Stitch witch's Domain- VI

As the intense duel unfolded, Verena's spear dance reached its peak. Saad, despite his determined efforts, found himself on the defensive. Verena's precision and speed were unmatched, and she pressed her advantage, pushing Saad to the brink.

In a desperate move, Saad decided to use one of his hidden card—the Fury Elixir. It was a reward he had received for his level up at level 7.

[Fury Elixir]

Description: The Fury Elixir is a vial filled with a bubbling, crimson liquid that radiates an aura of raw power. Crafted by alchemists versed in the arcane arts, this elixir grants a temporary surge of battle prowess to those who dare to consume it.

Rank: Common

-Effects-

Increases the user's attack power by 25%. Enhances the user's precision and speed, granting a +15 bonus to attack speed during the duration of its effect. With each swing, the user becomes a whirlwind of blades, striking with lightning-fast precision.

Temporarily boosts the user's physical and magical defenses by 10%, fortifying them against incoming damage. This grants an added layer of protection, allowing the user to withstand even the most devastating assaults.

He swiftly consumed the bubbling crimson liquid, feeling an immediate surge of power coursing through his virtual veins. The elixir enhanced his attack power, precision, and speed, temporarily turning him into a whirlwind of blades.

Saad launched a counterattack, the enhanced attack speed allowing him to land hits with lightning-fast precision. Verena, momentarily caught off guard, struggled to evade his onslaught. The elixir's additional benefits bolstered Saad's defenses, giving him a temporary edge in the battle.

However, even with the enhanced capabilities granted by the Fury Elixir, Saad soon realized that Verena's prowess was formidable. She effortlessly adapted to his newfound speed, parrying his strikes with a grace that seemed almost supernatural.

Verena, growing more confident, decided to unleash her ultimate skill—Spear Dance. The virtual space erupted with the dazzling display of her spear technique. Saad, sensing the impending danger, relied on the Crimson Sovereign to counter the lethal blows.

The Crimson Sovereign, fueled by the life force it absorbed, created a protective barrier that intercepted Verena's devastating attack. The clash between Spear Dance and the Crimson Sovereign's power echoed in the virtual arena. Saad felt a surge of relief as he narrowly avoided what could have been a fatal blow.

However, the Crimson Sovereign's energy had limits, and the strain of countering Verena's ultimate skill began to take its toll. Saad could sense the shield's power dwindling.

[I am so sleepy.]

He heard the ominous voice of the ego shield and his nervousness peaked. 'No way! This has to be a joke. No?'

Before of course, before he could do anything, the damn shield went back into the inventory.

 Verena's laughter echoed through the virtual arena, a smug expression playing on her avatar's face as she circled Saad, who stood defiant despite the verbal assault.

"Well, well, Kael," Verena jeered, her spear held casually at her side. "Seems your precious shield is running on fumes. What's left to save you now, I wonder? Maybe you're just not cut out for a game like this. A player who relies on equipment doesn't deserve to wield such power. How about you hand it over to me? "

Saad, breathing heavily but not willing to back down, met Verena's gaze with unwavering determination. "You talk a lot for someone who's winning by relying on levels alone. It's easy to act superior when you've got the numbers on your side."

He knew that he should probably let her know that the shield was a bound item but honestly, he was way too angry to throw that 'excuse' right now.

Verena chuckled, dismissing his words with a wave of her hand. "Numbers, skills, it doesn't matter. It's all part of the game. And in this game, I'm on a different level. You're just another player trying to catch up."

Saad, feeling the lingering effects of the Fury Elixir, smirked. "You might be ahead in levels, but there's more to this than meets the eye. You're not the only one with tricks up your sleeve."

Verena raised an eyebrow, her confidence momentarily faltering. "Tricks? You think a little trick will save you?"

Saad grinned, feeling nervous inside as he tried to act tough. "Let's just say, you've yet to see everything I've got. Get ready, Verena. This duel is far from over."

Saad knew that there was no other way to win anymore other than using the divine relic of ascendance a reward that he had gotten at level 10.

[Divine Relic of Ascendance]

Usage: 5

Grade: Unique

Type: Relic

Effect: Ascendant Power

Description: The Divine Relic of Ascendance is a powerful artifact that grants a temporary level boost to the user by invoking the power of forgotten Gods. When activated, it provides a boost of 10 levels for a duration of 3 minutes.

Ascendant Power Effect:

Temporarily increases the character's level by 10.

Enhances the character's attributes, such as health, mana, and damage output, in proportion to the boosted level.

The effect does not stack with other level-boosting effects.

Time limit: 2 hour

Cool down: 48 hours

He knew that he shouldn't use such a valuable relic for this stupid fight but he was angry at her, his ego was hurt and this dual was happening at the perfect time to complete his first ever quest.

Saad used the [Relic of Ascendance] mid battle as his HP was running out and soon the effects of the relic materialized wonderfully. Notifications after notification started to ring out in front of him.

[You level has temporarily increased from level 18 to level 28.]

[The stats are being adjusted.]

[All of player's attack attributes are being increased by 10.]

[Vitality and Arcane is unavailable. Status points are being readjusted.]

[Kael's Stamina, Strength, Agility and Dexterity has increased by 12.5.]

[You HP has increased by 300. Your HP is now 570.]

[1:59:00]

Saad felt a surge of power coursing through his virtual veins as the notifications illuminated his vision. The Relic of Ascendance had unleashed its latent potential, elevating him to new heights for next two hours.

Verena, witnessing the sudden transformation, couldn't conceal her astonishment. Saad's attacks, infused with the newfound strength, intensified, catching Verena off guard.

"You seriously used the Relic of Ascendance?" Verena sneered, a mix of frustration and disbelief in her voice. "Are you that desperate? You've just ruined any chance of strategic use in the future, you know."

Saad, focused on the battle, responded with determination, "I can do whatever I want. It's my choice."

Verena, not one to be silenced easily, laughed mockingly. "Well, newbie, you just played your best card too early. You really have no idea about the value of such relics in the game, do you?"

Saad, irritated by her constant chatter, retorted, "I know enough. Let's see if you can back up all that talk with your skills."

But Verena seemed to revel in getting under his skin. "You know, this relic could have changed the tide in a crucial moment. You wasted it on a skirmish. How clueless can one player be?"

Saad, focusing on the fight, dismissed her words. "Enough talk. Let your skills do the talking, Verena."

The virtual arena crackled with energy as the two clashed.

As the battle unfolded in the virtual arena, Saad's newfound strength from the Relic of Ascendance proved to be a game-changer. Verena struggled to adapt to the sudden increase in Saad's agility and whip movements. His attacks, infused with the enhanced attributes, relentlessly chipped away at her HP.

Saad, now more confident, realized that Verena's prowess wasn't as formidable as he initially thought. It wasn't her skill that had given her an edge but rather the level difference. Gleefully, Saad acknowledged that, at the very least, his skills were on par with, if not superior to, hers.

The battle reached a critical moment as Saad, with a strategic use of his dual whips, stacked the effects of Sin's Offering with Judgment Offering.

[Whips of Offering Set Effect]

Sinful Retribution: Each successful hit with Sin's Offering increases the critical hit chance of Judgment Offering by 5% for the next 5 seconds. This effect can stack up to 3 times, providing a maximum bonus of 15% critical hit chance to Judgment Offering.

Judgment's Embrace: Critical hits with Judgment Offering have a 25% chance to trigger an additional effect called "Judgment's Embrace." When activated, Judgment's Embrace creates a protective barrier around the wielder, reducing incoming damage by 20% for 5 seconds. This effect can provide a crucial defensive advantage during intense battles.

The Set Effect, Offering's Embrace, kicked in perfectly. Each successful hit with Sin's Offering increased the critical hit chance of Judgment Offering, and the critical hits from Judgment's Embrace created a protective barrier, reducing incoming damage.

Verena, now flustered and seemingly aware that the tides were turning, angrily declared, "I won't let you win!"

"You can't stop me either!"

Saad, utilizing all his attributes to their limit, launched a relentless assault. The arena crackled with energy and loud strikes against the surface of water and hitting Verena as her action got disable. She screamed in frustration as Saad executed precise and powerful attacks. However, the timer, unbeknownst to Saad, reached its end. The standard duel, as he soon realized, had a time limit.

[00:00:00]