From Failure to SS-Rank: The Demon Lords Rebirth

The Abyss Wyrm roared, its deafening sound shaking the ground beneath Frank's feet. Its crimson eyes burned with fury, promising death to all in its path. Dark vapor hissed from its scales, filling the air with the stench of decay.

Kaela stood by his side, gripping her broken staff. Her hands trembled, but her determined gaze never wavered. Fear lingered in her expression, but she refused to run.

Frank glanced at her, his voice sharp. "Stick close, but don't get too close. I'll keep it busy."

Kaela swallowed hard and nodded. "I'll do my best," she said, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.

The system interface flickered in Frank's vision.

[Threat Analysis: Abyss Wyrm. Current health: 75%. Weak points: Exposed underbelly and base of neck.]

Frank smirked grimly, gripping the Shadow Blade tighter. "Seventy-five percent?" he muttered. "Let's bring that number down."

The wyrm struck with terrifying speed, its massive jaws snapping toward Frank. He rolled to the side as the ground exploded where he had stood moments before. Rising quickly, he swung his blade, the shadows around it slicing into the wyrm's thick scales.

The beast recoiled, a screech of pain erupting from its throat. Black ichor sprayed from the wound, sizzling as it hit the ground. The creature lashed out with its tail, the force nearly knocking Frank off his feet.

"Kaela!" Frank shouted, his voice urgent. "I could use some divine intervention right about now!"

Kaela raised her hands, her voice trembling as she began chanting. A warm, golden light swirled around her fingers as her words grew stronger. "Blinding Light!" she cried, and a burst of radiant energy shot from her palms.

The light struck the wyrm's head, forcing the creature to rear back. Its coils thrashed wildly, smashing trees and sending debris flying. Frank took the opening and charged, shadows wrapping around his blade as he aimed for the wyrm's neck.

The strike landed, carving a deep gash into the beast's flesh. Black ichor sprayed onto Frank's armor, the stench nearly overwhelming him. The system chimed in his vision.

[Threat level reduced. Current health: 50%. Strategy: Target disoriented areas for critical strikes.]

"We're halfway there!" Frank called, stepping back as the wyrm shook its massive head. "Kaela, keep it blind if you can!"

Kaela hesitated, her hands shaking as she raised her staff again. "I'll try, but I need a moment!" she yelled, her voice cracking.

The wyrm's glowing eyes locked onto her, and it let out a bone-chilling roar. Its massive tail swept the ground, creating a wall of dust and debris as it charged toward Kaela. Frank cursed under his breath and threw himself forward, intercepting the strike with his blade.

The impact reverberated through Frank's body, nearly wrenching the weapon from his hands. He gritted his teeth and held firm, shadows swirling around him in defiance. "Stay back!" he barked at Kaela. "I've got this!"

Kaela's eyes widened, and she stepped back, gripping her staff tightly. "I won't let you die!" she shouted, lifting her staff high. "Smite!"

A beam of divine light shot down from the sky, striking the wyrm's coiled body. The creature howled, smoke rising from its scorched scales as it writhed in agony.

Frank seized the moment, charging with everything he had. His blade glowed with dark energy as he plunged it deep into the wyrm's chest. The beast thrashed violently, its roars fading into guttural hisses.

The ground trembled as the wyrm collapsed, its massive form crumpling in defeat. Frank stumbled back, his chest heaving as sweat trickled down his face. The system's calm notification appeared before him.

[Abyss Wyrm defeated. Progress: 50%. Rewards available.]

Frank wiped the ichor from his face, his voice dripping with exhaustion. "Fifty percent? For all that work?" he muttered. "Should've been at least ninety."

Kaela dropped to her knees, her face pale and streaked with tears. "It's over," she whispered, her voice shaking. "We actually did it."

Frank chuckled, though his legs felt like jelly, like they could give out at any moment. "Yeah, we did," he said, glancing at her. "You're tougher than you look."

Kaela looked up at him, a faint smile breaking through her exhaustion. "And you? "You're not half-bad yourself." "What does one call you?"

He hesitated, staring at his reflection in the ichor-slicked blade. "Yeah," he said finally. "The name's Frank, just Frank."

Kaela smiled, brushing the sweat from her brow. "Thank you, Frank," she said softly.

"Don't mention it," Frank replied, offering her a hand. He pulled her to her feet, both of them leaning on each other for support.

Frank glanced at her, curious. "Kaela, I've been meaning to ask. You're a priestess, right? What deity do you serve?"

Kaela hesitated, her fingers tightening on her staff. "I serve the Dawnmother," she said quietly. "She is the goddess of light, renewal, and hope."

Frank raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A goddess of hope, huh? Seems fitting with the way you fight."

Kaela looked at him, her gaze steady despite her weariness. "She teaches us to bring light to even the darkest places. I guess that's what I was trying to do back there."

Frank smirked, gesturing to the massive corpse behind them. "Well, you definitely brought some light to that thing. I'm not complaining."

Kaela chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

The system chimed again, drawing his attention.

[Loot available. Access Abyss Wyrm cache? Yes/No?]

Frank grinned, stepping toward the beast's glowing chest. "Always yes to loot," he said, plunging his blade into the light.

Energy surged through him as the system displayed his rewards.

[Loot Acquired: Abyss Wyrm Core (Mid-Tier), Abyss Wyrm Scale (Rare). Spell unlocked: Eldritch Blas.]

Frank inspected the new skill, his brow raising. "Eldriych Blast? A blast of demonic energy that pushes enemies away?" He let out a dry laugh. "Could've used that earlier."

Kaela watched as he pocketed the glowing core. "Is it valuable?" she asked, curiosity sparking in her tired voice.

Frank nodded. "This thing's worth more than gold," he said. "It'll keep us going for a while."

Kaela sighed in relief, her shoulders sagging. "Then it was worth it," she said.

Their moment of calm was shattered by the sound of horns echoing across the valley. Frank and Kaela exchanged uneasy glances, their exhaustion replaced by tension.

Figures appeared on the ridge above, their silver armor gleaming under the fading light. At the forefront stood a man with a golden glaive, his commanding presence impossible to ignore.

[Warning: Hostile faction detected. Knights of Elvaris. Threat level: High.]

Frank tightened his grip on the Shadow Blade, a grim smile forming on his lips. "Well, Kaela," he said, stepping forward. "Looks like we're not done yet."