Chapter 238: Shattered

“Still decided to show up as your clone? Pathetic.”

Aether said with a cocky smile, while holding the ruby blade in his hand, already taking his stance, after all, his opponent was stronger than him, and this was the first time fighting someone like this in this place.

Plus, he wielded a spear, a weapon he had never faced before. So he was a bit frightened, but he knew he was going to pull through.

The question was how much to show. Should he have used Voidpiercer? He thought a lot about this question, but he decided against it. After all, the training he had done until now… it would be all for nothing.

This was going to be a test, if this style even worked in a battle against people who are stronger than him. Or, until now, Voidpiercer had been the only reason that he had won.

Plus, this battle marked his fifth, and when a fighter reaches the Branded rank, which requires five wins, they get access to the training ground, so he could finally train. He didn’t know what was inside, but he knew that he needed to get access to it. After all, why not? It only helped him.

After this fight, he was going to take a break from fighting, at least against strong opponents, to not get challenged by a higher-up of the Crimson Ledger. He was going to take on easy fights, but only before the time when he couldn’t be challenged was close to ending.

Fighting in the face of death is the best way for someone to improve, but he also needed time outside it, where he had time to think, to think of how to master the style, to fully understand it.

And plus, he also needed to get the truth out.

That the factions were using clones.

“I told you I don’t know what you are saying.” The man said smiling, but the way his spear was shaking, he knew he was scared. After all, he was aware of the truth, and now only would he get the faction in trouble, but he would also be exiled from the arena, and in the outside world… he would definitely be killed by someone from the Crimson.

Aether sighed.

Of course, he would never just openly admit it. But… it didn’t matter, after all, he did have a plan.

It was quite simple; he was going to kill him now, and tomorrow, he was going to fight him again, just the real him. The people watching will notice this, and from then on, rumors are going to spread.

And since he actually had quite an audience in his fights, mostly for his swordsmanship and his way of killing brutally, they were going to spread fast, and then he will see what happens, its not good to plan something that far ahead, since there are many factors in this game that can change things, so it was better to take things slow.

But the first step was killing him.

And of course, surviving.

He can’t forget what Kael had told him about the essence of combat, as he had said, you are strongest when your life is in danger, when you are fighting for your life.

“The crowd is getting bored, come on already.”

He said, dashing forward, but before he could try anything, he was met by the tip of his spear. He should have expected this; if he dashed so carelessly, he would just be easy prey… but this didn’t mean he couldn’t use this

Leaping up, he put one foot onto the wooden shaft of the spear, and with the other, he kicked the man right in the face. But he didn’t budge, even with a full kick to his face; he didn’t fall.

Grabbing him by his leg, Aether knew he wasn’t in a good position, but there wasn’t anything he could do.

…

Well, that would be stupid, of course, there was something to do.

Raising the rapier, he quickly thrust down towards the man’s hand, but as he did, the man let go, ducking to the side, so he would fall.

Hitting the ground with the rapier first, Aether avoided his body falling and being vulnerable.

But he had lost track of where his opponent was, which was not good.

And before he could find him, he heard the air being pierced behind him. He was behind him.

He had tried to turn away, but he wasn’t fast enough, the spear piercing his shoulder.

’Damn it.’

Really, it was times like this he really regretted not having armor, but it didn’t matter, after all, he had taken a lot more hits and cuts when he was inside Frozen Crown… were they healed by Praise, yes… but still.

It didn’t mean he couldn’t fight while being in pain.

The man took out the spear from his shoulder, trying to pierce him again, but he quickly dashed away to regain his breath.

“Wow, I should be honored, I exchanged blows with the one and only Eden, and I’m unscaved. I must be… stronger, no?”

Aether frowned, his hand gripping his shoulder.

He was strong… he was, and skilled. Or maybe it was just because he hadn’t fought against a spear.

“…” He gritted his teeth, “But… you aren’t stronger than him.”

If he lost to this guy… then he would never beat Lilith. He had to win.

He had to get stronger…

“Huh? What are you saying? Just admit it, the great Eden has fallen, I think you should change your arena name to… Fallen Eden fits you better.”

…

…

Aether chuckled… before stopping.

Of course…

What did he expect, to go through a whole book without someone relating him to the Abyss?

But before he could regain himself, the man had already dashed forward with his spear; he had only noticed it as the tip was already close to him.

He didn’t have time for anything else… he had to block it.

Gripping with both his hands, he let his hand bleed as the spear connected with the blade.

The man was powerful, very powerful. His physical abilities were far better than his, since he was a rank higher than him.

He felt his own feet start to weaken as he almost tripped.

But he held on.

…

That was until he heard a crack.

…

Aether’s eyes widened in terror as cracks started to form in the ruby blade… and before he knew it, the blade broke due to the sheer force that was put upon it.

His heart twitched, as the spear broke through… and pierced him in the upper right part of his chest, right next to his shoulder and right arm.

’Damn it.’

He said, falling on his knees, with the spear still in his chest.

…

To think that such a stupid mistake as getting distracted over the Abyss name would cause him everything.

…

…

“Really, I expected a lot more from you, Eden. And such a beautiful blade, who would have thought it was so weak all this time? People had even started to speculate that it had some sort of powerful ability. While in reality it was just another weak blade.”

Aether smiled.

“Are you going to pay for it? I probably cost a lot… my master won’t be happy.”

The man leaned forward.

“Well, luckily for you, you won’t see your master’s wrath… because this is where you will die.”

…

“And what makes you think that I’ll die?” He said, taking the tip of the spear out of his body.

The man tilted his head.

“Isn’t it obvious, you are badly hurt and without a blade. Sure, you have fought with your bare hands and feet, but that won’t work on me; you won’t even be able to get close. Thats my reason.

…

…

“I admit… I failed. I wasn’t able to beat the test.”

The man’s eyes widened.

“You’re admitting that you lost to me? I didn’t expect that?”

…

“I didn’t.” Aether smiled.

…

..

.

Before he could realize what was going on, Aether quickly summoned Voidpiercer, its hilt scratched his fingers… yet at the same time, he felt happy feeling this familiar pain again, it was as if he had always been meant to wield this monster.

It just felt right.

Gathering up his strength, he kicked the man in the heel and made him fall, due to not expecting it.

…

The moment his body touched the ground, it was over.

As Voidpiercer was already coming from above.

…

“Be ready for tonight, I’ll be coming to get you for a rematch.”

The black blade made its way through the air, cutting it with precision, as it finally pierced its target… killing him instantly.

He had won… barely, but he had won.

He was able to win five fights, meaning he was going to get access to the training ground.

And yet… at the same time, this wasn’t over…

He had to keep his promise after all.

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