Skill
Envi explained that this skill was a blessing from the Goddess of Benevolence. It would grow stronger as the user's hope and willpower strengthened. This skill allowed its wielder to bring forth their desires into reality, conjuring powerful skills and manifesting strength to combat evil.
"Power of Incarnation? Isn't this skill incredibly powerful?!" I asked Envi.
"Yes, it is," Envi replied, "but using it will drain your stamina immensely. Right now, you can only use it once—to end this battle!" Envi warned me of the skill's toll.
I understood her warning. I couldn't just use it recklessly. It was a double-edged sword. If I couldn't wield it properly, I'd be the one collapsing first.
I thought hard about a strategy to defeat Mark. We were clashing swords, but he wasn't showing a single opening. Then, an idea struck me—to provoke his subconscious, create an opening I could use.
"Hey, Mark! Have you lost your mind? Aren't you the pride of the Blackmore family?" I called out, hoping to get under his skin.
GROOOH!
Mark didn't respond with words; he only roared in rage, attacking me with wild, relentless blows. Bit by bit, he pushed me back.
"Damn it! You ungrateful brat! You have strength without needing this demonic power!"
"You've always had everyone's attention—Patriarch, Lilia, Milly, William, and all the staff here…"
"Meanwhile, I've received nothing."
"I felt jealous, seeing how differently they treated us... but I never gave up!"
"I'm going to become strong my own way! I don't need demonic power or anything like that!"
"Listen to me, Mark. Remember this: I HATE YOU! I hate you so much that I wanted to punch you from the start."
"But even though I hate you…even though I hate you…I won't abandon you in this wretched state."
Suddenly, Mark's movements stopped. It was as if he froze in place. My words had gotten through to him! Now he was showing an opening.
Not wasting a second, I dashed toward him, closing the gap to just half a meter. He swung his sword at me, and I parried it with
Then, I released my katana and clenched my fist.
"Tighten your jaw, you bratty little brother!" I put all my strength into my punch.
BAM!
My fist connected squarely with his right cheek, and he stumbled, collapsing to the ground.
"Heh—you actually punched him?!" Envi exclaimed, shocked.
"Sometimes, knocking some sense into someone takes a literal punch," I replied with a confident grin.
"Ridiculous—" Envi scoffed. But then Mark slowly stood up, unsteady but different. His right eye returned to normal, and he seemed to regain partial awareness.
"S-sore…what…what's going on?" Mark looked around in confusion.
"Naoki… please…kill me." Tears began streaming down Mark's face.
"No," I replied firmly.
"Because that would be such a hassle!"
"Ugh!" Mark was once again seized by the demon's dark aura, starting to lose himself.
"Hang on, you idiot brother!" I moved closer, but a wave of that dark energy pulsed, pushing me back.
"I…I can't fight it…please, brother, kill me…" Desperation took over him as he started to fall back under the shadow's control.
"I ALREADY TOLD YOU I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!" I shouted at him.
"I will save you! Just trust your brother..." I strengthened my resolve, letting him see it.
Mark, though shaky, seemed calmer. But the darkness overtook him completely once more.
...
Now Mark was completely out of control again. He grabbed his sword and started charging at me. I picked up my katana, ready to face him.
While I kept talking to him, I tried to activate my skill,
This time, Mark was faster, and the dark aura pouring from his body grew even thicker.
"This is bad, Nao! He's reached the third stage of transformation! If he hits the fourth, he'll fully turn into a demon!" Envi warned me urgently.
Hearing that, I picked up the pace of my attacks. I had to awaken
Our battle was fierce. I unleashed my
I dodged and counterattacked with
But then he shifted into a stance, preparing to use Mark's most powerful skill,
His speed and power surged. I tried to hold him back with
Slash! Slash!
Mark's blows tore into me, leaving deep cuts across my body. I had no armor left, just a blood-stained white shirt.
"Hang in there, Nao!" Envi cheered me on.
"Just… a little longer…" I muttered under my breath.
"H-huh? What do you mean?" Envi asked, confused.
"I can feel it.
Suddenly, Mark launched a reckless assault, catching me off guard. I could barely keep up with his strikes.
But slowly, I felt something—strength flowing into me. A warm light began to spread through my body. I kept gathering my hope, my willpower.
In my heart, I wished I could save Mark from this demon shadow. I built my resolve, refusing to abandon him this time. I couldn't bear to regret another failure, like the time I couldn't protect Naki's heart.
I remembered, too, that defeating Mark here would complete half of the goddess quest. It would bring me halfway to saving my mother from the cancer that would otherwise take her life.
I would defeat Mark here and save my family!
Suddenly, a notification appeared before me.
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Acquired skill
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I envisioned a slash that could separate Mark's soul from the demon shadow devouring him.
"Nao! With this, we can save Mark!" Envi said, her voice filled with hope.
"You're right, Envi. With this skill, I won't strike Mark; I'll sever the demon's soul within him!" I replied, determined.
But in that moment, I let my guard down. Suddenly—
THWACK!
Mark's dark sword pierced my left side, pain searing through me. I staggered, clutching the blade to prevent him from pulling it free, anchoring him in place. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Milly watching in horror, her face stricken with tears, crying, "BIG BRO NAOKI!"
Ignoring the pain, I tightened my grip on his sword and summoned every bit of strength I had left. I channeled the Power of Incarnation through my katana, enveloping it in a warm, divine aura. The light pulsed, resonating with my resolve, casting a glow that broke through the dark fog surrounding us. I locked eyes with Mark, his twisted expression lost in his demon's grip, yet somewhere in his gaze, I could still sense my little brother.
"I've always wanted a little brother, you know?" I said softly, struggling to keep my voice steady. "Even if you are a troublesome sibling." I managed a smile, lifting my katana as divine energy surged through me, its radiance blinding.
With a swift, fluid motion, I unleashed the strike. My blade sliced clean through Mark's shadowy form, piercing straight into the core of the darkness. This was a technique of purification, a cut that targeted only the demon possessing him, without causing Mark harm. The blade's divine power surged, burning away the shadows clinging to him, severing the demon's hold in a single stroke.
Mark let out an agonized roar as the darkness within him shattered, splitting apart in the light. Gradually, the shadow dissipated, purged by the power of my strike. His demonic form unraveled, and he returned to his normal state, his face softening as the dark aura faded. Exhaustion overtook him, and he began to collapse, but I caught him, steadying him against my shoulder.
"No matter what happens, you're still my brother, Mark," I whispered, brushing his hair from his eyes. "Recover soon, okay?"
"Big brother… I…" His voice trailed off as he lost consciousness, his weight leaning heavily against me. For a moment, I just stood there, holding him, allowing myself a brief sigh of relief.
I glanced around the arena. The spectators watched in awe, silent as they absorbed the scene. Then, a cheer broke out, slowly rising into an uproar. Milly and Lilia, clinging to each other, wept openly, their expressions now filled with joy.
At that moment, Rosan released a barrier spell on the arena, and the Patriarch made a proud expression as he leaped into the arena, his voice booming over the crowd.
"This duel is won by Naoki von Blackmore! And with this victory, I hereby designate him as the official Heir of the Blackmore family, as well as the Hero Candidate of the Blackmore family!"
The crowd erupted, chanting my name. My heart raced, both from victory and the overwhelming sense of relief. I had succeeded. I had saved Mark, and at last, I had taken a step toward my destiny as a protector of my family.
This fierce duel had come to an end, marked by our triumph…