Chapter 117
'Nihil Mandala, a slash that was never truly still from the very beginning.'
In the midst of a battlefield now filled with energy that nearly defied reason, the slashes of the Nihil Mandala Technique began to reappear in Theo's mind.
Each line of red ash that formed writhed like a startled worm before finally merging into a single decisive stream aimed straight at its target.
Such was the description spoken.
And the energy released was not merely a physical attack, but a manifestation of the ability to neutralize anything occurring in its path—a power capable of dimming an opponent's Lu Core and shaking their Parameters.
There were no exceptions.
This technique applied to anyone and anywhere, producing an effect that instantly shifted the battlefield into a more balanced state, even when the enemy had grown far beyond ordinary limits.
The slash, combined with Theo's Determination, Will, Intent, and Ambition, added a new dimension to a skill already terrifying in its base form.
Every direction of the slash was not just movement, but a strategy capable of reading and adapting to the enemy's energy.
Its intensity was felt not only in physical collisions, but also in the subtle effects on the opponent's internal energy, causing even the strongest Lu Core to dim as if acknowledging a dominance impossible to ignore.
This influence was invisible to ordinary observers, yet for anyone within range, the waves of neutralization brought a palpable shift in strength and potential.
The fusion of lethal technique and strategic thinking made Theo not merely an evader or a common fighter.
He was not just placing himself on the battlefield—he was directing his strength and will with exquisite precision, evaluating every enemy movement and exploiting every gap created by the neutralizing effect.
'Two techniques in a single breath.
Five directions that shake foundations, and four lines that unravel suffering.'
Moments later, the red-gray slashes of Nihil Mandala moved with astonishing agility, flowing toward their target in motions that first writhed before uniting into a single perfectly arranged stream.
No sword needed to be raised, yet every movement Theo made generated waves that influenced the space around him, suppressing the opponent's Lu Core and shaking their Parameters with nearly unimaginable precision.
Within the same flow, four slashes from the Technique Gate Opened, Suffering Unleashed appeared, moving in harmony with the swamp-green hue marking the distinct intensity of the energy coursing through Theo's body.
Those green slashes did not merely add layers of physical pressure—they affirmed precision and discipline, showing that each movement was not a mere reaction but a carefully integrated strategy shaped by his Will and Ambition.
The combination of the two techniques created a complex field where red-gray and swamp-green energies complemented one another, forming a network of movements demanding full attention from anyone caught within its reach.
Every slash moved with unmistakable intent, utilizing gaps formed from energy interactions and demonstrating that dominance in battle was not only about speed or strength but about how energy and Intent were directed in unison.
The surrounding environment reacted—dust rose, leaves and branches swayed with the waves of emerging power, adding a tangible dimension to a battlefield that seemed almost alive.
"One King, Nine Darknesses Rejoice!"
Fiiiih!
'Six slashes divided cleanly.
The first and second slashes moved from the left, following one another like a pair of beings born from the same current.
The third and fourth stabbed forward from the center—most stable, most silent, like the noiseless core of a growing storm.'
Ssssssh!
'And the fifth and sixth launched from the right—swift and feral, as if trying to strike before the others could reach.'
Dust and evening light blended across the battlefield, creating a tense atmosphere amid the vibrating energies in the air.
Erietta Bathee positioned her sword against her chest with perfect precision.
Its grip pressed close to her left armpit, and its tip pointed toward the sky, preparing to counter the incoming strikes.
The six slashes from the technique One King, Nine Darknesses Rejoice began to move, divided into three groups according to their trajectory.
The first and second descended from the left, the third and fourth from the center, while the fifth and sixth swept from the right.
Though its name hinted at darkness, the pale-violet glow emanating from each slash conveyed elegance and lightness, as if the flowing energy remained controlled even while pushing its limits.
Theo Vkytor observed every movement with sharp eyes, understanding the formation without needing direct contact, assessing direction and velocity with the precision of a warrior who fused instinct and experience.
The rhythm of the battle shifted as the slashes moved in layered yet orderly patterns.
From Theo's viewpoint, each group possessed a unique characteristic demanding different responses, forcing the opponent to read not only physical direction but also the flow of energy embedded in each motion.
The pale-violet slashes moved not only as tools of attack but as manifestations of an art that blended strategy and harmony of movement.
The surrounding environment reacted to the waves of energy—dust lifting, branches swaying, and light piercing through gaps in the trees—emphasizing each stance and motion as an integral part of a living battlefield.
Theo's presence at that side appeared calm yet vigilant, knowing that dominance in battle was not always achieved through brute strength but through the ability to read patterns and exploit the openings formed by an opponent's energy.
The combination of precision and awareness created a tension almost tangible in the air.
Each slash from the left, center, and right groups moved in unison with consistent pressure, forming a field where every step had to be calculated.
Theo adjusted his movements with each emerging gap, maintaining rhythm and safe distance while seizing every chance to read the flow of energy emanating from Erietta.
The pale-violet slashes brought not only physical threat but also a subtle psychological effect, forcing the opponent to restrain themselves and reevaluate every motion.
In this moment, strategy and intuition intertwined, shaping a battlefield far more complex than a mere duel of blades.
'Even nature screamed, as if trying to say that these two techniques should never meet in a fragile world like this.'
Dust and fragments of earth scattered across the battlefield, blending with the winds created by the clashes between Erietta's strikes and the energy radiating from Theo Vkytor.
Each time their forces met, the shockwaves produced effects felt not only by the body but also by the very environment around them.
Winds were born three times every two seconds, growing stronger and intensifying the battlefield further.
The sky above reflected the energy released—clouds rippling as if following the rhythm of each impact, giving the illusion that an apocalypse was being unrolled in the same moment.
Dust, branches, and leaves danced in the air, forming patterns not merely random but serving as silent witnesses to the uncontrollable power stretching beyond ordinary comprehension.
Every collision created waves of energy that vibrated through the surrounding space, making each movement feel more dramatic and tense.
Erietta's precise, methodical slashes met Theo's controlled energy, producing bursts that scattered in all directions.
Air particles trembled, temperature rose, and the field transformed into an arena where the laws of Flo Viva Mythology no longer applied.
To be continued…