SSS-Ranked Evolution: Worlds Unbound-Chapter 106: don’t buy

You...did it...I don’t know if—"

"Shut it! And breathe, you’ll be fine." Ren silenced her, not wanting to bear another loss, at this point, he just couldn’t. But as they worked to save her, the darkness that had seeped out of Von’s body began to move and take form.

The darkness that seeped out of Von’s wound thickened, curling and twisting unnaturally. The air grew cold as the dark mass pooled together, its form beginning to solidify. From the writhing shadows emerged a monstrous creature—its body massive and drenched in a glistening black ichor. Jagged claws extended from elongated, sinewy arms, and its gaping maw was filled with rows of serrated, blood-stained teeth, each one dripping as though it had feasted on countless victims. Veins of crimson pulsed along its slick, ink-like flesh, and its glowing eyes burned with malevolent intelligence.

The creature tilted its grotesque head, a gurgling laugh escaping its throat. "Ah... so you’ve come this far," it spoke, its voice a grating mixture of growls and whispers that seemed to echo inside their heads. "But your journey ends here. Flesh... I will devour your flesh."

It loomed over them, its sheer size dominating the chamber. Its head and arms twisted unnaturally, stretching far beyond what seemed possible. It barely moved its body, yet its limbs snaked through the air like whips, striking at them with deadly precision.

Von and Ren instinctively stood between the beast and Dalia, who was pale and struggling to stay conscious. Ren gripped his blade tightly, while Von clenched his kunai, his purple aura flaring in determination. Without a word, the two charged.

Reaper’s arms lashed out with terrifying speed, its claws slicing through the air like scythes. Von ducked and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a swipe aimed at his head, while Ren deflected another blow with his blade, sparks flying as the impact reverberated through his arms. The creature’s attacks were relentless, its hands extending and curling around like living tendrils, forcing the two into a desperate dance of dodges and counterstrikes.

Ren leaped, slashing at the creature’s torso, but the blow barely left a mark on its slick, impenetrable hide. Von, meanwhile, darted in close, delivering a flurry of kunai to its side, but Reaper’s arm swung around like a whip, catching him across the chest and sending him sprawling.

"My blade can’t get through!" Ren shouted, his breathing heavy as he circled the beast.

Von’s eyes narrowed, scanning the creature as it continued its assault. Then he saw it—the slight hesitation, the way the creature instinctively pulled its head back whenever they got close. "The head!" Von shouted. "Go for its head! That’s the weak spot!"

Ren nodded, dodging another sweeping strike as he lunged forward, his blade arcing toward the creature’s face. Reaper let out an unearthly shriek as the blade connected, black ichor spraying from the wound. The monster recoiled, its arms flailing wildly, but it quickly adapted. Its glowing eyes locked onto Dalia, who was slumped on the ground behind them.

"No!" Von yelled, but it was too late. One of Reaper’s elongated arms shot forward, its claws wrapping around Dalia. The creature lifted her effortlessly, its jaws opening wide as it prepared to devour her.

Time seemed to slow. Dalia’s eyes fluttered open, her face pale and streaked with blood. Von’s heart pounded as he pushed off the ground, his legs moving faster than ever before. "Dalia!" he roared, his voice filled with desperation.

Reaper’s jaws descended, its teeth mere inches from Dalia’s fragile form—when a blinding bolt of lightning struck the creature’s head. The impact was deafening, the chamber illuminated by a flash of electric blue. Reaper screeched in agony, its grip on Dalia faltering as it staggered back.

Von lunged, catching Dalia just as she fell. He cradled her protectively, his arms trembling as relief washed over him. Dalia looked up at him weakly, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Thank you..." she whispered, her eyes unable to shift away from his.

Before Von could respond, a guttural growl echoed through the chamber. He turned, his eyes widening in disbelief. The beast that had announced her arrival, sprinting to skid in front of Ren was Luna. Her fur crackled with residual electricity, her electric blue eyes blazing with primal fury. Blood matted her coat, but she stood tall, defiant and unbroken. And she was angry.

"Luna!" Ren’s voice broke with joy, his face lighting up despite the chaos around them.

"No one can save you from me!" Reaper roared, his essence flowing out of the wound in his head. Luna barked aggressively, if she could talk, she would have called Reaper an ugly loudmouth that was about to be kicked in the ass.

"You have no eyes, obviously you can’t see you are about to get your ass kicked." Ren, Von and Luna took a stance, they were going to end this once and for all. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

With a guttural growl, the Reaper extended more tendrils, black as void and sharp as blades, lashing out with terrifying speed. The three companions darted and weaved, narrowly evading the deadly strikes. One tendril shot towards Ren—too fast to dodge. Luna sprang into action, her silver fur bristling with electricity as she spun, her tail discharging a bolt of lightning that crackled through the air and blasted the tendril apart. The Reaper roared, his glowing eyes locking onto Luna with murderous intent.

"Luna, Go go go!" Ren shouted, but the wolf was already moving. Her sleek form streaked across the battlefield, dodging the tendrils that snaked after her. With a leap, she sent another lightning bolt crashing into the Reaper’s head. The blast staggered him, his massive frame recoiling from the shock.

Seeing the opening, Ren and Von sprang into action. They launched themselves at the Reaper, aiming for his head. But the monstrous creature was far from defenseless. With a violent sweep of his tendrils, he struck them mid-air, sending both boys hurtling back. They hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind from their lungs.

Luna’s eyes widened as she saw Ren struggling to rise. She dashed to his side, her muzzle pressing against his cheek, whining softly. Ren groaned, his head spinning and pain throbbing in his chest. He blinked through the haze and spotted Von, who was slowly pushing himself to his feet.

But Von was no longer the same. A deep, menacing energy swirled around him, glowing with an intense purple hue. His eyes burned like twin amethysts, and intricate, tattoo-like patterns spread across his arm, neck, and face. The air around him vibrated with raw power. He was tired of the fighting and wanted to go home. Sick of it all.

The Reaper sneered, his voice a jagged rasp as he summoned more of his allies, "You think you can stop me? I will destroy everything you hold dear."

Von’s fists clenched, his fury erupting in a palpable wave. The energy surrounding him intensified, drawing in every sharp weapon scattered across the battlefield. Swords, knives, and daggers hovered in the air, their edges gleaming with deadly intent. Von raised his hand, and with a simple motion, the blades surged forward, slicing through the waves of monsters the Reaper summoned. Blood and black ichor splattered as the creatures fell, their shrieks echoing through the darkened sky.

In the midst of the carnage, Von vanished. The Reaper’s glowing eyes darted around, searching. A split second later, Von reappeared above him, his aura blazing. The Reaper swiped at him with his tendrils, but Von disappeared again, reappearing in a blur of motion, striking from another angle. His attacks were relentless, each one coming from within. The Reaper snarled, disoriented and enraged.

Ren saw his chance. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to his feet, channelling energy into his legs. With a burst of speed, he launched himself high into the air, his feet crackling with energy.

"Eat this you overgrown creep!!" Ren roared, his voice cutting through the din. He brought his leg down in a devastating axe kick, the energy exploding on impact with the Reaper’s skull. The monstrous creature let out a bone-chilling scream, staggering backward as dark ichor oozed from the wound.

But their victory was far from assured. The Reaper’s howl summoned more of his minions, a horde of twisted abominations spilling onto the battlefield. The sheer number was overwhelming. Ren, Von, and Luna stood back-to-back, bracing themselves for the onslaught.

"Damn it! We are surrounded!" Ren shouted, sweat and blood dripping down his brow.

Dalia’s voice cut through the chaos, it took her a lot of energy to scream that loud, "The throne! Destroy the throne! It’s feeding him power—it’s the source of his strength!"

Ren’s eyes snapped to the dark, pulsating throne at the heart of the battlefield. It radiated a sinister energy, its surface writhing as if alive. He nodded to Von and Luna. "Cover me. I’m taking it out."

Von and Luna exchanged a glance, their resolve unspoken but clear. With a roar, Von unleashed another wave of blades, carving through the advancing horde. Luna’s fur sparked with