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Chapter 9: The Clash of Strength

Lleyn stood at the precipice of destiny, his eyes focused not on the prospect of Odin's favor or the allure of a "Random Attribute Potion," but on a more personal goal. He aspired to become the strongest of the Awakened in the world of Eldoria, a title that held greater significance for him than any other, and to that end, he needed to complete this quest and others to come, all so he could be ready for the tutorial.

As he prepared to summon Odin's Einherjar, his thoughts centered on his unwavering pursuit of power and strength. The quest for supremacy among the Awakened was a relentless drive that had defined his journey in this fantastical realm.

With a deep breath, he summoned the enemy that awaited him—a being chosen by Odin himself. An ethereal mist coalesced before him, revealing a formidable figure, clad in resplendent armor adorned with intricate Nordic designs. The Einherjar was a sight to behold, exuding an aura of unwavering determination.

Lleyn couldn't help but admire the entity's appearance. The Einherjar was a true embodiment of Norse mythology—a warrior selected by Odin to serve in Valhalla. His eyes, a piercing blue, radiated with the knowledge of countless battles and an unyielding thirst for victory.

The Einherjar was unarmed, which Lleyn was grateful for, but each movement of his armor-clad form resonated with a sense of purpose and precision. It was clear that this foe possessed the skills and valor of a legendary hero.

However, Lleyn was undeterred. His quest for power and dominance had led him to this pivotal moment. He tightened his grip on his wooden sword, a symbol of his unrelenting ambition. Facing an opponent chosen by a deity only fueled his determination to prove himself as the strongest among the Awakened.

The challenge was unmistakable, and they stood ready to engage in a battle that would test their mettle and strength. The outcome remained uncertain, but Lleyn was resolute. His pursuit of supremacy among the Awakened was a path he walked with unwavering determination.

With a solemn nod to the Einherjar, Lleyn uttered the words that would initiate their battle. "Let the clash of strength begin."

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The battle between Lleyn and the Einherjar raged on, with Lleyn desperately trying to conserve his Lightning Infusion skill. He knew that he had only twenty seconds to unleash its devastating power, and the cooldown was a daunting thirty minutes. His strategy was to weaken the Einherjar with his physical abilities and then use Lightning Infusion to secure victory.

Despite Lleyn's skill and determination, he found himself pushed to the brink. The Einherjar's overwhelming power and relentless attacks had placed him in a precarious situation. With every strike, he could feel the strain on his body, and his wooden sword seemed to grow heavier with each passing second.

Lleyn's breaths came in ragged gasps, and sweat poured down his brow as he fought to maintain his focus. His muscles ached, and he knew that he couldn't keep up this pace for much longer. The Einherjar's eyes remained locked on him, his expression unwavering, as if he knew that victory was within his grasp.

In a desperate bid to turn the tide of the battle, Lleyn summoned all his remaining strength and launched a flurry of strikes at the Einherjar. His wooden sword moved with blinding speed, a testament to his determination to emerge victorious. However, the Einherjar parried each blow with ease, his movements calculated and precise, and the sword shattered into his hands.

With a swift counterattack, the Einherjar delivered a powerful blow that sent Lleyn staggering backward. He could feel the impact reverberate through his body, and a surge of pain shot through his chest. He struggled to maintain his balance, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

The crisis was clear—Lleyn was on the verge of defeat. The Einherjar's strength and combat prowess were unmatched, and Lleyn's own reserves were running dangerously low. He knew that he needed to find a way to turn the tide, but the odds seemed insurmountable.

As the battle continued, Lleyn's mind raced, searching for a strategy, a technique, anything that could give him an advantage. He couldn't afford to lose, not here, not now. His quest to become the strongest of the Awakened hinged on this battle, and failure was not an option.

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With no other recourse, Lleyn made a bold and risky decision. He couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip through his fingers, not when he had come so far. With resolve burning in his eyes, he tapped into the Lightning Infusion skill, channeling its power into his very body.

As the skill took hold, Lleyn could feel the surge of energy coursing through him, his entire being enveloped in crackling blue lightning. His black hair stood on end, rising above his head from the static charge, and a faint blue glow surrounded his body as arcs of lightning danced across his form. The ground beneath him seemed to come alive, as tendrils of electricity licked at the earth.

The transformation was awe-inspiring, and even the Einherjar, in the midst of his relentless assault, sensed the change in Lleyn. He paused for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, as he beheld the electrified warrior before him.

Lleyn's heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and determination. He knew that he had a mere twenty seconds to end this battle, to prove that he was the strongest of the Awakened. The Lightning Infusion skill had transformed him into a living lightning storm, and he was resolved to harness its power to secure victory.

With a fierce battle cry, Lleyn launched himself at the Einherjar, his body crackling with electricity as he sought to deliver a devastating blow. The seconds ticked away, and the outcome of this clash of strength hung in the balance.

Without his wooden sword to parry the Einherjar's devastating blows, Lleyn found himself on the receiving end of punishing attacks. Although the Lightning Infusion skill provided him with enhanced endurance and reduced the damage he took, the relentless assault was taking its toll. Lleyn was losing the fight, his strength waning as each blow pushed him further towards defeat.

The Einherjar's strikes were fierce and unrelenting, fueled by an unwavering determination. Every punch carried the weight of countless battles fought in the hallowed halls of Valhalla. Lleyn staggered under the barrage, his muscles aching and his body battered.

As he desperately parried a bone-crushing blow, Lleyn's mind raced. He knew he couldn't endure much longer, and his Lightning Infusion skill was his last, desperate hope.

The abandoned building echoed with the thunderous clash of their battle, and the aura of power and determination hung heavy in the air. Lleyn's breath came in ragged gasps, and he could feel the trickle of sweat down his brow. He couldn't afford to falter now; his desire for strength burned brighter than ever.

The Einherjar, sensing victory within his grasp, launched a devastating uppercut that sent Lleyn sprawling backward. Pain shot through his body as he hit the ground, but he refused to yield. He couldn't afford to fail, not when he was so close to victory and the rewards that awaited him.

As the Einherjar advanced, Lleyn gathered his remaining strength and forced himself back to his feet. He could see the confidence in his opponent's eyes, the belief that victory was assured. It was that very confidence that would be the Einherjar's downfall.

Just as he was about to suffer a crushing blow from the Einherjar, a sudden announcement from the system echoed in his mind:

Lightning Infusion has been raised to Level 2.

In an instant, the lightning coursing through Lleyn's body surged with newfound intensity. Before he could catch his breath, another system announcement appeared before his eyes.

*The power of Lightning Infusion has surged and stunned the opponent for one second.

It was the opening Lleyn had been desperately waiting for.

With lightning crackling around him, Lleyn moved with unprecedented speed and precision. He closed the gap between himself and the Einherjar in the blink of an eye, his fingers digging into the foe's neck like claws. In that critical moment, he summoned every ounce of strength and determination, fueled by the electric energy coursing through his veins.

With a swift, decisive motion, Lleyn tore out the Einherjar's throat. The resplendent warrior's eyes widened in shock, and his body crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The battle had ended in a single, brutal strike.

As the Einherjar's form faded away, a triumphant sense of accomplishment washed over Lleyn. Both of his quests had been completed. He had not only completed The Hero’s Journey (2), but he had proven himself worthy of Odin's challenge.

But the victory had come at a cost. Lleyn's body, exhausted from the intense battle and the strain of wielding Lightning Infusion, reached its limit. Darkness closed in on the edges of his vision, and he knew that he was about to lose consciousness.

With one final, satisfied smile, Lleyn succumbed to the overwhelming fatigue, his body collapsing to the ground before he could check his status window.