Chapter 9 – The First Sword

The Sentinel moved again.

Adrian met its charge, his blade flashing to intercept. Their swords clashed, the impact sending a tremor through his arms. His grip nearly faltered, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to hold firm.

He couldn't afford to hesitate.

The greatsword came at him again—unrelenting, precise. Adrian dodged, shifting just beyond the deadly arc of steel. He was beginning to see it now.

The rhythm.

Every movement of the Sentinel was like a practiced dance, flowing from one strike to the next with mechanical precision. There was no wasted effort, no hesitation. It was unlike any opponent Adrian had faced before.

And yet—

Something within him stirred.

The Eclipse Blade pulsed in his hands.

A memory—no, an imprint—surged into his mind.

A stance. A technique.

Not from his father's teachings, but from the sword itself.

A whisper echoed in his thoughts.

"Skybound Edict."

The words resonated deep within him.

His body moved before he fully understood.

As the Sentinel's blade came crashing down, Adrian activated Eclipse Pulse—a surge of dark energy radiated outward, briefly staggering his opponent. The moment of reprieve was all he needed.

He shifted, not just evading—but guiding the attack away. His feet planted firmly, his stance aligning with the knowledge that had suddenly become instinct.

His sword rose.

Not in a reckless counter, but in absolute precision.

A single, fluid motion.

A strike that flowed like the wind, sharp as the sky splitting open.

Skybound Edict.

His blade cut upward—faster, sharper than before.

It met the greatsword mid-motion.

For the first time, Adrian wasn't just enduring the force—he was redirecting it.

A shockwave burst outward as their weapons collided. The Sentinel staggered, armor splintering as the sheer momentum forced it backward.

A notification flashed across his vision.

━━ SYSTEM UPDATE ━━

You have unlocked the first technique of the Heavenly Sword Scripture.

→ Skybound Edict – A sword strike that redirects force and carves through the sky itself.

━━━━━━━━━━

Adrian's breath hitched.

The Sentinel hesitated—not out of fear, but as if it recognized the shift in battle.

Adrian exhaled slowly.

This was his chance.

He pressed forward, his sword moving with newfound clarity. His strikes no longer wild or reactionary, but controlled—precise.

The Sentinel responded, adapting. The battle intensified.

Blades clashed in rapid succession. Sparks danced through the ruins, every strike sending waves of force rippling outward. Adrian felt himself pushed to the limit, but his mind was clear.

He wasn't just fighting.

He was learning.

Skybound Edict wove into his movements. He let the Sentinel's weight and power flow into his blade, guiding it where he needed. With each clash, he adjusted—his form refining with every breath, every strike.

The Sentinel lunged one final time, blade raised high for a crushing blow.

Adrian stepped in.

This time, he didn't dodge.

He redirected.

His sword carved through the air, meeting the greatsword mid-swing—turning its force away in a single, elegant arc. The Sentinel's balance faltered.

Adrian's blade followed through.

A clean, decisive strike.

Steel met armor.

A deep crack split through the Sentinel's chestplate.

It staggered.

For the first time—it knelt.

Silence fell.

Adrian stood, chest rising and falling, his sword still poised. His entire body ached, exhaustion threatening to pull him down—but he remained standing.

The Sentinel did not rise.

Instead, it lowered its weapon—its purpose fulfilled.

Adrian exhaled. Slowly, he raised his sword—then brought it to his chest in a warrior's salute.

A moment of respect.

For a worthy opponent.

The Sentinel's hollow gaze lingered on him for a moment longer. Then—its form began to fade.

Dissolving into embers.

Adrian watched as the wind carried them away, leaving only silence behind.

His fingers tightened slightly around the Eclipse Blade.

"This world doesn't just throw monsters at me," Adrian thought. "It teaches me. Tests me. But who… or what… is watching?"

The battle was over.

But his journey had just begun.