Reincarnation Of A Swordsman: The Omni Mage

Chapter 143: A Sudden Turn of Events

Kyle frowned. "Why hasn't it done anything yet? It's like… the pool is more important."

Void nodded and narrowed his golden eyes. "And that's what makes it terrifying. That thing isn't just strong—it's unpredictable. Look around. All the carnage, all the blood, and it hasn't even flinched."

Kyle's thoughts churned, and for a moment, doubt crept in. Could they really take down something like this?

But then he remembered how far they had come— every fight where they'd emerged stronger, every moment they'd pushed past their limits. He clenched his fists and turned to Void. "Hey," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

Void glanced at him, ready to hear him.

"We're stronger than this thing," Kyle said, determination flashing in his eyes. "You've got raw power, speed, and that unbreakable attitude of yours. And me? I've got my katana, my runes, and the stubbornness to never give up. Together, we've got this."

Void smirked. "Damn right we do. Now, what's the plan, boss?"

Kyle crouched, analyzing the terrain. "This time, no whistle," he said, shaking his head. "Calling it over would be suicide. Instead, we ambush it. We get as close as we can without drawing its attention.

Then, we hit it hard—spells, runes, everything. We target its back and keep it off balance. If that doesn't take it down, we fight it head-on with everything we've got."

Void's smirk widened into a grin. "Not bad. You've finally started using that brain of yours."

Kyle chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Let's see if you're still joking when we're in the thick of it."

The duo took a moment to prepare, ensuring their mana reserves were full and their energy was at its peak. When they were ready, they moved.

Meter by Meter, they crept through the dense foliage, careful to stay downwind of the wolf. The wolf remained motionless as they drew closer to it, either he didn't pick them yet or they weren't a threat in his eyes. Kyle could bet that it was the latter.

By the time less than 50 meters separated them and the wolf, they were so close to the wolf and the pool that the quality of the mana was so dense that its density almost made Kyle to sit on the floor that moment and begin cultivating.

He quickly shrugged off the idea. 'Cultivating can wait, we'll deal with the wolf first.'

Kyle decided before silently signaling to Void with a nod. It was time.

Void returned the gesture, a grin curling at the edges of his sharp maw. With a final nod, they launched their attack.

Kyle's hand shot forward, crackling energy pooling into his palm as he unleashed his first [Lightning Bolt]. The spell streaked through the air, a dazzling arc of bright blue light that crackled as it collided with the wolf's flank. The beast barely flinched, its massive head tilting slightly as though it had been struck by an irritating insect.

Kyle didn't stop. He fired another [Lightning Bolt], then another. The spell became a rapid, rhythmic onslaught of crackling energy as bolts of lightning hammered into the wolf's side, scorching fur and leaving faint burns in their wake.

Void, not to be outdone, opened his jaws wide, releasing a blinding [Lightning Breath]. The concentrated stream of electricity struck the wolf directly, the sheer force of the attack causing the ground beneath the beast to sizzle and spark. Just like Kyle's lightning, Void's attack failed to draw a reaction. But the wolf shifted and its muscles rippled as it turned its head slightly toward them, a low growl rumbling in its throat.

'That's it,' Kyle thought, pushing forward. The duo moved closer with every step, their spells increasing in intensity. Void unleashed another [Lightning Breath], the heat from the attack causing the surrounding air to shimmer.

Kyle continued spamming [Lightning Bolt], the bolts flying so rapidly that the air around his hands buzzed with static energy. With his infinite and boundless mana reserves, he was able to keep up with the relentless barrage without pause.

As they closed the distance to thirty meters, Kyle decided to add another layer to their assault. With his free hand, he activated several runes he had prepared earlier, tossing them toward the wolf.

The glowing symbols burst on contact, releasing blasts of ice, fire, and concentrated mana that further disoriented the beast. Frost formed along its fur from an ice rune, while fire briefly licked at its paws from another.

The wolf faltered for the first time. Its massive frame swayed slightly, and its growl deepened, tinged with pain and frustration. Kyle's sharp eyes caught the faintest sign of weakness—a tremor in its legs, a hesitation in its movements. The relentless barrage was working.

Kyle's gaze met Void's, and though he couldn't speak due to the [Veil of Silence], his expression said it all: We're doing it. Let's push harder.

Void's grin widened, and he doubled down, unleashing yet another devastating [Lightning Breath]. The combined force of their attacks now seemed to overwhelm the wolf. Its growls became more labored, and its silver-streaked fur was singed and burned in multiple places. Blood began to seep from small wounds across its body.

Victory was within reach.

But just as Kyle prepared to launch a final assault, the wolf let out a bone-chilling howl. The sound reverberated through the forest, so loud and primal that it seemed to shake the very ground beneath their feet. Kyle froze for a moment, the sheer force of the sound sending a shiver down his spine.

Then the wolf's eyes began to glow. The once-steely gray irises now burned with an ominous blood-red light. Its body, already massive, seemed to swell with newfound power. Its black fur stood on end, and the silver veins running along its body began to pulse with a golden hue that seemed to heal all the formerly impacted wounds on it as it occupied more space.

Before Kyle could react, the wolf slammed its massive paw into the ground, releasing a shockwave of golden energy. The blinding light that followed was instantaneous, engulfing everything in its path. Kyle instinctively shielded his eyes, but it was too late. The brilliance was overwhelming, rendering him temporarily blind.

"Damn!" he thought, panic surging through him as he stumbled backward, struggling to maintain his balance. The ground beneath his feet froze in an instant as the ice creeping outward from where the wolf stood reached him. It spread rapidly, covering the entire area and even reaching Kyle and Void's position. The sudden chill seeped through his boots, making him panic even more.

The system's notifications began flooding his vision, their bright blue text cutting through the residual blindness like a lifeline:

[WARNING! You have encountered a Corrupted Beast!]

[WARNING! You have encountered a Corrupted Beast!]

[WARNING! You have encountered a Corrupted Beast!]

[WARNING! You have encountered a Corrupted Beast!]

[RETREAT IMMEDIATELY!]

...

'A Corrupted Beast?!' Kyle wanted to ponder but the wolf once again raised its paw high and stomped it on the ground. This time, the chill in the atmosphere intensified by several minus degrees that Kyle couldn't help but fall on the floor.

'We're cooked.'

***

[Several Hours Earlier]

...

Kyle's teammates gathered in the small cottage's main room exactly ten minutes later, just as they has agreed before. The air felt heavier now and though they still felt sleepy the anxiety of what they were about brace didn't leave their minds.

Each of them bore a unique expression that hinted at their internal struggles. While a part of them wanted to dismiss Kyle's disappearance as a mere whim and return to their bunks, the gravity of the situation kept them rooted.

Kyle was not just their leader but also their friend, and losing him now would not only make them helpless against the beast tide but would also weigh on their conscience.

Finn, usually the composed and practical one, leaned against the wall with a furrowed brow, arms crossed tightly across his chest. Zara sat at the edge of the table, her fingers tapping nervously against its wooden surface, betraying her calm demeanor.

Lina slumped in her chair, hair disheveled, muttering something about needing more sleep. Even Celine, who had initiated the search, paced back and forth, biting her lip as her earlier determination was filled with worry.

Lina finally broke the silence. "So, uh, Finn," she began, stretching her arms lazily. "What's the plan? How do we go about this?"