Chapter 59

In a coliseum that was intensely burning with raging fire, two silhouettes of identical figures that were surrounded by extreme arcs of lightning were clashing against each other. With every clash of swords, shockwaves resounded as one sword flew to another.

None of the two figures could be easily identified as the originals, as both of them had expressionless faces. The clone was understandable as it was only a data of Zephyr, which made it the exact copy of him as it replecates everything about him, excluding his awareness as the player.

However, if someone could see the fight, none would be able to recognize the original Zephyr as both were acting in a similar manner. Not a single emotion was portrayed throughout the battle, which a human shouldn't be. Like a robot, every move that both created had great efficiency.

As the clone were controlling the five swords, all five swords made their way as they targeted Zephyr. Reacting with his own [Sword Manipulation], with his own swords, Zephyr managed all incoming attacks to be keep in check with all his swords. With the constant exchange of attacks, one would think this was a splendid fight.

That is, if they could see and catch up with their speed. That's right, both the clone and Zephyr were moving at lightning speed as not even a trace of their silhouette could be seen.

As the duration of [Fire Storm] has ended, flames throughout the arena have disappeared. However, unlike the flames that stopped raging, the sound of constant fighting doesn't. Due to the speed of the fight, even though Zephyr could keep up, the clone was faster than him as it possessed higher stats than him, including agility.

Zephyr's eyes then changed as he activated [Emperor Eye]. The clone did the same action as he did. As the two stared into each other's eyes, a notification popped out.

[You have been inflicted with 'submit'.]

[You have resisted.]

Both of their eyes tried to make the other submit, but both of them resisted as the gap in their status wasn't different. Zephyr then muttered in his mind.

'So this is what happens when someone looks at my eyes.'

Even though he resisted it, Zephyr could imagine what would happen if he didn't. Zephyr then shook the thought off as he directed his attention to the clone. Using the Twilight Blade, which was floated in the air, Zephyr then moved and used [Twilight Strike] on the clone.

Zephyr wondered if the clone would retaliate by counterattacking using one of his sword skills, as his skill was more powerful than the skill effect on the item. Zephyr wanted them to clash while the clone used a skill, giving him a great advantage, and then he could neutralize the counterattack and cause more damage at the same time.

However, the clone didn't do as Zephyr wanted. Unlike the stupid BOT (artificial intelligence players) that could be seen in normal games, Zephyr's clone was equipped with the artificial intelligence of a named NPC. It judged that counterattacking was a disadvantage.

Avoiding the [Twilight Strike], it leaped off into the air and turned around as it avoided Zephyr's Twilight Blade. Zephyr's interest was piqued as he thought it was pretty clever. One should know that the clone would know the weaknesses better than the player as it was a pile of accumulated data.

If any other player was currently undergoing this trial, it would be a guarantee that they would fail as the clone was more proficient and efficient at using the skills than the player. However, this doesn't apply to Zephyr.

'There's no way a pile of data is better than me.'

Zephyr's demeanor became cold as he despised the clone in front of him. He didn't like that the one in front of him which had the same face and was taking the same actions as he. He felt uncomfortable about it.

Zephyr then cast [Lightning Bolt] at a precise moment. Zephyr inflicted a stun, making the clone stop moving. The clone made a slight surprise expression as this shouldn't happen as he was invulnerable while using [Lightning Body].

The clone might know the skills and the weaknesses of Zephyr, but Zephyr himself knew better than anyone how to counter himself. Unlike one would think, [Lightning Body] isn't omnipotent; it also has a flaw.

[Lightning Body] would disappear when arriving at the desired target. As the clone leaped off into the air, the target destination that was designated by it was where it retreated, making the [Lightning Body] disappear after arriving in it.

Before the clone could cast the skill again, Zephyr fired [Lightning Bolt] in advance, hitting the clone within the gap of 0.2 seconds before the clone could use [Lightning Body] again. Seeing it unable to move, Zephyr stared at the clone with cold eyes.

[Your Soulstone of Pride's 'Embodiment of Pride' has been activated.]

[Your Soulstone of Pride's 'Aura of Pride' has been activated.]

With the gap in the stats, Zephyr resulted on using the Soulstone of Pride during a battle on the first time. Zephyr could feel that something was boiling in his chest. With his cold eyes, Zephyr glared at the clone as if it was insignificant.

That's right, after activating the Soulstone of Pride, Zephyr's pride has risen. Zephyr also noticed it however he didn't resisted it as he let the pride in front of him rise to the peak. As his pride rose, his stats also grew rivaling the stats of the clone.

Zephyr slashed and stabbed the clone, as the clone was still unable to move, Zephyr hit the clone without any resistance.

[You have dealt 15,300 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 16,106 damage to the target.]

Narrowing his eyes, Zephyr could feel the high amount of defense as he felt he was cutting a steel with a kitchen knife. However, he wasn't bothered by it as flames burst out in his sword as he used [Nova Ascension].

[You have dealt 35,800 damage to the target.]

Before the clone could move again, Zephyr casted [Fire Bolt] as the clone was stunned again. Zephyr then grabbed the Nether-Phantasmal Blade from the air. With his right hand with the Twilight Blade while his left was with the Nether-Phantasmal Blade.

With the [Dual Blades] which allowed Zephyr to use two swords without any penalty, Zephyr activated [Crescent Stream] as he simultaneously slashed the clone with both blades at the same time. Receding the continuous damage, the clone's HP fell to 73%.

Zephyr dominated the battle against the clone, even though it had a higher advantage against him. Regaining the ability to move, the clone immediately dashed towards Zephyr and used [Illusory Sword].

[You have suffered 17,837 damage.]

[You have suffered 17,678 damage.]

[You have...]

Zephyr wasn't able to block it as the skill was unblockable. However, his HP was only reduced up to 92%, which didn't bother Zephyr. What bothered him was that Zephyr didn't feel the clone had used the Soulstone of Pride.

Zephyr then used [Illusory Sword], which made the clone unable to block six of his attacks. Zephyr thought as he slashed the clone.

'The probability is high that it cannot replicate a bound item like the soulstones. There's also a probability that it can't use or copy the items in my inventory as it only replicates the item that was equipped on me.'

Zephyr speculated correctly, as it can not replicate any other item other than the equipped ones. If it could replicate any item of Zephyr, it has already used the Aetherius Set, as using it would give the clone a high chance of victory.

Blood spurted from the clone's chest. But the clone didn't shrink back. Suddenly, a menacing aura of hatred and killing intent filled the air. The clone was using [Vorpal Destruction].

Zephyr used [Blink] as he avoided the blade which held a tremendous killing intent. He avoided [Vorpal Destruction] and at the same time, he appeared behind the clone, Zephyr casted [Hell Fire], [Fireball] and [Lightning Blast] to the clone who was still on the momentum of [Vorpal Destruction].

With the stats of Zephyr which was still rising along with his pride, the clone judged it would be in a disadvantage as earlier both sides had equal stats, the clone was already overwhelmed in a frontal battle.

However the clone didn't say anything. The clone was Zephyr, but it capabilities were confined. The clone was a puppet doll without feelings. The reason for the clone's existence was to kill Zephyr, so it had no thoughts or comments.

Suddenly intense demonic energy bursted out from the clone's body. A mask was then formed as it covered the clones face. Seeing it, Zephyr thought.

'Hollow huh.'

Five swords appeared behind the clone's back. All swords flew towards Zephyr with an extreme speed while the clone appeared behind him using [Blink]. Sorrounded by multiple attacks at the same time, Zephyr then exquisitely dodged all attacks with a complex footwork.

All attacks of the clone missed Zephyr as he already knew what were the trajectories of the attacks after looking at the future. With two blades in his hands, Zephyr slashed the clone in a dancing motion as he used [Saint's Sword Dance]. The clone was able to block every attack of Zephyr.

'Strong.'

Zephyr muttered in his minds as the clone had now overwhelmed him in terms of stats again after it activated [Hollow]. Zephyr wasn't bother by it as none of the attacks of the clone was able to hit him again even the clone was now faster than him.

Zephyr clashed with the clone as they exchanged one attack after another. At first, the clone has the upper hand with it's higher stats, however as time passes, Zephyr was steadily fighting against the clone on equal standing.

The clone increased it's ferocity but Zephyr was able to perfectly deal with it with an indifferent manner. As of now, even with [Hollow], the clone stats was no longer higher than his.

The main reason was his legendary item, Soulstone of Pride. One of the reasons why it was feared and coveted throughout Tensura because as long as one possessed a certain amount of pride, the pride would make his power grows as it cannot tolerate that someone would overwhelm him.

Blood poured from the nose and mouth of the clone. Making it lost half of its health. The clone quickly raised the sword and used [Nova Ascension] while Zephyr summoned Tetsuya to slow down the clone.

Summoning Tetsuya, the little kyuubi made its appear in the arena. All nine tails of Tetsuya immediately moved as it blocked the sword of the clone. Tetsuya endured the damage but craters appeared on the ground he was standing as the power behind the strike on the sword was enormous.

Zephyr didn't let Tetsuya's effort on blocking it to be in vain as flames and lightning appeared on his swords while using [Lightning Flame Slash]. The clone immediately grabbed one sword that was floated around him as it used both swords to block Zephyr's strike.

Zephyr then wondered if the clone would also be able to summon Tetsuya. Zephyr then narrowed his eyes as the clone doesn't show any sign of summoning Tetsuya. Suddenly a thought flashed into his mind.

'A kyuubi is the most perfect creature just like a dragon. There's no way Tetsuya can be replicated.'

Seeing it was unnecessary to be wary of it, a mask suddenly appeared on his face as he activated [Hollow]. Appearing in front of the clone, Zephyr brandished his swords towards the clone.

The clone tried to block it but it only made him staggered as Zephyr had overwhelmed him in strength. After being flown by a certain distance, the clone took a deep breath and stared at Zephyr.

With super sensitivity, Zephyr felt an ominous feeling from the clone. However he wasn't wary as he wondered what would the clone gonna do as he knows the clone won't be defeated easily.

It didn't take long for Zephyr's expectation to arrive as the clone muttered.

"Dragonification."