The swords clashed again.
But this time… it wasn't just the sound of metal.
It was as if the sky itself had split in two.
Black sparks flew around me, stinging my skin like fire.
My breath was gone, my hand trembling, yet… the darkness inside me was smiling.
The guard pressed me with his immense strength.
His giant sword nearly crushed me.
His metallic voice pierced my ears:
"Weak… you're nothing but another prey."
I gritted my teeth and shouted:
"I… am not prey!"
I surged forward with all my strength.
Darkness flowed from my arm into the sword, like fresh blood coursing through me.
And suddenly—
[ Ability Acquired: Shadow Surge ]
A black explosion propelled me forward, my strength doubling for a moment!
My sword pierced the guard's defense, cutting his shoulder, and dark sparks poured out instead of blood.
A strange sound filled the air, like the screams of souls:
"Aaaaaaah—"
I staggered back, stunned:
"This… isn't human?!"
The guard smiled despite the wound:
"Finally… you've touched the darkness. That is why… it will consume you."
Then he attacked me with madness, his strikes faster and heavier.
Each step of his shattered the ground beneath me.
One blow almost ended my life… but the short man intervened, throwing a small dagger that struck the guard's eye.
The guard roared, his body trembling, then stepped back slightly.
The short man shouted at me:
"Don't waste the moment! Finish him before he regains balance!"
My heart pounded, my hands shook, blood dripping from my forehead.
I remembered my mother's face, my brother's laughter, the fire's screams, everything I had lost.
I raised the sword with all my might…
And screamed:
"DIE!!!"
The black sword pierced the guard's chest.
Darkness erupted from him like a volcano.
His body crumbled into black ash that vanished into the air.
Nothing remained but silence… and my ragged breaths.
I fell to my knees, blood and sweat covering me, the sword trembling in my hand.
The short man approached, his eyes gleaming with mystery:
"Well done… Lord of Darkness."
I looked up at him with difficulty:
"What… do you mean?"
He smiled slyly:
"You didn't choose the darkness… the darkness chose you."