Ashborn’s instincts screamed—MOVE!
<b>Too Late</b>…
The assassin pulled out a small, black pill and shoved it into his mouth.
Instantly, his body convulsed.
Veins bulged across his skin, turning an unnatural shade of purple. His breathing turned ragged, sharp claws sprouting from his fingers. His single eye widened, now glowing with a sinister red light.
Ashborn’s blood ran cold.
A forbidden pill.
Ashborn had read about them in the library. It was a strange pill used in ancient wars by evil forces that transformed its user into a monster in return for their life span. It was a dangerous tactic as recovery after using it was almost impossible. It was thought to have gone extinct but the assassin….. He had just consumed it.
The assassin grinned, his jagged teeth now resembling those of a beast. “You think… this is over?”
A violent crack echoed through the clearing as his bones twisted, his body growing larger, more monstrous by the second.
But then—
"What…? Why isn’t the transformation—?"
His body had failed to fully mutate. His mana reserves weren’t enough. His injuries had weakened him.
"Tch. No matter. I can still kill you."
Aelwyn gasped. “Brother… what is that?”
Ashborn clenched his fists.
Something he should have killed before it came to this.
The man—no, the beast—let out a guttural snarl. His aura had shifted.
Suddenly the Status window popped up.
[An evil aura has been detected]
[ Quest: ]
[ Escape the monster! ]
[ Failure : Dead ]
Ashborn’s suspension was confirmed
Before, he had been a predator.
Now, he was a monster.
And monsters…
Had no reason. No restraint. No limits.
The assassin’s body lunged forward, faster than before. Ashborn barely had time to react as claws slashed toward his face.
He dodged, but not completely.
Pain shot through his arm as a deep gash opened across his forearm. Blood splattered onto the dirt.
He gritted his teeth. “Tch…”
The assassin’s grin widened. “Now we’re even.”
Ashborn didn’t respond.
No words would stop what was coming.
Only violence would.
The air crackled around him as his golden aura flared back to life.
This time, he was ready.
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---
A Battle of Instincts
The beast lunged again.
Ashborn sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp claws that tore through the tree behind him like paper. Bark exploded into the air, showering them in debris.
The assassin was stronger. Faster. His movements were wild, unpredictable, driven by a hunger for destruction.
But Ashborn had something stronger.
<b>Control.</b>
As the beast swung again, Ashborn ducked low and countered.
His fist shot forward—slamming into the assassin’s ribs.
A shockwave burst through the forest as the impact sent the beast skidding backward, feet digging into the dirt.
But he didn’t fall.
He grinned through the pain. “Not bad, kid.”
Ashborn exhaled, his golden eyes narrowing. “I can do better.”
The air tensed.
The beast roared—charging.
Ashborn met him head-on.
Fists clashed against claws, golden light colliding with dark energy. Each blow sent ripples through the air, shattering the ground beneath them. The battlefield became a blur of movement—two forces fighting for dominance.
For the first time, Ashborn felt equal to an enemy.
For the first time, he wasn’t helpless.
He weaved through attacks, his instincts sharper than ever. A well-timed step to the side—a fist to the gut.
A duck under a claw swipe—an elbow to the jaw.
Bit by bit, the beast faltered.
He was winning.
But victory never came so easily.
The assassin snarled. His aura darkened, thick tendrils of black mist rising from his body.
And then, the monster spoke—
“You are forgetting something kid!”
“I AM A MAGE!”
The realization hit Ashborn like a truck, his eyes widened.
“<i>BIND!</i>”
The ground cracked beneath Ashborn’s feet.
The assassin… No, Monster had cast a spell.
An invisible force slammed into him, sending him flying backward. He twisted in the air, trying to regain control, but the next attack came too fast.
Dark chains, covered in cursed energy, shot toward Ashborn—
Restraining him, as the monster used them to slam him into the ground.
Ashborn coughed out blood.
But the attacks continued—
His back slammed into a tree, the bark splitting from the force. He gasped, struggling against the crushing grip.
A shadowy hand shot forward, wrapping around his throat.
Choking him.
The assassin grinned, his breath ragged. “You almost had me.”
Ashborn clawed at the vice-like grip around his throat. His vision blurred. His lungs burned.
Aelwyn’s scream cut through the air.
“Get away from him!”
A crackling surge of lightning exploded across the battlefield.
The assassin screamed, releasing Ashborn as electricity surged through his body.
Ashborn collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. His vision swam, but he forced himself to focus.
Aelwyn stood nearby, her small body trembling, her golden aura sparking like wildfire. Golden-White electricity crackling around her. Tears welled in her eyes, but her gaze was sharp—fierce.
She was awakening her dragon form too.
She had fully activated her Dragon Eyes.
The assassin growled. His body twitched, smoke rising from his charred skin. “You… little…”
Ashborn clenched his fists. His vision cleared.
The fight wasn’t over.
He forced himself up, standing beside Aelwyn. His breath steadied, his golden aura flaring to life once more.
The assassin panted, glaring at them. His body trembled—not just from pain, but from something else.
Fear.
For the first time, he was outnumbered. Outmatched.
Ashborn smirked. “Your move.”
The assassin hesitated. His instincts screamed at him—this was a battle he wouldn’t win.
He snarled, hatred burning in his eyes.
Blood spilled from his mouth. He staggered, then sneered. "Screw it. I’ll kill you both."
Ashborn and the monster exchanged blows again, each attack heavier than the last. Ashborn weaved through attacks, and then the opportunity presented itself—
the beast faltered.
Ashborn ducked under a claw swipe—
<b>BANG!</b>
a fist to the gut.
The Monster was sent flying back.
But then…
He vanished, moving at blinding speed, attacking from all angles. Projectiles flew toward them—only to be repelled by Aelwyn’s protective shield.
<i>Quake!</i>
The ground trembled. The earth beneath them caved, threatening to swallow them whole. The monster lunged—
His giant body crashed in the ground covering the landscape in a cloud of dust.
Something flashed within the cloud of dust
<i>Bind!</i>
It was Aelwyn.
Massive roots erupted from the ground, trapping the assassin in place.
"ARGH!" He thrashed. But before he could free himself—
A dagger pierced his heart.
Ashborn stood before him, his gaze was cold.
The assassin’s body slumped. Blood pooled beneath him.
[ Quest Complete! ]
[ You have killed the source of evil energy ]
[ The Player has achieved a remarkable feat ]
[Extra- rewards will be given ]
[ Level up!… ]
[ Level up!… ]
[ Level up!… ]
[ Level up!… ]
[ Level up!… ]
[Level 5 reached!]
[ Notification: You can now use the Dungeon Key! ]
Ashborn blinked. His breath hitched.
For the first time, he had killed.
His knees buckled, his body weighed down by an unbearable heaviness.
A single tear traced down his cheek.
Aelwyn ran to him, wrapping her arms around him in a desperate embrace, her sobs muffled against his shoulder.
The fight was over.
For now.
…Or so they thought.
A suffocating presence descended upon them. A force so overwhelming, it sent a primal shiver down their spines.
Ashborn’s instincts roared in alarm.
The children trembled.
From the distant mountains, a lone figure stepped forward—the very man who had commanded the assassins. He gazed down at them with cold disdain.
“Tch. Can’t believe I had to come down myself.” His voice dripped with irritation.
“How utterly useless.”
<To be continued…>