008. Stronger Than Heroes

Zhen picked up one of the tree branches. "Level 2 spell, 10% amplifier, Kamaitachi."

The tip of the branch suddenly conjured up a bundle of wind in the shape of a katana. Zhen charged at Reginald, but when the two swords met, Zhen's magic sword was suddenly absorbed by Reginald's sword.

Reginald continued his quick attack just as Zhen was surprised and managed to scratch the neck of the elf who had lost his sword. 

Zhen jumped away and cast a new magic, "Unique ability, Grand magus vision."

Zhen's eyes instantly changed color to bright green with a red pentagram symbol in the center of his eyeballs. What Zhen saw when he dodged was a dark aura coming from Reginald's scimitar.

[ Analysis:

Sword type : scimitar.

Sword class : SSS.

Base material : platinum.

Forging magic type : level 4 magic.

Forging technique : unknown, not in the database.

Special ability : devouring magic. ]

Zhen kept his distance and began to negotiate.

"Yo, Reginald boy. If you know who I am, then you must understand that I don't kill for free."

"What do you mean, you want to get paid? Even after dodging my attack and getting scratch on your neck?"

"Give me your sword and I'll take your life right now."

"Over my dead body!" Reginald shouted while making a slash at Zhen.

Zhen jumped away. "Point shifter, 50% agility, 40% strength."

Reginald's next attack was dodged easily by Zhen with a minimal move followed by a kick to Reginald's face that sent the young man flying.

Reginald felt his slightly swollen cheek. "You're finally getting serious, Zhen the silver death."

"Serious? Maybe a little," said Zhen who took something out of his [inventory].

A black box filled with runes and emitting purple light at each corner.

"Point shifter, Max intelligent."

Zhen gripped the box and flowed his mana so much that the box exploded and shattered into pieces. The pieces then floated up and soon formed a rapier with a black, lightning-patterned hilt.

"What? Why this?" Zhen complained while looking at the weapon that did not meet his expectations, "Well, what else can I do? It's a gacha weapon after all."

Reginald was silent as he had never seen such a weapon and how it was created.

"How did you make a sword like that so easily?" asked Reginald still amazed.

"I didn't make it, the pandora box just randomly transform into any weapons after being fed by large amount of magic."

Reginald just gaped and nodded in understanding.

"Shall we continue?" asked Zhen to make sure his opponent was ready.

"How about we make a deal?" replied Reginald with a new question.

"What deal?"

"If you win, you can take my sword, but if I win, hand over your pandora's box."

Zhen laughed outright, "Are you serious?"

Reginald just grinned, "Yes, very seriously. Your weapon will make a good trophy."

"Good, the contract is made."

[ Point shifter, 50% Agility, 40% Strength.]

Zhen immediately lunged quickly and left Reginald surprised as the elf was right in front of him, in a position as if he was about to attack.

Reginald spontaneously jumped back but Zhen charged straight at the young man at breakneck speed. Like hundreds of giant spikes, the attack were many and heavy.

Reginald managed to deflect some of the attacks but others managed to puncture his shoulders, thighs and stomach. Reginald's body was riddled with holes and oozed blood, bringing him to his knees in exhaustion.

"Never seen a rapier user before?" asked Zhen who saw Reginald struggling to breathe.

"An attack that relies on precision and speed, but is very light and fragile in terms of both weapon and user. Honestly, I'm not too fond of rapier sword techniques." Zhen continued his monologue.

The silver-haired elf prepared for his next attack and immediately shouted, "Stand up! Reginald! At least die with dignity!"

Reginald stood up with his head down. Although it was a bit of a struggle, he was able to stand on his shaky legs. Zhen immediately made one finishing blow to the head but Reginald managed to dodge.

The speed was unreal and the two stared at each other and what Zhen saw in the young man's eyes...

... is a burning ambition and unstoppable ferocity.

"LIMIT BREAK!" Reginald scream.

Reginald's veins burst as he pushed his body to a capacity beyond his own limit. He swung his sword, his speed even higher than Zhen's capability to react.

"3 DRAGON CLAWS!"

A swift slash shredded the elf's body and sent him flying far back. Streams of blood sprayed into the air. Reginald continued his attack and when he was in front of the shocked and severely injured Zhen, his speed suddenly slowed down drastically.

An opening not to be wasted, Zhen now had the speed advantage and instantly launched a powerful strike towards Reginald's right arm.

*BHOMP!

A stab so powerful that it made a hole even bigger than the size of the head. Reginald's right arm came off and was followed by a powerful kick to the chest that sent the young man flying once again.

Reginald laughed despite the holes in his body, the loss of an arm and the blood oozing out of his skin.

"What's wrong, are you scared?" Reginald asked Zhen while laughing.

"Dragon slash sword style. Dragon claw is one of the technique. A high-level sword technique that relies on speed. And you can use up to 3 Dragon claws at once. And even an ability that increases your speed for a brief moment and able to surpass my speed," Zhen looked at Reginald with a feeling of admiration mixed with pity.

"...Talented genius can't even describe it." Zhen continued his sentence while holding his slashed chest and a lot of blood was flowing.

"Haha! Why? are you scared? It should be. Because I'm going to take your title. I was just a little off guard, next time, my slash will cut you in half."

"In 10 years, you might be able to completely surpass the strength of the hero from another world. How about we cancel this duel? It would be a pity to kill you right now."

Reginald raised his tone, "10 years? I don't have that much time! Besides, what makes you think you can win?"

Seeing his explosive reaction and the potential he had just witnessed, Zhen could only assume one thing.

"Is it a woman? Judging from the political issues at hand, she must be the king's daughter or at least a nobleman's daughter."

Right on target, Reginald's eyes immediately widened and both eyebrows lowered, "DON'T TALK AS YOU KNOW MY SITUATION!"

Zhen let out a long breath, "I sympathize with that princess."

A rush of blood filled Reginald's head upon hearing that and immediately blitzing forward.

[ Point Shifter... ]

"LIMIT BREAK!"

Zhen just stood still while the surroundings seemed to slow down, the flapping of insect wings could be clearly seen and the only one moving at normal speed was Reginald.

Reginald immediately slashed Zhen's neck but he felt something strange. It was as if Reginald was slashing the air. There was no weight, no friction, it was as if he was slashing into the void, but at the same time, Reginald's eyes clearly saw that the person in front of him was Zhen who was standing still in slowed time.

He glanced around but found nothing unusual, when he glanced at his back, he could clearly see...

...the waving silver hair with murderous aura that pierce his backbone.

[ ...75% Agility ]

Memories of the past suddenly hit Reginald.

In a vast flower garden, the young boy was swinging a wooden sword and in front of him, a girl with shoulder-length black hair and sapphire blue eyes was laughing at young Reginald's behavior.

*JRASH!

Blood splattered at the area and a sapphire necklace fell to the bloody ground.

---------------------------------------

Somewhere, in a royal castle, more precisely in the room of one of the royal members.

A young woman with long black hair and sapphire blue eyes was preparing to wear a fancy dress. There were 5 maids preparing her dress while she only had to stand by as one of the maids helped her put on a corset.

In the midst of the rush, she suddenly felt a stabbing sensation in her chest and immediately looked out the window. The unexplainable and painful sensation at her chest make her breath heavily.

She immediately holding tightly to a simple wooden necklace hanging around her neck.