Zayriel stared at the boy from a distance. Not only had he pinpointed Zamiel's location, but failing to sense him would have been a disappointment.
System Scan:
Name: Zamiel Ashrend
Title: Weapon Candidate
Race: Human
Level: 12
Core Stats (Observed / Normalized)
Strength: 430
Speed: 470
Endurance: 420
Agility: 400
Perception: 550 ← Primary stat — weapon mastery & combat read
Intelligence: 120
Willpower: 480
Vitality / Life Force: 450
Soul Force: 300
Energy Type: Pure Weapon Energy (Ryn Energy awakened by people with extremely high affinity for all weapons; 0.02% chance of awakening even for Dem).
Abilities & Passives
BERSERK GOD MODE [Active]: Temporarily multiplies physical strength & stamina by ×10.
All Weapon Mastery [Passive]: Innate mastery over all weapons. Increases with personal strength.
Combat Technique Mastery [Passive]: Instantly understands and replicates close-combat techniques after observation/practice.
WAR DEITY BODY [Passive / Evolutive]: Body evolves after threshold-breaking battles, permanently raising baseline limits.
SURVIVAL INSTINCT [Passive]: Detects extreme danger and killing intent; reflex enhancement and time perception warping.
WAR DOMINANCE [Behavioral / Tactical]: Projects raw weapon-essence and physical menace. Causes instinctive breakdowns in weaker beings; creates hesitation windows for equals.
Weapon Art Archive: Master of 1,000 weapons with corresponding techniques and skills.
A notification floated across Zayriel's vision: "Advice: Host should avoid trouble with this candidate."
Zayriel blinked. Ahrend what family is that and Level 12. he has this Insane strength, speed amd perception. Even among the top geniuses of his stage, this boy was a monster. "I'll need more skills," he thought.
He unsheathed Zephyraath, the abyss sword, which immediately began to glow darkly, heat radiating and evaporating into the air.
It's time to level up, he muttered.
The system store appeared at his command.
[SYSTEM STORE – WEAPON BRANCH]
Accessing Weapon Store…
Filtering: Sword Category
Analyzing Host weapon type: Abyssal Sword detected
Adjusting database to match compatible sword arts, techniques, and movement systems…
A flood of data filled Zayriel's vision: thousands of runic sword diagrams spinning like living stars, projecting symbols older than time.
"Welcome to the Sword Skill Store. Category: Abyss Series – Rank Restricted to Host Level."
Abyssal Sword Arts:
Abyssal Edge: First Cut (Basic) – Devours light and cuts spiritual essence. 150 SP | 50 MP(sp are the system currency also known as skill points)
Umbral Steps (Basic) – Meld into shadows; strike from unpredictable angles. 200 SP | 80 MP
Eclipse Draw (Intermediate) – Creates a vacuum, pulling enemies before striking. 400 SP | 150 MP
Nightfall Waltz (Intermediate) – Sword illusions carry partial attack power. 450 SP | 200 MP
Abyss Flash (Advanced) – Thin blade beam tears through space. 750 SP | 350 MP
Stygian Reversal (Advanced) – Absorbs and reflects enemy force ×2. 850 SP | 400 MP
Black Sun Annihilation (Advanced) – Gravitational slash sphere. 1,800 SP | 800 MP
Void Sovereign Form (Advanced) – Soul merge with sword; reality-cutting strikes. 2,400 SP | 1,500 MP
Abyssal Footwork & Movement Arts:
Void Step (Basic) – Half-teleport leaving afterimages. 150 SP | 60 MP
Phantom Drift (Intermediate) – Flicker through dimensions; untargetable for 3 sec. 350 SP | 180 MP
Abyssal Flow (Advanced) – Synchronizes body & sword rhythm; tripled agility/control. 950 SP | 400 MP
Singularity Step (Advanced) – Collapse space beneath user for instant dimensional leap. 1,000 SP | 1,500 MP (3 uses per battle)
"Host currently lacks sufficient SP to purchase all skills. Attempting techniques above body tolerance may cause spiritual collapse."
Zayriel waved his hand. "Buy them all."
Within seconds, the skills transferred into Zephyraath. A notification appeared:
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Your weapon, Zephyraath, has absorbed Abyss Arts and partially awakened. New abilities unlocked:
Abyssal Edge Enhancement (Passive): All strikes ×5 power; space distortion ×1.2 reach
Soul Sync (Passive): Resonates with Life Force; technique speed/precision ×3; afterimages last 2s; enemy accuracy −10%
Void Feedback (Passive): Siphons 2% enemy Life Force per strike; scales ×1.5 against weaker enemies
Abyssal Aura Extension (Passive): Aura radius ×1.5; damage output within aura ×2 over 50% Life Force
Runic Awakening Slot #1 (Dormant): Charging… future ability multiplies sword techniques ×10
"Zephyraath is now partially attuned to host Life Force and sword mastery. Full awakening requires repeated Abyssal Sword Arts, SP investment, and Life Force growth."
Zayriel understood. The sword had absorbed knowledge automatically because it lacked an innate abyss element; it had no choice but to synchronize.
He nodded, focusing on Zamiel. Even with this boost, Zayriel knew: he might not win.
Zamiel finally spoke. "Are you done? Let's start."
He drew his sword with a long red chain that appeared from nowhere. The air shimmered as both circled like predators.
The ground trembled violently beneath them, the wind howled violently as if the world itself stop holding it's breath announcing the approach of a massive monster. Its legs were thick, claws sharper than diamond, scales armored and spiked, and jaws lined with four long canines. Its aura alone made even Zayriel and Zamiel tense.
Zamiel's eyes narrowed. "Looks like our battle will have to wait."
Zamiel and Zayriel readied themselves. The monster approached, their combined vigilance ready to react.