I couldn't breathe.
Not because of fear.
Not because of pain.
But because—
My body was breaking faster than I could keep up.
Clang.
His blade crashed into mine again.
Heavy.
Precise.
Effortless.
"...Too slow."
Another strike.
I blocked—
Barely.
The impact shot through my arm.
"...Ghh—!"
My grip almost gave out.
"...Still standing?"
He sounded almost disappointed.
"...Annoying."
He moved again.
Gone.
"...Where—"
Impact.
My ribs cracked.
I felt it.
Clearly.
"...GAAH—!"
My body flew across the room.
Slamming into the ground.
Hard.
Everything spun.
"...Get up."
I heard his voice.
Far.
Yet close.
"...This isn't over."
I forced my body to move.
It didn't listen.
"...Move…"
My fingers twitched.
"...MOVE!"
Slowly—
I pushed myself up.
Blood dropped from my mouth.
From my arm.
From everywhere.
"...Still alive."
He stepped closer.
"...Good."
I laughed.
Weak.
Broken.
"...You talk too much."
He didn't react.
"...And you…"
I lifted my head.
"...still can't kill me."
Silence.
Then—
He disappeared again.
This time—
I saw it.
Just barely.
"...Left—"
Too late.
Slash.
Deep.
My side opened.
Blood poured out.
"...Ghh—!"
I dropped again.
"...Pathetic."
My vision blurred.
"...Is this it…?"
No.
Not yet.
"...I'm not done."
I tried to stand.
Again.
My legs shook.
"...Why…?"
The question slipped out.
"...Why won't you stay down?"
I smiled.
Blood on my lips.
"...Because…"
I looked at Mira.
"...I haven't broken you yet."
Silence.
For the first time—
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"...Interesting."
The leader raised his blade again.
"...Then break."
He stepped forward.
Slow.
Confident.
Like I was already dead.
"...This is the gap."
He stood right in front of me.
"...Between monsters…"
His blade lifted.
"...and trash."
I laughed.
"...Then I'll become one."
The moment the blade came down—
Everything went silent.
[Condition Met: Absolute Critical State]
"...Again…?"
[Hidden Requirement Fulfilled]
[Unique Skill Unlocked: DEVOUR]
"...Devour…?"
Time stopped.
No—
Not stopped.
Slowed.
I could hear it.
Something.
Inside me.
Hungry.
"...What is this…?"
The blade—
Still coming down.
But I moved.
Faster than before.
Cleaner.
Instinct.
My hand grabbed his arm.
"...What—?!"
The moment I touched him—
Something flowed.
Warm.
Violent.
"...AAAGH—!"
He screamed.
Energy—
Pulled.
Ripped.
"...What are you doing?!"
I didn't answer.
Because I didn't understand it either.
"...It's eating…"
His strength—
Fading.
Mine—
Rising.
"...No… NO—!"
I let go.
He stumbled back.
Breathing heavy.
"...What the hell are you…?"
I looked at my hand.
Shaking.
But stronger.
"...So this is it."
Mira stepped forward slightly.
Her expression—
Different.
For the first time—
Serious.
"...A unique skill."
She whispered.
"...How interesting."
I stepped forward.
Slow.
But steady.
"...Now…"
My voice changed.
Lower.
Colder.
"Let's try again."
The leader charged.
Angry now.
Unstable.
Clash.
This time—
Different.
I could keep up.
No—
I was faster.
Slash.
Blood.
"...Impossible—!"
I moved again.
Shadow Step.
Perfect.
Another strike.
Another cut.
He was losing.
"...Stop—!"
Too late.
I appeared behind him.
"...I win."
The blade pierced through.
Deep.
Silence.
His body dropped.
Dead.
The room froze.
"...He… killed him…"
I stood there.
Breathing slowly.
My body—
Still broken.
But something inside—
Changed.
I looked at Mira.
"...Your turn."
Silence.
Then—
She smiled.
Not playful.
Not teasing.
Genuine.
"...Now you're interesting."
But instead of attacking—
She stepped back.
"...That's enough for today."
"...What?"
She turned away.
"...You're not ready yet."
My grip tightened.
"...Run again…?"
She paused.
Without looking back—
"...No."
A small smile.
"...I'm letting you grow."
Silence.
"...Because next time—"
Her voice dropped.
"I want to see how far a monster like you can go."
And then—
They were gone.
Just like that.
I stood there.
Alone.
Surrounded by blood.
My body gave out.
I collapsed.
But before everything faded—
I smiled.
"...Devour…"
Finally—
I had something.
Something that could reach her.
"...Next time…"
My vision went dark.
"I'll take everything from you."