Henceforth, potentially creating an unseen, heavy and disrupting, spiraling, noiseless wall of darkwind. Whirling chaotically in a distance of 80 meters radius from the calamity.

Capable of grinding and breaking anything unfortunate into mere dust and fine particles, be it matter or energy! The gale was like a thousand invisible whetstones spinning in a frantic dance of death.

However, as if even this wasn’t enough, the Galescourge Bearer activated another one of his abilities. Named—<Protection: Obsidian Shroud>—made on the foundation of another two superior concepts—[Darkwind Solidification] and [Microscopic Darkwind Erosion].

Subsequently, a circular dark barrier condensed from the erosive darkwinds, materialising around the calamity! All these abilities were activated simultaneously, each one complementing and augmenting another by massive amounts!

However, as the calamity’s proficiency in his superior concepts was only at initiate level—Proficiency Zero! The amount of energy he needed to maintain the abilities active despite—Tainted Grace of Darkwinds—and some other inferior concepts—was truly not something small.

Indicating that, in spite of everything, the calamity wasn’t capable of maintaining all three suppressive, defensive and support type abilities simultaneously for long.

—[Tainted Grace of Darkwinds: Support-type Ability!] ...

—[Unseen Hurricane: Suppression-type Ability!] ...

—[Protection: Obsidian Shroud: Defensive Ability!] ...

Maybe around 5 minutes was its current limits before his energy ran dry, which was more than enough time in a battle of their magnitude.

The time hit the five seconds mark since Aezaleon started utilising his inferior concept of [Lesser Frost] fully and began dumping the massive amounts of energy from his body into his blood claymore. Whereas, the 100 meters ground around him had already frozen solid in such a brief time.

Giving it a layer of permafrost, while the seeping cold had already spread far wider, reaching an affected range of 240-270 meters. The frost crept along the earth like a silent, pale predator claiming its territory.

Even the Galescourge Bearer, 300 meters away from Aezaleon could feel the biting cold in its bones, but wasn’t much affected by it aside from this, considering the suppressive and the defensive abilities it activated. They were perfectly capable of negating its effects despite the cold spreading in the form of an energy rather than matter.

During all this time Aezaleon had his eyes closed. He was fully focused on what he was doing. Essentially being on the cusp of giving birth to his own ability already.

A strong one at that.

Suddenly, at the sixth second, Aezaleon’s eyes shot open.

The crimson gems shone in a luminous brilliance.

The overflowing energy erupted out from his body uncontrollably. Condensing the next instant. Taking a tangible and perceivable form.

Moving from his arms, illuminating his blood vessels into pure faint blue-white, to the blood claymore grasped firmly in his hands.

The energy swirled wildly in the surrounding outside. Complex veins of frost appeared on the 2 meters long blood sword, giving form to an abrupt bloodwhite luminescence! The claymore shone as bright as a fallen star held captive in his hands.

The frostlight shot towards the skies! Like a cold beam of energy. Fading into the white clouds 20 miles above!

Whereas, at the seventh second—Aezaleon took a step forward. It was a calm step, it was composed. It was confident. A confirmed and cold step followed by a linear downward slash from the blood claymore!

—Silent! Precise! Unwavering! ...

"AAAAAAAAAA!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

Utilising every ounce of his strength to perform this simple downward slash. A basic sword move that created a cold energy beam of 20 miles. A beam that perfectly, as though in sync, followed the downward trajectory of the claymore, splitting the clouds and cutting the earth!

BOOOOOOOM! ...

SWOOSH! ...

CRACK! ...

DISPERSE! ... GRRRRRRAAAA! ...

SHATTER! ...

SPURT! ...

The cold energy line released from the move completely neutralized and dispersed the unseen hurricane within a millisecond but not before getting weakened. Afterwards, the clash between the solidified dark barrier and the energy commenced.

The calamity roared and utilized every single drop of energy within him to strengthen and restore it by condensing even more darkwinds, on sensing the life threatening danger, that surpassed all his predictions from the attack of his prey! His desperation was like a cornered animal trying to hold back the tide.

Alas, the barrier did not even last a second before it shattered like broken glass!

However, before its destruction it was able to considerably weaken the energy beam even further, fulfilling its intended role.

Enough that its life wasn’t in danger anymore, nevertheless—in return the Galescourge Bearer was left in a very wounded state. With his right foreleg, shoulder and antlers getting completely separated from his body.

Leaving him standing in the pool of his own red blood, while gasping for breaths.

Meanwhile, Aezaleon himself wasn’t in any better condition. The pressure and the weight of the attack he just performed wasn’t a joke after all. It was simply too much for his body! His veins had all ruptured again, with his muscles being in shambles again.

There was no need to even ask what happened to his hands, legs and spine which were the main parts that handled most of the burden, the pressure and the weight of this seemingly simple attack.

One that was fueled by the souls of seven rank 3, eight rank 2 and the material body of a rank 3 calamity. And all it did despite everything Aezaleon put into this was severely wound the boss deer.

It just showed just how strong the boss was. Not to mention, his current condition. He had suffered a lot but was still unable to reach his desired result.

He failed.

SIGH!

The attack left his body just as much destroyed as the surroundings.

However the amazing thing was that, because of the impressive range of his attack, though he wasn’t able to kill the Galescourge Bearer, his intended target, but away from here—the sword beam managed to kill seven other calamities in its path.

Thus, unexpectedly giving him seven souls (three rank 3 and four rank 2) to absorb!

With this, Aezaleon also came to know the range of his—[Soul Compendium Archive]—sub ability was at least 20 miles or so.

Again, he didn’t waste a single second and instantly absorbed the seven souls through his sub ability effect one—[Essence Devour Ascension: Matter-Soulmatter Absorption]—of his ability effect five—[Sanctum of Loyal Revenants].

Subsequently, using the overflowing energy to quickly heal himself up.

Also, during this process, something even more surprising happened. As—on using the overflowing energy generated from the energy balls to heal his utterly damaged body, restore his mutilated organs and regenerate his broken limbs—He came to realize that this inhumane process had actually reinforced, augmented, enhanced, tempered, fortified and toughened his body by a small percentage.

In other words, this sub ability effect one—<Essence Devour Ascension: Matter-Soulmatter Absorption>—would prove to be extremely crucial if he ever hoped to strengthen his physical form which was his biggest weakness currently despite having the physique of a pureblood calamity!

In 10 seconds, Aezaleon got healed enough to be able to get back on his feet again, which he did without wasting a second.

Thereafter, when he looked to the side where his claymore was, he couldn’t help but be amazed.

The greatsword wasn’t damaged one bit despite him literally pouring so much energy into it. Not to mention the attack he performed with it.

That was such a strong move, capable of even separating the clouds high above.

In the end, Aezaleon simply shook his head and grabbed the claymore in his right hand.

"Whatever...!" he muttered in a tired yet resolute voice.

He looked towards the calamity, that still hasn’t recovered from its terrible state.

"It survived that, huh?!" he commented with a dry, mirthless laugh.