GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 16.1: Breakpoint Behemoth

Vel focused on the behemoth's movements, calculating each step. The creature's dark eyes tracked him, its massive body tensing before it struck. When its right tusk swung toward him, Vel ducked underneath, feeling the air displacement as it passed overhead. The left razor paw swiped next—too fast to evade completely. Instead of trying to dodge, Vel angled his borrowed sword to deflect the blow, redirecting its momentum.

The impact still sent vibrations up his arm, nearly wrenching the weapon from his grip. His entire body shuddered from the force, but he maintained his footing.

It's so much stronger now, Vel thought, gritting his teeth. The Voidtainted transformation had amplified its already formidable strength to terrifying levels.

The behemoth reared up, preparing to bring both front legs crashing down directly onto Vel. There was no way to deflect this—the sheer weight would crush him instantly.

As Vel braced himself to leap backward, an arrow whistled through the air, striking the behemoth's right eye. The creature howled, its downward slam veering off-target as it thrashed in pain.

Vel glanced briefly toward Mora, who was already nocking another arrow. That's gold-rank archery for you, he thought with appreciation. Her timing couldn't have been more perfect.

Taking advantage of the monster's distraction, Celia darted behind it, her rapier probing for gaps in its armored hide. She moved with precision, each step calculated to keep her just beyond the reach of its thrashing tail.

"Guardian's Oath!" The sergeant's voice rang out across the battlefield.

She extended her sword toward Vel, the blade glowing softly. Energy flowed from it, enveloping his arms in a gentle radiance.

Instantly, Vel felt the change. The borrowed sword seemed to lose half its weight, and his once-exhausted arms felt rejuvenated and powerful. Each movement became crisper, more decisive.

A combat enhancement, he realized. He'd heard of such abilities but had never experienced one himself.

"Your strikes will have more power now!" the sergeant called. "Make them count!"

With renewed strength flowing through his arms, Vel pressed his attack. The enhanced sword felt like an extension of his will as he targeted the behemoth's wounded front leg—the same joint he'd struck with his ice lance. Each slash carried devastating force, biting deep into flesh and sinew.

The creature favored its injured limb, shifting weight to its unwounded legs. This made its movements predictable—exactly what Vel needed. When it pivoted left to avoid his strikes, Vel was already there, sword carving through exposed muscle.

Behind the behemoth, Celia's rapier found purchase between armor plates, her precise thrusts drawing dark blood. Mora's arrows continued their deadly rhythm, each shot timing perfectly to disrupt the creature's slam attacks before they could build momentum.

The sergeant maintained her position, sword glowing as she sustained the enhancement flowing through Vel's weapon.

We can actually do this, Vel thought, dodging another swipe. Their coordination was working—

The behemoth suddenly coiled backward, muscles bunching in a familiar pattern. But instead of targeting Vel, its burning eyes fixed on the sergeant.

"Watch out!" Vel screamed.

But instead of lunging forward as expected, the behemoth reared its massive head back and let out a deafening roar. Dark energy coalesced around its tusks, condensing into glowing projectiles that shot forward with terrifying speed.

No way, Vel thought in shock, the creature can use projectile spells? Nothing in his knowledge of behemoths included ranged attacks like this. The void corruption had fundamentally changed its abilities.

Without conscious thought, Vel threw himself forward. In the split second before impact, he positioned himself directly in front of the sergeant, his body becoming a human shield.

The dark projectiles slammed into him with devastating force. Each impact felt like being struck by a hammer, driving the air from his lungs. Only the golden shimmer of Landre's Light Blessing prevented the darkness from penetrating deeper.

Pain lanced through Vel's entire body as he staggered backward. His interface flashed a warning—his HP had dropped to below half. Without the Light Blessing's protection, he would've been killed instantly.

Vel gasped for breath, each inhale sending fresh waves of agony through his chest. The sergeant steadied him from behind, her eyes wide with shock at his sacrifice.

"Stay back!" Vel managed to wheeze to Celia, who looked ready to rush to his side. He needed her to maintain her distance—her speed was their advantage, but only if she stayed mobile.

Across the battlefield, Mora was already drawing her bow, aiming to disrupt the behemoth as it gathered dark energy around its tusks for another volley. But the angle wasn't in her favor—tusks obscured her shot. She needed to reposition, but that would take precious seconds they didn't have.

Vel could see the dark projectiles forming again. He couldn't withstand another barrage, and neither could the sergeant.

With no time to think, Vel raised his hand toward the behemoth, drawing on one of his simplest but most reliable spells.

"Air Cutter!" he yelled.