A series of sharp cracks echoed across the beach as deep fissures splintered through the sand, spreading like the roots of a rapidly growing tree toward a predetermined point—the spot where the monstrous creature stood.
Thump!
Growl!
A massive crater suddenly formed beneath the giant creature's feet. The beach sand cascaded down like a waterfall, instantly burying Euntei Iek's body and submerging it entirely within the gaping chasm.
This unexpected event provided a crucial opportunity for the bull spirit to break free from the creature's weakening grasp.
Without hesitation, the animal spirit bolted and re-entered his host's body.
"Quick! Before that thing manages to climb out again!" Casildo urgently tugged on Kairav's shirt, prompting the young man to sprint toward the forest's edge—a terrain that had proven challenging to traverse earlier.
"I thought you were determined to finish it off!"
"I'm not so resigned as to commit suicide!" Casildo retorted, continuing his dash toward the forest, now bathed in the reddish glow of the rising sun, which grew brighter with each passing moment.
"Just a bit further!" he shouted with determination and hope, realizing that only a few steps separated him from the forest's trees.
He was relying on a miracle to propel his exhausted and battered body forward.
However, fate had other plans, delivering a devastating blow that dashed his hopes.
Tendrils of water, resembling plant vines, suddenly slithered out from the massive grave created earlier by the muscular young man.
These silent, swift-moving tendrils pursued the two youths.
Thud!
Both were abruptly yanked off their feet as the water tendrils ensnared their legs, dragging them back toward the resurrected water monster.
"Dammit!!!" Casildo cursed as he and Kairav were hurled before Euntei Iek, like chunks of meat tossed into a lion's den.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Growl!!
The colossal water creature slowly advanced, growling menacingly, closing the distance between itself and its helpless prey, who lay awaiting their impending doom.
Amidst this dire situation, the burly young man managed a bitter laugh, attempting to lighten the grim mood.
"Damn, Failed Product... Looks like we're destined to become human porridge at the end of our lives..."
Kairav, meanwhile, was enveloped in silence, his vacant eyes fixed on the approaching nightmare.
Instinctively, he raised his arms over his head, a feeble shield against the massive water fist descending upon him.
Swoosh…
Ping!
[System: User's life is in danger! Would you like to claim your second reward now for protection?]
"Yes... Please. I don't want to die before meeting my brother..." Kairav whispered in his heart, tightly closing his eyes.
[System: Activating Skill—Radiant Soulforge Awakening...]
Activation: 85%... 92%... 100%... Success!
[Available Skill:]
Radiant Soulforge Awakening: Unlocked
Note: Radiant Soulforge Awakening will be automatically activated due to the critical situation to protect the user!
With his vision obscured, Kairav couldn't witness the miracle unfolding.
The dawn sky was suddenly filled with waves of multicolored light as the red star Luminous Remnants in the unicorn constellation blinked brightly, surrounded by a spectrum of vibrant hues.
"Failed Product! You're using the Radiant Soulforge Awakening skill!"
The unexpected revelation jolted him awake, his eyes widening as he found himself bathed in the brilliant white light of the Cosmic Resonance Radiation.
At that moment, Euntei Iek abruptly stepped back, roaring as if terrified by the light's presence.
Both Kairav and Casildo, stunned and confused, could only watch in silence as Kairav's body became enveloped in a gentle golden mist.
Unbeknownst to him, a totem tattoo of a white unicorn with a golden horn slowly etched itself onto his back.
Upon reaching his awakening, the unicorn spirit's totem stomped his hoof firmly before leaping out of his host's body, revealing his true form.
His hazel eyes widened, and his body froze as he witnessed the white unicorn spirit with a golden horn for the second time in his life.
Ping!
[System: Scanning object...]
Analysis: 85%... 95%... 100% Complete!
Name: -
Creature Type: Unicorn Spirit
Origin: Aetherialium
Element: Ice
"So, my bull spirit wasn't lying! Your unicorn spirit truly has a golden horn!" Casildo exclaimed excitedly, shaking the young man's shoulders enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to any pain.
Kairav stood frozen, his mind blank as he watched the white unicorn spirit gracefully approach the water monster.
Each gentle step the creature took left behind blooming ice flowers on the beach, now enveloped in a chilling aura.
The ice flowers multiplied and blossomed as if seeds long buried beneath the sand were now blooming in unison.
Upon reaching the spot where the sea monster stood, the creature let out a deafening roar, suddenly finding it difficult to move its legs.
Its watery limbs had turned solid and rigid, like liquid frozen by an intense cold.
Growl! Growl! Growl!
The cold continued to spread, eventually encasing the entire creature.
Its final roar echoed loudly as the two youths watched the water monster transform into a massive frozen statue.
Ice flowers still blanketed the area, casting a cold atmosphere, but a black fog clouded Kairav's vision, causing his consciousness to fade.
"Hey?! Failed Product! You're not the kind of hero who dies right after the battle! Wake up! That amphibious monster can rise again if the ice shatters or melts; we need to leave before that happens!" Casildo exclaimed, shocked to see his companion collapse beside him.
"Damn! Run on your own two feet because I refuse to carry you on my back!" he snapped, patting and shaking the young man's body vigorously, trying to rouse him.
Unfortunately, Kairav was too weak, struggling to keep his heavy eyelids open.
Crack! Crack!
Casildo slowly turned toward the source of the sound, instantly realizing their misfortune.
"Damn, the effects of global warming are real..."
The massive ice statue began to crack and shatter instantly.
Chunks and ice flowers melted away as the colossal water monster reformed its body, reconstructing its watery form like an immortal being that couldn't be destroyed.
Growl!
The resurrected Euntei Iek roared in fury, swiftly moving toward its two adversaries to exact revenge.
Amidst the impending catastrophe, the red star Luminous Remnants in the Phoenix constellation suddenly shone brightly, accompanied by swirling waves of multicolored light in the sky.
The spectrum of colors rotated around the constellation, and in the next moment, the red Cosmic Resonance Radiation beam descended upon Lushterra, followed by the piercing screech of a giant bird echoing across the horizon.
Screech!
"Eternal Ember Slash technique?" Casildo muttered, visibly astonished by the sudden appearance of a familiar animal spirit.