Free Web NovelChapter 201: Fear Me (3)
Amidst the fierce battle, Shinon had been entirely focused on dispatching Aric’s soldiers. But amid the chaos, something unexpected happened.
A powerful force shoved him aside, sending him tumbling through the air. Shinon managed to regain his balance, landing gracefully on his feet. Confusion clouded him as he tried to understand what had just occurred.
It couldn’t have been an ordinary attack, or [Combat instinct] would have saved him. But if someone’s attack could surpass his instincts, then he could be in trouble.
As he looked up, His eyes widened in disbelief as he saw it. A tendril, much like his own shadowy extensions, hover before him.
But it wasn’t like his shadow tendrils; this one was composed of swirling, ethereal, translucent air. It rippled and danced similarly to Shinon’s Shadowy tentacles.
"Who...?" Shinon thought, and his eyes immediately went to Aric.
Aric, lounging on his makeshift throne, had his fingers outstretched, manipulating the ethereal tendril with an ease that left Shinon bewildered. It was as if the air had bent to Aric’s will, forming a tangible force under his command.
Shinon’s eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. He had never encountered anything like this before. It was as if the air itself had come to life, a manifestation of some supernatural power, much like his own.
The ruler of the nearby city was some distance away, a mocking grin on his face as he manipulated the air to copy Shinon’s ability. With a flick of his hand, he summoned more of them, mimicking Shinon’s shadowy powers.
It was then Shinon got to know about Aric’s strategy. The soldiers that were with him never posed a threat to Shinon. Instead, they were fodders for Aric to analyse Shinon’s moves and copy them if possible.
’Now I know how the Treant and Necrognasher might have felt once I stole their ability,’ Shinon laughed, but even then, he knew the gravity of the situation he found himself in.
Shinon’s surprise turned to frustration. Aric’s copy ability was a troubling revelation, and it left Shinon wondering just how much Aric had studied him and his abilities for much longer than Shinon anticipated.
’It would also make sense why he was so hellbent on obtaining knowledge about me from Marcus...’ Shinon thought. ’The more he knew about me, the better he could copy my abilities.’ freewebnoveℓ.com
"Surprised, Shadowbearer?" Aric taunted, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. He gestured for his soldiers to step aside, creating a clear space between himself and Shinon. "Did you think you were the only one with tricks up your sleeve, huh?"
Shinon clenched his fists, his frustration mounting. He had come to this confrontation prepared to face Aric’s army but hadn’t anticipated this new development.
Aric’s newfound abilities were a dangerous wildcard, and Shinon needed to adapt quickly to the changes, or it wouldn’t end well for him.
With a wave of his hand, Aric directed the air tendrils toward Shinon, the serpentine forms surging forward with frightening speed. Shinon was forced to react quickly.
Without delay, he created a barrier of inky darkness to shield himself from the incoming assault. The air tendrils collided with the shadowy shield, causing it to ripple and distort as it absorbed the impact.
Aric’s soldiers watched in awe as their ruler demonstrated his mastery over a newfound skill. They roared and cheered for Aric, which only made him stronger. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Shinon thought and thought, but he couldn’t devise a plan to attack Aric while hiding behind the shield. As such, he jumped out of the cover and charged towards Aric.
Shinon thought with Shadowmancy being rendered ineffective, his only choice for defeating Aric was his sword and fists.
Shinon swung his Blade of Chaos with a fierce battle cry, the dark blade slashing through the air with a hint of death behind. But Aric was ready. He summoned his own air tendrils to intercept the attack, the clash of forces sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
"What a nice sword," Aric taunted. "It would serve as a great trophy alongside your severed head."
"What a funny thing to say," Shinon replied, struggling to cut through the tendrils. "I was thinking of doing something similar with your head."
The tendrils twisted and coiled around the blade, their ethereal nature making them difficult to grasp. Shinon’s muscles strained as he fought to maintain his grip on his weapon. He twisted his body, leveraging his strength against the tendrils’ resistance.
Suddenly, Shinon released his grip on the Blade of Chaos. The tendrils recoiled, leaving the blade free for a split second. Shinon seized the opportunity and grabbed the sword again, intending to push it through Aric’s chest.
However, much to Shinon’s astonishment and disappointment, Aric swiftly dodged the attack. The Blade of Chaos was now embedded in the ground behind Aric.
With no other weapon, Shinon formed shadow gauntlets, enhanced them with shadow essence, and launched a series of rapid strikes, aiming for Aric’s upper body.
But Aric was no novice in combat. He moved with uncanny agility, effortlessly dodging Shinon’s attacks. As if things were not enough, Aric began moving around with the help of his air tendrils in unpredictable patterns, making it difficult for Shinon to land a hit, let alone pin him down.
Shinon’s frustration grew with each missed strike. While Aric copied his ability, Shinon hadn’t expected his opponent to mimic his fighting style as well.
It was as if Aric had become a mirror image of himself, a twisted reflection that mocked his every move.
"Is this all the great Shadowbearercan do?" Aric’s laugh echoed in the air, mocking Shinon.
Shinon tried his best to catch the bastard off guard, but Aric’s adaptation knew no bounds. He effortlessly weaved through the Shinon’s attack.
He countered Shinon’s attacks with his own, the air tendrils becoming extensions of his will. With a surge of power, Aric redirected the tendrils, launching them at Shinon with renewed ferocity.
Shinon was forced to abandon his offensive and focus on defence. His shadowy barriers flickered to life, deflecting the incoming tendrils. The battlefield had become a chaotic dance of shadows and air, each force vying for dominance.
At that moment, Shinon realised why no one ever tried going against Aric. That bastard’s ability was a bit too much for anyone to handle.
