to rot; to go bad; to corrode; to weather; to become useless; to blunt; to become depraved
to bend; to curve; to bend (the truth); to falsify; to corrupt; to sully
to resolve; to ready (oneself); to make up one's mind
to taste; to eat; to drink; to speak (of); to refer (to); to say
limit; limits; degree; extent; the end; the last; as long as ...
taste; palate; sense of taste
isolation; cut off; blockade; quarantine; interception; deprivation
though; notwithstanding; although
eager; earnest; strenuous; fervent; assiduous; with utmost effort
to gulp down; to swallow deeply; to understand; to take in; to engulf; to swallow up
to not take seriously; to take lightly
given that ... it is only natural that ...; ... being the case, it is unavoidable that ...; (precisely) because ...; contrary to expectations ...
to put a burden on; to tax (e.g. strength)
imitating; copying; mimicry; behavior; behaviour; action
superficial; half-hearted; shallow
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that
resentment; grudge; malice; matter for regret; regret
deep; profound; dense; thick; close (relationship); intense; strong
as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all possible
still more; even more; all the more; still less; even less
reaching; attaining; arrival
immortality; eternal life; undeath; undead
close associate; close aide; brains-truster
to be a match for; to rival; to equal; to compare with; to be equivalent to
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
the three character styles: square and semicursive and grass
to keep company; to listen to; to associate with; to play against (e.g. a team); to take on (e.g. a rival)
wait-and-see (situation, stance, etc.); waiting to see (how things play out); watching developments (before acting)
characteristic; feature; special quality
to face (each other); to be facing; to be directed toward (the future, etc.); to be in response to; to receive (a client, etc.); to compare with
cheap article; poor quality article
quality; value; nature; inherent quality; logical quality
sword skills; swordsmanship
tip-top; top; top-drawer; best; foremost; elite
obstruction; check; hindrance; prevention; impediment; interdiction
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
speed; velocity; pace; velocity