Randy I
Ash, along with Mercedes, soon arrived at the Mysterious Forest. The landscape before them was an endlessly stretching bamboo forest, its towering stalks swaying gently in the breeze.
"This is... isn't this the forest people talked about? The one guarded by a Doppelgänger?" Mercedes asked, looking around with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
"Yes, it's the same one," Ash confirmed with a nod as he stepped inside.
[You have entered the Mysterious Forest.]
[Your mind has become calm.]
[You will be helpless in the midst of this tranquility.]
[You have resisted.]
"This feels weird," Mercedes muttered, struggling against the calming influence of the forest. Unlike Ash, she wasn't immune to the status condition that enveloped them.
"It's okay, it'll pass in a minute," Ash reassured her, continuing to move forward. Suddenly, a barrage of energy slashes came hurtling toward them.
Reacting swiftly, Ash unsummoned his Phantom Steed and grabbed Mercedes, leaping away just in time to dodge the attacks.
Ash's gaze snapped to the source, where he saw an absurdly handsome man seated at the center of the forest, where the bamboo soared into the sky. The man sat on a flat rock, exuding an otherworldly aura. He had an egg-shaped face atop a slender body, with white skin and red lips that stood out starkly. His long, narrow eyes were curved in a smile, giving him such a beautiful and neat appearance that it was hard to believe he was a man.
Suuk.
Pagma sat quietly on the rock and slowly moved. The silk clothes that seemed to come from the Joseon Era flapped as he moved and shifted his gaze towards Ash. The look in those eyes contained outright hostility.
"Leave... this... forest," the man spoke in a haggard tone, before launching a sudden attack.
"Wave!" he commanded, and a multitude of energy swords surged toward them, wielded by his jade-like great sword.
In response, Ash drew his own Runic Sword and activated the skill "1,000 Army Killing Sword." The two techniques collided—his wide, sweeping slash met the barrage of energy blades, and the two attacks neutralized each other in a brilliant clash.
"Pagma...No, its a Doppelganger taking the form of Pagma" Ash said as he read the name above is head, 'Doppelganger of the Mysterious Forest.' not Pagma.
But Ash had little time to think, as the Doppelgänger immediately followed up with a technique called "Kill," a devastating move that plunged his sword with immense force.
The Doppelgänger demonstrated a dazzling array of strikes with his great sword—bottom, side, top—executing each with minimal delay. The relentless assault drove Ash back, and his longsword struggled against the heavy blows of the great sword.
The clash between Ash and the Pagma Clone intensified as Ash used his impressive sword techniques to counter the Pagma Sword Dance. The two combatants unleashed their skills, creating a scene of widespread destruction.
The Pagma Clone wielded the Pagma Sword Dance, while Ash relied on his mastery of the Madra Swordsmanship, with both employing their respective techniques to their fullest.
As Ash and the Pagma Clone clashed, the fight reached a critical juncture. With a sudden burst of energy, Ash unleashed his formidable "100,000 Army Massacre Sword," a devastating technique designed to overwhelm his opponent. The attack came at a crucial moment, just as the Pagma Clone was performing his Pinnacle skill—a sophisticated maneuver involving a circular motion with his great sword, followed by a precise stabbing strike.
The Pagma Clone's movements were fluid and seemingly unstoppable, but Ash's attack disrupted his rhythm. At first, it seemed like the Clone's sword dance would prevail, but Ash's powerful strike closed in on him.
However, the Pagma Clone's eyes widened in surprise. With a swift and unexpected change, he altered his attack pattern and initiated another Sword Dance. His great sword spun in a mesmerizing arc as he muttered "Revolve," a technique that combined the sweeping motion of his sword with a crushing stab.
The doppelganger moved the jade sword in a half moon and absorbed all the energy of Massacre Sword, while a vortex appeared around the doppelganger? This wasn't the end.
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
The energy of Massacre Sword that was sucked into the vortex reappeared. At the same time, it reversed course and aimed for Ash. It was a perfect counterattack.
Reacting quickly, Ash summoned his Frost and Flame swords, replacing his Runic Sword. He held one blade in each hand and activated both Flame Barrier and Frost Barrier simultaneously. The barriers flared to life, their magical energy shimmering as they formed a protective shield around him.
"If you think those flimsy barriers can stop my sword moves, you're sorely mistaken," Madra said, his voice dripping with confidence as he watched the barriers and the approaching attack.
"I know," Ash replied, his voice steady despite the danger. "But do I have any other choice?" He braced himself for the incoming strike, determined to withstand whatever the Clone could throw at him.
The impact was immediate and overwhelming.
Clash! Crack!
Ash felt a tremendous force slam into his defenses, the barriers shattering under the pressure.
[You have lost 55% of your health in one blow]
[You have been stunned by shock]
[You have resisted]
Ash wiped the blood from his mouth, as he fused the Runic Swords.
The clone couldn't reproduce the Pagam Skills fully but still to show this much damage just by incomplete skill means it was an great skill, So Ash decided on it.
'Copy Skill' Ash muttered as another screen rose up.
[Which skill would you like to Copy?]
System asked as Ash replied Revolve.
[All conditions have been met, Would you like to use one of your chances to copy it?] System asked and Ash nodded.
[Congratulations you gained revolve Skill]
[Revolve Lv. 1]
Like the eye of a storm, it is calm and powerful.
It will return all attacks that hit it within 0.5 seconds of casting with 100% of the power.
Skill Usage Conditions: Have a sword type weapon equipped.
Skill Mana Cost: 2,000
Skill Cooldown Time: 2 minutes.