The Heart is a Void: Ashes to Ashes

"Your next quest will be to enter a dungeon just beside this building, known as the Battodo Trial," said Hiroto, "You will be challenged by a series of enemies in groups of three. Try to defeat at least three waves of enemies, and you may leave after that. The further waves of enemies will soon become too strong for you to fight. Only the sword may be used as a weapon, but you may use buffs, shields and healing spells. Before I give you the keys to the dungeon, please use the sword EXP gained from defeating Sensei, and use it to gain additional skills and passives. This time, it is your choice which skills to develop, but I would recommend focusing on passive skills that improve your grip and footwork."

Crucis glanced at his character profile, and saw that he had 30 points to allocate to sword skills. He saw that the sword skill tree gave him several options from this point, and looked carefully to determine which skills would lead in the correct direction to get skills he would need later. For the moment, he had the following options:

[Slice | Active skill, attacks opponent by drawing the blade across their skin to cause more damage. Chance of inflicting the bleeding status effect.]

[Cost: 3 skill points.]

[Duel Vision (passive) | Places a single opponent in focus by blurring the surrounding scene, allowing you to more easily size up your opponent. Do not activate against multiple opponents.]

[Cost: 4 skill points.]

[Low feet (passive) | Enhances footwork, and keeps your feet low to the ground to avoid giving the opponent any openings.]

[Cost: 5 skill points.]

[Warding (passive) | Allows you to stay at a distance from opponents, and use a ward based on a certain selected move. That move will gain doubled movement speed if you use it when the opponent approaches.]

[Cost: 10 skill points.]

[Rising thrust | Active skill, thrusts with your sword rising from a lowered position.]

[Cost: 5 skill points.]

[Angles (passive) | Allows you to strike freely towards your opponent across 8 angles of attack.]

[Cost: 10 skill points.]

[Strong blow | Active skill, hard but slow strike at the opponent.]

[Cost: 15 skill points.]

Crucis considered carefully, and tried to come up with an appropriate plan for combat. The costly [Strong blow] skill didn't seem that useful, especially for a character focused on Agility. He chose [Warding (passive)], [Rising Thrust], [Angles (passive)], and [Low feet (passive)]. Hiroto nodded, on noticing that he had chosen three passive skills, but seemed a bit perturbed when the Knight GemsBond used up most of his 20 skill points on the [Strong blow].

Crucis knew that the Duel Vision and Slice skills would be worth picking up later, but since they were fighting three NPC opponents it did not seem necessary immediately. However, he had made a tentative plan to use [Warding] in order to size up opponents from a distance with the occasional [Slash] or [Feint], and if they attacked to use his high Agility and skills like [Agile Step] to easily get a first hit and the momentum. The [Angles] passive would allow him to attack quickly and from any angle when approached, while the [Low feet] skill seemed necessary because it would strengthen footwork. This set-up would allow him to judge NPC behaviour and adjust appropriately, as well as sizing up opposing players.

Once all of the players were prepared, Hiroto gave them a [Battodo Trial Key]. He said that they could enter the trial once per week, and it would give good sword EXP. This time was for training, so it would not use up their weekly chance and they could try again later in the week. They should seek him or another instructor here for access to the dungeon, which was instanced and required a group of three for players who were below level 200. Presumably high-level players were able to get through much of it solo, and were thus allowed in.

The building next to the [Kruxol Sword Training] facility was built from slightly rotting wood, but still had an ornately carved wooden, triangular roof that grew upwards into a long, sharp point. The roof was decorated by a few gold letters that seemed to have eroded away, but Crucis could recognise that they were based on some of the ancient runes which he had read about in the book about the Fountain of Gold. After using the key to unlock the firm, wooden door, the party of three entered a large, empty room which had wood over its windows and a long, purple carpet across the edges of the room. There were small patterns etched into the floor in the centre of the room.

"Where are the enemies?" asked GemsBond quizzically.

"Just wait," said Crucis.

There was a small buzzing as the small symbols etched into the floor begun to glow faintly, and three ghostly figures appeared in the centre of the room. The figures appeared as young men wearing a white shirt, and they were each labelled [Dedicated Trainee], with a level of 30.

As Crucis' party approached these three enemies, each of the trainees split off to face one member of Crucis' team each. Crucis gazed at his opponent, and saw that they were holding their blade extended forwards and to the side, as if expecting to cut from Crucis' right side. This Trainee seemed to be left-handed. Crucis guessed that this first set of enemies would be an easier fight, as the opponents supposedly became more difficult over time. He used [Warding], and chose to prepare the move [Rising thrust]. He found that his left leg was placed forwards, with his sword pointed forwards and downwards across the right side. He relaxed his arm, letting his sword fall loosely near the ground to invite his opponent to attack. He saw that the Mage DigdugMan, to his left, had used [Warding] with a different prepared attack and had his sword raised behind his right shoulder to slash.

Crucis made sure to remain out of the opponent's range, and activated the [Oppose] skill to avoid counterattacks. He was fairly confident of getting the first strike against this opponent.

As the Trainee rushed towards him, with his sword firmly on Crucis' right, Crucis' arm sprung up in a [Rising thrust] that struck the Trainee firmly below the nose. Crucis angled his blade slightly to the right, cutting off the Trainee's planned cut and shuffling the Trainee's sword away. Having struck successfully, Crucis roughly withdrew his sword, worsening the wound slightly, and backstepped quickly out of range. His feet shuffled nimbly near the ground. Glancing above the Trainee's head, he saw that his initial strike had reduced the Trainee to 40% HP. This fight seemed likely to end quickly.

There was a thud to his left, as DigdugMan and the Trainee he was fighting against had lost balance after a few hard blows against each other's swords, and they began fighting haphazardly along the ground.

Crucis stayed at a distance from the Trainee he was fighting. As the Trainee moved quickly towards him and prepared for a thrust forwards, he used [Dodge Step] to easily backstep out of range. The Trainee reacted with more frustration than Crucis would have expected from an NPC, and began to charge towards Crucis. Crucis saw that the Trainee was raising his legs high and running in Crucis' direction, perhaps in an effort to be intimidating. The Trainee was approaching and preparing another cut from Crucis' right, so, as the Trainee was running, Crucis used [Agile Step] forwards and left, then used a firm [Slash] towards his opponent's neck, missing slightly and hitting the Trainee's upper chest. This still winded his opponent, so he bounded forwards and passed the opponent's right shoulder, angling his blade up over the opponent's shoulder to block the Trainee's attempt at a wild counter-attacking slash.

Standing behind the opponent, Crucis aimed a firm [Lunge] below the opponent's ribcage and slightly towards the Trainee's left, and this thrust through the opponent's skin as he tried to turn slowly around. Crucis saw the Trainee fall to the ground, dead.

He heard a soft cry from DigdugMan, and saw that these Trainee were marked as boss enemies, so the Mage was in slight pain after being scratched across the face while on the ground. However, he was now being more cautious, and staying distant from his opponent while using [Warding] to parry his opponent's attacks swiftly.

"Prepare Clay Enchantment," said Crucis, as he set upon DigdugMan's opponent from behind with a harsh horizontal [Slash] from the right, followed by tilting his wrist to move his sword upwards and to the left, seguing into an [Overhead Slash] that jaggedly scraped the edge of the Trainee's neck. Staggering slightly, the Trainee still managed to turn around quickly after Crucis' second strike, but found that Crucis had already backstepped out of range. Crucis used [Warding], and prepared a [Parry] skill to anticipate a high strike from the opponent. He entered a stance with his slightly-tilted sword held horizontally in front of his face on his right side, with his elbows pointed backwards and away from himself. As the Trainee struck at him with a high cut near shoulder-height, Crucis used [Parry] and let the point of his blade drop until the Trainee's sword deflected off the centre of his sword, then dropped his elbows and used a [Lunge] to thrust at the enemy below the chest.

He used his sword to shove the opponent's sword away as he took a few steps back. The Trainee was now at only 35% HP. As Crucis used [Warding] again and prepared to parry any oncoming attack, he saw the Trainee give up on attacking Crucis with a high cut, and lower his sword to the lower chest area. Crucis also lowered his stance, and brought his sword in front of him, holding it near his hips while pointing it horizontally upwards in the direction of his opponent. As the Trainee offered a tentative cut towards Crucis' chest, Crucis quickly parried using the Agility boost, easily catching the Trainee's sword as it approached. Crucis stepped backwards to avoid any follow-up, and found that the Trainee was hesitant to pursue because of the risk of counter-attack.

This had given DigdugMan the time to prepare his [Clay Enchantment], and he struck hard at the Trainee with an [Overhead Slash]. The Trainee had noticed his movements, and spun around quickly to parry, but his sword barely scratched the Mage's heavy blow, and the Trainee fell sprawling to the floor. After a couple of seconds, the Trainee sprung up nimbly from the floor, only to catch the swinging blade of Crucis' [Slash] to the face. The Trainee fell lifelessly to the ground, as quickly as he had risen, and two of the opponents were dead.

While GemsBond was faring decently, and had reduced his enemy to 30% HP, he seemed to be walking slightly unsteadily after a few blows around the head and neck region. Using his shield, he had managed to block several attacks, and respond with a hefty [Strong blow] using his heavy sword to slash at the enemy in retaliation. This was risky, as the Knight's slow and cumbersome movements made him vulnerable, and the slow wind-up of the [Strong blow] move left him vulnerable to unexpected blows. However, since this level of opponents was the easiest in the dungeon, he was still able to gain an advantage.

Crucis and DigdugMan descended quickly on the remaining Trainee. Crucis used a [Feint] as the Trainee spun towards him, feigning a [Slash] at the Trainee's face before using [Agile Step] instead to leap behind the Trainee. As the Trainee raised his blade to parry Crucis, DigdugMan struck with a lower [Slash] near the ribs. Crucis took advantage of this distraction to use [Forceful Kick], barreling his opponent to the ground, and GemsBond finally killed the Trainee with [Strong blow].

A system message appeared, saying:

[Congratulations, you have defeated the first wave of Trial enemies!

The next wave of enemies will spawn in one minute. You may use that time to rest and prepare for the battle.]

Crucis noticed that he had looted a [Notebook and Pencil] from the Dedicated Trainee. The Trainee carrying a notebook was probably a way of representing their dedication to studies. Regardless, Crucis used the spare minute to jot down the runes he saw decorating the ground in this building. He felt the lighting and tone of the room change slightly as he drew these, but this effect was still quite faint. The other party members were leaning on the walls trying to catch their breath.

After the minute ended, the symbols in the middle of the room began to glow faintly again. Crucis told his party members to get ready, and stood carefully facing where the last opponents had spawned. This wave of opponents spawned in the same place as the last, and were named [Disciplined Youth]. They were level 40, right-handed, and held a sword with some ceremonial gems and ribbon around the hilt. The teams of three prepared to face off, with each opponent focusing on one member of Crucis' party.

Crucis observed his opponent, and saw that this [Disciplined Youth] seemed to be holding his sword flat at around hip length, preparing for a cut. Crucis took up a lower guard with [Warding], preparing a [Rising thrust] by leaving his sword pointing forwards towards the ground in a relaxed manner. As the [Disciplined Youth] came at him, leaning low to make a stiff strike above Crucis' hips, Crucis rose his sword to [Parry] and then stepped away. He saw the opponent raise their sword high over their head, as if preparing for an overhead move. He used [Warding] to prepare a parry, then held out his sword in front of him. As his opponent approached him, he prepared a tentative slash towards their shoulders, which the [Disciplined Youth] comfortably parried. Crucis leapt back, and prepared for his opponent's next attack.

The [Disciplined Youth] were not as easily frustrated as the last enemy, but still seemed to be impatient and eager to launch an attack. As they struck at Crucis again, with a wide slash from Crucis' right side, he used [Dodge Step] to backstep out of harm's way, and the sword flew harmlessly through the air. The opponent gathered his sword after the swing, and prepared for another hard high slash from Crucis' left, but as they moved forwards Crucis struck with a fast [Slash] across a top-left diagonal that slithered noisily past the opponent's blade and struck near the base of their neck. Deflecting the opponent's strike due to the angle of his blade, Crucis drew back quickly and created some distance from his opponent's blade.

As the opponent approached him, Crucis used [Feint] to throw a convincing, sharp [Slash] from the right, then, as the opponent prepared for this, Crucis slipped his blade away from theirs and instead used [Agile Step] to reach a crouching position just behind his opponent's shoulder. There, he struck with a fierce [Slash] across the opponent's legs from behind, sending his opponent falling backwards to the ground. Backing off as the [Disciplined Youth] flailed at him, he saw that the opponent only had 60% HP remaining. With his opponent on the ground, Crucis knew that they were vulnerable if they couldn't anticipate his attacks, and they would have to try and get back up to avoid becoming an easy target.

Crucis used [Stealth Cloak], and saw that his opponent became highly alert as soon as he did so. Nonetheless, he hovered near the fallen opponent, and struck hard with a [Slash] near the neck as his opponent tried to leap back up. This caused his opponent to fall back down, and Crucis took advantage of the surprise attack to thrust his sword firmly into the opponent's sword arm with [Lunge], which appeared more akin to a stab when the enemy was grounded. The [Disciplined Youth] seemed to let out a faint yelp, and tried to counter-attack but found it difficult after the puncture to his arm. As the fallen opponent tried to rally with his sword, Crucis struck right above it with a [Slash] that struck the opponent's neck and drew blood. The [Disciplined Youth] had only 15% HP remaining, and this was draining rapidly as he bled. Crucis smiled lightly as the opponent's sword clattered back to the ground after Crucis' strike.

The [Disciplined Youth] kept trying to squirm their way to their feet. Keeping his sword over the opponent's, Crucis directed a [Forceful Kick] at the opponent's face to kick them back to the ground. He withdrew the [Vile Toxin Gas] from his inventory, and sprayed it over the opponent, who died as an array of small cuts formed across their face and shielding arms.

As his intense focus lifted, Crucis heard the sound of muffled groans and cries from across the room. The other players in his team were clearly beginning to feel some pain from this fight. Crucis saw with some alarm that GemsBond was already at 40% HP, having difficulty against an opponent who is willing to hang back and carefully take advantage of the Knight's slow strikes. DigdugMan was doing better, and using his healing spell to keep his HP above 70%, but seemed to be taking a few strikes when rushing in to attack the opponent. However, due to the [Clay Enchantment], which he had carefully prepared before the start of this fight, he had managed to land a few hard blows against this opponent.

Crucis crept towards GemsBond's opponent, and saw that the Knight was by now hanging back carefully. As Crucis used [Slash], the opponent quickly spun around and deflected it with a [Parry], causing Crucis to quickly backstep away. He realised that, since this opponent wasn't under any direct pressure from GemsBond, it had been an inopportune moment to attack. As GemsBond now tried to strike with a [Strong blow], the opponent deftly turned back and parried this.

Crucis pointed at the hilt of the Knight's blade, then used [Stealth Cloak] to crouch and move near the opponent. He heard GemsBond attempt a [Slash] which was also parried, and then Crucis swung a [Slash] move quickly at the back of the opponent's legs. The opponent begun falling backwards, and he heard a thud as GemsBond followed his instructions and used a [Hilt Blow] to smash the opponent hard into the ground. Crucis quickly recovered his footing, and took advantage of the falling opponent to twist his wrists swiftly up and then hit with an [Overhead Slash] at the fallen opponent's face. He then jumped backwards quickly for safety. As he saw the Knight preparing a [Strong blow], he stepped forwards and used a [Lunge] to the face which the grounded opponent quickly parried. This left his opponent open for GemsBond's [Strong blow], which crashed hard into the opponent below the chest. The wounded [Disciplined Youth] shuddered slightly, and GemsBond killed them with a strong [Slash] to the face.

Crucis turned to the last remaining [Disciplined Youth]. This one was putting up a firm resistance from 20% HP, and Crucis saw that the other two opponents dying had given a 40% HP boost to the one remaining. While Crucis managed to land a [Slash] on this opponent's shoulder, he saw the opponent swivel towards him and start to approach. Crucis used [Warding] to prepare a parry, and held his sword horizontally across his face again. As he predicted, the vengeful opponent attempted a high overhead strike, but Crucis easily raised his blade to [Parry], and quickly aimed a [Forceful Kick] at his opponent who went hurtling backwards towards GemsBond. The Knight heftily swung a [Strong blow] at the unprepared [Disciplined Youth], knocking the opponent to the ground. Crucis saw that DigdugMan was trying to use [Mana Strike] to repel his opponent, but the opponents in this dungeon had very high resistance to magic and shrugged this off.

The [Disciplined Youth] quickly rolled back to his feet, and struck an approaching GemsBond with a sharp cut to the head. This was followed by another cut to GemsBond's sword hand, causing the Knight to drop his sword. Although Crucis tried to intervene with a [Slash], it was clear that the opponent had decided that it was open season on the Knight, and a firm thrust near the gut was enough to kill the Knight. The team was now down to two players. Crucis quickly struck the [Disciplined Youth] with an angled [Overhead Slash] to the back of the neck while the opponent was still drawing his sword out of the dead Knight. DigdugMan followed this up with a [Lunge] using [Clay Enchantment], which heavily damaged the [Disciplined Youth]. Finally, Crucis killed the opponent with a [Slash] to the neck. The second wave of opponents had been defeated.

A system message appeared:

[Congratulations, you have defeated the second wave of Trial enemies!

Since you are low-level, and do not have a team of three any more, a version of the last opponent you faced will be added to your team to make sure that you have even numbers for your next fight. They will support your team, but be careful not to attack them.

The next wave of enemies will spawn in one minute. You may use that time to rest and prepare for the battle.]

Crucis scrawled down the few runes that he hadn't managed to record previously, then leant against a wall to recover. Defeating the last wave of opponents had lifted him to level 48.

"We should be okay, if it adds a Disciplined Youth to our party then they will probably keep one opponent tied up," said Crucis, "We can kill them after that for the loot and EXP."

DigdugMan laughed, then turned towards the centre of the room as four figures materialised there. Three of them were level 50.

The third wave had begun.