HEX: Aspect Of The Void

Two monsters stood side by side, facing each other in a vicious dance.

One was a wounded creature, battered up by its attacks and seemed to be in pain. The other was one who reveled in the monster's pain and grinned with satisfaction at the sight.

"Come on, rise… We're just getting started!"

Shamac's eyes beamed with pleasure as he dominated a weaker vessel. With his Hydra construct twirled around him, he approached the injured opponent.

"Hisssss!!!!" The Hydra made a warning sound, glaring at Shamac with the eyes on its three heads.

This desperate attempt to keep Shamac away didn't work as he kept advancing, nearing the Hydra.

In a last-ditch attempt to rid itself of Shamac, the Hydra released a powerful cloud of mist filled with poison. The gas hissed as it filled the area surrounding the Hydra, once again developing everywhere in fog.

Shamac halted since his line of vision had been hindered. However, before he could fully grasp the situation, he felt a gush of wind pass his side. The pressure was so massive that Shamac immediately guessed what it was.

Whether it was a survival instinct or the natural protection of life, no one could ascertain. However, the Hydra had decided to make its escape through the very gates it obstructed with its large tail.

Since the gates were very large, they would allow it to leave, and to live. After using the poisonous fog to block their vision, making them temporarily hesitate, it quickly lunged at the gate to save itself. However…

"Where do you think you're going?"

Shamac's voice reverberated around the room. This harsh tone of his was followed by shadows appearing from the front of the gate where the Snake was. The shadows took the form of massive spikes which pierced the hard skin of the monster, causing it to screech in pain.

"I'm not done…" Shamac grinned.

From beneath the Hydra, shadows also appeared and pierced its entire body. The purple blood of the beast spurted everywhere, and it wiggled in struggle, as the spikes grew larger, raising the massive body of the glorified snake above ground.

It helplessly shook as it hissed in pain. Its last-ditch attempt was thwarted. The monster was exhausted, wounded, and most of all…

"What's wrong? Why can't you use your poison? Acid? Flames? Come on… Fight for a little longer" Shamac said to it.

The beast hissed in both hatred and pain as it continued to pointlessly struggle and cling to life. It couldn't use any of its special attacks if it wanted to. After all, the Hydra's glands could only produce a limited amount of toxins and flammable gas. It had exhausted its supply in its fight with Shamac.

The last strand the Hydra had was used up when it released the gas for cover while it escaped. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for it. With its body dangling among the sharp shadows, it finally realized that struggle was pointless.

Slowly, it lost strength and ceased its screeched and merely resigned itself to its fate.

"Done already? Very well… I'll end it for you," Shamac said, having a bored look in his eyes.

The Hydra construct of shadow took deep breaths, enlarging their throat region. They opened their mouths and released a deadly mix of fire, acid, and poison. With the difference being a darker tint in Shamac's attacks, thanks to the influence of his shadow.

"You should die by your own attacks." He muttered.

The flames consumed the monster, while acid and poison enveloped the monster as it once again wiggled due to the sharp and sudden sensation of the burning attack.

"Skreeeeeee!!!!!" It screeched, its eyes bulging in desperation and pain.

"The three gases mixed and created a massive spark, causing a giant explosion.

"BOOMMMM!!!!"

The Hydra's body was bombarded by this huge eruption, causing its entire body to get corroded, burnt, and withered. The blast sent its body parts flying about, its tail, chunks of its trunks, and its heads were dislocated due to the shockwave.

"I forgot to tell you… My Hydra is just a little better than you." Shamac smiled.

The explosion his construct caused superseded any of the Hydra's.

The explosion caused massive waves of dust and smoke, filling the entire area with whitish-grey elements.

"W-Wow…." Talia muttered as she stared at the chaotic world beyond the Hex barrier she was in.

Suddenly, a great gust of wind blew, causing the smoke all around to clear instantly. As everything became visible, it was clear that Shamac had used his construct's tail to sweep away the dust everywhere.

"Urgh, I hate dust…" He muttered.

With the dust cleared, and everything within the room clearly visible, Ana and Talia could do nothing but look around them in wonder as they saw chunks of monster parts. The blood of the monster dripped from the wall, oozing all about. The devastated mash of Hydra meat hung everywhere even the ceiling, thanks to the blast that sent the body tearing apart.

"… I'm done," Shamac said, moving closer to the group.

Everyone was shocked by the fight, the feats he displayed, and the sadistic nature he had established… Everybody except one…

[MY TURN]

Impressive.

Shamac entirely dominated the fight, a style similar to mine. He must be trying to mimic me by prolonging a fight he could end very quickly, gaining thrill as he watches the opponent bathe in despair and helplessness.

"Like master, like servant, eh?" I muttered.

"Boss! How did I do?" Shamac came to be and asked with a cheerful smile.

Looks like he's back to normal. He looks nothing like the sadistic and cold person who fought the Hydra. He can keep these two sides of himself separate, a feat that I have to commend.

As his master I should praise him, shouldn't I?

"Well done Shamac, very impressive." I smiled.

"Really?" He beamed.

"Yes, truly you have met my expectations"

After this reply, I placed my hand on his shoulder and smiled at him with reassurance.

During our time training together, for 50 days I taught him the most. Since he had two different sides to his ability, it took twice as much work. But it was well worth it.

He doesn't even appear to be exhausted. Now, we'll be advancing to the 5th floor, my target location.

The hidden passage to the 5th floor opened up since we have subjugated the Boss Monster. The body parts of the monster began to shimmer as they turned into particles.

"W-What's going on?" Shamac asked, wondering whether something was wrong with the prey had just had hunted.

"That's just the respawning effect. After we leave this floor, it'll return the monster to its original state" I replied.

"What? Why?!" Shamac protested.

"It's to maintain balance and equal chances to everyone. If we subjugate all the monsters as we proceed, what happens to those on the lower floors? When they reach the floor we have left, do you expect them not to fight any monster?"

Upon hearing this, Shamac calmed himself and considered my words.

"Besides, the Hydra you fought is also a respawned version. Others have arrived here before us, since we got transported to the 3rd floor, it only makes sense that some will be ahead of us." I added.

"That's true… It all makes sense…" He muttered.

Of course. after all, I designed this system. The respawning effects work the same way my 'Causality Reversal' Hex does. Since everything here was designed by me, I can return them to their original state, even in death.

I set it to an automatic function, so the effects kick in whether I want to or not.

"But what about the Chimera I faced? I didn't see any glowing erm… Respawning effect" Talia said.

"That's true… I also didn't notice anything." Ana muttered.

Of course, nothing would happen. Take a just mindlessly rushed in and pummeled the monster, killing it off before the Respawn effects could even have a chance to take place.

"The system kicks in after a particular amount of time. The Dungeon Boss, Chimera, wasn't supposed to have been defeated so easily and quickly. That's why no Respawn effect took place immediately. I'm sure after we left, it was applied." I explained.

"O-Oh… Haha," Talia laughed sheepishly.

What a dunce. Unlike her, Shamac took his time to savor the fight with his opponent, learning and growing from the experience. Nothing profitable comes from a quick end in a fight. But, once a fight is dragged out, more information can be obtained.

That's one of the reasons I prolong my fights. It's not profitable to instantly defeat my enemies, except for small fry who can't even be considered to be a threat to me.

"That's enough of that… It's time for us to advance"

"Let us move on," I said, walking to the passageway leading to the 5th Floor.

The rest followed behind me excitedly, anticipating the next crazy thing we would see.

[MEANWHILE]

"So… Where are they now?" A lady dressed in white, a long white coat, donned with golden accessories, such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

Her white hair flowed, nearly reaching the tip of the ground, and flawless skin glowed in the brightly lit room. She was staring at a young girl before her.

"They are now proceeding to the 5th floor." The young girl responded, her eyes closed as she concentrated on something else so she could see the group they were after.

"And she's still with them?" The white-clad lady asked.

"Yes, Lady Lauria is in their company…"

"Alright. Well done, Sofia. I'm tired of waiting for them on this floor… We're going down to get them!" She said with a resolved look.

"Understood, Lady Gratiana."