Chapter 6: Monster Against Human
The spear clashed against Lumian's claws in an impact that shook the air. Metal vibrated, and the hunter spun with impressive skill—pushing, pulling, stabbing in fluid motions.
Lumian stepped back, sensing the human's speed.
The next strike grazed his side, drawing a growl from him as the metal pierced part of his armor.
'Tch… he's fast. Very fast.'
The hunter smirked with malice.
"So you can feel pain… Excellent."
Lumian lunged, using his greater number of limbs to create impossible angles. One claw came down from above; another aimed at the flank; the remaining two tried to seize the spear.
Every strike was deflected or dodged by the Awakened with fierce skill.
"Faster than I expected!" the hunter shouted as he stepped back. "But you're still just a giant animal. And animals die like everyone else."
Lumian twisted, muscles tightening as he advanced with a far more brutal flurry of blows. The hunter blocked two, two more forced him back, but one managed to scrape across his chest, tearing through his leather armor.
The Awakened's breath wavered. Lumian saw sweat running down his forehead.
'He's feeling the pressure.'
The hunter charged.
The spear slipped through a gap in the Fisherman's Suit and sank into Lumian's side. A sharp pain tore through him. Lumian roared—half fury, half agony.
The Awakened pulled, trying to widen the wound.
Lumian struck back with two arms at once.
A sharp impact rang out.
The hunter was hurled backward, crashing into a thick tree. He lost his breath for a moment but kept his grip on the spear.
Lumian exhaled. Dark blood trickled from his side.
'Can't let him keep hitting me. That weapon… it's dangerous.'
The Awakened stood up, spitting blood.
"Come on, beast!" he roared, raising the spear. "Show me it wasn't just luck that you killed the others!"
He dashed forward with surprising speed. The spear gleamed, piercing the air with deadly precision.
Lumian raised two arms to deflect the thrust while two others attacked simultaneously.
The impact was brutal.
Lumian's claws scraped the spear; one managed to reach the hunter's shoulder, drawing a sharp cry.
The Awakened spun and struck Lumian in the side with the shaft, sending him rolling across the ground.
Lumian stood again, shaking off the dirt with a deep growl.
'Annoying little—'
The hunter gasped for air, clutching his wounded shoulder but not losing his stance.
"You've improved," he admitted with a sardonic tone. "But not enough."
He advanced again, this time with a denser aura.
His speed increased, and the spear moved like an extension of his own body.
Lumian took a hit to the thigh. Another to the shoulder. One more pierced his tunic and scraped his skin.
Pain stacked up. Lumian retreated, growling, feeling his breathing grow heavier.
'If this continues… he'll hit something vital.'
The hunter grinned when he saw the desperation growing in Lumian's eyes.
"You're smart! I can see it in your face! You know you're going to die!"
Lumian clenched his jaw.
His breathing deepened. Something primal stirred inside him.
The hunter prepared for the final blow.
Lumian leapt.
The hunter didn't expect prey—injured and tired—to move with such ferocity.
All four of Lumian's arms darted like shadows. Two grabbed the spear. A third blocked the shaft. The fourth seized the weapon's end.
The Awakened's eyes widened.
"What—?"
Lumian growled, and with all his strength, twisted the spear sideways.
The Awakened hung on, but the motion lifted him off the ground like a ragdoll.
His body spun through the air for four meters before crashing into a tree.
Bones cracked.
The spear slipped from his hands.
Lumian advanced.
The hunter tried to rise, spitting blood as he reached for his weapon.
"W-wait…" he coughed, dragging himself. "M-monster… if you kill me… the city…"
Lumian tilted his head.
'He talks like it matters.'
The hunter lifted a trembling hand.
"We… we have families… people inside… we're… we're fighting… t-to protect them…"
Lumian didn't know if it was true or just fear talking.
He didn't smell remorse on the hunter.
Only hate.
Fear.
And a killing intent still burning behind his eyes.
The Awakened spat blood and screamed:
"Just die already, you damned beast!"
He lunged forward with a small knife.
Lumian met him head-on.
A claw pierced straight through his chest.
The hunter froze, mouth open, struggling to breathe as his lungs filled with blood.
His eyes trembled, then slowly dimmed—no glory, no final words.
Lumian withdrew his claw.
The body fell lifeless to the ground.
He inhaled deeply, feeling the adrenaline fade.
His side still bled. His body was covered in bruises and wounds, but the immediate danger was gone.
'Finally…' Lumian thought as his body protested every injury earned in the short but intense fight.
He silently thanked his extra limbs; they had given him a massive advantage in the battle.
Soon, the voice of the spell whispered:
[You have killed an Awakened human.
Name: Unknown.]
Lumian looked around slowly, then turned away.
His gaze lingered on the spear for a few seconds before he picked it up and carried it with him.
It might be useful in the future.