A desolate expanse stretched out before Atsuku, a wasteland without any life, forgotten and left. Dried grass clung tenaciously, their pale hues contrasting starkly against the ashen soil beneath.
Ragged mountains loomed on the horizon—their peaks weathered by time. And above, an eerie crimson moon hung suspended in the obsidian sky, casting an otherworldly glow upon this forsaken land called Twilight Zone.
Atsuku stood as a lone figure amidst this desolation within the vastness of the desolate landscape. His hands were in the pockets of his pants. The wind tugged at his attire, causing the fabric and his long, mane-like hair to ripple.
Yes, he turned back to John as this was not the real world, but the Twilight Zone where the test to advance to the Second Stage would be held. He didn't know what would arrive. But one thing was certain.
It would be something that matched his current ability.
The air was heavy with a sense of dread as if the very essence of the place was scary. The dried grass whispered scary words. And there was the crimson moon—an ominous orb of deep crimson that hung low in the sky, its light casting long, eerie shadows that seemed to dance and sway away.
Its glow, like spilled blood, pulsating loudly like a heartbeat, painted the landscape in an unsettling ambiance, as if an unseen force had twisted the very fabric of reality.
In the distance, a lone crow cawed. Its voice rang a mournful melody and gave this quiet space some sounds. It flapped its wings, rising high toward the large moon, and perked above with its three claws.
"Caaww!" A loud caw escaped the giant crow's beak, causing the ground beneath him to quake.
Smiling bitterly, Atsuku raised his head.
"Is that my test?" He scoffed, "Iblis really wants to take over my body. That bastard spared no effort to make me fail this test. But it's just about killing a monster, so it should be simple."
The Twilight Zone was special. A concept of time and objects didn't exist here.
All objects and everything, including him and the giant crow, were made from Arcane. Because the concept didn't exist, none of Atsuku's weapons entered this zone with him, not even the earring given by Gaia.
However…
'Because such a concept didn't exist and only Arcane can stay here, I can do anything. Though it will only be limited to First Stage Core and probably only Grade 1 Arcane weapons without any negative effect.' He thought, observing the crow calmly.
Arcane coursed through Atsuku's veins, a potent force he had honed through years of hard work. Flames danced and flickered around him, an extension of his very will, eager to obey his command. It was Flame Control with the peak of control over Arcane, which was possible because he wasn't in his physical body.
A Grade 1 Arcane Sword he used to behead Eve appeared in his hand when he wished it.
The bird with 3 legs also observed him with its red eyes, unmoving. It kept flapping its giant wings, spreading them wide to threaten Atsuku. Many feathers, each as big as his body, fell to the ground, creating a thunderous sound as it created a small crater.
One of such feathers fell in Atsuku's direction. Noticing the incoming danger, Atsuku controlled the fire to surround his feet and used it to propel himself away.
The feather missed him, lodging into the ground deeply.
In mid-air, Atsuku didn't stay silent. Rather, he created the desert eagle from his imagination by using his Arcane.
A silver gun immediately outlined in his left hand, with fire surrounding its muzzle. It roared to life as he pulled the trigger, sending a barrage of shots toward the fore that perked on the crimson moon.
The air cracked as the bullets launched themselves, leaving trails of fire from Flame Control. Atsuku watched it all as he landed a few meters away from his previous location.
At that moment, the crow cawed once again and flapped its wings.
"Caawww!!"
The wind howled. A flap of its wings created a tornado, eating the flying bullets inside its terrifying spiral.
It disappeared a second later. The surrounding area returned to how it was, save for the giant feathers lodging on the ashen soil here and there with small craters around them.
Seeing his attack didn't work, Atsuku didn't panic for the slightest bit. He had known that this Test would be difficult.
'As expected.' He thought, calming the flame down so he wouldn't burn his Arcane fast. A grin cracked on his face. He was excited. 'The crow is using Wind Control, the ability that will be unlocked in Second Stage.'
After knowing his opponent's ability, it would be very easy to counter. If it were him in the past, it would probably be a really hard fight.
No, he wouldn't say it would be an easy fight. But it would be easier because he knew the extent and limit of Wind Control.
With a determined glint in his eyes, Atsuku leaped forward, his sword trailing a tail of blazing fire with the runes on the blade glowing a blue light. The giant crow cawed, reverberating like thunder before launching into the air with surprising agility.
Its three legs propelled it with an uncanny grace, and Atsuku couldn't avoid it in midair.
As the two closed the gap, the Desert Eagle in Atsuku's hand roared to life once again, sending a barrage of shots enhanced by Flame Control toward the airborne foe. Some bullets found their mark, causing the crow to squawk in fury.
It was enraged.
With a mighty beat of its wings, the crow descended in a dive, aiming to strike Atsuku with its razor-sharp talons.
Anticipating the attack, he channeled his Arcane. Flames intensified around him, allowing him to stay in the air for a few seconds. Using this chance, he swung his sword in an arc of crimson fire, intercepting the crow's assault with a clash that reverberated in the entire wasteland.
Sparks erupted from the collision point, and the screech of metal against the sturdy talon rang loudly.
In the midst of the clash, Atsuku found himself momentarily caught off guard by the sheer ferocity of the giant crow's attack. As it lunged toward him with an unexpected burst, one of its razor-sharp talons raked across his side, tearing through the suit and flesh alike.
And he was pushed down to the ground.
Boom!
A web-like crack appeared underneath him as the giant crow pushed him down, and dust rose to the air. A sharp gasp escaped his lips as pain seared through him. Blood poured out from the nasty gash on the side, painting the ashen soil red.
'Fuck! I miscalculated.'