As soon as her first slash connected, Sunny vanished in a blur of motion. In an instant, she reappeared, her figure a whirlwind of speed as she circled the Centimoth, slashing it from every angle. Each strike was so fast, it looked like a thousand blades were slicing through the air.
Between the rapid strikes, Sunny called out with a playful grin, "Yeehaw, time to stir up a storm!" Her sword crackled with electric energy as it tore through the Centimoth, each strike landing with precision and power.
"Ain't no way you're outrunnin' this little cowboy!" she giggled, her voice full of energy as the lightning sword danced around her, leaving trails of sparks and damage in its wake.
As Sunny continued her whirlwind of lightning-fast strikes, each slash more precise than the last, the Centimoth's body started to disintegrate, its once massive form crumbling into nothing. With one final, decisive slash, the creature's body was reduced to mere atoms, vanishing into the air like dust caught in the wind.
"Well, that was quicker than a rattlesnake on a hot day!" Sunny chuckled, wiping a tiny bit of sweat from her brow, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
Sunny grinned, her sword vanishing into thin air as she lowered her hand, the crackling energy fading. "Gotta keep it speedy, partner!"
I raised an eyebrow, trying to make sense of the situation. "Wait, hold up. Where did you even learn to say stuff like that?" I asked, genuinely curious.
She tilted her head, giving me a playful shrug. "I dunno! Just thought it sounded fun! Ain't it catchy?"
Before I could say another word, I suddenly felt a surge of power, the air around me thick with an impending threat. I turned, just in time to sense a massive presence heading straight toward us.
Without thinking, I shoved Sunny out of the way. "Get back!" I shouted, but as I did, the monster slammed into me with a force that could've flattened a building.
The impact was like being hit by a bullet train. I was sent flying back, crashing hard into the ground. My body felt like it had been struck by an unstoppable force, the air knocked out of me as I tried to recover.
"Guh!" I grunted, wiping the blood off my lips, the taste of iron sharp in my mouth. My shoulder felt like it had been crushed under the monster's impact, the pain radiating through my body. I struggled to get my bearings, my vision spinning.
Before I could even gather my thoughts, I felt a warm, comforting presence. I glanced up just in time to see Yuna standing over me, her tail wagging slightly as she barked softly, focused entirely on me.
Without a word, she moved into position, her paws glowing with a soft light. Her healing magic surged through my body, the pain in my shoulder gradually dulling as the broken bone began to mend itself. The warm sensation spread through me, and I could feel the strength returning to my limbs.
"Thanks..." I muttered, wincing slightly but feeling much better as Yuna gave a small, approving bark in response, as if to say "You're welcome."
As I tried to steady my breath, I muttered, "System..."
A cold, mechanical voice rang out in my mind. "Monster analyzing... Identified as a rare-class monster 'Gorrock' (Tier 3)."
"Tier 3?" I questioned aloud, my mind racing. "What does that even mean?"
The system quickly responded, "Tier 3: One of the highest elite classifications. A monster of extraordinary power, rare to encounter. Capable of abilities far beyond the norm. Highly dangerous and typically only faced by experienced players or high-level fighters."
I swallowed hard, the weight of the information hitting me. "Great," I muttered, my grip tightening on my weapon. "Just what I needed—an elite-level monster..."
My frustration boiled over, my grip tightening on my weapon as I shot back, "I'm just a level 56, dammit!" I kicked the dirt beneath me in anger, the heat of the moment clouding my judgment. "I haven't even unlocked my second awakening yet... What the hell am I supposed to do against that?"
I sighed, shaking my head with a small grin. "Well, I always wanted to say that..." It was a bitter laugh, but it helped release some of the tension.
"Try my ass," I muttered under my breath as the Gorrock charged at me once again. I tried to dodge, but my footing slipped. "Shit!"
Before I could fully recover, the Gorrock barreled straight toward me, its massive body crashing down. I braced myself for impact, but then, I noticed something strange out of the corner of my eye.
There was Sunny, still firmly on the Gorrock's back, her arms wrapped around its massive frame as if she was riding a bucking bronco. "What the hell is she doing?!" I yelled, almost in disbelief.
But just as I was about to be run over, I saw her grin wide, lightning crackling around her. "Thunderbolt!"
The electric surge shot from her, hitting the Gorrock square in the back. The creature's massive form convulsed, its movements slowing as it was paralyzed. It growled in frustration, unable to move as the electric currents coursed through it.
I took a moment to catch my breath, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all.
"Sunny," I called out, my voice dripping with disbelief. "Where the hell did you learn to do that?!"
She looked over her shoulder, still hugging the Gorrock, her face beaming with excitement. "I don't know, I just felt like doing it!" she giggled, unfazed by the danger, like she was having the time of her life.
As the Gorrock staggered from the electrical surge, I felt a subtle shift in the air around me. It was like the world had slowed down for a moment, my senses sharpening, my focus suddenly clearer.
I glanced at Yuna, who was still in her stance, tail wagging happily as she watched the monster struggle. And then, the system chimed in.
"Buff skill detected: Foxfire Fortune – Boost One Luck."
A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. "So that's how it is," I muttered under my breath. I hadn't expected Yuna's skill to kick in, but damn, did it feel good.
With that boost of luck running through me, everything seemed to align just right. The odds felt like they were on my side for once.
"Nice one, Yuna," I said, nodding at her with a smirk. "Could use more of this luck in my life."
It was like the universe had decided to cut me a break, and I wasn't about to waste it.
I slashed at the Gorrock, my blade cutting through the air with a deadly arc. But the beast, despite its size, seemed to anticipate my strike, its massive claws already moving in a counterattack. It was fast, unnervingly fast for something so big.
But that's exactly what I was waiting for.
With a smirk, I adjusted my stance, drawing on the power of Serpent Vengeance. The moment its claws came crashing down, I slipped to the side, my blade slicing through the Gorrock's exposed weak point. It let out a roar, staggering backward, but I wasn't done yet.
I unleashed a devastating flurry of slashes, each strike faster than the last, hitting its most vulnerable areas. My sword danced around its body, cutting deep into its thick hide, exploiting every gap with precision.
The Gorrock howled in pain, each slash rending through its defenses like paper. I could feel its life force draining with every strike, the rush of battle surging through me.
It wasn't over yet, but damn, I could feel the victory in the air.
As soon as I finished slashing, the Gorrock turned away from me and began rolling with unbelievable speed. My eyes widened as it picked up momentum, turning into a literal blur of mass and fury.
What the hell? I thought, dodging out of the way just in time. After Thomas and his friends, you're Sonic now?
The ground shook beneath the monster's roll, sending shockwaves in every direction.
And then, the system's warning flashed across my vision.
"System Warning: Skill Detected - Raging Boulder."
A wave of realization hit me. That wasn't just a random charge. This was a skill—Raging Boulder—and it was coming straight for me.
I barely had time to react before the Gorrock slammed into the ground with the force of a wrecking ball. It was rolling faster than I could escape, and the force was more than just a physical hit. This monster was using its massive size to turn itself into a living catapult.
I had to move—or else, this would be the last thing I ever did.
As the Gorrock barreled toward me with terrifying speed, the earth shaking beneath its path, I knew I had to act fast.
What the hell? I muttered again, seeing the beast's momentum building. After Thomas and his friends, you're Sonic now?
The Gorrock was no joke—it was a rolling boulder of destruction, its Raging Boulder skill aiming to crush everything in its path. But I wasn't about to let it wipe me out like that.
Let's see who hurts first, then.
I grinned, the adrenaline surging through me. With a quick motion, I called on my own skill.
"Blazing Sentinel."
A massive figure of molten magma erupted from the ground, rising tall with a fierce, burning shield of magma and flames. The Blazing Sentinel was a towering figure, its molten shield glowing bright red as it stood between me and the incoming beast.
The Gorrock's massive body slammed into the Blazing Sentinel with a force that rattled the earth beneath us. But as soon as it made contact, the intense heat from the magma shield sent shockwaves through the air. The Gorrock recoiled, its body writhing in agony as the heat scorched its flesh.
It let out a deafening roar, a scream of pure rage and pain, as its thick hide began to burn from the molten shield. The beast tried to push forward, but the Blazing Sentinel stood firm, unwavering.
The Gorrock screeched, its fiery eyes filled with desperation as it struggled against the inferno. The heat was too much for it to handle—its dark skin crackling, black smoke rising from the wounds it had taken.
I could feel the heat radiating from the shield, but the Blazing Sentinel held its ground, a wall of flame and magma standing between me and the beast.
The beast's roar was all-consuming, but it wasn't enough. "Nice try," I muttered under my breath, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.
I dashed forward in a blur, creating enough space between me and the Gorrock. Then, in a single breath, I lunged back in, my blade slashing clean through one of its massive arms. The beast let out a guttural roar, stumbling from the impact.
But I didn't let up.
I twisted mid-air, flames erupting around me as I drove myself straight into its chest, pushing with everything I had. The heat surged between us as I forced the beast back step by step, closing the distance to the burning shield waiting behind.
We slammed into it with a crackling burst of heat.
Without hesitation, I drew back my sword, channeling every ounce of power left in me, and swung with a punishing strike. The force of the hit sent the Gorrock flying, its body crashing and rolling across the scorched ground like a wrecking ball.
"I'm gonna finish it!" I growled, charging in for the final blow.
But in just a second—like a cruel joke—every bruise I inflicted began to vanish. The gashes sealed shut. The arm I severed twisted and pulsed... then regrew right before my eyes.
"What the hell—?"
Before I could react, it let out a roar so thunderous the air itself seemed to shatter. The shockwave blasted out like a cannon. I flew back, body crashing into the dirt, my ears ringing and lungs gasping for breath.
This thing wasn't done yet.
"What the hell? Is this a joke?" I coughed, dragging myself up from the dirt. My arms trembled, body still rattling from the roar.
"Hey, system—is that a skill?"
[System Notification: Skill Detected — Overhealing]
Cooldown: 30 minutes.
"Tch... great. So it can fully recover and I get thirty minutes to try not to die." I spat to the side, gripping my weapon tighter. "Perfect."
I exhaled, cracking my neck. "Alright… if you're gonna cheat with regeneration, then I'm gonna cheat with style."
My eyes locked on Sunny, still sparking with residual electricity.
"Heh… Transcendent Copy—target: Sunny. Skill acquired—Thunderclash Tempest."
Sunny gave a cheeky grin, spun mid-air, and kicked the Gorrock skyward like it weighed nothing.
I didn't hesitate. "Tch—don't mind if I join in."
I followed with slashes, each one landing clean, tearing across its hide as we rose higher. The monster roared, its limbs flailing uselessly as we danced around it in the sky.
Just as I pulled back, ready to slash again—
"Master, get away!" Sunny's voice rang out, sharper than lightning.
I didn't question it. I vanished in a burst of wind just as a column of lightning came crashing down from above, blinding and massive, like the heavens themselves were fed up with the Gorrock's nonsense.
BOOOOOM!
The bolt hit point-blank, shaking the very air and leaving behind only smoke and scorched earth.
System Notification:
Skill Detected: Stormveil Reckoning
I landed hard, shielding my eyes. "Holy—"
But Sunny wasn't done. She stood calmly, one hand raised, glowing sparks coiled around her like fireflies.
Then she flicked her fingers.
The tiny scattered lightning pellets she left around the blast site?
They started detonating one by one, rapid and sharp like popping bubble wrap of doom.
Boom-boom-boom-boom—KRAK-THOOM!
Each explosion sent flashes through the smoke, ripping through the Gorrock's frame like divine fireworks.
I whistled low. "Remind me not to get on your bad side, Sunny."
I stared at Sunny, slack-jawed, as the last of the lightning pellets detonated, turning the Gorrock's massive body into a pile of ash and charred fragments.
"That's one hell of an OP skill," I muttered, still processing the sheer destruction she just unleashed.
She looked back at me with a smile that could only be described as smug. "Heh, you like it?"
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Like it? I'm just trying to survive here, but damn… That's next-level."
Sunny bounced over, practically hopping in excitement as the fight came to a close. Before I could even react, she leapt at me, her arms wrapping around my neck in a tight hug.
"We did it!" she squealed, her voice filled with childlike joy.
I barely managed to catch her, and in that instant, I couldn't help but notice how her soft body pressed against mine. Her chest gently landed on my chest, and I couldn't help but feel the heat rising on both sides. It was as if the moment stretched longer than it should've.
But when I looked down at her face, there was a faint blush staining her cheeks, though she was doing everything she could to hide it by burying her face in my shoulder.
"Sunny, are you... red?" I asked, feeling the heat from her body.
She pulled back slightly, her cheeks brighter now, but she quickly shook her head, her usual cheer returning. "N-no! I'm just... excited about the fight!"
I couldn't suppress a grin. "Right... Sure you are."
As Sunny pulled away, still glowing from the excitement of the battle, I raised an eyebrow, sensing that something else was coming.
"Do I get something for all the help I gave?" Sunny asked, her voice dripping with playful innocence. She gave me a wink, as if expecting some kind of reward.
I sighed, shaking my head. "Ok, ok, what do you want?" I said, giving in to her antics. "You've definitely earned something for that storm of a performance."
Just then, Yuna barked, her tail wagging furiously. She stood beside me, ears perked, as if she too wanted a piece of the action. Her bright eyes gleamed with excitement, and I could tell she was eager for some attention or maybe a little reward of her own.
"Alright, alright," I said with a chuckle, patting both of their heads. "You two really know how to make demands."
Sunny giggled, but Yuna's bark was more of an enthusiastic confirmation than a request. She had her own little way of claiming her part of the spoils.
Sunny's eyes widened in mock disbelief as she crossed her arms, her usual playful demeanor shifting to something a little more teasing. "I can't believe master just copied my powerful attack skill so easily… and transcended it too?" she said with a dramatic sigh, as if the whole situation were just too much for her to handle.
She tilted her head to the side, giving me a smirk. "Well, according to the law of our races, the strong men are the ones to be claimed, right?" she teased, her voice low and sultry, the words slipping from her lips like honey.
Before I could react, she took a step closer, the playful sparkle in her eyes deepening as she made the whole thing seem like a game—her every movement dripping with intent, the air suddenly thick with an electrifying tension.
I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep my composure. "Is that so?" I responded, keeping a cool tone despite the sudden shift. "I'm glad you think so, but we'll see how long you can keep up this little act, Sunny."
Her lips curled into a sly grin. "We'll see, won't we?" she purred, her voice tinged with mischief.
Sunny flashed me an innocent smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Then why don't you breed me?" she said, her voice light and teasing, though her expression was filled with a childlike curiosity. It was clear she was just testing the waters, not fully understanding the weight of her words.
She tilted her head slightly, oblivious to the double meaning behind her playful remark. Her innocence was undeniable, and despite the teasing tone, she seemed genuinely unaware of how bold her words had sounded.
"Uh, Sunny, are you sure you're not confusing me with someone else? I'm not exactly in the market for... um... 'breeding.'"