Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Shadow Duke Defeated
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The shadow made of mana scattered like mist.
The shadow enveloping Strain was so solid that it wouldn't budge under ordinary attacks.
But Sewoojin's foot pierced through it all too easily.
Kwaaaang-!
Strain was flung backward like a cannonball.
It was just a kick.
Even after losing much of its power piercing the shadow, the impact was tremendous.
"Cough!"
Strain barely regained his balance and crashed into the ground, hacking up a cough to avoid the humiliation.
"Changed your mind yet?"
Sewoojin's cold voice rang out.
Strain lifted his head and glared at Sewoojin.
"You dare...!"
His face was filled with rage.
For a mere disposable pawn meant to be used and discarded in war to attack one of the Empire's five wings—himself!
"Dare? Please."
Sewoojin's lips twisted.
Only an overwhelmingly superior being could say such things to an inferior.
And right now, Strain was no superior to Sewoojin.
"You still haven't come to your senses."
Sewoojin had no intention of killing him.
That would likely mean fighting the entire Empire.
But he had no intention of letting it slide either.
"You explain yourself. Why were you spying on me in secret? Whose orders were you following for this nonsense?"
Honestly, Sewoojin could guess even without Strain saying anything.
There was only one person who could command him.
The Emperor.
Sewoojin expected Strain wouldn't talk, and planned to beat him thoroughly as payback.
"You must obey our commands...!"
"Bullshit."
Sewoojin cut him off and shot forward like a spring.
Startled, Strain clamped his mouth shut and erected a wall of mana-made shadow.
Sgeok-!
The shadow split open futilely.
Through the gap appeared Karaniel, wreathed in gray aura—drawn at some point.
Strain paled in shock and twisted his body aside.
Jjeok-!
Red liquid sprayed from his chest.
It was movement at peak speed, but not enough to evade Sewoojin's Karaniel.
The wound wasn't deep, but it wounded his pride greatly.
"You worm!"
Enraged, Strain thrust out his hand.
Black shadow burst forth, taking the form of a blade.
'Dark Shadow Blade!'
Also known as the God-Slaying Blade.
Sewoojin had once blocked this massive sword.
He had poured everything into defending, but lost consciousness as a result.
Even that had been Strain holding back, mindful of Sewoojin's strength.
The Dark Shadow Blade before him now held a ferocity incomparable to then.
It truly lived up to the name 'God-Slaying.'
'Fine.'
Yet Sewoojin's expression barely changed.
'I'm not the me from back then.'
He was at least several times stronger now, having reached the same realm as Strain.
This time, he was confident he could block it perfectly.
Sewoojin circulated his Chaos Energy furiously.
It was a slightly different method from Ban Slaine's teachings.
Instead of a natural flow like water, it rampaged through his mana circuits like a torrent.
The circulation speed became incomparably faster.
One loop, two, three.
With each revolution, the amount of Chaos Energy surged.
The rough method strained his mana circuits, but Sewoojin's body endured it effortlessly.
And finally, the tenth loop.
A brilliantly shining gray Chaos Energy took perfect sword form before his eyes.
It all happened in an instant, shorter than a blink.
Seeing the radiant gray sword, Sewoojin pondered briefly.
'What should I name it?'
The shadow blade was almost upon him.
But Sewoojin remained relaxed.
Thanks to the rapid circulation of Chaos Energy, his thoughts raced dozens of times faster than usual.
Watching Strain's attack approach in slow motion, Sewoojin decided.
'Just call it "Chaos Sword."'
It was a sword forged from energy that was pure chaos, blending mana and demonic energy.
Sewoojin sighed inwardly at his lame naming sense and swung the sword down.
Woooooong-!
Space warped and tore.
Then it clashed with the shadow blade.
---
There was no sound.
Or perhaps it was too immense to hear.
The aftermath of the Chaos Sword and Dark Shadow Blade's collision swept the entire academy.
Kwa-gwagwagwang-!
The nearest dormitory was demolished to rubble, and training grounds protected by powerful defensive magic circles vanished without a trace.
"What the—again?!"
"What's going on?!"
Resting heroes burst out in alarm, and knights came running with faces drained of color.
"Hmm..."
Sewoojin frowned and sheathed his Chaos Sword.
It was his first technique created purely from his own skill, not a skill.
The spectacle it wrought was awe-inspiring.
"Kuuh..."
Strain collapsed, bleeding from his entire body.
It wasn't just the external wounds.
When his Dark Shadow Blade shattered against the Chaos Sword, the shock had ravaged his insides.
He was probably feeling as if his organs were being ripped apart.
Sewoojin wasn't in great shape either.
The title of Shadow Duke, one of the Empire's guardians, was no empty fame.
His full-powered attack had been truly fearsome.
'Lucky this time.'
One misstep, and it would be him on the ground, not Strain.
It was possible only because Chaos Energy held the advantage over Strain's mana.
"God-Slaying Blade, huh..."
Whether it could truly slay a god, he didn't know, but it was powerful enough to warrant the name.
It could probably behead most Apostles or guardians in one stroke.
Sewoojin swallowed the blood rising in his throat.
No need to show weakness.
After deep breaths to calm his churning insides, he slowly approached Strain.
Even drenched in blood, Strain struggled to rise.
"Kuhk!"
Bloodshot eyes glared at Sewoojin.
A complex gaze mixing rage, shock, and killing intent.
"...Kill me."
Strain ground his teeth.
"Don't make me laugh."
Sewoojin sneered.
"You know better than anyone I won't kill you."
Strain fell silent.
He just stared daggers at Sewoojin.
"Go back. Tell the Emperor to leave me alone."
"You bastard dare..."
"I said don't say 'dare.'"
Sewoojin stomped on Strain's head.
Kwaduk-!
His face smashed into the ground.
He felt resistance, but in his wrecked state, Strain couldn't push off Sewoojin's foot.
"I won't do anything as long as you don't mess with me first. I'll take down the Demon King in the Descent War like you want and go back to Earth. So tell him—please stop touching me. If you keep this up..."
Sewoojin trailed off.
But Strain knew without hearing the rest.
With that level of skill and personality, he wouldn't be surprised at any crazy stunt.
He might even fight the entire Empire or side with the Demon King's followers.
Strain bit his lip.
He realized he couldn't ignore Sewoojin's words.
Yet he gave no reply.
Pride as the Empire's guardian sealed his lips.
"Fine, whatever. I'll go tell the Emperor myself."
Of course, Sewoojin had zero intention of respecting Strain's pride or ego.
If he wanted that, he shouldn't have pulled this stunt to begin with.
Sewoojin lifted his foot from Strain's head and turned.
He really planned to go to the imperial palace and confront the Emperor directly.
If words failed?
'I'll think about it then.'
He had no desire to fight the Empire.
But if things kept souring, following Ban Slaine back to Zion didn't sound bad.
Assuming Zion permitted it...
Then, a small voice came from behind.
"...Understood."
Sewoojin halted and turned.
"What?"
It was faint.
But clear.
"I'll relay your words to His Majesty."
With his head still planted in the dirt, Strain spoke.
Sewoojin stood still a moment, then nodded.
"Make sure you do."
He sheathed Karaniel and looked around.
Crowds stared at him and Strain.
Faces full of confusion, clueless to what had transpired.
The knights were different.
They were horrified.
What Sewoojin had just faced was a sword of shadow—now gone without trace.
And only one person on the continent could create such a blade.
Shadow Duke Strain.
One of the Empire's guardians, among the continent's strongest, defeated by Sewoojin.
They could hardly believe their eyes.
By a hero summoned barely over a year ago.
The knights couldn't accept it.
Sewoojin clicked his tongue at their disbelieving stares and walked toward his worried comrades.
"...Uncle?"
Lee Ji-ah called out with wide, startled rabbit eyes.
Asking what the hell happened.
"Let's go somewhere intact. I'll explain there."
Sewoojin led his bewildered comrades away.
'No need to stay cooped up now.'
His assigned dormitory was totaled anyway.
'Not that it matters at this point.'
The Shadow Duke had been defeated.
Who would dare confine him now?
The Empire would watch him warily for a while.
His victory was a massive shock to the Empire and all nations.
'It wasn't planned, but it worked out.'
They'd be more guarded, but having confirmed his power, they wouldn't touch him openly.
He could relax a bit.
But Sewoojin didn't know.
The real crisis was just beginning.
And it wasn't starting in the Empire—but in Aier...