Eldritch Assassin: Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Devouring System
Chapter 52: That’s Cheating!

Chapter 52: That’s Cheating!

Kael snorted, dodging a sword swing. "Fucking brainless power meals," he muttered as if they could hear him.

A construct’s spear grazed his arm, pain flaring—[HP: 92%]. His —Adaptive Regeneration— kicked in, the wound healing, but the constructs pressed harder, their numbers overwhelming.

He weaved through their attacks, his —Eclipse Step— flickering, his dagger and knives moved like a blur. Another construct fell to his dagger with its head severed—[EXP +300]—but a sword clipped his thigh, blood trickling—[HP: 87%].

"Fuck!" Kael’s smirk remained despite the cut, his silver eyes glinting. "Clever, huh? Escape this." He leaped back, luring three constructs into a tight cluster.

His obsidian knife flew, the force bursting as it shattered against their bones. They slowed down, their joints creaking, and Kael’s —Eclipse Step— carried him behind them, his dagger slashing through their necks.

Three collapsed, bones rattling—[EXP +900]. His system hummed, his level inching closer to 12, but his stamina was fading, and his breaths ragged.

The remaining constructs shifted, their formation splitting into two groups, circling him like wolves. Kael’s gut twisted, his —Predator’s Instincts— screaming to move.

A spear thrust came from his left, a sword from his right. He dove, rolling under the attacks, his mantle tearing slightly. The pain burned his side—[HP: 82%]—but he sprang up, hurling another knife, dropping a construct—[EXP +300].

The altar’s glow pulsed brighter, the bloodstone shards alluring call getting stronger, but the constructs were relentless, their red lifeless eyes unyielding.

Kael’s lips twitched, his mind racing. "Stupid works," he whispered. He feinted left, drawing five constructs into a charge, then used —Eclipse Step— to vanish, reappearing near the altar.

The constructs stumbled, their formation breaking, and Kael seized the moment, slashing through two more—[EXP +600]. His bloodline roared, his Devour Essence itching to claim the bloodstone shards, but he held it back, focusing on survival.

The last ten constructs regrouped, their spears forming a wall of steel. Kael’s chest heaved, sweat dripping into his eyes. His —Eldritch Reversal— stirred, ready to activate if his health dropped below 20%, but he wasn’t there yet.

"Come on, system, gimme a break," he muttered, dodging a spear thrust. He hurled his last obsidian knife, bursting through another construct, and finished it with a dagger strike—[EXP +300].

There were nine left, but his arm ached now due to his ratio of strength to constitution. With his strength at 32 and constitution at 24, his movements were beginning to slow down but he decided against using Blood Points as he wanted to use this opportunity to hone his combat abilities.

Kael gritted his teeth, his silver eyes blazing. "One less walking bone," he growled.

He charged, his —Eclipse Step— flickering, weaving through the constructs’ spears. His dagger danced, bone shards flying as he dropped two more—[EXP +600].

Pain lanced his shoulder, a sword grazing deep—[HP: 75%]. His regeneration worked, but slower now, the quest’s penalty a dark reminder to finish this quickly.

Seven constructs remained, their red eyes glowing brighter, their movements sharper, as if fueled by the hall’s energy.

Kael backed toward the altar, his bloodline pulsing, the bloodstone’s glow searing his vision. The constructs closed in with their weapons raised, and Kael’s smirk widened, defiant. "Let’s see who breaks first," he said, his voice a low snarl, ready to carve his way to the prize—or die trying.

His chest heaved, his silver eyes locked on the seven bone constructs circling him with their rusted spears and swords glinting in the altar’s red glow.

The hall’s primal energy buzzed, his bloodline thrumming like a war drum, urging him to devour. Sweat stung his eyes, his Bloodthread Mantle torn at the shoulder, blood seeping from the gash—[HP: 75%].

The quest’s penalty was slowing his —Adaptive Regeneration. "Gotta end this quick," he muttered, his silver eyes narrowing.

The constructs moved tighter, their red eyes flaring, their bony joints creaking with unnatural speed.

"C’mon, you bony bastards," Kael growled, his smirk defiant. He gripped the Abyssal Fang Dagger, its edge humming, and darted forward, his –Eclipse Step— blurring his form.

A construct lunged, its spear thrusting for his chest. Kael’s flickered, his form blurring as he sidestepped, the weapon grazing his Bloodthread Mantle. He slashed, the Abyssal Fang severing the construct’s head, bone shards clattering—[EXP +300].

Another swung its sword, but Kael ducked, his —Night Predator— trait sharpening his reflexes. He drove his dagger into its skull, the construct crumbling—[EXP +300].

Now there were only five left, their formation tightening, their movements faster, fueled by the hall’s thick primal energy.

The air shifted, a low hum vibrating the floor. Kael’s —Predator’s Instincts— screamed, his gut twisting. The five constructs suddenly froze, their red eyes blazing, then moved as one, their bony forms collapsing inward.

Bones cracked and fused, weapons melting into a grotesque mass. A new construct rose, towering thrice Kael’s height, its frame a patchwork of uneven bones and rusted steel.

Its aura pulsed, Lvl 23 Primal Warrior, its massive sword—forged from the merged blades—gleaming with primal energy. Its empty eye sockets glowed crimson, locking onto Kael.

"Aw, come on," Kael groaned, his smirk faltering. "Five into one? That’s cheating."

His system pinged, updating the quest and rewards:

———

[Task Updated: Defeat the Merged Bone Construct, Lvl 23 Primal Warrior.

Rewards:

> Abyssal Fang Dagger Enhancement.

> 10,000 EXP.

> 300 Blood Points.

> Essence Latch: Small % of damage dealt restores minor stamina. (Synergy with Devour Essence).

Penalty: -10% Health for 24 Hours (Active)]

———

He gripped his dagger tighter, his HP ticking down to 73% from the strain. The bloodstone shards glowed brighter, but this new foe was a wall between him and the prize.

The merged construct charged, its two-meter longsword swinging in a wide arc, the blade whistling through the air. Kael dove, the weapon cratering the stone floor, shards flying. Pain flared as a fragment grazed his cheek—[HP: 71%].

He rolled, springing up, his —Eclipse Step— carrying him behind the construct. His dagger slashed its leg, bone chipping, but the creature barely flinched, its massive arm backhanding him.

SMACK!

Kael skidded across the floor, pain searing through his ribs—[HP: 65%]. His —Adaptive Regeneration— struggled, the penalty biting harder.