Chapter 52: Self-Destruction
Chu Xiu kept his Ghostly Eyes activated, utilizing its enhanced dynamic vision to meticulously observe the muscle contractions in different parts of the D-rank Ghoul's body. This allowed him to accurately predict its next move.
As the creature activated its skill, relevant data instantly appeared before Chu Xiu's eyes.
Overdrive! An advanced skill derived from Power Burst!
Chu Xiu's heart skipped a beat. Before he could react, the colossal figure abruptly turned towards him. Its right arm shot out with lightning speed, accompanied by the clattering of extending chains. The bone hammer at the end of the chain rapidly elongated, hurtling towards Chu Xiu!
This attack was many times faster than the previous ones. Before Chu Xiu could react, the massive hammer head was already upon him!
The hammer was simply too fast. Dodging backward was impossible. In a split second, he made a decisive move, activating Instantaneous Travel and charging towards the Ghoul instead of retreating!
This allowed him to evade the deadly hammer head, but the bone chain trailing behind it slammed into his body with brutal force!
"Bang!"
A deafening boom echoed as Chu Xiu was sent flying over ten meters. He crashed heavily onto the ground, his right arm throbbing with pain. Looking down, he was horrified to discover cracks appearing on his Bone Armor!
"What terrifying strength!" Chu Xiu exclaimed in shock.
He knew this battle was reaching its climax. As long as he could withstand the monster's final burst, victory would be his!
Without a moment's respite, the D-rank Ghoul, enraged by its missed attack, swiftly turned and charged towards Chu Xiu with a deafening roar!
Every step it took cracked the concrete beneath its feet, the booming echoes making the entire parking lot tremble.
Gazing at the approaching figure, a sharp glint flashed across Chu Xiu's calm, dark eyes.
"Hmph, I had the luxury of waiting for you to finish evolving. Did you think I wouldn't make any preparations?"
The Bone Yin Soul Banner appeared in his hand. With a powerful wave, the five Yin Ghosts solidified their forms, pouncing onto the D-rank Ghoul's massive body in an attempt to halt its advance!
However, the difference in their physical prowess was too vast. Even with all five Yin Ghosts attacking together, they were utterly ineffective. With a casual swing of its left arm, the D-rank Ghoul flung one Yin Ghost to the ground. Then, a single smash of its right arm turned the ghost's legs into mush!
A flicker of distress crossed Chu Xiu's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of ruthlessness. He waved the Bone Yin Soul Banner again and barked, "Explode!"
The instant his voice rang out, the Yin Ghost clinging to the D-rank Ghoul's back detonated. Like a high-explosive grenade, its detonation unleashed a terrifying shockwave, ripping a gaping, bloody hole in the Ghoul's back! The energy sac used to fuel its abilities was also blown to smithereens!
This was a hidden function Chu Xiu had discovered when refining his first Yin Ghost. He could forcefully command them to self-destruct, instantly releasing a powerful surge of energy by completely annihilating their soul bodies!
However, while powerful, the explosion was only equivalent to two or three fully charged Shadow Wind Blades. In reality, it was a significant loss. He never thought he would have to resort to this tactic, but he had no other choice!
Without hesitation, he commanded another explosion, "Explode!"
The Yin Ghost with its legs crushed suddenly sprang up, latching onto the D-rank Ghoul's right knee. As Chu Xiu's command echoed, its soul body erupted, unleashing a tremendous force that pulverized the Ghoul's knee!
Although the impact failed to completely shatter the joint, it sent the D-rank Ghoul stumbling, forcing it to its knees!
Seizing this opportunity, Chu Xiu directed the third Yin Ghost to crawl towards the creature's head, aiming for a final, decisive blow by detonating it right in the monster's face!
Unfortunately, his plan was thwarted. Before the Yin Ghost could reach its target, the enraged D-rank Ghoul slammed it to the ground with a roar. Its sharp claws effortlessly tore the ghost into three pieces.
Seeing its imminent demise, Chu Xiu swiftly issued another self-destruct command. This explosion mangled the D-rank Ghoul's left hand, severing tendons and exposing the white bones beneath.
Simultaneously, the remaining two Yin Ghosts unleashed their Claw Strike skill, carving two more wounds into the creature's mountainous body.
"Roar!"
The D-rank Ghoul struggled back to its feet, but Chu Xiu could tell it was at its limit.
The red glow enveloping its body was fading. As the weakness phase set in, all the accumulated injuries, fatigue, and poison would erupt, ending its life.
"It cost me three Yin Ghosts. This thing is even more troublesome than I anticipated."
"But it ends here!"
"Die!"
With a thunderous roar, Chu Xiu hurled the Bone Spear in his hand. It pierced straight through the Ghoul's chest!
The [Soul Pierce] trait activated!
The instant the spear connected, the colossal creature shuddered as if struck by lightning. The blood-red glow surrounding it began to fade rapidly. The two remaining Yin Ghosts pounced, tearing at its flesh with unrelenting ferocity. It tried to retaliate in a frenzy, but its massive right arm simply fell limp after it was raised.
In Chu Xiu's Blood Moon Perception, the monster's life force was dwindling fast.
Finally, under the relentless assault of the Yin Ghosts, the creature swayed and collapsed with a final, defiant roar!
"Boom!"
Its five-ton body crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
[Killed a creature. Experience +2358]
[Challenge task completed! Reward: 700 Karma Points!]
[Obtained item: 312 Karma Points]
[Obtained item: Type-008 Ghoul Heavy Armor (Rare)]
[Obtained item: Energy Ring (Rare)]
[Obtained item: Overdrive (Excellent) *3]
[Obtained Trait: Tough Skin (C)]
[Level Up!]
[Current Level: F-rank Level 8]
This chapter is a bit short, only a little over 1700 words, but I think it's just right to break it off here. To make up for it, I'll add another chapter today. However, for everyone's reading experience, I'll update it close to midnight along with tomorrow's two chapters.
(End of Chapter)