Beatitudes

Episode 98.

The first attack that Isaac had launched at it that sent it smashing to the ground was one that  managed to shake up its insides to a very large degree, even though it didn’t pierce through its skin. This was part of the reason why the wolf had not been able to evade the second attack as blood was finally drawn.

The wolf growled in pain from the pain it felt. At this point, it only served to worsen its burn injuries and give it more pain. It was now that it finally let loose as it threw all concerns to the wind to be whisked away.

It’s pupils which were already blood red in color seemed to have changed as the red color deepened somewhat at this point, making it seem like its eyes were stained with blood. malice oozed out of it as a crazy glint shone from its eyes.

This sudden change didn’t escape the notice of Hiya who had always been watching the wolf closely. On noticing its changing aura, she knew immediately that things were going to increase in intensity at this point. She wasted no time as she immediately raised her voice to allow Harry and Isaac to hear her words.

“Watch out, the wolf’s going-“

But she hadn’t been able to get the entirety of her warning out to the two as the wolf made its move almost instantaneously.

Like a blurry shadow, it once again showcased the horrific and seemingly unstoppable speed that it had previously shown only twice, both times being Isaac who was the one that forced the wolf to use this speed that made them somewhat helpless. And this time was no different from the previous two as it was once again Isaac who had landed the threatening attack that forced the wolf to reveal its ultimate speed.

The body of the wolf seemed to have blurred somewhat as it flickered just the slightest bit. Following the flicker, the three trial challengers opened their eyes wide in shock and panic as what happened next caught them unawares.

A black shadow with red stripes all over its body that eventually converged at its forehead had appeared abruptly in front of Harry as it swiped its claw ferociously with an angry growl and bloodlust evident in its eyes. Someone watching from the sidelines would be surprised to see the same scene occurring over at Hiya and Isaac’s side as well.

And Isaac and Hiya themselves were caught off guard by the sight of the wolf appearing instantaneously in front of them right from where it was just a moment ago. Even Hiya who had tried to sound a warning before it made its move was surprised at the wolf’s next move. This particular move of the wolf seemed to be a particularly dangerous one as the situation was unexpected, the three simultaneously felt a flustering feeling rise up within them as the wolf gazed at them with its devilish pupils regarding them as its next meal. The sight made them feel like they were before an all powerful beast that had pushed them down to the ground with no strength to do anything as they awaited their fate of being eaten alive.

But luckily for them, the feeling that was actually being conveyed to their subconscious by the wolf through its gaze was fairly weaker than it was supposed to due to the injuries the wolf had suffered in Isaac’s hands. The flustering feeling of despair rising up within them was preventing them from making a move to either attack or defend, but it was still not enough to prevent them from simultaneously reaching out to defend themselves as best as they could subconsciously.

A single beast was able to push them to this point, a commendable feat that was enough to make them realize their weaknesses. But due to the days before this where they had relentlessly slayed every tainted beast they encountered and thus tempered themselves somewhat, their will was strong as they were able to instinctively react as they had during when they had faced the many tainted beasts they had encountered.

Isaac in particular was only slightly flustered and incapacitated for a short moment before he regained control of his thoughts and movements. He wasn’t someone who was considerably stronger or better than his peers that thus allowed him to react like this. Instead what had occurred was the white spiral of willpower within him that had spun at an increased speed which had then released a wave of peculiar energy that had dragged him out of the illusion and flustered emotions assaulting him.

This was something that had never happened to him before, but it had at this point and that had helped him considerably. If he was to sit and think about this then he could only conclude that this was one thing that had something to do with the new passive skill he had gained. Only after he gained it was he able to react like this after all.

But now wasn’t the time for him to think like this, and he couldn’t even if he wanted to as although his emotions were no longer being influenced, the lingering effect of the illusion had remained. He could think as quickly as he could as he burst with all the willpower within him once again which then immediately congealed into the same spherical case like object that he had once condensed previously. He erupted with his full power just in time as the claw of the wolf slammed into his defense.

At the other two points of battle, similar scenes were ongoing. Although they were unable to recover as thoroughly as Isaac had and react properly, the strength of the illusion had weakened considerably. Perhaps if the wolf was at full strength, then even Isaac would have not been able to resist cleanly. Harry and Hiya were able to instinctively dodge and that was precisely what they did.

Harry raised his hammers before him as a faint red aura shrouded them as he braced for impact, while a flash of a strange purple flickered through Hiya’s eyes as she moved.

Surprisingly she seemed to have recovered as well, as her movements and actions held no trace of slight stiffness like how Harry’s actions did.

She slashed her sword out in a wide arc, aiming to cut into the attacking claw of the wolf standing before her. The faintest shade of green that almost couldn’t be seen by ordinary eyes followed along with the sword.

As if they were some sort of mutual agreement, the three combatants had all moved at the same time, defending and attacking at the same moment as the claw of the wolf that was swiping down struck all three of them.