Reawakening: I Can Absorb Infinite Skills

The path stretched on, but Arden hardly skipped any detail, not even the crunch of dirt under his boots.

His life sense spread outward, always tugging him toward the next flicker of danger.

While the others talked behind him, he let his focus drift to the system prompt that still glowed faintly in his sight.

[Life Signature Gained: Stormvein Conduction

Source: Stormhide Behemoth (A-Rank, Lightning Affinity)

Effect:

Conduction Veins – Life energy channels align with lightning flow, reducing strain when casting or channeling lightning spells. Spells release faster and hit harder without burning out the user.

Arc Resonance – Each spell cast leaves behind residual static in the air. This static can chain to the next spell, increasing its potency (stackable up to 3 times).

Pulse Discharge – Physical strikes or defensive barriers emit small electrical bursts, disrupting nearby enemies or interfering with spellcasting.

Storm Sense – Heightened perception of electrical currents, improves timing, dodges, and predicting lightning/energy-based attacks.]

Arden narrowed his eyes, considering. A solid life signature. More than just raw power, it gave him precision. Timing. He clenched his fist lightly, letting a thin spark crawl over his knuckles. It hummed before fading.

"Spacing out again, huh?" Rael's voice broke through from behind. "What is it this time, thinking about breakfast?"

Nyra shook her head. "He gets that look when he's scheming. Just don't let it be another one of your hunches that drags us in circles."

Arden smirked without looking back. "Circles still got us farther than standing still."

Zephyra's low growl rumbled, her eyes glinting faintly. "Prey ahead. Not small."

Arden felt it the same moment. A searing presence to the west, violent and molten, radiating like a bonfire in the middle of night. His system stirred again.

[Name: Ashfang Hellmaw

Rank: A

Affinity: Fire

The details unraveled before him: molten hide, unstable core, claws that burned through the ground, howls that could torch a battlefield. Arden let the image form in his mind. A fire-born predator].

He slowed his pace just enough for the group to close in. "Ashfang Hellmaw. A-rank. Fire affinity. Molten hide, unstable core. Mean claws."

Rael's grin spread instantly. "Sounds perfect."

Nyra's gaze sharpened. "Then I'll pin it down. Rael, you keep it from moving too much."

Arden's smirk deepened as his life sense brushed another ripple. He didn't even need to turn. "And… we've got pests. Our shadows haven't left since the Behemoth."

Rael snorted. "Crimson Fang again?"

"Persistent, aren't they?" Nyra muttered.

"Persistent is generous." Arden's tone was flat, dismissive. "They're gnats. Since they want to watch, let's put on a show."

Rael slammed his fists together, sparks flaring. "Then let's make it a good one."

They pushed forward, and soon the ground glowed faint red with heat. Cracks ran through the soil, steam hissing as if the land itself was bleeding fire. Then the Hellmaw emerged.

A hulking hound of blackened stone and flame, its body cracked and glowing, molten breath spilling from its jaw. The air sizzled with each exhale.

"Big dog," Rael muttered with a grin. "Think it fetches?"

"Don't tease it," Nyra said calmly, though frost gathered at her staff's edge.

The beast roared, molten fire spraying with the sound. The air itself shook.

"Go," Arden ordered.

Rael shot forward first, lightning crackling around his fists. BOOM! He slammed a punch into the beast's foreleg.

The impact burst sparks and molten chips, forcing the Hellmaw back a step.

The hound snapped its jaw, liquid fire dripping. It swiped, claws igniting trails of flame. Rael ducked low, rolling forward, gauntlets hammering again with thunderous force.

Nyra raised her staff, wind whipping around her. "Hold still!" Her voice carried as a wave of frost spiraled upward. Shards of ice swirled in the current and slammed against the Hellmaw's side. CRACK–SHHHH! Steam erupted as fire met ice, slowing the beast's movement.

The Hellmaw snarled, body flaring hotter, claws bursting into flames. It lunged, Blazing Pounce rocking the ground. Rael met it head on, lightning bursting as his vein bloom flared. BOOM–CRACK! The two forces collided, shockwaves throwing dirt and sparks into the air.

"Nyra!" Rael shouted, straining against the beast's claw.

"I've got you." She thrust her staff down, ice spiking up to bind its hind leg. Wind lashed around the frost, keeping it tight.

The beast roared furiously, fire building in its throat.

"Inferno Howl incoming," Arden muttered, more to himself than anyone. He raised his hand lazily, flame pooling at his palm, prepared to counter if needed.

Rael ducked back just as the beast howled, a wave of fire detonating outward. FWOOOOSH! The blast scorched the ground, but Nyra's barrier of frost wind absorbed the brunt, steam clouding the battlefield.

Rael coughed, sparks dancing over him. "Nice save."

"Don't get cooked next time," Nyra said dryly.

The two pressed in again, a rhythm forming. Rael's fists hammered with stormy bursts, each strike louder and faster, while Nyra spun frost and wind around him, freezing the flames that sparked with every blow. Together they boxed the beast in, their affinities weaving into each strike.

Above, hidden in the trees, the Crimson Fang crouched.

Kaelen's arms crossed, eyes narrowing. "They're… actually holding it off."

Selira's gaze burned, sparks flickering at her fingertips. "Not just holding. They're winning."

Lysandra scoffed, though her grip tightened on her bow. "They're lucky. That's all."

Doran said nothing, his restless eyes tracking every move.

Back below, the fight reached its peak. The Hellmaw erupted in fury, claws blazing as it swept wildly.

Rael ducked and slammed upward, his gauntlet shattering molten cracks with thunder. BOOM! Nyra's frost spiraled higher, winds slicing as they drove ice through the gaps.

The beast faltered, staggering on weakened legs.

Arden finally stepped forward, fire blooming quietly around him.

His aura pressed outward, steady and calm, yet carrying weight that made the others glance back instinctively. He lifted his arm.

"Enough."

The ground hardened with frost under his steps as fire pooled like molten gold around his hand. He thrust forward.

FWOOSH!

A torrent of flame surged, weaving into the cracks Nyra and Rael had forced open. The Hellmaw convulsed, molten body flaring before collapsing with a heavy crash, fire bleeding out as steam and smoke curled upward.

Silence followed, broken only by the hiss of cooling stone.

Arden exhaled, lowering his arm. "Show's over. Let's move."

Rael threw up his hands. "Again? You just can't resist stealing the kill!"

Nyra sighed, though a faint smile touched her lips. "He did wait longer this time."

"Not long enough," Rael muttered, glaring at Arden's back.

Arden smirked as he walked on. "Be faster next time."

Behind them, in the trees, Crimson Fang clenched their jaws in silence, the sight burned into their pride.

A/N:

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