Belga stood back up. Cracks formed across his body, but he didn't care. His exoskeleton twitched and pulsed like it was alive.
He clenched his jaw.
"You dare throw me?" he roared. "I'll crush your spine!"
A set of locusts swarms formed behind Isaac, moving like a black wave.
Isaac gripped his axe and nodded to himself.
He could feel it, his strength returning and the swarm responding sharper than ever.
This time he is using his swarm not to distract, nor devour, but to fight alongside him.
Belga snarled, already charging at him.
Isaac didn't dodge. He stepped forward.
"Come on," he muttered.
As Belga swung his claw, Isaac wisphered, "Defensive Wall."
FWIP!
A wall of locusts shot up between them, blocking the strike. The impact scattered the insects, but Isaac was already moving.
He dashed low and fast, his axe flashing toward Belga's exposed ribs.
CLANG!
Belga jumped back, claws scraping against the axe's edge. A small cut appeared on his side, dark blood oozed out.
Belga froze.
"You…!" he growled, staring at the wound. "You actually cut me?"
Isaac didn't answer. He raised his free hand again.
The swarm twisted tight around him, wings humming like blades, forming a living wall of steel and fang.
Isaac's eyes stayed focused. He wasn't just attacking now. He was thinking.
Belga roared and lunged again, faster and angrier. But Isaac met him head-on.
He dodged left, the locusts taking the blow instead.
Then he aimed right for Belga's leg.
THUNK!
Another hit, clean. Belga stumbled back, shocked again.
Isaac stepped forward, calm and steady.
Belga growled, eyes wild. "You think that little hit means anything?!"
He charged again, faster, claws slashing through the air.
But Isaac was ready.
"Defensive Wall," he whispered again.
The locusts formed a moving barrier, shifting like armor to block the incoming strikes. Each blow shook the swarm, but Isaac stayed standing.
He used the moment to study Belga's movements, his habits, his openings.
"There," Isaac spotted it.
Belga always dropped his left elbow after swinging.
Isaac moved.
SWIPE!
His axe struck again, this time cutting across Belga's shoulder. A deeper wound. Blood splashed to the ground.
Belga screamed in rage, backing away.
Isaac didn't stop. He stepped forward, commanding the swarm to focus on Belga's face.
The locusts flew fast, swarming Belga's eyes.
"Aghh! Get off me!"
Blinded, Belga slashed wildly. Isaac ducked, spun, and slammed the handle-edged of his axe into Belga's chest.
Belga crashed backward, breathing hard.
"You were right about one thing," Isaac said, calm but cold. "I was weak."
Belga looked up, eyes shaking.
"But you're weaker than me."
Isaac's axe was stained with blood, but Belga's wounds began to close.
His flesh twisted and healed. Bones snapped back into place.
Belga laughed. "You thought that was enough? I'm not done yet."
But Isaac didn't flinch. "Then let's finish it."
The Battle Continues…
They clashed again. Belga's attacks were wild now, less precise.
Isaac dodged and countered. His swarm blocked incoming hits. He focused, using less energy, moving smarter.
Each time Belga healed, Isaac would wound him again, faster, deeper, cleaner.
Soon, Belga's movements slowed.
His regeneration lagged.
His body trembled.
"I... I'm losing control," Belga muttered, stepping back. "What's happening?"
Isaac moved.
He shot forward like lightning, dust kicking up behind him.
In one blink, he was in front of Belga, close enough to see the fear in his eyes.
Before the humanoid could react, Isaac grabbed him by the throat with both hands.
Belga's eyes widened in shock. His claws twitched, but Isaac's grip tightened.
Belga stood a full seven feet tall, his foot digging into the ground, trying to hold his balance.
But it wasn't enough.
Behind him, the swarm came, hundreds of locusts crashing into his legs like a speeding cart hitting a man in the street.
Belga lost his balance.
His body tilted.
And in that moment, Isaac roared and slammed him down with all his strength.
BOOM!
The ground cracked beneath them as Belga's body hit the cave floor, dust and rock bursting into the air.
Belga was buried halfway into the ground, groaning.
Isaac didn't let up.
He stepped on Belga's chest, pinning him down.
Axe in hand, blade pointed straight at his enemy's face.
Belga stared up, choking, breathless.
He coughed blood. Still, he grinned.
"Killing me changes nothing," he spat. "The palace will continue the plan. Bulcan will rise, stronger than ever."
Isaac narrowed his eyes.
"What plan?" he asked.
Belga's grin widened. "You think we were selling those captives? No... they were chosen. They're being made. Soon, all of Bulcan will be reborn."
But before Isaac could ask again, his gaze darkened.
Isaac's grip tightened on the axe.
His hand trembled, just once.
Then the air shifted.
Cold. Still. Heavy.
A low hum filled the cave, like something ancient had just woken up.
Belga frowned, but then he saw it. Isaac's eyes darkened, turning black like the void.
His voice dropped, deeper, colder.
"Any last words?"
It wasn't just Isaac anymore.
The being emerged.
Belga froze.
Fear swept across his face.
"W-What are you?" he whispered.
Isaac grinned, but it wasn't his usual grin. It was sharper. Colder.
"Any last words?" he asked, voice calm and cruel.
Belga trembled. "Who... Who are you?!"
The smile deepened.
"Something far older than you."
Isaac raised his axe.
[Skill Activated: Abyssal Smash]
The axe dropped.
Like splitting a log.... something a farmer does.
CRACK!
Then Belga's head burst like glass. Bone, blood, and brain flew everywhere shattered by dark energy.
Isaac stepped back, still cold and silent.
Then he looked at Tiny.
His eyes flickered, then returned to normal.
A sharp breath escaped his lips.
Like he had been holding it in.
He blinked, just once, as if waking from a dream.
'It's all yours.' voice steadier now and quitier.
Tiny buzzed forward, grinning.
'Finally,' he hissed, his small voice full of pride. 'Payback time.'
He bit into Belga's remains. The swarm followed.
Within seconds, Belga was gone.
The notification system flashed.
[Swarm Devour Effect… 100% absorption]
[Swarm Authority Level: 51% Points]
[Skill Progression: Swarm Authority has reached Advanced Level.]
The swarm can deal real damage, act intelligently and follow more complex commands.
[Abyssal Smash: 27% Mastery]
Suddenly, the ground shook.
Rocks fell from above.
Cracks spread across the cave walls.
"It's coming down!" Aiah shouted.
Ben and Putol were already outside, leading the rescued captives to safety.
Aiah and Nai burned the last cocoon, then turned and ran toward the exit.
"Isaac!" Aiah yelled, looking back.
But he didn't answer.
He was still inside.
Outside the Cave
Everyone stood outside, breathless.
Then…
BOOM!
The cave collapsed.
Dust filled the air. Stones tumbled down.
Aiah fell to her knees, eyes wide. "No... he didn't make it..."
Silence.
Nothing moved.
Then, from the smoke and rubble…
A figure walked out.
Covered in dust. His axe still in hand. His body bruised, but standing tall.
Isaac.
He stopped in front of them.
"Let's bring them back to camp," he said, his voice calm.
Everyone stared.
No one spoke.
Then Nai gave a small smile. "Told you he'd make it."