{Argus's POV}
Argus' movements became more fluid as the battle raged on. He weaved between strikes from the two Unique Undead, using his scythe both defensively and offensively. The dark purple aura around the weapon pulsed with power, making each swing feel heavier, more destructive.
The Twin Sword Undead closed the distance once again, its blades cutting through the air in a series of rapid strikes aimed at Argus' torso. Argus deflected the first few blows with quick movements, using the shaft of his scythe to block the slashes. He could feel the strength behind each hit, but his scythe held firm. With a grunt, he pushed back against the twin swords, creating a small opening.
Seizing the moment, Argus swung his scythe in a sharp arc. The blade met the undead's shoulder, and with a sickening crunch, it carved deep into the creature's rotten flesh. The Twin Sword Undead staggered, but before Argus could finish it off, the Undead Warrior with the oversized knife came charging in from the side, swinging its massive blade in a brutal horizontal strike.
Argus leaned back, narrowly avoiding the attack, then pivoted on his heel and used the momentum to deliver a powerful upward slash with his scythe. The force of the strike sent the Undead Warrior stumbling back, its oversized knife slipping from its grip once again.
But Argus didn't let up. He spun the scythe around and brought it down in a sweeping motion, cutting through the ranks of lesser undead that swarmed around him. The sheer force of the attack sent the undead flying, their bodies disintegrating from the impact.
As the Twin Sword Undead recovered, Argus could sense its growing fury. Its movements became more erratic, faster, but less controlled. It lunged at Argus with both swords, aiming to pierce his chest. Argus sidestepped the attack with ease, and in one smooth motion, he swung his scythe around, using the hook-like blade to catch one of the undead's swords.
With a sharp tug, Argus disarmed the creature, sending the sword clattering to the ground. The Twin Sword Undead, now weaponless on one side, tried to retaliate with its remaining blade, but Argus was already one step ahead. He blocked the strike with his scythe, then kicked the undead square in the chest, sending it sprawling to the ground.
The Undead Warrior was back on its feet, charging once more with reckless abandon, but Argus was ready. He met the charge head-on, using his scythe to parry the oversized knife, then delivered a brutal counterattack. His scythe cut through the warrior's arm, severing it at the elbow. The oversized knife fell to the ground with a heavy thud, leaving the warrior defenseless.
Argus didn't waste any time. With a powerful overhead swing, he brought the scythe down on the Undead Warrior's head, splitting it in two. The creature crumpled to the ground, its body twitching before going still.
Now, only the Twin Sword Undead
remained.
Argus didn't even pause to catch his breath. He charged forward, scythe in hand, and with one final, decisive swing, he cleaved the Twin Sword Undead in half. The creature let out a low, guttural growl before collapsing, its body disintegrating into dust.
The battlefield was now littered with the remains of the undead, but Argus had barely broken a sweat. He straightened up, his gaze shifting toward the cloaked figure in the distance. He had cleared the path, and now it was time to deal with the one who had summoned these creatures.
"You are the last one here."(Argus)
Argus said, his voice cold and flat as he locked eyes with the bald man.
Despite Argus's stoic expression and the fact that he'd just annihilated two powerful Unique Undead, the bald man did not panic. If anything, he seemed unnervingly calm, his gaze steady as he stared back at Argus. The earlier traces of fear had vanished, replaced by a strange confidence that made Argus uneasy.
Argus walked toward the man, each step deliberate, his scythe resting on his shoulder, the air thick with tension. Yet, the bald man didn't flinch, his composure unsettling.
As Argus closed in, he felt the strain of battle creeping up on him. His Twilight Beast Assimilation was nearing its end. He could sense the rapid depletion of his strength as Astrea's stats slowly left his body. Remaining calm, Argus stored his scythe into his storage ring before dispelling the skill. Astrea emerged beside him, her presence bringing a slight comfort despite the drop in his power.
Argus felt the difference immediately. His physical prowess had diminished, and his soul power was running dangerously low, hovering at a mere 5%. But even with these disadvantages, he remained composed.
'Are you alright, Master?'(Astrea)
Astrea's voice echoed in his mind, her concern clear as she communicated through their mental link.
'Yeah, I'm fine. Capture him, Astrea.'(Argus)
Without hesitation, Astrea nodded, her silver eyes sharpening with resolve.
"Yes!"(Astrea)
Astrea dashed toward the bald man.
To her surprise, the bald man didn't move, didn't even attempt to resist. Astrea bound him swiftly, pulling him forward until he stood face to face with Argus. Something about his lack of resistance made her uneasy, but she said nothing as she secured the restraints.
The bald man stared at Argus with a strange intensity, an eerie smirk creeping across his face. The expression caught Astrea off guard, and her instincts flared in warning. Danger.
Her muscles tensed as she prepared to react, but Argus remained still, his gaze locked onto the man. The atmosphere shifted, and Astrea's unease only deepened as the smirk on the man's face widened, as if he knew something they didn't. Something sinister.
"Master, something isn't right."(Astrea)
Astrea warned, her voice tight with anxiety.
Argus narrowed his eyes, but before he could respond, the bald man's low chuckle broke the silence. It was a sound filled with malice and dark amusement, the kind that sent a shiver down one's spine.
"You're body is mine now!"
The bald man declared with a sinister grin.
Without warning, a grotesque black worm-like entity slithered out from the bald man's chest and leapt toward Argus. Both Argus and Astrea were caught off guard. Argus didn't sense immediate danger, but his body reacted instinctively, wanting to catch the creature. However, it moved faster than expected, slipping between his fingers.
Before he could react, the black worm phased through Argus's chest, disappearing into his body like dark magic. Inside his mind, a chilling laughter echoed, half-crazed and triumphant.
"Zehahaha! You let your guard down! Now, I'll consume your soul and claim this powerful body of yours! To think I would gain such a physique from a newly awakened Awakener! Even with our records, I've never read about someone this strong! But now, it's all mine. I'll devour your soul slowly as payback for dismissing me earlier!"
The parasite cackled as it began its journey toward Argus's soul, ready to feast on it. Argus, however, maintained his stoic expression. His eyes fluttered shut as he focused inward, searching for the voice of the malevolent worm within.
"Master!"(Astrea)
Astrea's voice trembled with concern, her body poised to act. But she paused as Argus calmly raised a hand, signaling her to wait.
His calmness unsettled her, but she obeyed, trusting in her master's judgment.
Within his mind, Argus found the worm racing toward his soul, its sinister laughter growing louder. Yet, he remained unbothered.
Argus's soul power was at its weakest, drained from his earlier battles and the prolonged use of Twilight Beast Assimilation. He could feel the black worm slithering ever closer, its malicious intent seeping into his mind. The parasite flowed beside his Soul, ready to strike.
The worm hesitated for a moment, its gleeful confidence giving way to stunned disbelief as it took in the vastness of Argus's Soul Sea.
'What is this Soul Power?! It's as strong as someone in the Core Forging Realm?!'
The bald man's thoughts echoed in disbelief.
But just as quickly, the shock turned to calmness. Despite the enormous size and potential of Argus's Soul Sea, there was something peculiar about it—emptiness. No vibrant energy or force emanated from it, only a void. The soul was vast, but lifeless, as though hollowed out.
'Ah... so that fusion skill was fueled by his soul power.'
The worm thought.
'That makes sense. A technique of his class... Summoners rely on Soul Magic, after all. This exhaustion is proof of it.'
The worm-like entity grinned inwardly, its confidence swelling once more.
'This is perfect.'
It mused.
'He's completely defenseless. His soul is ripe for the taking, and I can consume it without resistance. Thank you for the feast!'
It lunged at Argus's soul, eager to devour it and claim his body for its own.
However, even with its malicious glee, there was something the worm had yet to realize. Even Argus did not know the full extent of what was hidden within his Soul, and for now, he chose to watch from the sidelines. He had a clear view of everything happening within his Soul Sea, the vast emptiness echoing like a silent void. Here, in his own inner consciousness, Argus held complete authority.
He could, if he wanted, expel the worm with a mere exertion of his will. Yet, he refrained.
'This will be an experiment.'
Argus mused silently.
'If whatever is hidden inside my Soul decides to act, I'll learn something new. If it doesn't... well, it won't be too late to intervene.'
He continued to observe, letting the worm inch closer to his Soul. The malicious entity was unaware, gloating as it prepared to consume Argus's essence.