[Moon Dagger: Enhances the user's agility. At night, the user's visibility is greatly reduced to enemies.] [Sun Dagger: Increases the user's flame-based attacks. During the day, visibility is greatly increased.] [When both daggers are used simultaneously, visibility remains normal. However, both weapons' power is significantly amplified.] These were the weapons Slit now wielded in his hands. He was a master of the Moon Dagger, often relying on its agility boost and how it worked with his natural speed. In the dark, the dagger cloaked his body in shifting shadows, making him almost impossible to track. But now he had drawn both, the Moon Dagger and the Sun Dagger, simultaneously. Doing so didn't just increase his raw strength. It made him something else entirely. A blur of speed, precision, and power. As an Ironfang, he had always been dangerous. With these weapons, he was lethal. The three Altered, Ian, Izzy, and Numba, were still recovering from their last exchange. They had taken hits, but they weren't out. Physically, they were still in fighting condition. Mentally, though, they were rattled. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎 None of them knew if they stood a real chance against Slit, especially after how easily he had handled them so far. "You, I'm taking you out first!" Slit growled. He dashed forward, both daggers raised high, aiming straight for Ian. His steps made barely a sound, shadows coiled behind him. The daggers gleamed in his hands, ready to stab downward. But just as the blades descended, Something shifted in the light. A flash of green. Out of the corner of Slit's eye, illuminated by the glow of the Sun Dagger, a figure stepped between them. Green hair. Determined eyes. Gary. Both daggers plunged into Gary's shoulder, slicing through flesh. But he didn't even flinch. Gary's fist was already moving, driving upward with full force. It collided with Slit's chin, so fast and hard, Slit's entire body lifted off the ground. His head snapped back as he was launched into the air. The impact forced Slit to lose grip on one of the daggers. Spinning mid-air, Slit twisted his body and managed to land back on his feet. He skidded across the dirt, stunned but still balanced. That punch… he thought. It was like getting hit by another Ironfang. No wonder the others couldn't get up after he hit them… What shocked Slit more than the punch itself… was Gary's complete disregard for pain. He had willingly let himself get stabbed. Not in his werewolf form. Not partially transformed. Just his human body. He had allowed two enchanted daggers to dig deep into him, and hadn't hesitated for a second to return the strike. [-12 HP] "Gary!" Numba shouted from behind. "Are you okay?!" "I'm fine," Gary replied, his voice calm but focused. His high endurance was doing its job. The stab had barely made a dent in his massive HP pool. When he built his class, it was based on survivability, high health and energy reserves. It was paying off now more than ever. Even without transforming, even without most of his werewolf abilities, he could tank a dagger strike like it was nothing. I can still only channel Qi through my hands and legs, Gary thought. If I could spread it through my whole body, I might've taken even less damage. Still… it's working. More than anything, though, he wished he could transform. If he could, this fight would already be over. Against someone like Slit, Gary in full form could've torn him apart. Qi was helping, but it was still no match for his complete werewolf self. "Ian, Izzy, Numba, help the others!" Gary shouted. "They need you more than I do. I'll deal with him." It was another tough call, but one Gary had to make. He'd been guarding the restaurant from being overrun, preventing any enemies from reaching the rest of the Howlers. But if Slit wasn't taken out here and now, it could cost all of them. Protecting the Altered was the smarter move. "Alright, Gary! Take that guy down!" Izzy shouted, turning toward the restaurant. Ian and Numba followed her, the three of them sprinting up the hill. Slit stayed where he was, eyes locked on Gary. After what he'd just seen, he wasn't about to turn his back. Even in human form, Gary was too fast, too unpredictable. As the trio reached the restaurant, they could already hear the sounds of chaos. Howlers were firing makeshift weapons down from the second floor. Blood painted the floors. Screams echoed throughout the building as they fought off incoming werewolves using whatever they could find. Without the Altered, the Howlers were barely holding it together. "Will Gary be alright?" Ian asked, glancing over his shoulder one last time. "He's always been strong," Izzy replied. "And I don't think he would've switched with us if he wasn't confident he could win. The best way we can help him now… is by clearing this place." Without hesitation, the three of them leapt through the shattered window. Glass crunched under their boots as they rolled into the bloody chaos. In seconds, they were back in action, striking down werewolves, protecting their allies, and shifting the tide of battle inside. Back outside, Gary and Slit were still locked in a deadly stare. Neither moved. Not yet. Gary's body tensed, and then in a flash, he dashed forward, his Qi boosting his speed. His hands swung from above, but something was different. His hands were held in a specific way, almost as if… Slit narrowed his eyes. He's holding something… "You're not the only one who can use a weapon!" Gary shouted. In an instant, a massive warhammer materialized in his hands, its metal glinting under the fading light. **** **** For updates for MWS and future works, please follow me on my social media below. Instagram: Jksmanga P.a.t.r.e.o.n: jksmanga When news of MVS, MWS or any other series comes out, you will be able to see it there first, and you can reach out to me. If I'm not too busy, I tend to reply.