Chapter 18
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Sword Spirit's Test
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18.
"What?"
Eirana asked curtly, and the sword spirit opened its mouth.
- Your current form is surely not your true one.
Indeed, that was the case.
Right now, Eirana was merely manifested in a human body that was relatively convenient for everyday life—her true essence was, after all, that of a dragon.
"Is that what's so surprising?"
Eirana tilted her head slightly.
They were conversing and even fighting like this, but the sword spirit before her eyes was in a state akin to having just been born.
As a being with advanced intelligence, it had no trouble expressing itself, but in practical terms, it was no different from a newborn infant.
In a way, everything in the world could seem wondrous to it.
But it was odd to feel that sense of wonder upon seeing someone take on a form different from their true self.
The sword spirit was, at its core, a sword.
In that sense, it was in a similar state to Eirana.
Reading Eirana's thoughts, the sword spirit spoke.
- I can guess what you're thinking, but I do possess 'knowledge.' I am a sword. Through the soul of my creator, I inherited the knowledge he held, so I know full well what manner of being you are.
"That's convenient."
Eirana replied indifferently.
Even those vaunted dragons were utterly ignorant at the moment of their birth.
But unlike such dragons, this sword spirit—and Silver Fang—were said to have been born with knowledge from the start.
Considering it the difference between a natural existence and an artificial one, Eirana asked,
"Then what exactly is so surprising?"
- That a being like you wields a 'sword' with such proficiency.
Hearing those words from the sword spirit, Eirana grasped the root of its doubt.
Having gained Dris's knowledge, it would know a fair amount about the dragon race as well.
For a member of that race—and a young one by their standards—to handle a sword so adeptly was what amazed the sword spirit before her.
"I'm a little special, you see."
With those words, Eirana smiled.
"So, does that mean you've decided to take me as your master?"
- Curiosity and testing are separate matters. If you wish to become my master, then prove your worth as a swordmaster.
'Just as I thought.'
The opponent was operating strictly within the rules of the test.
Eirana tightened her grip on her sword and charged at the sword spirit first this time.
She closed in while raising her blade high, then slashed downward.
Chaeng!Ujijik!
The moment sword clashed against sword amid a piercing screech, the sword spirit's feet gouged into the ground.
Its eyes twitched as it promptly deflected Eirana's sword.
And immediately counterattacked.
Kagagak!
Eirana knocked aside the blade thrusting straight for her heart.
The grating of steel rang out, sparks erupting between the swords.
She'd thought she'd created an opening, only for it to recover instantly and strike back.
In that case...
Eirana's eyes flashed in that instant.
Another mana reservoir in her right chest—the dantian where her inner power lay dormant—began to stir.
Eirana's eyes briefly shifted to those of a dragon.
Kung!
Eirana slammed her right foot down, lowering her stance as she drew both hands back.
She released the sword gripped in her left hand.
Stepping forward with her left foot and using her right as a brace, she unleashed her gathered momentum forward.
The instant power surged into her left foot, Eirana thrust both hands straight ahead.
⟨ Heavenly Demon Divine Art: Giant Demon Force Palm ⟩
Eirana's strike slammed into the sword spirit's abdomen.
A simple motion, yet the power packed within was utterly terrifying.
The sword spirit's body folded like it'd been swatted by some colossal force and went flying.
Kwang!Kwang!Kwajik!Ujijijik!
Sounds of collision with trees echoed as it hurtled into the forest.
Any ordinary human would've been cleaved clean in two, upper body from lower.
"Well, it's a type of martial art, so it should be fine."
The greatest difference from her human days was that, as a dragon, she could now unleash those massive techniques from her past life—which guzzled inner power—with no real strain.
Before, she'd relied on linked techniques to create openings. Now, she could skip straight to delivering one devastating, near-fatal blow after another.
Eirana gripped her sword and muttered,
"It won't go down from something like that, right?"
- Naturally.
Silver Fang, who had stayed silent until then, answered as if it were obvious.
"How much damage did it take?"
- Given the force of that hit you just landed, it definitely took a solid blow. But...
"But?"
- Unlike regular living creatures, it won't show any disruption in its movements.
"..."
So how exactly did you bring down an opponent like that?
Eirana was just about to voice the question when she flinched and swung her sword from right to left.
Kang!
The blade slicing toward her waist was blocked by Eirana's sword.
Grinding her teeth at the black-haired man who had closed to point-blank range, Eirana shoved the sword away and kicked at his side.
Ppeok!
The sword spirit staggered for a split second from the impact.
Rather than press the attack, Eirana chose to step back immediately and observe the situation.
The reason was simple. She had sensed danger.
Gazing at the sword spirit, Eirana smiled.
- Why retreat?
"I put a lot of faith in my instincts."
- Instincts.
The sword spirit muttered softly, then charged straight at Eirana.
Kang!
Another sharp clang rang out.
For a moment, Eirana hesitated upon seeing the sword spirit unleash a one-handed palm strike.
Its center of gravity was unstable.
Even as a non-human sword spirit, it was strictly adhering to the sword-only rules in this fight.
Which meant that attack wouldn't carry much force.
But retreating here could leave her wide open to its sword.
Endure, or pull back?
'Endure!'
Decision made, Eirana clenched her jaw and wrapped her body in protective ki.
The sword spirit's fist plunged straight into her chest.
Pababak!
Blood sprayed in all directions.
A searing pain like being smashed with a blunt weapon.
The sword spirit's fist was no mere fist.
It felt exactly like a razor-sharp blade.
Catching her off guard, Eirana's eyes flew wide as she threw a punch in retaliation.
Teop!
The sword spirit seized her wrist.
Puhwak!
Blood erupted from her chest once more.
Her body was soon covered in jagged cuts, as if repeatedly slashed by knife edges.
Gritting her teeth against the burning agony spreading from her chest and arms, Eirana surged her inner power to repel the sword spirit.
Teng!
Unable to withstand the rebound of her inner force, the sword spirit was flung back and slammed into the ground.
In that time, Eirana steadied her footing.
Blood poured from her chest, soaking her clothes.
The corners of Eirana's eyes trembled.
An intense pain, like burns, overwhelmed her entire body.
As Eirana endured the agony, the sword spirit rose and regarded her with an unchanging, expressionless face.
'Damn it, I forgot it's a sword spirit.'
This wasn't some ordinary human.
Its entire body being a blade was hardly surprising.
Eirana aimed her sword straight at the spirit despite the pain dulling her movements.
Conversely, the sword spirit showed no signs of pain whatsoever.
The difference between flesh and blood versus spirit.
'What now?'
This was unmistakably a disadvantageous fight.
Her nerves were razor-sharp from the battle.
As she glared at the sword spirit with bared teeth, Eirana suddenly froze.
'Guh?'
Her eyes widened at the gut-wrenching pain surging up from her abdomen.
"Kuh!"
Her movements slowed from the abrupt torment.
A perfect opening formed while she panicked.
The sword spirit didn't miss it, thrusting its blade in an instant.
Eirana tried to parry for a counter, but the sword pierced her belly first.
Puuk!
"Keok!"
Eirana's body doubled over in that moment.
Her taut balance crumbled in a heartbeat.
The sensation of the blade burrowing in and the fresh wave of pain made her mind grow hazy.
Looking down at her, the sword spirit pressed harder with the hand impaling her gut.
"Urk."
Blood welled up her throat and spilled out as Eirana felt her legs give way.
The sword spirit yanked its blade free and shoved her; staggering, Eirana dropped to her knees and collapsed.
In her polymorphed state, sword wounds hurt but didn't gravely harm her true body.
But Eirana's true body had taken damage this time.
Which spoke to the immense power behind that sword thrust.
"This... damn... shit..."
She spat curses while trying to rise, but her body refused to obey.
Gazing at the blood pooling stickily around her, Eirana lost consciousness.
-...
The sword spirit, raising its sword to finish her off, turned its blank expression toward Silver Fang, who had appeared before it.
Silver Fang stood blocking its path, guarding the fallen Eirana, glaring at the sword spirit with profound displeasure.
- The test is over.
The sword spirit withdrew its sword as it spoke.
The dragon had shown some strange movement in that instant, but it was no concern of the spirit's.
The sword spirit retreated without fuss and asked,
- Why did you accept her as your master?
Silver Fang possessed power equal to its own—so why this girl?
- Dunno.
-...
- Just.
An answer impossible to fathom.
Hearing it, the sword spirit turned away without regret.
Eirana was in no state to fight any longer regardless.
And the sword spirit, having pierced her, knew that best of all.
Chalak!
Mid-stride, the sword spirit halted at the sudden splashing sound.
Silver Fang whipped around, eyes wide.
There, the fallen Eirana was propping herself up with her right hand.
The noise came from the thick puddle of blood on the ground.
"Kuuk..."
Eirana groaned as she forced her body upright.
The sword spirit turned its gaze, narrowing its brows upon spotting her.
Eirana heaved herself up to a sitting position with great effort, then spat up a mouthful of blood.
But she didn't stop rising.
"What... the hell... is this... fuck..."
Cursing through gritted teeth, Eirana struggled to find her balance.
"Annoying."
Finally, swaying, she stood fully upright.
Silver Fang was at a loss for words watching her—as was the sword spirit.
At a glance, it seemed like nothing more than a simple stab wound, but the damage inflicted was far from trivial.
It was absolutely not the sort of blow a young dragon like Eirana could withstand.
And yet, she had risen.
"What's there to be scared of? You couldn't even land a proper cut!"
- Master? You okay?
Silver Fang asked, sounding puzzled. Eirana lifted her head.
Meeting her gaze, Silver Fang instinctively backed away some distance.
It was the overwhelming pressure radiating from her savage expression.
Eirana tore her eyes from Silver Fang and tightened her grip on her sword despite the unsteadiness.
The sword spirit, silently watching, finally spoke.
- You don't look to be in good shape.
At those words, Eirana whipped her gaze toward the sword spirit.
Blood was still flowing from her belly, and her eyes were slightly glazed.