My Godslaying Blade warbled as I clutched it tightly.
'I had a few tweaks added to it, so it's much better than the one before.' My thoughts trailed as I glanced at all the inscriptions it now had.
I also made sure to strengthen its properties with various other alloys, metals, and ores to make it several times more durable.
Whether it would be enough against someone of Adu's caliber was something I was yet to find out.
Still...
'I'll make sure to do everything to win!'
This wasn't the time to care about having a dominant appearance any longer. My opponent already had an opinion of me, so it was even better to use that to my advantage.
'Anything... I'll do anything to beat him!'
I was that desperate!
"Hahaha! Why don't you come over alrea—"
>VWOOOSHHH!!!<
Pouring all my energy into dashing in my opponent's direction, I took the first step. My blade was clutched in hand, and I enhanced my muscles to the limit.
Every strengthening Skill I had—every power I could muster—I put them all in and brought my blade crashing down.
However—
"Is this the best you can do? How slow..."
>CLANGANAG!!!<
Before my blade could reach anything, I felt it completely break. The long and powerful katana shattered into pieces, completely rendered useless in seconds.
"A-ah...?"
Before I could perceive anything else, something else happened... something I should have expected.
>SWISH!<
My eyes widened. My heart raced. My expression darkened. My arm... got dismembered.
"Arghhhhhhhhh!!!" A loud scream pierced the air.
It sounded like my voice, but I was in too great a pain to completely tell.
"Gahhhh... Arghhhh....Arghhhhh!!!'' Blood spurted out of my open shoulder as it was now devoid of my right arm.
As the warm, red liquid fell to the ground, I felt more pangs of agony course through my body. Drool dripped from my mouth as tears and mucus wet my face.
'It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.'
IT HURT LIKE HELL!!!
"Hahaha! Is this really the guy Hogun praised so highly? You're pathetic, aren't you? Damn, did I really waste my time.ot get my hopes up?"
My mind was ringing due to the searing pain that I could hardly make out what he was saying.
I had never experienced pain so brutal or deep before. It hurt like crazy!
'HAAAAAAAAA! ARGHHHHHH!!!' More throes of agony burst out, that I felt like I would go insane.
However—
>VWOOOSHHH!!!<
—I still lunged forward!
>SHUUUUSSSHHH<
Another Godslaying Blade appeared from Inventory, wielded by my left arm this time.
"You idiot. I'll just do the same thing again."
And, true to his word, just as I almost reached him, my blade shattered once more, followed by my hand.
"ARGHHHHH—!!!" I gritted my teeth mid scream, having lost both hands, but already in the presence of the opponent.
"Haha, what will you do now... uh?"
As the Demon snickered, my right hand become completely restored, and yet another blade appeared from it.
"How is that even—?!"
>SWISH!<
My blade came slicing down, completely resistant to the Miasma the Demon exuded, thanks to one of the special Runes I placed on it.
"Wha—?!"
I didn't spare any expense. My muscles roared and I allowed the remaining embers of pain to further propel my downward stroke.
Until—
>SPLOOSHHH!<
—Demon blood came pouring out.
"U-uh?" As Adu recoiled in surprise, I made my hasty retreat and leaped back—creating some distance between us.
"Haaaa..."
My eyes kept constant watch on the Demon General as I stabilized my breath and felt both my hands completely restored. The pain was gone as well.
'Can I get used to this? It hurts too much...' My mind echoed grimly as I gritted my teeth.
"You wounded me? Not bad. Haha. This isn't nearly enough, though..." Adu smiled, and his body regenerated in a flash.
All my efforts—everything I just went through was for nothing.
"I have to admit, I'm surprised your flimsy blade could reach me despite the dense Miasma around me."
I remained silent, breathing slowly as I prepared myself for another round of hell.
"I'm a Mage, you know? That's my Primary Class. I'm specialized as a Dark Mage, meaning my raw Miasma is more powerful than most Demons."
Eyes on the target, body ready to move, mind solely focused... I readied my entire being.
"Why am I telling you this? It's because it won't happen again. Your blade will never reach me agai—"
>WHOOOOOSSSSHHHH!!!<
Once again, I charged. My body felt the pressure of the wind as I relentlessly closed the distance between my opponent and me.
This time, however, I was not allowed to get closer.
"[Dark Bullets] should suffice." Following the Demon's voice, multiple black spots in forms of tiny orbs appeared in front of him.
They did not remain suspended for long, as the multiple dots began moving in my direction at breakneck speed.
"Nnnghhh!!!" I strengthened myself, thankful for [Five Seconds Rule] which gave me enough time to react to the multiple black projectiles heading my way.
>SWISH<
>FWISH<
Now wielding two Godslaying Blades, one in each hand, I ran and slashed the terribly corrosive elements before they brought me to ruin.
Of course, given my low level and inferior speed, I could not deflect or avoid all of them. Some of them were able to bypass my countermeasures, piercing my body without mercy.
'Argh! Gah! Kak!'
Despite their corrosive effects and inhibiting abilities—not to mention the inexplicable pain—I kept my pace.
There was no way I could stop now! Not yet!
My blades become corroded before long, rendering them useless. I instantly brought out my spared to replace the two, hacking and slashing until I closed the distance once again.
"I don't think so, human." With the snap of his fingers, I lost both hands at once, and a blast was sent through my chest.
"A-arghkkk!!!" I coughed out blood as my eyes widened in pain.
However—
>SWOOOSHH<
Two of my Godslaying Blades pierced Adu from behind.