When Zico appeared before the duplicate, it was nearly drained of energy, but as soon as Zico attacked, a sudden surge of power coursed through its veins. The duplicate was perplexed - it knew this newfound strength wasn't its own doing. What was happening? Having only been human for less than four hours, it had no concept of adrenaline or any other human physiological responses.
The fight continued, and after Zico's transformation, the duplicate seemed to gain even more power. Its confidence soared, and it began to taunt Zico with slurred speech as it swung its scythe. Zico, meanwhile, fought with masterful precision, his movements a perfect dance as he wielded his daggers in harmony. If the duplicate didn't possess its incredible speed, it would have been defeated already. Zico remained calm, though the transformation had hidden his face beneath a mask-like exterior, concealing any visible signs of emotion. Despite his calm exterior, he was growing increasingly annoyed.
Zico gripped his daggers tightly, his eyes locked on the duplicate as he dodged its scythe with grace. Seizing the moment, he slashed at the duplicate's mud-caked back and swiftly jumped out of range. With a swift motion, he brought his dagger down, freezing the duplicate in place. Zico approached the duplicate, his annoyance growing. He had to use his newfound sword skills to immobilize anyone stronger than him, and now he was stuck dealing with Mark.
As he lifted his dagger, the rain suddenly ceased, as if responding to his actions. Zico's confusion deepened.
"Sword, rain," the duplicate stammered, fear written all over its eyes.
"What do you mean? We left that in the sword grounds!" Zico exclaimed, his mind racing.
Just then, a sword plummeted from the sky, barely missing Zico. If he hadn't sensed it and moved, he would have been killed instantly. This was utter chaos! The sword seemed to possess more energy than any of his skills or even himself. If he didn't move, he would have been a goner...
Suddenly, a thought struck him:
"Sword rain" wasn't that what Mark had said? What was going on here? Without hesitation, Zico turned and ran, the sound of falling swords echoing behind him.
When the soldiers emerged on the other side of the portal, they swiftly followed the man who had vowed to slaughter every human in this world. He led them to a nearby cave, which they hastily entered. It became apparent that he was aware of the impending 'Sword Rain,' as the normal rain ceased and the ominous Sword hail began. The soldiers huddled in the cave, bracing themselves for the treacherous downpour.
The swords vanished instantly upon touching the ground or anything connected to it, sparing the cave from penetration. Lieutenant Henry's voice broke the silence:
"I have a question for you all."
The soldiers exchanged nervous glances, and one of them spoke up:
"Ask away, Lieutenant Henry."
Henry's menacing tone sent chills down their spines as he asked:
"Remember when I said I'd kill every human here?" His pleasant voice had turned sinister, and his grin was now downright terrifying. The soldiers were paralyzed with fear, unable to move or escape.
In a flash, Henry sprang into action, and the soldiers instinctively transformed into their armorment forms, weapons at the ready. Henry's smile grew wider as he declared:
"You're attacking me? Mind if I strike first?"
With lightning speed, he appeared before the first soldier and decapitated him with a swift blow, the head flying across the cave and hitting the wall with a sickening thud. Blood splattered everywhere, pooling on the ground like a crimson lake.
The remaining eighteen soldiers charged at Henry, their swords clashing against his bare fists. But Henry was a force to be reckoned with, his strength and agility allowing him to dodge and weave between the attacks with ease. He countered with a flurry of punches, each one landing with a loud crack, sending soldiers flying across the cave. Blood sprayed from their mouths and noses, their armor dented and cracked.
One soldier swung his sword in a powerful arc, but Henry caught it with his bare hand, the blade slicing deep into his palm. Blood gushed out, but Henry's grin never wavered as he used his other hand to grab the soldier's throat, lifting him off the ground and slamming him into the cave wall. The soldier's armorment cracked and crumbled, his body slumping to the ground, lifeless. A crimson trail followed him, like a morbid shadow.
Another soldier attempted a sneak attack from behind, but Henry sensed it and spun around, his fist connecting with the soldier's mask, crushing it like paper. The soldier's head lolled to one side, his eyes frozen in a death stare. Blood dripped from his mouth, his body twitching in a macabre dance.
The fight continued, Henry's bare hands against the soldiers swords. He was a whirlwind of fury, his movements swift and deadly. He punched, kicked, and slammed the soldiers into the ground, their armorment cracking and shattering under his relentless assault. Blood splattered the cave walls, the sound of clashing steel and screams filling the air. Henry's smile never faltered, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent intensity as he slaughtered the soldiers one by one.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the last soldier fell to the ground, his sword slipping from his grasp. Henry stood, his chest heaving with exertion, his hands covered in blood. The cave was silent once more, the only sound the heavy breathing of Henry. The air was thick with the stench of blood and death, a grim reminder of the carnage that had unfolded.
Henry approached the entrance of the cave, gazing out as the sword rain finally began to clear. His wounds miraculously healed before his eyes, his body restored to its entirety. Then, a third eye suddenly materialized on his forehead, only to vanish just as quickly.
"It's messed up that all those level three and four knights died like that," Henry muttered to himself, his voice laced with a hint of detachment:
"Well, I was ordered to kill everyone here and reclaim this world. Guess that's half the mission accomplished."