Re-Awakening: Cannon Fodder With Strongest Talent

But volcanic mastery provided unexpected resistance. The molten power flowing through his veins created internal heat that opposed the wraith's life-draining assault. Fire and ice met within his enhanced body, creating thermal stress that translated into visible steam.

The Dark Wraith recoiled from the unexpected resistance, its shadow-stuff form rippling with confusion. Ancient intelligence flickered behind ethereal eyes as it processed this new variable in what should have been an easy execution.

Ethan pressed his advantage immediately.

Crystal manipulation erupted from the stone floor, jagged spears of mineral matter piercing upward through shadow-pools where the wraith's essence gathered. The creature's form scattered like disturbed smoke, avoiding the crystalline attacks through ethereal dispersion.

But his dispersion created a vulnerability in its defence.

Volcanic mastery answered his will with molten fury. Magma geysers erupted in precise patterns, their superheated glow forcing the wraith's scattered essence into tighter concentrations. Steam hissed where lava met shadow-stuff, creating visibility gaps in the creature's defensive concealment.

The wraith's counterattack came as environmental sabotage. Darkness flowed across stone surfaces like liquid night, transforming solid footing into treacherous shadow-pools that grabbed at his feet with ethereal tendrils.

Enhanced Speed was activated in response. Reality slowed as his perception accelerated, allowing navigation through the shifting terrain with flowing precision. Each step landed exactly where solid stone remained, his enhanced agility turning environmental hazards into minor inconveniences.

Fire magic erupted in controlled bursts, D-rank flames creating illumination that banished pockets of artificial darkness. The wraith's form became visible in stuttering glimpses—solid enough to target, ethereal enough to avoid sustained assault.

Water manipulation followed immediately. Pressurized streams hammered the creature's partially-materialized form, their impact dispersing shadow-essence while steam generation created additional concealment that favored his superior mobility.

The Dark Wraith adapted with terrifying intelligence. Shadow-tendrils lashed from impossible angles, their ethereal substance bypassing conventional defenses to strike at gaps in his crystal armor. Cold beyond description accompanied each impact—not temperature, but existential chill that threatened to freeze his enhanced vitality.

Crystal hardening evolved under pressure. Mineral structures flowed like living metal, adapting to cover vulnerability points while maintaining mobility. His skin took on diamond-bright sheen as crystalline protection integrated with volcanic enhancement.

But the wraith's next assault tested every defensive capability.

Darkness coalesced into solid matter—shadow-claws that rang against crystal armor with metallic impacts. The creature's ethereal form gained temporary substance, allowing devastating physical attacks that cracked mineral defenses through sheer kinetic force.

Ethan rolled sideways as shadow-claws carved through stone where he'd been standing milliseconds before. Enhanced Speed made the evasion possible, but barely. The wraith's attacks operated at velocities that challenged even his accelerated perception.

Volcanic mastery responded with area denial tactics. Molten rock erupted in expanding circles, their superheated surface forcing the wraith to maintain distance while limiting its tactical options. Steam clouds provided additional concealment for his own movements.

The creature's response demonstrated why it terrorised the region.

Shadow-stuff flowed like water, pooling in deep concentrations before launching itself in pressurised streams. The attacks carried physical force despite their ethereal nature—impacts that sent him staggering despite crystal armor and volcanic enhancement.

Fire magic answered with maximum intensity. Flames reached hot temperatures as volcanic power supercharged his natural talents. The combined assault created illumination bright enough to banish shadows across the entire amphitheater.

For the first time, the Dark Wraith's form became fully visible.

The creature stood three meters tall, its humanoid outline composed entirely of flowing shadow-stuff that rippled with internal motion.

Intelligence blazed in eyes like dying stars while ethereal claws extended from fingers that existed in multiple dimensions simultaneously.

Crystal manipulation struck immediately. Spears of mineral matter erupted from every direction, their razor-sharp points seeking vital locations on the creature's newly-solid form. Several found their mark, eliciting screams that shattered ancient stones.

But the wraith's substance adapted faster than expected. Shadow-stuff flowed around the crystals that Ethan had used to damage them.

It was healing the damage through regeneration while maintaining combat capability.

Water manipulation created additional pressure. Steam generation from superheated volcanic activity filled the air with scalding vapour, reducing visibility while creating environmental hazards that affected both combatants equally.

The Dark Wraith struck through the artificial fog with predatory precision. Shadow-claws raked across his chest armor, their ethereal substance finding microscopic gaps in crystal protection. Pain exploded through his nervous system as cold beyond description invaded his enhanced physiology.

Enhanced Speed carried him through the creature's follow-up assault. Reality shifted into slow motion as he evaded shadow-tendrils that struck like whips made of crystallized night. Each attack passed within centimeters of vital points, his enhanced agility the only barrier between life and extinction.

Volcanic mastery erupted in desperate response. Magma fountains created barriers of molten stone while superheated air made breathing dangerous for both combatants. The wraith's shadow-form wavered as extreme temperatures challenged its ethereal coherence.

Fire magic reached new intensities. Flames became plasma as volcanic enhancement pushed his abilities beyond normal parameters. The combined assault turned stone to glass while creating illumination that revealed every shadow-pool where the creature might seek concealment.

Crystal manipulation evolved under combat pressure. Mineral structures flowed like living metal, creating armor configurations that adapted to the wraith's attack patterns. His defensive capabilities improved in real-time as his talents learned from sustained assault.

The Dark Wraith's response carried notes of frustration. Ancient predator instincts recognized prey that refused to behave according to established patterns. Shadow-stuff coalesced into increasingly desperate attack formations.

Water manipulation provided the opening he needed. Pressurized streams struck the creature's concentrated shadow-essence with hydraulic force, dispersing its coherent form while steam generation created additional environmental complications.

But the wraith's counterattack nearly ended everything.

Shadow-tendrils erupted from every surface simultaneously—walls, floor, ceiling—creating a cage of ethereal death that contracted with inexorable force. Escape routes vanished as darkness claimed every available space.

Enhanced Speed saved his life. Reality fractured into microsecond intervals as his perception accelerated beyond normal limits. The shadow-cage's contraction became visible as discrete movements rather than inevitable doom.

Crystal hardening reached maximum density. His entire body became living diamond as mineral protection achieved theoretical perfection. Shadow-claws struck crystalline armor with impacts that rang like temple bells.

Volcanic mastery answered with ultimate technique. Internal heat reached solar temperatures as molten power flowed through enhanced physiology. Steam erupted from his skin as thermal regulation systems struggled with contained inferno.

The combination proved decisive. Crystal armour conducted volcanic heat with perfect efficiency, turning his entire body into a weapon that burned with stellar intensity. Shadow-stuff recoiled from contact with surface temperatures that challenged its ethereal existence.

Fire magic and water manipulation coordinated in final assault. Steam lances struck the writhing creature with superheated precision while illumination banished every shadow where it might seek refuge.

The Dark Wraith's death scream carried harmonics that shattered stone formations across the forest. Its ancient form lost coherence as ethereal substance dissolved under sustained thermal assault.

Shadow-stuff dissipated like morning mist, leaving only a golden core that pulsed with accumulated power. The creature's massive form collapsed to the floor with a resounding thud that echoed through the stone chamber, its reign of terror finally ended.

Ethan approached the fallen beast with satisfaction. This time, he truly wanted the talent. Darkness manipulation at C+ grade would downgrade to C- rank once devoured—a power with utilities that extended far beyond simple combat applications.

Stealth capabilities. Environmental control.

It was simply a god-given opportunity.

He extracted the golden core smoothly, its crystalline surface reflecting the last traces of volcanic light. Power pulsed within the compressed essence, promising advancement that transcended mere attribute increases.

Without hesitation, he consumed the precious material.

<+9 Intelligence>

The familiar surge of enhancement flowed through his physiology.

The wraith's massive corpse disappeared into one of his storage rings, dimensional space accepting the ethereal remains with casual efficiency. Future devouring would unlock the full potential of C-grade darkness manipulation.

Behind him, Torrino remained frozen in shock.

A Dark Wraith. He actually killed a Dark Wraith.

Even Lord Vance doesn't engage those things in single combat. Sure, the boss might be able to handle one now with his recent advancement, but that was still theoretical. This... this was reality.

What kind of monster have I been travelling with?

The prisoner's mind struggled to process the witnessed impossibility. Legends didn't die to lone combatants. Ancient terrors weren't supposed to fall to individual power, no matter how enhanced.

Ethan suddenly appeared beside the stunned captain.

Enhanced Speed had carried him across the amphitheater faster than thought, his movement creating displaced air that ruffled Torrino's military uniform.

"Time for your punishment."

The slap seemed almost casual—a light disciplinary gesture that shouldn't have carried serious force. But High-Gold strength transformed gentle correction into devastating impact.

Torrino's body became a projectile.

The captain flew backward with bone-jarring velocity, his form carving through ancient trees like a flesh-and-blood cannonball. Bark exploded in shower patterns while massive trunks groaned under unexpected stress.

CRACK! CRASH! THUD!

Three trees fell before his momentum finally dissipated, leaving Torrino sprawled among splintered wood and scattered leaves. Blood trickled from numerous cuts while a perfect handprint adorned his left cheek in vivid red relief.

Did he just...? With a light slap?

The prisoner groaned as consciousness returned, his tactical mind struggling to process the physics of what had occurred.

"This is your punishment," Ethan said, his voice carrying arctic coldness that made jungle air feel frigid. "Don't think I would let you go with a verbal warning."

Torrino attempted to rise, his strong constitution allowing movement despite the traumatic impact. Everything ached with bone-deep soreness while his face still throbbed where Ethan's hand had made contact.