E-Rank or SSS-Rank: I Awakened a Skill That Shouldn't Exist-Chapter 64: Last struggle
Chapter 64: Last struggle
Chapter 64
Inside the Red Portal
The dark jungle was thick, shadows weaving beneath towering ancient trees as an explosive shout shattered the stillness:
"Tenth Jungle Art — Falcon Dive, Flame Style!"
A blazing meteorite-like strike tore through the dense canopy, crashing down with earth-shattering force upon a pack of monsters. The air was filled with roaring flames and the scent of scorched wood as the creatures howled in pain, scattering like leaves caught in a storm.
When the smoke curled away, Han stood unwavering amid the carnage, fingers curled tightly around a jagged black stone that had fallen from the vanquished monsters’ grasp. The stone pulsed faintly, ominous yet undeniably valuable — something rare, its worth comparable to a high B-rank treasure, maybe even A-rank. Without hesitation, Han whispered, "Into the inventory," and the stone vanished from sight, swallowed by the ethereal void of his system’s interface.
Nearby, Aiden mirrored the action, his own prize disappearing into the endless digital abyss of his system’s cache.
Clara, ever graceful, didn’t move a muscle but simply tossed a pristine white sphere into the air. It hovered, shimmering, as the scattered black stones around them—gathered by an unseen magnetic pull—whispered a sinister hiss. Slowly, the stones condensed and compressed into the orb, shrinking until it fit perfectly back into Clara’s palm.
At the edge of the clearing, Ron watched with a sour scowl etched deep across his face, arms crossed tightly. The others flaunted their prowess with casual flair while he stood sidelined, simmering with envy and frustration. I swear, I’m going to get a system soon, he thought bitterly, grinding his teeth.
The group pressed forward, the thick underbrush crunching beneath their feet. Han’s senses were on edge — that nagging tug in his gut, a warning sign that time was slipping away. They arrived at a fork in the path, where the jungle split sharply into two directions.
Without hesitation, Han activated his analyzer eye, his eyes glowing a deep blue as it scanned the two routes. His breath caught as two massive energy signatures flickered before him — two portal bosses, each radiating an almost unbearable pressure.
"Dual portal bosses," Han muttered, the weight of the revelation crashing over the others like a tidal wave. Clara and Aiden exchanged stunned glances. Such a scenario was rare almost unheard of — almost suicidal.
Aiden took the lead. "I and Clara will take the left. Han and Ron should take the right."
Han shook his head sharply, eyes narrowing with resolve. "I’m going alone. That red portal boss... it won’t be anything you’ve ever faced before. This fight requires everything you got to offer."
Aiden protested, "Isn’t that exactly why you should have backup?"
Han’s expression hardened. "I have a helper."
Aiden’s retort died in his throat as he remembered the ever-annoying but fiercely loyal bodyguard who had accompanied Han this entire journey.
"Fine," Aiden relented, "Just be quick. We’ll handle our side."
With that, Clara, Aiden, and Ron veered left, their silhouettes swallowed by the oppressive jungle mist, while Han exhaled slowly and stepped toward the right path, the sickening sensation of dread twisting his stomach like a knife.
Why won’t this feeling ever leave?
---
Back in Serenya
Boom!
An ear-splitting explosion tore through the air, sending a battered figure hurtling high into the sky like a ragdoll. Ronan coughed harshly, crimson dripping from his lips, yet his instincts ignited into full alert. With a desperate slash, he thrust his sword forward just in time to block a lethal rapier strike aimed at his throat.
The enemy’s rapier slammed against his steel, its brutal force propelling Ronan backward with a sickening thud that gouged a crater into the cracked earth beneath him.
Pain seared through his limbs; his legs trembled violently under the strain. Blinking through the haze of agony, Ronan locked eyes with the glowing red holographic message hovering before him:
HP: 13 / 100
Healing is urgently needed, the system warned with cold finality.
Ronan sneered internally, a bitter laugh escaping his cracked lips. Shouldn’t it just heal me automatically? He recalled Han’s advice about the recovery pills — their effect, the temporary surge of life—but each his daily quest was insane daily quests that demanded killing, relentlessly.
The first: assassinate someone ranked higher than himself.
The second: eliminate three marked targets.
The third: kill any five people or creatures.
All of it revolved around killing. Ronan couldn’t help but wonder why he was cursed with such a merciless system.He had already marked the three targets at his front, and once eliminated, he’d reap the rewards.
He glanced warily at the foes surrounding him — the trio’s merciless eyes gleaming like predators. His chances? Nonexistent.
But Ronan refused to surrender.
With a roar that tore from his raw throat, he staggered to his feet, muscles screaming, mind screaming louder.
He charged — but barely seconds passed before the relentless barrage of attacks sent him crashing again, this time into a deeper crater. His body went numb; the edges of his vision blurred into an ominous darkness.
HP: 1 / 100
Host is in critical condition. Will die unless treated within 1 minute.
A cold, desperate voice echoed in his mind: Is this how it ends?
Without vengeance? Without justice? The thought twisted painfully through his soul as the holographic countdown began to flicker—faster, closer.
Then — a chime.
Ping!
Your body is evolving... Evolving... Evolution complete.
Suddenly, his system flared to life with blinding intensity, a torrent of energy flooding his broken frame.
Current Limit: Prime Human
You have received two skills from Navi.
All status restored.
His vision snapped back into clarity; strength surged like wildfire through his veins.
HP: 300 / 300
Energy: 1500 / 1500
---
At Han’s side
Han’s eyes scanned the system notification blinked insistently at his front.
Target: Ronan has evolved successfully.
Skills transferred.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the weight of the situation settling in. The system had alerted him that he was in danger — and he had made the choice.
With this upgrade, even I’ll have a tough time dealing with him, Han mused, his face growing serious as he faced the large black double doors ahead. Whatever waited beyond, it would take everything he had to overcome it.
"Ifrit," Han called, and the blazing flame spirit materialized beside him.
Without hesitation, Han pushed open the doors.
Back at Ronan’s Side
The trio was already turning to leave, intent on finishing what they started, when they froze—alerted by the faintest sound of movement.
Turning, they stared in disbelief.
Ronan was standing again, though his face was still turned down.
"Wait... is this guy even killable?" Burner whispered in terror, his voice barely audible.
It was as if they’d been fighting some relentless undead—a creature that refused to die no matter how many times it was struck down.
"I haven’t told you—to leave," Ronan said, his voice low, chilling.
Then, his head lifted, and his eyes flashed a menacing purple glow.
Crossing his swords with deliberate precision over his chest, he exhaled coldly, a terrifying calm emanating from him as he spoke two simple words:
"Let’s roll."
To be continued....
