I Died and Received an SSS-Rank Unique Ability-Chapter 42: Your Unique Ability Evolved

Just as Dain crashed into the wall, the dark knight let go of the arm.

A loud thud echoed through the eerie silence as the severed arm fell to the ground, blood pooling beneath it like a spreading shadow.

Vale lunged toward the dark knight, fire blazing across his blade as his enchantment activated, the heat warping the air around him.

Just as he was mid-air, the familiar voice spoke in his head.

[ Your Unique Ability Evolved... ][ You receive: Ravenous Flame ]

The blade of Vale’s sword collided with the dark knight’s, a burst of heat and sparks flashing in the gloom.

"Get Dain out of here!" Vale shouted, his voice strained with urgency, as he continued his fierce duel with the dark knight.

Ayla didn’t hesitate. Manipulating the massive student’s weight with every ounce of her remaining energy, she lifted him and dashed toward the exit, where Klein stood with a pale expression and clenched fists.

With just Vale remaining, the dark knight appeared to shift his fighting style—from a brutal, mindless barrage to something far more calculated. It’s previously ruthless technique has become a more defined swordsmanship. The two blades whistled through the air, colliding against each other every time with thunderous impact.

Sparks flew around the spacious hall, and columns supporting the spiral staircases began to fall one after another as the battle between the two spread across the entire floor, the very structure groaning under their might.

The fighting style of a once-ruthless knight became more dignified and noble, as if a forgotten memory had awakened within him. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Ayla stood, watching the battle between the two swordsmen, her core almost empty—but the lack of essence wasn’t the reason she didn’t dash back into the fight.

"W—What are you standing here for?" Dain grunted, pain clear in his voice, confused why she wasn’t going back out there.

"I’m...not sure," she replied, a perplexed expression on her face, something stirring deep within her, something ancient and instinctual.

Klein, although still focused on his debuff ability, too stared in disbelief.

"Was he always this fast? No, definitely not..."

Cracks stretched along both weapons. Each time the two blades met, a tremble ran across the whole tower, the power behind each one of Vale’s strikes full of resolve and desperation.

But the look on his face... a faint smile painted the pale face of the young man, as if dancing on the edge of life and death thrilled him.

Activating the enchantment of his weapon once more, fire engulfed the blade of his sword. Bright orange flames rippled through the air as he swung his blade in a long arc of fire, illuminating the shadows around them.

The knight didn’t linger—it blocked the strike and countered, a flash of darkness flying toward Vale’s face.

Leaving the enchantment active, Vale swiftly sidestepped the strike and ran the flame-engulfed sword across the knight’s torso—scorching fire burning into its armor with a hiss.

The dark knight paused for a moment, crimson eyes locked on Vale, glowing brighter with something akin to recognition.

Then—its weapon swung, faster than any of its previous attacks.

Vale gritted his teeth, barely able to block the strike in time.

The force of the blow pushed him backwards, skidding across the marble floor of the dark tower, his boots screeching against the stone.

The dark knight, already on him, swung again.

Vale, unwilling to lower his weapon even while skidding backward, deflected the strike as he rolled forward, creating a moment of distance between himself and the knight—before activating his enchantment once more and dashing toward the knight’s back, his broken breath fogging the cold air.

With a swift turn, the dark blade blocked his strike, crimson eyes—now just inches away—stared deeply into his soul.

"Good block," Vale said, smirking the dark knight right in the face.

As if understanding his words, the knight retaliated. With a swift pirouette, its longsword swung in a precise, deadly arc.

Vale adjusted, his weapon rose high to block the strike.

But just as the two swords collided, something changed—with a loud clang, Vale’s weapon snapped—only half of his blade remaining.

His eyes widened.

The knight’s sword followed through. Although now weaker, the swing sent Vale tumbling across the floor.

He could feel the presence of his sword waver, the soul inside it flickering like a dying flame.

Gritting his teeth, he shifted all his focus toward the weapon.

"Not yet!" he exclaimed in his mind.

His half-broken sword persevered. Although weak—it still lingered in the living world, still holding on.

Vale’s eyes shifted up. The dark knight was already mid-air, moving toward him like a falling star.

Tightening the grip on his broken sword, he dashed to meet his opponent, unwilling to retreat, even in the face of death.

Just a moment away from the knight’s longsword, he activated the enchantment of his weapon.

A small orange flame manifested, barely able to cover the broken blade of the sword.

Then—something shifted. The dark spark—or rather the Ravenous Flame—materialised itself. The dark flame lingered in the air for a moment before its liquid-like form stretched toward the orange flame.

Unable to stop his advance toward the knight, Vale lifted the weapon—ready to strike.

The Ravenous Flame, as if it were some infectious disease, spread across the orange flame, turning it darker—then deep black.

The broken sword wrapped in black flames flashed across the room, just as Vale’s body barely sidestepped the longsword of the knight.

Ayla gasped at the sight, her heart pounding in her chest.

Vale’s arm stretched toward the knight’s chest. In the palm of his hand, the tilt of a broken sword—driven deep into the armor.

Black flames burned, stretching across the knight’s armour. As if unable to move, the knight froze—then it fell to one knee.

Its visor lifted. The crimson eyes met Vale’s gaze, flickering for the final time.

Just as their eyes connected, the knight’s lifeless body fell to the ground.

Pieces of metal scattered across the marble floor.

[ You have slain an A-Rank, Unhallowed Monster, Tower Keeper ]

Just as the words echoed in his head, Vale’s vision darkened—his body hit the ground, and silence returned to the shattered hall.