Erebus, the Nightweaver!

<You have defeated the 9th wave>

<Your 9 strength stat has increased by>

<You have met the conditions to clear trial. Do you want end trial or proceed next round?>

"Continue."

<Challenger has chosen to continue the trial>

<The final wave will start in one minute>

The runes this time were different from previous messages about the next wave, instead denoting this as the last wave. But Shiva's attention was focused elsewhere.

As his consciousness returned from the soul sea, he looked at the rusty ancient sword hovering before him. He extended his hand, reaching out for the old sword and as if waiting for this, golden runes materialized.

<You have made a contract with the dread blade of Despair - Kurukaze>

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<The dread blade of Despair - Kurukaze>

Rating - Unknown

Status - Sealed (Seven Seals)

Description: In unknown realms beyond the tower, an old god met its end. From the indestructible bones of that fallen deity was forged a blade of invincible power! The Apostle who lost his god took up this sword and made his way back. But '-------' They were not so forgiving and opposed the Apostle's attempt to leave, denying an escape. Desperately hoping to preserve the dead god's legacy, the Apostle hid the sword, beyond the preying eyes of '------' . Alas, the blade had been corrupted by '--------''s aura, developing a malevolent will of its own that thirsted for blood.

The Sword rampaged through the tower slaughtering innumerable, the myths and powers of the tower eventually united marking a stop to the sword's reign of terror. Though they defeated the rampaging sword, they could not destroy its unholy might. As their only option, the myths bound the sword with seven powerful seals to imprison it far below, in the depths of tower.

Eons passed and the Apostle's wish to memorialize their fallen god faded into obscurity. The very name of that deity was on the verge of being utterly forgotten... but then hope appeared again!

Whoever wields this sword bears one duty: Remember! Remember that once there lived a brave and powerful god who dared venture beyond this tower - Erebus, the Nightweaver!

Skills:-

Reinforce - Reinforce the sword with the aura of darkness, increasing the power behind the sword.

Bloodthirsty - The sword feeds on the blood and strengthens as it absorbs more blood.

Primordial Darkness (Sealed)

Night Weaver (Sealed)

Sword of Destruction(Sealed)

Death Strike. (Sealed)

Eternal Rest. (Sealed)

Annihilation Assault. (Sealed)

Note: The more blood the Sword drinks, the faster the seals will break.

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Shiva read through the description, his eyes widening at the mention of a god who had ventured beyond the tower's confines.

"A god who left the tower...?" he murmured in surprise.

As the once strongest being in the tower, Shiva had only become aware of the realms that existed outside the tower when he climbed as high as the 50th floor. But even at those heights, he had found no exit, no way to escape - if he had, he might not have been so miserably when 'They' invaded the tower.

"So there is actually a way out of this place?"

Over his past life, Shiva had tried every avenue for escape, even hurling himself recklessly through the very portal 'They' used to invade, desperately hoping to find freedom outside. But each attempt ended in bitter disappointment as he emerged once more inside the tower's walls, trapped no matter how he struggled.

Shiva turned his piercing gaze to the ancient blade. "Well? Why are you staying so quiet? Tell me about this 'Nightweaver' god or whatever."

For several tense seconds, the rusty sword did not respond to his demand. Then its gruff, aged voice rumbled once more.

{I don't know.}

Shiva's eyes narrowed. "You don't know...or you don't want to tell me?"

{For f*ck's sake! I've already become your slave, why would I hide anything? These goddamn seals are restricting my memories.}

The old sword's voice dripped with bitterness and irritation. Shiva could understand its ugly mood. After awaiting its freedom for untold ages, only to fall under his control immediately upon release from the tower's depths - that would certainly cause serious psychological trauma, if the sentient blade could even experience such a thing.

"Alright, alright! No need to get so grumpy about it," Shiva said, attempting to placate the cranky weapon.

{I'm starving, dammit!} it snarled. {You have no idea how agonizing it is to be denied the taste of blood for centuries on end. Hurry up and impale me into one of those damn corpses!}

The old sword grumbled again, attempting to fly out of Shiva's hand but miserably failing.

"You want blood? Well, this is perfect then!" A wicked grin spread across Shiva's face as he gripped the sword's hilt tightly, the obsidian blade's darkness reflecting his fierce expression.

"I'll give you more than just a taste - I'll provide you a veritable feast!"

{Huh? What are you...?}

The confused sword trailed off as golden runes appeared in front of him.

<The Final Wave of monsters has appeared>

<You 15 have minutes to defeat it>

And with the runes' warning came an overwhelming presence, a gargantuan, chained beast materializing from crimson vapors before the pair. Its scaled, cobalt-blue hide rippled with barely contained power as ivory fangs longer than a man's torso gnashed hungrily.

"How about drinking your fill of the blood of a primordial beast?" Shiva's eyes glinted with murderous glee as they raked over the fettered behemoth. "Will that be enough to satisfy your thirst after so long, Kurukaze?"

---***---

Any guess on what the last opponent of the trial will be?