Many would be surprised at what Atticus had just decided to do, and truly, it was a cause for surprise.
The beast was a master rank!
It wasn't about it being 2 sub levels above him; it was the fact that it was an entire rank above him.
Fighting an individual in a higer sub rank and another in a higher rank than you was wholly different from each other.
Each rank increase does more than increase your mana level and power; each increase brings about a qualitative change to the individual's being.
And this was especially apparent in higher ranks like master rank.
It was exactly because of the apparent difference in strength that Atticus had been found out so easily even when he was using the ethereal cloak art to move.
But as if reading his mind, before Atticus could react, an intense black veil suddenly burst out from underneath him, his whole form immediately enveloped in an inky blackness.
....
Back in the control room, each of the operators watching the scene couldn't help but let out an audible sigh.
"Looks like that's that. We better end this and move the beast to another location, Miss Isabella," one of the operators suggested, addressing Isabella respectfully.
After what had just happened, none of them dared try to be free with her anymore.
Hearing his words, the rest of the operators couldn't help but agree with him.
What had just enshrouded Atticus was one of the beast's powerful attacks, Shadow Veil.
Apart from the fact that the beast was two whole ranks above Atticus, he was currently in its natural habitat, a very disadvantageous situation for him.
The fact that Atticus had been easily caught by that attack spoke volumes about the disparity of power between them.
They had all been initially shocked when Atticus had evaded the beasts sneak attack and thought he would actually be able to last longer. However, reality was a harsh mistress.
But unlike what they were expecting, Isabella remained completely silent. They each turned their gazes towards her and were shocked to see her lips had curled up to an intense grin, her eyes still tightly glued to the screen.
Turning their gazes back to the screen, they all experienced another shock at what they saw.
The control room instantly went silent once again, all eyes focused on the screen.
...
A few seconds ago.
'Looks like I have to use it,' Atticus thought.
The veil was currently enshrouding his vision, even going as far as to restrict his movements.
Ever since Atticus had awakened this element, he had always used it sparingly and never out of training.
It was one part because he didn't want people to find out he had other elements apart from the basic four, and another part because he had never needed to use it.
There was only one way to fight intense darkness, and that was with intense light.
Atticus focused on one of the elements he hardly ever used, and instantly his form became cloaked in an eruption of blinding radiance.
From the outside, it appeared as though beams of light were piercing through the shadowy shroud enveloping Atticus from every conceivable angle.
With a sudden, intense eruption, the blinding light shattered the veil, instantly illuminating the entire cavern.
SCHREEEECCCHHHHH!!
The beast emitted another agonized scream in response to the sudden burst of light, utilizing some of its tendrils to shield its eyes.
Determined to eliminate the source of light, the tendrils above the beast coiled like springs, their sharp ends gleaming with a dangerous glint.
At a blinding speed, numerous tendrils shot toward Atticus's radiant form in the air, each targeting every inch of his body.
Atticus immediately stimulated his light bloodline with his mana becoming attuned to the light element.
He heightened his perception to full power, causing the initially supersonic movements of the tendrils to seemingly slow down.
And then, akin to sunlight filtering through leaves, Atticus performed a mesmerizing dance in the air, easily weaving through the numerous dangerous tentacles.
Undeterred, the beast shot even more tendrils, an incalculable number of tendrils immediately filling the air, all darting towards his form.
Atticus's movements were fluid and graceful, mimicking the gentle sway of beams as he gracefully evaded each tendril with ease.
Swiftly retaliating, fireballs flickered to life behind him, their massive forms instantly shooting towards the enormous beast.
But before they could even get close to the beast, tendrils of darkness suddenly enveloped each fireball, extinguishing their forms in an instant.
Before Atticus could comprehend what had happened, another shroud of darkness enveloped him once again.
But Atticus wasn't one to fall for something twice.
He instantaneously released another eruption of blinding light, swiftly dispersing the veil.
But his eyes couldn't help but widened the next instant as a beam of darkness, shot from the beast's maw, materialized inches away from his form.
'It's too late to dodge,' Atticus realized, crossing his arms in front of him and focusing every bit of light surrounding him as a protective shield.
The beam struck his form with great force, propelling him through the air.
Atticus's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered something, swiftly turning his body and facing his hands upwards.
He immediately released a massive burst, stopping his momentum and preventing his form from impaling itself on the sharp stalagmites protruding from the ceiling.
Without even letting him breathe, another dark beam was instantly directed toward his airborne form.
Just as Atticus was about to move out of the way, he instantly felt his body go weak. His whole body felt sluggish, as though he had to apply considerable effort to move.
'The dark beam!' He swiftly identified the cause.
Atticus had felt some kind of draining sensation when the beam had appeared close to him, which was exactly why he had used the light element to protect himself.
But even at that, it had still affected him a great deal.
'Looks like it's time to stop playing.'
Atticus's gaze suddenly turned cold, his right hand gravitating towards the katana hilt on his left waist.