Chapter 7 - Passing The Test
Minutes passed gradually and the storm of flames was dying down. After a large part of it had evaporated over the scorching heat, the previously extremely dense Shinsu had lost a large part of its previous density.
Only a thin layer of flames and ash from the White Steel Eels covered the ground of the test site.
Crackle, Crackle!
Uriel walked through the thin layer of flames with a calm and cold expression, one of his hands behind his back. Flames covered his body as if he were the Emperor of Flames.
'Three to go.'
His cold eyes sharpened looking at the three remaining White Steel Eels. Their bodies were full of burns, yet unlike the others, these eels managed to survive against the Flaming Storm. These White Steel Eels had a body more resistant to Shinsu than their companions, for this reason, they were able to survive.
Uriel walked towards them with a slight killing intent radiating from his body. Even though to pass the test it was only necessary to destroy the black ball, he was not interested in just finishing without first killing all the White Steel Eels.
In a way, it was a way for him to get a comprehensive overview of his current strength and its limits. His increase in strength was very sudden. If he wanted to get used to this new strength, the fastest way would be through battles. He would like to at least know his limits before reaching the next floor.
Kyaaaaak-!!!
The huge beak of the White Steel Eels opened and a sharp, ferocious roar reached Uriel's ears.
'Oh? Unlike those other two that ran away, those remaining three are quite fierce.'
Uriel frowned slightly. The fiercer a beast is, the more dangerous it tends to be. The more ferocious, the less fear of losing one's life.
'It's going to be a little more complicated this time. But, it will be more interesting.'
Over his calm, cold face, a small amused smile formed.
Splaaash!
The White Steel Eels began to swim towards him quickly.
'Hehe, then come.'
Uriel wasted no time either. He pressed his legs into the ground and the veins in his feather bulged. He kicked the ground and advanced forward like lightning made of flames.
Kyaaaak-!
One of the White Steel Eels advanced in front of the others and headed toward him with great speed.
Uriel smiled slightly.
Crack!
His advance stopped, he wedged one of his legs into the ground and, using his previous momentum, raised his other leg and kicked upwards.
'Demonic Technique of the Old Devil's Sword - Incomplete Version: Demon Bite!'
Whoosh!
A powerful gust of wind blew forward and the flames went out.
Kyaaaaaaaak-!!!
The White Steel Eel roared and continued its advance, facing the gust of wind head-on without a single fear in its eyes.
Uriel sneered. This White Steel Eel thinks it can face this technique head-on?
'Hehe.'
It overestimated herself.
An instant passed and, the White Steel Eel raised its huge beak towards the gust of wind.
However, something unexpected occurred.
The strong gust of wind began to take the form of twenty large, sharp teeth.
Like a mouth opening, ten teeth made of wind descended downwards and another ten rose upwards, before...
Fwoooosh!
Biting.
Kyaaaaaaaak-!!!
The White Steel Eel's entire body writhed in pain. Its scream of pain seemed to traverse space-time.
It felt its head being pulled and disengaged from its body. The transparent teeth erupted and began to chew. It was as if thousands of chainsaws were cutting into its head. Its head was being torn apart.
Kyaaaaaaaak-!!!!
It felt its vision turn completely red, but it could see...
The right half of its completely lacerated head falling to the ground.
The torn flesh and organs of the eel spilled out onto the ground. Bright red blood was splashing everywhere. A truly bloody and disgusting mess.
However, the eel had no time to concentrate on this. Its whole body was writhing in pain. Its once fierce gaze was marked with fear and pain. An indescribable pain covered its entire body.
Its huge body was swinging in Shinsu, and blood often splattered.
"Tsk, tsk, what gave you the courage to face the Demon Bite head-on?"
A voice that seemed to have come straight from the abyss resounded in its torn head.
Its heart sank and its entire body trembled.
Ignoring the indescribable pain of its head being torn apart, the eel began to swim away from that voice with all its strength.
However—
Crackle! Crackle!
A wave of flames formed by the thin layer of fire on the ground engulfed its body.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaak-!!!
Only the sound of its scream and the burning flames echoed.
"Tsk, tsk. That's why it's important to know your own limits and not face something you're not prepared for."
Uriel shook his head desperately as he walked through the torn flesh and organs.
When...
"Urgh."
His body staggered slightly and he let out a small groan of pain.
'To think my leg is like this after only using an incomplete technique.'
He frowned slightly and regained his balance. A moment later, his gaze turned to the two remaining White Steel Eels. They looked at him differently now, in their fierce eyes there was fear in them. They did not dare to carelessly approach him again.
'Hehe, it seems that the one from just now was the strongest—'
"Cough...!"
His eyes widened and he spat blood from his mouth.
With his mind slightly clouded, he wiped the blood at the corners of his mouth and frowned deeply.
He had overreacted.
It was his first time using Shinsu and he had used two Shinsu Control Techniques with the Flame Lotus - Flaming Storm and Scorching Wave - in addition to Demon's Bite. His body was exhausted; he had pushed his body beyond its limits.
'But, that's okay. At least now I know my current limit.'
Although his limit is around only two techniques, he was satisfied. He was still on the 1st Floor and was heading to the 2nd Floor. 2nd Floor Regulars can barely use Shinsu, let alone use a Shinsu Control Technique.
'Now it's time to go to the next floor.'
Wiping away the blood in his mouth completely, his gaze shifted away from the two fear-filled White Steel Eels and locked on the black ball floating in front of him.
Although he decided to kill all the White Steel Eels, he is not arrogant, at least not much. He always paid attention to the black ball, after all, it's his only safe method of escape in case he couldn't defeat the remaining White Steel Eels.
Step! Step!
He walked towards the black ball and raised his hand.
'Looks like I'll have to overdo it a little more.'
Crackle, Crackle!
A small Flame Lotus appeared in his hand. This time, this one was infinitely weaker than the previous one, and its previous majesty and splendor had also diminished.
However, a Flame Lotus is still a Flame Lotus. A Lotus that possesses flames capable of burning anything.
The Lotus of Flame spun in Uriel's hand and flew toward the black ball.
Boom!
A thunderous sound rang out as the black ball burst into black fragments.
Buzz!
A black ray came out of the black fragments and advanced towards Uriel. Slowly covering his body.
Before being completely engulfed by the black ray, Uriel turned in a certain direction and smiled before opening his mouth and muttering a few words, and then closing his mouth again.
His vision darkened.
*
Headon and Urek watched from beginning to end, shocked. They saw Uriel create a storm of flames that destroyed a total of four White Steel Eels and left three others wounded. They also saw him soon after creating a gust of wind with a leg swing, which tore the head off one of the three remaining White Steel Eels.
'That child is really very impressive.'
Headon smiled slightly watching as Uriel destroyed the black ball and passed the test.
"That guy is pretty strong!"
Urek beside him was excited with his eyes shining after watching Uriel fight. Then suddenly, something interesting occurred.
Uriel turned toward him and muttered a few words to him.
"I will be waiting for you on the next Floor, I hope you will pass."
Urek smiled showing his white teeth and laughed.
"Hahahaha! This guy is really very interesting! Come on rabbit, give me my test quickly!"
"Right, right. Then let's start your Test Floor."