Extra's Magic-Chapter 166 Combat Exam (7)

Rip...

The fabric of my coat was torn and a shallow cut formed across my forearm.

"It was brand new... Oh, now you fucked up!"

Looking at the shredded remains of my coat's sleeve, I cursed. I had spent quite a lot of time describing a Regeneration Rune onto it and seeing a part of it being ruined just like that sent a pang of frustration through me.

Swish...

Mana began to surge within me and Shadows started coating my Authority, making its blade appear nonexistent as it was concealed in darkness.

Growl...

The ghoul's growls intensified, its sunken eyes gleaming with a sickly green light.

I could swear I saw it smiling, its lips curled back to reveal rows of yellow, jagged teeth.

Whoosh...

Decaying muscles tensed beneath its sickly pale skin as it lunged toward me with startling speed.

Its bony fingers stretched out like scythes, tearing through the air with a bone-chilling sound.

Swish...

I could see the claw-like fingers coming closer and closer, threatening to tear through my throat.

However, I quickly reacted by raising my blade, meeting the ghoul's attack with a powerful parry.

Clank...

The sound of bone meeting steel echoed through the air, jarring my senses and sending vibrations up my arm.

Grrr...

The ghoul growled savagely, its putrid breath assaulting my nostrils.

I barely managed to retain my footing as I pushed against the ghoul's strength, the strain evident in every muscle of my body.

"Ughhh..."

Groaning, I mustered all my strength, pushing the ghoul back with a forceful shove.

It barely even moved the monster, but it created just enough space for me to maneuver.

Crunch...

Planting my feet firmly on the snow-covered ground, I twisted my body, bringing my blade in a swift arc toward the ghoul's vulnerable flank.

Squelch...

The blade sank deep into the ghoul's decaying flesh, eliciting a sickening squelch as it met resistance from bone and sinew.

Dark ichor started oozing from the wound, staining the snow beneath it.

Like an inkblot spreading, the dark ichor began corrupting the pristine white surface.

Screech...

The ghoul let out a blood-curdling screech, its agony reverberating through the air. The sound was almost unbearable, but I remained focused on the task at hand.

Before the ghoul could recover, I swiftly withdrew my blade from its body, causing another grotesque spurt of dark ichor.

Grrr...

The E Rank monster that was previously a fearsome threat now staggered, weakened by my blow.

Its dark blood kept gushing from the wound, staining the ground with its vile presence.

The ghoul's time was coming to an end.

"Give me the points..." 𝙗𝙚𝙙𝒏𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡．𝙣𝒆𝙩

Muttering under my breath, I channeled the Mana into my blade, seeing as the Shadows engulfed it.

[ Shadow Strike ]

I lunged forward, my blade searing through the air with deadly precision.

The ghoul tried to block the incoming attack with its menacing claws, but my blade enchanted with Weapon Art's first movement tore through its claws as if they were made of parchment.

Squelch...

The ghoul shrieked in agony as my blade sliced through its putrid flesh, causing a sickening squelch and showering me with sprays of dark blood and viscera.

"Ughh..."

Feeling the blood splatter across my face, I grimaced, overwhelmed by the revolting stench.

Without hesitation, I dove into the snow and started scrubbing my face furiously, desperate to rid myself of the ghoul's vile blood.

I had eaten a heavy breakfast and didn't want to lose it by vomiting at the repulsive smell and texture of the ghoul's dark blood.

"212 Points..."

Muttering under my breath, I smirked devilishly as I wiped the last remnants of the ghoul's blood from my face.

A single kill had just earned 100 points, which would be more than enough for me to pass the Combat Exam on a passable grade.

However, this was not the l was aiming for.

I needed to see my name at the Top...

Somewhere within the top 30 preferably, since that would guarantee that Robbin wouldn't torture me with his 'training'.

My back shivered at the thought of Robbin's brutal training sessions.

"I must reach the top 30..."

Muttering under my breath, I dismissed my Authority and started walking once again.

The Boss monster should be behind this snow dune.

***

Whoosh...

The wind howled through the desolate snow-covered wasteland, shaking the barren tees and scattering snow in every direction.

Snowflakes fell from the sky like delicate crystals, blanketing the ground in a pristine white.

The blizzard was starting to pick up, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.

A lone figure kept walking through the harsh landscape against the biting wind and stinging snow.

Her hood was pulled tightly around her face, shielding her from the icy gusts.

A few strands of golden hair peeped out from under the hood, glinting in the pale light of the snow-covered landscape.

Her emerald eyes shone with a calm determination as she trudged forward, undeterred by the treacherous conditions.

Grrr...

A couple of growls echoed in the distance, catching the attention of the lone figure.

Halting her steps, she carefully scanned the surroundings, her eyes trying to peer through the blinding blizzard.

Swish...

A longbow appeared in her hands, its massive frame seemingly unfit for her petite figure.

Without hesitation, she raised a bow and channeled Mana into her fingers, creating a shimmering arrow of Mana.

It was Aura Arrow, a skill that allows its user to use his Mana to form an arrow that matches the power of his Bow Proficiency.

As the figure aimed with steady hands, her emerald eyes locked onto a shadowy figure lurking in the blizzard.

Zwing...

An arrow whizzed through the air and disappeared behind the cover of the blinding snowflakes.

For a moment, there was a tense silence as the figure waited, uncertain of the arrow's impact.

Pluck... Roar...

From the midst of the blizzard, a muffled roar followed by a distinct plucking sound reached the figure's ears.

"Gotcha..."

She whispered triumphantly, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips as she knew her arrow had found its mark.

"..."

However, her smile was soon wiped off her face as she noticed the same figure she had shot, was running toward her full speed.

The figure's heart raced as she watched the shadowy form draw closer, despite the wound she had inflicted. Her mind raced with thoughts of what kind of creature could withstand such a hit. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the grip of her longbow as she braced herself for the impending confrontation.

The blizzard raged on, swirling around the two figures locked in this frozen dance of danger. Snowflakes clung to her hood and eyelashes, momentarily obstructing her view. She blinked them away, her emerald eyes locked onto the advancing threat.

'Stay calm...'

She thought to herself, her breath coming out in visible puffs in the frigid air. She knew panic could cloud her judgment and lead to a fatal mistake. She needed to rely on her training and instincts.

Whoosh...

The creature emerged from the swirling snow, its form both majestic and fearsome. It stood on powerful four legs, its fur a mix of glistening white and shades of deep gray, camouflaging it seamlessly in the wintry landscape. Its muscular body was built for speed and strength, a predator perfected by nature.

It was a giant polar bear.

As the creature lunged, she reacted with swift precision. Her fingers released the tension in the bowstring, sending another arrow hurtling through the blizzard. The Mana-infused projectile sliced through the air, finding its mark once again. The creature let out a guttural howl of pain, its momentum disrupted as it stumbled in the snow.

Grrr...

She didn't waste a second, swiftly drawing a gleaming silver dagger from her belt. Her breath quickened as she prepared for close combat, her mind racing through the techniques she had learned. The creature recovered quickly, snarling at her with bared teeth, its fur matted with blood.

"..."

Time seemed to slow as they circled each other in the snow-covered wasteland, each assessing the other's weaknesses and strengths. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, a mixture of fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins. But she couldn't afford to falter now; her survival depended on it.

With a sudden burst of speed, the creature lunged again, teeth gnashing. She met its attack head-on, her dagger flashing in the dim light as she deflected its sharp claws. Their movements were a blur of snow and steel as they clashed in a deadly dance, the howling wind masking the sounds of their struggle.

Her mind was a whirlwind of focused thoughts.

Watch its movements.

Time your strikes.

Stay agile.

The inner monologue guided her actions, allowing her to anticipate the creature's attacks and counter them with precision.

Although the bow was her main weapon her dagger technique wasn't that bad either.

And this monster was about to experience her D Rank Proficiency with Daggers.

Swish...