Kang Oh's Dual Demon form yielded him new abilities. No, to be more specific, Sarahoff and Blood's power mixed together.

[You may now use the Great Forest's Demon, Blood, and the Ice Queen, Sarahoff's power.]

[Blood and the Ice Soul possess great affinity. The two energies combine as one.]

[Frostblood! This is the name of the scarlet snow you now create, which absorbs your opponents' HP while simultaneously weakening them.]

[You may now use Red Avalanche, Frostblood Drill, and Red Cliff.]

[Dealing damage has a high chance of inflicting a bleed or frozen state. There is a low chance of inflicting a healing debuff (reducing healing) or freezing your target.]

[You may now fly. The Frostblood Demon leaves behind a blizzard in its path.]

[You may fly for 5 minutes.]

Ubist and Blood's Dual Demon form only gave him the Demon's Roar ability. However, Blood and Sarahoff had great affinity; thus, the two powers mixed together, forming a completely new element.

What a welcome surprise.

'Frostblood!'

Kang Oh tested the power of his new form on the Tuslam.

Red Avalanche!

Energy shot out of his twin demon swords simultaneously. Blue and red energy mixed together, forming a giant blast of energy that truly resembled an avalanche.

Even Tuslam Barad couldn't take it head-on. He gripped his serrated blade, which was made of a Maucrocker's teeth, and backed off.

He was trying to escape the Red Avalanche's range. It was truly a wise decision.

The Red Avalanche swept through everything in its path, leaving almost nothing in its wake.

Whoosh!

Barad threw his metal boomerangs from afar.

Frostblood Drill!

Kang Oh unfurled his wings, which possessed a white vortex pattern, and sharp red ice shards formed around him.

"Go!" Kang Oh yelled, and the ice drills quickly flew through the air, striking the boomerangs.

They weren't as sturdy as the boomerangs. Thus, they shattered into pieces. However, they did manage to change the boomerangs' course.

Red Cliff!

Kang Oh stomped his right foot, and a Frostblood wall rose in front of him. The boomerangs, which changed course, struck the Frostblood wall!

Bam! Bam!

As always, the boomerangs were as powerful as ever and seemingly exploded. However, the wall didn't break. It was incredibly sturdy.

'As expected!'

Blood and Sarahoff's skills had been combined, reinforcing them into something far greater. Whether it be their power or their durability.

"Tasha," Kang Oh said.

"What?" Her voice immediately rang out.

"Sara?" he called, but he didn't get an answer back.

"They're both ego swords. Is Tasha the only one capable of speech?" Kang Oh tilted his head.

"That ice woman I'm fused with? She's too weak to talk to you yet," Tasha said.

"I guess I'll be able to talk to her when I strengthen the sword like you."

"Yep."

"Ok, then let's go!"

Tasha controlled Kang Oh's wings in his stead. With a mighty flap of his wings, Kang Oh flew towards Tuslam Barad.

Kang Oh was used to swinging his sword in midair by now. He ferociously swung his swords at Barad like a wasp attacking an invader.

Barad responded in kind. He swung his serrated blade, blocking every single one of his attacks.

To make matters worse, he was able to block Kang Oh's attacks with one hand, and use his offhand to throw a boomerang at him.

Bam!

A boomerang struck Kang Oh's wings, causing him to fall and roll onto the ground. Barad seized the opportunity, closing the distance instantly and forcefully swinging his serrated blade.

Kang Oh rolled to the side and avoided Barad's attack. Though Barad's blade was stuck in the ground, he just dragged it towards Kang Oh.

Shards of dirt went everywhere, and a long scar was etched in the ground.

Kang Oh sprang up from the floor. Then, he quickly crossed his twin demon swords.

Clang!

Barad's serrated blade struck Kang Oh's crossed blades.

His body tingled from the impact, but he wasn't pushed back.

"Huahp!" Kang Oh swung Blood at Barad's upper body, and Sarahoff at his lower body.

Barad quickly backed off, avoiding Kang Oh's attack, and then rushed back in as if he'd been propelled by a spring.

Kang Oh and Barad clashed once more.

How much time had passed?

Time usually wasn't on Kang Oh's side. However, that definitely wasn't the case this time.

Frost Demon's Domain!

Sarahoff's ability gradually lowered Barad's core temperature. He was experiencing a truly harsh winter indeed.

On the other hand, if Kang Oh landed an attack, he would restore his HP and possibly inflict a status ailment like bleed, frostbite, a healing debuff, or freeze.

'This is easy!'

It had never been easier to fight a Tuslam! He wasn't sure he'd ever experienced this before.

"Rest in peace," Kang Oh said, and launched a finishing blow.

Red Avalanche!

His twin demon swords' energies combined, forming a giant avalanche. It wasn't just big; its power was considerable too.

Although Barad's defeat was inevitable, he didn't give up and fought till the bitter end.

"Kuhaahk!"

Barad let out a bestial cry and mustered up all the energy he had left. He swung his serrated blade, which was right on the brink of breaking from repeated clashes with Sarahoff, at the coming avalanche.

However, the avalanche swept right through him.

[You have defeated Tuslam's Descendent, Barad.]

[You have leveled up.]

"Nice. Next up is...!"

Kang Oh's heart pounded.

Switch Ubist!

Kang Oh stashed Blood, and Ubist took its place. Now, he wielded Ubist in one hand, and Sarahoff in the other.

His Frostblood form disappeared, and he transformed into something else entirely.

Two frozen horns protruded from his beast mask, his black body was covered in white tiger stripes, and his arms and legs were covered by armor which shone dark red. Of course, you couldn't forget the Jet-Black Demon's trademark, its tail!

It was certainly a new Dual Demon form. However, his excitement soon turned into disappointment.

Ubist and Sarahoff's power didn't mix well. Plus, it didn't give him a new ability like Demon's Roar.

It literally just stacked the two swords' power together. It was basically one plus one!

Aside from being able to use both swords' abilities simultaneously, there wasn't any benefit to this form.

'Seems like Ubist and Sarahoff don't have much affinity.'

He was disappointed, but what could he do about it? There are some relationships that work out, and some that don't.

Still, Ubist and Sarahoff's inherent abilities were tremendous. Sarahoff possessed maximal attack power and tremendous offensive capabilities! On the other hand, Ubist possessed various abilities, such as Gluttony, Abyss Blade, and Fang Bearing Blade; it was basically an assorted gift basket!

Because of their power, Kang Oh used these two blades together most often! He planned on using them together from now on too, even if its Dual Demon form was mediocre.

Anyhow, his new demon sword allowed him to fight in different ways.

Using Ubist and Blood together gave him access to Gluttony and Festival of Blood. If he used these two buffs together, then his power would skyrocket!

Blood and Sarahoff were the exact opposite. Their combined power would weaken his opponent and allow him to keep his HP high, which was perfectly suited for long battles.

Finally, Ubist and Sarahoff, which had absolutely no synergy, gave him pure attack power. Out of all the combinations, it was geared purely towards offense!

Using Devil Trigger with only one sword was a waste. After all, his assimilation rate would go up at the same rate, regardless of how many swords he used.

"Now then, let's go shall we?"

Kang Oh went off in search of new prey.

Sometime later...

Kang Oh killed countless Tuslam. The normal Tuslam were no longer a challenge to him.

'It's time to take it up a notch.'

In other words, it was time to find the Tuslam Warriors, the Tuslam that'd learned Weapon Bombardment.

However...

Kuhaaahk!

As always, a goosebump-inducing cry resounded throughout the ruins.

'Who's making this strange cry? Hmm, I'm really curious...'

Kang Oh was gradually getting more and more interested in the source of the noise.

* * *

Kang Oh, who'd roamed across Talastrum in search of Tuslam Warriors, quickly returned to Altein.

He pushed through the crowd of people, using the complex alleyways as a shortcut.

"Welcome."

He entered Gold Dragon, was greeted by a worker there, and was then taken to Man Bok's office.

"Hello, Mr. Kang Oh." Man Bok greeted him with a joyous expression.

"Let me see the goods," Kang Oh said.

"Hoo, hoo. I have them right here."

Three luxurious vials stood side-by-side on his table. The red liquid inside shined like the most brilliant gems.

'It's exactly as I've read. It's wrapped in red light, and it's more brilliant than any gem.'

Kang Oh gulped and carefully picked up one of the bottles. After all, it was just that precious.

[Legendary Elixium]

This body strengthening potion was created by the legendary, no, mythical alchemist, Varian! No potion exists that can match its effects.

It was created by using precious materials, including the Gold Bean, Dragon's Blood, the Sun Seed, and the Sea's Tears.

This potion can only be created by a skilled enough alchemist, who puts their heart and soul into its creation and makes not a single mistake in the process!

[Effects]

(1) Upon first consumption, all main stats and side stats increase by 10. However, stats do not increase the second time.

(2) Max HP, MP, and Stamina increase by 10% each time you consume it.

(3) All elemental resistance increases slightly. The increase in resistance depends on the user's current elemental resistance.

(4) Increases your experience and proficiency gain by 5% each time you consume it.

[Conditions]

Can only be consumed 10 times. (0/10)

"Jackpot!" Kang Oh opened his mouth wide.

He'd heard how tremendous the Elixium's effects were, but he didn't think they would be this good.

'I heard that in the early days of Arth, the Empire Guild obtained a few bottles as a reward for completing an extremely difficult quest. Dukeram must've drank all of them.'

Emperor Dukeram!

While Kang Oh used Ubist to raise his stats, Dukeram used his organization and drugs to increase his stats by the same amount.

'Now I have access to it too!'

Kang Oh didn't think of Dukeram as a rival. The only one who could actually be his rival was Valan. Dukeram was just someone in his way.

Thus, he wanted to surpass him ASAP.

"Hehe." Kang Oh laughed and opened one of the vial's lids.

Pop!

It emitted a pleasant pop, and released a refreshing fragrance not unlike tea.

'Let's do this!' Kang Oh drank it down in a single go. It felt warm as it went down his throat, but otherwise, it had no taste.

[You have consumed Elixium.]

[All Main Stats +10]

[All Side Stats +10]

[Max HP, MP, and Stamina +10%]

[Elemental Resistance has increased slightly]

[Experience and Proficiency Gain +5%]

[Maximum Number of Uses (1/10)]

"How does it taste?" Man Bok asked curiously.

"It's pretty tasteless. I guess it's like warm soy milk."

It was an apt description of it.

Kang Oh drank the other two Elixiums immediately. Although the second and third potions didn't increase his main/side stats, Kang Oh's maximum HP, MP, and Stamina had increased, as well as his elemental resistances and proficiency/experience gain.

'This is why people take drugs!'

Kang Oh's body brimmed with power, eliciting a pleasant feeling inside.

"When I get another Gold Bean, please put in another request for Elixium. Please obtain a Sun Seed and Sea's Tears at that time too," Kang Oh said.

'I'm going to drink all 10 of them!'

"Understood. I'll take the expenses out of your share," Man Bok said.

"Yes. Please do that." Kang Oh nodded his head and waved his hand. "I'm busy, so if you'll excuse me."

"Good luck."

Kang Oh left Gold Dragon and headed for Talastrum once more.