Chapter 6 - Enlightenment Through Battle! (2/2)

There was only one way to guarantee their safety. Will steeled his resolve and looked straight at Modus.

”As long as you can guarantee the safety of my family, I will do anything you say.” Will's face looked grave as he said this. Modus could tell that this was a difficult decision to make. He essentially gave up his free will. Although Will already belonged to Modus, now he had a real reason to work hard. So Modus was more than happy to oblige.

”Of course, Adelda is already on it. She is looking over your family as we speak. She is even making sure that they get great classes.” Will breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. Now he could put all his effort into grinding in the dungeon. He was about to continue talking when he suddenly had an idea.

”I only have one more request.”

...

A few hours later Modus was looking at Will, who was stretching his arms lazily. Since he had a mask, Will couldn't see Modus' facial expression. If he could, he would see the astonishment on his face.

”Young man, I have to say I'm impressed.” Modus sighed.

”Hhmm?” Will looked at Modus, not really sure what he meant.

”When you asked me for a favor, I wasn't really expecting that. I am impressed you have so much foresight.” Modus really was impressed. He wasn't joking like earlier.

Will could tell this, so he was surprised. He wasn't used to Modus being so...sincere. To be honest, it creeped Will out.

”Alright, to show how pleased I am with what you just did, I will give you a gift.”

Suddenly, in Modus' right hand appeared a sword, or to be more precise a katana. Modus threw the katana to Will; he caught it by the handle and immediately tightened his grip, holding it felt natural. The katana looked old and rusty. It was even chipped in some places. The first one Modus had given him had been clean and seemed new, but this looked like it could break at any second.

Wait, where did the first sword go? I'm pretty sure just before I was teleported here; I was holding it in my hand.

The same sensation that occurred to Will before occurred again. The sword felt like an extension of his arm. He felt like he had been using swords for years. The katana had a natural feel to it, with an air of familiarity that, ordinarily, shouldn't have been there for an introverted nerdy gamer-kid.

”Boy! Think fast!”

As soon as Will heard this, his body felt strange. All of the hairs on his skin stood on end, his senses heightened, his heart rate quickened, his mind suddenly felt like it was in danger. Only one word resonated in his mind. Death!

Something dangerous was approaching Will at lightning speed. Will looked up to see what it was and saw that Modus had another sword in his hand. He was a few steps away from Will. Modus took a large stride forward and swung his long katana down. The sheer force of this swing caused the wind around them to become violent, killing intent spilled from Modus' body like lava from an active volcano.

Will was scared. He didn't want to die. The killing intent spilling from Modus was like a mountain; so heavy it made Will unable to move. Will panicked. His brain started going into overdrive.

Why does he want to kill me?

There was no doubt that if Will didn't move, Modus would kill him. Will's instinct told him this.

Damn it! If I don't move I'll die!

Will's blood started pumping, his yuan rapidly moved through his spiritual veins, giving him strength. The little bit of knowledge he had gleaned from the Solitary Sword Sovereign suddenly came into his mind. These words were something he had ignored, but now he for some reason they were entering his mind

His senses went into overdrive, so much that time seemed to slow down. The sword that was moving towards his head seemed to stand still, Modus as well.

That's when Will fully recollected the words.

'The path of the sword is the path of death. The sword is not a toy, neither is it merely a tool. It is a weapon designed to kill. The best way to master such a weapon is to master its aspects. In other words, to master the sword is to master death. You must understand death; let it permeate your very soul.

Death must become even more important than your brother, you should focus on it more than you do your sister, you should love it more than you do your mother and you should learn from it more than you do from your father.

Understand death.

Use it.

Master it.

Become a Sovereign of death, and the Dao of the sword shall become your slave!'

Will had read these words, but he hadn't fully understood them. He knew that there was some profound message, so he had been processing it subconsciously the entire time but to no avail.

It was only in this situation, where his life was in danger, that Will finally understood the meaning behind those words.

Will gained enlightenment!