Incubus Ascension-Chapter 29

Liam watched Beatrix squint her eyes at the death knight standing there like some shadow in armor.

"Huh, just a normal death knight," she said, sounding almost bored. "Leave it to me."

She started walking forward without waiting for anyone.

"Stop, Beat, " Liam shouted, his voice cracking with worry, but she cut him off before he could finish.

"Relax, I got it," she called back, not even turning around.

Liam stood there for a second, heart pounding. He didn’t like it, but she looked so sure of herself.

Fine. He’d let her try. He stayed back and watched as she lifted her palm toward the black knight Anos.

She murmured some words under her breath.

A black ball of swirling wind formed in front of her hand, spinning faster and faster, then shot straight at the knight like a dark cannonball.

The ball slammed into Anos and he froze for a split second.

Then he lunged forward, sword raised, aiming right for Beatrix.

"Evade!" Pyra yelled.

Liam didn’t think. He just moved. He jumped in, shoved Beatrix hard to the side.

Beatrix’s eyes widened slightly.

...What?

For a split second, she just stared at him.

Then they both felt it. The rush of air as the knight’s blade whistled past.

Boom!

The explosion hit like a truck. The sound punched his ears and the force knocked Liam flat on his back.

Beatrix landed right on top of him, all elbows and weight.

She pushed herself up quickly, clicking her tongue.

"...Idiot."

But her gaze lingered on him for a second longer than it should have.

He grabbed her around the waist and they both scrambled backward together, breathing hard.

Pyra let out a short laugh. "Pfft, granny, you sure need saving. Let me show you."

She walked ahead, flipping her hair to the side with that confident little smirk she always wore when she had something to prove.

She lifted her palm, and orange fire sparked to life around it. The flames swirled and tightened, turning hotter and brighter until they shifted to a deep blue.

But right as the ball started to form properly, it blew up in her face.

Olivia moved fast. She grabbed Pyra by the collar and yanked her back just in time.

The blue fireball exploded where Pyra had been standing, scorching the ground black and leaving a smoky smell in the air.

Pyra froze for a second, staring at the scorched ground.

"...Damn it."

Olivia turned towards them, voice sharp. "What the hell is wrong with you two? Do you think this is the time for games?"

Pyra looked away, cheeks flushed. "I must admit... it was bad timing to test it."

Beatrix crossed her arms under her chest and clicked her tongue. "Tch. Whatever."

Liam gave Olivia a quick nod. "Thanks," he said, meaning it.

He saw the way her eyes brightened for a second, like she’d just been handed something important.

He didn’t know what was going on in her head, but she looked glad someone was counting on her.

"Everyone pull back," Liam told them.

For a moment, none of them argued.

Even Beatrix stayed quiet.

He raised his hands and fired a couple of glue balls at Anos, trying to slow the knight down like before.

This time the black knight dodged them completely, smooth and quick, then charged straight at Liam.

Liam’s eyes went wide. Wait, he could do strategies now? The thought flashed through his head. This thing was learning.

The sword came at him fast. Liam barely had time to react before a system notification popped up in his vision.

Ding! Host.

As a reward for forming a party with: Beatrix, Pyra, Olivia, and Liam.

You are rewarded with 1 Ascension stone.

1 Ascension can lift the rank of a skill by two ranks.

Note: Ascension stones are rare currency of the system, given only in special cases or quests.

Liam wiped the sweat off his forehead. No time to think about it. He activated the skills right away.

Skill Combination Detected

[Cleave (E+)] + [Sword Aura (C-)]

Temporary Skill Created:

[Dismantle (B+)]

Use ascension stone?

"Yes!" Liam shouted.

Ding.

Dismantle B+ became Black Flash A.

Host would be able to utilise cursed energy in devastating attack.

Note! The skill drains mana massively.

Due to host being the chosen one and having ties with the cursed world, the skill rank upgraded slightly.

Black Flash A+.

The second the skill kicked in, everything felt different. Liam’s whole body sharpened, like someone had flipped a switch inside him.

A violent surge of dark energy exploded from his chest and raced through his veins. His muscles locked tight.

The power gathered around his sword until the blade looked like a dark phantom for a moment.

He swung.

The moment his blade met Anos’s sword, the knight’s weapon snapped clean in half.

The force threw Anos’s arms backward and a deep cut tore across the knight’s chest, smashing through the armor and exposing ribs.

Anos dropped to the ground like a broken doll. He couldn’t even move. His health was barely hanging on at one percent.

But the cost hit Liam all at once. Blood burst from his nose, his ears, his eyes, everywhere.

His legs gave out. The world tilted and went dark.

Silence fell for a second.

Pyra’s mouth opened slightly. "Wait, how’s that happened?" Her eyes widened at Liam.

Everything happened in a span of a second and left her barely to react."

Olivia just stared.

Beatrix crossed her arms and looked at Liam, then thought, ’He jumped to save me? And even risked his life?’

Beatriz looked at Liam in confusion, For some reason her stomach felt strange. He’s... different.

Olivia rushed in and caught him. Pyra hurried over too and helped lift him, one of his arms over her shoulder.

Olivia’s voice was steady but tight. "Help me take him back to town."

Pyra grumbled, "Tch, don’t boss me around," but she still took Liam’s other shoulder.

The worry showed plain on her face even as she complained.

Olivia glanced back and saw Beatrix hanging behind them. "What are you doing?"

Beatrix huffed. "Guarding our backs, obviously."

Olivia gave a small nod. Even with the way Beatrix dressed, at least she was useful right now.

The three of them carried Liam through the streets and back into town.

Olivia already knew the layout, so she led them straight to the mall.

They laid him down gently on his back. Sweat covered his face and his eyebrows were pulled tight in pain.

Olivia’s voice rose with nerves. "He isn’t getting any better! What do we do?"

Pyra clenched her fists, staring at him.

She had just stood there earlier like an idiot and let the guy everyone called the weakest in class throw himself in front of her.

She couldn’t imagine having to face the others after that.

Finally Beatrix stepped closer, looking at the dark energy still swirling around Liam. "I may know a way to heal him."

Olivia asked quickly, "How?"

Pyra turned to her. "Is that because you’re a half-succubus?"

Beatrix nodded. "Yes, and also because the damage seems familiar."

Both Olivia and Pyra started talking at once, asking how they could help heal him, but Beatrix’s next words left them shocked.