Black and Crimson represented the surroundings. It looked like a canvas where inks of two colors have intermixed quite artistically. In this land similar to hell two distant figures faced each other. A grim faced crimson haired woman that looked like a succubus faced a smiling man who looked like the devil himself.
These two people were Scarlet Witch and Cao Huang respectively.
"This aura...what did you do?" Scarlet Witch asked startled by the sudden increase in Cao Huang's strength. She didn't understand how Cao Huang could release such a terrifying aura.
This effect was due to Cao Huang's 50% increase in all his attributes and the combination of his title's intimidation skill and the eyes of death skill.
"You must have used a berserk skill." Scarlet Witch surmised. "How much longer can this skill of yours last?"
"You don't have to worry about that." Cao Huang used Force in his steps and in an instant, he arrived in front of Scarlet Witch.
[Slice]!
Scarlet Witch casted the Blood Shield in order to defend herself.
Bang!
The blood shield was destroyed in an instant. Scarlet Witch tried to retreat quickly but Cao Huang used [Phantom Steps] to arrive behind her and used [Soul Slash].
Bang!
Again the blood shield was destroyed but this time 40% of the shield's defense was ignored and Scarlet Witch received some of the attack. A damage of - 101 appeared on top of her head.
"What happened? Where did all your arrogance go?" Cao Huang teased the retreating Scarlet Witch. "You won't be able to defeat me if you keep retreating like this."
"Don't get too full of yourself." Said Scarlet Witch.
[Flame Serpent]!
A flame serpent several meters long formed from the convergence of surrounding fire. "Burn him to ashes." Commanded Scarlet Witch.
The flame serpent opened his large mouth and tried to swallow the arriving Cao Huang.
With a slash from Cao Huang's scythe, a hole big enough for Cao Huang to pass was formed in the serpent's mouth. Cao Huang jumped through that hole, dodging the attack of the Serpent.
As Cao Huang passed through the serpent's mouth, he was greeted with a combination of seven fireballs heading his way. With his increase in evasion rate he was able to avoid three of the seven fireballs but the rest of the four struck him squarely in the chest. Cao Huang was sent flying and damages of - 54, - 49, - 32 , -47 appeared on top of Cao Huang's head. Additional damage of - 5 started to appear on top of Cao Huang's head after every second. His health points was decrease to 44% and continued to decrease due to the burn effect of fireballs.
"How did that feel?" Said Scarlet Witch laughing. "Who said that I can't retaliate?"
"Let's end this." Cao Huang said ultimately.
Cao Huang started to gather the mana to deliver Death's Sigh skill. As this was Scarlet Witch's domain, her ability to sense mana was also several times stronger than before. As she sensed the abrupt change in the mana, she knew that Cao Huang was preparing to deliver his final strike. From the amount of mana gathering towards Cao Huang, she knew that if she received this attack from him, it's game over for her.
Scarlet Witch started to chant a spell in a language which was totally difficult from the one she used to cast her Previous spells. All the surrounding fire mana was affected by this spell. The fire mana started to converge in front of her. Her chanting speed and the speed at which she was making signs with her staff dramatically picked up pace.
"Not good! Stop her quickly before she casts that spell." Said Vilariun as he recognized the spell Scarlet Witch was casting. "It will take her fifteen seconds to gather enough mana to cast it."
"Don't worry. Let's see whose attack is stronger." Cao Huang really wanted to challenge her spell with his Death's Sigh.
"Do you really want to challenge her with an incomplete attack?" Vilariun said angrily. "We don't even know if it has enough attack Power or that you could even cast it half complete. Even of you do cast it, the destruction that would ensue after it, could kill the both of you."
Cao Huang was unperturbed by Vilariun's remarks. "I have learned that if you don't challenge your limits again and again, you have lived in vain." The mana before the Scarlet Witch trembled and started to converge into the shape of a demon. "I don't want to go back to my previous self. This shall prove my will to challenge the heavens."
The demon made of fire mana was fully formed. It had it's eyes closed and stood there unmoving.
"Blood Line ignition magic. [Klain's Fury]" bellowed Scarlet Witch. The demon opened his eyes and watched Cao Huang with yellow snake like pupils.
The demon raised his right hand and a big spear made entirely of the flames appeared in his hand. The demon said something in the same language as the one Scarlet Witch had used to chant the spell and threw the flaming spear straight towards Cao Huang.
Wherever the spear passed by, the place was immediately set ablaze. Cao Huang also used the half completed Death's Sigh and an incomplete, half transparent scythe's blade was unleashed. In this way it was [Death's Sigh] Vs [Klain's Fury]; a red flaming spear that burned everything in it's path and a black and purple blade that was formed from the resentment of souls it reaped. Both clashed and a moment of silence followed, after that..... there was only catastrophe. Art, could no longer be used to describe the scene. There was no intermingling of colours, no existing canvas but only utter destruction.
Both Cao Huang and Scarlet Witch were blown away by the explosion that ensued; both unaware of each others fate; both hoping for each other to perish.
Everything in the vicinity was destroyed by the clash. For a minute, no sound was heard except the whizzing sound of debris flying here and there in the air. After another two or three minutes the surroundings settled down and with a slight tremble, from the rubble that was the only remains of the hills, a hand emerged from within. If not for the dust and blood, the sensual body of the Scarlet Witch whose armour was left in tatters, would have been a sight to see.
Realizing the state of her armour, she quickly took out a nondescript spare from within her inventory and equipped it.
"Fuck! The Council better provide me with a good reward for taking this damn test for them." Scarlet Witch said in annoyance. "It will cost me a fortune to repair my [Blazing Heart Set]."
The [Blazing Heart Set] was the best bronze grade set for Elementalists under level 10. It was a three pieces set equipment which only Level 7 Fire Salamanders had a one in thousand chance of dropping. From this a person could realize the difficulty in gathering all three pieces.
Cao also emerged from the rubble, but in a relatively better state. He was dusting his slightly damaged robe when he heard the voice of Scarlet Witch stating that the battle between them was nothing but a test. All this destruction was the because of a simple test.
"Oh you aren't dead yet?" Asked Scarlet Witch in a half expecting tone. "You really made a mess of the surroundings..... and my equipment."
Closing in to demand an explanation, when Cao Huang heard her accusation, he had the urge to faint.
HE was the one to cause the destruction? Fuck! Who was the one who attacked him out of blue? Who was the one who provoked him? And after all that he is responsible for this mess?
He opened his mouth to retort but closed it after having second thoughts. Starting an argument with an unreasonable person like her is of no use.
"Was all of this a test?" Asked Cao Huang. "Was this test done on the Council's instructions?
"Yes, They wanted me to check your strength." Scarlet Witch answered. "And you failed. Quite miserably too."
Cao Huang was startled after hearing this. Failed? Cao Huang moved his gaze around to see the the after math of their battle. "Then what about all this?" he said pointing to the destruction caused by him. "Don't you see my strength?"
"So you are telling me that I should appraise for all this foolishness? You don't even know how to control your attacks. What if you are fighting along side your teammates? You would have killed them all and you call this strength?" shouted Scarlet Witch in anger.
"Even if you say so, nevertheless, this was a draw. Doesn't that make you useless too?" Said Cao Huang.
"Draw? If I wanted to, I could have ended the battle within the first thirty seconds." Revealed Scarlet Witch. "Defeating someone like you will only cause me some slight effort."
"What do you mean someone like me?" asked Cao Huang.
"You... like everyone around are just flash and smoke. A brainless kid armed with grenades, who starts to throw them at anyone he sees." Said Scarlet Witch sarcastically. "Do you really think that all these skills gained within the game are your strength? That you could just kill anything or anyone by using an extremely destructive attack skill and use some kind of skill to increase your speed and easily dodge the incoming attacks? What you do, is just rely on the game. You don't have any experience and are a complete amateur in fighting. If someone skilled had your game skills, he would have killed you ninety-nine times before you could even retaliate. And what about that when I was casting [Klain's Fury]? If you didn't realize that it was a spell that required long duration, then you are a fool. And if you didn't stop me even after knowing this, then you are even a bigger fool. In real fights, people don't consider honour or whatever bullshit that so called righteousness is. The only thing they think about is killing you within the minimum time possible, even if they had to use some unfair means. If it was for my guild, I would have never considered recruiting you. But since it is a quest of mine, I would have to oblige."
Cao Huang stood there in silence, pondering over her every single word.
"You don't have to sign any blood contract.... but if you betray the Council by revealing their secrets and location, things won't go well for you. That...I assure you." Warned Scarlet Witch as she started to walk away. "Also the Council will accept your demand for a single item within their capabilities which you will receive upon joining us. So tell me what it is and I will hand it over to you with something that will help you in proving that you are a part of the Council Of Darkness to the other members. I shall deliver both of them to you by tomorrow morning."
"Water Of Life." Cao Huang answered immediately. "Tell them I want the Water Of Life."
Scarlet Witch nodded her head and continued on her way without asking Cao Huang why he wanted the Water Of Life.
"Wait!!" Cao Huang stopped Scarlet Witch who was departing. "What do you propose I should do to overcome this shortcoming?"
"Since you are now a member of the Council Of Darkness, the same place as me and I don't want useless people wandering around me. Let me give you a simple advice." Said Scarlet Witch without any expression. "Never use your skills until you are able to challenge everything without using them."
Scarlet Witch picked up pace and vanished like a smoke, leaving behind Cao Huang who was still pondering over her words.
"Never use skills until I can challenge everything without using them." Cao Huang mumbled.
"Previously, I hoped that you will learn this fact without anyone's reminder User. But now that the cat's out of the bag, you have to work hard if you want to overcome your shortcomings." Said Vilariun in his mind.
Cao Huang nodded signifying his approval.