SHADOWS OF THE BEASTS ( SENTIGINX ONE)

Chapter Thirty One

As the Phantom materialized before him, Yuchi swiftly turned southward, his eyes locking onto the specter. "You have arrived," he stated, his voice steady.

"I am here for you, Yuchi," the Phantom hissed, its voice like a cold wind. "I have come to claim your blood and soul."

Yuchi snorted, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips. "Stop joking, you're just a product of my imagination."

The Phantom's eyes blazed with fury, its presence seeming to grow more substantial. "How dare you!" it spat, its hand shooting out like a dark, spectral tendril. A sharp, dark root burst forth, hurtling toward Yuchi with deadly precision.

But Yuchi dodged with ease, his movements fluid and calculated. "Not the right target," he taunted, lunging forward with his sword flashing in the dim light.

The Phantom unleashed a torrent of dark roots, each one aimed at ensnaring Yuchi. But the young warrior was a whirlwind of steel, his sword slicing through the roots with deadly efficiency. The Phantom continued to hurl its dark magic, the roots bursting forth like a malevolent storm.

Yuchi danced through the assault, his sword weaving a intricate pattern of defense.
Yet, with each passing moment, the Phantom's power seemed to grow, its roots striking with increasing ferocity. Yuchi's breathing quickened,
his focus narrowing to a singular point - survival.

And still, the Phantom hurled its dark magic, relentless in its pursuit of Yuchi's soul...

As another root shot toward him with unyielding force, Yuchi dodged with a swift sidestep, his eyes flashing with defiance. "You can't get me, fool!" he taunted, his sword slicing through the air with a deadly whisper.

The Phantom's response was a torrent of roots, each one bursting forth with increased ferocity. Yuchi leapt and weaved, his sword dancing through the darkness, striking true with every swing. The roots shattered and splintered, their dark energy dissipating into the air.

But the Phantom would not be silenced. With a scream of rage, it unleashed its most powerful root yet - a colossal, twisted tendril that seemed to embody the very essence of darkness. The root hurtled toward Yuchi with the force of a thunderbolt, its tip razor-sharp and gleaming with malevolent intent.

Yuchi stood firm, his sword at the ready. The root loomed before him, its darkness seeming to suffocate the very air around him. And yet,
with a fierce cry, Yuchi struck - his sword slicing through the root with a burst of light and energy that sent the Phantom stumbling back.

"Not so fast, bitch"
Yuchi sneered, his eyes flashing with triumph.

As another root hurtled toward him, he raised his sword, and a fierce, golden light burst forth, enveloping the blade. The spell, imbued with ancient power, coursed through the metal,
imbuing it with an otherworldly energy.

With a swift, deadly motion, Yuchi hurled the sword at the Phantom's heart. The blade bit deep, lodging itself in the specter's dark, ethereal core. "Take it as a precious gift," Yuchi said, his voice dripping with malice.

The Phantom let out a blood-curdling scream, its form wavering as it reached out to grasp the hilt of the sword. With a Herculean effort, it pulled the blade free, its dark energy swirling around the wound.

"The time is elapsing..." Yuchi said, his voice low and urgent, as he turned to leave. "I have to be on my way..."

But the Phantom's response was a chilling, mirthless laugh. "You may have bested me this time, Yuchi," it hissed, "but our encounter is far from over. The shadows will reclaim you, and next time, there will be no escape..."

As Yuchi vanished into the darkness, the Phantom's laughter echoed through the forest, a haunting promise of a reckoning to come...

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