The One Branch of The Tree

Reno attacked first, lightning gathering in both of his hands, much larger than before, and the air around him smelled of ozone. The hairs on my arms stood up slightly, a sign that being electrocuted wasn't a pleasant experience.

“Lightning Burst!”

He thrust both hands forward, and two lightning projectiles shot toward me at breakneck speed, but now the world felt a little slower, or maybe I was just faster. I twisted to avoid the first projectile, and the second one narrowly missed my shoulder.

HANDS!

A small explosion occurred behind me my skin still felt very hot almost to the touch.

“Did he get faster?!” Dimas shouted.

Yes, I was also quite pleased with this development. Kevin charged from the left, his sword blazing brightly, flames encircling the blade, and then slashed diagonally. I raised the pommel.

CLANG!

The sound of impact startled me slightly, and I looked down at my weapon. The hilt had managed to keep the sword from shattering, leaving only a slight scratch. "Oh, so the durability has increased," Kevin looked equally surprised.

“Impossible!”

“Many impossible things happened today,” I replied, pushing him back.

I kicked Kevin in the knee, causing him to lose his balance for a moment. I took advantage of the moment and stabbed him in the shoulder. Kevin quickly retreated, but the tip of the handle only grazed his arm. There was a little blood, but there was still progress. 

Reno came in again from the right flank, their coordination was quite good, very annoying. Lightning struck the ground near my feet, I jumped back, but Dimas shot two arrows, one I missed, and the other hit my left arm.

SRAK.

I winced, the arrow was stuck shallow and hurt so much, I pulled it out forcefully.

“Ah, you bastard.” Blood dripped. 

Okay, I can't take too long; they still have the numerical advantage; I need to reduce the speed of the players. My eyes immediately locked on Dimas, the long-range archer, whose defense was definitely low. Prioritizing my top target, I ran towards him.

“Protect Dimas!” Kevin shouted.

Too late, Dimas panicked, he shot hastily but his arrow missed. Good, I got into close range and saw Dimas's face pale.

“W-wait”

No, I swung the shaft at his wrist.

CRACK.

His bow fell, Dimas screamed, I kneed him in the stomach, he bent over, then stabbed him in the chest with a swift movement. Dimas's body immediately froze, his eyes widened, his breath faltered, and then he fell silent.

A notification appears.

Human target slain

Devour Root activated.

The roots came out again, piercing Dimas's body, and the second energy flowed in stronger, hotter, and more addictive. I closed my eyes for a split second, feeling like my body was being forcibly upgraded—muscles were denser, reflexes sharper, and mana increased.

The notification appears again.

Agility +3

Dexterity +2

Mana +1

EXP gained.

Level Up!

Level 5 reached.

Weapon evolution available.

I froze. Weapon evolution? Fascinating. The weapon in my hand trembled. Its handle cracked, not broken, but slightly elongated. More thorns grew, and the surface became darker. Its shape was no longer a simple handle, more like a sharp branch, a primitive weapon, but certainly more deadly.

A new notification appears.

One Tree Stalk → Thorny Branch

Evolution complete.

I smile.

“Oh.”

“Finally there is visible progress.”

Kevin looked at me like he was seeing a nightmare, a fair reaction he gripped his sword tighter.

“We have to kill him now!”

Finally understanding Reno seemed to start to hesitate.

“K-Kevin…”

"We have to retreat"

The smartest thing he said all day Kevin turned sharply.

“Shut up!”

Ah, the leadership qualities are so bad it's so good. I spin the Thorny Branch in my hand much more comfortably, more balanced, sharper. 

A good improvement, but still ugly, but effective. I took a step forward, and Kevin unconsciously took a half step back. I found it very satisfying.

“Why did you step back?” I asked.

“You guys are the ones who want to kill me, right?”

Kevin gritted his teeth, his face tense and sweat starting to show, the fire on his sword trembling slightly, a breach in trust detected. Good, Reno finally made his decision, he really did retreat.

“I’m not coming anymore!” he said.

Then turned around and ran away very wisely Kevin glared.

“RENO!”

It was too late; all that was left was Kevin and one other person who looked like they were about to faint from fear. Kevin stared around at the bodies, the blood, his two friends dead, one running away, and me still standing, alive and growing. The silence was heavy, but finally, Kevin said softly,

“We can talk.”

I almost laughed, oh the negotiation phase. It's interesting how morals and diplomacy emerge after a change in position.

“I think I'm a monster?” I said.

Kevin swallowed hard.

“That was…”

“Force situation.”

Oh wow amazing I shook my head slowly.

"No."

“You guys just panicked and went for the easiest solution.”

I raised my weapon. The thorny branch reflected a faint light, and Kevin took another step back.

“Raka, listen” 

I cut.

“Now it's my turn to choose.”

Our gazes met, he knew I knew there was no turning back. Kevin roared and attacked with his sword in full flame, slashing vertically. I blocked.

CLANG!

The impact was stronger, but my body was also stronger now. We were locked in a moment, Kevin's face very close, filled with anger and fear.

“You should be dead!” he hissed.

I stared at him blankly.

“Maybe.”

Then I shifted my body letting Kevin's momentum get the better of him, he lost his balance a little and then I stabbed him with the Thorny Branch through the side of his stomach. 

Time seemed to slow down Kevin froze his eyes widened, his mouth slightly open he looked down at the blood that was starting to flow.

“Ah…”

His body weakened and his sword fell.

CLANG.

He knelt down and collapsed, utterly silent. I stood there, breathing heavily, my body covered in minor injuries, my clothes dirty, and my hands bloody. Before me, the man who had tried to kill me was now dead.

A notification appears.

Flame Knight slain

High-value absorption available.

I stared at the writing, slowly smiling.

“High marks?”

It was so exciting, the roots came out bigger than before, piercing Kevin's body, and this time the energy that entered was much greater, more brutal, the heat burning my entire body. I gritted my teeth, almost screaming.

Notifications appear in succession.

Strength +4

Vitality +3

Fire Resistance acquired.

Skill fragment obtained.

Skill acquired: Ember Slash

EXP gained.

Level 7 reached.

I opened my eyes slowly, breathing heavily, my body felt… different. So different, so much stronger, I noticed my own hands were shaking slightly, not from fear but from adrenaline and strength. 

I chuckled softly in disbelief. In a matter of minutes, I'd gone from being a burden to something they were afraid of, something they were attracted to.

I looked at the last remaining person, the child was already sitting weakly, his face pale, tears almost coming out.

“D-don't kill me…”

I looked at him for a few seconds then sighed.

“Go.”

He glared.

“Hah?”

“Go.”

He didn't wait twice and ran away as fast as he could, very clever. I finally sat on the ground, my body feeling tired but my mind was very clear. 

I looked at the Thorny Branch in my hand. This weapon was only its first evolution, meaning there were still many stages to go. I smiled faintly. This new journey had begun, and from now on, I would no longer be the prey; I would be the hunter.

[END CHAPTER 4]