Asher blurred forward, his Sanguine Supreme ability raging like a crimson storm. Blood energy coiled around his fists as he met the War God head-on. The golden blade came down like divine judgment, but Asher twisted at the last second, dodging by a hair's breadth.
He struck with a flurry of punches, each blow vibrating with raw power. The War God blocked the first few with his arm, but Asher's relentless barrage cracked the air itself. A final, devastating punch connected with the War God's chest, sending a shockwave through the battlefield.
The War God slid back slightly but remained firm. "Your strength is impressive." His voice was unwavering. "But strength alone is not enough."
He raised his sword, and golden energy erupted outward, forming countless blades of light in the air. They hung in the sky like celestial spears, aimed directly at Asher and Serena.
The swords rained down.
"Asher!" Serena shouted, summoning her Executioner Chains to form a barrier. The chains linked together, pulsing with power, trying to deflect the incoming attack. But the divine blades tore through, overwhelming her defenses.
Asher reacted instantly, his blood forming a Sanguine Domain around them. The crimson energy absorbed the brunt of the attack, but even so, the force sent him skidding backward, his feet digging into the ground.
Serena coughed, her arms shaking from the strain. "We can't keep blocking. We need to end this—now!"
Asher clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination. "Then let's do it together."
Serena nodded, her chains wrapping around Asher's arms. "I'll amplify your power. You just hit him with everything you've got!"
Asher felt an immense surge of energy flow through him. His Sanguine Supreme ability merged with Serena's Executioner's Wrath, creating an overwhelming force. His entire body glowed with a mix of crimson and golden energy.
The War God watched them, his sword raised. "Then come, warriors. Show me your true might!"
Asher and Serena charged as one.
Asher's body pulsed with immense power, his Sanguine Supreme ability intertwining with Serena's Executioner's Wrath, creating a phenomenon neither of them had ever experienced before. His blood vibrated at a frequency beyond mortal comprehension, while Serena's chains burned with divine energy.
The War God planted his feet, his golden sword radiating celestial might. "A worthy battle indeed!" His voice echoed like thunder.
Asher disappeared from sight, reappearing in an instant, his fist colliding with the War God's blade. The impact shattered the air, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. The ground beneath them cracked, unable to withstand the sheer force of their clash.
Serena followed up, her chains extending like divine whips, aiming for the War God's arms and legs to restrict his movement. Executioner's Bind! The glowing chains wrapped around the War God, glowing brighter as they attempted to hold him in place.
The War God glanced at her, unfazed. "Impressive, but not enough."
With a single burst of energy, he shattered the chains, causing Serena to stumble back, coughing up blood.
"Serena!" Asher roared, his eyes burning with fury. His blood energy raged out of control, forming a storm of crimson around him. His aura expanded, warping the battlefield itself. The sheer pressure caused cracks to form in the very sky above them.
"Sanguine Annihilation!"
All of his power concentrated into his fist, the energy so dense it distorted space. He lunged forward with blinding speed, aiming a punch infused with every ounce of strength he had.
The War God met him head-on, swinging his golden blade down with absolute force.
BOOOOOOM! The source of this content is Novel~Fire. (n)et
A blinding explosion engulfed the battlefield, consuming everything in crimson and gold light. The shockwave tore through the air, ripping apart the very fabric of space.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence.
Then, as the light faded, Asher stood panting, his fist still extended. The War God's blade had stopped inches from his head. A deep crack ran through the divine weapon, glowing with fading energy.
The War God chuckled, stepping back. "You have passed." His body began to dissipate into golden dust, his voice lingering in the air. "You are worthy of my Art."
A surge of golden light flowed into Asher's body, healing all his wounds as two books materialized—one floating toward Asher and the other to Serena.
"What did you get?" Asher asked after glancing at his own book, Million Steps, a movement technique from the War God.
Serena examined hers carefully. "Absence of Worldly Desires," she murmured. "It's a breathing technique that erases one's presence… and also conceals many hidden dagger arts within it."
Asher smirked. "Sounds like it suits you well. Silent and deadly."
Serena flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the intricate descriptions. "And yours?"
"Million Steps…" Asher muttered, gripping the book tighter. "A technique that allows one to move faster than the eye can track, as if vanishing and reappearing at will."
Serena whistled. "That's broken."
Asher chuckled. "Only if I master it."
Serena sighed, tucking the book away. "Right… no rest for the strong, huh?"
Asher grinned. "Rest is for when we're dead. Until then, we keep moving forward."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Fine. Where to next?"
Asher looked up at the sky, deep in thought. "There are still plenty of places left to explore. More trials, more enemies, and more power to gain."
Serena stretched her arms. "Then let's not waste time."
With their newfound strength and determination, the two adventurers set off once more, ready to take their next quest.
They came out of the Trial, the door morphed back to Crocodile, attacking them with its mouth open wide.
Asher reacted instantly, his body moving on instinct. With a flicker of motion, he grabbed Serena and leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the massive jaws of the Red Tooth Crocodile as they snapped shut with a deafening clap.
"Tch, so it still attacks after we're done?" Serena huffed, summoning her Executioner Chains.
Asher smirked. "I guess it doesn't like being used as a door."
The crocodile let out a guttural roar, its crimson eyes gleaming with rage. Poisonous mist seeped from its fangs as it lunged again, its massive body shaking the ground beneath them.