Russell screamed, the sound more like a shriek than a human voice.
The life essence inside him was being frantically drained by a cold, sinister force. His skin visibly lost its luster, growing dry and ashen.
"Get... out of me!"
At death's door, Russell unleashed a desperate will to survive unlike anything he had ever felt. He bit down hard on his tongue and spat out a mouthful of blood essence. His aura, which had been weakened by the suppression of his Star Constellation, surged once more.
The Slaughter Sha Bone Sword in his hand let out a mournful wail, as if it couldn't withstand this power. A streak of blood-red sword energy gathered along its blade, then slashed back toward Russell's own body!
The sword energy wasn't a physical attack. It passed straight through Russell and struck the shadow clinging to him.
"Ciii—"
The shadow let out a shrill hiss, as if seared by a branding iron, and sprang away from Russell.
Seizing the chance, Russell scrambled back more than ten meters. His face was as pale as paper as he gulped for breath.
The shadow twisted in midair, seeming ready to pounce again.
A cruel glint flashed in Russell's eyes. He gave it no chance, forcing what remained of his strength into a second, even more solid streak of blood-red sword energy that swept across the air.
The shadow shrieked again as the sword energy struck it. Its form grew even more indistinct, and it circled uncertainly in midair, no longer daring to approach.
Russell's eyes were bloodshot, his expression that of a madman. The bone sword flew from his hand, becoming a streak of pale light. It traced an intricate path through the air before stopping above his head.
An invisible pulse spread outward from the bone