Fighting against large and strong opponents was difficult, as all attacks against them were not as effective as before. However, the large opponents had one significant disadvantage, they were rather sluggish.
This was exactly what Toruf was facing right now. He saw what Zayne was doing, but since he realized it too late, he simply didn't have enough time to react.
'No, if he freezes me, even for a second, he'll definitely win! I can't lose like this!" Toruf inwardly exclaimed, looking at his back being covered in a thin layer of ice.
Then, Toruf took a deep breath, and exhaled sharply, filling his body with power. Waves of energy traveled through his thick hide, red threads covering the entire area.
At the same moment, a flaming cross collided with Toruf, smashing into his massive body and allowing the blue fire to engulf him.
In a heartbeat, the huge bull was turned into an ice statue, covered in a thick layer of ice that would be difficult to break even with a special tool.
'Maybe I should have invested my status points in something else, it's quite possible...' Zayne muttered with a calm gaze, 'However, without the First Ring of Intelligence, I wouldn't have been able to freeze such a massive opponent, that's for sure.'
Step.
Zayne landed, swiftly bringing his palm up to strike, about to finally knock Toruf's to the ground. All he needed was one precise strike, which was very easy considering Toruf wasn't moving.
However, as soon as Zayne's palm got close to Toruf's, his eyes flashed a dangerous red glint and cracks went all over the thick layer of ice.
'What...? Zayne's eyes went wide, but, after a moment he continued his attack, 'No, I shouldn't give up now!'
Crackle.
Zayne's palm, covered in blue energy from his dance, easily pierced through the layer of ice, sending a powerful pulse throughout Toruf's body.
However, it was worth it for the blue pulses to travel across the entire surface as the red streaks shuddered, causing the pulses to stop and abruptly start moving in the opposite direction.
'Agh...?' Zayne didn't realize what was happening as the pulses from his attack headed toward him, with more force than before.
The impact, threw Zayne aside, putting his body under powerful pressure. Zayne couldn't resist it, so he simply fell among the dry trees, while black mist enveloped his body.
Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.
At the same moment, Toruf completely freed himself from the thick layer of ice restraining his case and confidently headed forward.
"Hah, that was... hmm... Refreshing! Yeah, that's the appropriate word!" Toruf grinned contentedly, brushing off the ice particles.
Zayne slowly rose from the ground, wiping the trickles of blood from his mouth and looking at his bloody palms.
"What did you do...?" Zayne asked with slight irritation.
"Oh, it's just one of my favorite moves. You know, I'm strong and heavy, with good defense, but my speed suffers. A fast opponent like you could defeat me easily, but to prevent that from happening I have a special counter-measure." Toruf smirked.
The stripes on Toruf's body began to ripple, "You've probably already guessed it, but I'll tell you everything. I fended off your attack at you myself, so... considering your strength you must have been seriously wounded."
Zayne didn't answer anything, he just stared intently at Toruf. Whether he was injured or not didn't matter since his job was to knock Toruf down.
'Damn... I've had a few successful attempts, but it's not enough, especially now. How can I even get him to the ground if he's stronger and heavier than me, and can turn my attack against me? Zayne pondered with a complicated expression.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
Suddenly the ground shook, but it wasn't Toruf that caused it. Then, above the trees, a massive shadow appeared on the eastern side with a huge red eye aimed at Zayne.
"What the hell is that...?" Zayne shuddered as a chill went down his back.
Step. Step. Step.
A huge creature with an eerie aura slowly approached the clearing they were fighting in. The monster had a humanoid build, but it had no mouth, nose, or ears, only a terrifying eye. Its entire body was covered in thick black fur that didn't even reflect the light of the moon.
"Oh... Looks like someone decided to disturb us." Toruf said calmly, then he looked at Zayne, "In case you're wondering, it's a One-Eyed Golem. They are quite a few in this region, frankly, I'm surprised this one decided to interfere in our fight."
"One-eyed Golem...? How strong is this one?" Zayne was wary, taking a step back.
"Not your level. Arisen Grade." Toruf sighed.
"What...? Doesn't that mean he's as strong as you?" Zayne's eyes went wide with a shiver running through his body.
Toruf smirked, "Hey, we've been having a normal conversation. Why would you suddenly decide to insult me with such a comparison?"
Zayne was speechless.
Then, Toruf shook his head and turned towards the One-Eyed Golem.
"Zayne, I'll show you how different creatures in the same Grade can be. Even among Champion Grade, there can be significant differences, but the higher up you go the more significant they can be."
Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.
At the same moment, red sparks traveled along Toruf's horns, and destructive energy began to accumulate between them, in the form of a red sphere.
The sphere gradually increased in size, causing the wind currents around it to become chaotic as if they were fleeing from the immense power hidden in the palm-sized sphere.
'Wait... Is this really happening? He's been able to do this all along! Zayne internally said in disbelief.
The One-Eyed Golem too sensed the approaching threat as he extended his arm forward, creating a dense barrier of darkness. Golem absorbed the black mist to reinforce his barrier.
"Hah, that won't help you!" Toruf exclaimed excitedly before releasing the full power inside the sphere.
The sphere opened up, turning into a red ray of energy, reaching the One-Eyed Golem with lightning speed.
The ray destroyed the dark barrier with ease, piercing through the One-Eyed Golem's body, literally burning through its flesh and leaving a wide hole in it.
However, that wasn't all there was to it. On the wound from the ray, several red particles of energy were left behind, they shone brightly and exploded, tearing the monster's massive body apart.
Crackle.
The head of One-Eyed Golem flew off to the side, falling next to Zayne, while Golem's Eye was still pointed at Zayne.
"Fuck... That was incredible." Zayne muttered in disbelief, "You weren't fighting at full strength the whole time, were you?"
Toruf smirked, "Well, not exactly. I have no goal of killing you, so obviously I wouldn't use such dangerous skills against you. However, my defense and the fact that you were almost able to bring me to the ground twice... it was quite realistic."
Zayne gulped. He realized that if he faced an opponent like Toruf in mortal combat, he would have no chance of winning. Toruf would simply incinerate him with his attack and that would be the end of it.
"Hmm... However, it looks like I acted too arrogant, and my defensive skill seriously injured you..." Toruf glared at Zayne, who was having a hard time standing on his feet after taking the damage.
"Well, since it's my fault, I'll fix it." Toruf shook his head and headed towards the One-Eyed Golem torso.
'Agh...? What the hell is he doing? Zayne was puzzled.
Crackle.
Toruf's long horns dug into the Golem's chest, then he abruptly pulled out. Now hanging from his horns was a massive heart, completely black.
"Not bad, right? I would have done it myself, but I promised to help you so today it's your turn." Toruf muttered quietly.
"Hmm? Wait, what do you want me to do?" Zayne was wary.
Toruf smirked, "Oh, that would be curious. Especially since you're a human."
Whoooooooooooooooooooosh.
Toruf jerked his head, throwing the Golem's massive heart right at him.
"No way... Just don't tell me..." Zayne muttered, looking at the heart that was much larger than human.
"Hehehehe, if you were Awakened and being on the Arisen Stage, you would have another way, but right now this one is your only option." Toruf chuckled.
Zayne stood idly by, he couldn't make up his mind to do this. He had done a lot of crazy things lately, but this was too much.
"Hey, don't refuse my gift. You better start eating it, you don't have to eat it all, just a small portion will be enough, especially since I would rate you as Terror Grade. Otherwise, you'll definitely lose in our bet and I'll take you out of the Dark Lands." Toruf said confidently.
Zayne took a deep breath. He realized that Toruf was right since in such a state, he would surely not be able to knock the huge bull down. So, after taking a moment to gather his strength, Zayne finally got down to business.
He wrapped both hands around the massive heart and opened his mouth wide. Realizing what he was about to do, Zayne almost threw up, but he overcame the feeling as his teeth sunk into the flesh.
Zayne took a small bite, feeling the blood fill his mouth, then he swallowed a bite.
"How does it taste?" Toruf smirked. He knew it was more than disgusting to the man.
Zayne answered nothing, then Toruf's eyes went wide with the cold that pierced his body.
A frightening red aura began to emanate from Zayne, and it grew larger.
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