Quest for survival in the virtual realm

The Angry Beast

The rhino underwent a terrifying transformation and a surge of power was constantly being pushed out.

The rhino's muscles tightened up, its size doubled as more and more energy was being fed into its huge body. Blue vein-like patterns from the large orb in its gut spread out all over its body and waves of energy kept spreading out from where it was standing. A large hump protruded outward from its back, its eyes darkened and the horn on its snout grew times three its original height.

From afar Allison and Tenkin could clearly see the changes that had occurred and they could easily tell the battle was taking a different turn.

The salamander immediately took the initiative to attack first, it opened its mouth shooting out a series of blue fireballs that seemed to be burning the air itself. Taking a quick jump the rhino evaded the attack, dashing forward and flinging out its fist.

The salamander was clearly caught unaware, the full-packed punch was heading straight for its face, and in an attempt to block, it desperately pulled its hands towards its head forming an ‘x’

The punch collided and this time there was no struggle, the two hands of the salamander were bent inwardly. There was a clear difference in power and it was one that seemed to leave the salamander beast stunned. It flung its tail like a whip, lashing the rhino right on its back but the rhino stood there unfazed with no scratch on its hardened skin.

A mere look at the salamander and one could tell from its confused face what was going through its mind and it was the same for the other two, how could a little power-up suddenly boost a beast that was being toyed with to such a level of strength.

The salamander was grabbed by the neck and was raised from the ground, it struggled desperately whipping the rhino with its tall relentlessly, all to no avail, its eyes whitened with no life left in it, the crown on its forehead crumbled into smithereens, soon disappearing from sight.

Just as soon as Allison and Tenkin both thought the battle was over, a sudden pulse of energy was released sending out heat waves in all directions. The temperature in the surrounding area quickly rose as the energy from the salamander's diseased body migrated into the rhino.

The orb in its gut shone with brilliance as it constantly kept absorbing the energy. Soon the energy subsided and the body of the salamander was no more, however, a deep blue crystal was left behind, one that Tenkin had his eyes on.

[Duel complete]

[A new boss of the 50th plane has evolved]

“I think we should leave here” Allison voiced out her opinion

“Exactly what I was thinking but before that…..” she felt his arm wrap around her wrist and a sudden feeling of panic arose in her.

[Quick-soundless steps activated]

Allison was not informed of the latter’s thought and was left confused at his action, ‘aren’t we meant to be running away from the beast and not towards it?’ she questioned.

The rhino noticed this action again for the third time, however, this time it was confident in its newfound strength and was certain that this enemy was no stronger than the last.

It turned to face the two that were heading straight towards it, whereas Allison closed her eyes anxiously still trying to believe in the one who had saved her life. Tenkin went head first towards the rhino with confidence, and as soon as he neared just a meter away, it swung its fist that was still pulsing with energy. Tenkin pulled Allison towards himself and slid down below the arm that was still in motion; quickly he pulled back carried the deep blue crystal and went off.

Looking at its hands the rhino took its time to process what had happened, it turned its back and could not find the crystal that had been left behind by the salamander. It was once again bypassed which angered it greatly, a huge thick condensed hot air escaped its snout. It entered a hot chase, trailing behind its back, even ignoring the obstacles in its path.

“What the... why did you do that?” Allison couldn’t help but question. She found it hard to believe that one would actually risk that much for a mere beast crystal, they had their uses and importance in the game but why go to such an extent?

With their current conditions in the game it was hard to tell what effects death would spell out for them and she couldn’t imagine losing her life just cause of a crystal.

“You don’t expect me to leave such high-graded crystals out here did you?” he replied out rightly, quickening his pace as he noticed the rhino catching on. Holding onto the crystal he could feel the power pushing outward as though trying to consume him.

‘What is this feeling’ In more ways than one he was becoming more and more fearful of this virtual world. It seemed as though he was playing a completely different game from what he’d experienced during the test program, and he didn’t quite like the feeling.

Everything was feeling far more realistic than it did during the test program, even now the energy from the crystal seemed to be seeping into his body. With the crystal in his hands series of notifications popped up in front of him.

[High-grade crystal has been obtained, Would the player like to:

Sell in auction sales and earn huge benefits,

Exchange with the system for high-grade weapons,

Convert to Nano points]

The options that appeared in front of him seemed quite tempting considering the quality and grade of the crystal he had obtained but aside from all this, there was something else he was more inclined to do with it.

[Synchronizing…… Crystal compatible with Ability 77% possibility]

[Higher flame crystal will now be absorbed]

Tenkin could quickly feel the immense amount of power searing through his body and at the same time it was as though he could hear a deep dark voice which he assumed to be that of the salamander.

The dark voice carried an ominous aura that made cold sweat trickle down his face as it spelled out the words, ‘BURN!’

As if in resonance with the voice series of information followed suit.

[Your flames have evolved]

[Congratulations you have leveled up to Lv 2

Lv 3

Lv4

Lv5]

The sudden jump in levels startled him a bit but it wasn’t time to be as the Rhino had soon caught up with the two.