God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

'But how?

With every passing second, the battle became more and more ferocious. Cain's blade moved like lightning, the effects of {Fear} weighing down in the {Devil-eyed White Primate} like chains. He had already activated {Golden Blood}, so he was able to keep up with the mutant fairly well.

Although he did have as much strength or agility, even when under the effects of {Golden Blood}, he was able to close the gap with the {Fear} skill, as well as his control stat.

The control stat gave him the ability to increase the control he had over his bodily functions, allowing him to perform acts beyond what he normally could. Control had a direct correlation with strength, agility, and magic stats. Increased control meant increased output.

Cain had 4.2 points in his control stat. The average control stat points at level 20 were 2.0. This meant his control stat was about two times the average amount. With this, he would be able to bring out about 5–10% more in his strength, agility, and magic stats.

Due to the amount of blood the {Devil's Broken Claw} had absorbed during the fight so far, {Fear} had been improved drastically.

{Fear} (passive): Release a malevolent aura akin to that of a devil, inflicting fear onto your opponent. Decreases opponent movement and attack speed by 10%.

This, coupled with the effects of {Golden Blood}, his high control stat, and his passive skill, {Blade Mastery}, he should have gained the advantage.

But surprisingly, neither he nor the {Devil-eyed White Primate} could dominate the other.

When it came down to raw physical prowess, Cain had the advantage. Cain also had the advantage when it came down to the basics of fighting, namely his knowledge of martial arts.

The only reason Cain had lost the last time was because of the difference in the stats of the {Devil-eyed White Primate} and he was way too difficult to close. Now that this problem had been solved, it was only logical that it should have been an easy victory for him...

But it wasn't...

The way the beast moved was as though it was constantly learning from Cain. It never made the same mistake twice. Its {Spatial Jump} skill had been upgraded, making it way more slippery than it had been in the previous fight.

It utilized these two skills in such a way that Cain always kept it at the knife's edge, but that same edge failed to graze its skin.

At the same time, it couldn't get any closer to Cain because Cain's senses and control had increased so much that if it tried to make any sudden moves, Cain would be able to respond very quickly, which wouldn't be a smart thing to do.

They were at an impasse in every sense of the word...

They continued for a while before they both decided it was time to make things more interesting.

And by interesting, they intended to go full on with the skill spamming...

"Mana Blade!"

{Devil's Broken Claw} glowed with a blue light as a coat of mana quickly covered its surface and edges. Meanwhile, the jaws of the {Devil-eyed White Primate} expanded past their limits, as a violent white glow engulfed its upper and lower jaws.

As Cain slashed forward, it bit down...

BOOM!

The violent collision of energy stirred up a violent dust cloud. They separated for a bit, but Cain's attention was no longer solely on the {Devil-eyed White Primate}.

'What?!' Cain looked down at his blade in shock

For the first time since he had gotten the skill, the effects of {Mana Blade} had been forcibly dispelled. He looked at the {Devil-eyed White Primate}, who was groaning and shaking its jaw. The white glow had also faded away as well.

Without hesitation, Cain asked the system... This wasn't a time to be concerned about his system points. He would use them anyways...

'System, What just happened?'

{Replying to host; Further information can be purchased at the-}

'Just take the cost away from my current points. Don't ask me again in the future.'

Cain was tired of the system always redirecting him to the system shop.

'Is there a way for this process to become automatic?' Cain asked the system.

This was because he was feeling a bit rich. After killing so many beasts, he had over 10,000 system points sitting in the bank, so he wasn't worried at all...

{Request processing...}

{Affirmation Granted.}

{Replying to Host; In any physical engagement, there are usually two forces involved. The lesser force and the greater force.}

"Howl!" The {Devil-eyed White Primate} continued attacking him even as he listened to the system's long lecture.

{It is all too common that the greater force will overwhelm the weaker one, but If these forces are equally matched, then there will be no reaction in either direction of the acting forces.}

The {Devil-eyed White Primate}swiped its sharp claws at Cain, to which he responded by spreading his legs slightly apart. He arched his back forward a bit, allowing the swipe to pass over his head, missing him completely.

He responded by swinging his blade at the creature's midsection, but it was quick enough to pull away before the long blade could reach.

{However, things work a bit differently with mana...}

BANG!

Sparks flew in all directions as they both clashed their weapons against each other. Cain with his long one-handed blade, and the {Devil-eyed White Primate} with its equally long deer antler. Neither of the was able to get the other to take a step back.

{When mana from two sources react with one another, they do so by either repelling or attracting each other. Several factors influence this, but the most important ones are the elemental nature of the conflicting sources, as well as the way the mana is being applied.

Because of this fundamental rule, the only time two skills can cancel each other out is when they are of the same magnitude}.

'Well, that was a lot of info to take in.' Cain could feel a cold sweat forming in between his brows as he fought the bloodthirsty mutant before him and tried to pay attention to the system at the same time.

'There are a lot of things I don't know. Being uninformed is just as dangerous as being powerless in this world.'

The fight went on for a while, the tempo steadily increasing. Each strike was stronger than the last and weaker than the next. Although the blood wasn't spilled yet, their minds were working at full speed, both trying to find a way to outsmart their opponent.

If Cain slashed out, he would be countered with a parry, and the {Devil-eyed White Primate} would retaliate instantly with a right jab, which Cain would stop with a quick left hook. Their feet weren't idle as well, as they raced against each other at top speed.

Cain never ceased to use {Burst Step} when it mattered, so he was always on his toes for the times when the {Devil-eyed White Primate} used {Spatial Jump}.

Cain utilized his profound understanding of movement to control the flow of the battle. He made sure he was constantly on the move, so he wouldn't be taken by surprise. His every movement was made with an insane amount of calculation and wit behind it.

Eventually, the {Devil-eyed White Primate} began to see that things weren't looking too bright.

Although it learned very fast, especially with the aid of the {Keen Mind} skill, which allowed it to learn new things at increased speed, it still wasn't enough.

Cain was what one would term a martial arts genius. He moved with his blade to kill. Every time he clashed again with the {Devil-eyed White Primate}, it felt increasingly pressured.

This was because it wasn't the only one improving...

"The act of fighting is never a delicate art. There will be a lot of factors involved, such as the way the sun shines that fateful day, the direction the wind blows, or even how you got up from bed that morning. Always remember, there is no set way to engage in battle.

Let your soul guide your arms and feet, not just your brain, and certainly not your heart. Move with the wind, not against it, the sun gliding on the edges and surface of your blade."

It had been a long time, yet Cain was able to remember every word spoken to him. For a long time, he hadn't understood what he had been trying to tell him that day. That was also the day he received the scar on his face.

Every time he thought back, he would always remember why he picked the blade up in the first place. Some people might have better reasons. Some did it to survive, some because there was no other choice, and some did it out of leisure.

He on the other hand chose to pick the blade up because he wanted to. It was the only way he knew to express his emotions. That was why he had never fought anyone with a blade after his master left him. He had found with his fists, and his feet, but never with a blade.

He did that because he knew the blade...

He understood its meaning, its intentions...

It's the purpose...

Anyone who picks a blade should have only a single intention when they did.

To kill...

That was why whenever he did pick his blade up, he would do so to get stronger. Because should he ever come to face another that also held one, he knew that person would try their best to do the blade's bidding, which was to kill.

"Remember this, young man. Those that wield a blade have every intention of pointing it at the enemy, and if you don't have the power to hold and point yours as well, your head will be taken. It doesn't matter whether it is a material or an immaterial blade. As long as it cuts, it would do its job."

The old man's figure reflected in the depths of his eyes as he swung his blade fiercely. With every swing, he would recall all he had been taught, then push himself further...

To win, he had to become a slave to his blade, as well as its master...

'Move with the wind, not against it, the sun gliding on the edges and surface of your blade.'

For years, he had pondered, but this fight had finally given him a bit of inspiration.

The eye on the hilt of the {Devil's Broken Claw} glowed with ominous darkness, darker than it had very glowed before, but Cain didn't even notice it.

The {Devil-eyed White Primate} was gradually becoming more and more suppressed with each passing second. And this time, Cain wasn't concerned about his stamina. This is because he managed to gather a lot of mutant beast blood than he knew what to do with.

{Blood Ingestion Regeneration} (passive): Grants the ability to safely ingest the blood of mutant beasts without any adverse effects. Consuming the blood and flesh of mutant beasts grants passive Stamina, Vitality, and Mana regeneration.

For every 0.1 liters of blood, or 100 grams of flesh consumed, 100HP, 50MP, and 1 stamina point are regenerated.

The {Blood Ingestion Regeneration} skill gave him the confidence needed to face the {Devil-eyed White Primate} without having to worry. He had fought with uncertainty the last time, so he wasn't able to bring out his 100%.

But now, he was prepared to unleash hell...

"Lightening Edge!"

"Ragh!"