Chapter 324: Abomination vs. Abomination
Within hours, Mater finished setting up the Advancement Ritual for Forus. This time, however, he left a few more slots than the other servants.
The black cat spat out the five Rank-2 Horror Gemstones that he acquired in the Confederation.
"With these Gemstones, you shall be able to acquire even greater mental power and receive an entire mental spell or ability. I will control the process carefully to design a mental spell to help Tanya."
"I understand, Master. I am ready."
"Good. There is only one more thing that we need to deal with."
Mater spat out the Phantom Dagger that he got from the Red Keepers.
"I command you. Arise." The black cat’s deep voice echoed.
A shadow walked out from the dagger and picked it up. He was a half-naked man with only a pair of pants on him. His hair was long and reached the floor. He was the blacksmith that made the dagger.
"A cat?" The blacksmith blinked his eyes in confusion.
He looked around and noticed Forus, the armor with nobody inside, standing beside the cat.
"Greetings, Phantom. I am your new Master."
"I am no one slave, pussy cat." The blacksmith laughed. He aimed the dagger at Mater.
The small ordinary looking dagger suddenly changed into a ridiculous sharp katana. The katana was almost three meters long with bandages wrapped around its handle.
"You’re from the East." Forus’s deep voice echoed.
"And you’re from the West." The blacksmith smiled. "I’ve never thought I would meet another soul sharing the same fate I have."
"You’re unique, huh? Phantom is usually mental projection and rarely able to manifest themselves." Mater said.
"Phantom? Yes, that is fitting term for me. But I am not manifesting myself, black cat. You can take a closer look." The blacksmith said.
Mater’s Octagrams appeared. The blacksmith was simply an illusion. He wasn’t there. The katana was just floating in the air as if someone was holding them.
"Neat trick. It’s more than just a Phantom haunting the blade. You are the blade... You forge yourself with the weapon."
For the first time, there was surprise in the blacksmith’s eyes. He laughed once more.
"I assume you’re a craftsman in the same practice?" The blacksmith said.
"Something like that."
"Well. Then you should know why I did it."
The blacksmith caressed the blade like he was touching his lover. "To create a sword that no other can match. Unfortunately, I failed. It lacks the proper energy to reach the second enlightenment."
’Second enlightenment? Does he mean the 2nd rank?’
"I can help you achieve that, blacksmith. With a condition, of course." The black cat stroked his whiskers.
"Tell me. If it’s reasonable, I might agree with you."
"Become his blade." The black cat said.
The blacksmith observed Forus. He shook his head.
"I cannot become a blade of a foreigner. If you want to use me, find me a proper Easterner."
Forus stepped forward. His Nether Sword appeared in his hands. "Why don’t I prove it to you? I shall defeat you with skills alone."
The blacksmith squinted his eyes. He pondered for a few seconds then said.
"No. I am not a swordsman. I won’t win with skills alone. This is not a fair fight for me. But... you can show me your skills, I can consider it."
"If it’s a show you want, then you shall have a show, black smith."
The black cat clapped his paws. His servants arrived at the ritual sight. Five different servants with their own appearances and auras, excluding Forus.
The blacksmith widened his eyes and scanned the servants. He stopped when he saw Solarix.
"A demon? How can you work with a demon, knight?"
"This is not the invader of our world. This is an ally." Forus said. "She will vanquish any demon that dares invading our world."
’Or rather... Master’s world.’ Crow silently added in his mind.
"Heh. The world really has changed. Angel and demons walked the earth."
The blacksmith glanced at Evelynn when he said that.
"But I don’t care. As I said, if you can impress me, I will consider it."
The black cat wagged his paw. "Crow."
"As you wish, Master!"
The man in the trench coat bowed. He jumped forward and faced Forus.
Two Abominations facing each other. One was Formless. The other was a Demonic Item.
"I’ve always wanted to fight you, brother." Crow summoned a Nether Sword.
"Why is that, brother?" Forus summoned his Eternal Nether Sword.
"Because your skill is the best amongst us. I always wanted to test what I learned from Cage through you."
The suit of armor leaked out loud ringing noise. It was its own version of a laugh.
"As am I, Crow. I always wanted to have a fight with you. Every strong warrior would."
The two collided at each other. They moved quick. Very quick.
Crow limited his power at Rank-1. If he didn’t, his Nether Speed ability would make him too fast for Forus to react.
They were trying to impress the dagger. Obviously Crow didn’t want to make Forus look bad.
The blacksmith observed the fight closely. He didn’t have swordsmanship skill but he had good eyes. The blacksmith had seen many excellent fighter in his life. He could admit that Crow and Forus were one of the bests.
Crow was dirtier and unorthodox in his fighting. He used moves that ordinary swordsman wouldn’t. His strikes also focused more on speed and precision.
Forus was the opposite. He mastered the basic and elevated it. His strikes were always simple and direct, but its timing was impeccable. Each of his swing contained great power and knowledge behind it.
Their swords collided it. A shock wave of Nether blasted out.
The servants hid behind Sparrow’s large Earth Golem to avoid the Nether shock wave.
The black cat didn’t though. He let his pure black fur felt the impact.
Mater yawned and wasn’t even bothered by it.
Crow and Forus extended their distances.
"One final exchange?" Forus said.
"Come." Crow said.
They rushed at each other again.
Forus planted his front foot and solidified his stance. He struck downward from above.
Crow ducked beneath the strike with his sword sliding at Forus’s blade.