043 | Next Level

As my body spun several times, I built enough momentum and I swung my sword vertically downward at the Grim Reaper.

I felt my blade connect and I slammed the Grim Reaper back down to the ground. He landed on his back and created a crater on the grassy field.

But I wasn't just done yet, I doubt a single slash from me is enough to fully kill the Grim Reaper.

"First Form."

I used the First Form to plummet downward with my sword, stabbing it into the black chaotic mass that's under the Grim Reaper's ribcage. Something about it seemed off and my instincts strongly warned me to get rid of it.

Anyone could probably tell that it was important. And if it's giving the Grim Reaper his power, then removing it would instantly turn the tides of this fight.

However, my sword rusted immediately and crumbled into hundreds of shards upon colliding with the chaotic mass.

"Foolish human..."

Perhaps I got too conceited with the Imperial Sword Style. The Grim Reaper got up and grabbed my neck, lifting me up. It was taking all I had, Raw Energy and magic spells, to resist the Death Magic from pouring into me.

"I'm not done yet."

The Grim Reaper intensified his grip and it sent pain going all throughout my body.

I yelled from the pain it caused but the Grim Reaper covered my mouth making my screams muffled.

"A mere insect...no matter how hard they try...will never be able to win."

I didn't think I'll need to do this just yet but I guess there's no time other than now. Underneath the Grim Reaper's hands, I muffled out the words to activate my spell.

"Stop."

With my current mana capacity, I can only stop time for a mere fraction of a second. The duration increases if I limit the area for which I'm stopping time but I had no such leisure to create a barrier as I had with Lisha.

That fraction of a second gave me just what I needed to break out of the Grim Reaper's grasp and distance myself away.

Once time resumed, I coughed up some blood onto my palm.

"F*ck. I went beyond my limit."

If only these stupid Twelve Seals weren't placed upon me. Then I wouldn't need to worry about being in this situation at all.

"But...it's quite exciting isn't it?"

The Grim Reaper raised his hand and his scythe flew into his grasp.

"Have you...gone mad, human?"

"Don't you think it's...quite fun? Amusing? Entertaining?"

"Surely, you're not...going insane because you lost?"

I laughed wholeheartedly for the first time in a while during a fight. Albeit, it does sound quite maniacal.

"This exhilaration! How long has it been since I last felt the doors of death creep in so close!"

The years I've spent in solitude, training with the mutt, and living a carefree life with two Dark Elves that were, arguably, like parental figures have made me forget many vital lessons.

I have been so habituated to such a lifestyle that I have forgotten the reality of a battle to the death.

"This is it! A fight where only one side can rise as the victor!"

I reached into my Inventory spell and pulled out my last remaining sword. I'll have to remember to buy more at the AU or a local smithery. Assuming I make it out alive.

"But isn't that the most interesting part?"

I raised my blade facing the Grim Reaper. I coughed while my mouth was clamped shut. My tongue gathered the blood around my mouth and spat it out.

"Come! Show me what it's like once more to fight with my life on the line!"

I covered myself with Raw Energy. I only have a minuscule amount of mana left after resisting the Grim Reaper and using Time Magic to escape his grasp.

Charging towards the Grim Reaper with all my might as he and I clashed once again. I played more defensively this time with the Imperial Sword Style. Once my sword breaks, there's not much I can do in a fistfight against someone who literally causes death with a slight touch.

We fought all over the grassy field.

I was buying time. Time for me to climb over one of the largest hurdles I encountered.

The next stage of Raw Energy.

And quoting, the old man, Calamno:

"Tranquil. Calm. Enlightenment of the physical body. Raw Energy turns into a calm pond from a raging fire."

Thinking about the old man's words, I was quite confused at first. I didn't think I would be doing puzzles and riddles. But, it made more sense to me at this very moment. In fact, I seem to have realized this right in the middle of exchanging moves with the Grim Reaper.

I removed the flaming red aura of Raw Energy.

Obviously, the Grim Reaper was confused.

"Human, have you...finally given up?!"

I smiled but didn't give him an answer. I had found what I needed to do to reach the next level of Raw Energy.

With nothing but the small amounts of mana that's covering my sword, all my movements are now completely independent. There is no external factor or substance I can rely on now.

What I planned to do, was push my physical body to its absolute limits. Achieving enlightenment in battle. With my body already tired and exhausted, I'm forced to ONLY make the most efficient and effective movements.

Then and only then, I will be able to grasp the fundamentals of the Profound Stage, the next level of Raw Energy.

Each and every form of the Imperial Sword Style was executed with extreme caution. Getting into a stance or moving a certain way must be handled with utmost care.

The Grim Reaper swung his scythe at my neck.

I weaved it just barely with a tilt of my head. I followed my tilt with a counter. My sword struck the forehead of the Grim Reaper, creating a small dent.

"A mere human..!"

The enraged skeleton burst out with an angry flurry of attacks, all imbued with deadly amounts of Death Magic.

With the most minimal movements I could, I dodged every single one.

As I'm fighting in close quarters with the Grim Reaper, the first and most dangerous factor would be his Black Iron scythe. Dealing with that first would be the most optimal decision.

"Fourth Form."

The Fourth Form in the Imperial Sword Style aims for an awkwardly angled sword slash that is capable of disarming your opponent.

On the very next swing, I swirled my sword around the blade and handle of his scythe, eventually coming in contact with his wrist.

The Grim Reaper raised his other hand and made a claw with his fingers. He was expecting me to follow through and knock his scythe out, he thinks that he can make use of that slight opening to easily end my life with a single hit.

After all, I had nothing covering my body for protection.

I smirked, things would have ended in the Grim Reaper's favor if a simple disarm was all that I was aiming to do.

I rotated the blade of my sword with the sharp end perpendicular to his wrist.

"Twenty-Sixth Form."

As mentioned before, this form is intended to nullify attacks that came from the front.

I optimized this form to also include offensive capabilities. As I aimed to slash the Grim Reaper's other arm to render his claw attack meaningless, I also took this chance to cut whatever I could in the path of my swing.

The Grim Reaper backed up immediately after, not giving me a chance to follow up with another form.

"Where are you running off to?!"

The angered Grim Reaper dashed back and we continued our exchange.

I had already sent out hundreds of forms before I got rudely interrupted.

It was by the three weirdos that suddenly barged in. One look at them and they were no doubt the Captains of the three forces in Yanalia. I can already make out who is who.

The lady with blue hair tied in a long ponytail like a waterfall is Bridgette. The Captain of the Scouts.

I already know who Waryun is because I saw him fight against the Inspector.

Leaving the last person, the one with what seems to be dyed red hair, to be the Captain of the Royal Guard. Haydon, was it?

The Grim Reaper had gotten more impatient and eager to kill me. Especially when I was lasting this long with nothing but my own body. He raised his scythe and was about to unleash a swing with devastating Death magic.

I was about to utilize the Fifteenth Form to alter the course of his attack right back at him but the Captains just HAD to jump in.

Haydon released a yellow aura surrounding his sword and sent out a blade of mana towards the Grim Reaper.

Bridgette became a splash of water and zipped right towards me. She conjured a stream of water that went on my body and slipped all over me, healing my injuries.

Waryun, the fool, picked up the trunk of a dead tree and threw it at the Grim Reaper.

I muttered with utter disappointment under my breath.

"Pieces of crap, I almost had it. I felt the very ledges of climbing over the wall."

Bridgette ruffled my hair and patted my shoulder, "It's okay now, you did amazing! I can't believe such a cute kid is such a master with the sword."

Woman, did you just call me a kid?

I let out a sigh mentally. Chin up and smile. I changed the look in my eyes to something more...befitting of my appearance.

I pulled out the puppy eyes.

"Really? It's all going to be okay now?"

Bridgette nodded her head, "We'll take care of things from now on. Make your way back. We'll end this war right here and now."

The Captain of the Royal Guard nodded his head. His Holy Magic was quite useful as it was a good counter against Death Magic.

Tsk, showing up late and ruining my opportunity to reach a higher level.

F*cking bastards.

"Thank you so much!! Stay safe~"

I threw my dented sword to the side and disappeared into the forest.

I heard fighting back there but I'm sure they can handle it. The Grim Reaper is nothing special if you can react to his brute force attacks. That's really the only thing that's able to threaten the three Captains.

The Grim Reaper seemed a bit ticked off that I left.

"Do not run!"

Unfortunately for him, the three Captains kept the Grim Reaper busy.

Haydon is already capable of nullifying Death Magic so I don't think anything can really go wrong here.

Well, even if it DOES.

They deserve every second of it. They just had to interfere. I almost had it.

I was almost there. I could almost climb over the blockade that prevents me from achieving the Profound State of Raw Energy.

"Ruined my mood..."

Lisha and Rudif's presence wasn't anywhere nearby this area. I'm glad that they already left. I retreated further into the forest, making my way back to Yanalia.