Chapter 36 : Sword
I stumbled back, my body burning, my vision blurring. But then, I remembered the System storage I had access to. I focused my mind, and a virtual menu appeared before me.
I scrolled through the options, my eyes scanning the list of items. And then, I saw it - a rusty sword, stored away for emergencies.
I selected the sword, and it materialized in my hand. But it was just a useless piece of metal... unless I could find a way to activate it.
I bit my own hand, feeling a surge of pain as my teeth sank into my flesh. My blood fell onto the rusty blade, and it started to glow with an eerie, demonic light.
The sword, now imbued with my blood, began to transform. Its rusty surface turned a deep, crimson red, and its shape shifted, becoming more sinister, more menacing. The hilt twisted into a grotesque, demonic face, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly energy.
I raised the sword, now named "Crimson Requiem", and felt its power coursing through me. The pain from my burns began to fade, replaced by a fierce determination to survive.
Arachne's laughter faltered, her eyes widening in surprise. "Impossible," she whispered. "You shouldn't be able to wield that sword."
I smiled, feeling the sword's dark energy coursing through me. "I'm full of surprises," I said, charging towards her.
7:59... 7:58... 7:57...
I charged towards Arachne, Crimson Requiem glowing with an eerie light. She sneered at me, summoning a wave of flames to block my path.
But I was relentless, driven by my determination to survive. I swung Crimson Requiem, and the sword sliced through the flames like a hot knife through butter.
Arachne's eyes widened in surprise as I approached her. She summoned a dark, shadowy creature to attack me, but I was ready.
With a swift swing of Crimson Requiem, I dispatched the creature and turned my attention back to Arachne.
"You're a formidable foe," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "But you'll never leave this place alive."
I smiled, feeling the sword's power coursing through me. "We'll see about that," I said, charging towards her.
7:45... 7:44... 7:43...
The battle was intense, with both of us exchanging blows and neither gaining the upper hand. But I knew I had to end it soon - the countdown was ticking away, and I still had to survive the trial.
Suddenly, an idea struck me. I remembered the System's hint about the trial - "Use your surroundings to Advantage
I looked around, my eyes scanning the desert landscape. And then, I saw it - a massive sand dune, towering above us like a giant wave.
I grinned, a plan forming in my mind. "Arachne, let's end this," I said, charging towards the dune.
I charged towards the sand dune, Crimson Requiem glowing with an eerie light. Arachne followed close behind, her eyes blazing with fury.
As I reached the top of the dune, I turned to face her. "Let's finish this," I snarled, swinging Crimson Requiem in a deadly arc.
Arachne tried to dodge, but the sword sliced through her defenses, biting deep into her shoulder. She screamed in agony as I twisted the blade, feeling a surge of satisfaction at her pain.
But Arachne refused to fall. With a snarl, she summoned a dark, shadowy energy that exploded from her wound, knocking me off balance.
I stumbled back, Crimson Requiem slipping from my grasp. Arachne took advantage of the momentary lapse, striking me with a vicious kick that sent me tumbling down the dune.
I rolled to my feet, my body screaming in agony. But I knew I couldn't give up. Not now.
With a feral snarl, I launched myself at Arachne, my fists flying in a deadly blur. She tried to defend herself, but I was relentless, driven by my determination to survive.
7:20... 7:19... 7:18...
The battle was brutal, with both of us exchanging blows and neither giving an inch. But I knew I had to end it soon - the countdown was ticking away, and I still had to survive the trial.
Suddenly, I saw my chance. With a vicious swing of my fist, I struck Arachne's jaw, sending her crashing to the ground.
And then, I stood over her, Crimson Requiem raised high. "It's over," I snarled, the sword flashing down in a deadly arc...