Black String of Fate

Chapter 15: Levels of Death (4)

"Ugh... Fuck... Never again..."

After several hours, Xavier finally gained consciousness. Now, all the recoil can finally hit hard.

"Argh... Shit, it hurts! Feels like my whole skull is being pierced by hot needles. Fuck, I hate this fucking headache!"

Right now, Xavier was experiencing the side effects of both of his demonic techniques. The bodily pain from Advent of Insanity was no joke, but it paled in comparison to the splitting headache that he received from using Forbidden Bloodlust.

"...I'm the crazy one to even create such a technique, but it just had to be so damn useful!"

Forbidden Bloodlust, as the name states, fills the user with intense bloodlust to the point they lose even their sanity. It's a form of an intent, where the user's blade is filled with the will to draw blood, thus halting their regeneration almost completely.

It even messes with the psyche of an opponent, as those with sensitive instincts, the mark of a great warrior, would feel immense subconscious fear from the near-limitless amount of malicious bloodlust and killing intent.

As with his other techniques, the side effects are severe. If Advent of Insanity makes the user forget bodily limits, the Forbidden Bloodlust takes away their sense of rationality. Xavier was already pretty demonic by nature, but this technique takes it to a creepily new level. He becomes a monster in human skin and gets dictated by the evil bloodlust flowing through him.

'I used to offset the backlash by injecting some energy in my brain to drive out the evil influence, but right now... I just let myself go. This was the true form of my evil I draw power from...

But anyway, that ogre's dead, so I guess it's fine? I should've passed too...'

Right as Xavier thought about this, a blue screen popped up in front of him, as if waiting for this moment.

********

Level 2 Complete!

Deaths taken: 0

Activate Recovery?

[Yes] [No]

Note: You will be instantly transported to the final level.

*********

'Final level? Not the next one? Does that mean it only had 3 stages? I would assume so, since I don't see any other way to beat something harder than this...

The first one was not strong, but tricky. The second one was the opposite, being simple but strong. The third one, if it is the final, would make sense if it is both tricky and strong...'

Xavier took a deep breath, analyzing the situation. He knew that the next fight would be harder than this one. It may seem like he easily defeated the ogre, but he had to use his trump cards which have severe backlash. It was a heaven-sent good luck that the fights weren't continuous, allowing him to recover from the backlash.

"System, I have a question to ask. Can you answer me?"

Xavier asked, not really expecting an answer. It had cleared all of his doubts till now, but he wasn't sure of a proper conversation.

Luckily, he wasn't disappointed.

*******

The System exists to clear doubts and provide information within limits. Your queries will be answered as long as they exist within reasonable demands.

*******

"...That's neat. Now, tell me, how effective is the recovery effect after the fights?" Xavier asked with something on the back of his mind, a way to beat the final level in a surefire way.

*******

The recovery provided by the system heals all injuries completely, back to perfect condition, given that it is an energy sustained in the fight. The degree of injury is of no consequence, proven by the ability of revival from death.

*******

"Okay then... This... Sure helps a lot. If it can recover anything, using the last move of the Supreme Demonic Arts would be of no consequence. That move... It's powerful, extremely so.

For that power, it redeems a heavy price from its user too, far heavier than some simple mental pain and bodily damage..."

Xavier muttered to himself anxiously, subconsciously talking to the System. Using that move always made him nervous, such that he would never use it unless in dire circumstances. It was his ultimate move, the true representation of the Supreme Demonic Arts, whose concept revolved around the idea of 'Sacrifice for power'.

"Huff..."

Xavier took a deep breath and finally drove out his hesitation. He had a determined look in his eyes, ready to tackle the next challenge.

'No use overthinking about it. Whatever happens, happens.'

"System, transfer me to the final level."

********

Transfer initiated.

********

Xavier once again lost consciousness, this time familiar with the process. Soon after, he woke up once again, with a different weapon in hand now.

"What the? A chained scythe? I have never in my life used this weapon..."

Xavier was now given one of the most eccentric weapons ever made. It was a scythe attached to a long chain, with the weight on the other end secured by a chakram. It was the first time Xavier had ever even seen such a weapon in person, let alone use it.

He swung it around a few times, throwing it, recalling it back, performing combos, etc. It took some time, but within a few minutes, he had familiarized himself with the weapon.

'Hmm... wasn't that hard to learn...'

This was something most probably something only he, an Archon, could do. His comprehension and talent with weapons in general were one of the greatest to ever exist. Mastering any weapon to at least a basic, wieldable level was something he could do near-instantly.

Though, further mastery would require time and hard work, as it should with anything.

'I wish I had a sword if I am to face a formidable opponent...'

Sighing at his luck, Xavier once again stepped into the arena and waited for the gates to open.

*CREAK*

A familiar sound resounded, and this time, instead of a grand reveal, a shadow immediately flashed and clashed with Xavier.

*Urgh*

Xavier quickly defended, but was flung back quite a distance. It was just slightly stronger than the ogre, but the speed was no joke. He could only react in time, his body could not move fast enough to properly defend.

*CAW*

"...Caw?"

Xavier, now regaining his senses, looked up high in the sky.

"No way, you're kidding me... A Death Raven?"

It was one of the most dangerous monsters to ever exist in the lower ranks, a bird of nightmare and death. The Death Raven was one of the strongest monsters for their rank, as they were more powerful than some monsters of a rank higher. It was known to never be handled by newbies of similar ranks.

It was a peak rank 3 monster. Half a step into rank 4.