Chapter 256 Second Phase



Scratch Seth's earlier words on Zuroc just being stronger than Edwin, despite giving off qi that should put him at the solid stage 9th Kaiser level, Zuroc was leagues stronger than Edwin whom Seth was sure was at the same level.

Despite losing the ability to cast destructive and earth-turning qi techniques, Seth could always rely on his superior strength to deal with the enemy, but Zuroc was proving not to be one of such enemies.

Though his strength clearly fell short of Seth's, it was nothing to scoff at, and with the two kicks which he had received from the man, Seth could vouch for his strength.

Though they hadn't begun using their qi, Seth could already see his head leaving his shoulders if things continued as they were. 

If he couldn't beat the man in a contest that involved Seth's strongest point, then how could he handle the man when he began incorporating qi in his attacks.

Whether it was the gruesome blood ritual that Seth had witnessed that gave Zuroc such physic or the man was born with some bloodline, Seth wasn't sure, but what he knew was that he would have to go to the extreme if he wanted to win.

After declaring that he was going to kill Zuroc, Seth shot toward the man and went in for another round of combat.

Having already had a taste of Zuroc's fighting style, Seth decided to change his approach, instead of trying to make use of his weapon's long reach, he began keeping his swings close, this having the effect of diminishing his attack rate to almost zero and keeping him on the defensive.

"I thought I was fighting a man not a turtle," Zuroc said with a chuckle, "though you aren't the most skilled of fighters, your strength makes up for a lot of your inadequacy."

"You're like a bear in a human's body" Zuroc mocked with a smile.

"Alright, I think it's time we stopped playing around, I felt the strength of your qi when you breathed out your flames, your qi was nothing but impressive"

"I hoped to have an enjoyable battle with you, but your physical combat skills have disappointed me, and I can't help but blame myself for thinking too much and expecting you to be both proficient in using your  qi and body"

"Let's start using qi, I hope this won't also be a disappointment" Zuroc offhandedly said, having completely given up on Seth being a serious opponent and was now just passing the time. 

Hearing Zuroc's words, a complicated expression came over Seth's face, the feeling of being mocked was not a nice one.

Other than to use his qi to enhance his physical stats, Seth didn't have much use for it.

With him losing his space ring in Monwac, he had no more seals to use his 'by my hand" techniques.

There was the finger beam which was good for stunning enemies, but if he wanted o use it to inflict damage he would have to begin losing his fingers and that was if he was using it on regular level 9 mortals, imagining how many fingers he would have to use if he wished to use the technique on Zuroc, Seth internally shivered.

"Fine "Seth chuckled," let's kick this up a notch," he said and with those words his qi began spilling out of his body, cracking the ground all around him and bringing about a powerful wind blowing all around him.

"Powerful" Zuroc couldn't help but comment, his disappointed eyes being reignited with a hopeful flame, but before he could have another go at Seth, a loud explosion sounded from afar and Seung quickly hurried over to his side and whispered some things to him.

Watching them talk, Seth pretended not to have an idea of what they were talking about and kept his face stoic, but as time passed, he made his irritation at the interruption known as his qi went about fluctuating chaotically. 

A complicated expression came over Zuroc who stared at Seth for a few seconds and then turned to his two officers.

"The both of you head back to the camp, I'll be there shortly," he said as his qi began to spill out of his body, creating blood-red waves that swept around him.

The female officer wanted to protest, but seeing the deadly aura which had blanketed Zuroc, she could only close her mouth, bow to him, and kick off, Seung trailing behind her.

"It would seem I would have to cut our battle short, a shame considering I had hoped to really see what you were made off" Zuroc lamented as his sword began releasing a thick red smoke.

Realizing that Zuroc was going to go all out, Seth went down into a stance, though he wasn't good with the halberd and hadn't really put up the best performance when fighting with it, Seth was still at least okay with it.

Though his weapon's lack of blades at both ends had thrown him off and invalidated most of his attacks, its long nature made sure that Seth hadn't committed any blunders that would result in him being heavily injured.

Since Zuroc had described him as a bear with a man's body, Seth decided it was time to upgrade that description.

With qi now in use and flooding his body, his physical strength rose to a whole new level, and even though Seth was aware that Zuroc would begin using his qi, Seth was confident in his ability to handle him.

Another loud boom sounded from afar, coming from the direction of Zuroc's camp, this sound serving as the start fight sign, as Zuroc kicked against the ground and charged towards Seth, a calm confident look on his face.

With a smile also, Seth's form shot off, but to Zuroc's surprise, he found himself having to strain a little to keep track of Seth's zooming figure.

Despite this new change in Seth, there was no ounce of fear or hesitation in Zuroc, and just like it had always been, he swung his heavy sword from the side at Seth, and like usual Seth countered.

This time things were different as there was a difference between Seth's previous counter and this counter, and it showed as he was pushed back and into the air, yet before Seth could capitalize on his enemy's little moment of vulnerability he watched as Zuroc's body was consumed by a blood red light.

The light stank of bloodlust and was filled with thick blood like qi, and when the light cleared off, Seth's eyes rested upon a rapidly flying Zuroc, two long red jagged bat-like wings on his back.

"Ahhhh shit " Seth couldn't help but mutter.