Blood Demon Art: Destructive Kill - Compass was the skill Raiden had most eagerly awaited to integrate. It was the cornerstone of Upper Moon Three Akaza's power, allowing its user to perceive an opponent's fighting spirit as if drawn by a magnet, predicting attacks and evasion with unmatched precision. The stronger the opponent's fighting spirit, the sharper and more accurate the Compass Needle's responses.
Yet, it had limitations. If the opponent concealed their fighting spirit or obscured it, the skill's effectiveness dropped sharply. On the Infinity Train, Raiden's Transparent World had hidden his fighting spirit entirely, which was why Akaza had been unable to track him and had been suppressed.
Raiden closed his eyes, steadying his breathing. His mind mirrored the calm of still water, yet a rich, blood-red aura began to fill the room. The fusion of Akaza's skill was no longer confined to Raiden's body; the very space around him seemed to respond.
Within his spiritual vision, Destructive Kill - Compass appeared as a glowing hexagram. Each line pulsed with dynamic energy, containing the essence of Akaza's battle experience and the precision of his attacks. Raiden reached out, touching the symbol, and an overwhelming stream of information surged into his mind—the very mechanics of sensing and guiding through fighting spirit.
Every detail unfolded in his perception. He could feel the flow of fighting spirit in real time, sensing even the smallest shifts. As the fusion deepened, the surrounding space seemed interlaced with an invisible network, every movement of air becoming part of his awareness.
When his consciousness fully merged with the Compass Needle, Raiden's closed eyes seemed to "see" every corner of the room. Fighting spirits of varying intensities and colors swirled around objects like currents in a river. His own fighting spirit shone brightest, a golden-yellow star among dimmer strands, which resembled grass swaying softly in the breeze.
Within his body, new pathways formed, enhancing both perception and combat efficiency. He could now anticipate attacks, locate weaknesses, and subtly manipulate the flow of battle.
A slight tremor signaled the climax of integration. Raiden's spiritual world felt stretched by a potent force, his realm breaking through along with his growing power. Late C-rank, early Otsu-rank, mid Otsu-rank—the advancement gradually stabilized. His breathing deepened, each inhalation reinforcing his physical strength. Small as the improvement seemed, tens of thousands of breaths over time would accumulate into a formidable enhancement.
Raiden rose slowly, anticipation and excitement flickering in his white eyes. He guided his fighting spirit to his feet, and the ground responded. Unlike Akaza's snowflake pattern, a hexagram of platinum light emerged beneath him, interlaced with deep blue veins, exuding mystery and strength. This was the Destructive Kill - Compass in full bloom.
The hexagram resonated with Raiden's fighting spirit, constantly refining itself. His connection to the environment sharpened; every subtle thought or movement sent ripples through the surrounding fighting spirit. He waved his hand to test the skill.
An invisible, potent wave of fighting spirit surged from the center of the hexagram. It rushed across the room, the air itself whistling from its intensity. With a second gesture, the shockwave dissipated before hitting the wall, leaving only a gentle breeze that stirred the calligraphy and paintings.
Raiden raised an eyebrow in surprise at the skill's precision and control. He could now sense hidden fighting spirits with uncanny clarity. If Akaza had possessed such perception, the suppression on the Infinity Train would have been impossible.
Examining the swaying branches outside, he noticed faint, flickering traces of spirit. At first, they seemed to vanish, then a subtle green glimmer appeared, confirming the synergy between his Line of Seizing skill and Destructive Kill - Compass. This integration allowed him to detect even deeper layers of fighting spirit, bypassing the concealment from Transparent World.
A smile tugged at Raiden's lips. The potential of combining Compass Needle with Transparent World was staggering. He could not only suppress Akaza now but could seriously injure—or perhaps even kill—the Upper Moon if the opportunity arose.
Even accounting for Akaza's hidden strength, the improvement was immense. The injuries Raiden had inflicted on the Infinity Train were superficial; now, his power had grown to a level where suppression could evolve into lethal precision.
Satisfied, Raiden withdrew his hand. The final reward from the Infinity Train awaited him: Superior Talent. Alone, it might seem less exciting than a single Blood Demon Art. But with five Superior Talents ready to fuse, the resulting potential promised an exponential leap in power.
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