The Elite Spider crashed down on Vikram like a massive boulder. Its eight legs sliced through the air like spears. Vikram mustered all his strength to leap aside, but the spider was too fast. One leg grazed his shoulder, leaving a scratch on his 'Jade Skin' and causing blood to seep out.
"Fast... it's too fast!" Vikram gritted his teeth.
Behind them, the army of small spiders was advancing like a black tide. Master Yu was pulling gunpowder from his pouch, but his hands were trembling.
Vikram held that rusty old long blade in his hand. He knew a simple strike couldn't break this Elite Spider's armor. Its shell was tougher than steel.
Just then, the black plate (Legacy Tablet) in his pocket heated up.
A strange image flashed through Vikram's mind. He saw a sword that wasn't just cutting the air, but distorting space itself.
[System Alert: Analyzing the concept of 'Void Slash'... 10%... 20%...]
Vikram didn't have time for a complete analysis. He took a gamble.
"Master! Get back!" Vikram shouted.
He closed his eyes. He drew all the 'Origin Energy' from his navel and pushed it through his arms into the old blade.
Normally, an ordinary blade wouldn't withstand such energy and would shatter. But Vikram didn't focus the energy on the blade's surface; instead, he concentrated it just beyond its edge. He visualized the 'Void' he had seen in the black plate's vision.
The air around the knife began to tremble. The blade turned pitch black, as if it had absorbed the light.
Seeing Vikram exposed, the Elite Spider attacked again. This time, it lunged straight at him to pierce him through.
Vikram's eyes snapped open. There were no pupils visible, only deep darkness.
"Void Slash... First Form!"
He swung the blade through the air.
There was no sound. There was no explosion. Just a thin, black line drawn across the air.
That black line passed through the Elite Spider's body.
For a moment, everything stood still. The spider was still in mid-air; Vikram was still in his stance.
Then, a cracking sound was heard.
The giant Elite Spider split into two halves in mid-air. Its blue blood erupted like a fountain. Its invincible armor had been sliced through like paper.
[Elite Creature 'Blue-Blood Spider' hunted.]
[Origin Gene +10 (Max limit exceeded - cannot be stored)]
[Beast Soul Gained: Elite Blue-Blood Spider (Armor Type)]
The System's voice sounded like music to Vikram's ears, but he didn't get a chance to celebrate. As soon as he completed the strike, the blade in his hand turned to dust and scattered. Simultaneously, all strength was drained from Vikram's body. He fell to his knees.
"Boy!" Master Yu ran to support him. "That... what was that? You cut the air!"
"Later..." Vikram panted. His face was drenched in sweat. "The powder... now!"
The small spiders were now at their feet.
Master Yu lit the pouch of gunpowder and threw it into the midst of the spider swarm.
BOOM!!!
A loud explosion followed. The cave ceiling, already weak, began to collapse. Falling rocks blocked the path of the small spiders.
Amidst the dust and smoke, Master Yu hoisted Vikram onto his shoulder and ran toward the exit. Even as they left, Vikram didn't forget to grab the glowing 'Life Crystal' from between the two halves of the Elite Spider, along with the black plate.
When they emerged, they found the main hall of the mine deserted. The 'Spider King' had likely chased the guards up toward the surface.
Vikram slumped against a wall in a safe corner. He was terribly exhausted, but a triumphant smile played on his face.
"I got an Elite Beast Soul," he thought to himself. "And this technique... 'Void Slash'. This will become my greatest weapon in this world."
But just then, the sound of clapping came from the mine entrance.
"Wow! What a magnificent spectacle," a sweet but venomous voice echoed.
A woman emerged from the smoke. She wore red silk robes and held a whip in her hand. Behind her stood six armed Elite Guards.
She was the city's new 'Enforcer'. And she had seen Vikram use that technique.
"A slave who knows 'Void Arts'?" The woman approached Vikram and lifted his chin with her whip. "You are not ordinary trash. State your name, or shall I cut out your tongue right now?"
Author Note: "If you like the story, please vote with Power Stones! It helps me write faster."