Realmshift: Triad Ascendancy.

Decay.

[ARKANE]

As I opened my eyes, I found myself in the Somnolent Realm, a dreamscape crafted by the system just for me. The realm was a tapestry of swirling, iridescent colors that defied ordinary perception, a fluid mosaic where hues danced and melded into one another in a mesmerizing ballet. It was as though I was floating within a living painting, the vivid shades shifting and blending seamlessly into one another, casting a serene yet surreal glow across the landscape.I took a deep breath and activated my Sharingan. The moment the crimson tomoe ignited in my eyes, the system responded as though it had anticipated my readiness. With a whisper of digital magic, it summoned forth a formidable opponent—a minion of Sukuna. This creature was a gargantuan entity, its sheer presence dwarfing even Zarathar in both size and menace. Its form was grotesque and nightmarish, a mass of shifting darkness with eyes that glowed with a malevolent intelligence.The monster wasted no time. It unleashed a devastating "dismantle technique," a horizontal slash aimed with brutal precision. The attack was a blur of dark energy, but my Sharingan was already at work, analyzing its trajectory. I deftly sidestepped, feeling the rush of displaced air as the slash missed me by inches. Reacting swiftly, I drew my blade, its edge gleaming with a surge of mana. With a practiced swing, I struck out, channeling my power into the blow. The blade cut through the air with a satisfying hiss, leaving a shallow yet distinct scar across the creature's back.The monster roared in pain and fury, its form writhing and distorting as it turned to face me. I could feel the weight of the battle ahead. It would take every ounce of my strength and Grey's unwavering support to defeat this monster and without him, this will be a hell to conquer on my own. But surrender was not an option. This was the path I had chosen.

Each battle I faced against the monster felt like a descent into hell. The disparity in power was staggering, and despite my best efforts, I always fell before the monster. But this was a dream world, and death was merely a temporary inconvenience; I was always revived. The monster's defenses were impregnable to my blade, even when infused with all my mana. I realized that while my infused attacks couldn't break through, a single powerful punch might—if I could summon enough mana. Yet, even that wouldn't be enough to vanquish the creature.That's when a new thought struck me. What if mana had applications beyond mere physical enhancement? Silver had once mentioned that in this world, some mages harnessed mana in ways beyond my understanding. Unlike most people who used mana to strengthen their bodies or infuse their weapons, these mages explored a broader spectrum of magic. Mages were a rare breed, a small percentage of society because their powers diverged from the conventional. Unlike elemental magic, which required drinking dragon blood to harness—transforming one into a Dragon Slayer capable of wielding elemental attacks or infusing weapons with dragon blood—mages had a different set of skills. They could manipulate mana for telekinesis, healing, and even poison. The most renowned mage in the world, Kael Draconis, wielded a spell known as "Vortex of Nullity." This spell had the terrifying capability to erase an entire city from existence, akin to a nuclear weapon from my old world. It was clear: if I wanted to overcome the monster, I needed to think beyond conventional methods and explore the arcane possibilities that mana could offer.

The monster continued to wreak havoc in the dream realm. Its stone-like flesh seemed impenetrable, its roars echoing through the chamber. I knew I had to find a new strategy, a way to break through its defenses.As I observed the creature, an idea began to form in my mind. Perhaps I could use mana to weaken its body from within, causing its flesh to decay. I bounced around the monster, waiting for the perfect opportunity.Finally, I saw my chance. With a surge of speed, I dashed towards the creature, my arm filled with a concentrated burst of mana. I touched its back, infusing the mana into its stone-like flesh. The effects were almost immediate. The stone began to crumble, revealing a softer, more vulnerable layer beneath.A grin spread across my face. I drew my blade, infused it with a small amount of mana, and struck the monster with all my might. The creature roared in agony as the blade pierced its back, striking a vital organ. It collapsed to the ground, dead.I lay on the floor, panting heavily but filled with a sense of accomplishment. I had discovered a new technique, a way to weaken my opponents from within. As I caught my breath, the system's voice echoed in my mind. "Congratulations, You've acquired new insight. You've created a new skill. 'Decay.'"I opened my skill menu and saw a new entry: Decay. The description read, "Allows you to weaken your opponent's body for 10 seconds depending on the opponent's strength. If the opponent is too weak, it could kill them instantly." I smiled. This new skill would be invaluable in future battles.