3 Crossroad of the Past and Future-Duel of the Mythes

''No, what are you talking about? A dragon is rampaging in my kingdom, Asgard is slaughtering my people and Great demons have invaded the continent, yet you want me to fight you?''

''And how are you going to fight those calamities without having enough strength? Do you think a newborn myth is truly capable of fighting the gods? Even the dragon slayer can not take on a dragon alone, yet you, one who only has the qualifications, think you can face the gods and the strongest dragons?''

Grid couldn't reply, Yatan wasn't wrong, No he couldn't be wrong, one who witnessed the history of humanity over and over again would possess much more wisdom than him. But Grid wasn't the type to think about the consequences, he only lived in the present.

'However, that's also why I lost them.'

Grid who recalled the image of Khan, Irene, and Lord, started feeling great pain in his heart. He was truly arrogant, he thought he could face the entire world just because he never failed.

'I will never allow that to happen again. Somehow...Somehow I will save you both'

Grid who recalled the corpses of his wife and son clenched his fists, no matter what it takes he needed to save them both, choosing one over the other was not an option.

''Relax, child, I am not asking you to remain here for long. By glimpsing at the true power of a god and growing by fighting, your chances will increase. Fate does not abandon the persistent.''

'Do it.'

It was a voice that has been silent for a while, the voice of a legend who was said to be the greatest talent of the current world. The voice of the undefeated king Madra.

'I am but a mere ego that isn't complete, so I can't help you directly. But my memories are still clear, Do not give up, that determination is what allowed you to achieve the impossible so far.'

'Yes, you're right, thank you.'

''Then I will be in your care.''

Grid grabbed his sword, it was his greatest creation, a weapon he had spent 7 days and nights making, with the hottest flames and the strongest mineral. Yatan's eyes twitched when he witnessed the sword.

''You... To be able to make such a weapon...''

'Sword challenging the gods', that was the identity of this sword, made by an alloy of divine stone and greed and tempered by the greatest magician's magic, crafted by the best craftsman's hands. Although its pure stats were inferior to Hexetia's works, it was, nonetheless, a weapon that transcended the realm of what a mere human could make.

Grid activated the 'Storm of the fire god' and pulled out another sword with his left hand. It was the shortsword made from moon night iron, if he needed to be able to gain something from his fight with the second strongest existence in Satisfy, he would need to give it all he had. He then checked the updates he had received.

[Hero king(awakened)]

[The one and only King of heroes. You are an eternal myth.

* The True Hero King represents the epitome of heroism. Deals 25% additional damage to all legendary or higher rated classes.

* The True Hero King is one who leads the world down the path of peace. Deals 30% additional damage to hostile great demons, archangels, dragons, gods, and demigods and reduces the damage received by 30%.

* The True Hero King is compassionate. He is always fighting for the sake of others and is always full of 'Fighting energy'.

*The Determination of a True Hero King shakes the balance of the world. When fighting one of the top 3 beings of each race, your immortality passive duration is doubled and you will regain the damage received as health during this period.

*You have yet to go through all the ''Trials of the hero'', some effects will remain hidden until the trials are completed.]

[Hero of Humanity]

[The One who has transcended his limits to protect the innocent regardless of the odds.

* All stats +20%

* Special effects will occur when you're fighting an evil being.

*Special effects will occur when you are protecting those who believe in you. The effect will depend on the intensity of their trust and the number of people.

You are the one who brought Hope to all of humanity with your outstanding virtues and selflessness.

You are the greatest ray of hope and your name will forever be engraved in history.]

[Avenger]

[Your sense of justice and wrath fuel your power. Your birth marks the start of a new era, You are the greatest fear of absolute beings.

*Immune to all status effects.

*Can not be suppressed.

*As long as you're weaker than one of the targets of your revenge, all types of growth are doubled(exp gained x2, stats per level x2, skills growth speed x 2).

* If you die against one of the targets of your revenge, your experience will not drop and your stats will temporarily rise by an additional 10% in your next encounter. However, if you die again, one point of origin true energy will be consumed and you will permanently lose 5% of your stats.

*When fighting one of the targets of your revenge, There is a high probability of entering a 'Berserk' state if health drops below 50%.

**Every time you complete your revenge, your growth speed will increase by 20%

**Every time you complete your revenge, your stats will rise by 10%

★ Current targets :

-Rebecca

-Yatan: complete

-Zeratul

-Judar

-Dominion

-Eruas: Dead

-Gyllon

-Great demons

-Bunhelier

★There is a chance of getting consumed by your emotions, in which case the ''Sin of wrath'' will dominate your body, You can not distinguish between friends and foes as your wrath brings destruction to everything.]

[One who defies fate]

[The one who stands against all odds to achieve the impossible.

*The more miracles you create, the stronger the effects.

*Good luck +100%

*Willpower +2000

★ Miracles achieved:

-Destroying the sin of 'Sloth']

[One who became a myth]

[*You reflect all abnormal status on people with lower status than you.

*If your status is lower, you resist the abnormal status.

*You won't die unless your status is lower than your enemy.

*If your status is lower than the enemy, death will not have a direct effect on you.

*Eternally acknowledged.]

'This is more than I expected...'

''Okay, let's start.''

Yatan's voice echoed through the empty space.

''Yes.''

Yatan, who pulled out a strand of hair, suddenly turned it into a sword. This was the true power of 'Change', a power that Grid couldn't fathom yet.

''Since you like swordsmanship, I will go with that.''

Yatan rushed at Grid and swung his sword, his movements were akin to the flow of a river. Grid couldn't react in time and attempted to parry the attacks, however, he couldn't avoid the rest and his shoulder was cut by Yatan's sword.

'' Don't disappoint me, show me what you got.''

Yatan disappeared from Grid's field of view, it was a speed that his transcendent senses couldn't catch up to yet. Yatan's sword became wrapped in purple light and attempted to pierce Grid's back.

''Decoy!''

However, Grid managed to react in time and used 'Decoy' to avoid the attack.

'' 1,000,000 army breakthrough !''

A slash of Blue energy wrapped in a red and purple aura was sent at Yatan. It was the strongest single-target skill of Madra's swordsmanship which was now infused with fighting energy to increase its power. Yatan's lips curved up as he pointed his sword at the incoming energy.

''Impressive, but it's still far from enough''

Yatan thrust his sword forward and from the tip of the blade, a purple ray burst out and dispersed the sword energy, however, due to the impact of the skill, Yatan was slightly pushed back.

''Transcend. Shunpo.''

''Transcended Dragon Drop Pinnacle Kill''

The true potential and power behind the sword dances showed themself. A huge amount of sword energy took the shape of the 'Blue Dragon' and lightning filled the space. Grid instantly appeared in front of Yatan as his sword attempted to pierce Yatan's chest. It was the effect of the true 'Shunpo' which could deliver instant attacks that can't be avoided.

''Chiyou's swordsmanship...But it still isn't enough, if you only rely on someone else's techniques you won't be able to surpass them''

Grid eyes twitched as Yatan didn't try to avoid his attack.

''Null.''

Yatan extended his sword and the tip of his blade met Grid's, all the sword energy disappeared as if all was a lie.

'Damn it, what's this bullshit.'

Although it wasn't his strongest attack, 'Transcended Dragon Drop Pinnacle Kill' was one of Grid's greatest skills. However, Yatan neutralized the attack without breaking a sweat.

''Don't fret over it, kid, you're still young, throw everything you got at me and rush forward, that's how you'll grow stronger.''

Grid regained his determination with Yatan's words.

''God of lightning. True incarnation of lightning.Divine lightning.''

''Ho... interesting.''

''Storm of eternal flames. Breath of the 4 beasts. Moonlight slash.Transcended Linked Dragon Flower Drop Kill.''

''Hm?''

For the first time since they met, Yatan showed signs of genuine interest.

''Sky.''

''Don't you have something that belongs to you? Using a degraded form of Chiyou's techniques will only slow you down.''

''Shunpo.Sky.Shunpo.Sky.Shunpo.Sky.Shunpo.Sky.Shunpo.Sky.Shunpo.Sky.Shunpo.Sky.Shunpo.Sky.Shunpo.Sky.''

''Huh?''

The space that was empty a moment ago became filled with sword energy, Grid used 'Shunpo' to go around Yatan and followed it by 'Sky', Yatan was trapped inside a sphere of sword energy as sword dances kept coming at him. However, even that wasn't enough to stop Yatan.

''Counter.''

Yatan raised swung his sword in a circular trajectory. The next moment all the sword energy had disappeared once again and was redirected at grid shortly after.

'That's crazy...How am I supposed to stand a chance against this guy...'

''It's still not enough, but I am impressed. Do you have more hidden tricks?''

No matter how much Grid tried, his attacks didn't reach Yatan, he felt true helplessness that couldn't be compared to any other time. Although Bunhelier was truly powerful, his main advantage was the raw power he possessed, and as such, it was simple to understand what one was lacking. However, that wasn't the case with Yatan. Yatan's techniques and swordsmanship transcended anything he saw before, it was simple yet overwhelmingly powerful.

''Hmm, it seems you've met a wall, I will give you some time to re-think about our fight, we'll try again once you're ready. Don't worry about the outside, Time here flows 10 times slower than the outside, if not for your transcendence you probably wouldn't be able to cope with it.''

'No , i am pretty sure this isn't a problem that can be resolved just by thinking.'

''Um , could you show me the techniques you used again?''

''Huh? Didn't I tell you that you need to create your own techniques? Using other's works won't allow you to grow.''

''Yes I know, but...''

Yatan looked at Grid's sullen face and sighed.

''How about that, I won't let you see the techniques; experience them with your own body. Perhaps that will help you understand how to counter them.''

''Experience them with my own body?''

Yatan smiled and rushed at Grid without prior notice, Grid activated 'Transcendent senses' and the 'Storm of the Fire God' once again. Purple light wrapped Yatan's blade as he got closer to Grid.

''Null.''

And he thrust the sword into Grid's chest.

''Ughh''

Grid felt great pain as if everything was sucked out of him, at this moment, Something inside of him reacted to the strike he received.

[Infinite sword energy has been imprinted by a new type of energy]

[Your soul has witnessed the peak form of a new concept]

[The concept of 'Void' has been understood]

[It is a concept that precedes 'Genesis']

[The possibility of a new sword dance has been opened]

Grid's mind went blank after feeling the intense flux of energy through his body.

[You have shaped the new sword dance]

[The sword dance 'Beyond' Has been created!]

[Your understanding of 'Void' is still lacking, increase it to exert the true power of the sword dance]

'No..what the hell is this shit.'

'Wait...perhaps?'

Grid recalled his meeting with the 'Blue Dragon' and Helena, Infinite sword energy reacted to new concepts and tried to give them a fitting shape, Was this happening again now?

''So, what do you think?''

Grid felt all the energy return to him all of a sudden as if all he just experienced was a dream.

''It's the Best!''

''Hm? I am afraid I don't share your Liking for pain.''

''uh? No, that's not what I meant!''

''Anyway prepare yourself, throw your best attack at me. I will show you Counter.''

'Perhaps?'

Grid thought for a moment, his understanding of 'Void' is still lacking, but what if he used the new sword dance against Yatan's second skill? Would the holes in the sword dance be filled when coupled with Infinite sword energy?

''Beyond.''

Yatan's eyes narrowed as he saw Grid perform a new sword dance but he advanced as per usual.

''Counter.''

The 2 swords clashed and a blinding light emerged from their contact point. Grid was thrown back and found himself laying on the ground.

[You have witnessed a new use of the concept of 'Void'!]

[Your understanding of 'Void' increases!]

['Beyond' has been upgraded!]

'Jackpot.'

'Bond' and 'Beyond', The 2 sword dances that Grid has created. Along with everything else he had; It was now time to return to Pluto.

''Thank you for your guidance.''

''mhm mhm, I never expected you to combine Chiyou's techniques and mine this easily. I guess you are not his favored one for no reason.''

''Yes, thank you again.''

''Well then, I will send you back, Child of Pluto. Do not underestimate your enemies, but do not fall into cowardice either. Since you entertained me today, I will give you a small gift, Braham's magic is currently still too weak for this sword dance.''

Grid suddenly disappeared from Yatan's mental world and found himself back in the destroyed Reindhart.

'Now then...'

Grid checked the item he got as a reward for being the first myth.

[Wish token]

'I will find a way, there's not a lot of time left... But I have to find a way, no matter what.'

To earn another Wish token in less than 2 hours, was his goal.