Chapter 7:A Fight in the Darkness [3]

The light-blue sword was cutting through my left horn while the obsidian sword was on top of my right.

Ignoring the surging pain coursing through my body as both the swords cut at my horns, I flicked my head upward.

And, like a basketball bouncing off the floor, the light-blue sword flung upward into the air, nearing my freed left foot.

My other horn...wasn't so lucky.

Upon initially hitting my right horn, the obsidian sword bounced slightly upward into the air, only leaving a small crack on it.

However, it...quickly descended back down due to its large weight, slicing through my right horn like a knife cutting through butter.

Now, like a tree that had been cut down, my right horn resembled a stump, being less than half the size of my left horn.

Glancing downward, I could see both my obsidian sword and the top portion of my right horn falling into the abyss of darkness below.

On the other hand, the light-blue sword that weighed far less than my obsidian sword levitated in the air for a moment next to my left leg.

Gritting my teeth, I planted my left leg on the light-blue sword and blinked, feeling a gust of wind instantly rush against my face.

When I reopened my eyes, I was no longer falling into the void of darkness below...but lying down on the royal-red carpet with a familiar figure on top of me.

Catching the dazed "hero" off guard, I immediately flung my left foot up into his stomach, sending him flying backward.

*CRASH*

As the "hero" flew back and landed near the staircase, I immediately glanced upward into the air, easily spotting the light-blue sword falling into the void of darkness.

We were both weaponless.

Not wasting a second, I sprinted toward one of many corpses laid out on the carpet and picked up a normal iron sword.

However, as the reflection of myself came into view on the blade of the iron sword, I immediately dropped it.

The entire right side of my head was covered in blood, painting my normal amber-brown hair a crimson-red.

And... my mask.

It was shattered, to say the least.

I wasn't sure when it had happened, most likely when the hero had hit me out of the air, but my face was now fully visible.

My eyes were blood-red, and I had very pale skin...as if I hadn't been outside in decades.

Grabbing the iron sword, I turned around to face the "hero," who was still recovering from his crash into the staircase.

However, within moments, two layers of mana instantly surrounded the "hero's" body, highlighting his figure an ocean-blue.

Sighing, I dropped the iron sword and raised my fist from out under my baggy cloak.

Then, without any hesitation, I grabbed my right horn, which was still somewhat cracked and weakened, and ripped a piece of it off.

"AHHH!"

As a piece of the horn broke off and fell into my hands, I couldn't help but shout in pain.

It felt like I had just ripped off one of my fingers.

Resembling a karambit with its curved shape, the piece of my right horn that I had ripped out dazzled in my hand, illuminated by the royal-red carpet below.

Holding onto the non-sharp side of the ruby karambit with my right hand, I immediately charged toward the weaponless "hero" and the staircase behind him.

Augmenting his glowing ocean-blue hand with two layers of mana, the "hero" jabbed his right fist forward as I approached.

Ducking down, I swept my right leg across the floor, attempting to knock "hero" off balance; however, he simply stepped backward onto the first step of the staircase.

Seeing he had the high ground, the "hero" immediately kicked his right leg upward, attempting to hit my head.

Raising my left hand over my head, I attempted to cover my head while simultaneously swinging my ruby karambit horizontally with my right hand.

Unable to parry my karambit with anything, the "hero" immediately retracted his foot before stepping backward on the second step of the staircase, narrowly avoiding my attack.

Using "Shadow Step" or magical slashes was impossible for me currently as I was fully out of mana; however, the "hero" did not seem to realize that.

Every few seconds, he would instinctively glance backward, making sure that I had not teleported behind him.

Seeing him about to tilt his head to look behind, I jumped up into the air, landing right next to the "hero" on the second step.

Then, as he threw a punch at me, I horizontally swung my dagger right at his neck while standing still.

His double-augmented fist would do some damage to me at the maximum; however, my ruby dagger would kill him if it hit.

Perhaps, noticing this, the "hero" immediately flapped the light-blue wings on his back, appearing halfway up the staircase.

Feeling my control over my body start to falter, I didn't hesitate to follow after him, sprinting up the staircase like a madman.

Ahead, the "hero" did the same, charging towards the top of the staircase and my throne while looking back at me.

As the "hero" reached my throne and fully ascended the staircase, I managed to gather enough mana to use "Shadow Step."

Blinking, I took one last step forward, immediately disappearing and reappearing atop the throne that I had been previously sitting on.

Behind me, the cross where I had come from stood, looming over me and seemingly threatening to take me back.

Immediately noticing my absence, the "hero" swiveled his head like an owl and spotted me jumping off the throne with my ruby dagger in hand

Raising both of his hands above his head and creating an "X," the "hero" stood still and watched as I neared him.

The light-blue hue covering his entire body began to flicker...however, the light-blue glow, specifically around his arms and hands, immediately brightened.

There were now three layers of mana surrounding both his arms.

But, at the same time, there were now zero layers of mana protecting the rest of his body.