Karni Shifted and threw The Guardian at his opponent, whose shoulders widened into giant rock spikes, deflecting the Greatsword into the ground.
Yet Karni Shifted again immediately. Learning from his mistakes during his fight with Yun'er, he kept one Drumstick on him to spin for Shifting.
He appeared above the spiky man, who's Martial Soul was actually the Obsidian Hedgehog, then spun the Drumstick in his hand, Shifting the Greatsword to himself. He was coming up with more and more usages of the weapon.
Yet the opponent had a dangerously versatile Martial Soul. Sure, the man Karni was facing right now ranked second in his group, but he was still immensely dangerous. The spikes grew all around him, and Karni had to admit, those spikes did not resemble those of a hedgehog at all. It was more like that of some aggressive beast combined with a spiked turtle shell.
The Greatsword crashed into the spiky obsidian "shell" and released an immense boom. Then Karni used an old and familiar technique. He clenched the handle—his Bo Staff—and used Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon to smoothly move from one side of the blade to another, then swung again, using the force he had from before.
The Sword crashed with a mighty boom of Sound and force onto the shell again, clearly cracking it. Karni focused as he noticed that the Hedgehog was not moving. He had learned that the opponent was surprisingly slippery, rolling around like some wannabe Sonic the Hedgehog. This was different.
The Spikes lit up in earthen black. Karni saw an explosion with Golden Insight, and braced for impact, putting the Greatsword up like a shield.
As soon as the spikes exploded into the Guardian, Karni spun, still keeping the force from before and striking. A 4th, a 5th. The cracks widened in the opponents defence.
Unfortunately for the opponent, he could not escape anymore like before. His shell was too cracked to spin well. So, Karni hammered at it, and at the 9th hit, the shell exploded, revealing a truly bloody appearance of the opponent, barely breathing.
Karni stopped. Not just due to what he saw, but because he could not continue. The man was utterly defeated. Probably around the 7th hit already. It was just that he was unable to come out of his Spiky coat. Karni did a lot of damage on the inside through his Sound.
As for the reason Karni could no longer continue… He was using Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique in its more original state. Through testing the past week, he had found out that adapting Disordered Drumstick Resonance would be quite difficult.
He was forced to stay at the 9th hit, because with the 9th hit, his Sound overwent a change he could not control through the Greatsword. He did not have the same adaptability with a Greatsword as he had with the Drumsticks.
After he fully finished testing out the Greatsword—something was telling him the next match would truly test the limits of the Guardian, as it was already chipped in multiple places—he would have to focus on finishing out Disordered Drumstick Resonance and Resonant Drumstick Spiral. He had yet to hit the 45th hit on the former one. He'd been stuck on the 44th hit for a while now.
Since the training on the ship, plus the little adventure with Tang Wulin and the terrorists, Karni had smooth sailing until the 44th hit, but the 45th remained a complete mystery. The only thing he could tell was that figuring it out was key to progressing in many of his struggles.
He walked off the arena and breathed in with a rhythm. One thing at a time.
… … …
Karni was polishing his Guardian in the Science Division Hall, just after he got out of the Battle Hall room and his regular training. He was fixing the Greatsword up a for the next battle. It was worse than he thought. That dumb hedgehog hurt his baby.
This was a prototype first and foremost. It was meant to be a test. The fact it was working so well was honestly almost a miracle. Karni expected to find more problems with it. It turned out that the main problem was the material used. He knew better than to get attached to it… but fuck. He got attached to it.
The material would be one of the more important aspects in the future revisions. Something compatible with his powers would enhance them further through the weapon even if that was not the primary function of it.
He was approached by one of his subordinates in the project. "Manager, I think we figured out how the Beast Martial Souls could work with the weapons."
"Lead the way." Karni put the Greatsword away and followed the woman. She was kind of the lead on the Beast Martial Souls aspect.
She led him to the prototype they developed, pulling out her Martial Soul. A Red-Eyed Hog. A Strength type that could reach the speeds of Agility types if it focused on a single direction.
She grabbed the prototype which was suited to her unique skills. A Great Lance. They've been only making prototypes "Great" weapon types, since the project focused on mechas for now.
"We figured that the most important aspect to the Beast Types were the Bloodlines they came from. If the medium with tool types is the Martial Soul itself by direct connection like insertion, then blood is important here instead. In a way, part of the Martial Soul's source is given to the weapon."
Karni nodded. He followed that logic with ease. His own Panda relied highly on blood. Some Beast Types had thicker bloodline than others, but all of them relied on it to some degree.
"So, with a little prick…" She continued as the Lance flowed with the blood, spreading it around the weapon in a surprisingly beautiful pattern, and finally, the blood turned slightly pink, as if lighting up.
She grabbed the Lance. "My first skill is the Impervious Charge." She activated it and Karni saw as she charged with the Lance, yet the effect looked like the Lance pulled her instead of the other way around.
"My second skill was trickier. It's a general enhancement of my power. This was where the blood turned out to be the crucial medium." She activated the skill. And Karni noticed as the blood shined in now an almost dark red, almost black colour. The Lance gained a mighty presence.
"Honestly, this is really it. Most Beast types get at least two types of strengthenings as long as they cultivate to a high enough level. It was the one skill type we had to truly figure out. The rest of the skills we tested on had multiple work arounds, and were able to be done based on the user's preferences."
Karni remembered. A simple touch worked for some skills, for others it was the aura that Beast Types tended to release. Blood was, in retrospect, the almost obvious answer.
"I saw you use a little droplet of blood. Is that needed every time?"
"Yes. When we discussed Blood Binding in future plans in the meeting, it gave me the idea. I think that once it is Blood Bound, the blood won't be necessary anymore. Though for now, that's just a theory. No one's willing the Blood Bind incomplete technology."
"Of course. We won't force anyone to do that. Your findings are phenomenal. Focus on perfecting this theory and make a universal design for it. The blood needed every time is okay for now as well. We can pursue that aspect after." Karni could hear some of the other team members sigh in relief. Apparently, they were afraid that Blood needing to be applied would be a major issue.
"Do however make sure a single drop of blood is all one needs, and that it can last for the duration of a long battle."
"Yes, manager." No one voiced a complaint. In the short time they've been working together, they've learnt to respect Karni. Despite his age, he knew not to be arrogant, yet at the same time he knew how to be authoritative when it came to research. His talent as a designer further raised their impression of him. But what they liked most was the fact Karni was not an overdemanding middle manager type of boss. He was easy going and let everyone experiment until they found a concrete solution.
When they did find a solution, Karni knew to take charge like he just did.
He moved toward the Plant Type experimentation. The only other one that was still trying to figure out the concrete plan of how to connect with the Martial Soul.
"What's the status?"
"We have yet to truly figure it out, but we have noticed some similarities with which we can join another type of Soul Masters that were considered of less importance for now."
"Oh? Do tell."
"The Food Types. A lot of them are a subtype of Plant Types."
"Hmm. What about ones that have foods like meat or buns."
"We're still figuring it out, but we've somewhat narrowed it down to essentially a container suitable to the plant or food. Our current hypothesis for ones like Meat is a simple tiny refrigerator. But we have yet to start the testing. There is a good chance we'll need to add some sort of absorption technology to food as well."
"How long do you think it's going to take?" Karni asked.
"The basic container design, which will serve as the medium, should be finished in a week or so. Do we have the go ahead?"
"Of course. Report on the results later on."
"Will do, Manager."
With the base things done, Karni finally went to check on the Body Type of Martial Souls. As he entered, he already saw Yun'er holding her head, mumbling to the group surrounding her. "But that would mean that a 4th ring will already require a 6-Star Profession."
The others around her nodded, before finally noticing Karni coming in.
He didn't ask questions and just checked the designs. "Mm. Yeah. This is good, but the shape itself will require a 6-Star Designer to create the Soul Array. Let alone when you start adding rings."
"The Body Type Soul masters will be at a disadvantage, Karni." Yun'er complained.
"Yes, but it does kind of come with the nature of this strengthening. Especially so if you go about it like you did now." He pointed at the blueprint. "Notice that in this case of the Arm Blueprint, it is directly hugging the arm. And you carved the Core Array on it. It is a brilliant idea… if you want to have a strengthening weapon in general." Karni smiled.
Yun'er immediately figured out what he meant. "We're making this for a mecha."
Karni nodded.
"And that means," she continued, "that the core does not need to be on the arm."
Karni nodded again. "Though I will send this design forward as well. There is a good chance that after this project, the sect will want to develop these types of weapons for Soul Masters in general as well. While most Soul Masters will not need it, as this is not a close enough connection to Martial Souls that Battle Armours have yet, it will be a great way to make up for weaknesses."
Yun'er stared at Karni in amazement. She did not expect Karni could look so far into the future… Wait a minute. That was actually his whole shtick. "Wait, did you say it is not a close enough connection to Martial Soul yet? How close do you want it to be?"
Karni nodded as if it was only natural. "It's the only way it can develop in the future, no? Another extension of the Martial Soul, yet part of it. Like Battle Armour. Change the plans for now to fit the Mechas. That way it should have the same requirements for progression as the other types."
Yun'er nodded, being the lead on the Body Type Team. They had work to do.
"Oh wait." She stopped one more time. "We have our matches at the same time next time. Good luck ahead of time."
Karni smiled. "You too. You'll need it."
Yun'er grumbled. "I'll show you who needs luck. That captain of yours is gonna get some."
Karni decided to hold back on the perverted joke. Though he felt like Siduo would have appreciated it. Get some. And Yun'er was a cat as well. Yeah. Siduo would definitely point out the alternative meaning.
… … …
Karni and Xie Xie stood up together and walked up toward the arena.
"Say," Karni started. "Who exactly will go to the other side of the arena? We're both coming from the same side."
Xie Xie stopped, looking determined. "A warmup battle!"
Karni nodded. "Of course. Rock, paper scissors it is then."
"That's not what I-"
"I'll go with rock."
"Wait what? Why would you say that."
"Hmm. You're right. I'll go for Paper instead." Karni smiled.
Xie Xie felt like he was being tricked. No, he knew he was being tricked. "No using your Martial Soul."
"Of course. Well?"
Xie Xie sighed. He and Karni together said: "Rock, Paper, Scissors, shoot."
Xie Xie threw Paper, Karni threw Scissors.
"Damn it!"
"Alright then, I'll go to the other side then." Karni smiled.
"Wait, wha?"
Karni was already gone. Man was it easy to mess with that guy. He fell for such an easy to tell bait. That constant nagging at the back of Karni's mind was alleviated when he joked like this.
But Xie Xie showed his quality. Sure, Karni might have messed with him, but he was not shaken. No, Xie Xie was utterly determined. He knew Karni's abilities all too well, and he also knew Karni had been experimenting with that Greatsword. He was determined to face that new weapon and destroy it.
Xie Xie had a goal. He did not consider Karni to be a serious danger with the Greatsword. This was why he thought this was the one chance he had to truly beat Karni.
It was a shame Xie Xie never watched Karni train with that Greatsword. He would not have thought that way if he watched his original practice back in Shrek. As of this very moment, just the size of that Greatsword alone almost made Karni as dangerous as his usual Drumstick Style. That's what Karni's companions called Karni's usage of Disorder Drumstick Resonance. Though they were right to call it a style. It had become Karni's main technique as it had great synergy with the rest of his techniques.
Karni went to the far side of the arena, while Xie Xie settled on the closer side.
The match started and Xie Xie dashed while Karni started spinning. Xie Xie reached the middle point of the arena in two seconds, and that was just when Karni yeeted the Greatsword directly at Xie Xie.
Xie Xie answered with a simple hop. Except just as he jumped over the Greatsword, Karni Shifted below Xie Xie, swing the Guardian upward.
Oh boy, did Karni enjoy using this Greatsword. He felt like he really gained a new layer of terrifying secret attacks. He always wanted a Greatsword! Even before he came to this world!
Xie Xie parried the Greatsword to the side—more accurately, he parried himself to the side—and immediately went for a downward strike. But Karni had precognition. His attack was already being countered with a Drumstick. The lower part of the handle.
Xie Xie looked like he stopped for a tenth of a second, before kicking the Greatsword and dodging to the side with high-speed creating a big distance between the two.
Karni couldn't help but feel a sense of danger in that moment. Xie Xie was close to reaching it. Karni could not react to what Xie Xie just did.
Karni sighed a second later. This would be troublesome. But it would be an important test for the Greatsword.
Xie Xie immediately went on the offensive. His initial check was right. Karni was slower than usual. Now was his chance.
Yet Karni vanished way before Xie Xie got close. Xie Xie looked around. Karni was nowhere to be seen. Where was he?
Oh, right. He looked up. Karni was nowhere to be seen. No wait. He was just a tiny dot. A dot that was falling very, very quickly. Getting bigger and bigger. Xie Xie used his Purple Demon Eyes. Karni was constantly spinning! One hand was spinning a Drumstick, while the other was turning the Greatsword into a round chainsaw!
And inside that spin, the Drumstick then flew with extreme speed directly at Xie Xie. Xie Xie quickly stepped to the side, before he felt a chill down his neck.
He instinctively ran, except he was chased by raging, spinning guillotine of a Greatsword!
Karni had Shifted with all the momentum he had from falling and changed the locked-on Space sideways. With the grid system, it was easier than ever before. His speed was actually keeping up with Xie Xie, despite Karni still technically "falling" sideways.
Xie Xie's Soul Rings shone. Clones combined with the Dragon Storm, deflecting Karni's spinning Guardian. But they hit air. Karni reappeared on his side.
And when Xie Xie was about to deflect that, Karni reappeared on a different side yet again, constantly charging falling at him.
Xie Xie decided to take a risk, letting Karni get close enough where he could not Shift fast enough.
And it worked. Xie Xie deflected down, feeling a terrible vibration cross his arms, but Karni's Greatsword did not hit the ground.
Karni Shifted above! He was using the momentum he gathered fully to his advantage to Shift fast.
And Xie Xie answered from below, trying to slow him down. Except the Greatsword suddenly shined brightly.
And just as Xie Xie saw another ten spinning swords appeared, he roared and released six more clones. Three Light and three Shadow clones. Then the Fourth Soul Ring of Xie Xie's shone. The clones changed into visages of small dragons, spinning furiously in a storm.
Xie Xie hit the Greatsword, the impact still sending an incredible amount of shock through his entire body, yet Karni immediately adapted, hitting from the other side.
One of his clones combated Karni's golden shadows, hitting nothing. Another did the same, then a third suddenly hit something again. Xie Xie exploded in speed at that spot, only for nothing to be there.
Of all the people, this was confusing for the audience more than anything else. Karni had got a few fans even, because his fights looked incredibly abstract compared to normal ones.
One, two, three, four clones disappeared in quick succession again. And Xie Xie called out more, all the while having to dodge one real deadly spinning guillotine trying to get his neck.
Karni could see the change happening before him. Pure speed. Flashes. Dragons and slashes. Light and Shadow conjoining with one another for powerful attacks, even bouncing back his Sound filled Greatsword attacks.
The sight between what was Xie Xie and what was just a blur started to dissipate. One turned into the other, and Xie Xie almost became one with everything. Karni's Golden Insight had trouble keeping up.
And as the flashed continued, Karni did not notice the cracks increasing. He was focused on that speed, on keeping up, on keeping it in check. He could not Shift up in the sky anymore either, as he was too low on Spiritual Power after so many quick Shifts.
So he stopped. And he stood perfectly still. He finally noticed the cracks. His face turned blank.
He stabbed the Guardian into the ground with the first Soul Ring activated and the second one working on full power to distract Xie Xie.
Xie Xie crashed left and right creating holes in the arena, and then he hit something hard. A Sword. A giant, standing, flashing sword. The Greatsword suddenly attacked from hundreds of directions, all the while that very sword… felt friendly, and Xie Xie hesitated.
But from the corner of his eye, he saw it. A solid, gigantic Greatsword approaching, and Xie Xie… dodged with a roar, pushing his body to the limit, then crashing back in the Greatsword with none of the speed lost, instead, he even gained it.
The cracks opened, and the dagger went through. Xie Xie was greeted with a head right up in his face. Karni's expression was controlled and completely neutral. His eyes were gold-purple and he wore a Silver Crow on his head like a crown. The Soul Bone combined with Battle Armour.
The Spiritual Ray of Nerve Authority fired point blank, and Xie Xie could dodge no more.
He was paralysed completely, and Karni was left to build up the Sound while Xie Xie was standing still like a statue for a full minute, only for Karni to than slap Xie Xie with the Drumstick in slight frustration, knocking him unconscious.
Karni won with a surprisingly anti-climactic ending.
He dragged Xie Xie off the arena to the resting area, then woke him up and helped him get rid of paralysis.
As soon as Xie Xie could speak, he yelled. "Admit it! Admit it that I almost had you."
Karni grumbled. "Shut it."
Xie Xie groaned a bit. Karni pulled out that bit of Sound intentionally sloppy. But Xie Xie did not care. He was ecstatic. "I would have you on the ropes even with those Drumsticks though."
Karni snickered. "Sure you would." It was sarcasm.
"I would!" Xie Xie argued.
"Xie Xie. The only time today that you faced the full power of my Sound was the Drumstick I threw at you. The one you dodged with ease. I can't keep that level of Sound in my Greatsword yet. I can only release it as an explosion for now." Karni decided to swallow the unsatisfied feeling in his chest and explain.
Xie Xie took a moment to take that in. Then he realised. If Karni had been attacking with that amount of Sound consecutively instead…
Wulin stepped close. He had ironically finished his battle before them and watched the ending. Karni glanced and saw Dai Yun'er getting carried off, but currently, he couldn't really think about it. He turned to listen to Wulin. "Xie Xie. Even I don't feel my arms when I'm hit with that Sound."
Xie Xie couldn't help but pout. He couldn't say anything against that! His daggers would be unable to fight directly with that amount of Sound! He looked around and noticed Yuanen Yehui.
"Yehui! I've been playing that game a lot. I want to discuss tactics with you!"
Yuanen Yehui, surprisingly said: "Sure."
Karni couldn't help but feel his mouth twitch. "That little shit. He just ran away. After what he did to my Guardian as well."
"That's his specialty." Wulin nodded. "Also. Yun'er was damn difficult to beat." He sighed.
"Mm. She was quite a bad match up for you. What with her Spiritual Power being at Spirit Abyss level and all." Karni said slightly disinterested.
Wulin noticed Karni's mood. "Yep. Now if you'll excuse me, I want to give my mind a break from… all this." He went and left Karni alone.
Karni sighed, and stayed in the shade while he watched the next few matched unfold.
Damn it all. But he really was almost beaten by Xie Xie of all people. Yes, yes, he was aware that if he fought with what he was best at, with his comprehension of Sound, it would have been a mostly one-sided battle. But Karni still had some understanding of the Greatsword, and he really did learn to love it.
And then Xie Xie came and just surpassed that by a whole level by learning Momentum Storage. Xie Xie would become a much harder opponent to fight in the future with that. He could not be slowed down anymore by forcing him to dodge.
Karni's win ended up being very much similar to his main style. He had to admit that in he would have to train harder in the Greatsword in the future, if he wanted it to be viable against a strong opponent.
It ached him to admit it. By the end, he realised he would have to sacrifice the Greatsword. He really did get attached to it, despite the short time he had it. He felt a bit empty.
He had to make it more viable in the future. Karni breathed in rhythm, turning to look at Lin San, the Wind King—his next opponent. He had to train his Sound further, so he could apply to the Greatsword in full. Then he could realise his potential.
And the Wind King just happened to look like the perfect candidate. It was time to understand that 45th hit in full.