It's been 5 hours since he began fighting, or rather, attempting to. As soon as the timer started, he readied himself in a fighting stance, gripping his only knife in a reverse hold. When a stone rat leaped at him, he forcefully swung his knife, relying on his muscle strength, but it snapped into several pieces. The rat managed to cut his hand and retreated before he could react.
The next idea that crossed his mind was fighting bare-handed. However, recognizing the abnormal scenario where even the knife couldn't harm smaller creatures like rats, he understood his hands wouldn't do much either. So, he's been running for 5 hours continuously, with only smaller animals attacking. The larger ones remain still, observing him from afar enjoying the show of a monkey being chased by rats and dogs.
Believing there's a specific order to the creature attacks, he has to deal with the pursuing ones, first to be recognized as a threat. His hypothesis proved correct, maintaining a distance of at least 10 meters from them to avoid being attacked.
Constantly evading rats from all directions, he's been ducking, sliding, jumping, and avoiding them while keeping a steady pace. Dogs behind him attack whenever he slows down, and he senses his body getting tired. He needs to do something about it.
Planning to head toward a spotted rock hill, he finds a huge pit surrounding it. The name "Pit" now makes sense. He cant see the depth now, but thinking of falling into it gives him goosebumps. he would rather run around in circles than try going into the pit.
His military training and years of street fighting keep him focused, though he's running in circles to avoid more injuries. Even the earlier cut is painful, with waves of pain every two minutes, akin to a master continuously hammering intense blows to iron precisely at regular intervals. The pain which was initially heavy has now reduced to manageable.
After running for a few more minutes, everything suddenly stops. Rats, dogs, and other creatures go silent and simply stay in their places. The chaotic scene turns deathly silent. There was a heavy wind that was blowing around, that also seems to have stilled. Checking his clock, he finds no new notifications, and six hours have passed since the trail began.
Surprisingly, nothing happens for the next hour, allowing him some much-needed rest. However, a vague feeling suggests this rest came at a cost, unsure of the exact price he'll pay. He's certain the next few hours won't be easy.
His prediction comes true, When the clock reaches the seventh hour, everything switches back on. Creatures that were previously active now attack with double intensity. Their stats seem to have doubled suddenly, and the initial surprise costs him more cuts on his right arm and a bleeding forehead.
He recovers, adjusts to the speed, and resumes dodging and running. He has completely forgotten about cursing the lady as well, which helped him calm down as it poured his anger out and kept his emotional state stable. Now this is likely because he does not even have the energy to curse at all.
After nearly five hours of running, jumping, hopping, and dodging, he hopes everything will stop like last time. He anticipates the resting period, even knowing the speed will likely increase fourfold next time.
That's when he spots something shining in the mud. The black soil is reflecting something he wants to check but he can't do it right away. Deciding to inspect it once everything freezes, he continues running in a circular pattern around the shining material. As expected, everything stops when another six hours pass. The place turns deathly silent with nothing moving.
Seizing the chance, he approaches the object, stooping down to examine the source of the shimmer. A black hilt captures his attention, adorned with crystals of the same dark hue. Although they emit a faint gleam, appearing almost faded, he discerns it due to his intense concentration and unwavering vigilance, scrutinizing every movement around him.
Assuming it's some kind of weapon that may help him, or at least hoping so, as it would be immensely helpful in his current condition, he touches the hilt. it feels rough on his hands, he tries to run his finger over the hilt, but suddenly removes it feeling some pain in his thumb as his blood drops on the hilt, it suddenly starts glowing blood red and emits strange noises
hsss...pssss..shsshs..zzzzzzzz.
The red glow fades, and he feels the hilt lifting from the ground, floating in the air in front of him. Raghu watches with wide eyes as not only the hilt but the full form of the weapon, a falchion sword with slightly nicked edges, is floating in front of him. It seems like the sword is repairing itself using the blood he provided, with his blood sizzling over several areas as the blood red gets absorbed into the essence of the sword.
Despite a feeble connection, he grabs the floating falchion from his right hand and thoroughly examines the sword. Finally having hope of escaping alive ignites in his heart after obtaining a weapon, he wants to know the status and grade of the sword. Using his watch to appraise it, he selects the scan function, and it displays this on his watch:
[
Name: ????
Item: Falchion Sword
Grade: Unknown
Type: Soul Weapon
Condition: Poor
Description: An old falchion sword of unknown origin but the design of the ancient era. these type of Soul weapons are extremely rare, usually providing extraordinary benefits to the user. They bend to the user's will and adjust according to the user's needs. The will of last user still appears to be in this weapon, so be careful while using it. The user is advised to conquer the weapon before using it.
]
What does it mean, I have to conquer the weapon first ? Do i have to take another trail or something of that sort ? How do I make the sword mine ? what are the benefits that I can gain If I am able to gain the acknowledgement from sentient sword ?
He tries to examine the sword more closely and tries to wield it by performing slashes and moves he had learned, but he can feel certain resistance. Its like the sword itself does not want to move in that way. He can feel the sword tries to redirect his flow and adjust his trajectory automatically giving him only partial control over the weapon.
He can feel the weapon has a will of its own. He tries to control the weapon trying to imitate the sword techniques he learned in military again. But this time he is not forceful. he allow the weapon to guide him. He wants to understand the existing flow of the sword.
He notices that the moves have become more sharp. It seems like the previous wielder of this sword was a experienced swordman, these are probably previous master's moves that sword is still imitating on its own. he had heard of people being one with their weapon and there weapon take on their characteristics and will but never believed it , he was now holding a live example in his hands.
He is not sure but he believes the will of the sword will manifest itself once he is proficient enough to wield this weapon. Keeping that in mind he continues to practice moves till the time is up.it is time for him to check fruits of his labor. If the sword works as intended, he will have the chance to survive.