Phantom covonent: Spiritbound Ascension

Someone who learns fast

Arman stood firm, facing the five Voidborns inside the shattered jewelry shop. The air was thick with malice, the darkness around them pulsing with unseen energy.

The spirit energy coating his hands began to solidify, taking the shape of glowing red gauntlets. The energy surged through his body, filling him with an unfamiliar yet exhilarating strength.

His spirit's voice echoed in his mind.

"Listen, I'll give you 5% of my power. Your body cannot handle more than that right now. You'll have to fight within this limit."

As soon as the words registered, Arman felt it. A strange yet thrilling sensation coursed through him. His muscles tensed, his senses sharpened, and for the first time—he felt truly powerful.

"Wow… what is this feeling? It's like I could take down a sumo wrestler with one punch!"

His spirit chuckled. "A sumo wrestler? Kid, with this power, you can do a lot more than that."

Then, something unexpected happened.

The red energy of his gauntlets shifted, streaks of violet intertwining with the crimson glow until the entire structure changed. The red became a pattern, while the dominant hue was now deep violet.

"What the—?! Why did my energy change color?" Arman asked in surprise.

"Simple," his spirit answered. "Red is the color of your energy. Violet is mine. Right now, you have more of my energy flowing through you than your own—that's why the color changed. But don't focus on that. Your concern should be: how will you fight them?"

A smirk formed on Arman's lips.

"Oh, I know exactly how."

He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the gauntlets. His body shifted into a loose, fluid stance.

"I used to be a huge Gruce Lee fan when I was younger. I learned Jeet Kune Do because of him. I can use that."

"Then stop talking and fight!" the spirit urged.

Arman exhaled sharply, his stance lowering slightly. His eyes scanned the Voidborns, analyzing their movements.

"These things… they aren't fully developed yet," he muttered to himself. "They're not as strong as the one I fought in the mall."

Then, he locked eyes with the man in the dark brown coat.

"Listen," Arman said, his voice unwavering. "I am not joining you. Do whatever you want, but I'll fight until my last breath."

The man's expression darkened.

"Very well then," he said.

And then—his voice twisted into a demonic growl.

"DIE."

One of the Voidborns, the same one that had attacked meera, lunged forward. Its clawed hand shot toward Arman's chest.

But this time, Arman was ready.

He executed Stop Hit—his fist intercepted the Voidborn's attack mid-swing. A shockwave pulsed outward from the impact, rattling the broken jewelry displays.

The Voidborn snarled in frustration, its glowing red eyes flaring.

Arman followed up instantly. With two fingers, he jabbed straight toward its face. Finger Jab.

His fingers stabbed into its eyes.

The Voidborn let out a piercing shriek, clawing at its face in agony. Black mist poured from its wounds, its body writhing violently.

Arman didn't stop.

He pulled back his fist, gathering his energy. The violet and red aura around his gauntlets began swirling like a vortex.

Then—he struck.

His Straight Lead Punch connected directly with the Voidborn's ribs.

The impact was devastating.

A powerful shockwave exploded outward, sending shattered glass and debris flying. A gust of wind pressure blasted through the store as the Voidborn's chest caved inward—and then, just as suddenly, a hole was torn through its torso.

The creature let out a final gurgling noise.

Then—it collapsed.

A silence fell over the room.

Arman stared at the lifeless body of the Voidborn. His first true kill.

"…It's dead."

For a moment, he felt relieved. But then, a disturbing thought entered his mind.

He swallowed hard before asking, "Spirit… isn't there any way to save the human inside? Without killing them?"

His spirit paused.

Then, with a tone heavier than before, it answered.

"There is."

Arman's heart skipped a beat. "Then—"

"But you are not capable of it right now. If you hesitate, you'll die. So for now, just focus on saving yourself."

Arman clenched his fists. His resolve hardened.

"…Fine."

He lifted his gaze.

Four more Voidborns remained.

And he wasn't done fighting yet.

Suddenly, the air near the man in the dark brown coat began to distort. A ripple in space formed beside him, black particles swirling like a miniature storm. The distortion grew, warping into the shape of a dark, ominous gate.

The man turned to Arman, pointing directly at him.

"If you manage to survive this—though I already know you will—think again. The King chose you himself."

With that, he stepped into the swirling darkness. The gate snapped shut behind him, leaving nothing but an unsettling silence.

Arman exhaled sharply. Huh. Whatever.

He cracked his neck and clenched his fists, turning back to the remaining four Voidborns.

"Let's finish this."

Overwhelmed

Before he could react, all four Voidborns attacked at the same time.

One smashed a fist into Arman's face—but before he could stumble, another Voidborn grabbed his waist, holding him in place.

BAM!

A vicious punch struck his jaw, sending a jolt of pain through his skull. His vision blurred for a split second before another Voidborn delivered a side kick, launching him backward.

Arman's body crashed into a shattered display case, glass shards digging into his arms.

"Damn it!" he muttered, spitting out blood.

He barely had time to breathe before another Voidborn lunged at him. Arman twisted his body to dodge, but the creature's fist clipped his stomach.

Pain exploded through his ribs. He gasped, a small trickle of blood escaping his lips.

"Tch… they're not as strong as the mall Voidborn, but they still pack a punch," he thought grimly.

Then, an idea struck him.

"Spirit! In the mall, how did you fire that bullet from your finger?"

His spirit seemed caught off guard by the question.

"Oh, you mean Spirit Bullet? It's simple. You have to condense your energy on your fingertip and—"

The spirit didn't even get to finish.

Arman had already raised his hand, his index finger glowing with a fierce violet-red aura.

"Spirit Bullet!"

BOOM!

A streak of energy shot from his finger, piercing straight through a Voidborn's skull.

The left side of its head erupted in blood and black mist, its body twitching violently before collapsing to the ground.

Even the remaining Voidborns hesitated.

Arman looked at his smoking fingertip, his chest rising and falling.

"What the hell are you, kid?" his spirit muttered, stunned.

A smirk tugged at Arman's lips.

"Someone who learns fast."