NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Intense Battle.
The cold water embraced Creed and Dagga as they shot out of the shark wraith's mouth, tumbling into the murky depths.
Creed gasped, struggling to steady his body against the numbing chill and the crushing exhaustion gripping him.
The two drops of blood essence he had sacrificed earlier had left him weakened, his vision slightly hazy.
But despite his condition, determination burned in his eyes as he glared at the dark waters around them.
"Time for round two," he muttered under his breath, his voice firm.
From the depths, the shark wraith roared, its guttural sound reverberating through the water like an unholy symphony.
Even submerged, the force of its cry sent waves rippling outward, creating an oppressive pressure that made Creed's ears ring.
A sinister, pulsating purple light erupted from the shark's body, enveloping its sleek, monstrous form in a deadly aura.
Creed was able to instantly identify this energy as Astral Mana. It was the energy that wraiths used to enhance their abilities.
The very water around the shark seemed to tremble under its power as it surged forward with murderous intent.
Shuu!
It moved with shocking speed, a blur of violet light cutting through the water like a predator honing in on its prey.
"Dagga! Stop it!" Creed shouted, his voice muffled by the water.
The demon, now fully rejuvenated from the blood essence, nodded with a wicked grin and surged forward.
Dagga intercepted the charging shark, slamming his clawed hands against its snout.
Boom!
The two clashed with an impact so fierce it sent shockwaves rippling through the water, making it hard for Creed to stay steady.
Dagga planted his clawed hands against the shark's massive snout, holding back the beast's momentum with brute strength.
The beast twisted and thrashed, forcing Dagga to release his grip and retreat.
The wraith opened its massive maw, revealing rows of jagged teeth, and unleashed a devastating blast of high-pressure water.
Shuu!
The torrent tore through the river, cutting a trench into the bed below. Dagga narrowly dodged the attack, swimming around the shark with surprising ease.
Creed watched, gripping his red sword tightly. His body screamed for rest, but he pushed the thought aside.
Dagga lunged again, this time clawing at the shark's flank. His strikes were quick and precise, but the shark's skin was like iron, deflecting most of the blows.
Boom!
The wraith countered with a whip of its tail, the force sending Dagga spiralling backward. Then, with a sudden burst, it darted toward Creed, its massive jaws snapping open to swallow him whole.
Creed's heart raced, and he forced himself to focus despite his drained state.
Deep within his chest, he felt the faint warmth of his life core—a reserve of energy he had yet to tap into.
'Can I even use it?' he wondered. He had awakened his talent and formed his life core just some minutes ago, he had no idea if he would be able to activate his core.
'I have no choice but to try.'
As the shark closed in, Creed reached inward, drawing on that tiny spark of energy. Power trickled through his veins, weak at first but growing stronger with each passing moment.
He swung his sword upward in a desperate arc just as the shark closed in.
Bang!
The tip grazed its jaw, leaving a shallow cut, but the wraith was so powerful that the impact still sent Creed tumbling.
Dagga roared and charged again, striking at the wraith's sides with renewed ferocity. His claws began to find their mark, leaving faint gashes on the beast's hide.
The shark, enraged, lashed out with a devastating stream of water, forcing both Creed and Dagga to dodge in opposite directions.
Creed felt his energy slowly growing as he tapped further into his life core. It was a fragile balance—drawing too much too quickly might overwhelm him, but it was his only chance.
The shark wraith charged again, faster this time, its Astral Mana boosting its speed to an incredible level.
Boom!
Creed barely had time to react, raising his sword just in time to deflect the beast's snapping jaws.
Dagga roared and lunged back into the fight, grabbing hold of the shark's fin. He drove his claws into it, finally piercing its skin.
The wraith thrashed violently, trying to shake him off, but Dagga held firm, ripping away chunks of flesh.
After thrashing madly for some time, the wraith finally managed to shake off Dagga. It's furious roar shook the waters, an indication of it's surging anger and battle intent.
The shark wraith unleashed a devastating blast of high-pressure water, this time aiming at both Creed and Dagga.
If this attack hit Creed, it would give him grievous wounds at the very least, if not killing him instantly.
Creed dove out of the way with all his might, but the torrent clipped him, sending him tumbling through the water.
Dagga wasn't as lucky—the attack hit him squarely, slamming him into a rock formation. He growled in pain but forced himself to his feet, his determination unshaken.
Creed swam toward the wraith, his sword glowing faintly as he channeled energy from his life core.
Boom!
With a burst of speed, he drove the blade into the shark's underbelly. This time, the weapon sank deeper, black blood billowing out in thick clouds.
Roar!
The wraith roared in agony, thrashing wildly. Its purple glow flickered, the once-dominant energy now unstable.
Dagga took advantage of its weakness, lunging forward and slashing at its exposed wounds.
His attacks became more vicious, more precise, and the shark's movements grew sluggish.
The shark wraith, now bleeding from multiple wounds, released a final desperate attack. Its body glowed with an overwhelming surge of Astral Mana, and it shot toward Creed like a torpedo.
Shuu!
Dagga intercepted, grappling with the beast in a violent struggle.
Creed seized the moment, focusing all his remaining strength into his blade. He swam above the shark and thrust downward, the blade piercing through its thick skull and into its brain.
The shark spasmed violently, its energy fading as its massive body went limp.
Dagga released it, and the two watched as the lifeless beast drifted downward, finally succumbing to its injuries.
Creed let out a shaky breath, relief washing over him. "It's… finally dead."
Dagga swam over, his crimson eyes fixed on the shark's chest. "I want the core," he said, his voice eager.
"The core?" Creed asked, frowning.
Dagga nodded. "Wraiths with cores are not common. For me, a core of this level is extremely valuable. Eating one can awaken dormant abilities in my bloodline, though it depends on luck."
Creed considered the implications. If Dagga managed to awaken a new ability, Creed would share in the benefits—multiplied tenfold by the Dominion Mark and the System.
"Do it," Creed said after a moment.
Dagga grinned and tore into the shark's chest, retrieving a glowing purple orb pulsating with energy. Without hesitation, he devoured it, his body immediately exuding a faint black smoke.
Creed watched, his curiosity piqued. Whatever transformation came next, he would be ready for it.
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