The creature staggered backward.
Blood poured from the deep wound across its body, splashing onto the stone beneath its feet.
Kael stood several meters away, breathing heavily.
The Mark on his palm burned.
First Blood had finally activated.
Then something changed.
The creature's body began to tremble.
Its limbs tightened.
The beast's large frame slowly pulled inward as dark-red mana spread across its body. Its forearms shortened, its claws changing shape as its posture rose.
Crack.
Crack.
The sound of bones shifting echoed through the chamber.
Kael watched silently.
The creature straightened.
Its body was no longer hunched over like a beast.
It stood upright.
Humanoid.
Its dark fur remained across its body, but its proportions had changed completely. Its arms were longer, its hands more defined, and its claws had become thinner and sharper.
Its eyes remained fixed on Kael.
Then Kael noticed something else.
The wounds across his own body were closing.
The cuts along his ribs slowly sealed.
The bleeding from his thigh stopped.
The deeper wounds across his arms tightened until only thin lines remained.
Kael flexed his fingers.
The pain faded.
He didn't take his eyes off the creature.
The beast suddenly disappeared.
Kael's expression changed.
Nothing.
No footsteps.
No movement.
No warning.
The chamber seemed empty.
Then the Mark pulsed.
A sharp sensation ran through Kael's palm.
It urged him toward something.
Kael understood immediately.
Take it.
His eyes narrowed.
He didn't hesitate.
"Speed."
The moment the word left his mouth, warmth surged through his body.
His muscles tightened.
His senses sharpened.
The world seemed to slow.
Not completely.
Just enough.
Kael's eyes shifted.
There.
A slight distortion in the air.
Something moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
The beast appeared directly in front of him.
Its claw was already descending.
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
He had barely caught it.
His body reacted before his thoughts could.
"Mirage Step."
His figure blurred at the final instant.
The claw tore through where his body had been.
But Kael wasn't fast enough.
The edge of the attack still caught him.
SHING!
A deep cut opened from his ribs all the way toward his shoulder.
Blood sprayed across the stone.
Kael stumbled several steps away, one hand pressing against the wound.
The pain was immediate.
But his eyes remained fixed on the creature.
The humanoid beast stood several meters away.
It had already turned toward him.
Kael slowly straightened.
The wound began closing.
But his expression had changed.
That wasn't the same creature anymore.
Its speed had completely changed.
Kael had only survived because the Mark had warned him and the temporary boost had sharpened his body enough for him to notice the movement.
Even then...
He had still been hit.
Kael wiped the blood from his mouth.
The beast lowered its body.
Its crimson eyes locked onto him.
Kael tightened his grip around his sword.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Now that's troublesome."
The beast disappeared again.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
This time, he was ready.
Or at least...
He hoped he was.
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