Chapter 69: Chapter - 61 - The Battle Against Time
[Defeated Enemies : 4]
[EXP. accumulated : 2,400]
Ishida whispered, "Moon Breathing, First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace," as he swung his sword with a crescent-like slash. In a blink, the blade sliced through the neck of yet another demon surrounding him, bringing his total count to five, since he had already defeated four before.
"There are just too many demons around me, which is a headache, but it's also a problem for them. Because there are so many, they can't easily attack me, and their movements are all cramped up. This means I can just use my breathing techniques and precisely swing my sword. That's all I need," Ishida thought to himself. He had a plan, and now it was time to put it into action.
As he was thinking, about five or six demons tried to pounce on him all at once. But with quick reflexes and sharp senses, he dodged them by leaping into the air just in time. The demons ended up crashing into each other. While airborne, Ishida positioned his sword in front of him and declared, "Moon Breathing, Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains."
He swung his sword with purpose, creating a series of crescent-shaped slashes that danced gracefully through the air. The energy around him crackled, and the crescents twisted together, forming a stunning web that trapped the demons below.
Caught off guard by the sudden display, the demons struggled to break free but were ensnared by the glowing arcs. Ishida felt the powerful energy flowing through his sword, each strike directed by his intense focus and determination.
With a swift and decisive motion, the chained crescents slashed through the demons, transforming their frustrated roars into cries of pain as the slashes struck true. The brilliance faded, leaving six demons turned to ash on the ground.
[Defeated Enemies: 11]
[EXP. accumulated: 6,600]
[Time Remaining : 00:06:38]
Ishida remembered the last time he tried to have a proper fight—it took a long time. But now, he knew he had to take down as many demons as possible in the short time he had to earn the experience points. With this thought in mind, he performed a smooth backflip, landing gracefully on the ground. Then, he called out, "Moon Breathing, First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace."
One demon in front of the group wasn't paying enough attention, thinking Ishida couldn't make a move while in mid-air. Spotting this opening, Ishida swung his sword in a crescent-shaped slash, slicing through the demon's neck at lightning speed. Before the demon even realized what was happening, it turned to ash as Ishida landed firmly on the ground.
[Defeated Enemies : 12]
[Accumulated EXP. 7,200]
Even though Ishida's level was technically the same, he felt stronger compared to when he fought demons of this level before. Everything seemed easier now. Maybe it was because he had gained battle experience, or perhaps he finally trusted himself completely. Whatever the reason, it felt great.
However, the amount of experience points (EXP) he needed to gather was really high. That might be why the fights felt easy—because his real battle was against time. The more demons he could defeat, the more EXP he would earn, bringing him closer to meeting the level requirement set by the system to unlock the door to the next floor.
At this point, uncovering the truth about the system and understanding what it really was depended on him continuing to fight.
"Until then, I will have to fight on," he resolved.
With determination fueling every move, Ishida braced himself for the next wave of demons. He felt adrenaline pumping through his veins, guiding each action with sharp precision and power. His heartbeat matched the countdown, each thump a reminder of the time slipping away.
The demons charged at him relentlessly, their eyes glowing with a menacing gleam. Ishida met them without hesitation, his sword a blur as he unleashed the "Fifth Form: Moon Spirit Calamitous Eddy." His blade spun in a whirlwind of slashes, creating a powerful vortex that ripped through the demon ranks.
[Defeated Enemies: 20]
[EXP. accumulated: 12,000]
[Time Remaining: 00:05:45]
As the swirling vortex faded away, Ishida swiftly shifted to his "Fourth Form: Crescent Moon." With seamless ease, he unleashed a series of layered slashes that cascaded through the air like waves. These crescent-shaped attacks sliced through the demons with deadly accuracy, leaving a trail of devastation behind him. Each swing of his sword was a testament to his growing strength and unwavering focus, as the demons crumbled under his relentless assault.
[Defeated Enemies: 28]
[EXP. accumulated: 16,800]
[Time Remaining: 00:05:10]
Ishida's breathing was calm and steady, his focus unwavering. He was completely absorbed in the battle, his mind clear and centered. With every demon he vanquished, he felt his determination fueling his momentum, steadily propelling him toward his goal.
Suddenly, a particularly sly demon tried to sneak up on him from the side. But Ishida sensed its movement. With a swift turn, he executed a quick parry to block the attack, followed by a decisive thrust that drove his blade straight into the demon's heart. The demon let out a final gasp before dissolving into nothingness, a testament to Ishida's keen instincts and skill.
[Defeated Enemies: 29]
[EXP. accumulated: 17,400]
[Time Remaining: 00:04:50]
As more demons crowded around him, Ishida used his agility and speed to dance through their ranks with fluid precision. His blade moved with perfect accuracy, each strike showcasing his skill and determination.
He launched himself into the air, using the momentum to execute "Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains." With this move, he trapped several demons in a web of crescent-shaped slashes. The shining arcs of light sliced through the demons, turning them into ash almost instantly.
[Defeated Enemies: 36]
[EXP. accumulated: 21,600]
[Time Remaining: 00:04:15]
Feeling the fatigue start to set in, Ishida pushed forward, refusing to give in. He knew every second was crucial, and he was determined to make the most of the time he had left.
Another wave of demons rushed at him, but Ishida faced them with unwavering resolve. He moved with fluid grace, his blade weaving through the air in a seamless dance of offense and defense.
"Moon Breathing, First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace," he announced, his voice steady and confident. With one swift motion, his crescent slash cleaved through two demons.
[Defeated Enemies: 38]
[EXP. accumulated: 22,800]
[Time Remaining: 00:03:40]
The remaining demons fought with reckless abandon, their desperation making their attacks wild and frenzied. But Ishida stayed calm and collected, his sword a beacon of light in the darkness.
He smoothly sidestepped a demon's claw swipe, countering with a precise slash that split the creature in two. Another demon tried to seize the opportunity, but Ishida was ready. He executed "Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing," creating a shimmering barrier of crescent slashes to deflect its attack.
[Defeated Enemies: 42]
[EXP. accumulated: 25,200]
[Time Remaining: 00:03:05]
With each demon he defeated, Ishida's confidence grew, the experience points piling up and bringing him closer to his goal. He embraced the challenge, knowing each victory moved him one step nearer to unlocking the seventh floor.
A particularly agile demon lunged at him, its claws flashing in the dim light. Ishida met its attack with a swift parry, then followed up with a powerful thrust that pierced the demon's heart.
[Defeated Enemies: 43]
[EXP. accumulated: 25,800]
[Time Remaining: 00:02:45]
The battle continued, Ishida a force of nature, his blade a blur of motion as he cut down demon after demon. Each strike was precise, each movement deliberate, bringing the battle closer to a decisive end.
[Defeated Enemies: 51]
[EXP. accumulated: 30,600]
[Time Remaining: 00:02:00]
In the final minutes, Ishida fought with everything he had, his body a whirlwind of motion as he finished off the remaining demons. Each strike was precise, each movement deliberate, bringing the battle to its final, decisive end.
[Defeated Enemies: 55]
[EXP. accumulated: 33,000]
[Fatigue: 35/100]
[HP: 650/680]
"The HP is creeping up slowly, so I can't let it get too high. Even though I have the option to use a healing potion, it requires me to stay still for 3 minutes, which is impossible right now in the middle of this fight!" Ishida thought, as he strategized his next moves.
While he was pondering this, the screen flashed once again, and a new notification popped up in front of him.
[Demons Deployed: Unlimited | Level: 22-24 | EXP: 1,000 per defeated demon]
[E.O.C]