Chapter 260: Cursed Arcana vs Blessed Arcana

Reiji realized that the Cursed Arcana has been waiting for him inside the Confinement Array… 

The Sentient Shinai felt someone trying to invade his consciousness! Not just that, the Trident seems to be trying to take control of his body!

'Your last-ditch effort, huh…'

"Getting rid of me won't be easy…" Reiji realized the opponent's method of attack.

It's an attack that targets the opponent's mind which he's very familiar with.

If Reiji would make a guess, what was happening to him was similar to his Slave Marker.

The Trident Arcana may have been weakened greatly, but it seems that it's not giving up.

Nevertheless, Reiji can strengthen his will and power through his Arcane Magic.

Sword's Will! 

Sword Intent!

Aside from these two, he also has a title that he received before.

Inspired Arcana!

Though its main function is intimidation or pressure resistance, this title still helps him resist any abnormal status ailments!

The good thing about this title is that it doesn't consume his energy or mental strength at all unlike his Cleanse Ability. So this would allow him to focus on using other skills as he continues his combat against the Cursed Arcana.

"Very well… Let's see who's stronger!" Reiji wouldn't back down in this kind of battle. It will also test his control with Arcane Magic. In most of the battles he fought with, he would use his physical form to attack and defeat his enemies. However, right now,  he felt like he's some sort of Magician as he uses various arcane abilities to defeat his opponent.

'Sword Slave Marker!'

Reiji used his level 8 slave marker ability… Now, this is indeed a matter of having the strongest will to resist their opponent's attack.

However, instead of worrying or getting scared, Reiji heard the Trident Arcana laughing again!

"Hahaha! A Slave Marker! You're indeed one of Nero's subordinates! You deserve to die!"

The trident laughed maniacally as he increased the intensity of his Mind Control… 

The lake started vibrating and creating waves as they got closer to each other.

However, one can notice that the Trident is trying to move away from Reiji while the latter advances. It seems it is afraid of doing physical contact while his other skills are activated.

Apparently, because of the current situation where they are attacking their opponent's consciousness, they are unable to properly control their bodies as they might get disrupted and let the opponent take over their minds… 

Once they give a chance to their enemy, the latter would surely exploit it and take control of the other. They have to be careful!

But suddenly, Reiji realized that the Trident's Mind Control was a bit weaker! This allowed him to have enough strength to push himself in the Trident's direction…

The Cursed Arcana realized this but he's unable to dodge him… After all, he's still trying to resist Reiji's Sword Slave Marker!

Tap!

'Appraisal!'

Finally! After touching the black trident made of unknown steel, Reiji used his ability.

[ Name: Szaaz ] 

[ Form: Sentient Trident ] 

[ Type: Ancient Cursed Arcana ] 

[ Rank: Mythical ]

[ Durability: 6/320 ] 

[ Title: Unknown ] 

[ Skills: Unknown ] 

[ Patron: Crol the Deity of the Deadly Poisons ]

Then as he was checking the Arcana's details, he noticed that its Durability suddenly went up by 1!

[ Durability: 7/320 ] 

'What kind of cheat ability is this? He can repair himself? That's not fair!' Reiji complained a bit since he had to use the power of his wielder to get repaired. 

Ahh!

He also found out that the Trident's Mind Control is getting stronger. His skills are barely holding on!

[ Sword Slave Marker Failed! ] 

[ Sword Slave Marker Failed! ] 

'Tsk… I thought he's already weak? He can still resist this?'

Sword Slave Marker!

Sword Slave Marker!

Sword Slave Marker!

He cast the Marker multiple times to try to overpower the trident!

"Ugh! You're strong, young Arcana! However, you're still too inexperienced! Take my Vampiric Aura! Even your Master, wouldn't think of being trapped with me!"

The Trident doesn't seem to be scared at the multiple Slave Marker that was cast on him.

On the other hand, he seemed to be getting more and more confident as their battle drags on. 

"You're talking nonsense. I've been ignoring you with that Nero thing, but I guess I really have to say, I'm not following his orders and he's not my Master!" Reiji answered as he no longer hesitated and used all his support skills!

Apparently, as soon as the Trident used his Vampiric Aura, he received a notification that greatly alarmed him.

[ Your Durability has decreased by 10. ] 

[ Your Durability has decreased by 10. ]

[ Your Durability has decreased by 10. ]

[ Your Durability has decreased by 10. ]

Just like that, 40 Points in his Durability was eaten up! This skill is something that any Arcana would want to have!

Then, as his Durability decreased, he saw the Trident Arcana's Durability rank up!

[ Durability: 49/320 ] 

It seems that he didn't just remove a part of his durability but taken it as well! What a terrifying ability! 

He already has the skill to slowly recover them, however, he wasn't satisfied with that as he even possessed a stealing skill!

'What's with this Ancient Cursed Arcana?! Why is he so strong?!'

Reiji complained again. 

However, he knows that once he managed to take this guy as his Slave, he would greatly benefit from it!

[ You have resisted Mind Control ] 

[ You have resisted Mind Control ] 

[ You have resisted Mind Control ] 

'Good! Finally, I can focus now!'

Reiji celebrated a little as he no longer has to worry about being controlled.

Void Slash! Open!

Then, all the water that is slowly being turned into toxic disappeared! 

Reiji had actually noticed that this Cursed Trident is secretly affecting the water and although the amount is negligible, he didn't want to take the risk as the Arcana is unexpectedly full of surprises!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The Trident dropped to the ground as his Vampiric Aura was finally canceled!

However, a total of 60 points was already taken from his Durability! 

What a terrifying Arcana!

Then, Reiji noticed that his opponent seem to be unable to move! In fact, the Cursed Arcana did not even use a floating ability to stop himself from dropping on the ground!

Perhaps, the forced cancelation of the Vampiric Aura resulted in backlash…

'A chance!' He wouldn't waste such an opportunity!

Reiji used his Overload and slammed himself at the Trident!

Aside from that, he used his maximum ability to put the Trident in a heavier weight!

Bam!

Reiji pinned the trident on the ground…

"You—What's this?! Is this another confinement?!" 

In truth, the Trident was actually celebrating the disappearance of the holy water!

Though he was caught off guard and received a backlash from forcefully canceling his ability, it was still alright since he will now be able to release most of his strength with the disappearance of water that was suppressing him!

He was actually thinking that this young Arcana was an idiot for being too full of himself.

However, he realized that as soon as he was slammed by the wooden sword, he was completely unable to move and gather his strength! He felt extremely heavy and that he would continuously be absorbed by the ground due to his weight!

Aside from that, he realized that the Durability he had stolen has already decreased by half!

'This hateful wooden sword! He has too many surprises!' The Trident Sword couldn't believe what's happening.

Even if he says that he's not ordered by Nero, he would not believe it! He came too prepared with his abilities!

His Self-Destruction, his Mind Control, his Vampiric Aura, and his method of fighting, it was completely read by this Sentient Arcana.

It means that he's aware of who will he be fighting with!

As he was pinned on the ground, he can only use his Arcane Magic to fight back.s 

However, he suddenly felt a warm sensation within his whole body as he felt like he wanted to sleep…

'Ahh… I'm too tired, I guess resting for a bit would be fine.' This was his first thought after feeling such a warm sensation…

However, he was suddenly jolted as he recalled something!

'That's his Slaver Marker! Crap! He almost caught me there!' The Trident focused his mind. For some reason, the sword is not planning on breaking him but to take control of him. If he resisted well and countered with his Mind Control at the right time, he might be able to turn the situation.

However, he suddenly changed his mind…

'But… it's too tiring to resist… Haa~ This guy is so lucky… I can only exert 10% of my power here in this array. I will surely destroy this Arcana if we met outside. Anyway, maybe serving him wouldn't be bad… No---I don't like serving someone! He should be serving me! Wait, perhaps I can serve him and he can serve me? Oh…'

As the Trident reached this thought, his mind defense has completely collapsed.

[ Sword Slave Marker Successful! ] 

Finally! Reiji captured a powerful Sentient Arcana!