The Unknown Mercenary Episode 7

Chapter 7: Awakening Fury

The black aura flickered fiercely around Daniel, his breath steady and sharp despite the towering monster before him. The half-Kapre’s amber eyes blazed like twin fires, muscles coiled to strike again—its growl a deep, ear-splitting rumble that seemed to shake the very soil beneath their feet.

Daniel hardened his stance, feeling the raw surge of power coursing through him, mystifying and intoxicating. Each heartbeat synchronized with the pulsing energy, his senses sharp as blades. The forest around them felt alive with tension, watching silently as predator and protector faced off.

Daniel (thinking):
This power… it’s going wild inside me. I have to control it—not lose myself.

The Clash Resumes

The Kapre charged with a guttural roar, huge arms swinging wildly like tree trunks aiming to crush. Daniel barely dodged the first strike, feeling a shockwave of wind and splintering wood brush past.

Without hesitation, Daniel retaliated: a blazing fist powered by that mysterious black energy smashed into the beast’s side. The monster staggered but snarled unharmed, its thick bark-like skin absorbing the blow.

The fight turned into a deadly dance—Daniel weaving in and out with blazing speed, his fists crackling with a dim but potent glow. He caught glimpses of his opponent’s monstrous form: sinews flexing with unnatural strength, eyes burning with brutal rage.

Daniel:
“Your time terrorizing people ends here.”

He launched a flurry of jabs—rapid-fire, precise. One blow cracked the Kapre’s bark-like forearm, sending shards crashing to the ground. The monster roared in pain and fury, swiping back with blinding speed.

Daniel barely blocked the strike, feeling the impact reverberate through his arms. The power behind it was immense, yet he held firm, adrenaline sharpening his resolve.

Testing Limits

The battle escalated. Daniel pushed deeper into his new power, feeling a steady flow rather than wild surges. He was learning to channel it instead of being overwhelmed.

Daniel (thinking):
It’s not just strength... It’s focus. Control.

He flipped backward to escape a lethal swipe, landing lightly on the moss-covered earth. His black aura pulsed brighter, surging with heat and intent.

Still locked in combat, Daniel stepped forward, invoking a technique he remembered from his training—a controlled, powerful strike inspired by his own resolve.

A glowing fist hurtled toward the Kapre’s chest, smashing through brittle bark and driving deep into its muscular core. The monster grunted painfully, staggered, but rallied quickly, emitting a terrifying roar.

The Beast’s Savage Counterattack

The Kapre lunged, grabbing Daniel with both massive hands and slamming him into a towering tree. Daniel grunted, the force cracking bark and shaking leaves around him.

The monster snarled close in his face, growling.

Kapre: “You fight well, but you are young… weak.”

Daniel’s eyes blazed beneath a veil of black energy.

Daniel:
“You’re wrong. I fight for those who can’t protect themselves. I won’t break.”

With a burst of immense force, Daniel blocked the crushing grip, wrenching free and crashing into the monster’s side with a deafening blow. The air sizzled where his power met the monster’s bark-like armor.

Moment of Exhaustion and Strategy

Both combatants gasped for breath, sweat mixing with rain on their skin. The forest seemed to hold its breath.

Daniel noticed cracks spreading across the creature’s body. The beast’s furious roars faltered, replaced by snarls of frustration.

His aura faded slightly, but his eyes burned brighter than ever.

Johnson (from nearby, shouting):
“Daniel! Keep pushing! Use everything you’ve got!”

Encouraged, Daniel nodded to himself, focusing inward.

The Turning Point

The black aura flared one last time, swirling into a near-solid form shimmering with dark electricity. His fists exploded with concentrated force as he unleashed a barrage of punches—each blow finding cracks in the Kapre’s defenses.

The monster staggered. Daniel could feel the tide turning.

Suddenly, the Kapre’s eyes glowed with a terrifying red light, the ground beneath them trembling violently.

Kapre (voice thunderous):
“You cannot escape the era reborn! The power of the old world will crush you!”

With that, the half-Kapre gathered energy for a massive strike, muscles bulging and smoke billowing fiercely.

Daniel clenched his fists, his own power reaching an unseen peak. The swirling black aura enveloped him completely, a storm of raw energy and determination.

The terrible blow was coming— unstoppable and crushing.

The earth cracked.

Daniel’s roar echoed through the forest as he braced himself.

The fate of Maitum, and perhaps the world, depended on what came next.

The half-Kapre’s devastating blow crashed down, shaking the ground like an earthquake. Daniel’s black aura flared, a tempest of smoke and raw energy surrounding him as he braced for impact.

With a surge of will, Daniel darted beneath the monstrous arm, closing the distance in a heartbeat. From his belt, he drew his dagger—its obsidian blade etched with ancient runes, a weapon forged not just to kill, but to bind and purge supernatural creatures.

His movements were precise, silent, and swift—the hallmark of an assassin. The dagger gleamed cold in the dim light filtering through the forest canopy.

Daniel twisted, dodged a swipe that could have cleaved him in two, and slashed the dagger deep into the Kapre’s side, aiming for a pulse point where monster blood converged.

The creature howled in pain, smoke and bark splitting where the blade struck. The wound burnt with cursed fire, the symbol on the dagger glowing fiercely. The Kapre staggered, weakened by the venomous blade.

Daniel pulled back with a fierce grip, his breath ragged but resolute.

Daniel:
“This ends now.”

The Kapre reeled, unbalanced, and with one last surge of force, Daniel landed a series of powerful strikes, each one fueled by his mysterious black aura and unwavering determination.

The creature let out a final, anguished roar before crashing into a cluster of ancient trees. Silence fell, broken only by Daniel’s heavy breathing.

His power faded slowly, the dark energy dissipating like mist as dawn’s first light crept over the horizon.