32 The Hidarus Challenge Part 5 : Trial By Fire (2/2)
”Strike him! Now!”, Vargoz shouted.
As I placed both hands on Vargoz's handle, I placed the sword guard on my back left before charging at the Dark Knight. Using the buffs that Vargoz gave me, I quickly picked up speed.
”That's it, my boy! Close the distance and deal some damage!”, Vargoz shouted.
As I reached the Dark knight, it sensed my presence and raised its left-handed shield. As I increased the pressure on his shield, Vargoz advised me on an opportunity.
”I didn't expect to use this so soon but these are extraordinary circumstances, right? There's a way to beat this guy, the A rank Minotaur, and possibly even the Behemoths converging on our position in a reasonable time frame”, Vargoz cautiously stated.
”Really? What is it? I'm all ears, Vargoz. As you can see, I'm trying not to die at the moment so anything is better than nothing”, I said.
As Vargoz continued, the Dark Knight was regaining his composure, as he slowly began pushing back against the sword and began reaching for his dropped weapon.
”I mean...there's definitely a way to do it but I'm not sure if we should do it. The cost might be too high for someone like you...”, Vargoz stated.
Before Vargoz could finish, the Dark Knight rapidly performed a shield bash before quickly grabbing his sword and slicing me diagonally across my chest. As he left a large and bloody wound and ready to finish me off, Obsidian pounced on the Dark Knight and tried to bite through his armor. Obsidian essentially saved my life seconds before I lost it. While they were in the Altercation, I was laying on the floor and severely bleeding out. The Cyborg and one of the vampires rushed over to treat my wounds, as I started to cough up blood.
”Do you still”--cough, cough--”still think the cost could be too high by any chance?”, I said weakly.
”Well at this rate, I'll be the one who devours your soul, Dungeon Master. Before I tell you, I need to tell you a story. You see, after I was tricked into becoming a cursed sword, I gradually learned what I was able to do so I could still quench my bloodthirsty appetite. Things like applying buffs, teaching the user important knowledge, or even modifying the sword type for each enemy. However, back when I was first found by an unsuspecting hero, I noticed that he was able to draw out more power than I ever thought possible. Eventually, the adventurer hungered for more power and asked me if this was the best that I could do”, Vargoz said calmly.
As the Cyborg tried to stitch up the Dark Ice-infused wound, the Vampire used healing magic to support him.
”So what”--cough--”did you tell him? Was it possible?”, I asked weakly.
”Of course it was possible! I'm Vargoz after all! But...as you would expect, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Upon giving the adventurer more power, he gradually began to lose his mind and inched closer towards becoming 'corrupted'. Mind you, this was a hero who used to be a sweet person on the inside and what you would call a 'goody two shoes'. It was only later that I realized that by unlocking the power that was stored away, parts of my personality would seep into the brain of the user. Seeing as my original personality was very brutal, this was not an ideal situation for him. This meant that the nice hero who was pure and motivated by justice eventually turned into a sadistic, twisted, and corrupted 'hero', if you could still call him that”, Vargoz said.
”Why are you telling me this”--hard cough--”at this moment in time?”, I asked.
”Since I've grown fond of you and also don't want to be punished by Hidarus for losing, I'm giving you the opportunity to harness the power that's stored inside this sword and hopefully control it. The fact of the matter is, you are in no shape to take on Behemoths like the rest of your Dungeon members, Jordan. However, by utilizing my power, you could have an easier time reaching your goals of becoming the strongest Dungeon Master in Orune”, Vargoz stated.
”Oh yeah?”--cough--”and what's the catch?”, I asked.
”Usually, I would say there is no catch but I'll be honest with you since I like you. There's a chance, a slight chance mind you, that you'll lose yourself in the process and cause unknown destruction amongst Orune. You would eventually return back to your normal self but the timing of that would be unknown. The chances of becoming 'corrupted' are primarily based on the strength of your convictions. The chance is also increased when you possess feelings of hatred. I call it 'The Taint Of Hidarus'. Sounds good, right? I came up with the name. Anyway, you could get healed by this vampire and Cyborg, which are doing a decent job, and barely fight. Or you could unlock the taint and unleash hell upon the hostiles in front of you, effectively saving the Dungeon with your own two hands. It's up to you, of course. I'm just the messenger of opportunity after all”, Vargoz stated.
Vargoz may have told me that it was my choice but it was an offer that I didn't have the luxury to refuse.
That's right.
I'm essentially making a deal with the devil himself. Just to protect the Dungeon.
And hopefully, complete this Trial By Fire.