Requiem Of A Failed Hero



Wham!

With a resounding impact, Balam swung his fist, anticipating a fiery expulsion of fiendish energy that would charge at Raith. Yet, to his dismay, nothing happened. He found himself utterly useless in this realm, unable to manifest the power he desired. Frowning in frustration, he persisted, shooting his hand and making intricate gestures that were supposed to be a prelude to a powerful dark spell.

However, all Balam achieved was a frantic dance, resembling that of a mad man. As he bit his lip, growing increasingly exasperated, Raith observed him from a distance.

Finally acknowledging his humiliation, Balam lifted his face to Raith and questioned, "What are you doing?"

Raith, surprised by the unexpected turn of events, pondered, 'Hmm, I didn't anticipate it to unfold like this. Could it be the influence of the [formless will] I incorporated into my domain? Now, I'm truly intrigued by this [formless will].'

Inhaling deeply, he exhaled slowly before declaring, "I had expected this fight to be enjoyable, but it appears that this is where it reaches its conclusion." Raith raised his sword, preparing to unleash the Heaven Destruction sword skill's second most formidable technique.

With a thunderous impact, the surroundings quaked as Raith bellowed, "BARRICADE OF HEAVEN'S GATE DESTRUCTION!"

THRRRRRRIIINNGGGGG

A deafening resonance reverberated through the air, causing the dark domain to fold and twist as Raith unleashed an overwhelming force. The sheer power of his attack seemed capable of shattering any barrier that existed between the mortal world and the celestial realm, if such a barrier even existed.

Summoning an unstoppable torrent of destructive energy, Raith swung his sword from behind, knowing full well that he didn't need to move in front of Balam. Thanks to the power of the [Formless Will], his attack was bound to reach its target.

CRRAAAASSSSHHHHH

With a single swift strike, Raith unleashed a towering vortex of raw, destructive might that enveloped his weapon, transforming it into a radiant beacon of awe-inspiring power. The blade became a conduit, channelling the immense cosmic energy into a focused point of devastating impact.

As the sword defied the vast distance between Balam and Raith, descending upon the demon king, an explosion of cataclysmic energy erupted, causing the very fabric of reality within the darkness domain to tremble.

The air crackled with ethereal red and black electricity, while the ground beneath Raith quaked under the weight of cosmic power.

The unleashed force resembled a tempestuous storm, tearing through everything in its path with unparalleled ferocity.

[You have used an impressive sword technique]

[A certain being had peered into your domain]

[He admires your strength]

[The sword god will be watching you]

[You have caught the eye of a primordial]

[BE VERY CAREFUL]

Raith paid no heed to these messages. He was too astounded by the tremendous impact of his sword skill, which had thrown his domain into a state of upheaval. Furthermore, he eagerly anticipated the outcome—whether the demon had survived such a devastating blow or had succumbed to death.

Squinting his eyes as the cloud of dust slowly dispersed, Raith felt a flicker of relief but belatedly caught sight of a figure standing amidst the lingering haz— he frowned, "what?"

"Barricade of the Heaven's Gate Destruction" stood as the second most potent skill within the Heavenly Destruction sword skill repertoire. With the magnitude of the recent explosion, Balam should have disintegrated into a cascade of radiant particles. Such was the immense power of the strike that even the most formidable defenses would be reduced to shattered remnants.

However, to Raith's astonishment, Balam still stood, albeit in a transformed state. He had reverted to his smaller human form, the one he had assumed before engaging Raith with full seriousness.

The once vibrant magma streaks on his body had dulled and appeared to be drying off, bearing the scars of the ordeal. Raith found himself unable to comprehend how Balam had managed to defend against such an devastating strike.

It defied all logic—the sword skill possessed overwhelming power. Even now, Raith's hand throbbed from exerting such a technique, and he could barely tighten his grip on his sword.

The sheer intensity of the cosmic energy he had harnessed all at once placed an immense strain on his body.

Raith couldn't help but admire Balam's resilience. It was truly remarkable.

"If he survives this final blow, I may have to face death once again before I can defeat him," Raith muttered to himself.

He swallowed, his mouth dry, wishing he could retract his words. The realization of his advantage, the knowledge that he would return stronger with each death, left a bitter taste in his mouth.

No matter how hard Balam fought, he would be unable to emerge victorious, for Raith would die and rise again, even more formidable than before.

Every battle was rigged from the start, and the price he paid was the excruciating pain of countless deaths.

For a moment, Raith's mind wandered, contemplating the suffering he would endure if he were to face an archdemon. Would the torment be so unbearable that he would wish to flee?

He lowered his gaze, tightening his grip on his sword despite the pain. His heightened Endurance stat served a purpose after all.

"This will be the end..." Raith stated as he prepared to unleash the last technique of Heavenly Destruction sword skill.

As Raith muttered the name, a wave of pressure resonated from his sword, causing Balam's entire body to vibrate under the immense force.

Wham!!!

With a resounding impact, Balam unleashed everything he had. His fiendish energy surged forth, transforming into a multitude of ethereal soldiers that stood before him—an army of fiendish energy filling the space between him and Balam.

'He still has this much?'

Surprised by the sheer quantity of fiendish energy Balam could still summon, Raith realized that even with this display of power, Balam understood the impending danger he faced. The fact that he expended so much energy indicated that he comprehended the imminent threat.

"HEAVENLY DESTRUCTION: SWORD DOMAIN"

Unleashing the sword skills came naturally to Raith as if they were innate knowledge embedded within the very essence of the sword. The moment he grasped Bal and prepared to execute the attack, he possessed an intrinsic understanding of what needed to be done. The hidden skills within Bal were truly remarkable.

Lifting his sword high, Raith brought it down in a single decisive strike, a vertical motion aimed at its target.

...

...

...

...

In that fleeting moment, Raith entered a realm he had never fathomed, one that existed beyond his knowledge or imagination. Time seemed to dilate, and his movements transcended mortal limitations, acquiring an ethereal grace, seemingly bestowed by the heavens themselves.

Within this transitory plane, Raith attained an unprecedented understanding of the art of swordsmanship, a temporary enlightenment that surpassed all prior comprehension.

As the Sword Domain materialized within the darkness domain, a collision of two domains ensued, causing a cataclysmic upheaval that disrupted the very fabric of the darkness domain. The impact was so immense that everything outside the domain disintegrated, including the unfortunate souls caught in its wake. Shimmering ethereal blades materialized, infused with cosmic energy and emanating an aura of indomitable power.

These spectral blades served as extensions of Raith's will, executing seamless and devastating attacks against Balam's fiendish aura.

Each strike exemplified their mastery, delivered with precision and unparalleled finesse, cleaving through Balam's fiendish energy soldiers with astonishing speed, clearing the path for Raith in an instant.

Enveloped in this Sword Epiphany, Raith's perception honed to the minutest details of combat, endowing him with extraordinary reflexes and heightened senses. He effortlessly anticipated Balam's every move before it materialized, countering and parrying with exceptional dexterity. He didn't need to move; his will guided each sword attack toward Balam.

Finally, Raith materialized before Balam, and at that moment, the myriad blades converged, coalescing into a single entity within Raith's grasp.

The two adversaries engaged in a fierce and intense final battle. Raith's swordsmanship evolved into a seamless dance of elegance and lethal precision, captivating all who bore witness to his unparalleled mastery.

Astonishingly, Balam managed to keep pace, despite the countless times Raith's sword had slashed through him. Yet, every maneuver, every dodge, every counterattack proved futile before Raith's piercing white gaze.

In that climactic moment, as Balam locked eyes with Raith, the realization dawned upon him—a realm beyond his grasp, one he could never hope to comprehend, had been attained by this mere human.

Raith's movements were otherworldly, his responses assured and unwavering, as if he possessed divine guidance, like–

"...a god..."

Balam whispered, tears glistening in his eyes. Filled with a mix of anger and regret, he marveled at the magnificence of Raith's swordsmanship, even as he, a being far superior in nature, stood defenseless against this extraordinary human.

Balam's tear-filled eyes shimmered with admiration as Raith's sword drew closer to his neck.

'At least I am felled by a mighty human. May he vanquish the archdemons as well,' he thought, deliberately dropping his guard in a last moment of surrender. A sense of relief overwhelmed him, as if he had been burdened and wearied, only realizing it upon embracing death.

Raith's eyes widened as his sword inched closer to Balam's vulnerable form, his senses perceiving a remarkable sight. "...is he crying?"