Wealth, decisions, and moving when necessary were his old ideals that Foolisch followed for ages if not his whole life. Well, unless the incentive and danger had a corresponding wealth, some concession and danger might come. Thus, he might accept some persuasion and make a blunder against his nature.
He saw nothing good, so if no clarity could come, coming closer and deeper was next. As for what was David planning, Foolisch took no regard for that old fool. Mining was an excuse. The moment Lisa started to dance around that subject, Foolisch felt his heart beating and mind racing. They would go down, and since all openings were public and under constant watch, they would get hunted like animals. No doubt.
Bending his knee was cheap and accepting this money to remain shut was even cheaper. Forgetting their visit wasn't even possible, for there were eyes everywhere, and the current owner and military were tensed up for days. After all, many great members of Scorching Light were aware of this team reaching into their blissful lands of greed and Gems. It came through some considerations, though no plans whatsoever.
What was better? Be foolish and act for a better deal, or take a smaller one with a lesser threat? In his book, the choice of obvious.
“Maps... Ways in depths and shafts. David purchased many of them from me in the past.” Foolisch said.
“You got more things to offer than some maps,” Lisa said and went to a different matter.
Foolisch went around the corner nervously, stopping beside a shelf and taking some documents out, and even briefly glanced at the book named Fairy Tales.
A sharp quack echoed, causing him to nearly shit his pants. He turned, watching Murai stretching his right wing forwards, pointing at him.
“What was that for? I am not giving up anything improper. Nothing here is fake, I swear!” Foolisch swore on his life.
Lisa sighed, figuring that this archaic fool below her was her weakness and hope at the same time. “He wants those tales too, I suppose.”
“Fairy Tale?” Foolisch furrowed his brows, glancing at the old book that wasn't some vast documentation, but more like a less historical, personal, and abundant report of Fairy Race.
He read it dozens of times and knew it was a simple copy, so he tossed it to the piles of maps and documents Lisa demanded.
When it reached the table, Murai was satisfied to get what he wanted and took charge of that book with his wings, beak, and feet. Its content sounded interesting way to waste time on Bagus's head or back, while what it could be or not wasn't his concern. He wanted some fun.
“Will toss it for free, you are welcome,” Foolisch said as if he was giving them a massive favor.
But Lisa was already half glancing at the documents, eyeing them closely and looking for something.
“This is some good stuff,” she mumbled, letting her sona skip a beat and flare up in sharp light.
“I am taking pride in my history. Allow me to take your End to my mouth then. Ip'ur Mountain is old and you want to hear everything there is.”
Ten minutes later, most documents went into Lisa's ring, while Foolisch and his endless exposition went half into her mind, and another half through her nerves.
“You sure took your choice,” Foolisch said, remembering what they asked, what he said, and what they looked for. He didn't see any sense in everything, but Lisa looked for nothing spectacular. Underground was vast, and she never voiced her target.
“So much we do for the interests of those we cherish,” Lisa said and flew away, gesturing for Murai to follow up.
Itrosh turned, leaving the table as well. Murai didn't leave his book; he stored it in his own pouch and hoped its content would be entertaining.
“Bad ideas have many preventions!” Foolisch shouted as they left his shop.
He glanced at the open pouch, wondering if he made a good deal or if bad habits couldn't come to bite him back. What if he could've helped them more? How? Could he smuggle them out?
That was dangerous. He could die, but at the same time, it wasn't something he hadn't done before. In the end, he didn't do a thing and feared Ip'ur City was soon facing yet another storm.
Lisa flew out to the street, looking at the shades of rare trees and many wide balconies, bridges going through the streets, above her, or acting as a ceiling. A massive mountain wasn't in a clear view, but she knew it was there.
She took full charge of her deal and got some good details, documents, and paths she wanted. As she expected, Foolisch had history written down, and as she spoke and took charge of what he explained, she didn't give him any ammo or advantage.
She spoke carefully, so he wouldn't reveal their destination, hopes, or awareness of what was going on. Foolisch was an old clever demon, and somewhere deep, a portal was hiding that no one had seen. Foolisch included, of course.
At least publicly, and there were no words about it in any of his documents. As Lisa expected, Foolisch had no documentation about possible Chaos Routes or portals in this place whatsoever. No one ever commented about them here, questioned it in ancient times, or desired one. They might be great access for fast travel, yet with Materium, or some terrific Chaos Space linkage, things might get rough.
Most spatial travel, portals, and various formations were up to those touching Space or Void Affinities. Chaos Space itself was a vast term that described something like an Afterlife, for it was a totally different dimension. No permanent or temporary portal was ever set in this place, so the general population relied on walking, mounts, and caravans for trading.
Lisa smelt half of her success when she left the shop.
Behind her, Itrosh had overseen her deal herself, but after seeing Lisa so fervent and firm in words, she wasn't even aware half of what she mentioned, wanted, or in what level her involvement helped her at all.
Murai would do so well on his own little feet, and he did well, much to Itrosh whose knives were still in her hands. His quacking didn't work with getting his ideas across, yet they worked much better than what Lisa wanted. She couldn't care less for being his translator, and there was something great when he acted as a token of danger, giving Foolisch no foolish thoughts.
It was fairly effective, even though he didn't know all the reasons why his species was so feared, revered, or taken like mighty and weird beasts.
Even when he asked Lisa, she deflected it by stating some things were just nightmares that didn't need an explanation. Her words were hers. Thankfully, Murai had Bagus, whose mind began to stir in recent days. That was because Murai began to experiment after appreciating him.
He pushed his Will to Bagus and processed some parts of his Will by controlling sequences of his soul. Stating questions or words was straightforward; killing or putting heavy pressure because of his Robust Spirit was a bit different, though Bagus didn't like his weight or tone either. Murai got plenty out of him anyway; be it comments about the dangers of his species, some legends, or history.
He learned from Lorry that some Anatidaes visited this temple in the past. Bagus remembered such times through stories, so whenever Murai moved his Will, Bagus either chose to chuckle, nervously change the topic into a better direction, or talk how Murai wanted. He hoped for David's comeback, but as it seemed, they wouldn't regroup anytime soon, if ever.
That pushed one question forward. Was Lisa's plan with Gate 4 safe, or even possible? Bagus though she wasn't entirely honest with them, obvious by taking such thing as this mountain for their target. It wasn't honest. From what it seemed, she wasn't sure about getting there in the first place. Gate 4 was dangerous for Murai in its basic principle and Bagus didn't expect Lisa to think too much about it.
With Hell Party inside of it, it could be so much worse. Lisa had no way of foreseeing it, even if she carried a rough idea of how to get out. Gambles weren't her forte, so she went with the path of less evil. She made their choices. Now, it was fine to see this mountain and earth in her eyes, while others were mere instruments under her strings. Be it with the situation in this Gate, changes going deep or above, here was her finishing touch that dragged on for days.
So when they moved to the shade of the street, Murai glimpsed at one surprising sight.
They were surrounded.
Bagus rested aside the door, disinterested in those shadows and souls waiting for their chances. He already knew some Hunters made a half circle around Foolisch's shop, itching to get inside, but couldn't.
“Is this... is this?!” Murai was excited! At last, some idiots who wanted to taste his beak and training had come.
It felt like months since he fought like a wild duck, let his Flame and Sharpness rise, and moved his Heavenly Shaping like a storm. He chirped a cheer, half certain to go to war with anyone who would show up.
Lisa felt him, noticing his excitement, and got a headache. Itrosh grinned as she stood beside Bagus, who lifted his head from his napping position and looked who came back.
“They waited for you, so I took a nap. So nice of them, right?” Bagus said.
“What a good boy?!” Itrosh hissed a laugh and patted his big head.
“Right?” Bagus said, chuckling and getting up with his whole body. “More are hiding in further corners. I sense at least forty clowns. A company decided to take us. Mercenaries. Ip'ur natives; most likely miners.”
“I expected more in this place, to be honest.” Lisa reckoned, counting the figures, and didn't know if this was a pain or a great opportunity to finish her plans or not.
“We have our purpose. Maps are in our hands,” Itrosh said to Bagus. “You should've seen and heard us! We handled that old demon Foolisch like a brat. Lisa was great, but you should've seen Murai. We might have to get to work as well, don't you think? There are so many of them here, much to our dismay.”
“Against some Silver Mercenaries, we can come and go with a smile.” Bagus rumbled his throat, flared his feathers like a cat met with danger, and stretched his wings. He didn't hiss but growled like a tiger.
Surrounding figures moved from their hiding spots, coming as shrouded individuals of smaller stature to be called Orcs. They were mostly demo-humans in status, looking like large human demons without being too tall or burly like Abominations.
With masks, dark cloaks, and hoods, they looked like assassins with many tools and purposes. One couldn't notice whether they were miners or not. After all, Bagus or Itrosh didn't need to know their details; they talked and took their guesses out.
At the front, a tall and mighty mercenary stood, looking menacing and without a mask. He was a demon with sharp eyes and brows, too wide mouth, and spikes for hair. Muscles were dense like Ancient Wood, protruding in marbled grains, and accenting his dark veins. He held a thick spear for a weapon, smiled at their opponents, and expected a good show.
“We hunt, folks! You!” He pointed his spear forward, aiming at Bagus. “On my name as...”
Bagus charged at him without thinking or waiting for his stupid monologue. He swung his wings at him and his tail wiggled and whipped around dozens of surprised figures. They expected some talks first, yet their expectations cracked to dust.
“He itched to do it, I bet,” Itrosh commented when Bagus charged at them and began to fight like a maniac. That mercenary cursed, swung his spear, and tried to defend his lost pride.
“There are four individuals with some proper Laws? Isn't it a lot?” Lisa asked Itrosh, clutching Murai by his neck before he would forfeit his life. He didn't like that in the slightest, so he was flaring her wings and beak in her direction.
“Leave me be, Fairy!” Murai shouted at her, quacking like a mad duck. “I want to battle and live my god-damned lives. Always pestering me! You are a shameless little excuse for a succubus. No one likes you! Your wings are loose. Your tongue is poor!”
“Mind you, what is the level scattered around this perimeter? For fools to come, it is unlikely.” Lisa ignored his complaints and looked at Itrosh.
“No idea. Never been keen on that without voice whispering to me ears.” Itrosh said while starting her preparations and watching how Bagus wiped the floor with a dozen mercenaries.
“Some feel at Level 50, Murai Hisagi. Not lower.” Lisa said to his head far too closely. “Wanna challenge them, or everyone? One mistake and you are roasted before you utter a quack.”
Murai furiously nodded. “Challenge is what I need. I don't need kills and death to prove a point. A way to prove my life exists is a worthy subject of suffering and fighting. We live and breathe or bleed. In worth and without misery, there is growth in magic and spirit.”
Lisa rolled her eyes upon hearing his words that hit some cozy, yet not fitting words that came from this silly duck. She watched his eyes for the most part, moaning, and turning to Itrosh. “So be it,” She tossed Murai at her like a rock, “Protect him as you fight. I will watch aside, observe, and help if necessary, so don't die on me.”
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“Don't wanna fight yourself?” Itrosh asked curiously. “Aren't... I mean, what isn't there for you or us? Power and fight, species or races, in battles we strive.”
Itrosh was hesitant about what she could do. She had never seen Lisa much in action other than change shape, touch things, speak, and float like a ghost. Lisa fought and killed, done a bunch of weird shits and acts, yet Itrosh never took it in mind very often. Not many actions were something that a Fairy would do.
Perhaps she wasn't one, or so Itrosh assumed. “Oh well,” Itrosh caught and handled Murai in her hand. He was struggling, unleashing growls at her fingers to leave him alone.
By now, Bagus killed a bunch of mercenaries and turned a portion of the street into rubble. Streets were wide, yet Bagus was not some small dog, let alone a cat. Thus, many surrounding mercenaries aimed at easier targets, and Bagus couldn't fight against everyone.
He was the toughest of them all, yet his Hell Points weren't as enticing. Around ten figures with swords and daggers charged at Itrosh, acting quickly, filled with experience, and aiming at Murai for the most part.
His information was a hot topic, followed by a ton of Hell Points. Let alone that, his skin, body, and rest might be another fortune. They acted like horny bastards; especially when rumors about Murai being a below-fodder level spread among Hunters
But an Anatidae was still an Anatidae. Those should never be underestimated, so these mercenaries unleashed their greatest weapons and attacks.
With protectors around him, Murai never felt like a primary threat, so many took him for one who had yet to grow. That was one advantage of a disadvantageous topic of Lisa's heart, Helpers, and actions that she calculated for a long time. Balance was a farce. It no longer mattered to consider some higher-level opponents acting with some respect.
Potential foes would meet no scrutiny or control when the world was aflame and this Gate turned to shit when she realized it was better to have protectors beside herself. Demons were like wild animals, sorting out their desires and potential with severe principles.
Protecting primary motivations was mandatory. Lisa couldn't see it otherwise, so she took many potential threats for likely occurrence.
Murai would never go far without it. Balance or not, rules, or the world might spin or remain upside down, yet it wouldn't help him too much. Contrary to freedom, when others were the same and felt no chains, freedom was relative.
None of the incoming enemies coming for Murai held Laws to some reputable degree. Still, all of them were dangerous for Murai without any doubts because they had to think about Bagus and Itrosh.
Why did Murai want to fight and want it this way? Lisa couldn't see one single reason to be like that right now, but it would be a lie if she didn't like to see his struggles and loss.
Life-threatening weapons glinted in the street, while their steps and speed showed and turned to many flanks. Itrosh glanced at them, smiling wide and her right hand was itchy because of Murai alone. She wasn't stupid.
When it came to fighting, she was almost clever and talented. Murai recognized it numerous times, though she always butchered this sentiment when she handled him like a revered pet or something that Murai didn't question. There seemed to be far too many rumors, stories, and legends about Anatidaes scattered around the continents.
Some places didn't know of them in the slightest. The Surface of Somalis was one such place, yet deep down in the history or legends, some words escaped. It was common. Mortals didn't know about everything, while those seeking Paths and Gods were in many portions more knowledgeable than others. Beasts, demons, or devils were the same.
Grasped, Murai struggled against Itrosh and her fingers. She smiled and used her left hand alone by touching her pouch, lurching and angling many weapons forward, and shoving a round sharp disc at the incoming group. Knives flew, yet that disc weapon was like a large flat ring, quicker and much deadlier. She handled it with her fingers; it seemed the inner edge was the handle with the rest looking sharp.
The disc was the size of her head, with a thin sharp edge. The internal edge was dull, meant for the hand, yet she didn't require it right now. Itrosh clutched it and threw it against the fastest foe who deflected it with ease. Then, clicking sounds echoed, and even more weapons began to fly under her single hand. Weapons clicked, and her disc danced and bounced, going back at its target after hitting a floor and some wall.
Itrosh carried all kinds of weapons in her pouches and or her clothes. There were far too many customers for her, so she let her knives and daggers free. Most of them went up, where she flicked them in the air or tossed them with almost no delay. Some fell, missed her hand in tricky angles, or fake flicks that some mercenary took for a faint. She flipped them off as well, and dozens of weapons flew at them in less than two seconds.
Most dodged her weapons or deflected them. Some mercenaries slowed down, yet still went forward, aiming at their target.
Itrosh was waiting for the weapons to do the first round of justice. The weapon in her right arm was waiting, complaining, yet observing.
“I chose you!” Itrosh smirked, tossing Murai at the weakest foe within her sight and under her many probing attacks.
Murai cried in happiness and irritation, unleashing his Heavenly Shaping. He went straight to the Surge afterward, creating Sharpblades at their full capacity. It was better to be simple against someone very strong; Murai was sure there were limits ahead because there were always some doubts about his age and time, or the living as a whole.
He took weapons, powers, and strength with obvious familiarity, yet neither was cheap. Most should come gradually, so for him to fight someone more than double his inherent time was silly.
And possible, because his time was bigger than anyone could imagine.
He flew quickly, with his beak glowing in Blitz as his secondary weapon. Use of his body might hit the target's blade first, or come behind his Sharpblades. Waves of mana followed him, gliding like water until meter and a half blades formed behind him like extended feathers.
A clutter echoed when he hit the target with his beak. The sword survived and Murai stopped as if he hit and faced a wall. This opponent was the weakest? It was a sizable mercenary with a strong, sturdy, and well-trained body. He was definitely a soldier who felt death and battles for many decades.
What was that before someone who literary shook worlds, helped destroy some of them, and saw the heights of the Endless Skies? Murai unleashed his Sharpblades like a storm, surprising this demon who handled a medium-sized cutter smaller than a Sharpblade. It was quicker, as he was above Level 50, and someone who was no longer considered fodder in this area.
The mercenary unleashed a flurry of strikes against the swirling Sharpblades and Blitz that aimed at his arms and legs. Dozens of strikes encouraged this single duel, leaving crisp sounds, steps, and metallic noises to echo in the street. Most of them were duller, for there was Bagus who was more than crazy, swinging his wings and beak, while Itrosh wasn't simple either when she protected Murai's duel.
Watched by a small surrounding war of the rest of the figures, Murai had his dual, which was the smallest battle at the moment. Bagus literary took care of two-thirds of all enemies, with Itrosh taking care of the rest like an obnoxious quick demon who never fought like Bagus. She used speed and long-range attacks because her weapons were deadly, accurate, and annoying. Her speed was her weapon.
Murai commenced his long-awaiting dance by touching the truths of his Blitz. He jumped, moved, ducked, or pushed his weapons against that cutter in an attempt to learn and understand his weaknesses. Thanks to his small stature or steps, his opponent couldn't adjust in time and wasn't able to wound Murai at all.
It was no wonder; which mercenary was ever familiar with attacking and fearing such a small target? Unfortunately, Murai wasn't able to do anything to his opponent either, and that cutter was crafty like the flesh behind.
Each swing was powerful and quick, going against Murai's Sharpblade. Even his Blitz was nothing better. Its strength was accumulating, and he knew his Fatality might be better than what his Sharpblade could do at the moment. A single good exchange could give him some opportunity.
It was exactly what Murai wanted and planned for. A foe that wanted his life was an excellent opponent. A foe that would try to go to great lengths against him without going too overboard was good.
Bagus or Itrosh would never go that far no matter how many times he fought against them. When he was bored, expectant, or watchful over his progress, he occasionally let go of some doubts and used those who were always around. Lisa wasn't that, and Bagus or Itrosh wouldn't refuse to witness what Murai was able to do. Combined with his time in the Heavenly Shaping Manual, his growth was significant.
So Murai fought against this opponent however he wanted, seeking out advantages while noticing many of his shortcomings.
The biggest was simple; experience when fighting Level 50+ opponents depended on a couple of factors. The level was the biggest catch in this world, as it described the worth and value of a whole life. Getting above Level 50 required plenty of time and luck, as well as a Path. Demons and humans were different breeds of power than numerous beasts.
Murai figured that his species was unique among the regular approach to this world. It was a matter of minority, so his Level wasn't simple. He was young and nearly halfway towards some passable point, yet with a rather blank state of effort. He was exceptionally quick in some portions because of it.
Alas, when one noticed and knew how beasts existed in this world, quick leveling and development weren't uncommon. Sometimes, it was necessary and natural. For Anatidaes within their Seedling and Child stages, speeding through the levels or being monsters was great and expected, but their levels would get harder afterward.
Many demons and humans were unlike that; they would have a much more steady foundation and balanced progress. Mishaps along the way to the top were difficult in a completely different matter to beasts.
In many normal societies, many took Level 50 as a very distant dream. Abilities and attributes were essential in entering this level while following a Path that came off as a treasure that bordered priceless company, wealth, or possibility.
Most Paths in this world held Classes to them, creating a way forward for numerous ways to get stronger. Getting stronger faster—or more stable—had stages that went from weakling to some disproportionate levels of talent, which made a level number difficult to comprehend.
Many questioned the integrity of this world and Gods because of it, yet it never changed.
At least for the Paths that were well-off and popular, touching Laws was seen as a significant achievement, while becoming an Extreme was a heavenly chance. Some obscure Paths or weak ones would never become as substantial as something researched, known, and great in history. Following Paths were cherished opportunities.
Murai knew it, yet never had a chance to touch on it so far. He fought very nasty opponents in the last Gate. However, they were nothing before his present eyes, let alone distant lives. None of those opponents were reasonable or something clever like Murai.
Some of the latest ones were intense in Bloodline and moves, not as lacking in instincts or intellect, because they had growth behind them, which pushed Murai to his limits back then. Through trials, he accomplished half of his duels by showing his wit and strategies, and fighting with struggles and most of his possibilities.
Here?
What was he doing against someone he couldn't beat? Strategy and strength were similar in answers.
The most pleasing Gate 2's foe was perhaps Uqari, the succubus who met the wrong match. The toughest was a golem his size.
Murai found very quickly that he couldn't do a thing against this mercenary. Blitz clicked numerous times against that cutter. Murai even used his wings, deflecting some stabs or slashes, moving his Sharpblade well, yet many cracks on them spread and no blood escaped or hit his target. Attacking at nasty angles was possible in his expertise, yet his opponent always moved and took care of Murai's beak at the same time as those flying blades.
It was a terrifying stagnant and fierce battle that put a cold shower on this mercenary, who thought he should be able to wipe the floor with this silly goose.
Oh, how far he underestimated Murai, it wasn't even funny. Lisa agreed, floating far from the ground, observing this rare event where Murai should have been frustrated but wasn't
Some times were no longer one-sided. His opponent had trouble against the mentality of his sharp and flexible Sharpblades that moved like frantic swords above or beyond Murai's head and sides. He fought along with them, acting as if this beak was his third wing or another Sharpblade.
Murai used his Blitz and Sharpblades. Nothing else, because everything was lacking. Beak Layering had its casting problem. Adding some Arrows or Flame Shots into this fight wasn't smart either.
Around him, the situation turned to complete chaos. The military was yet to come and solve this problem that arose behind many important heads. It shouldn't have happened, for this city was ruled by a tough hand.
Ip'ur City might not be a Pivot City, but many gangs or people might think of their words as enough. Many surrounding mountains thought like that when their strict owners were outstanding. Troubled times like these turned already sensitive situations up a notch. Fighting was prohibited under all circumstances, unless absolutely necessary, or if one's life was in danger.
Something this large should never go unnoticed.
Lisa saw clear nonsense in that idea, but with Bagus and Itrosh, these forty mercenaries were far too quick in their judgment, or they were mere tests.
Bagus was their biggest miscalculation, followed by Itrosh who held her defensive dance and disengaged many fools from going to Murai.
Lisa saw how Itrosh fought, watching her with more genuine ideas, as if she was contemplating something, or wondering if she was adequate. Itrosh fought around Murai in a circle, forcing most dangers away from him even if there weren't as many of them after a few minutes.
Everyone got so busy and Bagus got so wild, that Murai was lost in the chaos of his duel. Lisa wasn't when no one paid her attention. Itrosh followed her order and covered Murai from a distance, giving him the fight he desired.
So Lisa floated a dozen meters above one particularly wide and big street, observing from the safety of some close barriers that didn't obscure the mystifying sun above, but let some light down without any horrid heat. Obvious to the eyes and the city, she was like a fine target that one might take worse than that sun.
An arrow suddenly flew through her chest and head, traveling away and leaving soft sona particles behind. Lisa didn't even flinch when she floated with her crossed arm. Not until a figure jumped at her like a wild tiger, mask hiding a face, while its large palms engulfed in mana tried to snatch the untouchable. Equipment Gloves might get dangerous. Lisa snorted at such a silly idea. Could others be the same? What effects did this have on someone like her? She doubted they were some restraining power, reaching to her like a cage or a net.
“So nosy,” she flicked him off, disappearing from the spot like wind. She dispersed literary. It was no teleport, flight, or movement technique. She became the air itself if one might call it, leaving her ring dropping down.
The man who jumped so high clawed at her previous location, creating a net spreading for a dozen meters. It caught nothing when it tightened like a pouch secured by a very thin thread.
“Fucking hell,” he complained as he fell down, unsuccessful in catching a 200 000 Hell Point prey.
Lisa reappeared aside, calm and with arms folded. She caught the ring that almost fell to the ground as if it were a minor matter. That was one of the disadvantages of having something physical on her at all times. It could get loose.
Below, the battle was reaching its conclusion.
Bagus forced a pair of Lawful Silver Mercenaries away after giving them nasty wounds. Another one died by his attack, the last set backed by Itrosh and her numerous little helps. As for the rest of the mercenaries, no matter how they attacked, their targets were like slippery eels, or like a tough flexible fortress with cannons and spears ahead. Bagus was a walking disaster.
Soon, only one mercenary remained, with some that fled, including those who tried to catch Lisa.
Murai battled like a maniac in his dual as a sole remaining clash. He retreated numerous times, challenged himself and his opponent even more, and felt great even in his frustration and losses. For a whole ten minutes, things were intense and his body was no longer so confident, let alone calm, collected, and safe.
His Sharpblades broke dozens of times, and they no longer regenerated because he couldn't keep up with his repairs and mana pool. That alone spoke of this battle, as he held ridiculous efficiency and his mana was great in most of its factors. Sharpblades chipped away, losing this fight, unlike his beak which was still crisp and in one piece.
Murai felt spent in mana almost hundreds of times in the last week combined, so he was used to feeling setbacks of mana, and his mana space and cores wouldn't get loose. He would, which was a problem. He kept up with his pace as if everything was fine but wasn't. That cutter hit him numerous times, trying to twist his neck, or hit his wings or legs.
He tried to never feel the pain that Razmund inflicted on him back then. Murai was grudgeful for that memory, so when he felt his Mana Pool reach its end and his body and mind were hitting a wall, it was time to stop it.
But no one was here to stop him. His opponent wouldn't do that for him either, so Murai felt how this demon got confident and much more brutal. Unleashing kicks and sharp slashes, Sharpblades cracked apart and Murai faced that chop with his wing that bend. Murai swung his head, meeting that cutter head-on and flying aside like a rag-doll, slashed on his neck and chest.
Hoodie protected him once more, though his neck was exposed and bleeding a little. His mana was out of order, depleted more than his openings of Heavenly Shaping Manual.
Sharpblades ate his mana like a sponge when cracked and used; it was an unfortunate trouble of not having a physical blade or a blade that would go with mana or his Sharpblade style. Lowering speed and density wasn't possible; his opponent had good technique and battle experience, and his cutter never lacked flexibility, edge, or dexterity.
He even hit Murai a couple of times, yet neither attack gave him such trouble until now. Most of the slashes slid from the wing Murai placed at good timings of his teachings, Blitz intercepted it next, or his hoodie absorbed or helped with damage mitigation.