Chapter 26: Ketsu-Rasetsu

"Bankai!" I slashed the sword to my right, the long blade now extended like one bloody wing. "Ketsu-Rasetsu!"

As soon as I shouted "Ketsu-Rasetsu!" and slashed the sword, blood, a lot of blood exploded out of Rob like someone popped the world's largest balloon. For a second, my heart almost stopped. The sheer volume of it rushing toward me was terrifying. 

I even thought about summoning Tsar Bomba, but I knew the sword wouldn't actually kill me—not until I unsealed it, or found another person that could unseal it.

I let the blood flow freely, rushing in all directions—surrounding me, behind me, above me, forming a hollow dense cocoon. Everything went dark, then the blood converged, slamming into my body with the force of a tidal wave. It rushed into my nose, mouth, and even my eyes. My instinct kicked in—

'Tsar Bomb—' 

But before I could react further, the blood poured out of my mouth and nose. I guess it was trying to play a prank or something, but I don't play that shit. 'My eyes though?' I feel it in my eyes, like you went underwater and opened your eyes. Uncomfortable but nothing more. Then I could feel the wet, iron-scented liquid surge around my body, coating every inch of my skin. Still, I kept my hand firm on Tsar's 'trigger.'

The blood flowed along my arms, my legs, my face, solidifying as it molded to my body. In just under three seconds, I felt the heavy, cold weight of armor settle around me, sealing me in this strange blood-forged suit. But everything was still dark. 

Pitch black.

'This helm has no visor? Why? How am I supposed to—' Ohhh... I get it.

Suddenly, I could see again—not with my eyes, but through something entirely new. The world to me was now nothing but a dark void, with no light nor object. The only thing with me in this world were ghostly red figures, beings that had blood flowing through their veins and arteries. People, monsters, I didn't see them but the web of veins running through their entire body, making them appear like red silhouettes.

I looked down at myself and saw nothing—no veins, no inner workings. It was invisible beneath the armor made out of solid blood. My sword was also solid, as though it was made entirely of blood. Even the handle of the sword was blood, except the black diamonds down the center. 

'I guess it will reverse when it returns to its base form.' Is the hilt its seal? The sword didn't react, but I guess it did. The more the seal is removed, the less black on the hilt. The chains were also black, so... 

It makes sense.

Though the armor was acting as a barrier, blocking my veins from my own sight, the walls, the dungeon itself did not exist in this world with me.

Interesting.

In the distance, I saw it—something massive, moving below me in the void. Well, underground if we want to use the real world term and from its veins' arrangement and bloody silhouettes, I could tell it was a Dungeon Worm, its blood flowing like a river as it slithered toward me. Then, with a screech, the earth trembled as it broke through the surface of the earth, but to my new vision, it looked like it was just rising up from beneath the void. 

I gripped Rob tightly in both hands, raising it above me. As I brought the sword down, I willed the blood within the blade to surge forth, manipulating it with a thought.

The sword obeyed, its blade transforming and becoming fluid but maintaining its lethal edge. It lashed out, lengthening as I brought my arm down, the whip-like blade slicing through the air. My hand was already down, still holding the sword's grip, having completed the full downwards slashing motion before the extended blade connected with the Dungeon Worm. 

The impact was clean, effortless—like a hot knife through butter—as the worm was cleaved in half from top to bottom. Its blood sprayed out into the void-like space I saw, but all the worm's blood that came in contact with Rob was immediately absorbed into the sword, disappearing into its crimson depths.

'So even when the blade is manipulated, its artificial length retains the absorption ability,' I watched as the sword returned to its normal length.

The two halves of the massive Dungeon Worm's crumbled to the ground, blood rushing from its body and pooling around it. The sword and armor call out. I couldn't hear it. Never was able to hear it, but I could 'feel' its intent. And I guess it wanted blood?

Hmm... Ok. I want to also test out these new stats, so let's go on a quick hunt. I took a step forward and though I felt the earth below my feet, it almost felt like I was walking on air. However, I am a man who's quick to adapt to thing, this shouldn't be—

*Bang*

I slammed my head into a dungeon wall. 'Right,' I expanded my mini map, pulling it 'beside' me, so I can watch the map and avoid the walls while moving through the blood void. Good thing I am not blind to the game's function in this world. Makes sense since these 'screens' are all inside my head. 

With that, I dashed towards the bloody aura of a three Minotaur walking towards me after smelling the blood with lightning-fast movement, too fast for even me, but my senses were adjusting quickly. These monsters were shorter than the orc, being my height, however they were much stronger, with the capability to one tap me with a well-placed punch to the back of my head or jaw.

Not when I was a Rakshasa, though.

'Sword art:' I held Rob to my right side with both hands on its long hilt, dragging the blade's tip along the ground. The three Minotaur noticed me, their heart pumped blood faster through their veins as they prepared to attack, but it was too late. 'Weed Cutter'

I shifted my grip on the nodachi, and In one smooth motion, I swung the sword horizontally, like a farmer cutting down stalks of wheat. The blade obeyed, lashing out in a wide arc, slicing through the air like a whip. 

In a split second, the three Minotaur were bisected at the waist, their bodies cleaved cleanly in half as though they were nothing more than weeds before a scythe. Before their bisected body fell, I ran through it, the force of my movement pushing the split torsos aside. Blood sprayed out from their severed halves, but every drop that touched me or the sword was absorbed instantly. 

I could feel the absorption. No, it 'told' me how much blood is being absorbed and how much is being used per second, and at this rate, Rakshasa wouldn't even last a minute.

Hmm... Let's see how long this will last if I just go on a bloody killing spree. 

Taking a step forward, I moved swiftly through the void-like vision of blood. Though to my eyes it felt like I was running in place, I could see on the mini-map that my blue dot was moving rapidly. I ignored all the single monsters walking around as it would be a loss to fight them and barely gain 4 gallons of blood from their body, making my way towards a 'monster group.'

These are large groups of monsters that have just randomly gathered around and started moving together, but they don't normally last long and would split up into smaller groups after a few hours or days. These are basically small monster parties, and the one I was moving towards was a group with about 100s. This is the kind of mobs even a party of level 3 will ignore if they didn't have an AOE mage, but I am much of an AOE myself.

Soon, I neared a group of monsters and with a leap, I soared through the air. I could see their blood-veined faces look up as I flew over them before landing right in the middle of the group. The monsters reacted immediately, but I was faster. Much faster. My senses had fully adjusted to the speed of my Rakshasa form.

Holding Rob tightly, I got into a stance. 'Sword art,' My feet shifted, my stance becoming wider. 'Whirlwind of Blades.'

I swung the sword in a wide arc around me, the blade stretching under my will as its elastic yet razor-sharp blade lashed out in all directions, stretching and twisting around me. The fluid-like steel spiraled around me, becoming longer with each swing and swirling faster, forming a vortex of blade as it slashed in every direction. 

Every swing sent the sword out further, carving arcs of shimmering crimson energy as it tore through the area. Monsters barely had time to blink before they were sliced cleanly in half. Blood sprayed out in a brilliant arc, painting the air in red mist. But even before the halves of their body could hit the ground, more strikes from the elastic blade twisted, dicing the beast into even smaller pieces with merciless efficiency.

They stood no chance. They were caught in the swirling maelstrom of steel, each swing of Rob cleaving through muscle, bone, and sinew as if it were paper. Bodies crumbled into diced fragments, blood splattering in all directions, their attempts at retaliation futile. You couldn't dodge an attack coming towards five different directions at once. The monsters looked like they had been thrown into a meat grinder, their bodies falling apart before they even realized what had happened. 

And then, after only eleven seconds, I stood out holding the sword to my right like a wing and all of its 300 meters length that had formed the whirlwind stopped instantly. The crimson liquid blade hung in the surrounding air, and then it began retracting at breakneck speed, 300 meters becoming 2.55 meters in 2.5 seconds.

I assume that around me were bodies in thousands of pieces, but I couldn't see them. Too bad. 

[Waste...]

It was a profit, though. Yes, I kinda used more blood than I should have and gained less blood in return, but it was still a profit. I mean, there is barely a drop of blood on the ground due to them raining down on the whip-like sword and the pieces of bodies on the ground were drained almost completely. Besides, you can't say that wasn't cool.

'Now, we should end this...' Nah, let's keep going.

The ground below my feet shook, trembled, and I could feel it crater, then I was gone in a streak of blood even in the black void. 'I guess the armor lets out 'blood per second' while active.' Now I look like Reverse Flash without the lightning.

I moved through the dungeon, switching rooms and going to another group of monsters. They were smaller, maybe around fifty, but it didn't matter. 'Sword Art,' I leaped into the air, my body hovering as I got in a stance with my right arm over my head, gripping Rob vertically behind my back, the blade's tip facing the ground. 

'Waterfowl Dance.'

I dived towards the group like a predator, and as I landed in front of them, the blade stretched, slicing out in wide AoE arcs around me. Each slash wasn't just a strike—it lingered, like a thread of string drawn through the air. I didn't pull the blade back; instead, I stretched it, letting it hang in the air. Everywhere the blade passed, it left a dangerous trail behind, like a razor-thin wire ready to cut anything that hits it.

It would even cut me if I wasn't careful, but that wouldn't happen. I am a master at this shit.

I moved through them in a blur, the slashes whirling around me in an area-of-effect pattern. Monsters exploded into pieces as the spiraling arcs shredded their bodies, blood spraying in every direction. Those who weren't immediately caught in the first flurry tried to retaliate, however, I dashed towards them, performing two more wide AOE slashes with each dash, Rob tearing through their defenses like wet paper, mincing them where they stood.

Finally, I stopped moving, and all the string-like blades that had remained in the air surged outward, creating a vortex of destruction. The monsters on the outer edges, those who had barely escaped the first three onslaught, were sliced into a fine mist as the deadly strands whipped through them. Then, in one fluid motion, all the blades retracted, coiling back toward me like a cocoon, merging and solidifying into Rob's original 2.55-meter form. 

'Now do you understand? I am Malenia, Blade of Miquella...' 

HAHAHAHA! I wanted to laugh out loud, but my tight helm wouldn't allow me. Eternal Arms Mastery is the SHIT! All I had to do was remember the Waterfowl Dance of Malenia, understand its movement, and then I could perform it like I have done it multiple times before.

Yes, it wasn't as graceful as Malenia because, though she was much taller than I was, I had a more 'bulky' build while she has a 'willow' build. However, mine was more dangerous as it left behind trails of blade. Imaging rolling to dodge and rolling into a blade that is just lingering in the air.

This is fucking fun!

Ain't no way I am stopping now.

Leaning forward, I began slathering my way through the room. Fuck only going after large group, everyone in my way will face the blade of Miquella. Hahaha! It's like I am just running through an elementary school and kicking all the kids to the ground...

That's a bad comparison, but that's how easy they were. I rushed to a two Minotaur, performing three quick attacks in succession, cutting them into three large chunks, and then from my torso multiple bloody strings shot out, impaling all the pieces and sucking in their blood.

While the strings did their jobs, I charged at a nearby group of three Ligerfang that were just standing there and staring, and just as I was about to use 'Weed Cutter' on them, I noticed something. On the map, they were green. Though they turned to red due to hostility, focusing on them showed they were adventurers.

Their blood vessel arrangements and bloody silhouette were exactly like the Ligerfang, so I guess they changed into those monsters. To sneakily kill them? Smart but dangerous. I or someone else could have killed them. The moment the blade was about to bisect them horizontally along their waist, it shortened, missing them as I dashed past.

I moved from the room I was in to the next, killing everything in my way, and then I noticed two groups of monsters fighting. Xenos? I heard monsters hated them. Well, whatever.

'Sword art:' I leaped into the air, my sword held above me with both hands. 

'Scarlet Aeonia!' 

Crashing onto the ground in between the group, I stabbed my sword into the ground as a fuck ton of blood exploded from my armor. They condensed, mimicking the giant flower of Malenia that exploded, sending out multiple waves of blades that shredded all the monsters and Xenos.

[WASTE! YOU WASTE!!!]

The sword roared in my head, which is understandable. That was a massive loss of blood, no gain. But it was cool. 'Let's get going.' The ground exploded as I despaired, moving through the dungeon floor.

Corpse after corpse, left in my wake...

And then as I moved towards a group of three monsters. No, Xenos as they weren't moving and just staring at me. Or is time so slowed due to my enhanced sense and agility that it looks like they weren't moving? No, that's not the point.

I realized I was getting tired. 'Tired?' Why the fuck will I get tired? I have that thing in my inventory. 

[NO!]

No? When I am getting tired? Are you dum?

[Healing close! More blood and healing unseal! NO! NO DAGGER!]

I can hear it clearer now, and it sounds like some kind of monster mimicking human speech. Growls followed after each word, and it sounded like it was speaking while underwater. A disgusting, monstrous voice I didn't like. I rather just hear its will. Whatever, man. I am tired and can't wait to unlock that shit.

'Pain breaker.'

[NOOOOOO!]

And then my sword, my movement, everything stopped.

My mind became clear.

'Ah, damn.' I was influenced by it. I had been fucking influenced by the sword.

The three Xenos in front of me were not monsters. Their blood vessels looked like Crystal Mantis before, but now it was arranged like humans. It showed them as red dots on the map before, and though they were still red dots, their names which told me they were monsters before now showed mortals as part of families. 

Memories flowed back. 'Dammit.' I killed 23 mortals through my run in the dungeon because my vision had been manipulated by the sword. 'Right?' It was silent now. It said nothing like a child caught doing something it wasn't supposed to be doing. 

'Ahahahaha.' Waterfowl Dance. That's when it started. The blood gained overpowered the blood use, allowing the sword power to grow while its hold over me skyrocketed. I knew something was up when I was having fun, yet I didn't pop a boner. 

That wasn't normal.

[What???]

I almost signed out loud, but I stopped. I can't let them hear my voice, or they would find me. As for my height? I didn't have to worry about that. Pulling my 9 meter's long sword that was inches from severing the group back, the sword reduced to its 2.55 meter's length and I turned to walk away with the three still frozen. 

As I walked away, I commanded the armor to act. It started to contract on my body, forcefully shrinking my body. It literally crushed my arms and legs, folded my torso, crushed organs, shattered my spinal cord as it shrunk my height down to 191 cm from 243 cm. From 7'11" to 6'3". This way they would think I grew bigger or something? I don't know.

Yeah, it was painful, but when you have 90% pain reduction due to Rakshasa growing stronger after absorbing so much blood, you kind of almost feel none of it. But I could feel my body dying, so once I was behind a wall, Pain breaker activated.

I was back to peak health like nothing happened, with the armor expanding again to its normal size.

'I hope you did your job in stopping the sound of my crushing bones being heard by them.' The sword didn't respond. "Haah." I removed Rakshasa, all the blood flowing into the sword and as I began to walk away, I held the sword out to my right and commanded, "Bleed."

It didn't respond.

"You know what I mean, Rob." I sighed. "Bleed, bitch. BLEED!!"

All the blood stored inside the sword poured out from it along the blade's length, falling to the ground like a bloody waterfall. It is undoubtable looks cool, but that wasn't on my mind right now. A trail of blood followed me as I walked, gallons upon gallons pouring out the sword as it began to shrink.

When it returned to its Wakizashi form, I held it to my side. "Haah." I guess I won't be using it anymore. This is why I don't like sentient weapons. Weapons are tools to be used, but sentient weapons are like hunting wolves you train to listen to you. Some are cool, yeah. The good ones that love their master.

But to River of Blood, I guess I am nothing but a vessel. What a shame. 'Would have unsealed you if you were cool, but I guess that's out the window.'

It shouted something and even if I was sane now so its voice didn't reach me, I could sense its intent. I guess bro decided to go the raciest route and started cursing me out. It learned those words from my thoughts, so whatever. I am not going to act like a parent and start trying to correct it.

I opened my status. 

[Level Exp held: 0 *All Exp Gain has been sealed as you are max level. Please Rank Up to continue growing stronger.]

"HAAAAAH~" I let out a very long-drawn-out sigh as Rhapso went into effect, cleaning me of all blood and filth.

Because I hadn't ranked up, all those exp I would have gotten were wasted. "WASTE!" Now I can see how mad the sword was when I decided to Scarlet Aeonia. Fuck, man. 

Yeah, I feel bad for killing them, but those Exp...

"I am a psychopath." I came to a realization. Damn. I really just got over it like that? Ain't no way that's normal. I am definitely a madman.

Ignoring the sword, who was still cursing at me, I clicked on rank up.

[Congratulations! You have managed to achieve the level required to rank up.] I heard a trumpet blow, with multiple balloons appearing around the screen. 

'Nice?' A new screen appeared.

_____________________ 

Rank Up Paths Upon ranking up for the first time, you must choose between three paths:

Path of a Hero Path of a Champion Path of a Regular

Each path offers different benefits and challenges. Given your character's traits, 'Path of a Hero' is recommended.

_____________________

"Damn." Is the game dissing me? Telling me I am a loner? "Just show me their advantages and disadvantages."

_____________________

Path of a Hero (Hard Mode)

A "True Hero" awakens their potential without divine intervention, breaking their own limits. They gain the favor of spirits, which can transform into weapons, armor, or tools, with the strength of the spirit determining the power of these items. The amount of spirit or the strength of the spirit a Hero can acquire is only limited by their 'heroic will.' Once you awaken as a hero, divine Falna cannot further awaken you. This path removes weapon and armor summoning from the game and is not advised for beginners.

*Recommended due to your Half-Spirit heritage. You naturally attract spirits and will quickly gather them as weapons, though initially weaker than items like 'Kilometer Great Bow,' 'Rivers of Blood,' 'Tsar Bomba,' or 'Rule Breaker.' With time, you may obtain a 'Conceptual Spirit' weapon or awaken your bloodline, instantly becoming a Prestige 9 as the 'High-Spirit of Gravity', taking the throne below your father.

_____________________

That's a lot to take in, and at the same time it's not. Become a hero. Turn spirit to weapon. Lose summoning because you now have practically infinite weapons with spirit. You might be able to get a concept as a weapon. I can awaken my bloodline and skip all Prestige to become a high spirit at Prestige 9.

And I guess my father, being higher than I am, is the concept of gravity.

How the FUCK dose that work?

How did a concept bed a Goliath and give birth to my character? Make it make sense!

Eh, in this world you have mythological gods walking around, so I guess this is normal.

'However,' I turned my eyes to the second screen, 'Let's see this,'

_____________________

Path of a Champion (Normal Mode)

A "False Hero" accepts the divine Falna to awaken. Champions of Gods grow faster and have more potential than Heroes, though they bind themselves to divine influence. Their combat prowess surpasses a Hero without a spirit, but they are dependent on their divine blessings.

Choosing this path will consume one magic slot to disguise the Game while hiding it from gods Excelia. You wouldn't need high-rank Excelia to rank up, but your EXP gain will be reduced by four times. This path also unlocks the Guild (Familia) system, though your god will be the guild master. Your racial magics (Gin) and (Ample) will be downgraded to (Dia Gin) and (Dia Ample). Switching to the Hero path later is possible but requires sacrificing all levels and Excelia, which can be done using 'Rule Breaker.'

*This path is not recommended unless you want an easier route. If you decide to take this routh, it's suggested you gather weapons and armor early, store them, and switch to the Hero path before reaching Prestige 3 for easier progression to Prestige 6. Following this path will limit Noah Ark Adam's growth but grants superior weapons that can later be further enhanced by spirits.

_____________________

"Ah, yeah," This path sounds more like a 'game.' I get the guild function, I keep the summoning, and it doesn't matter that my exp is reduced by four times. 

Why?

The fuck you asking why for? It took me five days to max out my stats! Granted they weren't all at zero, even if you multiply that time by 40, it will only take me 160 days to rank up to rank 2.

Not even six months. But if we are being serious, with a 4 times reduction in EXP, it should barely take me a month to rank up to 2 if I keep my current grinding mindset. 

The four times reduction in exp is honestly a good price to pay for unlocking the guild function, so I should be able to somehow help others in my familia grow quickly. It even recommends this path for an easier route.

Yeah, path no. 2 might be the way. I even have a familia that has already invited me. Loki, I mean. 

'Let's see the last one.' I glanced at the third screen and then swiped it away.

It was talking about losing the game and my status as a Foreigner and Outsider and living in this world like a normal person, so I just lost interest. Want me to become an NPC? 

Hawk Tuah Spit on that thang.

"Three-nineteen." The time was currently 3am in the morning, so I should be able to leave the dungeon without too many eyes. Maybe make my way to Loki or somshit.

Opening my map, I set the location for the first floor, a path appearing in front of me but before leaving I looked down at Rob. 'Enter your hilt.' It didn't move. 'I know you can enter your hilt since it's your full seal, so enter it.' I would rather not walk around with a sword made of blood.

It seemed to sigh then the blood blade retracted into the hilt, the hilt turning all black with no hint of red. I instantly lost all the 150 levels I gained from the sword, which made sense since it was now sealed. 

'Well,' Putting the almost 6 inch hilt in my pocket, I leaned forward and dashed, following the path laid out to me as I zoomed through the dungeon like a race car. Floor 14, 13, 12, 11... I just kept going up while maintaining a speed of 190 mph. When I get tired, I can just return it 0 and continue running. 4...3...2...and then when I reached the first floor, I stopped.

Almost 22 minutes had passed. I had run 69 miles, or 111 kilometers, from floor 15 to floor 1 and that's by following the shortest path possible while avoiding humans. The shortest path possible if I wasn't trying to hide from others would bring this distance down to 57 miles, or 97 km, while the longest path... 

Not my concern. 

With that, I left the dungeon for the first time in five days and took a deep breath of the fresh, musky air of babel first floor. "Ahh~" Just the way I like it. Better than the dungeon by miles. 

Ignoring the eyes on me, I made my way out of babel. I guess they assumed I had died down there or was killed by Evilus since I disappeared for three days without trace. 

'Did I get famous?' I tried to listen in and heard,

"Isn't he the guy Ganesha and Astraea Familia were looking for." Me?

"Yeah, big black man, bald head, body like a gorilla, yeah that's him." Damn. That's how they described me?

"Fist of Atlas or something?" Someone asked.

"IT IS I!" I performed the 3/4 back pose, "FIST OF ATLAS!" With that, I walked away. "HAHAHAHA!"

There was no point hiding and by the time I was found by those two familiar looking for me, or Evilus, I would have already ranked up by joining Loki. Just as I left the paved area surrounding the tower and turned into a lonely street leading east, I noticed someone.

She looked to be around 16 years old and stood about 165 cm tall with tan skin that was smooth and unblemished, with bright purple eyes. Her face was delicate yet strong, with a slender nose, full lips that had red lipstick, and her hair was black, cascading down to her neck in silky waves while covering her forehead and her right eyes.

Her frame was lithe and toned, her figure a bit too curvy for a child and I definitely should not be describing her like this, but let's keep going. She has well-defined muscles, particularly in her slender arms and legs, with a flat and firm abdomen, and she wore a dark-purple short-sleeved off-shoulder top that left her midriff exposed. On her lower body, she had a short? Nah, that is a booty short, the fuck? 

And she's going into the dungeon like that? With a single massive sword, barefoot, and with that kind of clothes?

Is she asking to be raped!?

Not by me, would never do that, but the fuck?

"It's you" Her eyes widened.

"Yes, it is me." I agree with that.

She silently looked me up and down and then said, "Ishtar has been looking for you for the past two days."

"Ishtar?" Every male adventurer has told me to try out the entertainment district. And who owns said district? The Ishtar familia, with their head Goddess being Ishtar, the one who I have titled;

The Whore of Babylon. 

So this child in front of me is,

[Aisha Belka of Ishtar, 16, Rank 2]

She is a rank 2? Is that why she is that brave to enter the dungeon in this world? The fuck is wrong with people in this world? I know the concept of 'If I am not going to be hit, why wear armor?' but at least don't dress like a slut.

"Why?" I asked the girl that shrugged and then sighed.

"I was going to go into the dungeon but now that I saw you, I have to take you to my goddess." She pointed her greatsword at me, a bit arrogantly. Does she think I am weak? "You will be coming with me." She threatened me.

Aww~ She's threatening me? Can you believe that, Rob?

[BlOoD]

~~~~~~~~~~~~Author's Note~~~~~~~~~

Don't know what to write, but next chapter this guy will finally graduate from being a level 0. Yay~