Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Chapter 37- Catastrophe(1)
It was strange. First, Austin was able to detach his Soul Shard to make it a melee weapon against Parkinson and now he was able to Augment his Shard without even trying.

What was this? A sudden change because Austin’s soul was merged with someone who doesn’t belong to this world?

As of now, Austin could only think of that being the reason responsible for this sudden change.

He was happy that he was progressing rapidly, more so when his goal was to participate in the tournament as an Elite, however, the sudden progression was happening without him realizing the method.

Spontaneous changes can be lethal since you won’t know how to trigger it and might not be able to use it when it is needed the most.

For now, Austin was traveling through the forest to find his next prey. The sabertooth would grant him at least five points, and to remain in the Apex Circle he needed five. But, just to ensure his position, he was searching for another beast worth even a single point.

“*HISSS*”

Austin paused as he heard the voice of a serpent nearby, the hair strands on his back standing erect.

He didn’t make any restless move since a serpent only makes its presence obvious when its eyes are on the prey. It means Austin was on the radar.

Austin released his Shard from the hand and before hitting the ground, it dissolved in the air.

Closing his eyes, Austin felt his breath turning a little unsteady as he judged the position of himself and his prey. This was his second time coming across a real threat, and it would be a lie to say that he was not scared.

‘Keep calm…’ Austin clenched his fists, his breaths grew steadier. The serpent’s tail wrapped around his legs like a coiling noose. The slithering beast thought him trapped, but Austin’s mind worked sharper than fear.

With a flick of his wrist, his Soul Shard materialized behind him, glowing with ethereal light.

“*HISSSSSS*”

The serpent’s hiss turned into a shrill scream as the weapon’s sudden presence startled it. It reared back, fangs gleaming with venom, but Austin was already moving.

His boots slammed to the ground as he launched himself backward, narrowly escaping the snapping jaws.

The snake struck like a whip, its speed terrifying, but Austin was quicker. His shard met its attack mid-air, the collision releasing a sharp crack.

‘Agh ..it hurts…’ Austin winced as his Shard was bitten by the beast; however, he soon recalled his Shard back in his hand and leaped into action.

The zigros snake hissed violently, its body undulating with rage. Austin wasted no time. His figure blurred as he charged, closing the distance in a blink. The snake lunged, its fangs aimed for his throat, but Austin pivoted, his shard slicing upward in one fluid motion.

A streak of silver arced through the air, carving through the serpent’s scaled armor. Its hiss faltered, replaced by the dull thud of its severed head hitting the ground.

Austin stood still, panting lightly as the zigross’s lifeless body collapsed in a heap. His shard, now dripping with the creature’s venomous blood, faded into mist.

Calming his breath, he heaved a sigh; he at least was living up to his rank as a D-rank warrior.

He still has the edge of an assassin even though he was a combatant in his last life.

‘I should get going and prepare-‘ His eyes turned blurry and a sudden rush of nausea made him kneel on the ground.

A very terrifying presence, like a being straight forward abyss, had made an appearance in the forest. Austin was not able to control himself from throwing up as he felt his throat burning and his Soul Shard flickering.

The whole world seemed to be moving before his vision and he was just inches away from fainting.

“Austin!” Valerie suddenly appeared out of nowhere to support her lover. She took out a potion and some water which Austin took and instantly gulped down.

This sensation was too grim and terrifying for him to resist. However, he had a feeling that fainting right now would result in something devastating.

“Val…what is this?” His face was pale and sweat trickled down his head as he asked his fiancée.

Valerie had a frown on her face as she turned her face toward the north and said, “I might be wrong…but this presence exceeds any being that should be present here.”

Austin was slightly confused…was the being whom Rhea had to face this terrifying? Wasn’t it a bit too overpowered?

“We should get out of this forest and let the Instructor face the danger,” Valerie said since her priority lies in Austin’s safety.

However, “We cannot leave the forest.” Austin muttered, as he got up on his feet and said, “There is a forcefield around the forest. The instructors cannot enter the place.”

Valerie frowned in confusion but before she could have asked anything, Austin stepped forward and summoned his Shard in his hand.

Cocking his hand back he threw the Shard with all his strength. The dagger flew towards the Academy in a high arc, however, just after traveling a few meters, it was struck against an invisible wall, stealing all the pace from the dagger.

Austin told her, “I felt it since I was nearest to the exit point. And now I understand why so many beasts were roaming around the border of the forest.”

Valerie finished what he was about to say, “They sensed the danger and were running away from it.”

Austin nodded; it wasn’t like he didn’t expect it, however, the presence of the A-rank beast was way above what he anticipated.

Valerie’s eyes sharpened, her body rigid as the tremors in the air grew heavier. She stepped forward, her voice low but resonating with authority.

“Stay behind me.”

The ground beneath her cracked as an invisible force erupted around her. Austin could feel the weight of her power pressing against his chest—it was suffocating yet awe-inspiring.

Valerie raised her hand, fingers curling as if gripping something unseen. The atmosphere around her spiraled violently, and a chilling wind howled through the forest.

In a heartbeat, the swirling air coalesced into a glowing spear, its shaft forged from shimmering light, and its tip gleaming with a razor-sharp edge. Frost spread outward from the spear, freezing the grass beneath her feet.

Her grip tightened, and the spear pulsed with raw energy, sending sharp gusts of icy wind slicing through the trees. The temperature dropped, her presence turning into a force of nature.

Austin couldn’t compare his Shard with hers at all. The only student whose Shard has gone through three evolution.

One of the Seven tools of mass destruction: Shiverfall.

Valerie was about to launch the spear and shatter the barrier when suddenly her eyes widened as she hurriedly turned to her left before slamming her spear against the ground

“Val?!” Austin exclaimed as suddenly huge spikes of ice erupted from the ground and trapped a being within the cage.

Valerie’s eyes gave an ominous vibe as she stared at the huge monkey grinning from within the ice cage.

Austin’s eyes widened seeing the monster, as he muttered under his breath,

‘Isn’t this an S-rank monster….why the fuck is it here?’

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A/N:- I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Drop a comment.