21 Chapter 20 (1/2)

Nex has a bad habit.

He tends to hold back his power and not use his full potential. This habit began way back in Perias. To raise his battle proficiency, he will always use the minimum amount of power. As long as the opponent he is up against weren't too weak or too strong, he would always do this type of ”training”.

Due to this habit, he didn't allocate the free stat points that he gained after his fight with the Corrupted Orc King nor did he equip the Corruption Bane Necklace and Bracelet.

Not until now.

”Damn habit,” Nex muttered as he got used to the power surging inside him. ”I could have finished this First Awakening nonsense way sooner if I had worn these items beforehand.”

He then angrily looked at the guy who still sat on the throne serenely.

”Well? Are you coming or no---”

Only to stop when he saw the Fallen Hero disappeared from his seat. The Fallen Hero's abrupt vanishing act may have halted Nex's speaking but it didn't manage to vex him at all.

Nex turned around in place and slashed with his sword while activating [Intermediate Enchantment] in his hands.

*Clang!*

And with a violent clash, the two swords met and caused a shockwave to echo around.

'Oh? This is better than I thought.'

If it was before, when he was unequipped with the Corruption Bane items, even with [Intermediate Enchantment], he would still be blasted back by the enemy's sword. Now, the Fallen Hero was the one who was pushed back, albeit slightly.

Despite the knockback, the Fallen Hero almost immediately came again in front of Nex and slashed with his sword again; this time, with a sharp glow covering it.

'Raising gear, I see.'

'[Advanced Enchantment]'

*Clang!*

This time, the clash was so strong that the Fallen Hero was thrown back quite a few meters! Even Nex was pushed a few steps back.

'Oh? His sword is not bad,' Nex thought while regaining balance to his footing.

As his thoughts stopped, he leaned slightly forward while holding his sword to the side. This sword unsheathing pose is quite similar to that of a samurai's but his sword is already drawn out.

He took a deep breath and observed his opponent who had already regained his footing and is now charging at him with magic circles floating around him.

'[Martial Secret : Mana Break]'

With blinding speed, Nex slashed his sword towards the incoming Fallen Hero who was still some distance away from him, sending a barely visible wave that caused the air, no, the mana in the atmosphere to vibrate and inflict damage to the surroundings.

*Bang!*

The Fallen Hero who was still in the middle of charging was caught off guard. He couldn't stop nor dodge in time and was swept by the wave causing him to be blasted back. The magic circles he created were also destroyed by the attack.

”So, just that and you are done?” Nex asked while staring at the man who was struggling to get up with blood gushing out of his mouth.

Hearing Nex's taunt, the eyes of the Fallen Hero shone with anger. He then roared, ”Awaken!”

*Boom!*

Suddenly, black smoke began to come out of the Fallen Hero's body. Soon, it covered every bit of the Hero.

”Huh?” Nex raised an eyebrow. ”Talk about cliché.”

He didn't maintain his spectator role for too long. A dark figure came out of the smoke. With a blink of an eye, he was already in front of Nex, smashing down his sword.

'[Intermediate Enchantment]'

Although Nex was able to block the sword, their outcomes have reversed. This time, he was the one sent flying away while the Fallen Hero was able to withstand the shockwave and was pushed back by only a few steps.

Nex didn't idle around. He immediately stood up.

”So this is what Fallen means…”

His opponent now has black and red eyes with strange tattoos shining all over his body. His once-clear eyes are shrouded, no longer holding any bit of sanity in them. The stalwart man from before has now dark and wicked energy rippling all over his entire body. There is no doubt, this is a corrupted being.

The Fallen Hero didn't allow Nex to survey him any further. He once again appeared in front of Nex with his sword.

'[Advanced Enchantment]'

This time, another reversal happened. The Fallen Hero was thrown back but he didn't waste a beat and came charging at Nex like a beast

”Too bad for you, it seems that your transformation is now complete.”

[Corruption Bane Necklace Effect is on! All Stats +10%]

[Corruption Bane Bracelet Effect is on! All Stats +10%]

With those messages, Nex also started charging at the Fallen Hero who was coming for him at the front. It didn't surprise Nex when he saw the sword of his opponent is now completely covered in black light.

'Well, I suppose they had to be color coordinated here too. Never mind…'

'[Advanced Enchantment]'

*Clang!*

'[Advanced Enchantment]'

*Clang!!*

'[Advanced Enchantment]'

*Clang!!!*

It didn't take long for the entire throne room to be filled with sounds of clashing swords. One was made of metal and the other of indestructible wood. It seemed never ending but it only lasted for a few moments before Nex jumped back away from the Fallen Hero.

He isn't going to deliver some sort of mind blowing skill or land the last awesome hit. Nope. He was about to run out of mana!

”Damn it,” He gnashed his teeth. ”Is this as far as I can go?”

The Fallen Hero, who obviously sensed the situation, used this opportunity to his advantage. He charged at Nex while behind him, numerous magic circles began firing spells at Nex.

It was a situation that was impossible to come out alive from. There wasn't even a hint of silver lining. So it was a conundrum why Nex's depressed expression turned to a smirk. He even snickered when he lifted his sword over his head.

”Psych.”

'[Mana Revive]'

Sets of unknown language filled his mind.

'Fusion Art : 100x [Mana Art - Starlight Shot]'

'[Martial Secret : Falling Moon Strike]'

Countless of magic circles filled the entire area above Nex. Both sides had summoned innumerable magic circles but it could be clearly seen that Nex had summoned more than what the Fallen Hero did.

They littered the ceiling like the stars did. The sword held above his head began to shine in familiar silver light. If the room had been dark in that moment, the scene would be like an elegant night sky.

With a yell, Nex smashed down his sword at the Fallen Hero who was getting nearer to him.

”[Lunar Sky Barrage]”

Then there was a pause.

A rain of shooting stars happened.