The dragon's roar tore through the forest. The sound rattled the trees and crawled straight into Haruto's bones. He pressed his back harder against the rough bark, feeling splinters catch on his shirt. The air vibrated with every beat of the creature's wings.
Above, golden eyes burned through the darkness. Searching. Hunting.
Think. Immediately.
The flames had missed him by inches. The earth where he'd stood was scorched black, heat still rising from it. Staying still would get him killed.
He scanned the forest. Dense cover, but not enough to hide from something that size.
Azara's voice echoed in his memory—calm, steady, unsettlingly composed.
"I am here to assist you. If you require guidance, I am ready."
Right. Skills.
He whispered, breath tight. "Azara. What abilities can assist me now?"
Azara answered without hesitation.
"Response: My user possesses [Unique Skill: Absolute Cutting]."
Haruto's pulse spiked. Absolute… what?
"Effect: Allows the user to sever anything. All defenses, regeneration, and magical resistance are ignored. Capable of cutting physical, magical, and conceptual constructs."
A cold shiver slid down Haruto's spine. The scale of it was unreal.
Azara continued:
"Additional Features: Precision control of cutting depth and intensity. Able to nullify regeneration and sever energy-based attacks. However, limitations apply."
Haruto exhaled slowly. "State the limitations."
"Limitation: High energy consumption at peak output. Mastery required for optimal performance. Direct contact with the target is necessary."
Direct contact. He grit his jaw. Manageable—but dangerous.
The sky darkened as the dragon drew in energy. A deep hum filled the air, trembling through the branches. Leaves shook loose and drifted down around him.
Azara's tone shifted.
"Warning: The dragon is preparing a high-tier attack. Impact imminent. Suggestion: activate [Absolute Cutting] for survival."
The air thickened with heat. The dragon's wings beat faster, kicking up violent gusts. Its jaws glowed white, energy gathering like a miniature sun.
He didn't have room to hesitate.
"Yes."
His voice stayed calm, even as adrenaline surged through him.
He stepped out from the tree, feet planted. "Absolute Cutting."
His right hand lifted. Light erupted around his palm—cold, white, razor-thin. The air warped, screaming as a beam of pure cutting force shot forward.
The dragon reacted instantly. It threw up a shield of brilliant white energy.
It didn't matter.
Haruto's beam sliced through the barrier like silk. The attack carved straight toward the dragon's chest—
BOOOOM.
A violent shockwave blasted through the trees. Bark tore from trunks. Debris flew. The force pushed Haruto back, boots skidding through dirt. He steadied himself, breath sharp, eyes locked forward.
The dragon spiraled out of the sky, slammed into the earth, and sent a wave of dust rolling outward.
Silence fell.
Haruto stood still, chest rising and falling, a faint smile pulling at his lips.
Victory.
But the triumph lasted only seconds.
His vision flickered. His knees wobbled. Energy drained from his limbs like water pouring through open fingers. He braced a hand against a tree but the ground tilted under him.
Azara's voice came through, faint and echoing.
"Haruto?"
He tried to answer, but his body was failing.
Darkness crept at the edges of his sight.
"Acquisition complete," Azara said, her voice distant. "New abilities obtained:
[Divine Rejuvenation]
[Lightblade Arsenal]
[Heaven's Wrath]."
A weak smile touched his lips.
Then everything went black.