This story is also on Royal Road.
{Rough Draft Phase}
Harlow Blackburne, an enthusiast of the famous manga known as "Gods Don't Bleed", finds his life turned upside down when a routine test reveals a shocking truth: he's a 100% monster.
Thrust into...
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Knight Blackburne, brandishing the Sword of Perfection, propelled himself towards Azurath, the killing blow poised on the edge of his blade. As he closed the distance, a hulking ogre interposed, shoving Azurath aside and taking the full brunt of the strike. The ogre stumbled back, his severed arm thudding to the ground, a macabre fountain of blood erupting from the stump.
Blackburne, his bloodlust momentarily quelled, stared in disbelief.
That was fast, for a brute. I should have finished the demon when I had the chance...
He regained his footing, his stance once again aggressive. A quick glance over his shoulder confirmed Kokusho was still guarding Princess Elysia. Good. He turned his attention back to Azurath and the maimed ogre.
"What's wrong, Knight Blackburne? Surely a hero like you doesn't mind a little uneven fight?" Azurath taunted, surging forward with the ogre at his side. Blackburne narrowly evaded their combined assault, but as he hovered in the air, the ogre launched himself for another attack.
Blackburne blocked the ogre's punch, but the sheer force sent him hurtling through several houses, finally crashing into a small hut. He groaned, wincing in pain.
Damn. Please, let Kokusho have escaped with Elysia. I... I can handle these two. This is nothing...
Through the gaping hole he'd created, he saw the ogre approaching. Ignoring the pain, he pushed himself to his feet. As the ogre attacked again, Blackburne dodged, the hut collapsing around them. He backpedaled, his grip tightening on the Sword of Perfection.
I can't lose this... It's the only way to win...
The ogre emerged from the debris, grinning savagely. With a roar, he charged, aiming a final, unavoidable blow.
Blackburne's senses sharpened. In a blur of motion, he leapt, twisting in mid-air, the Sword of Perfection a silver arc that cleaved through the ogre's neck. The ogre's headless body stumbled, then collapsed, its head rolling to a grotesque stop.
Blackburne landed gracefully, panting. Even for a god, the ogre had been a formidable opponent. No wonder Azurath had chosen him.
One down, one to go... Azurath's head is next.
A deafening explosion ripped through the air. Blackburne whirled around. A crimson light blazed from the direction of his initial confrontation with Azurath. His heart sank.
Kokusho... Elysia...
He dropped into a fighting stance, channeling his energy into the Sword of Perfection.
O Sword of Perfection, I beseech thee. Grant me your limitless SPEED!
He shot towards the red light, his speed so great it shattered the ground beneath him. In the blink of an eye, he arrived at the epicenter. In slow motion, he saw Azurath draining a vial of dark energy.
