Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Hero
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Hero.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Thunderous explosions like detonating bombs reverberated in every direction.
Sword strikes clashed. Beneath the dark night sky, red, green, and blue lights intertwined.
At a glance, it was a beautiful sight. But this spectacle was born of destruction.
Han Yuseong eyed his foe.
'I'm being pushed back.'
This wasn't good.
Even though he was the one relentlessly pressing the attack.
With every strike he unleashed, he felt himself yielding ground.
It looked like he was unilaterally assaulting the man, but in truth, he hadn't inflicted a single wound on Diago.
His mana, battle spirit, and stamina were all draining away.
'...I used it too hastily.'
A twinge of regret crept in.
Han Yuseong chewed his lip, lost in thought.
He had landed some hits.
Dark Moon.
And he'd stolen something from Diago, disrupting his stance.
"...What the hell was that technique of yours?"
Diago glared at Yuseong as he spoke.
Boom! Boom!
Their swords clashed again.
Unlike his frivolous tone and flapping gums,
'It's like Ermé.'
His attacks flowed seamlessly into defense, and his defenses countered with offense.
A perfectly balanced swordsmanship, neither overly aggressive nor defensive.
-That's orthodox swordsmanship.
'Orthodox?'
-The kind those types wield. It's been a while since I've seen it. Swordplay that doesn't lean toward any single extreme.
Indeed.
Elven swordsmanship favored speed.
Orcish styles emphasized raw power. They incorporated technique, sure.
'My strength and agility have grown, and I feel stronger for it.'
But this was something else entirely.
-It's strange, though.
'What is?'
Reacting inwardly to Rishiel's words, Yuseong parried the incoming sword strike.
Heavy.
Each block sent vibrations rattling through his bones.
-Guys trained in true orthodox styles all had this robust, hearty build.
'What're you talking about?'
-This one's the same. He lacks one key trait of the demonkin.
'Trait of the demonkin?'
-Reason... They half-lose their intellect and wisdom. But this man? Simple-minded, loose-lipped, yet no demonic signs.
'So...'
Does that mean he's not a demonkin?
Meanwhile, Diago, locked in combat with Yuseong, narrowed his eyes.
Yuseong found Diago overwhelming.
Diago found Yuseong a royal pain in the ass.
'...This bastard.'
His swordplay began to shift.
Adapting to Diago's style, devising counters on the fly.
The blade grew ever sharper, more sinister.
'Thinks he's some sword ghost?'
Ridiculous. Diago's lips curled into a smirk.
Talent like this always excited him.
...Which made it all the more tragic.
'Such talent at his age, and he dips into evil.'
But talent doesn't always align with character.
Brilliant gifts paired with rotten morals eventually breed disaster.
Diago's gaze darkened at the thought of snuffing out this shining potential with his own hands.
'And after that recent incident...'
Diago steadied his heart.
The foe before him was pure evil.
Just moments ago, that collapsing darkness had blocked his strike.
And in the process...
'He did something.'
A portion of his battle spirit and mana had vanished.
Typically a Gift effect—and the dangerous sort, usually wielded by demons or villains.
Thus, this man was...
Diago assumed his stance.
No plans for a one-shot kill.
The orthodox way.
Whittle away at his guard, bit by bit. The safest, most efficient method.
Whoosh!
He swung his greatsword, batting away Yuseong's sword aura.
Then a flying kick came at him.
'...Already.'
He'd stolen his swordsmanship and movements.
Monster.
Suddenly, two disciples came to mind.
Ones he'd trained personally.
One had talent but poor character.
The other had heart but little gift.
And if this one was the former type...
Then before it was too late.
'With my own hands.'
He had to end it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Endless sword clashes.
Even blocking them left him gasping.
And then.
Fwoosh!
Killing intent erupted like an explosion. His skin prickled as if scorched.
'...Now I can kinda see it.'
Level 5.
Top tier, even among them.
-Run.
Rishiel urged him.
-You can still escape now. Head straight for that Volkan guy.
'Quiet.'
I silenced her. Of course she'd prioritize my life.
I held her soulstone and corpse, after all.
If I died, no resurrection for her.
So that's that.
I'd flee if I could.
'...But I can't.'
A strange sensation kept whispering otherwise.
And just a bit more...
'I feel like I could win.'
One arm hung limp. The hand gripping Whisper of the Wind.
'This arm's not responding.'
Fine. Ditch Whisper of the Wind.
I gripped Blood-Soaked Dagger with both hands.
"Here I come."
Diago spoke. And like a cannonball, he lunged at me with terrifying speed.
'Fast...!'
I widened my eyes.
Moved my sword. Clashing head-on was suicide. So...
'Steal his speed.'
Plunder.
A phantom tug pulled at my unresponsive hand.
Diago's speed visibly slowed.
Throb.
But nothing came free. My head pounded like it might split.
Nosebleed gushing.
"You bastard, using sorcery again!"
'Not sorcery.'
I ignored Diago's shout and swung. He'd slowed, but still faster than I could barely react to.
Luckily...
'The stolen speed boosts me too.'
So I could cope. Gripping my blood-drenched blade, I dodged Diago's strikes.
Shifted my feet.
And...
Reached out.
Please.
Just once more.
Something to turn this fight.
'...Steal.'
Plunder.
Nosebleed streamed. Something dripped from my eyes.
-Y-You!
And in my grasp...
Fwoooosh!
A brilliantly shining sword.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ '...Took longer than expected.'
Ermé sighed, hoisting Celi onto her back.
Fortunate, in a way.
These nuisances here weren't powerhouses—just annoyances.
But their pestering had delayed her more than anticipated.
'If these were the real threats...'
Then where Yuseong was, some heavy hitter awaited.
'...'
Ermé lingered on an ominous hunch. Maybe something had gone wrong with Yuseong.
'No way.'
Rebellion's base wasn't here.
They operated in scattered cells mostly.
No cadre strong enough to threaten him would show yet.
And even if one did, no big deal.
Guild Master, Volkan, and Mist would handle it.
Ermé dashed toward the orphanage, Celi on her back.
Boom! Boom!
The moment she neared, combat sounds rang out.
Blue and red lights flashed alternately.
With a seasoned swordsman's eye, Ermé assessed instantly.
'Yuseong's on the back foot?'
How the hell did a monster like that get here?
She raced forward, drawing Champion's Sword.
Red aura condensed rapidly, extending the blade.
And then.
Fwoooosh!
An immense light burst forth. Yuseong held a holy sword.
And...
"Master?"
Her master stood there.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Diago winced at the voice calling him.
The girl with heart but little talent.
"Dangerous. Stay back."
"No, why are you fighting him?"
"This one's a demonkin..."
"What nonsense! If he's a demonkin, half the Empire is too!"
"What're you saying? You didn't see his evil techniques. He stole the holy sword... Huh?"
Only then did Diago sense something off about the man before him.
"Why is the holy sword...?"
Before the question finished.
"Gaaah! Graaaahhh!"
One being screamed.
Bathed in light, Celi's form melted away like a shadow.
"...No."
The hero's holy sword.
The one he'd been [safeguarding] to deliver to the hero.
And the holy sword slays evil.
Even mere exposure makes abyssal beings and the Demon King's kin writhe in agony unto death.
"...My god."
Diago finally understood.
The one he'd pegged as evil was the evil-slayer.
And the one he'd protected? Pure evil.
'But wait.'
Diago noticed the anomaly.
The holy sword.
The blade that yielded only to that arrogant woman.
Yet it blazed gloriously the instant this man grasped it.
"Yuseong?"
Sensing something uncanny, Ermé called his name.
Han Yuseong hurled the holy sword away.
Gripped his own blade two-handed.
"Forgive me. I'll make proper reparations..."
"Shut up."
Han Yuseong ignored Diago. Diago just chuckled.
"That your party member?"
"Y-Yes? Yeah, she's in our party."
In that moment, Yuseong ripped off his mask.
Purple eyes gleaming clear in the night.
Starkly visible.
Ermé stared into Yuseong's eyes and thought.
His eyes are a bit...
'Glazed over?'
Ermé panicked, trying to restrain Yuseong.
But Yuseong pointed his sword at Diago.
"Pfft, hahaha! You picked one hell of a lunatic for your party!"
Diago laughed.
He'd invited the charge, after all.
Diago raised his greatsword.
He hadn't wanted it to end so quick either.
Han Yuseong charged at Diago, sword raised.
And swung.
Diago felt something odd.
'...Something.'
An illusory figure overlapped Yuseong's form for a split second.
Meanwhile, Han Yuseong stared ahead with entranced eyes.
Some issue had resolved, but a little more and he'd gain something.
So he lunged at Diago.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The swordplay evolved.
Blindingly fast and sharp strikes gradually accelerated further.
But Diago realized his own techniques were seeping into Yuseong's style.
Still...
'Not enough.'
Chosen by the holy sword.
Meaning he wielded the Empire's hidden blade, with qualities akin to his disciple.
Not entirely to his liking.
Proactive against demonkin was good, unlike his disciple.
'But he's got devilish tricks.'
Looked like thievery—stealing others' prowess.
No way a talent like that was Thief Hero material.
'I'll break him of that habit.'
Diago smirked, parrying Yuseong's blade.
The outcome?
"Fine swordplay, boy."
Han Yuseong's near-defeat.
Diago raised his sword.
Some inexplicable instinct urged him to.
'What is this.'
Something.
An oppressive presence emanated from Yuseong.
His sword moved languidly.
Profound Heavens.
And darkness rose solemnly.