With a growl, the Hell Worg lunged at Rael.
He widened his eyes as Aether coursed through him, leaping backward as he swung the long sword in a backhand sweep, clashing with the large, sharp claws of the Hell Worg.
Clang!
The force of the clash sent Rael crashing into the armory tent. He used the momentum to roll and regain his footing in a fluid motion, slipping away from the encirclement as he now faced the five beasts.
But the HellWorgs weren't going to give him time to catch his breath as two charged at him before he could regain his bearings.
"Tsk," Rael hissed as he swung the sword in a downward slash at the charging Hell Worg, but it dodged his stroke. The blade struck the ground, splitting through rocks—a testament to his increased strength. But he had no time to take notice, as he leapt backward once again, pivoting his body midair and shooting his right leg out as it bashed into the waist of the second charging HellWorg.
With a crack, he sent it skidding across the ground, smashing into the main tent.
Rael growled as he used the rebounding force of the kick to push himself backward, gaining more distance as he started assessing the recent exchange.
'That was quick… really quick,'he thought to himself, surprised at the fluidity of his movements and the quickness of that exchange. Enraged growls drew his attention back to the standoff as he noticed the HellWorg he had kicked was finding it hard to stand—clearly, he had cracked its ribs, if not broken a few.
Rael's eyes widened before squinting with a ruthless light.
'This might not be as bad as I thought'
He hadn't expected he'd cause such damage just by swinging his leg on reflex.
Rael tightened his grip on the long sword as he chose to go on the offensive, now having a bit understanding of his new strength.
Seeing this prey that brimmed with the tasty smell of Aether hurt one of its pack members, the Alpha Hell Worg growled in fury as it porcupine-like spikes started extending sharply. From the holes between its spikes, it began releasing a nauseating fume that permeated its immediate surroundings, immediately sending the other Hell Worgs into a frenzy. Even the one finding it hard to stand growled in both pain and rage as it ignored its broken ribs to charge at Rael.
Rael watched as whatever fume the Alpha had released made the other Hell Worgs go mad. They foamed at the mouth and charged at him alongside the Alpha.
"Tsk, reminds me of those damn wormrats," Rael muttered as he charged forward, his sword raised and aimed specifically at the injured Hell Worg.
Jumping way higher than he would have before, he dive-rolled over the HellWorgs as one of them leapt high, clamping its jaws on thin air — clearly missing him.
Before it could land, Rael had already gained a footing behind the charging HellWorgs, slashing his sword in a wide arc aimed at the HellWorg that had leapt for him.
Clang!
His blade clashed with the strong claws of the Alpha once more, clearly protecting its pack member as it pushed forward, aiming to gnaw at Rael's outstretched arm. But Rael twisted his body, dodging the lunge of the Alpha. Avoiding it cleanly, he dashed into the midst of the Hell Worgs before rolling to the side of the injured one as it lunged with its fangs bared. Rael brought his sword down heavily on its head, slicing through flesh and skidding through its skull into its brain as blood splashed outward.
Rael's eyes shined with excitement at the blood he'd spilled.
Bam!
The Alpha slammed its thick, spike-filled head into Rael's waist, sending him skidding across the floor as the three other HellWorgs used the opportunity to pounce on him.
He wasn't going to let that happen. Bearing through the pain in his waist, he swung the long sword in a sweeping arc, slowing them for a moment as he quickly got to his feet, ready to leap backward. But a claw landed on his thigh, tearing through the leather pants and leaving a whitish mark that immediately started spilling blood.
He grunted, his eyes narrowing at the HellWorg that landed the blow. Tightening his grip on the long sword, he thrust its sharp tip directly into the thick neck of the beast as it tried to pull away — but Rael had already angrily marked it for death. The blade pierced through its thick flesh and muscle, the sharp tip bursting out from the other side of its neck, spilling blood onto the face of the charging Alpha that swiped its claws toward his neck.
He bent backward, kicking off with his legs as the sharp tip of its claws tore a thin line across his chest.
Rael grunted in pain as he rolled backward before leaping seven feets away, quickly assessing the injury on his chest and feeling lucky it wasn't deep.
He looked at the HellWorgs, now down to three, as the Alpha glared at him with a hateful gaze.
'Don't look at me like that — not my fault you chose to attack the wrong prey. Well, I would've come for you anyways '
Rael thought with surprising calm and excitement. He was honestly amazed at his improved reflexes and strength; each stroke or swipe of his sword carried so much force it could easily pierce through rock. Of course, all this was due to Aether, as he could see his reserves on the panel drop from nine to six just from this short exchange.
With his full assessment, he only considered the Alpha a threat — a conclusion that would have left any other Aether user's mouth agape. Aether Beasts were stronger than Aether users, especially the ones mutated by Aether like the Alpha. A Rank 1 Aether Beast was a threat that'd need two Iron Fighter rankers or a Tier 3 Iron Fighter to face — not to mention the two HellWorgs Rael had slain within short exchanges. But, of course, Rael had no way of knowing that, since he'd only ever seen Aether users beating up normal people.
The Hellworgs charged once more, this time with the Alpha at the lead while the other two flanked it from behind—clearly in coordination to avoid losing another pack member. But to their luck, if they had any, Rael had already decided to face the Alpha instead before he ran out of Aether as he had no idea how that would feel.
After all, wolves—or well, worgs—were known for being coordinated hunters. Which is exactly why, the moment he got a clear grasp of his new strength, he went straight for the unranked Hellworgs.
Seeing the Alpha's charge, Rael stood still, his eyes locked solely on it. He raised the longsword.
As the Alpha closed the distance, just a few inches away, it suddenly leapt—aiming straight for his head. Already anticipating such a move, Rael ducked to the side, bringing down his raised sword with crushing momentum, pouring the strength of his back and arm into it, as well as Aether—though he didn't realize it, a whopping amount of Aether,1.5%.
His strengthened grip tightened around the hilt, forcing the blade's edge down on the Alpha's spike-filled back. Rael, expecting a clean slice, had clearly underestimated the toughness of a ranked Aether beast's hide.
Shhhhk!
With a splash of blood and shattered spikes, his sword lodged halfway into the Alpha's flesh—barely cutting through skin and thin muscle.
"Shit!"
With an agonized roar, the Alpha whipped its massive head, lunging its razor-sharp maw toward Rael's right arm still gripping the hilt. Rael jerked his hand back, abandoning the sword still buried in its flesh, stumbling away as the fangs tore a deep, white scar across his arm.
The Alpha didn't let up. Even with the sword hanging from its back, it pressed forward, determined to tear Rael apart. The other Hellworgs, sensing the opportunity, pounced in as well.
"Damnit," Rael growled, his eyes darting between the two Hellworgs closing in from both sides. He glanced at his Aether reserves.
> [Aether reserves: 2.3]
His eyes widened, then narrowed sharply as he caught sight of the scattered armory tent—and a battle axe gleaming under the harsh sunlight.
He dashed toward it, turning his back on the raging Alpha—giving it the perfect chance to leap and rake its claws across his bare back, leaving four gleaming claw marks.
Roaring in pain, he used the force of the blow to roll forward, snatching the axe by its haft and turning sharply just as the Alpha pounced—a leap that would definitely see its fangs sink into his flesh.
Rael swung the axe in a wide arc, pouring into it all the remaining Aether he hoped he held and had left—and the blood spilling from his wounds.
Taking a reckless gamble, he halted the charge for a moment.
"Fuck."