Rising Of The Blind Swordsman

Battle with the Direwolves

This world was divided into three regions: the Blades Territory, the Mages Territory, and the Beast Forest. Archon and Lady Zina were passing through the dense forest, an area few people dared to venture deep into due to the fear of encountering powerful beasts. However, Lady Zina seemed to be familiar with the territory, and they had yet to come across any adversaries they couldn't handle.

Legends spoke of beasts in the forest that could rival and even surpass the heads of the Blades and Mages, but whether these tales were true or not remained a mystery. Nevertheless, Archon saw this journey as an opportunity to train and hone his ki abilities by engaging in combat against the weak opponents.

As they pressed on, Lady Zina warned Archon about the upcoming challenge. "We are nearing the border of my village, but first, we have to pass through the hunting grounds of the Direwolves. Although they are rank 2 beasts, on a few occasions, rank 3 Direwolves might appear among them. I can handle them, but you will have to fight because they never hunt alone."

Archon was confident in dealing with rank 1 beasts, but the Direwolves presented a different challenge. They moved in packs, possessed remarkable agility, and some Direwolves could use shadows to enhance their speed, making them an even more formidable opponents. Doubts crept into Archon's mind. "My sword, powered by ki, can be effective, but if there are more than a dozen of them, the sword will only slow me down. I'm not even confident in taking on one..."

Despite their reservations, they prepared themselves and ventured into the territory of the Direwolves. They advanced cautiously, keeping an eye out for any signs of danger. Surprisingly, they didn't encounter any wild beasts along the way. However, there was no time to relax, as anything could happen in the beast forest. The sun was already setting, signaling the imminent emergence of the creatures on their hunt.

Archon voiced his concerns, "Why haven't we encountered anything yet? Is this normal?" Just as he complained, he halted his steps and opened his eyes wide, fixating on a group of large trees in a particular direction.

A substantial amount of energy seemed to be gathering there.

Upon closer observation, Archon immediately recognized the source. "Direwolves," he exclaimed. Lady Zina had already noticed their presence, but they had also been discovered by the Direwolves. From all sides, the beasts charged towards them, effectively trapping and surrounding them while they faced off against a group in the middle.

"We've been trapped. Be careful, there is likely an intelligent one among them, at least a rank 3," Lady Zina warned.

Her twin daggers drawn and ready for battle. Archon nodded, mirroring her actions, as two Direwolves charged at them. They each focused on one opponent, assuming their defensive stances.

Lady Zina swiftly dispatched the first Direwolf that approached, delivering a fatal strike to its neck. She then surveyed the area, searching for the leader of the pack. Spotting a large grey Direwolf standing behind the group, twice the size of the others, Lady Zina immediately identified it as the Alpha. "There you are, rank 3, just as I thought," she declared.

Meanwhile, Archon struck down at the Direwolf charging towards him. However, to his surprise, the agile creature evaded his attack not by jumping aside, but by sinking into the ground using its shadow. Perplexed but undeterred, Archon closed his eyes. Instead of relying on his unique eye ability to read the energy of the Direwolf, Archon decided to try something different. He shifted his focus inward, directing his consciousness towards his chest. There, he sensed the fiery energy of his ki flame, drawing upon its power. In a swift motion, he spread the energy throughout his entire body, suffusing himself with its strength. In that brief moment, his eyes opened, glowing a fiery red.

With newfound speed and heightened senses, Archon swiftly stepped backward as a Direwolf lunged at him from a nearby tree. The creature missed its mark, narrowly avoiding Archon's position. If he hadn't moved, the Direwolf's razor-sharp claws would have torn into him.

Emboldened by his augmented abilities, Archon charged at the Direwolf with his sword. However, to his dismay, his attack failed to penetrate the beast's thick hide. The Direwolf, recognizing Archon's inferiority compared to Lady Zina, decided to cease hiding and sought vengeance for its fallen comrade.

Archon found himself on the defensive, desperately blocking the relentless onslaught of claws and teeth. Despite his ki-enhanced body and heightened senses, he was gradually pushed back, unable to gain the upper hand against the rank 2 beast. Every move he made was met with a swift and calculated counter from the Direwolf.

Time seemed to blur as Archon endured the relentless assault. His body was battered, covered in bruises and bleeding from various wounds. He teetered on the brink of collapse, sensing that a single mistake could cost him his life. But he refused to give in. He knew there was still a pack of Direwolves surrounding them, and he had to overcome this opponent to support Lady Zina.

The Direwolf stood opposite Archon, surprised that the human had not yet succumbed to its attacks. It had thrown everything at him but failed to deliver a fatal blow. Archon's words echoed in the air, fueled by memories of the mistreatment he had endured from his own family. "Why have you stopped? Come at me! I have faced monsters much worse than you and survived!"

Enraged by Archon's defiance, the Direwolf sank into its shadow, disappearing from sight. Archon assumed a defensive stance, slowing his breathing as he connected to his core and channeled his ki throughout his entire being. Even his sword became enveloped in ki energy.

As the Direwolf leapt from the shadows, it clashed with Archon's sword. This time, the blade pierced through the creature's thick skin. The Direwolf recoiled but was swiftly kicked aside by Archon. In one fluid motion, he swung his sword, cleanly severing the beast's head before it even touched the ground.

Archon stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, exhausted and injured, but a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins. It was a feeling he had never experienced before—a potent mix of triumph, exhilaration, and the thirst for more. He longed to continue fighting, but as he surveyed his surroundings, he realized that there were no more opponents left to face. The pack of Direwolves had been defeated.

Breathing heavily, Archon's gaze turned to Lady Zina, hoping that she had managed to overcome her own challenges.

But she wasn't there.

Lady Zina, having dispatched the other Direwolves swiftly and efficiently, came towards him from deep within the forest she had just have a tough battle with the Direwolf Alpha.

Concern etched on her face. She observed his battered state, blood dripping from his wounds. "Archon, are you alright? You took quite a beating there," she said, her voice laced with worry.

Archon managed a weary smile and nodded. "I'll be fine," he replied, his voice strained. "Just a few scratches and bruises. Nothing I can't handle."

She extended a hand to help him up, and he gratefully accepted the assistance. As he rose to his feet, his legs wobbled, but he steadied himself, refusing to show any signs of weakness. The fire within him burned stronger than ever, fueled by his newfound resolve and the taste of victory.

Lady Zina surveyed their surroundings, ensuring that no other threats lurked nearby. Satisfied that they were temporarily safe, she turned her attention back to Archon. "You fought well," she commended him. "Your ability to tap into your ki and harness its power is impressive. But remember, there is always more to learn and refine. This experience will undoubtedly make you stronger."

Archon nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "I won't stop training and pushing myself," he declared. "I want to become stronger, not just for my own sake"

Lady Zina's lips curled into a smile. "That is the spirit, Archon," she said, her voice brimming with pride. "With your unwavering determination and the potential you possess, I have no doubt that you will achieve great things."

Before Lady Zina had arrived here she sensed a powerful aura aproaching , Archon had also sensed the approaching threat and shared his concern.

"We must leave immediately," Lady Zina declared.