E-Rank or SSS-Rank: I Awakened a Skill That Shouldn’t Exist

Garvin leaned closer, smirking. "Tell me—what business do weaklings like you have in a war like this? You can't even protect yourselves."

His grip tightened mercilessly, the sound of creaking bone echoing in Bron's ears. His vision swam red with agony, and he knew—one more squeeze, and his arm would be nothing but shattered ruin.

Bron roared in pain.

But before Garvin could finish it, silver light flashed.

Silver Wing descended, both swords cutting in perfect synchrony. One blade streaked for Garvin's throat, the other for his torso—a strike executed so flawlessly that even Garvin would be forced to choose: block one and suffer the other.

For a heartbeat, it looked like the tide might turn.

But Garvin's expression didn't change. He dipped his head aside, narrowly dodging the blade aimed for his neck, while his hand released Bron just long enough to clamp down on the other sword. Steel rang against his palm, but his grip held firm.

Then, with a smooth pivot, Garvin's body spun. His elbow smashed into Silver Wing's neck with a sickening crack.

"—Gghhh!"

Silver Wing choked, blood spraying from his lips as his body collapsed to the ground. He writhed, gasping for air, his once-bright silver eyes clouded with pain.

Garvin stood above them all, untouchable, radiating mockery. "Too strong? Too skilled? You don't say. At full strength, maybe you'd amuse me. But now… you're nothing." His smile widened cruelly. "Let's kill you first."

He raised his hand to finish Silver Wing—

But then it froze.

A white gauntlet clamped around his waist, pinning him in place.

"...You again?" Garvin snarled, twisting his head back. Sure enough, it was Bron, teeth gritted, arms locked like iron around Garvin's body. His entire frame trembled under the strain.

"I'll crush you… for this," Garvin growled darkly.

Bron's reply was a strained shout. "Shin—NOW!"

Garvin's eyes flicked up.

In the distance, the last of the four heroes stood trembling. Shin. His body was on the verge of collapse, his knees buckling, sweat dripping down his pale face. His bowstring was drawn taut, his arms shaking violently as though the weapon itself weighed more than mountains.

Upon the string rested a single arrow, dark purple light coursing through it, veins of black lightning crawling along its shaft. The arrow hummed, an aura of raw destruction compressing tighter and tighter. Shin's breathing was ragged, every second threatening to tear his body apart. But still—he held. Still—he aimed.

His eyes locked on Garvin's head. His only thought: This one shot has to kill him.

He loosed.

The arrow streaked forward, faster than sound, carving a black trail across the battlefield. The target was clear—straight for Garvin's skull. A killing blow.

Garvin's expression shifted from mild annoyance to a cold smirk.

He moved.

His knee snapped upward, slamming mercilessly into Bron's lower body. A sickening crunch echoed as Bron howled in pain, his grip faltering. For an instant Garvin was free.

"Move aside," he muttered.

With a casual twist, he shoved Bron's battered body into the arrow's path, the hero's frame becoming a living shield against Shin's final desperate strike.

Bron couldn't even process what was happening before the arrow struck him.

The world slowed.

Shin's desperate, all-or-nothing shot—meant to pierce Garvin's skull—slammed into Bron's arm as he tried to shield the others.

The impact shredded through flesh and bone, tearing away his arm and part of his side in a spray of blood. His vision went black instantly. With a strangled gasp, Bron collapsed, his body twitching before going frighteningly still.

But the arrow did not stop.

Its core of dark lightning and purple death still burned, streaking forward—until Garvin lazily raised his palm.

He clenched his fist, and the deadly projectile bent unnaturally, collapsing inward. With a greedy inhalation of power, the Dark Emissary consumed it completely.

"Delicious," Garvin sneered.

Across the battlefield, Shin's bow slipped from his trembling hands. His body crumpled to the ground, his energy drained beyond its limits.

His eyes were wide, hollow, despair written in every trembling breath. That had been their last resort. Their trump card. And it had failed.

Bron was either dead or so close to it that no one could reach him in time. Shin was finished. Shae was crawling on one knee, barely able to hold her sword upright.

And Silver Wing—though he forced himself to stand—was swaying under unbearable pain, blood trickling from his lips.

They had nothing left.

Garvin strolled toward them casually, as though victory was inevitable. Silver Wing tried to intercept, but one lazy kick from the emissary sent him flying. He crashed across the dirt, rolling once, twice, before coming to a bloody halt.

Every attempt to rise sent daggers of agony ripping through his body. He could barely breathe, let alone fight.

We're finished, he realized bitterly. Against this monster, the awakened stand no chance at all. He can absorb any attack we throw—abilities, techniques, energy. Nothing works. His power is… broken.

He forced his gaze around the battlefield. Bron was unmoving. Shin lay collapsed. Shae staggered but was in no better state than he was. There was no miracle left for them.

A weight of guilt pressed onto his chest. Silver Wing's throat tightened.

I'm sorry, everyone. I wish we could have helped more. I wish I could have been more… He swallowed back blood. This is my fault. Bron, Shae, Shin… forgive me. I couldn't carry you to victory.

Ahead, Garvin lowered himself, muscles coiling like a predator ready to pounce. His twisted grin promised nothing but merciless death.

Silver Wing exhaled shakily, closing his eyes. So this is where we die.

But before the final strike could land—

A calm voice rang out.

"Tenth Jungle Art: Falcon Dive."

The air itself exploded.

BOOM!

A concussive shockwave erupted across the field, rattling the earth and sending Garvin skidding backward in confusion. Dust billowed into the sky.

The pressure alone was so immense that Silver Wing's hair rustled from the force, even though the attack hadn't been aimed at him.

Coughing, Silver Wing cracked one eye open. His gaze widened in disbelief.

A figure stood between them and Garvin.

Tall. Lean. His white-and-black long shirt was loosened at the chest, revealing a body hardened from countless battles. He exuded a quiet confidence, his aura steady yet terrifyingly sharp.

Garvin, for the first time in the fight, actually looked unsettled. He rose slowly, dust sliding off his shoulders, his expression twisting in confusion as he studied the intruder.

The figure turned, and his face softened into an easy smile when his eyes met Silver Wing's.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? Since the tournament?" he said lightly.

Silver Wing's breath caught. "...Jay?"

Jay clicked his tongue and shook his head, a teasing grin flashing across his lips.

"Judging by your condition, you've had it rough." His eyes softened, and his voice steadied. "Rest easy now. You've done enough."

Then he turned back to Garvin, his smile fading into cold resolve.

"I've got some old scores to settle with the cursed as well," Jay murmured, cracking his knuckles.

His gaze locked on the Dark Emissary, sharp as a predator's. "And I'll start with you."

To be continued...

AUTHOR'S NOTE

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– Ultra