Reborn As An Evolving Monster

Chapter 149 Timeout

?

'Fire Magic, Bone Magic, Ice Magic, Wind Blast, Thunderbolt, physical attacks...'  The Monster thought.

Staggered, his body swayed from side to side.

"Giving up already? Two exchanges left."

"I'm throwing everything I have at him... And nothing seems to show any effect..." Mark whispered to himself.

"Devouring the Wolves might increase your Agility and Stealth. Maybe even give you useful Skills. The other Underlings could also-"

"Shut up." Mark interrupted.

A dark liquid seemed to ooze out of his left palm.

"You really don't like taking the easy way out, do you?"

The dark liquid turned into a spear.

"Or perhaps, this..."

Mark ran towards the enemy, Dark Corrupting Spear in hand.

"Is you taking the easy way out."

Zephyr brought his weapon in front of him.

"You don't mean to challenge me to a spear fight, do you?"

A dozen meters separated the two.

"Weapons aren't a Monster's-"

Using all its momentum and strength, the Monster threw the Dark Corrupting Spear.

Mark threw the weapon, proving Zephyr right.

"Weapons..." Zephyr extended his weapons forward. "Weren't made for Monsters."

The Dark Corrupting Spear's tip connected with that of Zephyr's Spear.

It broke upon impact.

But before being a Spear, it was a dark liquid.

After breaking, the weapon turned back into that dark liquid which, thanks to the momentum, splashed Zephyr's Armor.

'Finally something...'

To Mark, this seemed like a win.

Corruption works best when injected inside the enemy's body, but splashing that body can also show some effects.

It was something he had seen numerous times.

Even when there is no wound to enter, the Corruption will seep through the many pores on the enemy's skin. Granted it can reach that enemy's skin.

"Might be considered harsh, but I will count this as an exchange."

'Fuck you...' Mark cursed internally as he breathed heavily.

A Task simply impossible for you to accomplish. You'll climb the wall. Climb and climb, for as long as you can. And reach as high as you can, but you'll never move past it.

He was starting to truly understand the meaning of those words.

[Your Title "Evolving Monster" is looking at you.]

"You guys got an idea or something?" Mark whispered.

A second later, he felt embarrassed for doing so.

[Your Title "Devourer" is laughing out loud.]

[Your Title "Devourer" argues that you deserve the beating.]

[Your Title "Evolving Monster" gives you a thumbs up.]

Mark ignored the first two messages. He thought of them as 'Useless bullshit I expect from that one'.

"Final Test. Final Exchange. Final Opportunity to prove you are worth something. Don't waste it."

The heel of Zephyr's spear hit the ground, and a bang resonated.

Silence momentarily ruled over the Boos Room.

"I need a second."

"You what?"

Zephyr had thought of a variety of ways this encounter could go from the moment he was tasked with Testing the Devourer. 

He expected many things, but this...

"I just need a sec. Might come up with something."

Zephyr stared with wide eyes hidden by his helmet.

Astonished, he stared.

"You're asking for a timeout in the middle of battle?"

"Tsk. Yes, I am. This isn't battle though. It's a Test, right? So yes. I'm asking for additional time."

"What... What makes you think I would grant such a request?" The dumbfounded Zephyr asked.

"Well, I don't see any way out of this right now. And if this is to be the final exchange or whatever then-"

"What makes you think you deserve that privilege? This is still a fight." 

Hidden, a slight smile had appeared on Zephyr's face.

"I don't know. Nia started granting requests on the Dungeon's Last Floor so... Seemed like a reasonable ask right about fifteen seconds ago."

Zephyr remained silent for a moment.

"BAHAHAHA! Fine. Fine. This is your last, so make sure you come up with something good."

"Alright. So... Where were we? You got an idea? Something?" Mark whispered.

He couldn't shake the embarrassment he felt asking such a desperate question in such a desperate situation to a Title. Whatever that is.

He asked the Title, and couldn't refer to it by anything else but "you".

Mark wasn't sure why, but calling it by its name did not feel right at all.

[Your Title "Evolving Monster" gives you a thumbs up!]

"So...?"

Mark waited and waited.

And so did Zephyr.

"Don't tell me you're..."

[Your Title "Evolving Monster" believes in you.]

"You fucking what...?" 

Useless. So useless. Incredibly useless.

A Task impossible to achieve.

A Wall impossible to climb.

"Who are you conversing with?" Zephyr asked suddenly.

Mark remained silent for a bit.

He had no idea what to do or how to fight.

The only thing he could do for now, was try to gain some time.

"My Titles. Though I'm not sure what those are."

Mark decided to tell the truth. 

The Armoured Man is here to conduct a Test.

And aren't those who Test also supposed to Teach?

That's the way it was with Nia, however little she actually chose to do the teaching.

Then perhaps-

Zephyr grabbed his Spear with both hands.

'Shit-'

[The Title "Monster Hunter" is staring at you.]

The words appeared in front of Mark.

"You're the Devourer, aren't you?"

The question immediately created a whirlwind inside Mark's mind.

"Are you the Devourer?"

"I guess... Whatever that is."

Zephyr tightened his grip on the Spear.

"A horrible answer."

Mark remained silent for a moment.

Any additional seconds to allow his Mana Points to recover a bit were needed.

[Your Title "Devourer" is looking at you.]

[Your Title "Devourer" is disappointed.]

'Well, excuse me. I don't know what you expected.' Mark thought to himself.

Zephyr moved his Spear, and, the atmosphere in the entire Boss Room seemed to change.

Mark was forced to jump back, gasping for air.

He had been forced to jump back.

Or at least, it felt that way.

After all, something had just...

[The Title "Monster Hunter" is aiming for your heart.]

Pierced his heart.

"Answer me this then. And think carefully about your answer."

Mark's whole body started trembling. He didn't know why, and couldn't stop it from doing so.

"If it's a bad one, my Spear will pierce your heart."

[The Title "Monster Hunter" is waiting patiently.]

"What is it, that makes you the Devourer? What is it, that makes you the Evolving Monster?"