NOVEL WEB Chapter 1430: Blake Versus Dylan
-----
My match against Dylan was about to begin, and he stepped into the stage and was introduced once more by Hector, bringing the applause and cheers of many, he moved to introducing me to the audience.
"And on the other side, someone you must already know as well! Our rising star of the last two years. He who came back from a crusade in the Elven Continent, allegedly defeating the Archdemon possessing their former King, and then defeating the Evil God Fafnir, freeing the elves from the torment that had almost destroyed their entire country, the one and only Summoner… Blake!"
"Oooohhh!"
As Hector introduced me, the reactions weren't as crazy as with Dylan, but there were still a small crowd that cheered for me, mostly my friends and the classmates.
"Looks like you still aren't well known yet, Blake!" Laughed Dylan. "I suppose going to save those elves didn't really make you popular with the rest of the world, pity."
"I don't really care about that," I said. "I went to save them for different reasons… Dylan, do you like popularity and being treated as a celebrity?"
"I…? Uh, I don't know. I mean, I really do enjoy it though! But it's more like an afterthough you know? Nothing serious I would give my life for or something," Dylan said.
"I see… you're very honest," I nodded.
"And you, Blake… what's your goal on all of this anyway? Surely, just saving people isn't the only thing, right? I can see you've got a lot of conviction and dreams in those eyes," Dylan said.
"What I want? I want to kill as many invading demons as I can, and slay Lucifer, their King," I proclaimed. "And I will not stop until this world is safe from their claws, and once I carry their King's head attached to my spear."
I summoned Gluttony to my hand, as my demonic spear overflowed with immense power, generating an aura shaped like countless sharp jaws surrounding my body.
"I see! So that's your goal? Quite grand," Dylan smiled, holding his Divine Blade. "You're a Summoner too, you can bring your own army, so… it almost doesn't feel unrealistic."
"Unrealistic? If it ever was, then I'll make it a reality," I said. "I've defeated several of the Archdemon Vessels by now, even the strongest one I fought, possessing the Elven King, died by my hand. And I won't stop until every single one of them is gone."
"…" Dylan looked at me with his sharp golden eyes, and smirked. "Impressive. You're more of a hero than I could ever be! But let's see if you're all words, or if you can back up your conviction with actual strength."
"Fine, I'll entertain you, Dylan," I said. "Back then, in our first battle, I was still growing. But it took me two years to reach your level- no, surpass you. Meanwhile, your power has only stagnated. I have a question for you. What have you been doing all this time?"
"Once you reach my level you hit a wall, Blake, a very hard wall to climb…" Dylan sighed. "It makes dreams shatter into pieces and hopes to dissipate, until the only thing left is your current strength, a half-made bridge that will never help you reach the other side, where your goals truly were. If anything, I would say that your dream is unrealistic and childish."
"I see… So that's the real you," I nodded, smiling. "Let's fight, Dylan."
"Hahaha, I was just joking, don't take it too seriously!" Dylan said. "Let's do it."
"Now, the battle shall commence in THREE… TWO… ONE…!"
Hector raised his arms and roared.
"FIGHT!"
RUMBLE!
Dylan and I instantly rushed forward, our weapons clashing in that very moment as the floor beneath us shattered and exploded into pieces. His Aura of Holy Light against my Aura of Umbral Crimson.
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
He instantly started with a powerful barrage of blows, swinging his holy blade up and down, forward and then to the left and right, trying to overwhelm me with several consecutive attacks on various directions. His aim was to make me confused and unable to parry or defend against all.
A fine strategy, if it wasn't because I didn't care.
CLAAASH!
I hit his chest with my spear, releasing a shockwave of blood and darkness, as an explosion of chaos erupted, engulfing Dylan in an instant, breaking his stance and his attacks.
"Ugh…!"
He groaned, looking back at me while quickly jumping back to battle, I received him with the same attack, moving my spear forward and releasing a powerful piercing shockwave of darkness and blood energies, which he parried with his blade at full force, pushing me back and then appearing by my left side, his sword aiming at my chest.
CLASH!
However, as he hit my chest, he ended up striking something immensely hard, harder than diamonds, the crystals mixed with my own skin, my body was tougher than he imagined it could be, and the reason why I wasn't even wearing armor.
"Hm?!"
"Sorry to disappoint you, Dylan, but you will need more than that to harm me."
"What?! Just how tough are you?"
"Get serious."
I took a step forward, my aura erupted into several piercing spears of darkness and blood energy, impacting Dylan from every angle.
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
"Agh!"
He was thrown away, rolling over the floor as his golden, shiny armor gained several cracks. The power of my Divine Aura, encompassed of all my Divinities, was unmatched.
Dylan quickly stood up, glaring at me with disbelief, his eyes gazing upon my Divine Aura, I knew exactly what he was feeling, frustration.
"Heh…"
But then he smiled, as his golden armor suddenly transformed into an armor of pure light, and his sword divided into two, at the same time as he sprouted four holy wings.
He seamlessly unleashed Spirit Fusion and Spirit Evolution on his own Spirits, assembled around his body.
Indeed, even that Divine Sword, which might have been at one point an actual relic, was also one of his spirits, he probably turned it into one.
-----