Chapter 52: Elton's skill reflection and Zoro's Confrontation
The housing unit was silent, the air calm and charged with an underlying hum of energy. Inside, Elton sat cross-legged on his cultivation mat, eyes closed, a gentle swirl of white lightning Ki drifting around his form like a slow-moving storm. Deep in meditation, his mind was far from the room. It was in the past, the present, and the storm-ridden future ahead.
The first memories that floated to the surface were from the Bright Blade Sect's desperate war against the Demonic Beasts. The smell of scorched fur and the cries of dying beasts echoed within his soul. He recalled the moment he first unlocked the Star Lightning Arts, the beginning of a journey filled with pain, power, and unrelenting determination.
Then came the battles in the Whispering Expanse. So many unknown variables, ambushes, mutated creatures, and unnatural terrain. Yet he had survived, grown stronger and was no longer that same boy.
His thoughts shifted again, this time to his foundational abilities:
Star Lightning Arts:
Star Lightning Steps – incredibly swift footwork with the potential to leave afterimages across the battlefield Lightning Ki Affinity – his core strength, the heart of his power. White Lightning Spear – his go-to ranged Ki attack. White Star Speed Transformation – his First Meridian's gift, unmatchable lightning speed form. White Star Ki Enhancements – unlocked with the Second Meridian, bolstering all physical attributes. White Star Sword Aura Transformation – Third Meridian awakened, heightened weaponized Sword aura greatly elevating Sword skills. White Star Lightning Magic – his newest arsenal from the Fourth Meridian. Lightning Star Collision – A powerful and explosive sword skill
And alongside them, the Bright Blade Stances, First through Fifth Forms, and the Bright Blade Sect's unique cultivation that he once referenced.
Elton opened his eyes and looked toward the sword leaning beside his mat—his unnamed, trusted companion, glowing faintly in the darkness. The moment he glanced at it, his inner voice chimed in with biting certainty.
"Blue Heavenly Star Destroyer. That's its name."
Elton frowned. "Don't go naming things without asking me."
But before his irritation could swell, a strange tremor ran through him. The sword vibrated violently, radiating a glittering distortion of starlight. Elton felt something click inside his spirit—a faint comprehensive breakthrough, subtle but significant.
"Hmph," the inner voice grunted. "Took you long enough."
Elton sighed but gave a reluctant nod. "It's a good name."
His thoughts returned to his newer abilities, the ones unlocked with his Fourth Meridian:
White Star Lightning Magic:
White Lightning Ignition – a mid-ranged explosive lightning orb. White Lightning Integration – fusing lightning flames with every move. White Star Smash – a devastating, long-range blast that consumed 80% of his remaining Ki and Magic, ending in a cataclysmic explosion.
The Integration skill made him pause. It reminded him of Erica and her brilliance. Her bloodline, pure and noble as a Soloman Clan descendant. Their ability to integrate White lightning and flames was essentially the same…. He just secretly had a mutated bloodline unknown to that family thanks to that Star Gem explosion back then… he shook the thought away before it could root itself.
A knock on his door stirred him. Ramiro entered with a huff. "Zoro's been gone too long," he said, rubbing his temples. "Hope he's not out there causing chaos again."
Elton smirked. "It's Zoro. He'll be fine."
Ramiro groaned but relented. "You're probably right." He left shortly after.
The inner voice chuckled darkly. "I really wish you had even half his ruthlessness when it comes to enemies."
"I don't take pride in slaughter."
"That's why you need monsters like him beside you."
Outskirts of Brymia Town
The moonlight glinted off crimson-stained leaves. Zoro stood like a ghostly figure, calm and unreadable. Before him, a member of the Forest Tribe lay bloodied and half-conscious, limbs Severed.
Across from the broken body stood a towering Forest Tribe warrior, his aura screaming with Silver-Tier 5 power, fury exploding from his frame.
"You will pay for this crime!" he bellowed, eyes burning with rage.
Zoro said nothing.
He simply raised one of his twin blades—and smiled.
The Forest Tribe warrior was a blur of primal fury as he lunged forward. His massive form sliced through the air, closing the gap between him and Zoro in an instant. Zoro's twin katanas flashed to life, catching the first strike just in time—but the force of the blow sent a shock through his arms.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Each exchange rattled the building. Zoro blocked and dodged, footwork precise, but bit by bit he was being pushed back. The Forest Tribe man's tail—a long, scaled weapon of its own—whipped out without warning.
BOOM!
The tail slammed into the wall, smashing a gaping hole where Zoro's afterimage had been. Dust clouded the air, rubble raining down. Zoro had already repositioned, sprinting up the side of the wall and leaping behind his opponent. With no hesitation, he struck—twin blades flashing with Dark Ki, aiming straight for the Longbi's vitals.
Sparks flew.
The Longbi man twisted, intercepting the strikes with a snarl. "You're fast... but not enough!"
The two blurred across the room, their clash breaking beams, shattering stone, and collapsing supports. Finally, the walls couldn't take the punishment any longer. The structure began to crumble around them.
Zoro exited in a blur, the Forest Tribe man charging after him, fury still fresh in his eyes.
"Die, you bastard!"
— Bark Pellet Gatling Attack!—
His mouth widened unnaturally. A stream of high-velocity wooden pellets fired out like a rain of bullets, tearing through the air with deadly force.
Zoro clicked his tongue. "Tch... —Shadow Steps—."
He vanished in a flicker, moving like a phantom through the barrage. Pellets tore into nearby structures, sending splinters and debris flying. Another building's wall collapsed under the storm.
The Forest Tribe man kept firing, turning as he tried to lock on. But in the next moment, Zoro appeared right by his side silent and fast.
—Two Sword Style: Battering Ram—
CRASH!
Zoro smashed into him shoulder-first with both blades pushing, driving them both through a nearby building, tearing through walls and furniture alike before coming to a halt in the central hall.
Blood stained the floor. Both warriors were bruised, breathing hard.
The Forest Tribe man coughed, smirking. "You're tough... for a Silver Tier 4. But it doesn't matter. Reinforcements will come. The real authorities will crush you. But... I'll offer you mercy. Submit. Become my guard and I'll speak on your behalf."
Zoro gave a small, dry smirk. Slowly, he sheathed his swords.
The Forest Tribe man's expression eased. "There. That's better. Lower yourself. No funny business."
Zoro's knees bent slightly, as if he were kneeling. His right hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
The Forest Tribe man moved, lightning-quick, going in for the kill—
—One Sword Style: Instant Death Draw—
SSSSHHK!
A streak of dark energy sliced through the building like a blade through parchment. Everything stopped. The Forest Tribe man stood there for half a breath longer—then his top half slid from the bottom, collapsing in two pieces.
He coughed, blood dripping from his lips. "Damnit..."
And then he was gone. Nearby, three filthy bandit looking individuals shook where they crouched. The moment the body hit the ground, they broke into a frantic scramble, crawling, then stumbling as they fled.
Later that evening...
Zoro walked into the house, his shirt torn and stained. Ramiro looked up, unimpressed.
"What the hell've you been doing?"
Zoro shrugged without a word.
He turned to Elton. "We should leave tomorrow morning."
Elton nodded. "Yeah... but let's grab some things including basic armor tonight. Might not be quality, but it'll do."
Everyone agreed.