SSS-Ranked Evolution: Worlds Unbound-Chapter 98: don’t buy

Twisted creatures slithered and skulked in the shadows, their eyes glowing with an unholy light. Some feasted on the remains of long-dead bodies, their gnarled, sinewy limbs tearing into flesh with sickening wet sounds. The corpses—human, tiger, and beast alike—lay scattered, half-consumed, their faces frozen in eternal agony. The creatures that fed on them seemed to grow stronger with each bite, their grotesque forms bulging and shifting unnaturally as they absorbed the death that surrounded them.

The floor was slick with unidentifiable filth, a mix of blood, bile, and black ichor that seeped from both the corpses and the palace itself. Puddles of the vile substance glistened in the dim light, reflecting the grotesque forms of the monsters as they moved about. The sound of dripping echoed in the vast emptiness, a haunting rhythm that seemed to sync with the pulsing rot in the walls.

At the heart of it all stood the throne, an abomination of power and despair. Its once-polished surface was now coated in a thick layer of grime and filth, the intricate carvings of tigers barely visible beneath the decay. Broken chains hung from its arms, rusted and corroded, their purpose lost to time but ominous nonetheless. Corpses, both fresh and skeletal, were piled around its base in a macabre offering. Some were impaled on jagged spikes that jutted out from the throne’s base, their lifeless eyes staring into the void.

A black aura radiated from the throne, visible even to the naked eye. It swirled like smoke, tendrils of shadow curling and twisting through the air. The energy it exuded was suffocating, pressing down on them with an oppressive weight. It whispered to them, a low, malevolent hum that crawled into their minds and threatened to consume their will.

"This is it. This is the heart of darkness." her eyes shook softly, clouded with tears to see something that was so beautiful, now in ruins. Von had just jumped over a puddle of bile and was doing his best not to puke, they both looked at Ren who summoned a fist of pure energy.

"Time for some deep cleaning." The moment Ren stepped closer to the corrupted throne, a deep rumble echoed through the chamber. The eerie blue light dimmed as countless skeletal hands clawed their way out of the ground. Their fingers were jagged, their nails like blackened hooks tearing through the stone floor. One lunged at Von, its bony claws piercing his arm. He let out a sharp cry of pain, blood dripping down as the hand twisted and refused to let go.

Suddenly, a grotesque horde began to emerge. The creatures were like distorted reflections of humanity, their bodies twisted and bent unnaturally, resembling the figure from nightmares. Their heads dangled upside down, mouths filled with rows of jagged, shark-like teeth, gnashing hungrily. Their limbs were elongated, clawed hands and feet skittering across the floor in jerky, spider-like movements. Their ragged skin was pale and bruised, veins pulsating with an otherworldly, sickly green glow. The monsters’ forms made them unpredictable as they twisted and spun in the air, launching themselves at the trio with movements that defied logic.

"Scatter!!" Ren shouted, stepping away from Dalia and Von in a desperate jump. But the creatures didn’t give them a moment to regroup after they had pulled apart.

One lunged at Ren, its claws slashing downward. He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the attack, and retaliated with a burst of energy that blasted the creature backward. Dalia drew her natural weapons, her claws, their edges gleaming with a faint magical glow, and charged into the fray. She was a blur of movement, slashing through the grotesque forms with surgical precision. Despite her skill, the creatures’ sheer numbers overwhelmed her. One managed to grab her ankle, and she swiftly spun, severing its limb in a single stroke. Yet, more poured in.

Von, despite his injury, gritted his teeth and fought valiantly. He used his kunai with deadly efficiency, but his movements grew sluggish as blood loss took its toll. A monster leapt at him, jaws wide open, but Dalia intercepted it mid-air, driving both claws into its chest. "Stay behind me!!" she yelled, spinning to slice through another approaching creature.

The monsters’ relentless assault pushed the trio back. They came from every direction, their gnashing teeth and clawed limbs a constant threat. Ren summoned another wave of energy, slamming it into the horde. The force disintegrated several of the creatures, but more emerged, crawling through cracks in the walls and ceiling.

Dalia’s movements became more desperate. She fought like a whirlwind, spinning and dodging, her blades singing through the air.

The three of them faced off, the tension palpable. Dalia lunged first, her claws slashing through the air with deadly intent. Ren followed a heartbeat later, his sword aimed low to catch Von off guard. But Von moved like a phantom, dodging and weaving through their strikes with unnerving ease. He parried Dalia’s attack, twisted away from Ren’s blade, and with a powerful leap, created space between them.

From the shadows, the monsters surged forward again, drawn by the commotion. Their twisted forms screeched as they closed in. Ren, despite the pain gnawing at his wound, swung his blade in a wide arc, slicing through several of them. Each movement sent sharp pain radiating through his chest, but he refused to stop.

Dalia grabbed a stray sword from the ground and charged into the fray, her strikes precise and brutal. She fought like a whirlwind, cutting through the grotesque creatures with raw ferocity. But their reprieve was short-lived.

Von hurled a barrage of kunai at them, each one whistling through the air with deadly accuracy. "Scatter!" Ren shouted, diving to the side while Dalia evaded with aerial cartwheels. The blades embedded themselves in the ground, barely missing him and Dalia.

The separation allowed more monsters to gravitate toward Ren. Their clawed hands swarmed him, pulling at his legs and arms. He slashed and kicked wildly, cutting them down, but the smaller, creepier hands kept crawling back, latching onto him.

"Damn it!" Ren snarled, his movements growing frantic as the swarm closed in.

Von took advantage of the chaos, leaping high into the air and descending on Ren like a shadow. Ren saw him too late. Von’s blade came down in a deadly arc, but with a burst of energy, Ren rolled away at the last moment. Their blades clashed, the force of the impact sending sparks flying.

"You’ll be food for the rest of them!" Von hissed, his voice dripping with malice.

Ren’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his sword. "Not when I knock you out of my friend!" He pushed Von back with a burst of strength and delivered a spinning kick that connected squarely with Von’s chest. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Von staggered, his movements faltering for the first time. Dalia saw the opening and charged, her sword aimed at his side. But Von recovered with startling speed, sidestepping her attack and twisting his body in a fluid motion. His blade found its mark, stabbing Dalia in the gut.

She gasped, her sword slipping from her hands as pain wracked her body. Von kicked her back, and she crumpled to the ground, clutching the wound as blood seeped through her fingers.

"Dalia!" Ren screamed, his voice breaking, his heart racing at the potential loss of another friend. He rushed toward her, but Von blocked his path with a storm of homing ninja stars.

Ren’s instincts kicked in. He flipped and twisted in the air, evading the blades with acrobatic precision. His feet pushed off walls and debris as the stars chased him relentlessly. One nicked his arm, drawing blood, but he didn’t stop.

Von anticipated his movements and leapt at him again, crashing into Ren and slamming them both to the ground. The air was forced from Ren’s lungs as Von’s weight pinned him down.

Von raised his blade, aiming for Ren’s throat. Ren grappled with him, using every ounce of his strength to push the weapon away. "Get the fuck out of his body you demon!" Ren growled. With a sudden burst of desperation, he slammed his forehead into Von’s and kicked him off, the impact stunning them both.

Von staggered back to his feet, dazed, but his movements were relentless. He lunged again, but Ren saw the opportunity. He gathered the last of his energy and slammed his palm into Von’s gut, unleashing a burst of purifying light.

Von’s scream echoed through the chamber as the darkness began to seep out of him. His body convulsed, the corruption peeling away like smoke. Ren watched, breathing heavily, as his friend collapsed to the ground.

The twisted red glow in Von’s eyes faded, replaced by the familiar warmth Ren knew. Von lay unconscious, his body still but alive.

Ren dropped to his knees, exhausted and battered. "Friend! Open your eyes!," he held on to him fast and like a beacon of light, Von responded to his plea. He groaned loudly, feeling weak, his memory betrayed him but all he could see was Ren’s nearly golden eyes staring down at him.