Chapter 42 - The Great Orc Invasion IV

“Purge them from existence.” Jinn gave the order to Dario, the Lord Disciple.

Thump! Thump! His heartbeat raced.

“For the sin of competing against Us, there will be no forgiveness in their wake.” The royal speech was invoked in this remark.

Reminiscing on the thoughts of doing an extremely evil action. He thought to himself. Is it the right thing?

“I permit you to do evil. Immerse yourself into the pits of the abyss. Become the greatest ‘devil.’ For that, you will surely prevail in your revenge.” The command from the Lord Vicegerent was stuck in his mind.

What is good and evil? Dario thought to himself.

The Lord Disciple was stuck in his mind while aboard The Regalia. In the presence of decadence, Dario was flying toward the southern continent, Ouroboros. In the elegant room were Dario and Azad.

“I don’t want to make you feel anxious, but, I won’t be holding back,” Dario said.

The stoic Ronso spoke, “A spiritual general must do evil for the greater good, the greater cause.” Specifically, he was talking about himself at the time of his military service.

The Lord Disciple was learning from the wisdom of the Ronso. Appearing humanoid, but, with spiky horns, Azad was the leader of the Arishokras, the military force of the extinct race. He was speaking about his time during the Fairy Campaign which they had lost.

“My service to our religion was what I had lived for. No matter what, I did what was necessary, but, I had been betrayed… by my own kin,” the Arishok spoke volumes and the emotion from his words carried his spirit. Something like that to have such a compelling force was someone in the Mystic Realm.

Azad continued, “My evil turned back to myself. Disgraced, I had wanted to find a place to die. It was then that I met Quasar.” The Ronso detailed his life after the great Fairy Campaign that occurred hundreds of years ago, “Still, I would commit the same evil even though I knew that my people were hypocrites to the very core.”

“Your wisdom, I will take for myself,” Dario appreciated the events told by the Arishok, someone he had personally admired as a General and Warrior. Having an unorthodox way of fighting, the Arishok was ambidextrous and was a master with every weapon type. He was quite known to wield an axe and sword with each hand and this was his main fighting style.

!!

“Attention,” Veda spoke and the intercoms transmitted his elegant voice. “Arriving at destination in a few moments. Welcome to Ouroboros, the mineral-rich continent and homeland of the Ronso."

“I intend to get on with this business,” Dario stood from the ornate chair and proceeded towards the exit. “Keep up as much as you can.”

“Hmph!” The Arishok chuckled for a quick second as he followed his Master. He had found a new way of life, something that he could put his resolve to the test much like his service to his ascetic religion. Finally, the Legendary Midnight Soldier, world-renowned as The Mad Devil Ox, would be seen in this world and remind them that the Ronso was a mighty race.

An escape hole revealed itself as Dario and Azad descended. Shortly, the two stepped on air and the view of a great canyon made its appearance. This was the border between Meloire and the southern continent.

“This canyon housed one of the greatest dungeons capable of blocking passage to Ouroboros, Inverse World Dungeon,” Dario said.

“The remnants of the ‘Soul Campaign’ linger in this world, still?” The Arishok was surprised to see a gravity-defying valley, warped by “Super-Tier” Magic.

In ancient times, when Lord Gloriano ruled the world in his image, his war against the Mystics spread across the world of Soa, however, the collision of the magic power of the Lord Vicegerent and the Mystics had left such a scar in the world that space is eternally corrupted. Ultimately, this was the place where the most Magic was used 10,000 years ago during the Soul Campaign, Lord Gloriano versus the first creation - The Mystics.

As of this moment, this dungeon valley is nothing more than a bandit’s den, “Well looky what we got here?!” A Giant covered Dario and Azad with his towering shadow. Unlike most Giants who don’t speak well, this one was eloquent and held a viper-like tongue.

“How long has it been since I last saw trash lying about?” Dario expressed with a sinister grin. He pulled Sijjin from the Item Box and immediately radiated a perfected violet Blade Energy, in other words, a perfected Mind Sword.

“B-Boss! You see that?!” One of the thugs spoke to the Giant wielding a greataxe.

Transcendent Level, but, only by brute strength. The thrill of fighting anyone under the Transcendent Level has worn off. Dario wasted no time as there was no novelty in fights such as this, and as such, he was ruthless.

Without saying anything, Dario stepped and moved instantly to where the bandit had pointed out his Blade Energy. The violet flames imbued by Dario’s High Chi cut all material without any resistance. Every swing of the sword has never failed the Lord Disciple.

“W-What the hell?” Dario moved so fast that he sliced, beheaded, and diced the bandit into pieces. And so forth, the Lord Disciple immersed himself in the art of killing, falling headlong to the emotion of intense madness.

“After we cross this valley, I am no longer permitted to fight how I used to,” Dario was commanded by Lord Vicegerent that he was forbidden to use any Martial Arts. “You vermin will be the last to satiate my bloodthirst,” when the cold words were said, the Inverse World Dungeon would have a newly created name known as the “Bloody Valley of Corrupted Gravity.”

***

“P-please! Don’t kill me!!” The Giant bandit was pleading for his life as the whole valley was bloodied by thousands of bandits. Both Humans and Giants decorated the rocks with the blood of pilfers and vipers.

“KURGH!!” Dario levitated the Giant as if an almighty invisible hand was there. He was being squeezed, “Looks like you’ve killed quite a lot of Mages seeing the Artifacts lying about.” The Lord Disciple noticed the gear that the bandits were wearing and instantly knew they were valuable.

“You’ve been killing for a long time, haven’t you?” Dario proceeded to torture the Giant by releasing Sith Lightning from his fingertips. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re roasted all the way through. Keke.” The Lord Disciple was growing more evil by the second.

In a short moment, the Giant died much faster than Dario had expected. Smoke was rising as the Giant was scorched black, “You died too fast.” Spat! “Not worth reviving.”

Azad was watching the whole scene occur. Not thinking too much about what was going on, the Arishok understood that Dario was undergoing his next Metamorphosis. In other words, the wizened Ronso understood that the Lord Disciple was fully ingratiating himself into evil. He had the wisdom that it was necessary, for he had gone through such an experience.

“Got it out of your chest?” Azad questioned the aftermath of the slaughter.

In a rare instance, Dario had blood splattered on his face and gear, “Yes.” The reply was one of great satisfaction as the Lord Disciple inhaled a deep breath, basking in the results of the battle. It looked as though a demon was ingratiating himself in the environment of death.

The Arishok, nicknamed, The Mad Devil Ox, was infamous for using an explosive black powder that granted him an evil name for a sociopathic anarchist. A person such as him was surprised at the heights of what evil could look like; overwhelming, and heavenly.

Not just that, Dario had advanced his pugilistic arts to the Divine Level. Effectively, he had been a Fist Saint for some time. Unlike most Martial Arts that Dario learned, fighting with the fist, palm, and legs was the first one to be taught. The Ultimate Martial Art named the Mishima Style, Devil Shito-Ryu Kyokushin Karate, is a pugilistic art form of 3 styles. The first path utilizes a lot of low horse, open hand, and front stances, chops, and explosive hammer fist techniques. This is what Dario mostly uses for foes much weaker than himself.

The second style of the Devil Fist Art uses a lot of hip turning, closed fist attacks, and countering, which embodies speed and quick executions. This class of fighting is what Glenn Courtwell used most often.

Lastly, the third style of fighting is the culmination of all three styles retaining almost all of the old moves, some techniques are rough and crude in execution with skills based on Shito-Ryu Karate. Exemplifies the best techniques but leaves one wide open for a counter-attack.

With all this said, Dario had used more of his fists and legs than his sword. He’s at that level already? Azad was shocked at the growth of the 17-year-old teenager. Although he may be considered an adult in this world’s view, it was extremely rare for a person to be “that” strong at such a young age.

Bits of ligaments were crudely placed to and fro. This was the result of Dario using his body to fight. The sensation of his body causing fatal damage to the highwaymen was the closest thing that enabled the Heavenly Demon to “feel” his martial arts to the utmost.

“Do you wish to conquer the world?” Azad asked the Heavenly Demon and Sith Lord a question.

“Yes,” it was a cold response.

“Then you must conquer yourself first,” countering the emotionless reply, the Arishok had responded in wisdom.

The cold-hearted Heavenly Demon thought for a second and immediately manipulated mana in the air to materialize into water.

Pour. Water poured and washed the blood off of the Lord Disciple. In sequence, he unleashed a wave of air that instantly dried his person.

“Right. Secure the area,” Dario patted his shoulders signifying that the fight was easy. “Very soon, this place will become “The Silk Road” of the world.”

“By your command, Heavenly Demon,” the Arishok began to signal the Undead through the signal emanating from the Sith Lord. Instantly, Parsifal, several Lich species, Death Knights, Bone Apprentices, and Death Champions began to swarm the area.

Parsifal, with his ghostly pale complexion and wavy black hair, was a man in his late 20s adorned in the fabled Hellfire Armor. Such armor was the works of all races within the Omen Sect that produced Ebony to a whole new level by smelting such material with Hellfire.

“O’ Sith Lord, what is thy command?” Parsifal was meek.

“You’re communication skills are getting better,” Dario smirked and was delighted to see the appearance of his First Familiar. “Take the Elven lands. Show them that there is only one Bow God in this world.”

The man in his late 20s grinned, “By your command, Sith Lord.”

Dario placed his hand on Parsifal’s shoulder who had been kneeling to greet his resurrector, “Ever since you defeated Judge Atoru, your name has been heard by our enemies. Never forget that.”

The Death Noble felt emotions spurning from within. His black and red appearance seemed to shine. This would be the spark of his evolution as a Death Lord, an existence that shook the world since ancient times.

***

Gerald Killeway ascended to the Sainthood level with dual-wielding after the battle with Quasar. With that battle being his first “demigod” experience between Azad and the Ancient Non-Elemental Wyrm, Gerald had contributed to the raid by utilizing the fire attribute and the wind property. This was an ability he had learned from wielding different swords that contained the elements of fire and wind. In effect, he applied such an ability that did little to significant damage to the scales of the Ancient Wyrm. In fact, it was mainly Azad who was the defining factor of the battle.

Realizing his inadequacies in the battle, Gerald improved his elemental proficiency with both Fire and Wind which allowed his rise as a Dual Sword Saint. Not one, but, two swords, a Dual Sword Saint is rare to appear in the world. Typically, a Sword Saint would need only one blade. But, to have two? It would be considered a double blessing.

Anyways, Gerald was guarding his region right next to Marquis Bismark. His fighting had grown more refined in terms of combinations and executions. Usually, Gerald had broad-sweeping slashes with stabbing thrusts, but now, there were no openings in his stance. Not just that, but his Aura Techniques were definitely on the Mystic Realm level.

With a basic swing from his swords, the fire would scorch the Orcs while the wind was cutting them to pieces. Thanks to the time spent with the living elemental Mages in the Omen Sect, they were the ones to teach Gerald how to master both elements.

I refuse to be a burden. His realization during the fight with Quasar made him feel like he was useless. Witnessing that the one he calls, “Boss,” was growing stronger for any of the Iron Slasher Mercenaries to catch up to, there was a growing worry whether he or any of his close brothers would fight beside Dario now that more powerful characters were joining his side. Someone born with a “Warrior’s Spirit” would actually think this way was something not typical of people with this trait.

“I will become stronger!!!” Gerald could do nothing more than do what he’s always been doing - to fight until the very end. “Heat Cyclone!” “Air Raid!”

Aura & Elemental Techniques: [Heat Cyclone] -Spins the blade to create an infernal beam that blasts enemies to smithereens. Infused with Aura that doubles the effect of the fire property and increases the chance to turn enemies to ash. Rank: SSS Proficiency: 105%

In conjunction with being a Dual Sword Saint, it enabled another attack to be followed up in sequence. This was something unique to those who mastered dual-wielding.

Aura & Elemental Techniques: [Air Raid] -Swings the sword upward that carries multiple foes into the air which then is followed by a whirlwind slam to the ground. Affects a large area. Infused with Aura that doubles the effect of the wind property and increases the chance to slice enemies to pieces. Rank: SSS Proficiency: 105%

During the time in his old mercenary days, Gerald had gone through many weapons and some of them were elemental swords. However, he had put the ability to manifest fire or wind to the sword to the side ever since Elder Saru had taught Aura. Being more effective than imbuing an elemental property to a weapon, it was more expedient and efficient to master Aura above all else. It was only until his battle with Demon Lord Malgas that the Dual Sword Saint continued to walk the path of two elements. Not only is he going to master the fire and wind property, but, he was going to take a step further by combining it with Aura. Gerald Killeway would be the first in the Omen Sect to fight in such a way.

The fire was radiating a lot more fiercely and reached higher temperatures and the wind was extremely turbulent and so sharp that the Orcs were cut by simply coming into contact. Sometimes, High Orcs and Blood Orcs were scorched black, and ligaments and appendages were cut off. Even the advanced evolution of the Orc species that was highly resistant to the elements had become futile due to Aura being imbued in the attacks.

Gerald Killeway would fight in this battle by using all of his sword skills and blasting Aura with his ocean-like chi pool. In effect, the Dual Sword Saint would completely drain his stamina and mana.

Dual Sword Techniques: [Skill - Destreza] Wind Thrust - A quick thrust executed by the weapon wielded by the left hand. Breaks parry. Rank: EX Proficiency: 116% Dual Sword Techniques: [Skill - Destreza] Diablo Bash - Charges into the target with a heavy blow with both swords. Rank: EX Proficiency: 114% Dual Sword Techniques: [Skill - Destreza] Demonio Slice - A slice executed by both swords that transition to the step before the big attack. Prevents counter-attacks. Rank: EX Proficiency: 115% Dual Sword Techniques: [Skill - Destreza] Reverse Hell Scraper - A combination of four moves ending with a body twist into a powerful slash. Does the most damage and can cause knockback. The last combo in a series of attacks. Rank: EX Proficiency: 117% Aura Techniques: [Dual Tidal Blade] -Gerald Killeway was born with the aptitude of a warrior allowing him to emit his spirit from swords. The next advancement from its previous form, Dual Wave Blade. Unleashes highly condensed mana as big as a tidal wave in an “X” formation. Rank: EX Proficiency: 110%

When these moves were executed to and fro, Gerald had grown too excited and was in a rush to completely kill the Orcs in his region. This made him impatient and released the rest of his energy for the Ultimate Technique which was inspired by Jinn’s skill, Heaven and Hell.

Ultimate Techniques: [The Mark of Heaven] -Inspired by the Lord Vicegerent’s skill, Heaven and Hell. Unleashes extremely condensed mana as big as a tsunami wave in an “X” formation. Mana crackles at the amount of compressed Aura. Rank: EX Proficiency: 109%

KABOOOM!!!

A quarter of the Orcs were blasted to oblivion, yet, more of them continued to press on to Gerald. Damn! I was too hasty! Out of breath, the Dual Sword Saint was huffing and puffing as he fully drained himself.

Huff. Puff. Huff. Puff.

When the remaining 25,000 Orcs surrounded Gerald like bees to an ant, it looked like the end of the Dual Sword Saint, but, Marquis Bismark had arrived just in time by swinging his cross-shaped scythe that created deadly whirlwinds.

“You’ve exhausted yourself, Dual Sword Saint,” Marquis Bismark had a deep and eerie voice, fitting for a Doom Knight.

Huff. Puff. Still breathing from total exhaustion, Gerald spoke a few words before passing out, “Hehe! I’ll leave the rest to you.” With those last words from a warrior’s spirit, Gerald had slain close to 75,000 Orcs. Effectively, this has resulted in the Dual Sword Saint having already crossed into the Divine Realm.

Gerald Killeway Lvl. 108 Class: Mystic Realm/Divine Realm Species: Human Main Job: Dual Sword Saint

Titles: Martial God (passive)

Cyberware Pioneer (equipped)

Dual Elemental Sword Saint (passive)

Sunshine King/King of Day (equipped)