My senses had grown remarkably sharp after consuming hundreds of mir stones. The accumulated power had made my body acutely sensitive to energy fluctuations. In this vast forest, where only Jaipa and I wandered, I had detected no energy emanating from any living creature until now.
Following the mysterious energy signature, I traced it to a massive oak tree. I paused, considering my approach, then formed the familiar square of light and teleported directly in front of the source.
What I found was a nightmare given form.
The creature was a hulking mass of grotesque flesh, its body covered in jagged, thorn-like protrusions that gleamed wetly in the filtered sunlight. Its hunched, muscular frame supported elongated limbs that ended in massive claws capable of rending stone. But its most disturbing feature was the single, blazing yellow eye embedded in the center of its skull and below this cyclopean gaze, a cavernous maw stretched wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. The creature's skin appeared to be in various stages of decay, threaded through with dark, sinewy tendrils that writhed like living veins.
My sudden appearance startled the beast. It released a low growl and took a defensive step backward, that singular eye never leaving my form.
"I was expecting to find an intelligent being," I muttered, studying the monstrosity. "But this... wait. If this creature is releasing such energy, that means "
"A creature that possesses an Orin," Jaipa interrupted, his voice carrying an unusual note of concern. He stood beside the great oak, one shoulder pressed against its bark.
Orin's are like us Keys… They choose these creatures as their owners, becoming part of them and once a creature gets their 'Orin,' they are no longer the same mindless beasts they once were. Now, they can evolve and get stronger, just like humans does Such creatures were known as Walkers.
"But didn't you say they bear a mark a black crystal on their heads?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the creature.
"Look more carefully. It's positioned just above the glowing eye, partially hidden by the twisted flesh."
I examined the Walker more intently. Sure enough, a small crystalline formation of pure black jutted from its skull, nearly invisible against the creature's mottled hide the unmistakable mark of an Orin bearer.
The Walker shifted its weight forward, muscles coiling like springs. That intelligent yellow eye assessed me like a prey
"It knows you don't belong here," Jaipa said while observing it, his tone was growing uncharacteristically serious. "Be cautious. Walkers are fundamentally different from ordinary creatures they're unpredictable and cunning."
I tightened my grip on my blade, my body automatically settling into a combat stance. The creature's response was immediate a low, rumbling growl that echoed through the forest like distant thunder.
"A Walker..." I mused aloud. "You must be formidable to have earned something that sets you apart from the common beasts."
Jaipa stepped away from the tree, positioning himself for a better view. "Looking at its size and bearing, I'd wager it's far stronger than those Shadowmancers you've been hunting. Walkers possess rudimentary tactical thinking they don't simply charge blindly into battle. I can't determine how much it has evolved, but Walkers are—"
"I understand they're different," I cut him off, never wavering in my focus.
As if to validate Jaipa's warning, the Walker suddenly lunged sideways rather than directly at me. Suddenly it's massive thorn flew towards me douging them i moved forward
All the thron it threw towards me were hit the nearby tree trunk, wood splintering with a sickening crack. Now the creature was, hefting like a primitive club.
The Walker's roar shook leaves from the canopy overhead before it charged. I rolled aside just as its improvised weapon smashed into the earth where I'd stood, sending dirt and debris erupting skyward.
Pivoting quickly, I slashed at the creature's extended arm. With my blade and found its mark, but the cut was disappointingly shallow its hide possessed an almost armor-like quality a azure fluid seeped from the wound, yet the Walker barely acknowledged the injury.
"Its skin is it reinforced," I hissed through clenched teeth.
The creature swung horizontally with devastating force. I ducked beneath the strike and darted forward, driving my blade toward its midsection. This thrust penetrated deeper, but the Walker responded by bringing its free hand down in a crushing hammer blow. I managed to withdraw my weapon and whisper the incantation for Neither Steps, forming the familiar square and materializing atop the creature's massive frame.
Raising my blade high above its head, I prepared to deliver a finishing blow only to be struck by a sudden beam of searing energy that launched me backward through the air. I crashed into a tree with bone-jarring force, the impact violent enough to shower the area with falling leaves, transforming the painful moment into an oddly beautiful scene.
"Hff..." I exhaled slowly, taking stock of my condition. "Just in time." I had managed to wrap my tai energy around my blade at the last possible second, using it as a crude shield against the energy beam.
"That was unexpected... so you can perform tricks like that," I said to the Walker, rising to my feet. The creature seemed to understand my words, its expression shifting to one of unmistakable pride.
The beam had originated from the Walker's eye I realized this just as another searing blast shot toward me. This time I was prepared for the attack, I sidestepped easily. The energy struck a tree behind me, the explosion so violent it toppled the ancient oak, leaving a smoking crater in its trunk.
"Hey there, one-eyed weirdo" I called out "Are you actually trying to kill me?"
Despite facing a Walker my confidence flowed through my veins not arrogance, but genuine belief in my own strength. For the past month, not a single day had passed without combat. I had fought and killed and fought again, an endless cycle of violence and growth. The number of monsters I'd slain exceeded several hundred, which meant I'd consumed just as many mir stones.
" So it rank must be at Feral " jaipa muttered to himself
"Rudra?"
"Hm?" I glanced at Jaipa.
"Are you enjoying this?"
I considered the question for a moment, then shook my head slightly. "Perhaps a little. Why do you ask?"
He sighed deeply. "Finish it already. Watching has grown tedious."
"Well.. well." I turned back to the Walker, channeling and condensing my tai energy around my blade until it hummed with lethal power. "Time to end this, Mr. One-Eye. I'll finish you quickly so you won't feel any pain." Saying that i took a deliberate step forward. "Aren't I a merciful human?"
"Indeed," Jaipa replied dryly. "I've witnessed your legendary kindness documented in the Book of Etresh. Truly, you are the most compassionate of all beings."
With those words, I wrapped and compressed my tai energy around my weapon even more my blade was beginning to glow with condensed power of red colour
" your soul should have mercy of my kindness ! "