The forest giant Artes gazed at the dark forest, a flicker of frustration in his eyes.
The once-thriving thickets, tangled deadwood groves, and murky swamps had long since vanished.
In their place lay a ravaged wasteland, scarred by massive craters and deep ravines.
Cracks of varying sizes—like spiderwebs—spread densely across the forest floor.
The lush undergrowth and towering dead trees had been reduced to scattered remnants, with flames occasionally flickering and smoke curling into the air.
The vast and mysterious forest had become a scene of apocalyptic devastation.
"Human, you will pay for this!" Artes roared, his voice echoing across the ruined land.
A powerful aura of elemental darkness and nature surged around his towering form.
Vlad, standing calmly, drew in a breath, his expression playful.
"Artes, are you sure you want to keep fighting? At this rate, there'll be nothing left of your territory."
"Go to hell!"
With a furious roar, blood-red energy exploded from Artes' body.
In an instant, his size doubled—now towering nearly 30 meters high.
Seeing this sudden transformation, Vlad raised an eyebrow. "Berserk mode?"
A thick, ominous darkness enveloped Artes as his mind fell deeper into chaos.
With a thunderous stomp and a burst of force nearly at the speed of sound, he launched himself at Vlad, slamming him into the ground before he could react.
"Ugh—!"
Blood spilled from Vlad's lips. The grinding protest of his bones was a clear warning—he had to escape now.
Another furious bellow rang out.
Vlad narrowly evaded the next strike, dissolving into a cloud of bats that scattered through the smoke and dust.
He glanced back—Artes was hot on his heels.
The giant's current speed was frightening—just a little faster than his own.
If Vlad hadn't been nimble enough—and hadn't occasionally agitated Artes' blood to distract him—he might already be dead.
If this keeps up, I won't last much longer, Vlad thought grimly, trying to devise a plan while dancing on the razor's edge.
"Raaagh!!"
With a roar of frustration, Artes' massive hand swung at him again, this time faster, catching Vlad off guard and sending him flying.
Despite his frenzied state, Artes' instincts had only sharpened.
Vlad was being battered relentlessly.
If not for his powerful healing and durable body, he would've been crushed into paste by now.
Forced into a corner, Vlad had no choice but to retaliate.
"Damn it… If I make it out of this alive, Ravenna, you'd better be ready!" he growled, eyes blazing with fury.
"Blood Witchcraft: Boiling Blood!"
Vlad's blood surged violently.
As it circulated at lightning speed, large amounts began to evaporate into raw energy, flooding his body.
This surge not only enhanced his physical abilities but also accelerated his healing.
Vlad could feel the sheer power—but he knew it was only temporary. Once his blood ran dry, so would his life.
Boom!!
A violent shockwave burst out where their fists collided—one massive, the other small—distorting the surrounding air.
Even with his temporary power boost, the gulf between them remained.
Vlad was hurled back dozens of meters.
Just as he steadied himself and prepared to counterattack, he suddenly paused, shock in his eyes.
Something was changing.
"Urgh…!"
A searing pain and numbing sensation tore through his body.
In an instant, two thick, curved horns burst from his forehead.
Scarlet flames licked the air around him, radiating a strange, burning heat.
Simultaneously, a chorus of cracking bones echoed through him.
Vlad's body—once under two meters—expanded rapidly, reaching twenty meters. Enormous bat wings burst from his back. His skin was now armored in thick scales and jagged bone spurs.
As the transformation progressed, layers of horned bone condensed into a suit of hideous crimson armor, complete with protruding spikes.
When it was done, Vlad stared down at himself, stunned.
He looked like a demon—like the Hellfire Demon King reborn.
He could feel it—power like he had never known coursing through him. It was monstrous. It was intoxicating. He had crossed into another realm of existence.
But before he could savor the sensation, Artes had already sensed the threat—and lunged.
He was too late.
Though the transformation had seemed long, it had only taken seconds.
Boom!
Vlad met Artes' charge head-on.
This time, he easily absorbed the attack—then countered with an elbow that sent the giant reeling.
The tide had turned.
Artes, in disbelief, staggered back. He had unleashed all his strength—only to be overwhelmed.
Vlad, filled with dark joy, flexed his new form. Bloodlust surged in his heart.
He was done holding back.
He moved—and the air cracked with a sonic boom.
The next moment, Vlad appeared in front of Artes, landing a powerful punch that sent the giant soaring.
Before Artes could even fall, Vlad appeared above him and kicked downward with devastating force.
With a thunderous roar, Artes vanished into the sky.
The hunter had become the hunted.
Artes could never have imagined… that his final outburst of power would lead to this.