The glint in Noah's eyes was brighter than ever.
His regression so far had been far too easy for his liking.
For ten years, he had grown used to fighting for everything: a kill, a title, even a scrap of experience points.
Now, it all seemed too simple, almost boring.
Finally.
Finally, I feel that thrill again.
The sensation of death lurking nearby. The sensation of reaching one's limits and surpassing them.
This was what Noah had missed.
With every thrust, every parry, every dodge, he could feel his skills sharpening, his senses heightening.
With surgical precision, Noah studied the movement of the axe descending toward him.
The muscles in his arms and shoulders, which had been rigid like steel, suddenly relaxed.
Avarus didn't speak, didn't taunt.
His strikes were his language, the heavy axe in his hands carving through the air with deadly precision.
Noah watched the knight closely, his eyes narrowing as the massive weapon rose above Avarus' head, poised to come crashing down.
With strength and precision, his arm bent like a whip, striking down like a judgment.
His scythe moved fluidly through the air intercepting the enemy's blow, the sharp clang of metal on metal resonating through the air.
Clang
His breath remained steady, eyes locked on his opponent. He hadn't flinched. He hadn't faltered. There was no panic—just pure, calculated precision.
With a single flick of his wrist, Noah redirected the force of his opponent, sending the knight's axe soaring toward the sky.
His body moved lightly forward, closing the gap between him and his adversary.
Unable to rely on his skills, Noah focused his mana into his arms, ready to deliver a lethal strike.
But Avarus was faster.
Noah's scythe flashed through the air, its curved blade carving a silver arc as it hurtled toward Avarus. But the knight was already moving, his massive axe sweeping upward with the force of a storm.
CLANG!
The impact reverberated through Noah's bones, but he held firm, grinding his teeth as the weapons locked.
Sparks danced between them, lighting up Avarus's face beneath his dented helmet. The knight's eyes glowed with an eerie golden hue, cold and merciless.
"Is this the best you've got?"
Avarus growled, his voice like gravel, mocking and thunderous.
He pushed against Noah's scythe, forcing the younger man back step by step.
"You're a shadow of your former self."
Noah grinned through the strain, his muscles burning from the pressure.
"You're right…"
He said, his breath coming in short bursts.
"…But even a shadow knows how to hide in the light."
With a sudden twist, Noah disengaged, spinning his scythe in a blur of motion.
Avarus's momentum carried him forward, the weight of his axe dragging him off balance for a heartbeat.
That was all Noah needed. He darted in, the blade of his scythe whistling toward Avarus's exposed flank.
SHOOM!
But Avarus was no amateur. With a snarl, he slammed his axe into the ground, using the handle as a makeshift shield.
The scythe glanced off it, the force of the deflection sending Noah skidding back across the dirt.
The knight straightened, his golden aura intensifying, wrapping around him like an inferno.
"You're delaying the inevitable."
He said coldly, lifting his axe high. The ground beneath his feet cracked under the sheer weight of his power.
"I will crush you."
Spit!
Noah spat blood, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as his grin only widened.
His fingers flexed around the hilt of his scythe, feeling the energy coursing through his veins.
"Come and try."
He said, eyes alight with reckless excitement.
Avarus roared, the sound like a war cry, and charged. His massive axe cleaved through the air, aimed straight at Noah's head.
Swish
Noah's body moved on instinct, his scythe twirling like a dancer's ribbon. He ducked low, feeling the gust of wind from Avarus's swing brush his cheek, and slashed upward. The edge of his weapon sparked against Avarus's armor, not deep enough to wound but enough to draw a snarl of irritation from the knight.
The two fighters separated for a brief moment, both panting, the ground between them scorched and cracked from the intensity of their clash.
Avarus's eyes narrowed, his voice low and venomous.
"You're playing with fire, boy."
Noah laughed, rolling his shoulders to shake off the tension.
"Then let me burn."
Avarus's eyes gleamed with a golden fury as he hefted his massive axe into the air. The sheer weight of it looked impossible for a human to throw, but Avarus wasn't human.
With a roar, he hurled the axe forward, the weapon spinning like a hurricane, tearing through the air toward Noah.
Shoom
For a split second, time seemed to slow.
Noah's heartbeat quickened, but his body reacted faster than his mind. He darted forward, his form blurring as the axe hurtled past him, missing his body by inches.
The wind from the axe's passage whipped against his skin, but Noah didn't hesitate. His eyes locked on Avarus—this was his chance.
"Too slow."
Noah muttered under his breath, his scythe flashing out in a deadly arc aimed straight for Avarus's chest.
But Avarus didn't panic. His eyes narrowed as his free hand shot out, catching the side of Noah's scythe with precision.
Clang
With a swift, practiced movement, he redirected the blade's momentum, pulling Noah off balance. Noah's center of gravity shifted as his scythe veered away from its target.
"Tch, predictable!"
Avarus sneered, his voice a low growl.
In one fluid motion, the knight swung his arm horizontally, his gauntleted fist racing toward Noah's exposed side like a steel battering ram.
Noah's eyes widened for a fraction of a second.
"Not happening!"
Gritting his teeth Noah twisted his body mimicking Avarus's move.
His elbow shot out, slamming into Avarus's forearm with a solid thud. The impact jarred Avarus just enough to disrupt his attack.
"Not bad!"
Avarus grunted, his lips curling into a snarl as he felt the force of Noah's counter.
Noah smirked, his body already moving in preparation for the next strike. His scythe spun in his hands as he pushed off the ground, aiming to strike while Avarus was still recovering.
"This isn't over!"
Noah breathed, the thrill of the fight igniting something deep within him.
But Avarus wasn't finished either. His golden aura flared as he readied himself for the next exchange, his eyes locked on Noah with a mix of respect and fury.
"Good. Show me more!"
Avarus growled, bracing for the oncoming storm.
Noah's scycle came down ready to cleave the knight in half.
Swang!
However, Avarus was ready.
A golden inferno enveloped his hand as he caught the falling scythe with ease.
Without a word, Avarus extended his hand toward the distance, where his massive axe lay embedded in the earth.
The aura surrounding him flared, golden tendrils of energy reaching out toward the weapon.
Noah's eyes narrowed as he sensed what was coming.
"You've got to be kidding me…" he muttered.
The axe, heavy enough to crush boulders, trembled for a moment, and then, with a violent whoosh, it tore free from the ground.
The weapon flew through the air as if obeying Avarus's will, cutting through the sky like a summoned beast returning to its master. The golden aura wrapped around it, guiding it straight back into Avarus's outstretched hand.
Still holding Noah's blade with his fingers, Avarus shifted his weight forward and jabbed with the butt of his weapon.
Splat
Noah felt his flesh tear at his stomach, his feet lifting off the ground. A metallic taste filled his mouth.
With Noah's body still impaled on the weapon, Avarus spun around, hurling him across the floor.
Once again, the axe rose into the sky before plummeting toward the boy still lying on the ground.
Shoom
Gathering the last of his strength, Noah rolled across the floor, narrowly avoiding the strike.
Using the brief window between attacks, he struggled to his feet, wobbling.
Ahahah! God, I love this fight!
Blood gushed from the open wound, soaking his clothes.
Noah tore off his shirt, wrapping it around his waist to stem the bleeding.
"Ready for round nine?"
Without a word, Avarus got into position.
Shoom
With a push from their legs, the two crashed into each other once more.
It's time to stop playing fair!
Again, the knight's arms tensed as he thrust forward, a rapid, precise strike aimed at Noah's torso.
Leaping forward, Noah allowed the weapon to pass between his legs, closing in on his enemy's face.
With force, he stomped down, crushing the hands gripping the axe, causing Avarus to lose balance.
Almost instantly, his knee followed up, smashing into the knight's sternum.
Boom!
Avarus staggered backward.
The impact mark was visible on his gleaming armor.
It wasn't a devastating blow, but it was enough to knock the wind out of him.
Charging forward, Noah spun his scythe in his hands, launching a strike aimed at the knight's head.
Noah spun his weapon once more, striking with the handle between the knight's legs.
The monster's knees buckled.
Seizing the advantage, Noah lunged forward, closing the gap until he was inches away from his opponent.
In one swift motion, he lifted the knight's helmet, revealing a disfigured face, a missing nose and a large scar covering much of Avarus' features.
Gathering the blood that had filled his mouth, Noah spat into the knight's eyes, covering them in the sticky substance, before slamming the helmet back down.
Instinctively, Avarus reached for his head with his free hand, trying to wipe away the blood to regain his sight.
But he would never get the chance.
With a clean strike, Noah's scythe cleaved through the knight's flesh, severing everything in its path. First, the right hand reaching for the helmet, then the shoulder, down to the left side.
The two halves of the body fell to the ground with a thud.
_______________
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE SLAIN AVARUS, The Primordial Sin!
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE TITLE "SIN SLAYER (5)"
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE GAINED 10,000 EXPERIENCE POINTS!
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE GAINED 10,000 EXPERIENCE POINTS!
_______________
"Can I just say something? You fight dirty, you know that."
John remarked.
"But I'm still alive," Noah replied, collapsing to the ground.
With his remaining strength, he opened the shop and pulled out a potion.
One less than I expected.
Noah thought with a smile.