Chapter 353
Chapter 353
Even if his fighting spirit broke, no one could blame him for it. Those with great strength, keen minds, confidence in their speed, or tough endurance wouldn't be able to withstand this "irresistible agony" either. At least a physical attack could be blocked somehow, but this was an assault using "willpower" rather than physical force. It had only lasted five minutes, but to Lee Han, it felt like an eternity. And right now... Shwaaak! "......" "Heh heh, I apologize for the rudeness, but I thought you'd surrender. Apparently not." "You think I'd get mercy if I surrendered?" "Heh heh." "...
Damn it." He knew it would be like this. - You fought that weirdo? Hmm... But how are you still alive? When he'd told Baltar in the past that he'd sparred with Albert, the man had asked in genuine bewilderment. With an expression like, "Why is the corpse speaking?" It was the reaction of someone who thought death was the norm. Back then, Lee Han had gotten pissed and charged in, only to get beaten again. ...
But now he understood. Why Baltar had reacted that way. And so. - I don't know what change of heart led him to spare you, but be careful next time. - Next time? I'm not charging in again. - You never know with people. As advice, if you ever face that weirdo again, I wouldn't recommend surrendering or running. - Why? - He doesn't let go of his "toys" until he's satisfied. - ...? - He plays with them until they break. This is just a guess, but he probably spared you because you weren't even toy-worthy yet. So get tougher. If you can't endure until he's satisfied... The next morning would be spent eating in Avalon—. ...
Back then, he'd dismissed that advice as exaggerated trash talk. But now that this moment had arrived, he got it. Thanks to mastering Discipline and thoroughly tempering himself. He could endure the attack and struggle just enough. He had survived that [Pain] willpower... All those sensations were teaching him exactly what kind of person John Ray Albert was. 'This man isn't a knight. Nor a warrior or assassin.' If anything, he was closest to a [researcher]. Not the type who studies from a desk and chair, but one who has to test things on himself to be satisfied... "Butler, have you ever gone into the jungle to collect poisons or test them on yourself?" "Hmm? How did you know? Around age thirty, I went to the western jungles and captured countless venomous creatures." "Couldn't find them in the south?" "Not at all. I could obtain them through southern trading companies, but I wanted to experience the poisons in their natural habitat. Their environments, what they eat, how they kill... I was curious about it all. Looking back, it's all just fond memories now." "...
I knew it." Mad scientist. Lee Han grimaced, confirmed in his assessment. Still... 'Who're you calling a toy!' His fighting spirit blazed hot against the researcher treating him like a toy. And so, he! Woooong! Infused his blade with stellar energy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Whoosh! It was brute force without any creativity. He'd just drawn his sword and charged straight ahead, same as always. However. Flash-! The blade shimmering like the Milky Way felt like wings sprouting from his back, making creativity unnecessary.
"Oh ho, this is something!"
Drdrdrdrk! The aura chains revived like living serpents, lunging at Lee Han with grotesque movements. Chains of the grim reaper, devoid of presence, scent, or any energy. In truth, he couldn't dodge them this time either and was on the verge of being torn apart. Bam! Stellar light erupted like a volcano, repelling the chains outright. Shwaaaak.
"...
Damn it!" But Lee Han's body was pushed far back. He'd blocked the chains' power, but failed to cancel it, so his body got shoved away. He'd hoped for at least a partial counter, but even that failed—infuriating for Lee Han. As he cursed... "This is intriguing too." Albert's eyes gleamed. Surviving the chain collision wasn't surprising; what amazed him was how he'd blocked chains with no presence at all. 'That blade, compressed like sword energy, generates a force field around him.' The starlit blade looked like mere compressed sword energy, but it acted as a catalyst, generating a real-time force field within a 1-meter radius of the user. Like a mage's mana barrier, with little defense but detecting invisible attacks—more useful than mana barriers. Why better than a mage's? Simple. His chains pierced mana barriers effortlessly, skewering throats and hearts. Having rated the starlight's utility highly, Albert soon. "Like this?" Woooong! "...
Aura reinforcement." "Aura reinforcement? Not a bad name. Then what you put in your blade is sword aura? Hmm, but not my taste. Potent enough, but since it's not derived from enlightenment like yours, Knight Lee Han, it's murky and incomplete. What a shame. It just guzzles energy uselessly." Piiit... Albert dispersed the aura reinforcement at his fingertip. "Tricky. Not just slamming aura into it, then. Baltar could probably do it more efficiently than me, but I'm not as adept as him, so it'd be hard." "...
He pulled it off in one go, yeah." "As expected? That's why I envy the clever ones. Dullards like me can only grind away. Alas." "...
Butler. Don't say that anywhere else." "?" "That's the kind of talk that gets you stabbed in the street... No, actually, your opponent would get executed. Go ahead and say it wherever." "??" "...
Why does that clueless face piss me off so much?" Lee Han charged again, fury fueling him. And if those who knew him well saw the scene, they'd call it. ...
Empathy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Bam! Kwaaaang! Kwagwagwagwang...!! The two men's battlefield was a barren plain far from Lee Han's home. No animals or plants, nothing at all. ...
But each clash intensified the tremors, and the wildlife in the nearby mountains cowered in terror from the quakes and auras they emitted. If settlements were nearby, it would've been a disaster. Exposure to their fighting spirit could cause heart attacks on the spot. Their battle was that destructive and intense. ...
Of course. "Aaaargh!" One side was barely clinging to life. He roared fiercely, swinging his starlit blade against the chains. It looked one-sided at a glance, but their appearances told a different story. Kwaang!! The knight flew far back again from the chain clash, tumbling across the dirt. The knight looked like a beggar; the butler remained impeccably neat. Not a speck of dust on him. A face like he was toying with the knight. "!!" But the knight had no time for anger—he needed to minimize damage with a landing roll. Tumbling at 80 km/h, what good was a roll? Flash-. Yet the knight sprang up immediately, regaining balance and charging the butler, swinging his sword aura-clad blade relentlessly. Sword aura that once drained his mental strength in three minutes—he'd maintained it for fifteen now. A testament to his growth. Unfortunately, "Not bad this time. Still, your technique's sloppy." "I'm a dullard, so what!" "My, you're too harsh on yourself." "Aaaargh!" ...
No matter the progress, the gap was unbridgeable. The knight's cries now indistinguishable from roars or screams. But as the fight dragged on, two things changed: the butler's hand movements grew faster, and the knight's sword sharper. At some point, the knight adapted to the butler's motions. As he did, the butler added 1% more power. Astonishing. Knights from the God of War era knew drawing true intent from a mad researcher butler was a miracle. [42 minutes 28 seconds.] Time fought. Everyone would agree: An achievement. Enduring over 40 minutes against the butler was achievement enough. And to this knight who'd earned it. "...
So, have you figured out everything you wanted to know?" "......" "You said you wanted to talk, right? Satisfied with the conversation?" The butler spoke, mentioning the reason for their fight. As if asking if he'd learned what he sought through this fierce "dialogue." The knight... "No, not at all." "Hmm, then getting beaten all this time was meaningless?" "...
I'm regretting it intensely right now." "......" "Laugh if you want, damn it! Body language my ass—why'd I do something so stupid when I have a perfectly good mouth..." "Ahahaha!" "...
Laugh. I know I'm an idiot." "A-Are you trying to kill me with laughter? Haha!" The butler burst into genuine laughter. Probably the first time he'd laughed like this. It was that ridiculous. A grand beginning, a clownish end. But an achievement nonetheless. He'd made the butler laugh sincerely. "Haa... This was fun." The butler meant it. An opponent like this was a first. Not even against the God of War. Not with Baltar. Sword Lord was decent, but not joyful. ...
Even the lady he served. 'Her Highness was brilliant, but not fun. Dull, even.' Too predictable. Bound only by 'contract.' He'd never felt human fondness for her. No, correction: for anyone. He'd never liked any human. Yet... 'Not bad. Not bad at all.' This knight was different. He sparked fondness. Normal toys broke under this play. This knight didn't, constantly provoking and amusing him. Was it the knight himself being fun? No, not the reason. Why he liked the knight: 'He clashes with pure sincerity. No ulterior motives or desires. Just full power.' Pure passion. Crude and hating frustration. Yet considerate and kind, never forcing his impatience on others. 'Where did this guy come from?' A consistent knight living unchanged amid the kingdom's southern unrest and greed for power. 'A true fighter.' One who charges head-on instead of fleeing injustice. His unyielding struggles dazzled the butler. More than the light of glory from his youth...! Radiant, hot, joyful. Thus, regretful. 'If only we'd met in my youth.' A twinge of regret. And awareness that time was short. Albert suppressed his sincere regret. Continuing would break the knight, not what he wanted. So, for a fitting end to this encounter. "Knight Lee Han." "What." "That was a splendid conversation." "?" -He decided to grant an [End]. "You may not realize it, Knight Lee Han, but I feel we've had a splendid talk. So, a parting gift." "??" "Whether this 'gift' benefits you, I can't say. But somehow, I think you'll manage. One piece of advice, though..." "......" "Don't change. Fight. And win. If you do..." "Butler?" "......" ...
The butler said nothing more. Just stood still. But strange. Stagger-. "........." ...
Why won't my body move? And why? Thud! ......
Am I falling? "......" "No need to resist. Close your eyes peacefully." ......
Slrrk. Lee Han's eyes began to droop. No strength left in his body, mind growing hazy. He tried to rise, but despite his will... 'What is this? Why so... peaceful?' Terrifying yet serene. Losing consciousness in that sensation, Lee Han. Droop-. ......
Gently closed his eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A refreshing spring day. Sadly, a certain 30-year-old knight breathed his last. His name was Lee Han Turtle? He'd died just like th...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...
Gasp!" -He'd nearly died. "Oh, you're awake." "......" "Hehe, lie down a bit more. You died and came back—your heart stopped, so your body might feel off." "......
Maid?" "Yes, I'm right here." "......" "Not fully with it yet, huh? Sleep more. You'll be fine." "......" ......
He laid his head on the maid's lap without resistance. Just blankly. The maid stroked him gently, smiling silently. He stared blankly at her. Soon, his eyes shifted, taking in surroundings—opulently fancy. "Good thing you're not an idiot now. They said anyone else would've ended up brain-dead even if they survived." "......" "Hmm, food first? There's a feast outside—plenty of grub!" "...
Fe, feast?" "Yes, a banquet." "......" "Oh, this is the royal castle. Her Highness let us use it!" "......" "Normally you'd react, but nothing?" "......" "In cases like this... Ah! Jenny, my maid friend, said: when a guy's down or mad, say this!" "......" "...
Wanna touch my boobs?" "......" "Knight?" "......
Maid." "Yes?" "...
Dump weird friends fast." "??" ......
The knight snapped out of it, utterly dumbfounded. Not because he'd suddenly perked up at the offer. ...
For real.