After using Code of Light and Darkness, Wain's stats became abnormal for the time that had passed since the apocalypse. For this fight, Wain was going to use everything he had.

[Wain Norheim

Level: 11

Race: Human

Soul: Nameless King

Additional Soul: Last Knight

Title: Savior of the Damned, Echo of Samurai, Mentor Inquisitor

Status Points: 0

Strength: 50 / Agility: 50 / Vitality: 50 / Stamina: 50 / Energy: 50]

All Stats Wain was equal to 50, which meant that he was ten times stronger than a mere human at this moment. This was already an extremely intimidating definition, but it wasn't everything.

Wain was also very skilled in combat and knew how to move and attack properly.

At this moment, the force of each of his blows was several tons. For an ordinary person, this would be an unattainable value, and only a few would be able to survive after taking such a blow.

But, Wain's opponent was no ordinary human. Forgotten was also a very formidable opponent.

Wain instantly moved behind Forgotten's back and swung his sword sharply. Forgotten didn't expect Wain to suddenly become so fast and bounced sharply to the side.

But as he stepped back a safe distance and his left shoulder dripped scarlet blood onto the gray clouds. This attack was not severe. It was just a scratch. Wain only grazed him with the tip of his blade, but he was able to do it, and it was astonishing to Forgotten.

"I guess I was being too arrogant. Your strength is enough to take this pearl. In past attacks, you have tested me, am I right?" Forgotten asked.

Wain nodded, "Yes, you are a serious opponent, and I had to find out what you are capable of. Those are the basics."

Forgotten nodded, "The basics... I guess I was too arrogant. Please forgive me."

The next moment Forgotten rose into a fighting stance and gripped his sword tightly with both hands.

His aura began to increase and energy resembling white flames emanated from his body. Even his gray robe and ashy hair rose up as if to indicate the greatness of his power.

"Unbelievable," Wain said earnestly, waiting for his opponent to attack. Wain was confident that he would be able to respond to any outburst.

Whooosh.

Forgotten stepped forward and a moment later was in front of Wain. He brought his sword down on Wain at lightning speed. But, Wain could block this attack by striking back with his plasma sword.

Next, Forgotten launched three lightning strikes. They were like three deadly flashes, each with incredible power.

Wain's eyes flashed, and his hands became a blur. He fought off all three attacks using minimal movement. Not only did Wain have to move quickly, but he also had to make the most intelligent use of time.

In their duel, even an extra split second could be decisive. He must not lag even for a moment. Otherwise, he risked serious injury.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

The clang of clashing swords echoed around the area. With each blow, burning sparks fell down, all to the sound of rumbling thunder in the clouds below them. It was a beautiful battle, both artistically and in terms of their stunning skills.

Wain masterfully blocked every blow with lightning-fast reaction to every lunge. Forgotten tried to trick Wain and attack his legs. But, Wain quickly realized what his opponent was up to and bounced aside.

Then Wain immediately used Lightning Lizard's Dash and turned into blue lightning. He was going to get to Forgotten in this way and knock him out.

But, suddenly, more white energy began to emanate from Forgotten's body, and he also turned into white lightning. They both met at the same point, and their swords touched. This attack created a shockwave that spread several meters apart.

Neither of them was wounded, but Forgotten won in this short and rapid exchange of blows.

'How?' Wain wondered. He stared in surprise at his sword, from which a large piece had broken off.

He turned and looked at his enemy. Forgotten was staring at his sword just as he was. Forgotten's sword, however, was intact and unharmed. On the contrary, some of the rust on his sword had chipped away revealing, a cold blade.

"I see you are puzzled." Said Forgotten, "My sword is not a rare artifact or unique item. It is the most common weapon. It is far worse than your plasma sword."

"But, I still lost in that skirmish," Wain said seriously.

Forgotten nodded, "Yes, that's why you're weaker. Chances are you won't even be able to understand why it happened and what the difference between us is."

The next moment he disappeared from where he was standing and appeared in front of Wain bringing his sword down on him.

Wain reacted instantly and blocked the blows. He acted mechanically, relying on his instincts at that moment, as his mind was busy pondering Forgotten's words.

'He said my sword was better than his, and I understand that perfectly too. But, then, why did my sword chip away and not his?' pondered Wain.

Moreover, Wain realized that he was not the best in every area. He felt that strength alone was not enough to win. To win, he had to think that way as well, not just swing his fists.

Wain was the best assassin in his world, and his skills were at the highest level. But that didn't mean he could do everything at once.

For example, Wain was pretty bad at fighting with hammers because the weapon wasn't suitable for him, and almost no one in his world used them.

The same applied to swordsmanship. Thanks to the passive skill from Last Knight's soul and a little training, Wain was pretty good with a sword.

But, he wasn't an overconfident fool and realized that he was still a long way from being a true master swordsman.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Wain fought off several blows, but he hesitated and made a mistake at one point. Forgotten immediately took advantage of this. He threw three mighty blows to one spot, and after Wain had trouble blocking them because of the last hitch, he realized his hands were slightly numb.

At this point, Forgotten attacked again, but this time deliberately into Wain's sword, loosening his grip even more. It took Wain a split second to regain his balance, but it was enough for Forgotten to make two sharp swings.

The rusted sword quickly cut through Wain's armor in two places. Forgotten easily left two deep cuts on Wain's body in the chest area.

Scarlet drops of blood fell under Wain's feet, but Forgotten had no intention of stopping there. He was able to take the first step toward victory by seizing the moment, but it wasn't enough. Two cuts couldn't kill Wain.

They continued to exchange blows, but Wain was still immersed in his thoughts. He received small scratches from time to time. He received minor hurts, it couldn't hurt him much, but his whole body would soon be covered with them.

'The moment our swords collided, his weapon was covered in a white sheath. Was it a skill? Perhaps, but I think it was something else. Something deeper and more unique.' Thought Wain and blocked another blow.

'My stats are equal to his or even slightly superior, my weapons are much better, but with all that, I am slowly losing. My sword is covered with many cracks, and so is my body with small cuts.'

Wain knew when one man was losing to another, even if he was stronger physically and had better equipment.

'If a grandmaster in chess were to play against a novice, he would win using only pawns. That's an indication of the incredible difference in their skill. The same thing is happening now. Despite the rusty sword, Forgotten excels at swordsmanship.' Wain thought.

The next moment Forgotten brought his sword down on Wain. Then he got out of his musings and blocked the sword blow. Then the white glove on Wain's right hand glowed, and a beam of energy shot at Forgotten.

Forgotten was very close and should have had no chance to dodge this attack. However, his energy increased again, and Forgotten turned into a white flash.

The beam of energy flew further and exploded upon contact with the clouds. The blast was powerful enough to create a small crater through which the ground was visible.

Forgotten could dodge this unexpected shot, but Wain saw it coming. So he immediately used the Kinetic Shot in an attempt to kill Forgotten while he was still regaining his balance.

'Did he know I could dodge?!' Forgotten was surprised that Wain could tell which way he would back away.

But, suddenly, the energy around his body flashed brightly, and his sword was covered in a white sheath. He turned around and sliced Kinetic Shot in two.historical

"That's the mastery." Mumbled Wain looking at Forgotten's sword.

"Boy, you surprised me. You have such good weapons and equipment, and you know how to use them. What's more, you move very well and know when to attack. That's impressive. But, you lack mastery. You can't beat me. My sword will cut yours. You have to accept it." Said Forgotten.

Wain nodded, "Yes, you're right. Your swordsmanship is superior to mine, but is that a problem?"

"What?" Forgotten was surprised. Wain's reaction seemed strange to him.

Wain looked at his enemy with icy eyes and said coldly, "If there is such a big difference between our skills. Then, all I have to do to win is to outdo you!"

Then Wain's aura became calm and peaceful. He was not angry and had no hatred or rage toward his enemy. Wain was as focused as possible.

At that moment, Wain was not thinking about victory, about the soul pearl, or about the soul he needed to unlock his second form.

All his attention was focused on surpassing Forgotten. Wain wanted to become better than him. He wanted to improve his skills and ascend to a new peak previously inaccessible to him.

Gradually Wain's aura grew smaller until it disappeared completely. But, Wain did not become weaker. On the contrary, he reached an incredible concentration level.

Then Wain saw a message in front of him.

[The effect of your title - Echo of Samurai - has been activated.]