The black blade, Rygintarth sliced through the air, closing in on the chest of the frontal, leader-like figure of these strange leather sack-wearing figures.

This time, Aiden didn't want to leave anything to chance, nor did he want to play around. He had a dangerously limited amount of information, and the steady, constant rise in these beings' power levels was starting to reach heights that could give cause to concern.

Still, this wasn't the true reason for him to change his usual approach, and be serious right from the start. The second consciousness, the mysterious entities that each of these half-a-dozen creatures had lived inside them, could avoid the system's detection for some strange reason. The best he could guess was that they were entities that were related to the 'Darkness', 'Corruption' and 'Chaos'.. whatever that actually meant.

The sinister, eerie behavior that they displayed also raised several alarms in Aiden's mind. He wasn't certain, but he felt that it would be unwise to wait for their transformation out. Even if he were to be victorious in the end, ultimately the cost of it wouldn't be worth it..

Due to these uneasy feelings inside his heart, Aiden's first attack was serious right from the start. Though he still tried to conserve his power and did not want to waste it before he was certain about where his opponents stood in terms of strength, his first swing carried a high amount of his bodily strength. historical

His blade fiercely traversed the air, rapidly closing in on the still howling, convulsing man's chest. The strike, if it would connect, would most likely slice the protective studded leather chest piece apart, and may even leave a deep gushing wound. Though it would be far from being fatal, the attack should make the figure lose his concentration and stop this ritualistic process.

What happened next, however, shocked Aiden yet again. As his unique, inherited sword's blade was just about to reach its intended destination, a strange unknown and invisible force appeared, blocking and absorbing his attack, sending visible ripples across the distorted space that surrounded the creature. Even worse, it rebounded the attack, throwing his arm back with an equal, matching force.

Aiden was forced to take several steps back as he was caught unprepared for such a powerful force field. He couldn't feel its signature emissions, or presence of any kind, which caused him to deepen his already existing frown over his face.

The figures, reaching closer and closer to the completion of their transformation, gave no bother to the attempted assault, focusing on the last stages instead. Their bodies were already almost twice the size in all dimensions than before. Newly gained muscles bulged from under their constraints, stretching out their armors to their limit. Their figures seemed to lose their semblance to humanity as time went on, looking more and more like walking, two-legged and limbed abominations.

Their heads, also swelled in size, the leather sacks, that were loosely hanging under their straps were now stretched out, revealing a hideous silhouette that was barely recognizable anymore. Their rounded shapes were now donned with strange protrusions, mounds of varying sizes and natures dotted all around.

Their arms, also reached all the way to their knees, revealing the strange light grey, unnatural festering arms. Ugly, horrific blisters dotted their pale, unnatural-looking trunk-sized arms. Sharp and blackened nails tore through their gloves, looking deadly even from a first glance.

"What the hell.." Aiden muttered with a deep frown as he looked at the horrifying monstrous entity in front of him. As their transformation reached their zenith, their powers, the auras they released also peaked, reaching an astonishing level.

Even though Aiden did not have a clear definition of the various creatures, he was certain, that these monsters were way above the ranks of the outside world. The humans of Higrove or even the Orc Warlords at the top of the tower were far from what he could sense at this moment.

Aiden's gaze turned somber at this realization. He could no longer hold back, there was no place to be conservative, reserved anymore. He had to put in his everything if he wanted to escape.

Yes, escape. Facing all 6 of these monsters would drain him of everything he had, making him vulnerable to the slightest of dangers afterward. Without any information about this world, risking everything right from the start would be incredibly stupid.

Still.. to gain information, he needed to return to the mindset he thought he put behind him already. He needed to once again, act true to his origins, respond to the call of his race.

Aiden slowly closed his eyes as he came to this conclusion. In the next moment, as he heaved a heavy, long sigh, suddenly the wind around him began to first breeze, then turn into an angry howl.

Releasing the shackles, the chains around his very own core, Aiden let loose of his constrained power. The previously calm streams inside his spiritual body flared up, a giant wave of his golden energy, his [Spirit Power] surged, freely, violently flowing, coursing inside his body.

The combined aura that shared his draconic heritage, as well as his Primal Goblin Lordship, exploded with a massive torrent further distorting the very air and space around the makeshift battle arena they hurriedly made.

A heavy pressure descended on the 6 creatures, pushing against them with a shocking amount of power and causing them to react to the events finally.

Their howls abruptly stopped, the transformations were abruptly put to a halt as they all turned their attention towards the whirlwind of force at the center.

Amidst the raging storm, a pair of golden eyes slowly appeared as the boy's eyelids parted. He wasn't the carefree boy that stood amidst them before. No, the presence, the creature that joined the fray was something much different.

Something old.. incredibly ancient.

As if scanning his surroundings, the pair of eyes slowly darted around. Looking at each of the battle-ready hulking abominations with an indifferent gaze.

Eventually, it rested on the one that was to his right for only a couple of seconds longer, before it landed on the leader to his front once more.

He did not speak, nor did the hulking atrocities, monsters either. Still, between them, and this weird standstill, lots of information was exchanged.

For one side, the creatures had to accept the fact that their assigned prey, the being that their owner, their leader wanted them to take wouldn't be as easy as they thought. The trap that the Master has created, even going as far as corrupting the portal wouldn't be able to contain and resolve the situation after all.

Still, this did not cause them to lose hope or dismay at all. On the contrary. Under the dark, leather sacks each of their hideous, monstrous visages stretched, each one of them grinned with newfound excitement.

After all, the hunt has just begun.

---

AN: Hey there Readers!

Just a friendly reminder, that from wherever you are reading , you can reach out to me using any of the below methods!

For you, sailors of the seventh sea (non-WN readers), be a bro/gal and throw me a cup of joe, show your appreciation!

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/shaele