reid. The nobles who tormented him. The ones he killed.

They had begged too.

Samuel grabbed Selyne's throat, squeezing hard, feeling the last bits of her strength slipping away.

Her gills flared. Her tail twitched. She was trying to fight back, but it was useless.

Samuel opened his mouth and activated (wind Scream) - the banshee power.

A shockwave of raw, agonizing sound erupted from him, slamming into Selyne point-blank. The dungeon shook violently, rocks falling from the ceiling.

Selyne's body convulsed, her flesh tearing apart under the force of the scream. Her skin split open, veins, green blood pouring from her eyes, nose, and ears.

Her regeneration failed.

Samuel saw the life leaving her eyes. She was breaking.

But he wasn't finished.

His stone-covered fists slammed down again, smashing her already destroyed face into the ground.

Crack.

Another punch.

Crack.

And another.

Her skull caved in completely.

Samuel finally stopped, his breathing fast. His hands were covered in blood and crushed bone.

Selyne wasn't moving.

She was dead.

Samuel pushed himself up, stepping back, staring at the broken, mangled body beneath him. His heart was still racing. His hands still trembled.

And then.

The system activated.

[ Boss Defeated: Selyne, Mistress of the Depths. ]

[ New Ability Acquired: Frost Bind. ]

[ New Ability Acquired: Aqua Veil. ]

[ New Ability Acquired: regeneration. ]

Samuel exhaled, his rage slowly fading. His eyes flickered over the notifications. He could feel the new power settling inside him, mixing with everything else he had taken.

He was getting stronger.

He took a step back, his body aching. Blood dripped from his wounds, but he barely felt it. The fight was over.

For now.

Samuel clenched his fists, looking toward the next part of the dungeon.

It was time to move forward.