Shadow Slave

In that moment, hovering on the edge of nothingness, Sunny realized that he was about to die.

He had to struggle against the fog that permeated his mind, slowing down his thoughts and dampening all emotions.

All except for fear.

Despite the fact that his body was broken and his mind was paralyzed, some stubborn part of Sunny was still refusing to give up. He wasn't ready to die. At least not without giving his all to survive.

He was revolted at the thought of giving the world the satisfaction of the win.

That would be so infuriating. Hadn't he told Hero that he was going to survive no matter what, to spite them all?

That's right. He might be a shameless liar, but a promise was still a promise.

But… how was he even supposed to survive? No matter how he looked at it, the situation seemed to be hopeless.

As the scythe slayer approached, its eyes shining menacingly with bloodthirsty crimson light, Sunny tried to pierce through the fog that enveloped his mind. However, his attempts were aimless and weak. It was hard to find purchase in the fog.

He needed an anchor.

Suddenly, a simple thought caught his attention. It was something that he had repeated a thousand times, burning it into his mind.

'Repetition, experience, clarity.'

Clarity…

He remembered what Nephis had taught him. The essence of combat was murder. Any action performed during a battle served only one of two purposes: it was either to kill your enemy or prevent the enemy from killing you.

If he could learn that, he would have enough clarity to master the mind.

Back then, he didn't really understand the profound meaning behind the simple word "clarity" that Nephis had used. But now, with his mind in shambles, he was finally able to grasp it.

The two truths behind the essence and purpose of combat were simple and solid, almost tangible. Even in his half-conscious state, he was able to use them as a stable foundation in the fog. Then, he reformed his mind around this foundation, building it along the stark lines of that truth.

Suddenly, he was able to think again.

What's more, his thoughts were clear and incredibly fast, free of all unnecessary distractions.

This was clarity.

***

up at the advancing monster, calmly weighing his

all. The shadow still followed his commands, but

with its help, he wouldn't be able to last

do anything about it,

body immobilized,

left only

only tool to either kill

approaching Sunny. Its mandibles moved, viscous saliva flowing down from them in a torrent of transparent mucus. In a flash of lightning, he was able to see and instantly register every spike, every scratch,

still protruding

'What an ugly bastard.'

was being hypocritical. Truth be told, with its black carapace painted with crimson patterns and a mighty body specially designed for mayhem

majestic… in a terrifying,

closed the distance between them and loomed over

the air, ready to

monster's burning eyes, Sunny

hell, you

scythes shot toward his

the monster from

its own safety anymore, the Echo entwined itself with the enemy in a chaotic mess of limbs as they rolled on the ground. Despite the fact that it was smaller and weaker, its crazy assault and complete disregard for

whirlwind of blows. For a moment, the howling of the wind was drowned out

superior to the scavenger in every way. Even with one of its scythes pinned awkwardly under its body, the monster was more than able to repel the sudden attack. With an angry screech, it sliced with the other scythe, cutting one of the scavenger's pincer

rear leg that was already wounded by Sunny broke off, but the monster

stood up. Another deafening screech resounded in the howling darkness of the

he thought, momentarily lost

then, something very

for the loss of a rear leg and keep its balance. At that moment,

lightning was immediately attracted to the handle of the sword that was still sticking from its body, aimed

millions of volts of electricity coursed through

thrown to the ground. Whisps of smoke

slowly accumulating on the crimson patterns on it. Under that influence, the crimson pattern changed its color, becoming

all this in

'It's… glowing?'

enough to kill a creature like that. Just

shape, it was

Slowly but surely, it was coming

before it did, Nephis was suddenly right in

longsword, she grimaced as the heat burned her hands. Then, she twisted the blade, making the slayer's body twitch, and pulled it out, breaking apart a large portion of

Star was quicker. Dashing to the side, she simultaneously lashed out with her sword. The glowing, white-hot blade caught the creature's arm right below the joint

screeched and swatted her away with one of its legs. Nephis was thrown back and