Level-Up Apocalypse: Surviving With The Assimilation System

Chapter 157: The Embodiment of Intensity

"Hey!--" Charlotte shouted, turning to the side.

It was across a single moment, yet the leonid warrior crossed the distance of the luxurious chamber in an instant, appearing right in front of the knight. Jasper quickly raised his shield just as the claws of Godfrey swept forth–CLANG.

"Ghh!" Jasper winced.

For the young knight, it felt as though a bomb had gone off right up against his shield as his guard was broken, leaving his arm swinging up as the force left him wide open. It was too quick, too aggressive; the true grit of a beast.

Before Jasper could catch himself, stumbling backwards as he was overshadowed by the towering knight of bestial origin, another swipe came in. It was an uppercut, pawing right into his chest as he was lifted by the claws that slashed right through his steel breastplate.

The sheer strength behind the leonid warrior's swipe knocked him into the air, leaving a set of three gashes on his torso as he spat blood through his helmet.

"Grrk!--" Jasper gasped out.

It was a daunting sight for the spellblade, watching the stalwart knight so easily dismantled by the might of the bestial foe. In that frightening moment, Charlotte felt her heart racing, accelerating with uncertainty within her chest as her breathing became encumbered.

'What is this…? I'm terrified again–I can hardly breathe. This enemy is horrifying…but, I can't let myself be scared. I have the strength to fight,' Charlotte resolved.

She convinced herself to the best of her ability as she gripped the handle of her sword, focusing her mind as she activated a set of enchantments upon herself:

["Strength Evolution"] ["Defensive Shell"] ["Haste"]

The set of enhancements came just as she found the leonid knight turned his focus towards her. Being on the receiving end of the bestial gaze, with that giant maw of sharp teeth looking towards her, quickly tested her resolve.

"I can smell it on you," Godfrey said, standing over the spellblade with his imposing height.

Behind the man-built lion, Jasper collapsed back onto the floor, though only the sound of the beastly figure breathing out was heard as the warm breath was felt right against her skin.

"Wh-what?" Charlotte questioned, holding her blade up.

"Your doubt. Your hesitance. Your fear," Godfrey claimed.

Against the overwhelming presence, she found herself trembling at the astute observation, though forced herself to focus as she lunged forward. The very moment she stepped towards the knightly beast with her blade held high, the mighty figure unleashed a thunderous roar.

"Nrrrgh!--" Charlotte strained.

The breath of the lion pushed against her like the gale of a tornado, lifting her feet from the ground as she was thrown back. Such was the force of the roar that her back was slammed against the furthest wall, knocking right up against a tall painting.

The aftereffects of the roar were felt through the marrow of her bones, ringing through her body with a dull pain as she collapsed onto the ground. A dry cough left her lips, trying to expel the weakness from her body that came with suffering direct contact with the beast's voice.

As she struggled to find her strength, the vibrations through the moonstone floor were felt against her body. Each footstep from the leonid knight commanded such presence, like the very rumbling of the world's end.

"Nnn…"

She used her sword to help herself up to her knees, though it was still a tall order to stand. It wasn't just the sheer force of Godfrey's roar, but something instilled in her body, as if the voice of the beast made her hesitant to fight.

'My body…won't listen…?' Charlotte realized, looking at her hand that pressed against the floor as it trembled.

The thunderous footsteps came to a stop as a shadow cast itself over her. Just the presence alone made her heart rate accelerate once more.

"Do you struggle to stand, child? If you wish not to fight, then stay down. However, if you do, then I will join the king in surely bringing down your friend," Godfrey issued his ultimatum.

Amidst the merciful words that only came as cruel, both the lion and spellblade found another speaking; words that perplexed the leonid warrior, but delighted Charlotte:

"...Grant me the strength to vanquish evil: Galatine."

["Knights of The Round Table: Gawain"] [Mana: EVAPORATED]

A rise of heat entered the chamber as did a vibrant glow of fire, bringing the lion-man to spin himself around.

Clad in mystical flames, Jasper approached the beastly knight with haste, dragging his fire-engulfed sword with him before bringing it against Godfrey. As he swung the blade at the lion, it exploded into a nursing blaze against the massive foe.

It collided directly with the golden armor that clad itself around the fur, though failed to bring harm to the lion once again.

"You're stronger than I gave you credit for. Perhaps you're a true knight, after all," Godfrey remarked as the flames brushed against his body without burning it.

Jasper breathed heavily as smoke and embers exuded from his helmet; the blood that dripped from the gashes on his chest evaporated in the rising heat. He quickly pivoted around, spinning around into another slash that sent a wave of fire against the beast.

As the fire danced with its scathing glow, Jasper witnessed the beastly knight push right through it with his jaws parted and his claws bore for him.

"Urgh!--" Jasper stepped back, bringing one hand up as flames gathered around his palm.

With the bestial warrior lunging right for him, he threw a ball of inferno right down the open hatch of Godfrey. It brought the golden-furred figure to a stop as Godfrey's cheeks puffed up before swallowing the elemental orb down.

As though enjoying a light treat, the lion man licked his lips before opening his mouth while tilting his head towards the ceiling. A belch released from the beast, spewing a breath of flames from his mouth before smoke left his jaw. Discover exclusive tales on m,v l'e-NovelBin.net

"A serviceable snack," Godfrey remarked with a smirk.

It was, once again, a frustrating sight for Jasper as his attempts to harm the impervious foe were merely played with. For him, all he could do was move in again, striking with all of his might as he unleashed his blazing sword upon the golden being. Each slash brought a roar of fire, clashing against the gilded plating, though not budging it a single inch.

"C'mon…!" Jasper grunted, quickening his pace, increasing the volume of fire as he brought his blade downward.

Before the final slash could make contact, his wrists were grabbed in the much larger hand of the beast. He tried tugging his hands free, though it felt like trying to move from an encasing of diamond.

"Ngh! Dammit…!" Jasper struggled.

As the towering beastman lifted him off the ground by his wrists, he flexed his body to release as a wave of fire pushed outward, though it did nothing but brush against Godfrey's golden fur.

"It is admirable. I respect that you chose to fight me with fewer numbers so that your friend may face the King," Godfrey complimented amidst the outburst of flames. "--However, it changes nothing. Whether you faced myself or the King with the full might of an army, it wouldn't change the result."

"Just like nothing you do is gonna change the fact that your world is done for…!" Jasper gasped out as the flames exuding from his armor sputtered.

Godfrey remained unflinching, even at the scathing reality, "Perhaps you're right."

"So, why're you stopping us–?!" Jasper asked.

"I am not as optimistic as the King. The world is very likely at its end. However, the King…Sirius, is still fighting with everything he's got. After hundreds of years, he's still struggling," Godfrey admitted with a genuine tone. "Even if it is the end, I will stand beside him in that struggle. That is the least I can do to repay the man who ascended me from the wilds."

As if further cementing the words of the beast, a tremor shook the floating castle, bringing the chandelier to sway and dust to trickle down.

While the lion spoke of his purpose, Jasper kicked and contested the hold on his wrists still, serving to finally challenge the patience of the beastly knight before–SNAP. With a simple tilt of his wrist, Godfrey's strength brought a harrowing breakage to the man's bones.

"Gaaaah–!" Jasper screamed out in pain.

Charlotte forced herself to her feet, "No…! Jasper!"

Though fear lingered in her heart, she sprinted without a second though, squeezing the handle of her sword.

Godfrey tossed Jasper aside like discarded trash, facing the spellblade as his fur rose, "The stench of fear is stronger! Admirable! Approach your death with honor, swordswoman!"

The words that were a mix between praise and taunts from the bestial knight were ignored by Charlotte as she gritted her teeth and carefully exhaled, bringing a mystical, blue light from her blade:

["Assembly of The Eviscerating Moon"]