The Inner Odyssey

Alden sized up the Dark Elf from afar.

They were tall, almost to the point they towered over him. They were also lean, doubtless possessing a physique fit for combat.

The strange markings on their skin glowed with a pale light, appearing as little specks within the thin fog.

Alden would have been a little mesmerised if it wasn't for the grim nature of the situation.

As it was, though…

He had a tough battle up ahead.

For he did not doubt that the Dark Elf was stronger than him. An air, similar to that of an [Adept] Mage swirled around their figure.

Alden's expression quickly turned sombre. There was still some lingering bloodlust, but it was being suppressed by the need to keep a level head.

'Calm.'

The young man repeated the phrase in his mind. While he was doing that, the Dark Elf also appeared to be assessing him.

It tilted its head slightly as if puzzled. Then, a wide grin suddenly stretched across its grey-blue face.

Alden's expression darkened slightly.

He suspected that the Dark Elf had just realised how weak he was, Rank wise. That would explain why it seemed so cheerful as if it knew that victory was now guaranteed.

'Don't get cocky.'

He gritted his teeth.

Alden internally clicked his tongue, clamping down on his dissatisfaction.

Just as he was wondering if he should get into hand-to-hand combat with the Dark Elf, the strange markings abruptly shone with an icy hue. A dangerous premonition pricked the young man's mind. In the next moment, multiple ice shards hovered beside the grey-skinned creature.

Their razor-sharp points were fatally sharp, and the ice they had been constructed from also seemed solid.

Without any warning, the Dark Elf suddenly waved their hand.

The barrage of ice glinted in the thin fog, and before Alden knew it, the frozen shards were almost upon him. Keeping a cool head, he summoned a few more [Dark Tentacles] - a number of them had dissipated after stalling the two tigers in his previous fight - and immediately controlled them with his mind.

The shadowy appendages materialised and solidified, catching the icy projectiles. The ice swiftly turned into nothingness.

The being with grey-blue skin titled their head once more. This time, Alden felt they were a little impressed.

A smug smile almost split his face.

'Focus!'

He internally berated himself.

Alden decided that he couldn't be passive any longer. He tensed his legs, dashing in the direction of his enemy. At the same time, he summoned the last weapon he had in his possession. It was the other shortsword Alden had gained from his fight against the three scouts.

Circulating his mana, he sent a little burst to his legs.

The young man's speed increased.

At the same time, more ice shards shot towards him. Alden shifted his body, dodging a few for the sole sake of not losing his momentum, and let the dark tentacles deal with the rest. Once he had entered within a certain range, the Dark Elf stopped conjuring the frozen icicles.

Instead, a thin yet long blade of ice formed in their hands. It seemed they had accepted his challenge for a close-quarter duel.

'It's on!'

Alden grinned and dropped his shoulder. In the next moment, his sword flashed.

Unfortunately for him, the Dark Elf parried his diagonal cut.

It used the momentum of his strike and spun, attacking from a different angle.

'Clever.'

Alden couldn't help but praise his opponent. It was a flawless move.

Swiftly bringing his sword in the way of the ice blade, Alden blocked the quickfire blow. He leaned forward, locking the Dark Elf's weapon in place.

The corrupted creature resisted, struggling to free the frozen blade from his sturdy hold.

Alden persisted.

His arms shook slightly.

As he scrutinised his foe from up close, Alden noticed they had the same strange markings engraved on the surface of their eyes. He wondered briefly what these odd symbols meant.

Suddenly, the ice blade conjured by the Dark Elf dissipated. A torrent of alarm flooded Alden's mind as he lurched forward.

Just as quickly as they had dismissed the frozen weapon, a new one took its place. The Dark Elf attacked almost instantly. The ice blade cut through the air straight for Alden's heart.

His solemn expression deepened.

'Guess I can't be too stingy then.'

He internally sighed.

Immediately after that thought, the frozen blade came to an abrupt halt. The world around Alden also slowed.

The young man retreated a few steps, placing an adequate distance between him and the Dark Elf.

'Tsk.'

Alden lingered for a moment, a little annoyed that he had to use the two skills.

He took a deep breath. The smell of death and chaos invaded his nostrils. Alden ignored the putrid smell, sensing the ground beneath his feet tremble slightly.

Multiple consecutive and dull booms followed the vibration.

It seemed like the fight between the Ember Clan and the Dark Elves was heating up.

….Just like the one he was experiencing right here.

A small grin graced Alden's face.

Then, he stomped on the earth, racing through the light mist back towards his enemy. The Dark Elf did the same.

Just like that, another round was about to begin. Alden was determined not to lose in this one.

Snarling internally, he augmented his body with a quick burst of [Haste] and slashed with his sword. The weapon cut through the misty gloom.

However, just as it was about to reach the Dark Elf's neck, a solid barrier of ice stopped it in its tracks. The corrupted creature immediately retaliated, throwing a punch to Alden's gut.

[Shield] thwarted the attack, but the Dark Elf was not done. Undeterred, the being launched a mean elbow right to his face.

Alden stumbled back, stunned by the blow.

He cursed.

The Dark Elf instantly took advantage of his stumble and conjured an icy claw. In the next moment, the attack barreled straight for Alden's face.