I made my way through the dense forest, the canopy above filtering the sunlight into soft, dappled patterns on the forest floor. As I approached the shack, its Japanese origin became immediately apparent. The structure stood proudly, adorned with traditional Shoji doors, their delicate paper screens hinting at the serenity within. The door beckoned to me, its wooden frame weathered by years of exposure to the elements. With a creak, I gently pushed it open, revealing the interior bathed in a warm, golden light. Every corner of the room was tranquil and refined. Delicate paintings adorned the walls, their vibrant colors adding a touch of elegance to the space.
The only furnishings in sight were a pair of plush pillows resting on the tatami mat floor, and a small table adorned with a delicate vase filled with freshly cut flowers. And there, in the center of it all, sat Division. He was positioned in the seiza posture, his attention focused on the steaming cup of tea cradled delicately in his hands. The teacup itself was a work of art, its pure white surface bearing intricate designs that spoke of a rich history and tradition. As our eyes met, Division's gaze was unwavering, his demeanor composed yet commanding. "Please, take a seat, Oren-san. Let us converse." he demanded. Despite my reservations, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the opportunity to uncover any vulnerabilities he might possess. With a resigned nod, I acquiesced, lowering myself onto one of the cushions opposite him.
I approached the low table, the cool touch of the tatami mat beneath me as I settled into the seiza position opposite Division. A delicate teacup awaited me, its contents steaming gently, but I made no move to partake. Instead, I nudged the cup slightly in his direction, a silent declaration of my apprehension and distrust. Division observed my gesture with a calm demeanor, taking another leisurely sip of his tea before addressing my unspoken concern. "Ah, I understand your caution," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Rest assured, the blade is not poisoned. Poison may not be lethal to individuals of our caliber, but it does indeed weaken us. Such tactics are beneath me."
Refusing to be swayed, I pushed forward with my accusation, my voice tinged with frustration and anger. "Is that why you kidnapped my girlfriend?" I demanded, my gaze piercing through the veil of composure he wore. Division's response was measured, his expression betraying no hint of guilt as he refuted my accusation. "I am not the one who abducted her; it was Terrorism. The individual whom you have just dispatched." he clarified. Anger surged within me, fueled by the injustice of it all. "You condoned it, and you're holding her in here somewhere," I accused, my voice laced with accusation. Division remained unmoved, his hand drifting to the hilt of his sword in a silent gesture of resolve. "I didn't harm her personally, and she's feeling better now," he asserted, his gaze steady as he met my eyes, daring me to challenge his words. My eyes scanned the room, assessing the three other doors that stood silent sentinels in the tranquil space. Each one held the potential to conceal the whereabouts of Aroha, and the urgency to rescue her gnawed at the edges of my resolve. Yet, I knew that confronting Division was a necessary precursor to any rescue attempt.
With a deep breath, I turned my attention back to Division, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. "How is this going to go?" I inquired, my voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within me. Division's laughter, though light-hearted, carried an undercurrent of determination as he responded. "Well, we shall engage in a duel to the death." he declared matter-of-factly, his words certain. His next gesture, however, took me by surprise. With a casual shrug, he summoned forth a display of swords near one of the doors, the metal gleaming softly in the ambient light. My eyes widened in astonishment at the sudden manifestation of weaponry. "Three swords lie before you. Choose one." Division informed me, his tone almost casual despite the gravity of the situation.
Forcing myself to my feet, I approached the display, each sword beckoning to me with a silent promise of strength and resolve. After a moment's contemplation, I reached out and grasped the red-hued blade, its vibrant color commanding attention amidst the subdued surroundings. I studied the intricate markings etched into its surface, and a realization dawned upon me. The sword bore the scars of countless battles. This is the correct choice. Division's pride was evident as he regarded my selection with approval. "Ah, a wise selection. That blade is of the finest craftsmanship I possess, second only to the one adorning my own side." he remarked. I secured the sword in my pants' belt loop, its weight tugging slightly against the fabric. Resting my elbow on the sheathe, I took a moment to steady my breathing, mentally preparing myself for the imminent clash. Division's sudden transformation caught me off guard, his expression shifting into one of deadly seriousness, his demeanor akin to a warrior entering battle mode. "Are you prepared, Oren Hashigana?" he intoned, his voice devoid of its previous levity.
Though a twinge of uncertainty flickered within me, I pushed it aside. Tony taught me some rudimentary techniques before he died. I wish I could've bought Weapon Mastery before this fight, but I didn't get a quest in time. Division dispatched the table and pillows, sending them hurtling out of the nearest window with an effortless flick of his foot. The confines of the room suddenly felt even smaller, the space barely encompassing twenty feet in any direction. I slowly unsheathed my sword, the metallic rasp echoing in the tense silence as I assumed a hanging right stance, my muscles coiled like a spring ready to unleash its pent-up energy. Across from me, Division mirrored my action, raising his sword to his right shoulder in a gesture of readiness. Division began the countdown, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere like a blade through the air. "Three... two..." With each passing moment, the tension mounted, the adrenaline coursing through my veins heightening my senses. He uttered the last word that would herald the beginning of our honorable duel. "One."
Division vanished from my sight with a swiftness that seemed beyond gifted capability, panic surged within me. Frantically, I scanned the space around me, straining to catch even a glimpse of his elusive form. But before I could react, he materialized from my blind spot, his blade slicing through the air. Pain exploded in my bicep as the sharp edge of his sword made contact, leaving a gash that seeped blood. With a surge of desperation, I retreated, pressing myself into the corner of the house. That was a mere warning cut! The next will kill me if I'm not careful. My gaze swept across the expanse of the room, but Division's figure remained a blur of motion, his movements fluid and unpredictable as he darted from one vantage point to another. I need to react!
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Soul: 190 (-20)
Skills:
Lvl. 1 Speed Booster - Increase your speed by 150% for three seconds. 20 soul to use, one minute cooldown. (Activated) The one minute cooldown has commenced.
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Division's movements gradually became more focused, his figure sharpening into clarity amidst the chaos of our duel, I found myself able to track his motions with a semblance of coherence. Though still struggling to keep pace with his relentless assault, I pressed forward. With a burst of speed, I dashed towards him, the sound of our swords meeting in a cacophony of metal ringing out in the confined space. I pushed with all my might, driving him back ever so slightly as I fought to gain ground. But Division, ever the master of combat, swiftly countered my advance with a deft twist of his sword, raising it in a swift and decisive motion that left me vulnerable. His blade hovered menacingly in a thrusting position, poised to strike with deadly precision. Realizing the imminent danger, I instinctively maneuvered my left arm in a desperate attempt to deflect the blow, but it was too late. With a forceful thrust, Division's sword pierced through my hand, eliciting a sharp cry of pain as I staggered backwards, the searing agony radiating through my injured limb.
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Refusing to succumb to the pain, I summoned what remained of my strength, retaliating with a swift kick to his chest that sent him reeling backwards several feet. I seized the opportunity to flex my injured hand, the wound closing. Division raised his sword high, casting a menacing shadow that sent shivers down my spine, I knew that I had to act quickly to evade the impending strike. I darted to the left, narrowly escaping the deadly arc of his blade by the slimmest of margins.
Breathless and heart pounding, I turned to witness the aftermath of his devastating attack. The sheer force of his blow had left a trail of destruction in its wake, slicing through the very fabric of the environment around us. The once serene surroundings were now marred by the jagged remnants of his power, the house rent asunder and a mountain in the distance cleaved in two. What is this power?! Division lamented, "Ah, next time, I shall execute the Perfect Slash." I dashed forward, my sword held at the ready by my side. "No you won't!" I declared defiantly.
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Soul: 180 (-10)
Skills:
Lvl. 1 Triple Strike - Attack three times in succession with enhanced speed and strength. 10 soul to use, thirty second cooldown. (Activated) The thirty second cooldown has commenced.
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I unleashed an immensely fast Triple Strike, channeling all my strength and skill into each precise movement of my sword. The blade sliced through the air with deadly speed, aimed directly at Division with great focus. But Division reacted with an effortless grace that belied his sword arts. He parried each of my strikes with the dull edge of his blade, effortlessly neutralizing the flurry of attacks. On the final attempt, as the force of my blow met the unyielding resistance of his sword, a resounding crack echoed through the air. With a sickening realization, I watched as my sword shattered into pieces, the fragments scattering across the ground in a shower of steel. I felt a sinking dread settle in the pit of my stomach. The weapon that had been my only means of defense lay broken before me, leaving me defenseless against Division's relentless onslaught.
As he swiftly maneuvered his sword into position, I found myself unable to react in time, my attention consumed by the shock of my broken weapon. With a swift, sideways slice, Division's blade cut through my body with chilling ease, leaving me defenseless and vulnerable in its wake.
Fighting through the searing pain that radiated through my body, I summoned everything I had left, grasping Division's collar. With a desperate cry, I hurled myself into a frenzied spin, attempting to throw him off balance. For a fleeting moment, I felt a surge of triumph as I successfully lifted him off the ground, poised to deliver a decisive blow that would finally give me respite in this relentless battle. Division countered, swiftly planted his sword into the ground, anchoring himself firmly in place and halting my momentum.
He cut through the chaos of our struggle as he offered a stark warning. "I advise you not to underestimate me." he cautioned. Damn it! I can't even throw him?! Before I could muster a response, Division relinquished his grip on the sword, flipping it deftly in the air to deliver a devastating uppercut aimed directly at my vulnerable chin. I raised my head just in time, the razor-sharp edge of the blade grazing the underside of my chin, leaving a shallow but stinging wound in its wake. Division rolled to the other side of the house, I watched with a steely resolve as he swiped his blade clean, the glint of steel reflecting the harsh light of the sun. In that moment, a single realization crystallized in my mind — there was only one way I stood a chance against him now.
I had to harness the power of the Ark.
Summoning the Ark into my trembling hand, I felt its weight settle reassuringly in my grasp, a tangible symbol of hope. I attempted to tap into its enigmatic power, but a wave of confusion washed over me, leaving me grappling with uncertainty and doubt. I struggled to command the Ark to unleash its full potential. "Use! Use it! C'mon!" I cried out in desperation, my voice echoing off the walls of the shack. Division regarded me with a mixture of concern and incredulity, his brow furrowing in confusion at my erratic behavior. "Insanity is a concept that eludes me."
But in that moment of desperation, a spark of inspiration ignited within me. My gaze fell upon the tea, its surface still and serene amidst the chaos that surrounded us. It didn't get thrown out the window! With a sudden burst of clarity, I realized the solution to unlocking the Ark's power. Without hesitation, I hurled the artifact towards the tea, the Ark soaring through the air before plunging into the liquid with a resounding splash. And then, the tea began to glow with a brilliant blue light, the Ark's energy infusing the liquid with its otherworldly power.
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What skill?
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"Rage! Upgrade that one!" I bellowed, the words more desperate than any words I uttered before. I focused my will on the chosen skill, accepting of the energy flow that raced through me. The energy of the Ark increased in power, and I felt a profound shift deep within my being. I have to tame it! I have to tame this power! Division sensed the impending danger and reacted with competence. He dashed towards me with his sword raised high, the deadly edge gleaming ominously in the dim light of the shack.
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Congratulations! Here is your upgraded skill:
Lvl. 2 Divine Might - Embody the spirit of judgment. You maintain free will, unlike the previous. For the next minute, your speed is amplified by 250%. 100 soul to use, one day cooldown.
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I tapped into the wellspring of power granted by the Ark, adjusting to my newfound strength fully. With sheer willpower, I activated the skill I had chosen, invoking the transformation of Divine Might. In an instant, a brilliant white aura erupted around me, suffusing the air with an otherworldly glow that pierced through the shadows. My attire underwent a dramatic transformation, the once dark hues of my jacket shifting into a pristine white and vibrant yellow. Crackling bolts of white lightning danced and arced around me, the very air seemed to thrum with the energy of my unleashed potential. With each passing moment, the intensity of the surge grew exponentially, imbuing me with a strength and vitality that transcended mortal limits.
In that transcendent state, I stood poised on the precipice of destiny.
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Soul: 80 (-100)
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Divine Might - Embody the spirit of judgment. You maintain free will, unlike the previous. For the next minute, your speed is amplified by 250%. 100 soul to use, one day cooldown. (Activated) The one day cooldown has commenced.
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I unleashed a heavy jab aimed squarely at Division's left pectoral. The jab struck with a speed I have never reached before. Division recoiled from the impact, a flicker of surprise and pain crossed his features, his hand instinctively flying to the injured area. "That... inflicted considerable pain." he admitted through gritted teeth, his voice tinged with a mixture of astonishment and grudging respect. His gaze flickered to my altered clothing, his eyes narrowing in recognition of the transformation that had occurred.
"Your clothing has indeed changed colors." he observed, his tone carrying a sense of intrigue. "It appears you will finally provide me with the battle I have long anticipated. I shall now unleash my full strength as well." I tugged my jacket sleeve, I met his challenge head-on. "Do it." I replied, my voice steady. "It won't change your judgment."