A week passed in the blink of eyes, a solid herd of 2873 soldiers was shortlisted down to 22. As for what was the criteria for selection ? It was kodoku styled battle survival event all participants were locked in a dark cave as the cave wasn't spacious enough at once it could host 500 people. Nearly 5 and half batches were sent on a interval of 4 hours only 22 survived and I was of 1st batch which means I fought with my sword for nearly 24 hours and made it back alive all people from my batch were killed by me I think so after thus event was I mrtial god. Not a chance its just that my tavern owner used lock me in tavern whenever he went to outside villages to buy supplies. So If I didn't made my self familiar with terrain of tavern I could starve myself for coming days this habit helped me to stay alive and not let me bid farewell. As my senses were developed due to my not so voluntary guardian's personal kinks. Even then I was forced to fight black as it was all blinded barrage of deathly attacks. The smell of blood engulfed the cave which made me wanna throw up but then reminded myself not to get soft hearted in the midst of life deciding quest. If I committed my first kill with a lackluster resolve it would have haunted me for rest of my life taking a minute to decide and then with the inner strength my body generate for the sake of survival. That scardy cat nature of an human body made me move my hands with conviction of full of clinging life swung the sword-
Swoosh
Thud
Splat
A fountain of blood erupted from the decapitated body. My amateur swing made it even more painful for the soon to be dead person. My playful attitude took a hard hit the swing that struck down made a cut a deep inside which dettached something which was mine just a minute ago now it felt foreign. The wide smile which I used touch up my face with was transformed into furrow. But there wasn't time for me to ponder over my actions. Because if I ended up dead after resolving my meek self for survival. Then the first life I took would be meaningless causing my actions to be useless on top of being cruel.
The habit to see in darkness didn't made it any easy for me as I could just predict attack after weapon leaves it trajectory so all I cold do was dodge the unpredectable swings but that would have made the procees of survival more stamina consumption as I have to make it to the last. Remembering sermon of pervy killer on the basic form which constitutes the essence of swordmanship itself which are as follows
First is Slash which can be used for attacking the defenceless prey or when the opponent can't react a single slash can decide victory.
Second comes Parry as it allows us to counter the enemy and provide a opening or it can let one continual of attack on enemy. It is a life saving and life taking move
Last comes the thurst this move originates from spearplay as it is used to extend reach of attacker and increasing firepower by concenterating it on a single point. This move is finisher move as it ends the series of onslaught of barrage of attacks in one go.
This sermon could even make a kid into fighter and with a advantage over visibility made me feel more secure. This sense of security could suddenly transform into sense of doom with a single mistake.
All of this happened in span of seconds as my body is in a brawlers high which allows me to precieve the world slowly and react accordingly. Its not a superpower but can prove to be a lifesaver Instinct. Now in the time of crisis its proving itself admantly by making survival possible.
After regaining my calm what happened next was a series of-
Slash, Slash, Parry,Thrust,Thrust,Parry,Slash Thrust, Parry, Slash.....
Slowly a mound if dead bodies piled up ocuupying the space of cave making the movement difficult. The stone at the caves entranced rolled a new batch came the senseless butchering of my betherens continued blodying my once so clean hands for just the pitable desire which burned aggressively compared to others was continuity of breathing that is survival.
Batches came again and again doors were closed periodically what stayed constant was the smell and warmth of blood, screams in my head and my seemingly tired heavy and only breath in that cave. Was it exhilarating, at start it was supposed to the frequent act of killing in society made my child mind think that the act of killing itself is strength and symbol of power. As the powerful person can have his say over it and weak are subjected to oblige the wishes of strong people. But when my turn came the idea of young me was shattered instantly as the guilt slowly overtook my hands yet my sword won't stop as I am a sheletered orphan who knows no pain and was a coward who clinged to his worthless life. But this lowly me pitable me cowardly me can't stop. Won't stop, will never stop clinging the life. Hence the killing continues.
Finally all batches ended for 24 hrs my body helds its ground still tenaciously staring and guaging the surrounding. The veins of bulged and bursted making my vision blurry,the underpalm flesh was seperated, joints were dislocated due excessive movement. The instance the test concluded I collapsed on the ground of cave.
The supervisors entered the site of test and everybody was shocked out of their mind upon seeing the unforgetful scene. The immediate supervisor of test was the Gnarl the Viper. He is known for his calm hysterical toungue and his accomplishment of his younger days that nobody could overcome as he was famous teen who had destroyed a horde of 600 Blackbull bandits in his unawakened state. This feat was historical as it was known among the people of shady crafts.
He took pride in his Blackbull bandit feat as he couldn't outglory that achievement with any other achievement. It took a hit to his mantal state as the scene which unraveled before his eyes just felt bone chilling and unreal.