Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: 13-2. Drunken Dream of Love
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Dragon Kill. In truth, it was a misnomer.
Because its meaning leaned more toward a technique that pinned down one target and unerringly slew it.
I focused every nerve in my body and recalled memories from the past.
"In fact, this master's ultimate technique, Dragon Kill, isn't really about killing dragons! My disciple!"
"What do you mean? Master Drake."
"Precisely! It's a technique that kills the opponent's 'concept' outright, just like shattering a magic circuit!"
Something my master had once told me. I nearly let it slip by while slicing through a mountain-sized boulder.
"In my case, it's the concept of 'killing a dragon,' so it's called Dragon Kill!"
"Then... does that mean it can be applied to other targets as well?"
"Exactly! As expected of my one and only disciple! Your comprehension is lightning-fast—it's great!"
I was amazed. In the game, I'd thought it was just a powerful ultimate limited to dragons or dragonkin. I stopped swinging my sword and listened intently.
"Specifically, you pour every stance of the Drake-style swordsmanship into overlaying the concept of 'kill (殺)' on them, just like with the Demon Kings! My guess is it'll work on those guys too!"
"Without a holy sword anyway... Ah, it's an ultimate technique. It might be possible. So how do you learn it?"
"Simple!"
Then a sly grin spread across his scarred face. The Grand Sword Master with short yellow hair made an absurd proposal.
"Swing your sword for 66 days without food, 66 days without sleep, and 66 days without a single sip of water, fueled by the will to kill your opponent—and you'll learn it!"
"...Have you lost your mind?"
"Uahahahaha!! Normally, you'd endure with magic, spirits, or holy power, but you, Licht, have to do it bare-bodied!"
So how did Drake manage it? Did he just chug potions during training? Dizziness washed over me. Was I supposed to abandon my humanity?
"...So someday, you'll understand too, Licht."
At that moment, his hand rested encouragingly on my shoulder. Drake continued, his expression suddenly grave.
His weighty words burned into my memory.
"There will come a time when you must use every Drake-style technique. To realize the will to absolutely slay your foe."
Watching him reveal the true demeanor of one of the Ten Heroes, I thought: He must have survived all those battlefields with this.
"...In the end, it's a technique to kill the opponent before they kill you, right, Master?"
"That's right, you rascal of a disciple."
As far as I knew, yes. In the game, using this skill attached a timer to your character.
"When you can do it—or rather, when you must— that moment will inevitably come. It's the fate of any true swordsman. I went through it too."
If you didn't kill the target in time, it was game over. Like a self-destruct.
"..."
Then in reality, it might be a realm reachable only by crossing the line between life and death, transcending the body's limits. Otherwise, no way such insane conditions would attach.
"When the moment comes to stake even your life in battle, pour everything into your swordsmanship without regret! My disciple."
Back then, those words filled me with conviction.
"Yes, Master Drake. I understand."
This was the only way for my current weak self to take down a Demon King.
The brief flashback passed. Could I really pull it off now?
"I need to carry my darling back soon too. That burning gaze—I just can't hold back...!"
Magic Hat trembled, hugging her own shoulders. What an odd Demon King. Why was she acting like that?
"...Disgusting."
"Aw... you love it!"
She made a show of removing her black hat. A big motion signaling a powerful technique. In the game, it had a long wind-up and recovery.
"Ta-da~ What'll come out of this empty magic hat?"
The technique players called Rabbit Punch.
"Who knows, a white rabbit maybe."
"Correct! Darling! You really do know me!"
A massive white rabbit, like a snowy mountain, burst from the magician's hat. It swung its enormous body toward me with a fist.
─Shwoooosh!!
The air screamed as my vision filled with white. It really was huge.
But,
"...Thanks for the attack."
This was my chance. The ultimate required blending three forms, starting from a counter.
I unleashed the first stance.
Third Form: Wing Shedding.
The fist hurtled in, air exploding. I used its speed and force against it, deflecting sideways. Every muscle strained to hold.
Kugugugugrok!!
Just deflecting cratered the ground underfoot. The giant rabbit from the hat staggered backward.
'The rabbit's blocking approach. Find a path to close in.'
I took the next stance. With its power committed, I couldn't miss the opening. My ribs stabbed my lungs; breathing hurt.
Pain clenched my chest, but,
Second Form: Reverse Scale Thrust.
Flowing like water, I targeted the weakness. The diagonal opened; I wove in Wolf Fang. Chain attacks lifted my sword high on recoil as I charged.
My bleeding wound tore open. Red trailed the ground.
"Eh? Huh? Darling? Where'd you...?"
Right in your face, bitch. Faster than Shine Advance, I closed on Magic Hat. One downward slash now. She couldn't react.
"Kuh... Hngh..."
Then it happened. Muscles tore; my sword hand weakened.
The hilt slipped. The Light Holy Sword slid from my grip. Not like this.
Just a bit more.
To protect our Saintess, I had to take her down before I died.
Kill the Demon King. Lee Soo-hyun.
Can't end here. Move, body. Please!
"Ughhh─!!"
I gritted my teeth. Pain choked even my scream.
Barely held the sword. Body shattering like glass. If I fell now, no getting up.
Legs locked like stone. Cold sweat poured like a flood. Endure. Steel your will.
Fourth Form: Void Slash.
Sword raised skyward, I focused wind pressure in both hands. An instant hadn't passed; even her pupils lagged my motion.
Wind gathered. Air compressed. Weight bore on the blade, heavy. It wavered. I gripped harder. Careful—botch it, and cutting power drops.
─Slash.
I slashed vertically with force. Just before the tip hit ground,
'Kill the Demon King.'
Final link. First Form: Shadow Slash.
"Eh?"
Magic Hat uttered a sharp yelp. But the technique had landed true.
Wing Shedding to redirect force.
Reverse Scale Thrust to chain into the weakness.
Void Slash for raw cutting.
Shadow Slash to strike the essence.
Thus, the Drake-style ultimate, Dragon Kill,
became Demon King Slayer by my will.
Thududududuk!! An explosion roared as a storm engulfed Magic Hat. A sharp black blade tip bisected her vertically.
'Huh, darling... what are you...'
She reached out to falsify her plight, but failed. The Truth Demon King was shredded by Demon King Slayer without a scream.
'No, can't end like this. I'll really die. This hits the real body too...'
The white-haired woman felt pain for the first time in decades. She had to escape. Lose to this?
Not even true Dragon Kill. Just clumsily chained Drake-style stances. She knew them superficially. How such power...?
'Does that mean darling really intends to... kill me...?'
This situation meant Licht's will was that immense.
Her thoughts reached that point, and she grinned twistedly. Her heart pounded like a hammer.
"Heeheehee... Darling... sorry... guess it's time to part!"
Writhing in pain, Magic Hat played all her remaining cards from her bosom. Trump cards swirled upward on the wind.
"You... trying to escape...?"
They multiplied massively like magic—her final escape route.
Finale Magic. Distract the eye, flee through space.
"Where."
Once more, the Black Knight's sword swung horizontally. It sliced the storm-trapped her sideways. A circular arc.
"Too bad! That's fake!!"
Slower than before. This time, her real body took no hit.
Grinning ear-to-ear, the magician swapped with the airborne cards. Yet the helmeted man on the ground reacted indifferently.
"I know."
"Huh...? If you can't reach up here, you can't catch me, darling... then..."
Afloat in the air, chills ran through her. Why? Why this unease? The height difference was massive.
At this distance, even that Demon King Slayer wouldn't reach. Just slip out of this dark space and done...
Then it happened. Licht stared blankly at her fleeing high above, then,
used a holy sword skill. Devil wings sprouted from his back.
Right—same as a Demon King. In the face of death, she'd forgotten even that simple fact.
"I... I was wrong. You're... always amazing!! Darling!!"
She spread her arms toward the soaring helmeted Black Knight, sending pure awe and affection.
"..."
But Licht, blood dripping from under the helmet, gave no reply. As if ending an unreachable conversation.
"Hee... See you soon, darling!!"
Her throat met the sword again. Slash. The moment Magic Hat fell once.
I succeeded in catching Magic Hat.
Didn't fully kill her, but inflicted major damage. Even a fake clone, Shadow Slash hit the real body.
'Protected the Nameless Saintess.'
For that, I'm falling now. All