Ashes withering away from the once fierce blaze drifted into charcoal dust.
Cassian, a wide grin splitting his face, stared at the remains—his plan had finally taken shape.
He found himself at the base of a small rocky mountain, barely taller than the sand dunes surrounding it, yet the moonlight made the stone glow and twinkle like the stars above.
Moments ago, Cassian had used his second [Dagger of Fire] skill:
First to torch the wooden cage near the gate, then to slice through the rope binding his legs.
As the flames spread, the black cloth covering the cage caught fire, quickly devouring everything and weakening the bindings that held the structure together.
At the same time, Cassian activated [Shield of Tears]. He didn't feel any armor on his body, but there was no time to worry about that.
Once the fire had burned through one side, Cassian shielded his face with his hands, hurled himself at the weakened wall, and curled into a ball, bursting through the cage and tumbling to the ground.
Relief didn't come.
Instead, he sprang into action, executing the idea that had been burning in his mind as fiercely as the flames swirling around him. Ashes danced in the breeze, swirling like black snow.
When the fire finally died, Cassian felt a surge of satisfaction.
The first step of his plan was a success. He glanced around, no one in sight.
Lucky. If anyone had been nearby, he'd be dead already.
Crouching low, Cassian crept up the rocky mountain, a strange pressure building as he neared the top, a sensation eerily similar to the suffocating anger of the Goddess.
He ducked behind a boulder just as a creature glided through the air nearby. Even though he was only a few feet away, the creature didn't seem to notice him.
'These creatures must have short sight! Thank goodness!'
Peeking over the boulder, Cassian surveyed the scene.
In the center, a small rock platform held five women, clad only in loincloths, their faces hidden in brown sacks.
They knelt, facing inward, each in a different pose.
It was a star formation.
Their hands rested on their thighs, blood dripping from vertical cuts on their arms, running down their legs and into bowls before them, fueling small, flickering fires.
Cassian didn't let shock slow him down. He scanned for the other hairy creatures and the old man, refining his plan as he took in the details.
The other two creatures stood at different points, forming a triangle around the ritual, each a few meters apart, facing the circle.
The old man's laughter echoed, drawing Cassian's attention.
With fierce eyes, Cassian spotted him sitting in the center of the star, clutching a massive wooden staff and chanting,
"Come down from Heaven. I summon you to your birth realm, Eldros. Bless me, your brethren, with a weapon that will let me kill Erring Le Throne!"
The old man's eyes were closed, his head tilted toward a particular star in the sky, perfectly aligned with the old man's positions.
With each chant, that star pulsed and twinkled, growing brighter.
'Not enough time. I have to move now!'
Cassian crept behind the floating creature, moving from boulder to boulder, getting as close as he dared.
The creature hovered about seven feet above the ground, its gaze fixed on the old man. It didn't notice Cassian crouched just a few steps away.
Cassian clenched his fist, whispered,
'Dagger of Fire is mine.'
[Skill activated: Dagger of Fire]
With a sudden leap, he sprang onto the boulder and then at the creature, a flaming dagger materializing in his right hand.
The warmth of the fire surged through him as he plunged the blade into the creature's back.
Instantly, the flames twisted and spread, racing through the creature's thick fur.
A wild screech tore through the night as the fire devoured it.
The creature spun, spiral-pupil eyes locking onto Cassian. For a moment, it froze, a glowing dot appearing in the center of its gaze, as if it was about to unleash some power.
But before it could act, the seven-foot beast collapsed.
As its body hit the ground, its screams echoed through the valley, both white eyeballs rolling from their sockets and burning away before they touched the sand.
The fire consumed the creature entirely in an instant, burning it to ashes.
The other creatures and the old man whipped around, their attention snapping to Cassian and the burning Infinite.
The creature to Cassian's left screeched, gliding toward him with terrifying speed, spiral eyes slowing, a light flickering in the center.
Cassian didn't flinch.
Instead, he grinned, eyes glowing red, and commanded,
"Your fire is mine."
The flames leapt from the burning creature, swirling toward Cassian. A window appeared:
[Blessing activated: Possession]
Cassian felt a burning sensation around his neck, but it was bearable enough for him to focus on the fight.
In a heartbeat, the fire wrapped around Cassian's arms like living springs, a massive fireball churning in his palms.
'Step 1 activated!'
The creature lunged, but Cassian hurled a wave of fire straight into its face.
Caught off guard, it took the full blast, its fur igniting instantly.
The direct hit to its eyes sent both eyeballs rolling to the ground as it collapsed, flames engulfing it, the stench of burning flesh filling the air, bones crackling as it was burning into crimson ashes
A third, even louder, screech erupted from the last remaining creature.
It charged, but the old man barked,
"Stop where you are! Don't fall for his trick."
Cassian's heart leapt as the old man's laughter faded, replaced by a glare and a threat,
"You're making a big mistake, kid. Walk back to your cage!"
'Damn, so close. That's it for Step 1.'
He glanced at the two burning creatures. The first was nearly dust, bones collapsing, the second's fur sending thick smoke skyward. It would last another minute, maybe less.
"What are you staring at? Go back!"
The old man's voice was sharp, but Cassian just smirked, beckoning with his hand,
"Make me, fuck face!"
The old man's teeth ground together as he screamed.
'Step 2 activated!'
Cassian swept the flames from the first creature toward the second, rolling the burning remains together with a grand gesture.
The third creature screeched, rage boiling, but the old man snapped,
"I told you to stay back!"
The creature's narrow eyes watched as its fellows became a flaming boulder.
Cassian shaped his hands into a ball, slowly bringing them together.
The burning creatures crushed together, reshaping into a single, blazing boulder.
Cassian's teeth clenched, hands locked in a fist.
The old man muttered,
"Just wait. Whatever he's doing, we need to keep our distance. Don't fall for his trap. Wait until the fire dies out!"
Cassian couldn't wait. The fire boulder was smaller than he'd hoped, and his body screamed in protest as he struggled to hold it together.
He pushed forward, every muscle straining as he forced the burning mass into shape.
'Step 3 activated!'
"Fuck you all!"
Cassian roared, raising his hands to the sky.
The blazing boulder churned, then slowly lifted from the ground.
He poured every ounce of strength into the motion, feeling the weight as if he were lifting it himself.
With a final, guttural scream, he hurled the boulder at the third creature.
The creature screeched, but the old man sneered,
"You think these things can't dodge a boulder moving like a turtle?"
Cassian, hands still raised, head bowed, coughed violently, but refused to let go.
As the boulder neared the creature's head, its spiral eyes paused, a light flickering in the center. It looked ready to dodge.
In the midst of his coughing fit, Cassian let out a low chuckle.
With a sudden motion, he released his hands.
"What?!"
The old man staggered, stunned, as the boulder shattered in midair, flames raining down on the creature, leaving it no room to escape.
Just one spark was enough.
The creature was instantly engulfed, the fire spreading over its body.
It fell, screeching, and slowly died.
Cassian dropped to his knees, utterly spent.
[First Solo Kill]
[Defeated Common Infinite: 3/3]
[Reward: 30 Exp]
[Goddess Seraphyra's Blessing Activated]
[Double Exp granted: 60 Exp]
[Level Up!]
[Level increased: 01 → 02]
[Goddess Seraphyra dislikes your reckless thinking]