Battle Within The Dark

'What?! Already?'

The sudden system message stunned and exceed James's expectations. Knowing how difficult it was to rank up from being an Apprentice, he expected it would be much more difficult to rank up to a Journeyman sorcerer. He had already prepared his mind for the bottleneck he would encounter once he reached Level 29 and the almost impossible system ranking requirements.

'Hahaha... is this what they call having the devil's luck?'

Just then, James felt a section of brain opened up. Revealing information that he couldn't access before.

'Blood Magic... so this is the secret of Blood Magic... Hahaha...' James could barely control his excitement. Since his days in the Tiodon Kingdom, he had lusted over Blay De Tover's Blood Magic. After several months of hardship and near-death experiences, it made him elated to have finally gotten the last inheritance of the slain sorcerer.

Unlike the previous skills he received from the infamous mage, James knew Blood Magic was Blay De Tover's speciality, and through it he made his name in the Black Lands.

Within a second, thousands of theories and experiments flashed through James's mind. With just an upgrade, he had accumulated decades of research; spanning several generations.

While in his hysteria, James's eyes landed on his new Title, 'Soul Cleaver? Is this another branch of the Grim Reaper?' James mused.

Unlike before, he didn't receive any explanation about the new Title. it didn't bother him. There was a lot of time to figure out the benefits of the new Title.

Once again, James shifted his attention towards Aebalar. One would have expected her to be the embodiment of fear after James shattered her Bloodline Ability, however, she met James's gaze with a smile that would send a chill down the spines of those who saw it.

The sides of her eyes and mouth twitched uncontrollably, while her hands and legs vibrated. She muttered incoherent words like someone who had gone insane. However, the clarity in her eyes contradicted her actions.

'I don't know what's happening, but if you think I'll give you time to prepare, then you have another thing coming.'

James's grip on the scythe tightened. Like a ghoul from the abyss, he unleashed a frightening speed. Disappearing and reappearing before Aebalar. Scythe raised into the air. With a swing, he would decapitate her.

For the first time, fear clouded Aebalar's eyes. However, James wouldn't give her any time to react. No matter what, he would reap her soul today. With a furious swing, James's beautiful scythe tore through the air. Sinking towards cleaving Aebalar's neck.

James had a savage grin plastered on his face as he watched his scythe reach within inches of Aebalar's neck, 'This is the end!'

Just then, however, the lights in Aebalar's eyes dimmed. A split second later, a barrier suddenly appeared between her neck and the rapidly approaching scythe.

"Too late! You're head is mine!" James mocked.

Like a hot knife through butter, the scythe shattered the barrier. The impact didn't impede its momentum. However, Aebalar had bought herself enough time.

At that same moment, she dashed towards James like a madman. Limiting the effectiveness of his attack.

'This bitch is underestimating me. Does she think she's safe coming close to me?'

James didn't expect her to come towards him. It didn't bother him, though. After all, only a violent beat down awaited anyone who came within the range of his fists.

Just as James was about to change the form of the scythe, a shrill voice filled his ears, saying, "How dare you?! A mere dog of the Netherworld dares to harm my vessel?!"

James's visage turned ugly. Although those words came out of Aebalar's mouth, it wasn't the voice of a being of this world. In fact, it spoke in a tongue no man or beast would understand.

Instinctively, James retreated while glaring at Aebalar. Different thoughts flashed through his mind, however, he squeezed out the words, "Who are you?"

A bloody mist hovered around Aebalar's body. Her eyes had gone pitch black like someone possessed. She could barely stand on her feet, swaying side to side as if she would fall at any moment.

"You can call me Zenonja."

James took a step back as an illusionary figure appeared above Aebalar's body. It had the head of a crocodile, the body of a bear, and seven serpentine tails. One tail embedded itself deep into Aebalar's body, controlling it like a puppet.

'What the hell is this thing? System, scan it!' Despite being an aberration himself, James had seen nothing like Zenonja. It looked and sounded like something one would only see in nightmares.

Scanning...

Scanning Completed!

Name: Zenonja.

Nirvanic Rebirth Age: 900!

Species: Aged Spirit.

Path: Darkness.

Abilities: Blood Essence Devourer.

Status: Merging with its host.

Weakness: Soul Purifying Flames! The User's flame will only cause minimal damage in its current state.

Probability of the User Eliminating the target: 10%

System��s recommendation: Avoid conflict if possible!

'The thing inside her was an Aged Spirit?' There was no way James would forget Anita's words. He never expected that he would encounter one in Kynar of all places.

'According to what Anita said, Aged Spirits don't have battle capabilities. So, why is the odds of killing it so low?'

With an almost perfect memory, James remembered every word Anita said that day. However, he didn't understand why the possibility of killing Zenonja was so low.

'Could she have lied to me?' James quickly dispelled the thought from his mind. With the merged damn soul in her body, it was impossible for her to lie. 'Maybe the information she had on Aged Spirit was inaccurate. That has to be it.' James concluded.

There was also the matter of Zenonja's weakness, the Soul Purifying flames. The strange wordings of the system gave James a hint of what is coming.

While in deep thought, Zenonja's voice reached James again, "Tell me who sent you? Did the council send you?!"

'Council? What the hell is this monster talking out?' James didn't understand what Zenonja spoke of, hence he remained silent.

However, his silence only infuriated Zenonja. Its serpentine tails unleashed a piercing hiss while its eyes turned fiery red.

"You dare ignore me?! As if any other person would know about her Bloodline. Speak you dog! Who sent—?"

"Call me a dog one more time and let's see what happens." James interjected. The soul purifying flame in his skull flickered as if it would jump out at any moment.

Initially, he had distanced himself from Aebalar because he was the cautious type who didn't take risks, unless it was necessary. Not that he feared Zenonja or Aebalar. From his experience in the last several months, he knew one had to know when to act if they wanted to live long in Skyhaven.

In causal steps, James approached the massive illusionary creature. His scythe slowly changed to another form as he neared the Aged Spirit.

Although James was half Zenonja's height, he didn't show the slightest bit of fear. Rather, it was the Aged Spirit who showed signs of fear. James's scythe had successful transformed into a warhammer, and purple flames covered its length. Stretching all the way to James's arm.

'What's that flame? Am I, Zenonja, actually afraid of a mere flame?' Being an Aged Spirit, he had transcend all physical harms and emotions. However, Zenonja couldn't understand the source of his worries as he stared the eerie soul purifying flames.

Only a few inches separated James and Zenonja. They both stared at each other with obvious malice. James's warhammer rested on his shoulders, while Zenonja's tails had assumed a hexagonal formation.

Being a seasoned fighter, he knew Zenonja wasn't just putting up a show to scare him. It truly had the power to cause him significant harm.

With Zenonja preparing for the battle, James knew without a doubt that Anita's words were not accurate.

"I'll ask you once again. Who sent you?!"

Silence, however, greeted Zenonja's words. James wasn't in the mood to talk.

"Do you think you're invincible because of that—?"

"Enough with your nonsense! If you want a fight, come! I'll bash that fucking head of yours. Even if I can't kill you, I'll take my time taking apart your vessel."

Title - Soul Cleaver, Activated!

Permanently Activated!

James's aura suddenly exploded and two ink black lines appeared on his skull. Running from his eye sockets to his jaw.

Scanning...

Scanning Completed!

Name: Zenonja.

Nirvanic Rebirth Age: 900!

Species: Aged Spirit.

Path: Darkness.

Abilities: Blood Essence Devourer.

Status: Merging with its host.

Weakness: Soul Purifying Flames! The User's flame will only cause minimal damage in its current state.

Probability of the User Eliminating the target: 40%

System's recommendation: Avoid conflict if possible!

'What's this aura? No matter what, I have to kill him!' Unlike before, Zenonja consider James as a threat to its existence.

Just as Zenonja planned to make its move, Aebalar's body suddenly trembled. Instantly, she vomited mouthful after mouthful of fresh blood.

'Oh no. Materializing is causing her body great harm. I have to return—huh?' Zenonja panicked as he saw Aebalar's condition.

James, however, didn't hesitate. With his full strength, he sent the warhammer directly towards Zenonja's head. He didn't know what happened to Aebalar, and frankly he didn't care. Once he eliminated the Aged Spirit, her turn would come.

'This bastard! I can't let her get hurt!'

Using the tail connected to Aebalar, Zenonja dragged her away from James's reach while using his other tails to block the path of his warhammer. A loud explosion followed.

James donned a savage smile as his warhammer landed on Zenonja's tails. However, it only lasted a moment.

Zenonja swung its right arm towards James, its fury clear. Manipulating the Mask of the Dead once more, James turned it into a shield. Within seconds, Zenonja's fist landed on the shield. Another explosion followed. This time, however, the impact of the attack knocked James over five feet.

Zenonja stepped forward, ready to pounce on James. Just as it took its first step, the intensity of Aebalar's vomiting increased.

'Damn it!' Zenonja cursed. Staring at James with eyes full of fury. James, however, remained calm. He knew he had the upper hand in the battle, with Aebalar being an obvious weakness. There was no need for him to rush. Eventually, Zenonja would make a mistake, he believed.

Just then, Zenonja's throat swelled.

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Name: Corrosive Barrier Detected!

Origin: Bloodline Ability.

Effects: The organs of anything within ten feet of its user will undergo forceful corrosion.

Limitations: Ability can't affect Item, Damned Souls. Title, Grim Reaper is immune to its effects.

'Hahaha... how stupid can it be? I'll use this opportunity to finish it!'

Zenonja's corrosive barrier covered the length of the arena. Whether it was the walls or marbled floor, they all experienced corrosion. Within the mist, James shrouded himself with his shadow barrier skill. His shield had once again turned to a warhammer.

He stared at Zenonja as a snake eyed a rat, waiting ever so patiently to make his move.

Meanwhile, Aebalar, hidden behind Zenonja, trembled uncontrollably. Whitish foam mixed with blood poured out from her mouth and nose.

'I can't delay it anymore. I have to return.' Zenonja's countenance grew wary as it noticed Aebalar's current state.

The moment it turned his attention towards Aebalar, James made his move. Running through the corrosive mist, his grip tightened on the warhammer. Within a few feet of Zenonja, he launched himself into midair, prepared to smash Zenonja's skull to smithereens.

"I have got you now!" Zenonja suddenly bellowed.

Although a large creature, its agility wasn't lacking. Turning to the side, it dodged James's sneak attack while thrusting its tails towards James.

With his high agility stat, James easily dodged Zenonja's counterattack. However, he moved directly into the range of Zenonja's fists. The Aged Spirit didn't miss the chance and sent a ruthless blow towards James's midsection.

With barely any distance between them, James knew it was impossible to dodge the attack.

"Die!"

Zenonja's fist smashed into James's body. At that same moment, however, James's warhammer turned to a spear. Still coated with the soul purifying flames, it pierced Zenonja's shoulders, eliciting beastial howls.

James, however, tumbled on the floor, only stopping when he reached the end of the barrier. Despite not feeling any pain in his Grim Reaper form, he felt weak. A feeling he had never experienced in his transformed state.

'It's a good thing I didn't receive the full impact of the blow. It might have forced me out of my Grim Reaper form.'

James knew the consequences of such a scenario happening. It wouldn't take more than a minute for his organs to implode from the corrosive mist. He would never let that happen.

"I'll kill you! I promise I'll kill you!" Zenonja's howls echoed in all directions. James, however, paid it no mind.

Although Zenonja baited him earlier, he also baited it by receiving a punch from the Aged Spirit. It was the only way he could land a clean hit on the frenzied creature.

Just then, Zenonja's screams lessened to the point they became inaudible.

'What happen? I have to get there.' James mused.

James tried to return to a standing position, however, his body felt heavier than usual. Despite gathering all his strength, he could barely stand. Not to talk of walking.

'How can single punch cause so much damage? What if I had received the full impact?' James shuddered at the thought.

At that same moment, the corrosive mist lessened, and James could see Aebalar lying a pool of her own blood.

'He retreated. This is my chance. I have to finish her now!' James thought.

However, he could barely stand.

'Move! Damn it! Move!'

If he had known, he would have blocked Zenonja's fist instead of stabbing the Aged Spirit.

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Three targets are about to dispel the User's Skill—Mana Manipulation.

'Damn it! They've gotten here already.'

***

"Boufal, Henriksen, let's do this," Cefero said.

The trio rushed towards the arena after all the mirrors in the room had gone dark. Since they didn't know if it was the ability of one combatant, they had to act fast. Hence, they raced to the arena with the quickest speed they could muster.

"I'm ready," Henriksen said.

"Me too," Boufal said.

Wasting no time, the trio sent a wave of their Mana through the arena, easily dispelling the darkness caused by James's Mana Manipulation.

The sudden turn of events surprised the youths who stood behind the barrier. Since the darkness emerged, they hadn't seen or heard a thing. Now that Cefero, Boufal and Henriksen emerged within the barrier, they believed it was intentional.

The eyes of the youths instantly roamed the arena, searching for the victors of the first bout.

'Huh? Is that Aebalar? Hahaha... someone could beat that bitch up? Wonderful! Where's the corpse of that bastard Kaleb?' A smile formed on Yoz's lips as she saw Aebalar lying in a pool of her own blood and she couldn't wait to find James's corpse.

Contrary to her expectations, however, she saw James leaning on the corroded walls of a particular section of the room. His breathing calm, and his face relaxed.

'What? He survived? How?' A frown distorted Yoz's features.

Just then, she realized she had overlooked an important issue.

'Wait... what happened to the others?'

The same question plagued the mind of everyone watching the incredulous scene. Of the four people who entered the arena, two had completely disappeared. One was in a state between life and death, while only one remained standing.

"If you're done staring. Announce my victory," James said.