Black String of Fate

Xavier once again activated his techniques, because it was the only way to somewhat level the playing field. Without Desolation's Requiem, he would die before he could even blink.

'Well, that thing is based on me, so I don't feel that bad. But my weapons being used against me feels weird.'

This time, he noticed that he was using quite a bit less energy from Desolation's Requiem to power up to the same level. The control felt a bit smoother too.

'Am I improving so rapidly because I'm using this technique like water? Damn, I guess regeneration does not take away improvements of the soul, just heals it. Well, how can it heal away 'skill'? Anyway, let's try powering up more since what I'm doing now clearly isn't effective...'

Xavier took advantage of the reduced 'cost' and used Desolation's Requiem to a greater extent. He could output more total power since it's not as burdensome as before. He once again rushed towards the white silhouette, who seemed more than ready to take him on.

*Clash*

And once again, swords met. Xavier immediately noticed that the improvements weren't just his delusions. He was still weaker, but not as much as before. Elated, he continued his aggression, trying to pry out a proper opening for once. This time, he noticed many small openings too, but he knew now that those were traps.

But alas, there was absolutely no proper opening. This silhouette had inherited Xavier's skill, not arrogance, so there was no way it would clumsily leave an opening against a weaker opponent. It did not take Xavier to have his sword flung out of his arm and consequently be split in half.

********

[Death]: 3

********

"...This was definitely better than last time. I'm on the right path. Let's go once more."

*BOOM*

*Clash*

********

[Death]: 4

********

"Damn, at least I lasted 3 exchanges..."

*Clash*

*Slash*

********

[Death]: 8

********

"Nope, those exchanges were just a coincidence... But I'm starting to get this guy's feel."

*Clash*

*Slash*

*BOOM*

*Stab*

*********

[Death]: 13

*********

"Argh, so close!"

*Boom*

*Clash*

*Stab*

*Slash*

**********

[Death]: 19

**********

"I'm getting better. I can do it..."

*BOOM*

*CLASH*

*SLASH*

.

.

.

**********

[Death]: 57

**********

"..."

*SLASH*

*CLASH*

*STAB*

..

....

....

***********

[Death]: 678

***********

"...This isn't working."

Xavier's condition was not good. It was horrifying, in fact. He had promised himself earlier that he would try his best to avoid death to avoid becoming used to it, but right now, that is exactly what happened.

'I have mastered Desolation's Requiem to a ridiculous extent. My previous life would pale in comparison to the mastery I have right now. I even stand toe-to-toe on the power level with my newfound mastery...

But why? Why am I still losing? Why am I still outclassed? He is not necessarily better than me, but he still somehow always wins. If he was truly better, I would've felt it, but he really is just equal to me in terms of skill. He just doesn't have emotions, he swings like a machine...

Am I... worse than a fucking machine? Is my sword so terrible that it loses to an emotionless version of myself? No, I can't accept this. There's no way...'

*thump**thump*

.

.

.

"No... fucking... way."

.

.

.

*Thump**Thump*

.

.

*THUMP**THUMP*

.

.

.

"THERE'S NO FUCKING WAYYY!"

*Clash*

*Boom*

*Stab*

"STAB MY HEART! CRUSH IT! I DON'T CAREE! I'LL KILL YOU!!! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

Xavier, after a very long time, was enraged. He had forgotten, but his true strength came from pure, raw rage. The true horror that made Xavier the Demon King wasn't his high rank, his great techniques, or his sword skills. It was his burning anger. There were none that could match his momentum. He wasn't someone with a cold, chilling rage, instead, he was a flame that consumed all it touched.

That was the reason Xavier was feared as the Demon King. He fought like a demon. He was wrath personified.

Xavier, despite his heart being injured, took another swing at the despicable silhouette. He had abandoned all his defenses and, with his heart crushed, he knew he had no chance of surviving.

But he just wanted to injure him. That was all he wanted from this damned exchange...

*SLASH*

.

.

.

*drip*

"So... you bleed. Hehe..."

*Slash*

Xavier got beheaded, but a vicious smile never left his face. After countless deaths, the blood was finally drawn.

The Forbidden Bloodlust was also rearing its psychotic tendencies right now, as Xavier's rage had removed the suppression coming from Desolation's Requiem. It was providing its power without seeing a drop of blood till now, but finally, it can make the opponent feel pain.

Advent of Insanity was now also being pushed beyond its limits, as till now, it was harming Xavier with recoil, but that recoil was recoverable injuries. Now, it did not care if the body was pushed to beyond death if it could injure the opponent more.

Desolation's Requiem was constantly improving too. With Xavier's rage, it was burning his soul more thoroughly, more brightly, producing even more power. The power of the soul, the will, is something not understood properly even after eons of research into it. Just that it exists, and it's something with powers far beyond comprehension.

This was the true, primordial form of Xavier's techniques which he had forgotten. The concept of his own sword wasn't just sacrifice, it was the wrath that sacrificed all.

*******

[Death]: 679

*******

"Haha! Fucking bastard! I'll take you on! I'LL RIP YOU TO FUCKING SHREDS!"

Xavier made a vicious smile as he once again rushed in. He was expecting that same calm defense, but there was something different this time. Something Xavier, for once, was happy to see.

"Oho! IS THAT HESITATION I SEE?! YOU CAN FEEL FEAR TOO?! HAHAHAHA!"

The silhouette had tighter defenses and even sacrificed some of its offensive ability to be more defensive and reactive. Seeing this, Xavier started attacking the silhouette with even more aggression. He was still blocked, of course, but for the first time, Xavier wasn't pushed back the slightest. They were finally evenly matched strength-wise.

All that anger had somehow closed the strength gap between them.

*BOOM*

*CLASH*

*STAB*

*CUT*

The exchanges were quick and tight. Each strike was accurate, precise, and powerful. Well, more so for the silhouette. Xavier was now sacrificing almost all the technicalities for lethality. He would take a lot of injuries to inflict injuries back. This was how Xavier truly fought, an eye for an eye, a wound for a wound.

He was never a great, sophisticated swordsman, but rather a demon with a sword. He had a strong body from birth, a fact he has abused all his life. He was extremely tenacious, to the point he was called a 'cockroach' before his Demon King title.

The silhouette was about to experience how a cockroach truly fought.