Chapter 93: The battle between brothers

Tension filled the air.

Strax stood with a claymore in his hand, just an ordinary sword used by some knights—a sword without a soul.

His eyes were closed, fully concentrating on what he was about to do, how he would fight, how he would use all his strength. He had calmed himself somewhat; rage must be contained and controlled to increase strength, that was what he believed now, so for Strax, he was in complete focus.

He was waiting for his opponent; he needed to finish this quickly. More important than his revenge was knowing how she was. A feeling beyond explanation, pure concern. He had realized for some time that his emotions were much stronger, not just his love, but everything about his self. He had analyzed thousands of possibilities, but only one existed.

The System had influenced him.

Once again, the damned System that was supposed to help him was consuming and manipulating him in some way. He didn't understand its goals, but he had reached a single conclusion.

"If the System uses me, then I'll use the System."

He had fully accepted the System. He had been trying to break the restrictions of his own mind regarding the System. If he had received it, there was a reason, a purpose, so he would find a way to use it. If the System always rewarded him for his advances, everything would be possible, and if it became a problem, then Strax would find a solution for that.

"I gave you ten minutes," Strax said, still with his eyes closed, making the atmosphere even heavier. His swords, Tiamat and Ouroboros, were in Xenovia's hands, as he had said he wouldn't use them.

But it seemed his opponent didn't want to follow the rules. Darius was entering holding a weapon, not the same one he used to enter the Garden of Swords, but a kind of greatsword, bearing numerous battle marks. It was almost two palms wide and two meters tall. It was truly a colossal sword that even Strax couldn't understand how he was holding so easily.

[Three-Star Sword = Black Iron Sword] he read. It seemed that now the System was completely on his side, while his sword... was just one-star. "Coward," Strax said, seeing that Darius was already prepared from the start. He couldn't use his Spiritual Weapon, so he would use a weapon forged by a competent blacksmith. Judging by the marks, he probably had been using it for a long time.

"Apparently, you really are a coward," Strax said loudly for him to hear. "Not only do you not want to challenge me with my blades, but you also want to use a superior sword against someone who just advanced. Congratulations, Darius, you are a disgrace." Strax said, provoking, but Darius did not respond and remained silent.

Strax barely had time to react. He raised his Claymore, trying to block the energy wave, but the impact threw him backwards, his feet dragging on the ground.

He felt the force of the wave pass through him, tearing through his flesh and burning his muscles.

"He really is strong, but it seems that's all... His combat ability is much inferior." Strax thought, the blow had really had some effect on him, but it wasn't enough, his body was much stronger after the Advancement.

"Is that all you've got, Darius?" Strax said, starting to show a bit of arrogance to destabilize Darius. "You'll need more than that to take me down, much more," he said with a confident smile.

Darius laughed, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "You're a fool, Strax. A stubborn fool who doesn't know when to give up," he said, but Strax didn't miss the opportunity. "I thought you were more aggressive. What happened? Losing confidence in winning?" he questioned.

"But it's true," Strax answered the question he had posed, raising his Claymore again. "I'd rather be a fool than a coward who needs so much advantage to defeat a simple challenge like me."

Darius roared, his face contorting in fury after hearing such mockery. He raised his Black Iron Sword, his body emanating a dark aura, energy pulsing in waves. "You think this is all? I'll show you true power! I'll kill you!" He advanced with unexpected speed, his sword launching in a downward arc towards Strax.

The ground trembled upon impact, but Strax, with agile movement, sidestepped and countered with sharp precision.

Steel clashed with steel, Strax's Claymore blocking Darius's devastating blow. Blades screeched and sparks flew, but Strax didn't yield. His muscles trembled under pressure, but his determination was unshakable. "I'm not here to play games, Darius. This is your last chance."

The fight escalated, Darius's strikes growing more desperate, while Strax, calmly, parried each attack with unwavering strength, deflecting, counter-attacking, and slashing. He pushed Darius back, each move calculated, each strike aimed at exposing his opponent's weaknesses.

"You're weak, Darius. All brute strength, but no real technique. You rely only on the power of your sword, and that's all. You're too weak to be a challenge," Strax declared, his words cutting as deeply as his blades. "You don't understand what true power is."

Darius screamed in fury, his dark energy exploding around him in a chaotic frenzy. He attacked with wild desperation, his Black Iron Sword lashing out in a final assault. But Strax, with lethal precision, sidestepped the blow, spinning his Claymore in a perfect arc.

And with a final, decisive strike, Strax completely disarmed Darius.