As the intense crackle formed by the clashing of my blade and the spider's claws reverberated so soundly that I felt myself become disoriented for a split second, a sharp jolt of white-hot pain made its way from my wrist all the way to the furthest points of my shoulder, shocking my system as the repeated sensation of stabbing continued to emasculate my senses.
Almost as if you were rubbing salt on a wound, the burning only intensified as my open cut ceased its regeneration process enhanced by my abilities in response to reopening, a geyser of blood pouring out as the clotted blood was forced apart.
With no choice, I let go of my grip over my blade, the blade transitioning from its bland grays and blues into a blinding white as it lit up everything in proximity, before finally dissipating into the background and being reintroduced to my inventory.
As I reeled back to release my blade, the spider's momentum didn't stop, instead shooting for my chest as its claw penetrated my ribcage before subsequently exiting just right of my spine.
Weirdly enough, the discomfort from having such a grievous stab wound didn't come from the pain, but the certainty that I didn't have long to live.
"Kihkihkeh!" The spider boldly laughs in my face, the corners of its mouth being peeled back in what may have been a twisted, more contorted depiction of the human smile.
Although its haughty display of emotion should've moved me to counterattack in some form, I could only concentrate on the massive gaping hole it left behind as it finally retrieved its claw, sitting back to watch me survey over my own wounds.
"Warning: HP has dropped below 10%."
"Well, thanks system."
Dropping down on one knee, my body begins to shake as the all too familiar sensation of cold begins to overcome me, blood ushering forth from both my chest and arm.
As I could only look on in anguish, the spider begins to reel its claw back, more than likely intent on finishing the job.
But I can't die here; I won't, not after being given this second chance!
As more and more spiders begin to close in to finally relish in their spoils of battle, I reach for my status window, reimagining the inner workings of my skills.
I'd always struggled to do this, but maybe because it's a new system...
"Energy allocation..." I utter in a whisper, the last bit of MP I have being poured into the skill. Instantaneously, a blinding light appears, deafening my rasped breathing and halting the creature's assault for a split second--just enough time.
Suddenly, power returns to my limbs. The cold blood that had been pouring out just moments again soon began to refill, the open wounds closing as the sensation of pain running along my body began to dissipate.
While a blinding light enveloped my entire body, I felt an uplifting force as I caught the finishing attack of the spider, its claw just barely digging into my skin but leaving only the shallowest of cuts as I took on its full brunt.
Without hesitation, I pulled the spider in, knocking it into the ground with my other fist, now healed enough to be used in combat.
As the force of my fist dug into the creature's face, the leg I'd been holding on to snapped off, blood spiraling out as a willowing gasp for air could be heard, the creature's windpipes crushed from my pulverizing blow.
As my punch lodged the spider in the ground, the earth below was crushed as bits and pieces flew upwards almost as if the earth itself were hurling in response to the weight of my blow.
Not wishing to give the spider a chance to recover, I hop into the air to enter a forward flip as my leg smashes into the back of the creature, its eyes shifting from a bloody red to a snow white.
Energy Allocation. I was foolish to sum it up as the same in the previous legacy system.
Before, it had a different name--energy assimilation. While similar, the two still have different implications.
While energy assimilation could be used to conjure weapons and similar constructions, it couldn't move around energy in the same way I'd witnessed energy allocation perform its talents. With energy allocation, while performing the same feats, I could move the mana around myself however I willed it.
Then, if I could move mana out, couldn't I move it... in?
To use energy allocation as a means to effective infuse my body with mana efficiently and effectively; to empower my cells and strengthen my will. Through this reasoning, I'll do it. I'll strengthen my being with the very same technique, emboldening myself to the very brim.
As the mana began to pass through my body, I felt a deeper strength begin to form, evident in the light blue shroud of aura encompassing my entire body at this moment.
Grabbing onto the head of the beast, I apply a torque as it cries out in pain. Although I began to feel bad for the thing, I remembered its ruthlessness in killing me and returned to the task at hand, dismembering the creature as the last neck muscles tore, its torso now divided from its head.
Looking over towards where the majority of the spiders were, I throw the head, eliciting fear as they subsequently back up.
Looking down on my hands, I bask in the strength of the surrounding blue aura, my cells becoming more powerful by the minute.
With this power, I'll defeat all of these bastards.