Child of Destiny

...…

Clink!

When the sword slash of Shin passed through the Golden Immortal, its glaive and body were split in half. Its body slid against each other in opposite directions before crumbling into multiple pieces like broken glasses.

But amid all of this, as well as the powerful explosion that accompanied the slash from Shin, Ashura was revealed standing while horizontally holding his sword ruler to block the residual force that the Golden Immortal had failed to withstand.

He looked miserable due to how powerful the previous attack was. Even the Cosmic Energy that was surrounding his body was flickering nonstop, seemingly nearing being extinguished. But it was still amazing that he was able to hold his ground in the end despite all of that.

The live audience in the special stand and online viewers watching the live broadcast saw how terrifying the skill last skill that Shin had used was as it seemed to have transcended dimensions and could split the world itself.

They all thought that Ashura would have died at that time. At the same time, they thought that this battle was already decided. Given the current state that Ashura was in and the flickering powers that lacked any strength, they were sure that Shin had already won this battle.

Even those people who were keeping an eye on this battle very closely due to their bets on the gambling sites could not help but sigh in emotion.

"It looks like the Battle God will continue his winning streak."

They all believed this and thought that the outcome of this battle had already been decided. At least until they saw the next course of events.

Ashura, who was currently in an extremely miserable state suddenly raised his head. His eyes shone brightly as he looked at his head, staring at Shin in the distance.

He then held the [Heavenly Meteor] with both of his hands and raised it over his head, seemingly mimicking Shin's actions in the previous exchange.

Seeing that Ashura was taking such a stance, Shin could not help but feel threatened. His danger senses when too extreme ass he felt that something was wrong.

But before he could even respond, Ashura suddenly swung the sword ruler, completely copying the previous movements that Shin had done.

Shing!

Then, just like what happened earlier, the world seemed to have been split by that stroke from Ashura. It repeated the earlier scene but in a reverse situation. This time, Shin was the one, who was on the receiving end of this overwhelming attack.

'Imperial Family Secret Art: Killing Move – Revenge Slash'

Swoosh!

When the dimension was split into halves, Shin, who was standing in the distance and the Eclipse Dragon, who regrouped with its master, were swept with this attack.

Boom!

The Eclipse Dragon was split in half along with the space itself and died in the process. Such an overwhelming attack could not be blocked by normal means.

Shin was quick enough to use one of his equipment skills at the last moment.

'Equipment Skill (Body Armor: Maximillian): Life Forcefield'

This skill enhanced his defense drastically. It also summoned a brilliant light barrier that protected him from harm. But all of this was not enough to save him from this powerful attack.

The people watching this scene could not help but gulp hard as they saw the sudden turn of events. They also saw that Shin's health bar went straight to being emptied after that attack.

A counterattack! A massive counterattack! An absolute comeback!

The live audience and online viewers went wild when they saw this scene. They were still in the process of accepting that Shin had already won this battle but it seemed like the Martial God had turned the tables right at the final moments.

But before the people from the gambling sites, who betted on Ashura's victory, could rejoice at the sudden reversal, something unexpected happened.

Everyone suddenly noticed that Shin refused to fall and remained standing. That was when they all noticed that Shin's Health Bar suddenly stopped dropping when it reached the 1% mark.

Another lifesaving skill was activated.

'Equipment Skill (Body Armor: Maximillian): Death Exemption'

It was a skill that made him escape death after receiving a fatal strike that could end his life.

Before his life bar dropped even further, Shin immediately activated the second effect of the skill and converted most of his remaining mana to health points.

At the same time, another passive effect of his equipment was also triggered by the event and restored his Health Bar to 50%.

'Equipment Skill (Leg Armor: Megumi's Shadow): Life Recall'

Seeing this scene, those people who had been following Shin for a long time could not help but remember another event.

This exact scene was similar to what Shin had done during one of his previous battles – more specifically the one that he had with Immortal during his first Godly Challenge Right.

Recalling that scene, these people could already guess what was going to happen next.

Shin's next move immediately came.

'Equipment Skill (Body Armor: Maximillian): Life Revenge'

It was a skill that could only be used when the 'Death Exemption' skill was activated.

Its effects were to return 10% of the total damage that he had received during the 'Death Exemption', which was the fatal strike. Additionally, more damage would be added to it based on the amount of HP that was restored during the converse of his mana.

Shin swung his sword and sent a powerful sword wave on top of the effects of the 'Life Revenge' skill that he just used.

'Myriad Transformation Swordsmanship: Eclipse Slash'

Swoosh!

The sword wave cut through the air and almost arrived in front of Ashura within an instant.

Another reversal! Another comeback!

Seeing this scene, the players watching both live and online were sure that this was the end. Given the current state that Ashura was in, they were sure that this should be the end of this duel.

But they raised their flag way too early as Ashura did something impossible once again.

Right before the sword wave reached him, a dark shadow, resembling a death god, appeared behind Ashura.

It stood with the huge scythe in its hands before the same apparition appeared behind Shin.

'Elemental Spirit Skill: Sacred Sacrifice'

Shin was not sure what was happening, but he instantly sensed the aura of death binding his body.

Due to his current state, he was too exhausted to do anything. Instead, he followed his instincts and used one of the ocular skills that he had, which was the only thing that he could do at the moment.

'Legacy Skill: Duplicator's Eyes – Copy'

Right after the skill was activated, the skill that Ashura had used was instantly copied.

*Ding*

System: Skill has been copied. Initiating the skill conversion to match your attributes.

System: Congratulations! You have successfully learned the 'Death's Execution' Skill.

Right after the notification rang in his ears, Shin quickly activated it without bothering to look at what it was or read about its effects.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Two more apparitions of the Death God appeared behind the two right before the sword wave hit Ashura.

Boom!

And when the Eclipse Slash hit Ashura, the apparitions behind the two raised their scythes and swung at them.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

This skill was similar to the 'Life Revenge' skill that Shin had under his arsenal, but it would return 100% of the damage to the opposition when the user of the skill received a fatal attack.

But at the same time, it would not save the user from the previous attack, which indicated that they would still receive the same damage.

With the scythes of death about to hit them, Shin and Ashura simultaneously raised their hands and cast another skill to themselves.

'Elemental Skill (Light): Sacred Light'

'Battle Cleric Skill: Healing Stream'

Lights fell on the body of the two, restoring a decent amount of their health. This amount might not be strong, but they were more than enough to make them survive the scythes of deaths that were directed at them.

The two did not care about the damage that they suffered and the current state that they were in. They quickly urged their body to move and proceed with the battle.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

'Slayer Skill: Moonlight Steps'

'Battle Cleric Skill: Heaven's Movement'

The two disappeared from their respective position – one turning into a streak of light that flew forward while the other teleported himself – appearing right in front of each other once again.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of intense collisions immediately followed as their swords transformed into blurs that repeatedly clashed against one another.

Slashes, cuts, cleaves, thrusts, stabs, and more series of attacks were executed by the two, showcasing their respected swordsmanship, particularly their foundation.

Their collisions did not slow down or become less intense despite their current exhausted states. They stubbornly held their ground.

Then, when they finally reached their limits, the two forced their opposition to retreat before taking up their signature stance.

Shin took his sword-drawing stance while channeling his energy on the sheathed sword and black-and-white lightning danced around his body.

Ashura, on the other hand, stood still and took a high sword stance while the flames of the starry energy covered his body and sword. He was getting ready to slam that sword down and cut everything in front of him.

The two tacitly understood that this would be the final exchange, so they had to put everything on this move.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

The two simultaneously moved in the next instant.

Shin transformed into a streak of light that charged forward, swiftly unsheathing his sword, and strongly swinging it forward during the entire process.

Click!

'Jade Kirin Scripture: Quick Draw – Moonlight Splitter'

Shing!

This particular move that he usually regularly used before had turned into something different after he applied the principles of the Swift Sword, Sharp Sword, and Strong Sword in the process.

In the meantime, Ashura embodied the fundamental techniques of his stance while infusing his insights into it. He swung the sword ruler down as it carried everything – his burden, his enlightenment, his resolve, and everything else.

'Imperial Family Secret Art: Personalized Move – Heavenly Stroke'

Swoosh!

A flash of light briefly blinded everyone when the two exchanged their moves.

Ashura remained standing on his spot while maintaining the final posture of his previous strike while Shin brushed past him and stood a couple of meters away behind.

The two maintained their respective positions for a couple of seconds before relaxing their bodies.

Shin stood straight as he sheathed his sword while Ashura raised the sword ruler and rested it on his shoulders.

They simultaneously turned around and looked at each other, observing the other party.

"That is fun! Let's do this again in the upcoming tournaments, especially the Hegemon Cup, and decide the real winner," said Ashura.

Shin slightly nodded his head as he replied. "I am looking forward to it."

Then, all of a sudden, deep wounds suddenly appeared on their bodies.

There was a horizontal cut on Ashura's waist, almost separating his lower and upper body, while a long wound staring from Shin's left shoulder to his left waist appeared.

Then their bodies slowly turned into specks of lights that were gradually dissipating in the air.

The result of this battle was finally decided.

Result – Draw!

…

When the people saw the result, they could not help but stay still and stared blankly at the air in front of them.

To make sure that they were not seeing things, they rubbed their eyes and looked at the notification once again, trying to see if it would change.

When they finally recovered, they could not help but burst into an intense uproar!

The result was secondary as the battle itself was already satisfying. Each side took turns controlling the battle and showcasing their respective styles and battle prowess, which shocked everyone.

Those final exchanges were even more entertaining as the rollercoaster of emotions overwhelmed them. The comeback after comeback and reversal after reversal almost took the souls of everyone, particularly those from the gambling sites.

Everyone was more than willing to spend for another round of such a banger battle. Unfortunately, the rules that Ashura had set for this challenge right was an all-or-nothing duel instead of a series of round battles.

Even David and Miss Bunny, who were commentating on the battle, could not help but have a string of emotions as they did not know how to respond to it.

Regardless, they continued to discuss the battle and went into detail, giving the viewers an in-depth understanding of the battle. This also helped everyone to calm their nerves down, especially the ones who put large bets on the gambling sites.

Who would have guessed that this was going to end in a draw?

Even the gambling companies could not believe that they earned more than they had expected, resulting in Shin and Ashura gaining extra pocket money through special commissions.

To conclude the broadcast video, David looked straight at the camera and said. "My friends out there, can you feel it? A newly promoted god is rapidly rising."

"A few months prior, he is a nameless swordsman, who knew nothing about the game. He then became both a Titled Ranker and a Maverick Ranker with unofficial title at the same time, then became what he is today."

"The wolf is coming, so you better watch out!"

"And see you again at the United Cup!"

...…