Chapter 290
Chapter 290
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 290
Chapter Title: Leonhardt vs. Han Cheon-seong - Replicating Power (2)
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***
Leonhardt, enveloped in an azure wave.
The moment he kicked off the ground, his figure vanished from sight.
"…!"
To me, it was an unbelievable burst of speed.
It reminded me of the instantaneous acceleration that utilized the energy of the Sword of the Azure Sky.
To his opponent, he would vanish with such incredible speed that they would lose track of his movements, if only for an instant.
It was also the core reason why Leonhardt held such an overwhelming advantage in one-on-one combat and battles against apostles and monsters.
‘Still, how?’
How could Leonhardt display such speed?
I wasn't underestimating him. Even so, I couldn't hide my surprise at his speed for that brief moment.
Now, with my own level having risen, I could fully react to Leonhardt's movements, unlike in our first duel.
I twisted my body and thrust my spear diagonally.
*Claaang!!*
An unbelievably fierce and intense sound rang out, hardly seeming like the clash of a spear and a sword.
The moment we met, Leonhardt's figure vanished from my sight again, as if in a burst of blue light.
*Whoosh!*
I instantly spun around, meeting Leonhardt's presence with my spear once more.
*Screeeech!!*
Immediately after, the spearhead and the blade locked, letting out a strange metallic shriek as we skillfully parried each other's long weapons.
And I could see it.
Beyond his sword, wreathed in another azure wave, were Leonhardt's perfectly calm eyes...
"…"
Between his firmly set lips and determined gaze, I could even feel his resolve.
‘What kind of mindset must one have to possess such a look in their eyes?’
The thought made my grip tighten on its own.
*Kwang!*
I fiercely struck Leonhardt's sword as he vanished from sight again, completely repelling him.
*Shhhhk…!*
Sent flying back by the immense force, Leonhardt dragged his feet across the ground as he calmly caught his breath.
I, too, recognized that I had allowed him to close the distance, even for a moment, and remembered my duty as a spearman.
When facing a cold weapon, allowing an opponent to close the distance is a disgrace for a spearman.
The spear's greatest advantage.
Remembering that its strength comes from distance, I changed my mindset.
"…"
I cast aside the thought of being considerate to not hurt Leonhardt's feelings, the idea of holding back my true skill.
I had to face him properly.
‘It’s hard to believe, but…’
Despite losing his Trait, Leonhardt was replicating the power of the Sword of the Azure Sky on his own.
"I'm sorry."
"Han Cheon-seong. Why... the sudden apology?"
"Because I wasn't facing you properly."
I calmly apologized and corrected my stance.
*Shhhk!*
I raised the tip of the spear in my right hand, holding it diagonally.
"...Glad you changed your mind on your own. I was just about to say something."
He grinned and raised his sword, mirroring me.
Watching him, a thought came to mind.
Our first duel, which held great meaning for both of us. In that duel, I had gripped my spear with both hands and continuously attacked first.
And now, I could feel that our positions were completely reversed.
I was originally the challenger against Leonhardt, but now he was the one challenging me.
‘In that case…’
Just as Leonhardt had faced me with his full strength without letting his guard down back then, I too had to face him properly.
"…"
The mana forming a wave around Leonhardt's body.
Mana with a peculiar quality that reminded me of the energy from the Sword of the Azure Sky that Leonhardt once possessed.
The clear, bright light, though not the brilliant radiance of the Sword of the Azure Sky, was exuding a tremendous presence.
Watching him hold his ground and observe me, I recalled something.
‘How to use the spear befitting a Level 5 Trait.’
And through my narrowed eyes, I focused on Leonhardt's sword.
In one-on-one combat between wielders of cold weapons, not apostles or monsters, the spear holds an overwhelming advantage.
And even more so against a sword...
*Thump!*
The thought had barely formed when I kicked off the ground.
It was to pressure Leonhardt with my spear once again, just as I had in the past.
Just as I closed the distance in an instant.
Leonhardt also made his move.
*Thump!*
Leonhardt's form vanished the moment his foot lightly pushed off the ground. But I caught up to his figure as it moved, leaving a blue afterimage.
*Clang!*
The moment the spear's trajectory aimed straight for Leonhardt, he reacted as if it were only natural and parried it.
And then, with a sudden, lightning-fast movement, he rushed toward me.
*Swoosh!*
The remnants of mana, moving like waves, brilliantly filled my vision.
A strange approach, closing the distance the moment he parried the spear. He wasn't simply trying to replicate the energy of the Sword of the Azure Sky.
He moved unpredictably, as if he had thought of a way to face me.
"…"
Even so, his sword never reached me.
I thrust my spear with force, as if to bat away the distance he had closed.
*KRAANG!*
A deafening roar echoed, as if striking a lump of iron.
Leonhardt, who had barely blocked the spearhead with the flat of his blade, was thrown back, his figure receding from my view.
*Thud!*
Yet, as if giving him no time to breathe, I immediately rushed toward him.
"…"
My heart was calm and still.
I began to thrust my spear madly, as if chasing the form of Leonhardt, who was enveloped in the azure wave of mana.
*Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!!*
As the fierce clang of metal and brilliant sparks endlessly bloomed, dominating the air, I found myself staring not at his sword, but at his eyes.
The mana, like an azure wave, that currently dwelled in his blade was formidable.
However, it couldn't fully replicate the mighty power of the Sword of the Azure Sky.
Even its application was incomplete.
The sight of him replicating a lost Trait was certainly surprising, but... that was all.
With that level of power, he could never reach me.
"Keuk!"
Watching Leonhardt's form being repeatedly pushed back by the force behind my spear, I hardened my heart.
Now that I had erased any thought of going easy on him.
I didn't know exactly what Leonhardt wanted from this duel with me.
But what he wanted was my best.
He wanted me to show him my power, just as it is, so I would simply show it to him.
*Shhhk!*
Even as the constantly retreating Leonhardt tried to accelerate away to regain his posture, I had no intention of stopping.
Just like in our first duel, I maintained a fierce offensive, driving him back.
The only difference between now and then was that Leonhardt was struggling greatly just to defend.
"…"
As I thrust my spear without a word, I could see Leonhardt somehow parrying it, his own movements decorating the air.
When his sword, a wave of blue, tried to carve a trace in the air, the azure spearhead followed, erasing it completely.
*Clang—! Clang—!*
Leonhardt suddenly tried to break the flow by striking my spearhead with sharp, powerful blows, a response that surprised even me.
The trajectory of my spearhead was not simple.
Arms, legs, shoulders, chest, thighs, head.
Despite aiming for nearly every vital point, he reacted to them all.
And he displayed the artistry to block them with near-optimal moves.
Despite such a gap in power, Leonhardt was reacting to my spear.
That made me feel an extremely strange emotion.
I knew I could corner him and win in the end, as my physical abilities had risen to a new level after reaching Trait Level 5.
I also knew that Leonhardt was just barely holding on...
*KWAANG!*
Then, a massive explosion erupted, and a shockwave spread from the point where the spearhead and blade met.
*Swish!*
Through my hair, fluttering in the aftermath, I saw Leonhardt, who had instantly created a large distance between us.
I paused my advance and took in the sight of him.
*Thud!*
"Hah... hah..."
Leonhardt, gasping for breath the moment he barely landed on the ground.
After blocking Leonhardt's initial attack, I had switched to the offensive and pushed him back relentlessly. Now, a little over ten minutes had passed.
That alone was enough to see the end of the duel.
‘He’s already at his limit... I suppose.’
His face was flushed red, and along with his ragged breaths, the momentum of the azure wave surrounding his body had clearly weakened compared to the beginning.
"…"
I, too, calmed my slightly ragged breath and slowly changed my spear stance. Until now, I had pressured Leonhardt with swift, relentless attacks, but now I intended to end it.
*Grip…!*
More strength flowed into the hand gripping the spear.
From now on, I would put immense power into every single move.
I would meet Leonhardt's strength—his ability to parry by breaking the flow of my spear—with my own, force against force, until he was forced to drop his sword.
*Srrk.*
I pulled the spear back and slightly lowered my waist.
Just as I changed my spear stance.
As if taking in my change, a fiercer azure wave surged from his two hands gripping the sword.
His weakened momentum changed in an instant.
Taking in the sight, I took a small breath and thought.
‘Three exchanges.’
At most, I would end this duel within the next three exchanges.
To subdue Leonhardt in a single move without seriously injuring him was impossible.
The potential Leonhardt had shown.
The nature of his mana, manifesting as if replicating the lost Sword of the Azure Sky, his astonishing swordsmanship, and his artistic reactions to hold on—all of it had surpassed my expectations.
That's why I had to do my best now, more than ever.
Continuing this duel half-heartedly wasn't what he truly wanted.
"Han Cheon-seong…"
Hearing his sudden, serious voice, I slowly opened my mouth.
"...Yes, Leonhardt."
My voice had become subdued.
...Throughout this duel, my heart hadn't been at ease for a single moment.
The outcome of this duel didn't matter at all. In that sense, its meaning was the same as our first duel.
However, unlike then, my heart felt much heavier as this duel progressed.
"You really are... strong. It's just amazing how much you've grown, even compared to our first duel."
And suddenly, without any pretense, he expressed his pure admiration for me.
I stared at him blankly, then bit my lip.
"…"
I could barely part my lips, but no words came out.
His unexpected words had suddenly shaken my heart.
‘Me, right now…’
How could I comment on Leonhardt's skill after he lost the Sword of the Azure Sky, or say that it was amazing he could manifest this much power...
I couldn't bring myself to say such things to him.
Anyone else might, but I, who knew the 'truth' behind the unfortunate accident that befell Leonhardt, was not allowed to say those words.
Rather, I couldn't understand.
‘Just how…’
How could he possess such a strong heart?