Chapter 447: The Rules Of The Tower

Klang!

The shadowy figure of the demon didn't hesitate as soon as my Darkness elements were released as an identical sword formed in its hand, using it to strike my sword as well as the arm that held it!

'Interesting…'

This reaction quickly gave birth to a few speculations in mind as I used the sword to guard the attack instead of avoiding it, causing the illusory sound of weapons clashing.

'So it's like that.'

However, the source of the was nothing like one would expect, it wasn't produced due to metal clashing, it was in fact produced from the clashing between the shadowy figure's sword and the Darkness elements that coated my sword!

Furthermore, though I didn't receive much impact from the clash, I could definitely feel a part of the Darkness elements detaching itself from my sword as a result, piquing my curiosity once more.

Klang!

'What about this?'

Keeping my thoughts to myself, I immediately started moving as I used the 'Duplication' to produce a longsword in my other hand, swinging it as the shadowy figure while blocking his second strike with my Darkness coated sword.

Woosh!

'Really…?'

The only sound that could be heard was that of the wind produced by the quickness of the sword swing, just as if it was attacking an immaterial ghost.

This naturally proved the mental imprint's claim regarding the ineffectiveness of anything other than Darkness elements in the process of its purification, but the effectiveness of the Darkness elements themselves was yet to be proven…

Using 'Elemental Armament' on my other sword as I continued guarding with the other, I slashed at the unarmed hand of the shadowy figure to receive the answer.

Just like it had reacted almost instantly to my first use of 'Elemental Armament', the shadowy figure's other hand was in the process of materializing another sword, but it didn't manage to do whatever it planned to do as I didn't hold back my speed this time.

Klang!

The same clashing sound resounded as if to point out that the shadowy figure was made of whatever his sword was made of, but the most important point was that the slash not only managed to connect this time, but it even managed to cut two fingers from the shadowy figure's hand.

The shadowy figure's grip on the sword that completed its materialization was shaky due to the lack of the fingers it lost trying to attack my other sword. Though its form was closer to that of a shadow, the shadowy figure's hand didn't show any signs of regenerating anytime soon…

With everything that transpired in mind, I had one last speculation to confirm as I delivered a thought to the mental connection I had with the crystal card, quickly seeing the reaction I expected!

The swords in the shadowy figure's hands disappeared as a long spear materialized in its uninjured hand before it reached out the other one to hold the spear with both hands.

'I see…'

Not bothering to block the shadowy figure's dashing attack which it initiated as soon as it took control of the long spear, I dodged to the side as I consolidated the information I obtained in the exchange that lasted less than a minute.

'This could actually be helpful in more than one way!'

The ability of the crystal card to shape the 'personified' enemies as well as their weapons according to the user's thoughts made it seem more like its main use was training instead of purification, and though I wasn't able to set the extent of the enemy's skills with the weapons, it still showed a lot of promise.

The shadowy figure's weapon skills were indeed quite low, barely comparable to that of a level 2 or 3 beginner weapon skill, but that was merely the ability of the first floor's enemy, it was quite possible that the crystal card set the skills according to each floor, especially since it was a 'tower climbing' themed tool.

'Next is…'

Now that I had a basic understanding of the way the crystal card worked, it was time to get serious, the main point was to see the effect of this whole show on the Corruption that is lodged into my Darkness elements.

Klang! Klang! Klang!

Acting at full speed, my swords exchanged between striking and blocking, aiming at both arms to destroy the shadowy figure's ability to attack, I wouldn't have done that if I wanted to use the training aspect of the tool, but the shadowy figure's ability was currently too limited to have any effect. 

'Oho…'

The tactic proved effective, but the shadowy figure's ability still had something in store that was enough to give me a small surprise…

No matter how much strength or speed I invested into my attacks, the damage they gave the shadowy figure was simply constant. It was barely possible to disfigure the shadowy demon bit by bit, the attacks simply didn't go all the way when slicing, it took over five slashes to completely cut off one of the shadowy figure's arms.

'So it's completely reliant on elemental damage…'

The mental imprint's words proved even more true than expected, 'Lightning Cloud' that lacked a Darkness vein was completely useless regardless of its 'Epic' status. It was a battle that would be better fought using the basic ability of forming weapons using 'Elemental Armament'.

'It's true that it's uncomfortable, but…'

Such a fight made me feel as if I was simply holding a dull knife, being incapable of using the entirety of my striking power felt awkward. The little Darkness elements I had just absorbed not too long ago were extremely inefficient to rely on.

However, no matter how it felt, the fight could be considered progressing smoothly as my repeated attacks managed to rid the shadowy figure of both its arms, it was now incapable of attack… or so I thought.

Left with nothing to hold weapons with, the shadowy figure didn't materialize any, instead, it simply rushed to slam me with what was left of its body.

Appearing both laughable yet petty invoking, I directed both my swords towards the shadowy figure's neck, it was time to end its misery.