Chapter 55. Trash vs Trash
Rhys charged toward the mounted demon as the mounted demon charged him. The demon struck down at him with all its might. Rhys activated Trash Intent as he slashed up at it. Their blades clashed.
The demon’s black cleaver pulsed with curse power. The dark energy emanated from it, seeking to taint Rhys.
Rhys sucked the taint in, building it into the next star in his core. His Trash Intent-empowered blade cut a notch into the ominous black sword, then jerked to a halt as the metal grew too thick. Still, Rhys grinned. Trash like him was able to meet the demon on its own terms, and hold his own. He’d come a long way.
Surprised, the demon jerked back. The horse ran on, taking the demon with it. Rhys pivoted, watching the two as they rode. They reached the end of the small, narrow arena. The horse reared, then rounded on Rhys, snapping around to charge at him again.
Rhys’ whole body brimmed with strength. His mana was fully topped up. He’d never felt stronger in his life. The monster before him emanated pressure in the upper ranks of his current tier, but Rhys felt no fear. He could take it.
He had the trash.
Rhys summoned the rat projection. It circled around him and settled beside him, watching the demon. He empowered his sword with Trash Intent and Trash Aura, and as the demon closed in on him, he unleashed a slash of Trash Aura at the demon. It turned its horse to the side at the last second and caught the blade on its black sword. The horse reared and plunged toward Rhys, striking at him with its enormous hooves.
Rhys dashed back. The rat charged, biting at the horse’s legs. The horse stopped dead and stomped at the rat, distracted.
The moment it took its eyes off him, Rhys reached out to the ball of impurities circulating around his core. There was plenty of curse power floating around his body, so he pushed that into the ball. The curse within came to life.
Here goes nothing. The curse ran through him. Instinctively, Rhys raised his hand and grasped at the horse.
Two enormous skeletal hands pierced through the muddy floor and clasped the horse and rider both, bearing them into the earth.
The rider swept its black blade. The bones shattered, and its mount leaped free—directly into a leg-breaking pile of slippery, round, random garbage.