Chapter 127: Dissect Time

Chapter 127. Dissect Time

Unfortunately, realizing that didn’t mean I could simply turn around and leave.

The Abyssal Gravefang released another deafening roar before swinging its massive forelimb toward the nearest guards. Three soldiers barely managed to raise their shields. The impact sent them flying backward, their armored bodies crashing across the courtyard like discarded toys.

Lord Veymont immediately drew his sword, its polished blade glowing with a pale blue enchantment. He shouted orders while several soldiers rushed forward to protect their fallen companions.

Meanwhile, two magi standing near the administrative building raised their staffs. Golden magic circles appeared beneath their feet. "Binding Chains!"

Several glowing chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around the monster’s legs, torso, and elongated neck. The chains tightened, forcing the creature to lower its massive body. One of the magi immediately reinforced the formation while the other poured additional mana into the restraints.

For a moment, the Gravefang stopped moving. Then its four crimson eyes flashed. The first chain snapped. Then another. And another.

Within seconds, the entire binding formation shattered into golden fragments. It was the problem with corrupted monsters. A normal Rank B monster was already dangerous enough to threaten an military unit. But once corruption entered the equation, its physical strength, aggression, and resistance to magic increased considerably. This particular creature was practically approaching Rank A territory. And fighting something with Rank A-level destructive power in the middle of a populated town?

Terrible idea.

Especially when the surrounding buildings were filled with servants, officials, and ordinary residents.

The Gravefang lunged again.

A soldier thrust his spear toward its exposed abdomen, successfully piercing the rotten flesh. Black blood splattered across the ground, accompanied by an unpleasant sizzling sound. Unfortunately, the monster barely reacted.

Instead, it twisted its massive body and slammed its shoulder into the soldier’s shield.

The poor guy rolled several meters before stopping near the courtyard wall. These soldiers weren’t weak. They had decent equipment, reasonable coordination, and enough courage to face a creature that could probably swallow one of them whole. But courage wasn’t the same as preparation.

They’d been ambushed. And the monster was considerably stronger than anything they were equipped to handle.

Then I noticed movement beside me.

Theo.

The young assistant had drawn a small dagger from his belt. For a moment, I wondered what he intended to accomplish with that tiny thing.

Peel the monster? Trim its claws?

But then he began chanting. A faint green magic circle appeared around the dagger.

The blade lengthened. Its narrow body expanded, transforming into a proper sword surrounded by swirling wind. Well, well. The little assistant had combat magic. Theo gripped the transformed weapon with both hands and rushed forward, following several guards toward the creature. His movements weren’t particularly elegant, but they weren’t completely amateurish either. He’d clearly received some training. And judging by the expression on his face, fear had been replaced by something considerably more dangerous.

Anger.

There was that look again. The same determination I’d noticed whenever Elena’s name came up. Apparently, he thought defeating this monster might lead him closer to finding her.

The Gravefang suddenly twisted toward the courtyard wall. Its enormous hind legs bent. It seemed to have realized the soldiers were surrounding it. Instead of continuing to attack them, the creature prepared to leap over the wall and into the streets beyond.

[Abyssal Formation Creation]

"Seal."

A massive dark violet magic circle spread beneath the entire training ground. Intricate runes rotated around its outer edge, forming several interlocking layers of magical restraints. A translucent barrier rose around the courtyard.

The Gravefang leaped. Its enormous body slammed directly into the barrier. The impact shook the ground. But the barrier didn’t budge.

It roared, clawed at the barrier, and then turned toward the soldiers with renewed aggression.

The soldiers continued attacking. Swords flashed. Spears struck. Magic bolts exploded against the creature’s hide. Some attacks landed successfully, carving wounds across its corrupted flesh.

But killing it?

That was another matter entirely.

The monster’s corrupted mana kept reinforcing its damaged body. Every wound that should have slowed an ordinary creature barely affected its movements. And the soldiers were losing stamina.

I clicked my tongue. Too damn slow.

[Void Shift]

The space around me distorted. In the next instant, I appeared beside Lord Veymont.

He flinched. "Sir Valen?!"

"Pull back your soldiers."

He stared at me. "What?"

"Your soldiers. Withdraw them."

His gaze shifted toward the raging monster. "But if we retreat, that creature—"

"I’ll take care of it. Your men are in my way."

His expression stiffened. Perhaps that sounded a little harsh. Unfortunately, I wasn’t particularly interested in diplomacy at the moment. I was serious.

I could work in a team. Quite well, actually. But there was a difference between fighting alongside people who understood my abilities and trying to coordinate with a group of soldiers I’d met only a few hours ago.

Back when Rey fought alongside the other heroes, our battles had been planned in advance. We knew one another’s strengths, weaknesses, and preferred fighting styles.

Darius could withstand powerful attacks at the front.

Garr specialized in overwhelming enemies with brute force.

Raven exploited openings and attacked vulnerable points.

And Rey?

He usually handled support. Not because he lacked destructive power. Far from it. But because his magic was particularly effective at controlling the battlefield. He could trap enemies inside formations, bind their movements with magical chains, and slow their reactions long enough for the others to strike. His Mana Link also allowed his companions to draw upon his enormous mana reserves, extending their combat capabilities far beyond their normal limits.

And whenever the situation became truly dangerous?

Rey could unleash devastating area attacks to buy everyone time.

A rather effective arrangement. But that was when we had proper coordination.

These soldiers? They didn’t know my magic or my formations. And more importantly, they had absolutely no idea what kind of destruction I could unleash if I stopped worrying about accidentally hitting them. I couldn’t fight freely while constantly monitoring their positions. Which made them liabilities.

Lord Veymont looked toward his struggling soldiers. For a moment, I thought he might argue. Fortunately, the man possessed enough common sense to recognize when his assistance was no longer useful. "Fine." He raised his sword. "RETREAT! ALL SOLDIERS, FALL BACK!"

The order echoed across the courtyard. Several soldiers immediately disengaged. Others helped their injured companions retreat toward the administrative building. The two magi abandoned their damaged binding formation and hurried away from the creature.

Within moments, the courtyard began clearing. Almost. Because one particular idiot apparently hadn’t received the message.

Theo.

The guy was still advancing toward the Gravefang with his enchanted sword. His face was tense. His jaw clenched. And his eyes remained fixed on the creature as though killing it would somehow reveal Elena’s location.

My dear academically promising Theo. What part of retreat was difficult to understand?

I clicked my tongue.

[Voidwind Manipulation]

A powerful current of wind wrapped around his waist. "W-WHAT?!"

Before he could react, his feet left the ground. The wind yanked him backward, carrying him across the courtyard and depositing him directly beside me. "UGH!"

He landed on his backside. Hard.

Theo immediately looked up. "My lord! Why—"

He stopped. His mouth remained half-open. Because he’d finally seen my expression. And apparently, he didn’t like what he saw.

I wasn’t smiling anymore. Not the amused grin I’d given him during our flights. And certainly not the harmless expression I’d maintained while enjoying caramel candy earlier. This was the face of a researcher whose patience had finally run out.

Theo visibly swallowed and lowered his sword.

I turned toward the Gravefang.

The creature stood alone in the center of the sealed courtyard, its four crimson eyes glaring at me. Black saliva dripped from its jaws. Its massive claws scraped against the stone. And its corrupted mana continued pulsing through its grotesque body.

Interesting specimen.

I wondered how much corruption its organs could withstand before collapsing. Or whether its reinforced skeletal structure would survive being separated from the surrounding flesh. I slowly raised my hand.

[Eclipse Light Manipulation]

Darkness gathered above my palm. Then thin streaks of violet light appeared within it, twisting together into long, razor-sharp blades. Fifty enormous scalpels materialized around me, each formed from compressed eclipse energy.

I spread my fingers.

The fifty scalpels rotated slowly around me, their sharp tips turning toward the Gravefang.

Oh, this was going to be satisfying.

The monster roared again.

I grinned. "Dissect time."

The fifty scalpels shot forward.

The first ten blades struck the Gravefang simultaneously, slicing through its corrupted hide with surgical precision. Black blood erupted from the wounds, splattering across the courtyard as the monster released a furious roar. Its hide was tougher than expected.

I flicked my fingers.

Another ten scalpels descended, cutting through the exposed muscles along its forelimbs. Thick strands of flesh separated cleanly, revealing the darkened bones underneath.

The creature lunged toward me. Even while being dissected, it still wanted to kill its surgeon.

I stepped aside, allowing its massive jaws to snap shut beside my shoulder.

Three scalpels sliced through its hind legs. The Gravefang collapsed onto the stone, its enormous body shaking beneath the relentless assault.

A warm droplet splashed against my cheek.

I touched it with my thumb and examined the dark crimson liquid. Different consistency. I smiled wider. "Let’s see what makes you tick."