Eldritch Assassin: Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Devouring System
Chapter 31: Against Time (I)

Chapter 31: Against Time (I)

The Crimson Knight had moved silently, his axes biting deep into Kael’s shoulder blade. Blood sprayed, and Garrick laughed, his eyes wild. "More!" he roared, licking the blood from his axe. His aura flared and the wounds on his body glowing as his strength surged.

Kael spun, ignoring the burning pain in his back. He caught Garrick’s wrist mid-swing, twisting it until the axe dropped.

Garrick didn’t flinch though. Instead, he headbutted Kael, his forehead splitting open. Blood poured down his face, and his grin widened. "Hit me again!" he snarled.

Kael obliged without complain. His fist smashed into Garrick’s jaw, snapping his head to the side. The Crimson Knight staggered but laughed, his aura spiking further. Every hit seemed to make him stronger.

A shadow loomed behind Kael—Isolde stealthily appeared again. Her daggers aimed for his neck, dark energy coiling like serpents. Kael threw himself forward, rolling to avoid the strike, but not before one dagger grazed his cheek, leaving a burning trail.

Evelyne hadn’t moved since the battle began. She stood at the rear with her sword raised, runes glowing as she inscribed new patterns in the air. "Reinforcement complete," she said calmly.

A pulse of energy surged through Voss’s shield and Garrick’s axes, their weapons now sharper, heavier, and faster.

Kael’s eyes narrowed. He was surrounded, bleeding from multiple wounds, and the Knight Guards were coordinating too well. But a powerful will to battle hummed within him, its power stirring.

Every drop of blood he bled, every spark of pain he felt, fed it. He could feel his strength rising, the system converting his enemies’ essence into raw power.

He stomped his foot and shot forward explosively, vanishing from their sight.

Isolde’s eyes widened. "He’s—!"

Kael reappeared behind Voss, his fist glowing faintly with devouring energy. He struck the Shieldbearer’s spine, the impact sending a shockwave through Voss’s body.

The runes on his armor cracked, and Voss roared, stumbling forward. Kael didn’t let up. He grabbed Voss’s arm, using his own weight against him, and flung the massive knight into Garrick.

The two collided, Garrick’s axes slashing Voss’s side by mistake. Voss growled, shoving Garrick away, but the distraction gave Kael an opening. He lunged at Isolde, who tried to melt into shadow.

This time, Kael was faster. His hand shot out, catching her by the throat mid-transformation. The dark energy fizzled, and her eyes widened in shock.

Kael slammed her into the ground, the impact cratering the earth. She gasped, blood trickling from her mouth, but her daggers flashed up, aiming for his ribs.

Kael twisted, taking one blade in his forearm to avoid a lethal strike. He drove his knee into her chest, pinning her down, and ripped the dagger from her hand.

Garrick charged, his axes swinging wildly. Kael rolled off Isolde, using her as a shield. One of Garrick’s axes grazed her arm, drawing a scream. Kael kicked Isolde into Garrick’s path, forcing the Crimson Knight to halt his attack.

Voss was back on his feet, his shield raised. "Enough!" he bellowed, charging like a bull. The ground shook with each step he took, the runes amplifying his momentum.

Kael sidestepped, but Voss anticipated it, swinging his shield in a wide arc. The edge caught Kael’s side, sending him skidding across the clearing.

Pain flared, but Kael gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. Blood dripped from his wounds, pooling in the dirt. The system’s regenerative ability surged, healing his injuries just enough to keep him moving. He glanced at the timer: [Selection time frame ends in: 00:27:47]

Evelyne finally stepped forward. Her sword hummed, the runes now blazing with intricate patterns. "You’re resilient, I’ll give you that." She said, her voice cold. "But you’re outmatched."

She swung her blade, and a wave of runic energy exploded outward, tearing through the ground. Kael dove to the side, the energy grazing his leg, leaving a burning gash.

Evelyne didn’t stop. She inscribed another rune mid-air, and her sword grew heavier, its edge sharper. She closed the distance in a single step, her blade descending.

Kael caught the sword with both hands, his palms bleeding as the runes burned his skin. Evelyne’s strength was immense, her Lvl 15 pre-awakening stage pressing down like a mountain.

He grunted, his muscles straining, but his battle will roared within him. He shoved back, forcing her blade up, and kicked her in the chest.

Evelyne staggered, her runes flaring to absorb the blow. She smirked. "Not bad."

Voss, Isolde, and Garrick closed in, their attacks synchronized. Voss’s shield bashed forward, Isolde’s daggers slashed from the shadows, and Garrick’s axes burned with crimson fury.

Kael moved like a phantom cat, dodging and weaving through the attacks, but the onslaught was relentless. A dagger nicked his thigh, an axe grazed his ribs, and Voss’s shield clipped his shoulder.

He was bleeding heavily now, his cloak in tatters. But his eyes burned with defiance. His body devoured the pain, the blood, the essence of his enemies. His strength surged, his movements growing faster and sharper.

Kael roared, his voice shaking the clearing. He grabbed Voss’s shield, ripping it from his hands, and hurled it at Garrick.

The Crimson Knight ducked, but the shield smashed into a tree, splintering it. Kael spun, catching Isolde’s wrist and snapping it.

"AAAGHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed, dropping her daggers. He kicked her into Voss, sending them both sprawling.

Garrick laughed, his body glowing with pain-fueled power. "More! MORE!" He swung his axes, each strike faster than the last.

Kael ducked under one, blocked the other with his dagger, and drove his fist into Garrick’s chest. The Crimson Knight staggered, blood spraying, but his grin never faded.

Evelyne’s sword came again, a runic explosion tearing through the air. Kael leaped back, the blast scorching his skin. She was relentless, her runes amplifying every strike. Kael’s perception flared, tracking her movements, but she was too fast, too precise.

The timer ticked: [Selection time frame ends in: 00:19:32]