Cosmic Ruler

Chapter 63 Cilia

As they approached the open area, Cilia pulled her longsword with a fluid motion, the dazzling blade reflecting the sunlight. Jake followed suit, unsheathing his blade with accustomed ease. As they took their positions, the air crackled with expectation, and their gazes remained focused on overcoming the other.

With a nod of agreement, they began their match. Cilia rushed forward with precision, her strikes quick and deliberate. Jake returned her blows with similar passion, his motions fluent and accurate. The crash of steel reverberated throughout the open expanse as they traded blows, each testing the other's skill and determination.

The sound of swords clashing against each other echoed as both of them matched each other's pace.

Cilia's moves were graceful yet forceful, her swordsmanship refined over years of practice and experience. Jake matched her expertise with his own distinct approach, which combined speed and agility with strength and precision. Their swords swirled in the air, and the ferocity of their fight captivated everyone there.

As the battle progressed, it became apparent that they were evenly matched. Each parry and counter was met with another, neither eager to yield an inch. Sweat glistened on their brows as they pushed themselves to the edge, the adrenaline of combat driving their determination.

"They are evenly matched," Emily remarked, looking at them.

"Yes, it's my first time seeing Jake like this after coming out of our Village," Mark nodded and said.

"That is Master level Swordsmanship. Just what kind of monster is he?" Dio exclaimed. Up until now, he had never seen Jake in a full-blown fight, but now seeing him use Sword Aura, it became apparent that Jake was more of a monster than he thought.

"Jake is talented, yes," Emily and Mark nodded.

'Are they nuts? Can this even be called a talent?' Dio honestly thought, looking at the calm Emily and Mark. Unknown to him, they were already numb to the miracles Jake had caused since their time together in their village.

Despite their heated rivalry, they shared mutual respect. They competed not just to establish their own abilities, but also to push each other to greater heights. With each clash of swords, they understood each other, and their respect for the other party also soared.

After what seemed like an eternity, they both moved aside, swords down in a show of mutual respect.

"This won't do," Cilia shook her head and said.

"Yes, if we keep doing this, the match won't ever be decided," Jake nodded, and then both of them decided to use skills from now on.

As they continued their fight, Jake infused his sword attacks with the dark energy of his Dark Knight skills. Shadows swirled around his blade as he released devastating strikes.

Cilia, on the other hand, demonstrated an impressive level of adaptability. With her command of four separate elements, she infused elemental magic into her swordplay. Flames consumed her blade as she unleashed flaming slashes, punctuated by bursts of wind that increased her speed and agility.

Earth and water magic enhanced her strikes with layers of defense and unpredictability, allowing her to move fluidly and dynamically.

"Hmm, those are her elements," Mark nodded, seeing this.

"Each Epic swordsman has four elements; hers can be said to be all basic elements," Dio said.

"It's more of a disadvantage than an advantage," Emily remarked.

"That's true," Mark and Dio nodded.

Having all basic elements might seem great, but they fell short in front of hybrid elements like Lightning, Poison, Magma, Ice, and others.

"But, it also has more potential," Dio said.

"How?" Emily and Mark asked.

"I once read in the book of heroes that someone evolved his Four basic element Epic swordsman to superior Legendary swordsman with Magma, Ice, Crystal, and Tempest elements," Dio said.

".....That is a hell level difficulty. For that, he needed the cores of Spirit Kings," Mark shook his head and said.

"But, it's possible," Emily said.

"Indeed it is, but.. Jimmy has to hunt those Spirit Kings alone, and only then will they drop their cores,"

"Also from where is he going to find them," Mark said.

Dio and Emily nodded and focused on the match.

Despite their opposing styles, Jake and Cilia fought with equal tenacity. They moved precisely and attacked relentlessly. With each stroke, they attempted to outmaneuver and outsmart one another, putting their skill and sword art to the test.

As the conflict progressed, the tension increased. Sparks flew as their swords collided, resulting in a symphony of mayhem and destruction. Neither was willing to give up; both were motivated to win.

Finally, it ended up with Cilia's victory.

Cilia passed her hand to fallen Jake. "It was a good match."

"Yes," Jake took her hand and stood up.

"Well fought, Jake," Cilia said, wiping sweat from her brow.

"Likewise, Cilia," Jake replied with a smile.

"You guys can continue; I won't take any more of your time," Cilia said after some small talk, as she bid them goodbye

"phew, I hope, nobody else, drags me to fight" Jake said.

"Really?, but you seemed to enjoying this" Dio smiled and said.

"Am I?" Jake said and then everyone laughed.

"Hey guys , I am back" Jimmy said as he approached them.

"Pfft~ hahaha"

"hahahaha"

"hahaha, What is this?"

Jake and others looked at Jimmy and laughed out loud. Jimmy now looks like a beggar with various birds feather attached to him.

"It was that dammm, Oberon fault"

"He throws me at the nest of Cuckoo birds" Jimmy said as he removes feathers off him. Jake and others laughed as they helped him.

"Looks like you had quite the adventure," Emily chuckled, plucking a feather from Jimmy's hair.

"Yeah, thanks to Oberon's hospitality," Jake grinned, pulling out another feather.

"Oberon seems to have a knack for giving unforgettable experiences," Dio added, flicking a feather away.

"Tell me about it," Jimmy sighed, finally ridding himself of the last feather. "I thought I was going to be the next bird king."

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"Your village is like mine," Jake said as he looked at Mark's Village.

"I found a good spot like yours," Mark nodded and said.

Jake and others nodded.

Mark's village is adjacent to a beautiful lake, with a forest on one side, plains on another, and mountains on the third.

"It's like a perfect place to make a village," Dio said.

"Yes, mine is only near mountains and forest," Jake remarked.

They then followed Mark to his village.

Mark's village, unlike others, is a typical fairy village, with multicolored winged Fey folks wandering here and there.

[Now this is a textbook example of a fairy village,] Nexus commented.

"Right," Jake nodded.

The village is made up of many tree houses, with many of them modeled as shops too.

As they were admiring the dreamy scene, a loud thudding sound approached them slowly.

Turning their heads to the source, they saw a Giant.

"You have a Giant?" Dio exclaimed.

"Even I don't know how I got him," Mark said as he introduced his legendary Paladin to everyone.

"He is Ragruh, my Paladin Hero," Mark said as he pointed at the golden-haired and bearded giant.

The giant looked down and waved.

Jake and others waved back, and then the Giant, nodding, continued his patrol. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

"He looks powerful," Jake said.

"Nope, don't fight here," Mark dragged him to the next location upon hearing him.

Others laughed and followed after them.

Mark then introduced the Epic Blacksmith hero.

"He makes good equipment," Mark said, and the Dwarf's face visibly twitched.

"I meant, my friend Jimmy has a Legendary Blacksmith, so compared to him, you make decent equipment," Mark tried to explain, and his Epic Dwarf nodded and went back to work.

"He surely is pissed off," Dio said, and others nodded.

Mark shrugged and then led them to the rest of his village tour.

"Here it is, my village specialty," Mark said as he passed them something like jelly.

Jake and others took it, and as they scooped it and put it in their mouths.

"Delicious~~"

"So good!"

"It's the best thing!"

"How cruel of you!"

"Yes, you have been monopolizing it all alone!"

"It's not," Mark refuted and said, "it started producing just a few days ago."

"So, you were monopolizing it," Jimmy teased.

Mark's lips twitched as Jimmy even snatched his share.

"What is this anyway?" Jake asked after finishing his jelly.

"It's called Elemental Dew," Mark said.

"It's made from a special plant, and it literally is a dew," Mark said.

Jake nodded and then asked, "Can we grow it?"

"You and Emily can, but I don't think they will grow underground," Mark said.

"It's a pity, but I will try to clear some ground above and then take its seed from you," Dio said.

Mark nodded, and after some more touring, they are now eating at an inn in Mark's village.

"What should we do next?" Jimmy asked.

"How about we go on a raid?" Dio suggested as he unfolded a map.

"Here is the location," he pointed out to a skull-faced tree.

"Is that the Lifeless Tree boss's location?" Emily asked.

"Yes, it's the same one," Dio nodded and said.

"Lifeless Tree is a special undead that still has some life in it, so it's not vulnerable to Holy damage. Its only weakness is fire," Mark remarked.

Others nodded, and then Jake asked, "What is its rank?"

"It's B+ rank," Dio said, and everyone looked at him as if he were a fool.

"We can hardly fight any normal B rank, and you're telling us to fight a B+ rank boss, and a gold grade one at that?" Mark asked.