A wave of <b>searing heat</b> slammed into me.


    I threw up my arm, but it was useless. The force lifted me off my feet and sent me crashing into the obsidian ground. My vision blurred, pain radiating through every inch of my body.


    The sword—<b>the Forgotten Fang</b>—had taken the brunt of the blast. What remained was nothing but <b>shattered metal</b> in my trembling hand.


    <b>[Corrupted Relic Destroyed.]</b>


    <b>[Warning: Unstable Energy Detected.]</b>


    I gritted my teeth and forced myself up. The <b>beast was still alive.</b>


    Its molten veins pulsed erratically, the wound I’d inflicted still leaking black ichor onto the cracked ground. But it wasn’t retreating. If anything, it looked <b>stronger.</b>


    It was <b>feeding</b> off its own destruction.


    My breath came ragged. My body ached. My <b>Defiance</b> skill had kept me alive so far, but it wasn’t infinite. If I didn’t end this fight soon, the next hit <b>would</b> kill me.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    I needed a plan.


    My eyes darted across the battlefield. The ground was unstable, fractured from the force of the blast. The creature’s molten blood was still <b>burning</b> through the obsidian beneath it, forming deep cracks.


    A realisation hit me.


    <b>If I can’t kill it… I’ll bury it.</b>


    I pushed myself to my feet, legs unsteady. The monster let out a guttural snarl, sensing my movement, and lunged once more—faster, more aggressive than before.


    I <b>ran.</b>


    Not away. <b>Through.</b>


    I sprinted toward it, my feet slamming against the cracked obsidian. The monster swiped—<b>I ducked.</b> Its molten claws <b>grazed my back</b>, burning through fabric and flesh. I didn’t stop.


    Because right behind the creature was the largest crack in the ground.


    I <b>pivoted</b>, using the momentum to swing a punch at the beast’s wound. My fist connected, sending another burst of black ichor spraying across the obsidian.


    The monster <b>staggered back</b>—just enough.


    The weakened ground <b>collapsed beneath it.</b>


    For a split second, the creature’s remaining arm flailed, trying to grasp onto anything. Then, with a monstrous howl, it plummeted into the abyss below.


    Silence.


    Then, a deep <b>rumbling</b> echoed from the pit. Heat and steam erupted from the depths. The air shimmered, and a faint tremor vibrated through my bones.


    I stared down, my chest rising and falling.


    <b>It’s not dead.</b>


    But it was trapped. For now.


    I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I was holding. My arms felt like lead. My legs threatened to give out beneath me.


    <b>[Enemy Neutralised: XP Not Granted.]</b>


    <b>[System Recognition Denied.]</b>


    I scoffed, shaking my head.


    <b>Of course.</b> The System refused to acknowledge my victory. No level-ups. No rewards. <b>Nothing.</b>


    I wasn’t part of its world anymore.


    The wind howled through the Wastes, carrying the scent of burning stone. I glanced at the horizon—at the endless stretch of ruins, molten rivers, and shadows that moved where they shouldn’t.


    This was just the beginning.


    I turned away from the pit and <b>kept walking.</b>


    Because if the System had cast me out…


    I was going to <b>find out why.</b>