Chapter 32: Clash of Blades and Wills
The night air vibrated with unseen energy as Arjun and Jivraj clashed. Their blades met in a burst of sparks, each strike carrying a force that shook the very ground beneath them.
Jivraj moved with inhuman speed, his curved sword dancing like a shadow. Arjun barely managed to parry, his enhanced reflexes the only thing keeping him alive.
His system's warnings flashed relentlessly in his vision.
[Enemy: Jivraj, Naga Clan Commander]
Threat Level: Extreme
Energy Signature: Mystical (Asura Influence Detected)
Combat Style: Serpentine Swordplay – High Mobility, Precision Strikes
Arjun gritted his teeth. The moment Jivraj attacked, it became clear—he was on a completely different level than the assassins Arjun had fought before.
Jivraj's movements were fluid, unnatural, as if he were bending reality itself. He struck from impossible angles, his body twisting mid-air, dodging and counterattacking in a single motion.
Arjun countered with everything he had. His blade was fast, his instincts honed by countless battles, but Jivraj was faster. The assassin's strikes came like a storm, relentless and precise.
Then—
A sharp pain.
Arjun felt a burning slash across his arm. He jumped back, blood dripping from the fresh wound.
Jivraj smirked. "Not bad. But not good enough."
Arjun exhaled, his grip tightening on his sword. I can't win by normal means.
Unleashing the System's Power
He focused inward, calling upon his system's abilities.
[Skill Activation: Energy Perception (Lv.2)]
Effect: Enhances awareness of enemy movements and energy flow.
The world sharpened. Arjun's eyes tracked Jivraj's every movement—the subtle shifts in his stance, the way his energy gathered before a strike.
Jivraj lunged again.
This time, Arjun moved before he did.
Their blades met—but Arjun had already predicted the attack. He twisted, avoiding the deadly arc and countering with a powerful slash.
Jivraj barely dodged, a thin line of blood appearing on his cheek.
The assassin froze, his golden eyes narrowing.
"Well now… that's interesting."
Arjun didn't wait. He pressed forward, attacking with renewed intensity.
Strike. Dodge. Counter.
For the first time, Jivraj was on the defensive.
A Dangerous Enemy
But then—
Jivraj suddenly vanished.
Arjun's instincts screamed.
Above!
He barely managed to raise his sword as Jivraj descended from the air, his blade glowing with a dark aura.
BOOM!
The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, knocking back the rebels who had been fighting the other assassins.
Arjun's arms shook from the force, his boots skidding across the dirt.
Jivraj landed gracefully, his smirk returning. "You're adapting fast. But you're still not ready."
He raised his hand.
Arjun felt it before he saw it—a gathering of dark energy. The very air seemed to ripple, vibrating with a power that was beyond human comprehension.
His system flashed a warning.
[Alert: Unidentified Energy Surge Detected]
Warning: Incoming mystical attack. Danger level: Lethal.
Arjun braced himself, knowing that whatever was coming could end him in an instant.
Then—
Jivraj thrust his palm forward.
A dark wave of energy surged toward Arjun, twisting like a serpent. The very ground cracked and withered under its force.
Arjun had only seconds to react.
A Choice in the Face of Death
His mind raced. He had two options:
Try to dodge and risk getting caught in the blast.
Unleash his own energy and fight back.
His instincts screamed the answer.
Arjun called upon his system's power.
[Skill Activation: Adaptive Energy Manipulation (Lv.1)]
Effect: Converts external energy into a temporary defense or attack boost.
A golden glow burst from Arjun's body, his energy colliding with the dark wave.
BOOM!
The two forces met mid-air, creating an explosion that shook the trees and sent dust flying in all directions.
When the dust settled, Arjun was still standing—breathing hard, but alive.
Jivraj raised an eyebrow.
"Well… now you're getting interesting."
Arjun wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes blazing. "You talk too much."
Jivraj chuckled. "Fine. Let's end this, then."
The assassin vanished again, his speed beyond anything Arjun had seen before.
But this time—
Arjun was ready.
As Jivraj reappeared, blade aimed for his throat, Arjun moved faster than ever before.
He dodged. Countered. Struck.
His sword found its mark, slashing deep into Jivraj's side.
The assassin stumbled back, blood dripping onto the ground.
For the first time, Jivraj's smirk disappeared.
The Assassin Retreats
The golden light around Arjun flickered, his system energy draining. He had pushed his body beyond its limits, and he could feel the exhaustion settling in.
Jivraj studied him for a moment—then suddenly stepped back.
A faint smirk returned to his lips. "That's enough for tonight."
Arjun tensed. "Running away?"
Jivraj shook his head. "Consider this a warning." His golden eyes gleamed. "The Asuras won't stop watching you. And next time, you won't get a chance to walk away."
With that, he vanished into the shadows.
The other assassins followed, disappearing as quickly as they had appeared.
Silence returned to the battlefield.
Aftermath
The rebels slowly got up, tending to the wounded.
Ramesh approached Arjun. "You alright?"
Arjun exhaled. "I will be."
But his mind was racing.
The Asuras weren't just watching—they were testing him. And if Jivraj's words were true, stronger enemies would come.
He clenched his fists. I need to get stronger.
His system notifications appeared once more.
[Battle Complete: Victory Achieved]
EXP Gained: +1,500
New Title Earned: The Asura's Defiant
Skill Growth: Adaptive Energy Manipulation (Lv.1 → Lv.2)
Arjun's gaze hardened.
Lucknow was still ahead. And whatever awaited him there…