Titles were a unique power that was very difficult to obtain. Sometimes they were simple, but sometimes they were very complicated. Some titles could be activated at will, like some skill. But, to activate the effects of many titles, certain actions had to be performed.
During the battle with Forgotten, Wain realized that he lacked skill in swordsmanship. He could win by relying on good equipment and stats. But that would not be the victory Wain desired.
He preferred getting rid of his weaknesses rather than pretending they didn't exist. Of course, it was impossible to get rid of all weaknesses, but that didn't mean Wain shouldn't try to do it.
Wain wanted to get better at swordsmanship, so his concentration reached its maximum. At the exact moment, his title, which he had gained after defeating the head of the Samurai robots, was activated.
[Activated the effect of your title - Echo of Samurai
You are focused on your goal and have reached an incredible concentration level. All your thoughts and emotions are focused on only one goal: to become better and surpass your enemy. Because of this, you enter a special state]
The next moment Wain stepped forward and disappeared from where he was standing just a moment ago. Forgotten prepared to block the attack, but all he saw was a deadly flash.
Then a wide cut appeared on Forgotten's chest, and blood gushed from his body. He reacted immediately, turning into white lightning and stepping back to a safe distance.
'What was that? This guy is extraordinary. This is the third time he's exceeded my expectations of him. He's getting stronger and smarter as we fight. If this continues, I could really die, and then...the pearl will be lost from this space.' Forgotten thought.
Forgotten realized that Wain had become a very dangerous opponent. At any moment, Wain could inflict a mortal wound on him. So Forgotten gathered all the energy on his sword and was ready to end this fight with a series of several holds.
At the exact moment, Wain disappeared again and found himself on the right side of his enemy. Forgotten reacted quickly and barely blocked Wain's powerful attack.
Wain's eyes frightened him. They were as dark as the abyss and as deep as the ocean. Forgotten knew what it was. A man could only get that look when he entered a unique state. Only true masters or those whose potential could not be appreciated could enter this state.
Then Wain began to land numerous blows and gradually accelerated. His attacks were like a flurry of violent lightning, and their power was comparable to a hail of comets.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtForgotten was pinned down. He went on the defensive and could hardly withstand such an onslaught. The rust on his sword began to gradually fall away. But, at one point, even the blade began to crack.
Then Forgotten realized that he could wait no longer. He had to end this battle right here and now.
The white energy on Forgotten's body flashed, and he bounced back. Then his sword glowed brightly, and he began to swing it at the limit of his abilities.
Then more than thirty light blades flew toward Wain. However, he had no intention of dodging them.
'If I fight them off, I can outdo myself. No, I'll beat them back. It's inevitable.' Thought Wain and clenched his sword tightly in his hands.
One blade after another came at him, but he fought them off masterfully. Wain moved quickly, but he did not forget his strength. Gradually he was approaching perfect balance in his swordsmanship style.
But, the perfect balance was not his true goal or his fighting style. He always preferred to act in his own way. So Wain rushed forward and destroyed each of the blades on the run. Then his body shimmered with lightning, and he instantly reached Forgotten.
Whoooosh.
With a single swing, he severed his opponent's left arm. Forgotten's face contorted in pain, but he hadn't lost hope of winning.
A wave of light fell upon Wain, cutting the clouds beneath them in two. Wain thrust his sword forward and used Kinetic Shot. Thus he was able to reduce the power of the light wave a bit. His sword shone brightly, and he delivered his last and most powerful blow.
Wain was thrown aside. He received several severe but not fatal wounds. He was in pain, but at that moment, the pain didn't matter.
He lunged toward Forgotten and thrust his plasma sword into his chest. Typically, Forgotten would have reacted to this straightforward attack. But, moments before Wain pierced him, the sword fell out of Forgotten's hands.
He had no more strength left. The last two attacks were the most powerful in his arsenal. It was the end for him. He had to defeat Wain with his last technique. But, Wain was able to outdo himself in this battle, and so it was he who prevailed.
Streams of blood flowed from the corners of Forgotten's mouth, and his wound began to freeze due to the black plasma of Wain's sword.
He looked at Wain and said with the last of his strength, "It was a beautiful fight, but you made a mistake."
Wain answered nothing. He pulled the sword from his opponent's chest, and Forgotten fell to the dark clouds.
"I agree. The fight was great." Then the Ring of Damned shone in, and a small flask of nectar appeared in Wain's hands. He used it quickly, and his many wounds began to gradually heal.
This fight was difficult, and Wain received many wounds. But, he was satisfied. He really enjoyed this battle. Forgotten was his strongest and most exciting opponent in a long time.
Wain was slowly on his way to the pearl of the soul. After Forgotten died, the energy cage disintegrated into small particles and disappeared.
He wanted to take the soul pearl first since it seemed that there were some mysteries connected to this thing.
But as he walked a few meters away, his surroundings trembled. Wain did not understand what was happening, but then he smiled broadly.
He felt strange energy heading in his direction. It meant that the soul he needed was near.
Then space warped, and a small vortex of gray energy appeared. After that, Wain saw what he had come here for. It was a massive, gray soul. This soul's energy fluttered to the sides like a flame.
This flame was calm and temperate but majestic and powerful. Even from a distance, Wain could feel the weight of this soul.
The gray soul slowly made its way toward Wain and completely engulfed him. Wain gradually absorbed this energy and saw the cherished message.
[You have received the Swordsman's Soul].
Wain felt himself becoming stronger. But, it was not an increase in stats. His newly acquired swordsmanship skills were being strengthened and augmented. It was a small bonus of getting this soul.
[Nameless King's Forms skill was partially unlocked.]
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm[The second form - Cursed Swordsman was unlocked]
[Cursed Swordsman
One novice swordsman was eager to learn swordsmanship and wield a sword at the level of the finest masters. But, he was unsuccessful no matter how hard he tried. The art of the sword did not want to succumb to him, and none of the teachers did not want to teach the untalented student.
So this swordsman decided to go on a dangerous journey. Many prophesied that he would die in those places. But that didn't stop the swordsman.
After an unknown amount of time, this swordsman completed his terrifying journey, comparable to a descent into hell.
Then his skill reached unimaginable heights. No one could compare to him. His understanding of the sword was entirely different, but it was not enough for him.
So the swordsman cursed himself and significantly lowered his strength. But, after a while, he reached his previous level of skill, even given the curse. Even he didn't know what would happen when his curse lifted].
'Last time, the description was quite short but informative. This time the situation is drastically different. It's a whole story, and it sounds fascinating.' Thought Wain.
He didn't yet know what the second form did or its power. But, the description was enough to make Wain's blood begin to boil.
Wain headed toward the soul pearl in high spirits. It was floating in the air a few inches from the clouds. Wain grabbed the pearl and moved it to the Ring of Damned.
"Great, all that's left is to take this pearl to Agnes, and I can go back. It's been quite a long but dangerous and rewarding adventure. Purgatory zones are hazardous places. What's more, this zone is small, and there are probably many other more dangerous zones." Wain muttered.
He was about to leave here and headed toward the pagoda, then downstairs. But, suddenly, the space trembled again. Wain grew wary. This time he felt a great threat and eerie energy from a single point.
Wain looked up and saw a multitude of cracks streaking across the sky. This was an invasion from outside, which is what Forgotten was talking about.
He wasn't trying to protect this pearl because he was afraid that Wain would use it to open a portal and destroy the area.
Forgotten kept the pearl in a cage so that it would not fall into the hands of those capable of creating a real catastrophe. These creatures instilled fear even in his heart.
The next moment, part of the sky shattered into hundreds of pieces. Behind it was nothing but pitch-black darkness. Then a massive black hand appeared in that hole. It was huge enough to crush an entire house in one fell swoop.
The hand slowly reached for Wain, but it wasn't him it wanted, but the pearl in his ring.