The Prison and the Spatial Slash
The bead responded to my question of 'Then what's the other method?' by emitting a blinding light from its center, etching a long line across the floor.
'You really do have all sorts of tricks up your sleeve.' The line of light, stretching roughly three meters, sparkled on the ground like scattered starlight.
'What is this...?'
With your ability to cut space, try slicing something of this scale. Succeed, and I shall teach you the second method.
'...... You're joking, right?'
The area I could currently cut was laughably small. Ten centimeters at best? The growth from training was extremely limited, too, meaning it would take a considerable amount of time before I could extend it to a satisfying length. And now he wanted three meters?
'Huu... Your standards are on an entirely different level from mine.' My confidence took a small hit, and I shook my head.
The Master laughed cheerfully in response.
My disciple. Have you ever encountered the followers of the Blue Eye?
'Um—many times. There was even a red-haired elf among them.'
Hmph, an elf? Never speak of that arrogant race again!
'...... What happened to you? Why are you suddenly so angry?'
Speaking of it would only dirty my mouth. Elves are creatures that bewitch with their appearance and love to stab others in the back. You must never approach them, my disciple.
(It was the bead that got bewitched by the appearance, though. Our Ilwol would never make such a mistake, right? Hohohot—)
[······.]
The Master, who had been bickering with the tree for a while due to Rainy's provocation, continued.
At any rate, the ones you have seen are likely the mediocre rabble of this world who have fallen for the Blue Eye's temptation.
'That's correct. Of course there were some strong ones among them, but I never faced them directly since they ran away the moment they saw me.'
Those types, considering your current growth rate, you should be able to handle soon enough. However, those who have inherited even a fraction of the Blue Eye's power are different.
'Inherited the Blue Eye's power...'
They possess elongated bodies with eyes degenerated as if scorched by fire, monsters that blindly follow the Blue Eye's commands. Yet their vitality is truly horrifying, making them exceptionally difficult opponents.
'Indeed... I've never seen anything like that.' I tilted my head and asked again. 'But just how incredible is their life force...? It's not like they can survive decapitation or anything, right?'
They can.
'... Excuse me?'
If my memory serves, many of them survived even after their heads were severed. I once saw one grow a new torso from its severed head.
'That's impossible... Humanoid monsters die instantly if their heads are cut off... Isn't that already a monster at that point?'
Khkh— A monster. That description fits perfectly.
'I see... So you're saying that to eliminate them, the ability to cut space is necessary?'
Correct. More precisely, it allows you to deal with them efficiently using minimal strength. The ability to cut space will sever their connection to the Blue Eye.
'Ah, I see...'
Somewhere on their bodies, there must be a thread connecting them to it. But that thread is invisible to any being other than the Blue Eye itself.
'Uh, with my senses, maybe—'
Even with the sensory ability you possess, it will be impossible to detect. Their threads are usually located near the center of their bodies. Therefore, you must split them exactly in half. This is a fact I learned through countless experiences.
'I see... So if I cut them precisely vertically down the middle, it triggers an instant death effect.'
Precisely. For a skeleton, your comprehension is remarkably quick.
This was a method the Master had verified multiple times. There was no room for doubt.
'It's not something I can afford to think I can't do.' It was something I absolutely had to accomplish. Suddenly, the image of Hyeon Jung-gil bisecting the monster 'Thorny Hippo' flashed through my mind. Just how much time and effort would I need to reach that realm?
'... The difference in our levels is immense.' It was a moment that made me realize my position once again.
Do not worry. I have come after refining my secret technique once more. Khkh—
As the Master shook the orb and burst into laughter, unable to hide his excitement, Rainy cried out in alarm.
(No! You're not trying to drag Ilwol into danger again, are you?)
Well... We will only know after trying. Still, since I have improved it once, it should be fine, no?
Rainy clutched her branches to her head at the Master's irresponsible words.
(Aack! I don't trust a single thing you say! You have zero evidence for it being 'fine'!)
Can a tree who knows nothing just stay quiet!
Rainy swung her branches wildly while the Master dodged and repeatedly rammed his orb into the tree. Watching the two bicker, I couldn't help but laugh. They were like a comedy duo who couldn't go a moment without arguing.
'Alright. As long as it makes me stronger, I'm willing to take on that much risk. By the way, Master, there's one more thing I'm curious about.'
Hm? What is it?
I tapped the floor lightly with my greatsword and asked, 'This floor. Or rather, this space. If you know anything about it, please tell me.'
[Hmm······.]
The orb flew around in a figure-eight for a while before speaking in a slightly serious voice.
What I know is only one thing. This place is a 'prison'.
'?!'
I suddenly heard something completely unexpected. A prison? What did that mean?
'You mean a prison in the sense that we're trapped here?'
That would differ for each individual. However... it is clear that this space was created to achieve some purpose. Otherwise, someone like me would not......
'Hm?!'
But the Master suddenly stopped mid-sentence. When he began moving again, he showed no recollection whatsoever of my previous question.
My disciple. What was I saying just now?
I asked the same question again, but once more, the Master stopped speaking halfway and his consciousness seemed to fly away. A chill ran down my spine.
(What the... What's wrong with the bead? It's giving me goosebumps.)
'Could it be that some kind of restriction has been placed on him?'
But when I had asked Rainy, there had been no such reaction... If there was one thing Rainy and I had in common, it was that we had both lived as humans on Earth.
'Damn it, what is this? I have no idea. Anyway, it's a prison?'
I asked what he did when he wasn't with me. The Master replied that he usually wandered around aimlessly, and for the past few days he had been researching my secret technique. Of course, when I asked where he conducted that research, he shut his mouth again.
'Are there other heroes like you, Master?'
The orb froze in midair once more at the different question.
'...... There is definitely something here.'
Rather, that reaction gave me certainty. A tremendous being who had approached the end of the sword's path. There existed an entity that had turned such a person into an orb, placed restrictions on him, and imprisoned him. The goosebumps on my body refused to subside. The darkness filling this space suddenly felt unfamiliar.
Even when I stretched my senses toward the sky with all my might, I couldn't reach the ceiling. A space so vast its width couldn't be measured. And this place was a prison?
'... It's true. It really is a prison, isn't it? Here?'
The Master didn't seem to be bound like I was, but I had been the one truly trapped in a prison for a long time. Why hadn't I thought of that? What puzzled me, though, was what crime I had committed to be imprisoned. Had I done something terribly wrong in a previous life that I couldn't remember?
'Rainy seems to be a slightly different case... As expected. Should I follow the Master once?'
The Master would suddenly disappear after finishing my training. I decided that today I would tail him. Of course, there was no way the Master wouldn't notice me following, but he might show a different reaction like when he had frozen in midair earlier.
Ugh— My head feels a bit dizzy. At any rate, I will create the space for you again, so focus solely on the basic movements. There is no need to do it as slowly as last time. However, there is also no need to struggle to cut quickly. Relax your strength as much as possible and do it lightly.
'Yes. Understood.'
The Master spun rapidly around me, and once again that strange sensation enveloped my body. Some time passed. When I came to my senses, I had no memory of what happened after I first began swinging my sword.
'Huk— Huk— Kuuuugh...! My head!'
I woke up lying on the floor and had to roll around clutching my head. It hurt so much. No, it felt like my soul was shattering. The pain was so intense that I thought it might be better to just die once and revive.
Huu— Still, it seems much better than last time.
Since the horrific event of my armor weathering away and disappearing didn't occur, the Master nodded in satisfaction as he watched me return after finishing the training.
(You call that better?! He's clearly in agony!)
But that only lasted a moment. Soon the pain vanished as if it had been washed away. The instant my mind felt clear and refreshed, I sprang up and gripped my greatsword.
'I need to imprint this sensation.'
Rainy and the Master quickly closed their mouths and stared at me intently.
Whoosh—
'Mm! Good. It's working.'
Nothing came to mind, but my body remembered. The long years I had swung it until losing consciousness were imprinted, and I began to slash downward.
Whoooooooosh———!
The haze flickering at the tip of the sword now carried a clearer blue light than before, and with it, a long line was engraved into the floor. Right beside the line the Master had drawn, another streak of light split the ground. Soon, a sharply divided line was carved into the floor.
'It's still quite short of one meter, but this is insane? To achieve this in just one day...'
Strictly speaking, it hadn't been a single day. It was the result of being trapped in one space for at least several decades, repeating the same motion. If it had been Hyeon Il-hwan or Hyeon Woo-seok, they probably wouldn't have needed such a long time like me.
Hmm— Not bad at all!
Still, judging from the Master's reaction, it seemed my achievement wasn't entirely lacking. Hearing that voice brought back faint memories. I had been thoroughly scolded by that very voice for a very long time.
'Master...'
It felt like hearing a longed-for voice after so long, and my heart swelled with emotion for a moment. Though I had no memory of it, this was the person who had guided me for decades. How could I not feel grateful?
You have successfully internalized the extremely dangerous training presented by the great being who approached the end of the sword's path, doing so with utmost concentration.
The trait [Penetration] has been fixed at 22% (+2%).
It wasn't as dramatic as when I first realized Spatial Slash last time, but Penetration had still increased by 2%. I wanted to test this ability soon. Preferably in real combat.
'The Great Villain, Bin Chi-seung. The moment I meet that bastard, if I hit him with Flame Chain followed by the Skeleton Bomb and Special Strong Acid combo, then finish with a Spatial Slash infused with Flame Slash... Wouldn't that take him out in one go?'
I spun the sword skillfully in one hand, picturing the upcoming battle in my mind.