A thunderous explosion echoed through the chamber as the force of the attack engulfed Vritra. The darkness that shrouded him dispersed, revealing a defeated and beheaded figure. Vritra's monstrous form gradually reverted to its original state, and his power diminished.
Karna breathed heavily, his chest rising and falling with exertion. He had emerged victorious, defeating Vritra and overcoming the trials of the 20th floor of the Tower of Trials.
As the dust settled and the echoes of battle faded, Karna took a moment to catch his breath and collect himself. He turned to Shaurya, patting him on the side, grateful for his unwavering support and fierce loyalty.
"Well done, Shaurya," Karna said, his voice filled with admiration. "We make a formidable team."
Shaurya barked in response, his eyes gleaming with pride. He was a valuable companion and protector throughout the challenging battle.
"But Vritra is already dead, Then who will be fighting?"
Karna pondered for a moment, considering the offer to retry the level for higher rewards. However, he knew Vritra, the Guardian of the 20th floor, had already been defeated. But he wanted to see which rewards are higher than Vritra's blood drop.
"Alright then, Please select 'Yes'."
Karna decided to give it a try and selected "Yes" to retry the level for higher rewards. He was curious to see what additional challenges or rewards awaited him on the 20th floor of the Tower of Trials.
As he confirmed his choice, the chamber around him began to shift back to its unharmed form while all the damage started to repair itself.
The chamber slowly returned to its pristine state, the cracks on the walls mending themselves, and the debris disappearing. Karna and Shaurya stood at the centre, surrounded by the renewed grandeur of the chamber.
The air filled with anticipation as the chamber transformed, revealing a new challenge that awaited Karna.
The dim light gave way to a soft glow, casting an ethereal ambience. The atmosphere crackled with energy, hinting at the intensity of the trials to come.
"Huh? How am I still alive?"
Karna's eyes widened in surprise as Vritra emerged from the same spot he had been defeated earlier. The defeated Guardian of the 20th floor stood before him once again, his form intact and his dark aura pulsating with renewed vigour.
"I see you chose to retry the level, Karna," Vritra spoke, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "But know this, the Tower of Trials is not so easily conquered. I have been granted a second chance to test your mettle."
Karna immediately summoned Kusanagi in its unsheathed form tightening his grip on Kusanagi, his brows furrowing in determination.
He understood that this time he faced a resurrected Vritra, and the challenge ahead would be even more demanding.
"Very well, Vritra," Karna responded, his voice steady. "If you seek to test my mettle once again, I accept your challenge."
"Asura's Wrath"
As Karna uttered the name of his skill, "Asura's Wrath," his aura surged with power, radiating a fiery intensity.
His muscles started to bulge, and his eyes glowed with fierce determination. Karna unleashed his full might, tapping into the divine power within him.
Vritra, taken aback by the sudden surge in Karna's power, prepared himself for the battle ahead. He knew that Karna had reached another level of strength, and defeating him would not be an easy task.
The two adversaries locked eyes, the air thick with tension. The chamber became a battlefield once again, as Karna charged forward with blinding speed. His strikes with Kusanagi were a blur, each swing aimed with precision and deadly intent.
Vritra defended himself with expert skill, deflecting Karna's attacks and countering with his own powerful strikes. The clash of their weapons echoed throughout the chamber, creating a symphony of combat.
Karna could feel the immense power surging through his veins, but he also sensed the overwhelming anger and rage that accompanied his "Asura's Wrath" skill. It was a double-edged sword that could consume him if he wasn't careful.
He fought to maintain control over his emotions, channelling the power of Asura's Wrath into his attacks while keeping his focus on the battle. He knew that succumbing to his rage would cloud his judgment and make him vulnerable to Vritra's cunning tactics.
As their battle intensified, Karna's movements became more fluid and instinctive. His strikes with Kusanagi were imbued with the fiery aura of Asura's Wrath, leaving trails of flames in their wake. The intensity of his attacks forced Vritra to retreat, his defences strained under the relentless assault.
Vritra, recognizing the increasing threat, tapped into his own powers. He called upon the darkness that dwelled within him, enveloping himself in a shroud of malevolent energy. The chamber grew darker as his dark aura clashed with Karna's blazing light.
"Six Form, Asura's Lift Cycle"
With a swift motion, Karna transitioned into the advanced technique of his 'Four Season Sword Technique' which just got inspiration by introducing 'Asura's Wrath' energy into Kusanagi.
Karna's movements became even more precise and graceful as he unleashed the devastating Six Form, Asura's Lift Cycle.
Each strike was imbued with the combined power of his swordsmanship and Asura's Wrath, creating a cyclone of energy that tore through the air.
Vritra, caught off guard by the sudden increase in Karna's skill, struggled to defend himself against the onslaught. He was forced into a defensive position, barely able to deflect Karna's relentless attacks. The chamber shook with the force of their clash, the echoes of their battle reverberating through the walls.
Karna pressed forward, his determination unwavering. He continued to unleash a barrage of strikes, each one pushing Vritra closer to his limits. The flames of Asura's Wrath danced around him, fueling his every move.
Vritra, realizing the severity of the situation, tapped into his darkest powers. He unleashed a surge of dark energy, creating a barrier that protected him from Karna's onslaught.
The chamber trembled under the immense power of their clash, the opposing forces of light and darkness locked in a fierce struggle.
Karna, undeterred, channelled his energy into a final strike. He gathered all his strength and focused his mind, channelling the fiery power of Asura's Wrath into a single, decisive blow.
With a mighty swing of Kusanagi, Karna unleashed a devastating attack that cut through Vritra's defences and struck him directly. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the chamber, causing the darkness to ripple and disperse.
Vritra stumbled backwards, his form flickering with instability. The once formidable Guardian of the 20th floor was now weakened, his power diminished. Karna could sense that victory was within his grasp.
Vritra staggered back, his form trembling as the impact of Karna's strike reverberated through his being. His dark aura flickered and wavered, weakened by the overwhelming force of the attack.
Karna stood his ground, panting heavily, his body radiating with the remnants of Asura's Wrath. He watched as Vritra struggled to maintain his composure, his defeat imminent.
Realizing the futility of resistance, Vritra let out a deep, guttural laugh. "Impressive, Karna," he admitted, a tinge of begrudging respect in his voice. "You have proven yourself once again. I underestimated your strength."
The defeated Guardian of the 20th floor began to dissolve, his form dissipating into ethereal wisps. "You may have bested me, but the trials of the Tower are far from over. There are greater challenges ahead," he warned, his voice fading into the wind.
As Vritra's presence vanished, the chamber began to transform once more. The ethereal glow faded, and the air returned to its calm state. Karna was left standing amidst the remnants of his battle, his victory acknowledged and rewarded.
Karna was stunned when he saw question marks on his reward. He is excited about the reward as he was sure that it is a good one.
Karna didn't hesitate as he is full of expectations about his reward.
<...>
Karna suddenly saw dark energy manifesting in front of him and he could feel how strong it was.
He estimated that this power was just below Indra's but in just a second it also disappear immediately, And he saw a naked 6.3 feet tall with pitch-black hair that reaches his shoulder and a pair of sharp deep purple eyes. His body was lean but Karna can feel how strong he was.
The man looked at his body and then looked at Karna and suddenly got on his knees as he shouted.
"Master"
"Huh!"
"Roar!"
Karna and Shaurya both were taken aback by the sudden appearance of the mysterious man and his unexpected declaration.
Karna's eyes narrowed as he observed the man's behaviour and the immense power he exuded.
"Who are you?" Karna questioned, his voice laced with caution. "And why do you address me as 'Master'?"
The mysterious man remained on his knees, his head lowered in reverence. He spoke in a respectful tone, his voice filled with loyalty and devotion.
"I am Vritra, the one you defeated moments ago," the man said, his voice tinged with humility. "I am a creation of the Tower, an embodiment of its trials and challenges. When you defeated me, I was rewarded by the Tower with a new form and granted the honour to serve you, Master."
Karna's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he tried to comprehend the situation. This unexpected turn of events had caught him off guard, and he was uncertain about how to proceed.