[71] There's always something III

After Levi exited the guild, the previously tense atmosphere quickly broke into a buzz of activity. Adventurers who had just arrived in East Port were astonished by what had just transpired. From his appearance, Levi seemed like a boy of around 14 years old, yet he had managed to make Fallad, a disciple of the legendary North God style, feel wary.

Although Fallad felt threatened, he eventually brushed off the unease and acknowledged that Levi was a formidable fighter, despite his young age. However, there was one person who observed the incident with deep interest. A young man, not much older than Levi, watched his every move intently. As Levi left the guild, the young man, with a gaze full of interest, immediately followed him.

Levi, on his way to the inn, decided to stop by the market first to buy some groceries. Thanks to Ash's teachings, he had learned to cook reasonably well. Although not yet as skilled as his mentor, his cooking was far superior to most of the food found in local taverns.

As he was walking down a rather quiet alley, Levi suddenly sensed the presence of someone tailing him. Swiftly, he stored his shopping bag in a special storage space he had, then carefully reached for the hilt of his sword.

-Clang!

Suddenly, a dagger whizzed towards him from behind, but Levi quickly managed to deflect the attack. He turned to see a hooded figure standing before him. Under the dim light, a sly grin was etched on the person's face. They drew two more daggers from each hand, ready to strike again.

Levi observed calmly, noting his opponent's slippery and agile movements. "Stronger than that guy named Fallad earlier, it seems," Levi muttered, assessing his adversary's strength. Without much delay, the stranger lunged forward, attempting to harm Levi with swift and lethal strikes.

But Levi remained calm. With smooth yet effective movements, he dodged every attack, studying his opponent's attack patterns. The clash of sword and daggers echoed through the narrow alley, creating tiny sparks whenever metal met metal. Levi realised that this opponent was no ordinary person—their technique was refined, their strikes sharp and deadly. Yet beneath the speed and agility, Levi sensed a weakness he could exploit.

With a quick slash, Levi managed to disarm one of the daggers from his opponent's hand. A brief silence enveloped the alley as they exchanged glances, each sizing up the next move. "You'll need more than that if you want to defeat me," Levi said in a low, confident voice.

The stranger, though having lost one of their daggers, showed no signs of retreat. Instead, the grin on their face widened, signalling that this fight had only just begun. Beneath the hood, their eyes glinted with a fierce passion for battle.

Calmly, the stranger discarded the remaining dagger, then with a smooth yet resolute motion, drew the sword that hung by their side. As soon as the sword was in their hand, the stranger's aura changed drastically, emitting a sharp and lethal energy. Levi, usually composed in any situation, felt a wave of unease creep into his heart.

The aura emanating from his opponent was not as strong as the aura Ash had during their training, but it was enough to make Levi feel a different kind of pressure. Even so, Levi had been taught by Ash to always remain calm when facing an opponent, be it human or monster. A calm mind is key to mastering a battle.

In an instant, as Levi blinked, his opponent vanished from sight. However, Levi's well-trained instincts quickly caught the movement. The opponent reappeared suddenly before him, attacking with terrifying speed. Yet, Levi deftly parried the strike, their swords clashing with a force that reverberated through the air.

As their swords met, Levi finally got a clear look at the person standing before him. He was a young man, not much older than Levi. His hair was black with sharp tips, adding to his wild and dangerous appearance. However, the most striking feature was his glowing red eyes, burning like embers, radiating a cruel aura like that of a demon.

Levi found this challenge increasingly intriguing. Although unease had briefly crept into his mind, he quickly dispelled it. After all, he had been trained by the best, and he would not allow himself to be shaken by an opponent, no matter how strong their aura.

The confined space of their battleground temporarily restricted their movements, and eventually, they sought an open area while continuing their swordplay.

Upon reaching a wide-open space, Levi took a step back to create some distance, allowing him to mount a counter-attack. The Water God style emphasises defence, and its greatest weakness lies in its inability to strike first and its vulnerability to sudden attacks. However, Levi's modified Water Stream Style was not only adept at defence but also incorporated techniques that enabled preemptive strikes.

Levi immediately assumed a fighting stance, adopting a sturdy yet fluid posture, characteristic of the technique he had learned. A blue aura began to flow from within him, enveloping his sword in a shimmering light. This aura not only enhanced the sharpness of his blade but also emanated a power that resonated in the surrounding area.

Water Stream Style

First Form: Water Surface Slash

With a single movement that seemed simple yet deadly, Levi unleashed a horizontal slash. His intent was clear—to end the battle with one stroke, aiming to decapitate his opponent. The speed and precision of his attack made the air seem to split, leaving a thin trail of blue aura in the path of his sword.

His opponent's eyes widened instantly, surprised by the technique Levi employed. This was the Water God style, yet there was something different, something more dangerous. The technique Levi used was a modified version, utilising Aura, not just a mere display of traditional technique. The Aura flowed and interacted with the sword, transforming it into a far more lethal weapon.

Aura, similar to the power of Touki, is an energy that can be manipulated by the user in various ways. However, Aura is not connected to the forces of the universe like Touki, but rather to the spiritual essence of its user. Aura is a manifestation of spiritual power achieved through extreme mental focus and deep emotions. Users of this power can enhance their physical abilities, attract and repel aura from others, sense aura, and even project it.

Aura is distributed across various physical parts of the body, such as the forehead, spine, throat, heart, and abdomen, and its strength can fluctuate with one's emotional state. However, in Ash's case, Aura is located within the meridians—energy channels within the body. Although it appears similar to Touki, there are fundamental differences between the two. The manipulation and application of Aura are quite different, and Aura can be seen with the naked eye by anyone, be they ordinary people or warriors. Acquiring this power requires specialised training and high discipline.

In this world, there are only six known Aura users: its creator, Ash,Zephyr, Carmen,Levi, and three members of Hassan whose identities remain secret. They are all individuals who have undergone rigorous training and have achieved an extraordinary level of spiritual strength. Their Aura has become a symbol of power and self-mastery that can only be attained by those truly dedicated.

As Levi unleashed his attack, his opponent had to face not only the physical slash but also the spiritual power contained within Levi's Aura, making every move a real threat. The Aura exuded an almost tangible pressure, as if Levi dominated the entire space around him.

However, unexpectedly, the young man before him managed to evade the lethal slash with a movement that was almost imperceptible. A small, yet highly efficient movement, proving that his reflexes and instincts had been honed to perfection. Levi, who was usually serious in battle, instead smiled at the challenge presented by this opponent. Rather than feeling frustrated, he was more eager to continue the fight.

The young man also showed the same enthusiasm, but the atmosphere changed suddenly when something unexpected occurred. From the corner of their eyes, a small shadow moved, and a faint thud was heard amidst their battle. A little girl had fallen between them, breaking the concentration that had been fully focused on the fight. The child looked frightened, her eyes welling up as if she was about to cry at any moment.

The two fighters, who had been locked in combat, now halted their movements. Their eyes, which had previously been filled with determination, now shifted to the small, fragile child. Levi and the young man exchanged glances, confusion and concern replacing the battle aura that had previously dominated.

The tense situation suddenly turned awkward. Levi slightly lowered his sword, his cold gaze softening as he looked at the child. The young man opposite him also lowered his weapon, dismissing his intent to continue the attack. Both of them, despite their different backgrounds, seemed to agree that this fight was no longer important, especially with the involvement of an innocent child.