CHAPTER – 3 : SWORD AND SORCERY – FREE STYLE

I rubbed my eyes, and heard two metals strike against each other. Those were my two new swords, and I think I slept with them, clutched between my arms. I rose up from my normal white cocoon like-thing and took a quick glance at my surroundings. The fight from before was intense and my memories are still a bit foggy.

I took a quick look at my status and was amazed to see my new All Seeing Eyes of the Gods unlock a new power – EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE. And the description fascinates me more than anything.

I just want to try it somehow. My eyes just at that time fell on another broken sword, its pieces crumbled to the point of no recovery.

I picked it up and by remembering the description of the sword from my appraisal and energy signatures from my analysis skill; I poured a huge amount of magic power into it.

My magic power kept on being sucked in, I don’t know how much, but it was enough to make me feel exhausted. My enemy’s sword which she used to cut through my magic and my attack was now restored back to its glory.

Suddenly I had a bad feeling, as if someone was staring at me. It appeared that someone was angry and annoyed at the same time. Those were my new swords. As if they have a consciousness of their own, and I could tell how they were feeling. Recently I even had a dream where I was talking to them.

They don’t need to worry; I am not interested in using anyone else’s weapon. So, I will just put it in my storage. Wait! Was I really talking to my own swords? I really need to see to a doctor, but maybe first I need to learn more about them myself.

And the best way is to use them in battle.

So, without further wasting any time, no matter what I wanted to try them. After I had tried to copy the sword skills of my enemy using Analysis, I was able to use them to some extent. But it was not that efficient.

Obviously, you just can’t learn things like that without practice and effort. The best way to learn martial arts and swordsmanship is to put them in use, and make your hands remember every movement of your sword. I think I have to now search not only for a magic teacher but a swords master too.

It’s not that I can just go on internet and search for them. I don’t know the first thing, even about the kind of sword I am holding, except that they came in a pair of two. At least I am knowledgeable enough to know that it was not one free for buying one.

“Ohhhh.Ahhh.” Electric like shocks ran through my hand.

“Sorry, Sorry! I won’t make fun of you two again.”

I think I should by now get used to talking to my swords.

It was now time for me to go to floor 56 and look for my next opponent. I am half done with the labyrinth, and soon will be out of here. By then I am sure I will be strong enough.

But still I don’t know at what level does this labyrinth stand, with respect to the power levels of the outside world. Will the humans be stronger than me? How about my other classmates who would have got much superior and rare skills than me. Like last time, I can’t end up underestimating someone again.

No, one was there with whom I could compare with myself. At least I hope I won’t have the same standing in the outside world like my previous world and will do fair enough outside.

***

FLOOR – 56

It was once again the same rocky structural walls, but there were big trees growing randomly anywhere too. And when I say big, it means absolutely big, as high as 80 feet.

With leaves only growing at the top and no more in between the thick lumber. Just who can reach that top of a height to eat those leaves?

THUMP. THUMP.

The answer came soon after.

A 100 feet tall Giant walked in from the right and headed towards one of the trees. It had a goat like head with two long horns protruding out of its head in a twisted manner. Chewing down its leaves like taking a small bite from a nugget hooked up on a toothpick.

Could it be the first herbivore monster? Then maybe I don’t have to fight it. It’s quite a relief, but a waste of excitement I had pumped in myself just a moment ago. I really have changed since I came to this place. Seeing a strong monster my hands starts tingling, my brain starts moving in a circle and all I can think of are the monster’s abilities, their strong point and ways to defeat them.

So, while it just feasted on its green meal, I tried to quietly walk by, slowly, slowly, moving towards the entrance which was not far off. I thought it wouldn’t notice me, and I did not want to disturb it while eating. Somehow I too felt like eating something, but all the rations were over. Then the cooking utensils of soldiers were not that impressive to begin with, they were not modern and efficient to bring out the best of my skills. But I had not yet lost hope, my new found power – Equivalent Exchange – would sure pull me through. But I who as soon as waking up wanted to go on monster extermination…My swords too were feeling restless, I could just tell.

POW. POW. POW.

Several silver solid crystals like structures came flying towards me at a speed to even break through the sound barrier. The boom sound resonated within the four walls as the air currents got meshed up.

I forgot, even though it would be an herbivore monster, it would treat me like I am barging in its house and would try to kill me.

Now that I look at it properly, it is all covered in scales, which appears to be as hard as diamond seeing the holes they have left on the ground after landing. I wonder just how many and at what speed can it launch those diamond scales.

I embraced my swords, tightened my grip and tried to taunt the monster, more like challenging it. Isn’t how that a duel starts. Not that it can actually see my small movements from that above.

“Gwaahhhaaahh” with the clichéd cry of a boss monster, announcing the unannounced special move of his—–

Within a second, thousand of scales, were dispersed into mid air and came flying at me at a much greater speed than before like a shotgun.

I had already decided to not use magic, but train in my physical capabilities, know my limits and potential ways of using my dual swords. I wanted to discover new fighting techniques and future possibilities. I had already learned my lesson to not depend on a single power.

I leapt into the sky after crushing the floor with my heel. With my kinetic vision I could clearly see the path of the diamond scales flying towards me. With a single strike from my white sword I shattered one of them.

“Well that was one out of maybe thousand or so.”

Things started to get interesting when, this time around the diamonds instead of landing on the floor started following me like a homing missile.

“So, they have been upgraded from the status of pure shotgun to advanced homing missile system. ”

I am glad. It will give me more chance of training. From all the direction the crystals came flying at me. One would think that the wedding-like frock I was wearing would come in my way. But I assure you nothing could make me feel more comfortable. It is a perfect battle suit, and elastic in all ways. And it makes me look elegant even during fighting, I wanted to aspire for a mage, but if I am going to do physical attacks too then I will doing it in every heroic and epic way possible.

Strike after strike I tried to cut down the diamonds. Even during this I was trying to find the most effective array of my hand movements, to get an optimum distance, the maximum torque output. My effective strike range. The true length of my swing. My piercing strength, my cutting speed. The weight I put on each strike. There were just so many things I could learn. And yet, I didn’t know how.

My hands were full, and all I had been was able to destroy around hundreds of these. Though the number of their projectiles had decreased, their strength and accuracy was increased to an unfair supremacy.

I was surrounded from everywhere. While I destroyed the scales coming from my back, front and above, I used my legs to kick down the scales to below. Unexpectedly they were crushed to dust with just my leg strike.

“Gotta use and think all of the ways to protect myself.”

It was now getting kind of boring, and the boss monster all did was stand there and watch. Why do only I have to do all the work? Making a small girl fight while hiding yourself is quite rude.

I went flying directly at him with my swords, hoping to slash his neck in one strike. But I was stopped a long distance away, by a blue glass shield. It was quite thick and my sword strike did not even lay a scratch on it. I finally decided to pull back, because the scales followed me. So, there is only one way around – to drill through all the scales.

I used my inhumane movements, flying ability and webs to gather all the scales in place. And when that happened, I kicked one of the scales, increasing my speed mid-air and changing directions rapidly. I started striking those in my path, while using some of them as a stepping stairs to keep on changing my course while dodging them at the same time. It proved to be a super-effective and time saving strategy.

So, finally it’s me and his barrier. There was no other way going around. I repeatedly used my sword strikes on the blue transparent barrier. This time around the goat face, instead of showing ignorance, was clearly traumatized. With no other ways to attack me, it chose to swing his hands and feet at me. It had full faith in its absolute barrier system. But I was determined to take it down. No matter what, I will make my every single sword strike count.

[DUAL BLADES : WHITE & BLACK SWORDS]

[SKILL : ABSOLUTE MAGIC CONTROL ACTIVATED]

Wait, I acquired a sword skill during fight.

No, it’s actually opposite, the sword learned a new skill. From appraisal, this skill isn’t it more importantly said to be a cheat.

Will it really work according to the description? I wouldn’t know unless I try. So instead of beating around the bush, I have to just beat the bush down.

The black sword started giving of a faint jet-black light, while the white sword was radiating a white light with a bluish-silver lining to it. Well, at least it has a good colour sense.

I made a wide heavy strike with the black sword on the barrier and without further ado, the whole thing came falling down.

CRACKLE.

CRACK. CRACK.

Instead of the magic being dispersed, this wide scale barrier’s entire magical energy was somehow absorbed by this black sword.

“GRrrrrrr.” The goat-headed giant was somehow surprised at this new development and before it could come up with a new plan.

I moved like a tornado right before attacking him, to increase my striking power and made a clean neck cut, severing its head from the rest of the body.

In an instant its body fell and was devoured by my black threads. It’s his fault to entirely depend o its defenses. Though, it might have actually been impossible if I did not have any other means.

As for the swords, “It feels awesome.”

[YOU HAVE LEVELD UP]

[YOU HAVE REACHED LEVEL 13]

[ACQUIRED BARRIER MAGIC]

White strings again, emerged from my body and I was slowly engulfed by it, till I was finally deep asleep.

After 10 days….

I woke up from my deep sleep, seeing the two swords still stuck between my hands, it made me happy. After all these are my first possessions in this world, they belonged only to me.

“Hey, now I can actually see its complete description.”

I had now decided to go down to the next floor. So the first thought that came in my mind was to where put these swords. Usually you have a scabbard, but I was not given one.

While thinking, as if my hands moved on its own, I cleanly swiped them near my waist and two empty metal hollow appeared out of nowhere.

While the black sword went inside a red scabbard, the white sword went inside a blue scabbard.

These red and blue metal shells had an ornamental design to it, with similar yet different carvings on them than the sword. Even these scabbards have a skill of their own.

I wonder what else these swords can do. After I thoroughly, checked their description, the scabbards along with their respective swords disappeared.

I panicked, and just when I thought of them returning back, they suddenly appeared.

“That’s a nice trick, to fool my enemy of not having a weapon on me. Also, this way I could carry around my sword anywhere. My swords, they think so much about me. Now I can forever be with them.”

I was just too deeply attached to them.

I headed down to floor 57 and my next opponent was some kind of bug monster. Since they were large in number almost counting till thousand, I decided to use my simple normal easy-going, mob-killer spell –

[ABSOLUTE ZERO]

I turned the entire floor into ice, and using gravity magic converted them to fine powder. That’s just too easy. I thought and headed down to the next floor.

***

MONSTER DIARY

ARIES {CATASTROPHE CLASS MONSTER}

NAME : OVIUM

AGE : —–

RACE : ARIES PRIMORDIAL

LEVEL : 7000

HP : 80,000

MP :80,000

SP : 80,000

SKILLS : [DARK MATTER MAGIC LV 7] [INDESTRUCTIBLE SHIELD]

[DIAMOND SKIN] [DANTAMITE SCALES] [FINDERS SENSE]

TITLES : INVIOLATUS, DANTE

STATUS WINDOW

The Dual blade of Dawn & Dusk

White & Black swords

SKILLS : [ABSOLUTE MAGIC CONTROL]

SKILL DESCRIPTION : Allows the user, to change the laws of magic up to a certain extent. The black sword devours all kinds of magic without exception. The white sword has the ability to transmit this magic and also copy the spell signature and recreate it for the user.

WEAPON DESCRIPTION : [LEVEL AUTHORITY NOT REACHED]

SCABBARDS OF RUBRUM & CAERULEUM

SKILL DESCRIPTION : The red scabbard provides body temperature maintenance in all situation and divine fire magic control. The blue scabbard provides special healing abilities and divine ice magic control.

STATUS WINDOW

NAME : ——–

AGE : 7 MONTHS

RACE : HUMAN

LEVEL : 13

HP : ERR

MP : ERR

SP : ERR

UNIQUE SKILL : ALL SEEING EYES OF THE GODS

Ø FIRST FORM: EYE OF INVESTIGATION

Ø SECOND FORM : KINETIC EYE

Ø THIRD FORM : EYE OF ADRANEIA

Ø FOURTH FORM : EYE OF SOUL

Ø FIFTH FORM : EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE

SKILLS : [GLUTTONY LV 8][MYSTICAL POISON MAGIC] [SAGE OF ADVANCED FIRE MAGIC ] [SAGE OF ADVANCED WATER MAGIC] [SAGE OF ADVANCED WOOD MAGIC][SAGE OF ADVANCED WIND MAGIC] [DIVINE MYSTIC THREAD MAGIC] [ADVANCED SOUND MAGIC ] [SAGE OF ADVANCED SPACE- TIME MAGIC] [SAGE OF ADVANCED ICE MAGIC] [SAGE OF DIVINE LIGHT] [SAGE OF ADVANCED GRAVITY MAGIC] [SAGE OF DARK MATTER] [SAGE OF ADVANCED LIGHTNING MAGIC] [SAGE OF ADVANCED EARTH MAGIC] [BIO-ENGINEERING] [ELEMENT MANIPULATION] [ABNORMAL STATUS INFLICTION][BARRIER MAGIC LV 4]

TITLE : LEGACY OF GODDESS ARACHNE, SECRETIVE PLOTTER,

IMMORTALITY, MERCILESS

SIXTH FORM : EYE OF BEING

A skill that allows the user to analyse, study and alter the living and non-living, biotic and abiotic factors of nature on a cellular or molecular level.

SPECIAL SKILL : [DISMANTLE] [ULTIMATE COOKING]

[DISMANTLE] – ALLOWS YOU TO ASSEMBLE OR DEASSEMBLE THE CONSTITUTION OF ANYTHING. APPLIES TO BOTH LIVING AND NON-LIVING, GIVEN THAT THE LIFE ENRGY COMPENSATED IS NOT ABOVE THE THRESHOLD. ALSO THERE ARE CERTAIN LIMITATION TO THESE ABILITIES.

[ULTIMATE COOKING] – ALLOWS YOU TO MIX OR COMPOSE MORE THAN ONE ITEMS, MAGIC POWER, SOUL ENERGY OR LIFE FORCE IN ANY PROPORTION. HOWEVER COMPATIBILITY OF POLAR OPPOSITE ENERGIES SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND.

FLOOR – 61

I met a huge group of barbaric, strong looking red ogres with wings. They had weapons made of Magitite ore – swords, maces, spears and crossbows.

This time I wanted to use the sixth form of my All Seeing Eyes of the Gods. As those ogres like creatures started running towards me brandishing their weapons, I fixed my eyes on them and imagined, how the spell would work.

[DISMANTLE]

My eyes started glowing deep red, and a sensation of craving and unsatisfaction filled my mind.

In a splattering of blood, one of the ogres changed into a mess of parts without any resemblance to its original shape.

I saw the whole process, I imagined the ogre to be cut into several pieces from different portions, but all that happened was – it burst from inside. From the centre, blood expanded, flesh ripped off on its own and the body burst in a flip second. Blood splattered, all across the ground. It was unsightly.

And yet I was focusing on how the flesh was broken down instead of actually being cut, its molecules just separated apart, and since I did not consider the stability of its structure and release of the latent magical energy associated with the life force of the monster, the structure collapsed.

Now that I knew how the spell worked, all I needed to do was practice. Fix my gaze on my enemy and just concentrate on severing the cells in a fixed array while seeing that the magical energy or rather the life force of the being released is contained properly, so for that purpose I deployed a small scale barrier ability..

The ground was stained red with blood; unsightly disfigured bodies vanished in front of my eyes engulfed with my black webs. I would not call myself successful, but now I was able to chop off the big body parts.

Like severing an arm or a leg from the body.

Most of the ogres tried to run or fly away, seeing there was no chance defeating me. But nothing could escape my eyes. Either I dismantled their legs or wings to stop them from escaping.

Now I was trying to use it on small body parts like fingers, eyes or internal body parts like heart.

Just then I felt a deep pain inside my heart and then my eyes opened again of what I had been doing up till now. In a way I was torturing the ogres to death. Using them as experimental subjects for my magic-craft.

Is this what they call an evil mage?

Suddenly the deep cries and screams of some of the half alive ogres could be heard.

Just what I had been doing. As if without realizing it something had taken over my mind. I was having fun while killing them.

But wasn’t it alright, in whatever way I kill them. After all they are monsters. And they are the first ones to attack me. So they shouldn’t complain.

But isn’t it proper to end someone life’s immediately if they are under pain. Even I won’t like myself to be tortured.

Isn’t it same as bullying. Bad memories from my school and home engulfed my brain processing and hampered my thinking. As if there was a huge cavity in my brain, my eyes started burning and glowing even brighter and brighter. The red colour was somehow turning reddish-black.

“AHAAAAAAHHAAAA” I TRIED TO KEEP SCREAMING AS LOUDLY AS I COULD. BUT NO ONE HEARD ME.

NO ONE CAME TO COMFORT ME. I WAS ALONE. SOMEONE IS APPROACHING ME. I LOOKED AT THEM.

I SAW THEM BURST OPEN FORM INSIDE and something splatter all around even on my face. It was a hot sensation; my eyes were stained even redder with the blood all around.

My white dress also had turned red like a tomato. Only my hairs remained white and my hands cleaned.

I was afraid. I was afraid, to even look at myself. What if I end up killing myself.

“My swords. Where are they.” Saying that I took hold of them.

And started walking towards the gateway, I wanted to run. I don’t know what was happening to me. But it was not me. I cannot think properly like this. Everything was turning round and round inside my head. My skin colour was getting paler. I don’t even know what kind of expression I am making on my face right now. I am too afraid to look at myself or even think about it.

I want to leave this labyrinth. The atmosphere is not good. I cannot breathe properly. I started walking straight, I did not go astray from my path…

I didn’t know what followed anymore. All I could remember was I crossed through each floor, either slashing through my enemies or using my destructive magic or my evil red eyes to kill them. All I could think of them was to disappear.

They were a threat to me. That’s what I thought.

But I had realized by now that it was just as I used to say. It’s a game to me. The real threat to them was me. I was to blame for enjoying this carnage. I had become a mass-murder. I was to blame for this meaningless bloodshed. If I wanted then I could just escape from floor to floor without killing them. But I was way over my head.

To stubborn and fixated on the idea of survival. It was never to become the strongest, but to remain weak and hide yourself to avoid danger. But that’s what I did in my previous world and yet suffered. So I wanted a change.

I thought here I could be strong; prove myself that I could change. But I think I changed a lot. Just too much. What will Goddess Athena think if she hears or sees this massacre? This bloodbath I took every day. Even their corpses disappear. Do I eat them, because in actuality I never felt hungry down here?

I don’t know anymore.

All I did was kill and kill. Even now I haven’t stopped and I was already on floor 79. I had reached level 19 and almost a year has passed since I was born here. For a year I had been killing monsters. Non-stop. Day after day. Either I killed them or, they would have killed me.

I didn’t know whether someone is even looking for me or not in the outside world. Has Lady Athena given up on me?

No she couldn’t. I am sure of it. That’s why I have to hurry up and return to by her side. Because that’s what we promised. And promises should be kept.

I rotated my head and glanced over the entire floor. It was filled with golem like monsters. Just that each of them was as huge as a truck.

[DISMANTLE]

In a flash, endless stream of blood flowed and was splashed everywhere on the walls, ground and on me. I didn’t even bother to clean myself anymore. Except for the instance when I use [DIVNE HEAL] everything gets fixed on its own. Only if it could fix me too. Was I now broken somehow?

I wanted to help people in this new world, save someone and become a hero. Isn’t it everybody’s dream to gain recognition form people you love? But now that I am broken, no one will need me anymore.

Am I of no use anymore?

I was helpless and useless. I had turned back into a machine. The pain in my heart that started had instead of subsiding kept on growing. The wound was getting deeper and deeper. I was falling into the pit again, the grip over myself kept on loosening.

I did not wanted anyone to see my like this, especially not Lady Athena.

With the last monster dispatched. I went down the next floor. I was compelled to think that I was no longer myself anymore and just accept my doomed fate….

***

FLOOR – 80

This was quite an odd looking floor. A huge strong-built gate made purely of Magitite was standing far off. And at the entrance of the gate stood a person holding a broad long sword in his hand supported over his right shoulder.

He wore a calm expression on his face. I was ready to be attacked, but then there was no movement from him.

Instead of rushing to attack me unlike other monsters, he was continuously staring at me in disdain. He also looked confused.

Before then I soon realized that instead of a monster he was a person.

He appeared to be a muscular and handsome young man with black eyes, sharp facial features, and neat black hairs while two small horns were projecting like a crown on his head. They actually made him look more confident in his unusual black attire.

He wore a long black coat which looked sturdy like an armour and was filled with a compact magic formation. Maybe it actually is an armour, but enforced by magic. Is it same with my long white frock.

“…True Demon Lord…” I was only able to mutter up these words.

Somehow a light shined in my eyes. He was really very strong. Level so high that no monster up till now will able to match him. He was reeking with magical powers and the way he carried his sword confirmed him to be a master swordsman.

But I was feeling a bit off. No something was driving me in crazy. Why won’t he just attack me? Until now, the moment I enter a floor I am welcomed with magical attacks, arrows or beasts trying to ravage me with their claws. Then why won’t he attack me like others did?

Isn’t the demon lord usually the guy who causes the most trouble in the world? If I defeat him here, isn’t that considered equivalent to saving the world or at least a huge contribution will be made by me. So isn’t it okay to attack him. I need to kill him right here. If I am able to do so, then this world will be a bit safer for me.

***

STATUS WINDOW

NAME : ZYLON ASHBORN

AGE : 230 YEARS

RACE : DEMON

LEVEL : 99,940

HP : 1,90,000

MP : 2,00,000

SP : 1,50,000

UNIQUE SKILL : [MAGIC DISPERSION]

SKILLS :[FIRE MAGIC LV10] [WATER MAGIC LV 8] [WIND MAGIC LV 9] [SPACE- TIME MAGIC LV 8] [ICE MAGIC LV9] [EARTH MAGIC LV9] [GRAVITY MAGIC LV 8] [IMMUNITY][BODY STRENGTHNING LV 10] [BODY DURABILITY LV10] [MAGIC RESISTANCE] [MAGIC AUTHORITY] [DARK MATTER MAGIC LV 10] [LIGHTNING MAGIC LV 8] [ULTRA SELF-REGENERATION] [ABNORMAL STATUS RESISTANCE] [APPRAISAL LV 10]

TITLE : TRUE DEMON LORD, MERCILESS, MAGIC EMPEROR, CHAOS ALCHEMIST