Chapter 19: Igris the Crimson
Narrator's POV
That was when he heard metallic footsteps approaching. Looking ahead, he saw a knight completely clad in black armor, walking steadily with his sword in hand. Akira gave a faint smile. He already knew how this mission worked, so he also knew his current daggers wouldn't be of much use this time.
Without hesitation, he sheathed them and assumed a combat stance.
Without saying a single word, Akira charged straight at the knight. Thanks to his speed, boosted by Quicksilver, he appeared in front of him in an instant—and with a single, well-aimed punch, tore the knight's head clean off, sending the armored body crashing heavily to the floor.
"Haven't really tried this in a real fight yet… might as well practice now, since later I'll probably face someone who can actually break my face if I'm careless," he said calmly, turning toward the echoing footsteps that now filled the corridor.
More knights were appearing before him, swords drawn, empty gazes gleaming from behind the slits in their helmets.
Akira sighed quietly. His control over cursed energy still wasn't perfect. For now, he could only channel it through his fists, not his entire body—but that was enough. Closing his eyes for a moment, he focused his energy into his hands. A faint, transparent blue aura began to flicker and spark around his knuckles.
"Alright… time to warm up," he muttered as his eyes glowed faintly and his fists became enveloped in cursed energy.
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After a good while of fighting, Akira sat down, taking a sip of water to recover. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before standing again, feeling his body readjust after the intense battles.
"Thanks to my knowledge and physical skills, knights, archers, assassins, and mages aren't a problem anymore. I know exactly what each one needs to be taken down… and the cursed energy bonus just makes it all even easier," he said as he began walking toward a massive door at the end of the corridor.
He swallowed hard. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. He knew exactly who was waiting on the other side—and that knowledge twisted his stomach. Maybe even… scared him a little.
Taking a deep breath, he held it for a moment before exhaling slowly, steadying his thoughts. Then, he reached out and pushed open the heavy door.
As it creaked open, a wave of cold air rushed out, as if trapped inside for centuries. The candles in a massive chandelier went out all at once, as did every torch nearby, plunging the chamber into a dense, oppressive darkness.
The place was an ancient audience hall, with a throne at the far end and tall pillars along the sides. Everything was spotless, as if someone—or something—had been taking care of it. But none of that held Akira's attention.
"This feeling… it's just like that day," he whispered, his expression hardening as a chill crawled down his spine.
A dark, powerful, and familiar presence was drawing near. He didn't need to see it to know—he could feel it in the air, in the echoing metal footsteps, and in that old, primal emotion twisting inside him: fear.
Akira's gaze locked ahead, his expression firm, as the figure finally emerged from the shadows and stopped several steps away. His opponent was imposing—tall, slender, yet radiating immense power. The knight was covered head to toe in deep blood-red armor that seemed to absorb the faint light around them.
His helmet had a menacing design, adorned with four curved horns—one of them broken. Through a Y-shaped opening, bright white eyes burned intensely, fixed on Akira as if piercing straight into his soul. From his back hung a long red plume, like a ghostly tail that swayed with every movement, and a tattered crimson cape trailed behind him, brushing lightly against the floor.
In his right hand, he held a massive bronze sword nearly as tall as himself—its broad blade scarred by countless battles. Several daggers were strapped to his belt, half-hidden beneath the cloak, hinting that this knight relied on more than just brute strength. His armor, sharp-edged and angular, carried an ancient aura, with dust gathered in its crevices and markings that spoke of centuries of war.
A familiar system notification appeared before Akira's eyes, glowing faintly in the air:
> [Blood-Red Commander: Igris]
[Danger Level: High]
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End of Chapter