Dark Magus Returns

Raze was unable to progress further with his Dark Edge Sword Arts, unable to learn the 5th to the 8th forms in the book. There was something lacking, and Raze most likely felt it was his Pagna Qi.

He needed to be a higher-level warrior, or either increase his magic power and pool to make up for his lack of Qi, and then maybe he could somehow perform the final steps.

However, as Raze grew stronger, it became harder for him to advance further. He was a five-star mage, and the best power stones that could help him progress were nearly impossible to come by unless he ventured into higher-level portals and fought against a Dimension boss.

He was now a middle-stage warrior, so extracting Qi from regular middle-stage warriors didn't give him the shortcut it once did. Cultivating like everyone else would take too long.

The dangers of Pagna were increasing, and he would be long dead if he relied solely on conventional methods.

Knowing that his enemies would grow stronger, he needed to find ways to increase his power.

First, using the gifts given to him, he had enchanted each blade with different types of magic, making them more powerful and granting special traits.

He didn't just create powerful weapons for others but had crafted things he could use as well. freeweɓnøvel.com

Second, he had done what he could with the existing Dark Edge Sword Arts he had learned, such as using the Eclipse Strike with both of his weapons, doubling the output of power.

"Dual Eclipse Strike!"

Two large strikes of magic and Qi left both of Raze's blades. Giant lines of strikes covered the sky in temporary darkness, consuming everything in their path.

They continued and struck Sha Mo right on his body, pushing him deep into the ground. The attack completely engulfed Sha Mo, and no one could see what was happening.

To avoid getting caught in the attack, Rayna and the others, with the little strength they had, ran as quickly as possible. A few moments later, they turned around to look at what had taken place.

"That attack was what he used at the Martial Arts Tournament," Mantis said.

"And it was twice as large this time," Rayna replied.

Now, where Sha Mo once stood, there was a giant crater, incredibly deep, as if a meteor had crashed.

Raze was seen falling to the ground, and due to the curvature of the crater, they couldn't see him or Sha Mo anymore.

Quickly, they ran up to the edge of the large crater, and they were all stunned by what they saw.

Sha Mo was still in the crater, and of all things, he was standing.

"Hahaha! You are certainly strong!" Sha Mo said, waving his arm.

The shirt he had been wearing was completely torn off, revealing his large, muscular upper body. There were two marks across his chest—deep bruises, but the skin hadn't torn, and there was no blood. Other than the bruising, Sha Mo seemed perfectly fine.

"That's it? That's all that attack did?" Liam said. "I know Raze is incredibly strong, but how is he meant to go up against that giant monster?"

"Don't worry," Rayna said. "Can't you tell? Even after using that strike, Raze isn't done yet. He has more... he can give more."

The strikes had used up a large amount of Raze's energy, but thankfully, unlike his previous battles, he hadn't had to exert too much power to reach his opponent.

Although he had used some energy against the Deleter, it was nothing compared to his full capacity, so Raze could still fight on.

'Those attacks didn't finish him... which means I need to produce even stronger attacks.'

Thinking this, Raze quickly twisted both of his feet. At that moment, giant pillars formed around Sha Mo, locking his movements in place.

They came up across his arms, in front of his legs, and beneath his feet until he was completely immobilized by the pillars made from the ground. The only part visible was his head.

'I know attacking his body won't do much... I need to perform the strongest attack I can muster!'

Raze thought as he lifted his foot. The first descending step was used, and Qi erupted around the area. Raze then moved onto the second step.

"The descending steps, huh? It's impressive that you know them and can perform them so well, but let me show you," Sha Mo said, breaking through the pillars of earth with a single movement.

The pillars shattered and crumbled, falling to the ground. The others saw Sha Mo lifting his knee into the air, and then he said something no one had expected.

"The first descending step!"

Sha Mo slammed his foot on the ground, and the cracks in the crater deepened even further.

The whole area shook, and even those observing from above felt as if they had been slightly lifted into the air.

The powerful movement filled the entire crater, interrupting Raze's descending steps. As he looked up, he saw Sha Mo jumping into the air.

"The fourth step!"

Sha Mo's giant size and his fist were already upon Raze. Raze placed both swords in front of him to block the attack, but the powerful punch exploded.

As it hit, Raze felt his special blazer activate to protect him, but it was useless as he was flung into the curved edge of the crater.

When he crashed into the wall, it almost looked as if another crater had appeared. Raze was stuck in the wall of the ground, his arms spread apart, and blood dripped from his mouth.

'My body... even surrounded by Qi and the blazer, a single hit from him causes this much damage!' Raze thought as he coughed, blood falling to the ground.

He quickly pulled himself out, falling to one knee.

'This reminds me of the power I saw when Belil destroyed that village... I'm now facing those like them... like them.'

"Now do you understand how useless it is to go up against me!" Sha Mo claimed, his Qi surrounding his body, visually destroying the ground beneath him even further.

It was then that Raze lifted his head, and a smile could be seen through his bloody teeth.

"This is perfect. I need to be pushed to this point," Raze said, as blue sparks appeared from beneath his foot, sparking high into the air. It looked like lightning was emitting from his feet.