Chapter 35: Guardian IV

Ryan continued countering every opening the beast gave him.

His movements were simple and efficient.

He didn’t need complicated techniques.

With 999 Strength, 999 Agility, and his physical enhancement skills, his basic attacks were already powerful enough to damage the Fallen Beast.

The beast suddenly raised both claws and brought them down together.

Ryan stepped forward instead of retreating.

He slipped between the two claws and swung his greatsword upward.

CRASH!

The blade struck the Fallen Beast’s chest and launched it into the air.

Ryan immediately followed.

"Death Step."

His body disappeared from the ground and appeared beside the airborne beast.

He swung his greatsword again.

The Fallen Beast was struck in midair and sent crashing back toward the floor.

BOOM!

Dust spread across the battlefield.

Ryan landed calmly and rested the greatsword against his shoulder.

The summons remained at the edge of the battlefield, watching without interfering.

Ryan looked toward the dust cloud.

"Get up. We’re not finished yet."

The dust slowly settled.

The Fallen Beast rose from the crater and shook its body, sending pieces of broken stone falling from its back.

Its wounds were already beginning to close.

Ryan narrowed his eyes.

"So you can heal too."

The Fallen Beast let out a low growl.

Dark energy gathered around its body again.

This time, it didn’t immediately charge.

Instead, it raised one claw toward Ryan.

Several golden blades of energy formed around it before shooting forward.

Ryan quickly moved to the side.

The blades struck the ground behind him and exploded.

The Fallen Beast followed the attack by swinging its tail.

Ryan raised his greatsword and blocked the strike.

The impact pushed him backward.

Before he could regain his footing, the beast opened its mouth and released a powerful wave of dark and holy energy.

Ryan immediately activated Death Step.

His body disappeared from the attack’s path.

The energy swept across the battlefield and crashed into the wall behind him.

Ryan appeared several meters to the side.

"So you have ranged attacks too."

The Fallen Beast rushed toward him again.

Ryan tightened his grip on the greatsword.

The beast suddenly accelerated.

Its claws became covered in golden energy as it swung them toward Ryan.

Ryan raised his sword.

CLANG!

He blocked the first attack.

The second claw came immediately after.

Ryan twisted his body and avoided it.

The Fallen Beast then swung its tail toward his legs.

Ryan jumped over it.

The beast used the momentum from its attack to spin around and strike him with its claws again.

Ryan blocked the attack with his greatsword.

BOOM!

Both sides were pushed backward.

Ryan landed steadily.

The Fallen Beast didn’t give him time to recover.

It charged again and activated another skill.

Dark energy gathered around its claws before forming several sharp blades.

It swung repeatedly.

Ryan moved between the attacks, blocking some and avoiding others.

One claw passed close to his shoulder.

Another struck his armor.

Ryan immediately counterattacked.

"Brutal Swing."

His greatsword smashed into the beast’s side.

CRASH!

The Fallen Beast was forced backward.

However, instead of falling, it dug its claws into the ground and stopped itself.

It immediately released another shockwave.

Ryan crossed his greatsword in front of his body.

BOOM!

The shockwave struck him and pushed him several meters backward.

Ryan steadied himself.

His health had barely changed.

The Fallen Beast noticed this and growled.

It lowered its body and suddenly disappeared.

Ryan’s eyes moved slightly.

The beast appeared behind him.

Its claws were already coming toward his back.

Ryan reacted instantly.

He turned around and blocked the attack with his greatsword.

CLANG!

The Fallen Beast tried to bite him while its claws were locked against his sword.

Ryan pushed its head away with his free hand.

Then he swung his greatsword into its side.

BOOM!

The beast staggered.

Ryan followed with another physical skill.

"Death Slash."

A dark slash struck the Fallen Beast across its body.

The beast roared and immediately countered with a powerful claw attack.

Ryan blocked it.

The impact forced him several steps backward.

The Fallen Beast continued attacking without giving him any chance to rest.

Its claws, tail, jaws, and energy attacks came one after another.

Ryan calmly dealt with every attack.

Sometimes he blocked.

Sometimes he dodged.

Whenever the beast created an opening, he attacked.

The fight continued for several minutes.

The Fallen Beast gradually became more aggressive as its health continued to fall.

It suddenly raised its head and released another roar.

Dark and holy energy gathered around its entire body.

Ryan looked at it carefully.

"Another skill?"

The beast charged.

This time, its speed was much greater than before.

Ryan immediately used Death Step.

He disappeared just before the Fallen Beast reached him.

The beast stopped and turned around.

Ryan appeared behind it.

He raised his greatsword.

"Bone Crushing Strike."

He swung the greatsword downward with tremendous force.

BOOM!

The attack struck the Fallen Beast’s back and slammed it into the ground.

The beast struggled to stand.

Ryan didn’t give it a chance.

He stepped forward and swung his greatsword again.

The Fallen Beast raised its claws to block.

CRASH!

Its body was pushed backward.

Ryan continued pressing his attack.

The beast tried to counterattack, but Ryan blocked every strike and responded with another attack.

Even though the Fallen Beast had entered its second phase and was using all of its abilities, it still couldn’t overcome Ryan’s overwhelming physical attributes.

Ryan stepped forward and swung his greatsword with all his strength.

CRASH!

The blade struck the Fallen Beast’s neck and separated its head from its body.

The massive body collapsed to the ground while the severed head rolled across the floor.

However, Ryan didn’t lower his weapon.

He had already noticed the strange regenerative ability of the Fallen Beast.

Dark energy began gathering around the fallen body, while the severed head started twitching.

Ryan immediately understood what was happening.

"So it really can regenerate."

He raised his greatsword.

Dark flames suddenly erupted from the blade.

"Devouring Wave."

A massive wave of black flames surged forward and completely engulfed the Fallen Beast’s head.