The severed, colossal skull of the B-Rank Calamity Lord hit the pulverized asphalt with a concussive, wet thud, sending a tremor vibrating through the cracked foundations of the surrounding high-rises.
Black, acidic ichor gushed from its gaping neck, sizzling violently as it melted the scorched concrete into bubbling tar. The beast's four twisted horns—each as thick as an iron beam—shivered once before the volatile crimson mana radiating from its core flickered, died, and dispersed into the smog-choked air before moving towards the human who had killed him.
Around the fallen sovereign, the carcasses of three C-Rank Calamity beasts lay dismembered across the intersection, their shattered armor plating and torn leathery wings smoldering in heaps of dark slag.
Hide Volter slowly exhaled, lowering his dual blades as wisps of dark, corrupted mana retreated into the pores of his skin. His breath came in heavy, rhythmic clouds that misted against the cool, ash-laden wind.
