Chapter 42

I was thrown into the Astral Plane.

Even here, in the astral, the distant roar of screaming souls echoed. A minute passed as the space contracted, forming a massive island. I was hurled toward it at tremendous speed. I would have died if not for my enhanced durability and instant healing. With my entire mental body, I felt the weight of unseen gazes upon me. These were entities so vast that their attention alone pierced through me. I sensed their anger and contempt.

"I don’t care about your opinions. I’ll achieve what I set out to do."

As if in response to my words, corpses began raining from the sky—a bombardment of bodies. I used a boulder as a shield. Even with my resistance, such impacts could have killed me. They intensified their assault, shattering even the rock. These weren’t spirits or zombies—they were the possessed.

Killing them wasn’t enough—I had to burn their bodies. I struck, broke, and incinerated them. All eleven of my energy streams focused into a single spark of flame. Each shot reduced a body to ashes—no chance of resurrection.

Once the possessed were gone, a tide of creatures surged from the astral onto the island. Magic, arrows, spears, and swords struck me. I was frozen, burned, crushed under stones. I lost track of time, but I would never surrender. The onslaught only grew—I had to change tactics.

The island’s highest point was a lone cliff. Leaping 30 meters at a time, I dashed toward it. At the peak, I drew my bow and returned fire. The sheer energy I channeled into my arrows made the astral plane tremble and warp. I fended off climbers while dodging larger projectiles. Enemy arrows and spells couldn’t touch me.

I turned the tide—they began retreating. When the island stood empty again, I felt those furious gazes upon me once more.

"You think I’ll fear you? That you can kill me just because you wish it? I don’t care who you are—I’ll take what I want."

The answer came as an unknown force split the entire island in half. A sword—or something like it—had cleaved through. Its wielder moved too fast to see. Yet, at the last moment, I glimpsed who it was.

Someone charged straight at me—but in that instant, I was already being ejected from the astral. My shock was absolute when I realized: it was me, in the form of a demon, sword in hand. The blade glowed, and I was certain it was the counterpart to my bow. A fierce desire burned in me—I had to possess it.

Bone Astral Sword.

The Chimerologist sought to forge a blade that embodied his very essence. Bound to its wielder by soul and body, the sword is an extension of its master.

Effect: Allows the creation and magical infusion of a bone sword. Its durability scales with the wielder’s endurance. Maximum charge equals the owner’s mana pool. Charge rate depends on spirit stat.

Requirement: Out-of-tier ability.

I hadn’t obtained an item—I’d gained a Chimera-type ability. So, in the astral, they’d tried to kill me with my own weapon? I’d created something magnificent, awe-inspiring… and terrifyingly powerful. That thing on the island was my sword—and it was me!