Chapter 95
Chapter 95
These guys are really coming at me to kill." But shaking them off didn't mean he'd won unscathed. Cough... His insides felt like jelly. Even with his exceptional toughness and recovery, the accumulated shocks hadn't fully dissipated. A bit more, and his Indestructible Training would've cracked first. Chilling thought. It was a battle of grit and stamina, that's why he'd won. Lee Han resisted the urge for a sip of water and turned to the approaching footsteps. "Eight this time?" "We're the best coordinated." "...
Why not all at once?" "Haha, you think our power's lacking?" "Mm, not really." "Then this is right. A hundred charging together just scatters the force." "...
Ha." At some point—right after the spear expert fell—they'd stopped swarming together. Ten or two at a time, lunging at him. Was it underestimation? Arrogance? ...
No. 'More annoying, more grueling.' A hundred felt like chaos, easier to handle. No matter the training, a hundred can't move as one. But now? Groups of ten, seven, five—they synced perfectly. More efficient and threatening than all hundred at once. 'No pushovers.' The shield knights of thirteen, and the two swordsmen before them, were the worst. Synced knights—no, masters—pooling strength was like a pitcher-catcher duo no-hitting or perfect-gaming in baseball. Facing these coordinated groups wore him down mentally and physically. Thus, he realized. This was true dueling against knights—a knight order. With that, the real trial began. Lee Han spat out dust-mixed bloody saliva. One nagging question arose. "Isn't this too noble against a thug? Why go all out?" "Haha, does anyone here still see you as a mere thug?" "-Aren't I?" "We talked with Sir Zeon about it. No way we'd belittle you as some thug." "...
Why?" Lee Han genuinely tilted his head. Who's Zeon anyway? But at his reaction... "...
Acts without even knowing his crimes... Ha! It only stokes our knightly spirit more! Fine, let's clash honor to honor!" "...
I'm losing it." The knight's eyes blazed with fervor. Lee Han wondered if they'd all popped some pill. "-Whatever, knock 'em all down and it'll end." His task unchanged, Lee Han tossed his broken axe and dented armor, silently gripping his sword. Just sixty more to go. Positive mindset.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Kwaaaa!!Kwajik! Kwajijik-! "......" Tristan's elite soldiers couldn't dare intervene in that duel. A thug attack. Common sense said protect the knights and repel him. They knew it in their heads. Yet they couldn't butt in. Why? Simply... "G-Get close and we're dead..." "...
Gulp." ...
The moment they did, it'd be like getting shredded in a typhoon. The soldiers' faces paled. Those weren't flesh-and-blood humans anymore. How could people move like that? No gravity for them? "S-Superhumans..." One soldier muttered. Yeah, not their first knight duel. Long-time Tristan vets, they'd seen spars. But this was different. Kuung! Every footfall cracked the marble floor. Kwarung! Swords swung, bodies clashed—thunder roared. Human collision sounds? An old bard's 'hero saga' echoed. - [A knight's movements are like the wind, his strikes like lightning's fall, thus they are superhumans who fell a thousand with one.] Thought it fairy-tale fluff to scam kids' coins. But now? Crystal clear. That's a knight. Knights truly become wind, lightning—superhumans. But... "—Nah, real superhumans wouldn't drag like that. The marquis's estate would've been ash already, haha." "!!?" An old knight corrected their misunderstanding. Soldiers' eyes bulged. Spotting their lord, they snapped to salute... "Ah, stand down. No need for ceremony here. Just came to watch alone—don't make it gloomy. Keep spectating together." "M-Marquis?" "Splendid, splendid! Aye, this is a duel!" "......" "My turn can't come soon enough. Not kids anymore, but I'm dying of impatience...!" Chill... Soldiers felt icy dread. Their lord, Marquis Jenimia—his bloodshot eyes like a starving beast. Yet also moved, like an eagle remembering its wings after forgetting flight, poised to soar. And proving it no illusion... Kwaduk! His bow creaked in agony, begging for an arrow. Marquis Jenimia. Fidgeting, awaiting his turn. ...
Even thrilled at his knights' potential defeat. Thus... Kwaaaa! His moment approached, fulfilling his anticipation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Chaeng! "......" Lee Han eyed his half-shattered sword. From around fifty down, it'd groaned ominously. Durability spent. First sword split since mastering Indestructible Training. But no regrets—he tossed it, drew a hand axe from his bosom. "Karl de Metz of the Red Eagles. Rank? Say twentieth." "Lee Han." ...
How many times had he done this exchange? Couldn't recall. At some point, knights named themselves; he followed suit habitually. Didn't remember all names. Some stuck; others lost in near-blackouts. But techniques, weapons? Body remembered. -Same now. Whoosh! Sword and axe dove like light beams, clashing. Foe reeled back. Lee Han pounced, unleashing a knee strike. Divine Arrow Flight footwork. No dodging that. But headbutting a helmeted foe...? Utter folly. Skull cracking risk. "...
Your skull's steel?" "Helmet looks worn—get a new one." "M-Mad... bastard." Thud. Helmet shattered; Lee Han's head won. "...
Ow." Lesson: no heading helmets. Snapped him awake. Consciousness had flickered. "Hoo..." "Blood from your forehead." "Know. How many are you? Why solo?" "Wanted sync, but no partners left." "Why?" "Look around." "...
Ah." Followed advice, then saw. All down but him. Crimson Eagles—legendary order—rolling on the floor. Lee Han stood alone. "Congrats. You've beaten the Crimson Eagles proper." Sring. "But we can't let total defeat happen." Duels matter, but victory more. Veil unleashed Fighting Technique, ominous Sword Resonance.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡
Sword Resonance Naturally triggers upon drawing the blade Woong! Sword Resonance. Drew it naturally on unsheathing. Lee Han knew at once: top-tier among foes so far. "Veil de Tristan. Honored vice commander of the Crimson Eagle Knights." "Tristan?" "Cadet branch. But no excuses—didn't earn it on blood alone." "Know. You look strongest yet." "...
Hah, first praise for effort in ages..." Veil shed his cadet-branch inferiority here. This knight saw him not as blood, but foe to fell. Reward for striving stronger. -Pity! "Should've fought fresh." "I'm fine now?" "That state?" "...
Ahem." Lee Han looked wretched, as Veil said. Ninety-nine eagles didn't fall easy. Some gashed him. Others punched jaws. Some blocked for allies, earning stabs. He was blood-soaked, a bloodman. Could drop anytime. Thus, Veil hated being last. Should've gone first; others shoved him back. "Vice commander? Pull rank." "Even vice, they're all seniors." "Ah, fair." Army vet, he got it—tenure trumps title. Lee Han nodded. "Anyway, sword up." "Rest more?" Stalling for recovery, but... "Not insulting—just, rest now and I won't move." "...
Wounded lion's still lion." Wooong. Veil's sword thrummed—unmatched resonance so far. Sword Resonance had levels? Different from cadet Yord or regressed guy's. Shaaa! Sword aura? No, distinct. Like drawing Resonance as threads. Yes, wielding sword's energy like his own Sword Flower. Sword Threads. Seok! Threads sliced rock effortlessly. "...
Cool."
"Power's cooler." Shak!! No more talk needed. Sword Threads lunged; Lee Han leaped skyward in response. Air Step. His quick-finisher gambit.
"Seen that!"
Predicted once-shown move. Like his blind-spotless Indestructible Training, Threads had no gaps. Why called [Tristan's Owl]? Attacks without range limits. Air battle? His playground. Threads surged viciously, hounding airborne Lee Han. Like an owl snatching prey mid-flight—even eagles for supper. But toward those Threads... Tak!! Lee Han kicked air fearlessly, charging.
"What!?"
Charging Threads? Suicide. Forfeit? 'No!' Veil, acknowledging him, trusted it wasn't despair. Some counter, full-throttle rush. Knowing, Veil... 'Bind!!' Unleashed inescapable sword net, ploy or not. Named [Heaven's Net]. No escape, ground or sky.
"Heaven's Net, huh...!"
Lee Han was dumbfounded. Of all finales, this guy? One slip, shredded whole. Still... 'Bring it!' Lee Han spun wildly, uncaring of dismemberment. If foe's Heaven's Net, his would be...
"What!?"
Tao legend, immortals' Kunlun home. Martial art born from dragons frolicking clouds.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡
Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms His reinterpreted version: maximizes spin and breakthrough from mid-air descent His take on Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms. Wuxia classed it footwork; his amplified falling spin and penetration. Recreated yesterday's Piercing Sun Spear with body—ultimately... Kwaduk! Shredded Heaven's Net or whatever. "...
That's it. Where'd you learn that?" Veil muttered, watching his technique shatter—not emptiness, but curiosity. "Land of romance and rogues, full of books." "R-Rogues wha—" Kuung! Veil flipped backward. No dodge—Lee Han's knee nailed solar plexus, dropping him. "......" Hoo...! Hoo... Lee Han heaved ragged breaths. Relief at felling relentless foe; luck acknowledged. 'Unfamiliar tech worked; else I'd be done.' Stubborn practice paid off. Thanks to maybe-mythic Kunlun Sect. Won because of it. ...
Of course. "Hoo, too long a wait?" "Not at all. Thrilling, rewarding. Bet you can't fathom my anticipation, haha!" "...
Not my place, but your men?" "They loved it. Where else such duel? Priceless, loss or not." "Mm... All high nobles weirdos?" Grand dukes, dukes, princesses... Quirky thinkers, values. Power attracts eccentrics? He chuckled wryly; marquis ignored, bow at ready, excited. Kung! Giant bow slammed floor, booming. Weight unimaginable. Pullable? Chwaaak! Marquis drew string demonstratively. Gooo-! No arrow. Yet string-pull birthed vortex; wind arrow—projectile—aimed. Tense moment, smiling marquis spoke. "Heard report earlier—sorry upfront. Excuse: sending matchmaker to your disciple wasn't intent. Subordinates acted rogue." "Know. Not blameworthy. I crossed line too." "...
Then why go this far?" "Protest." "Protest?" "Won't stop taking my kid. But don't underestimate. Show there's backing behind her." "...
All this for that?" "High noble too trivial, disappointed?" "...
Disappointed? Nay...!"