Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Hero and
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Even though it was his third time, the world atop the clouds remained as mysterious and beautiful as ever.
Moreover, each tower had its subtle differences, making it fun to spot them.
'There it is.'
Lee Sang-hyun approached the orb.
A high-pitched whine echoed as a brilliant white light burst from the floating orb.
The orb's name was still marked with question marks. Of course, it wasn't a big deal, so Lee Sang-hyun didn't mind.
'As for Nameless... he's leaving it up to me, huh.'
Havng decided to watch from behind, Nameless said nothing.
Still, Lee Sang-hyun waited a moment. Just in case Nameless gave some guidance.
"......"
But Nameless remained silent. He gave no instructions, leaving the choice entirely to Lee Sang-hyun.
'In that case...'
Lee Sang-hyun didn't agonize over it. What he needed right now aligned perfectly with what he'd need in the future.
"My wish is for a sword made of blood. A sword I can create anytime, anywhere, as long as there's blood."
"Yes."
What Lee Sang-hyun needed was none other than a sword. Every fierce battle had left his swords shattered.
Even the Knight King's magic sword, which he'd thought sturdy enough to last, hadn't endured a month, let alone a year.
Well, toppling a ridiculous foe like the giant Agni could be considered a bargain... but he couldn't keep scavenging for new swords every time.
That's why he wished for a sword made from the most readily available material: blood. Thanks to the Origin of Water and the Berserker's power, the blood in his body regenerated infinitely.
Blood Sword.
True to its name, this blood-forged blade fell short of the Knight King's supreme artifact magic sword, but its ability to form from blood alone made it extraordinarily useful.
With a hiss, it seemed adaptable—perhaps into a spear or even arrows.
"No more worrying about weapons."
Better than expected, Lee Sang-hyun was deeply satisfied.
"Alright, let's go."
With a hint of excitement, he exited the Tower of Wrath. His next target went without saying: Death Lord Arhim.
But the one waiting outside wasn't Death Lord Arhim.
It was Hero Jack Roar.
Jack Roar, famed for safeguarding not just America but world peace, being here alone hinted at Death Lord Arhim's demise—but Lee Sang-hyun asked anyway.
"...Did you kill Arhim?"
Jack Roar nodded.
Lee Sang-hyun confirmed it through his sensory domain. No trace of Death Lord Arhim's energy lingered anywhere on the South American continent.
'...He's really dead.'
He'd anticipated a bloody clash with Death Lord Arhim, so this was a bit deflating.
Still, he didn't lose spirit. Positively, someone else had cleaned up the trash for him.
'Time to head back.'
He opened a portal to return to South Korea. But Jack Roar spoke up.
"Who are you?"
"......"
"Chinese? Japanese? Korean? Maybe American? There are a lot of Korean-Americans, so maybe you're one."
"......"
"Your constellation? Fifth hierarchy? No team, yet you soloed a black tower... Is that true?"
Jack Roar was unusually chatty, his eyes brimming with curiosity.
Anyone could see he was intensely curious about Lee Sang-hyun.
"...I'm tired. We'll talk next time."
As taciturn as Nameless, Lee Sang-hyun wanted to disengage.
But Jack Roar blocked him.
"Sorry to spring this on you, but... I need you to spar with me. I'm dying to know who soloed a black tower."
Overcuriosity? Or arrogance?
Either way, it was a hassle.
To Lee Sang-hyun, this type was annoying and troublesome.
"...Just cleared a tower. I'm beat."
"I know. But you're not too exhausted to fight, right? Your visible aura alone rivals the Heavenly Knights."
Lee Sang-hyun pondered briefly.
"...Elixir."
"What?"
"...Give me an elixir, and I'll gladly spar. Otherwise, I'm out."
He didn't really need it—just an absurd demand to make Jack back off.
"Deal."
Jack tossed him an elixir.
"Now fight."
"......"
Seemed like a fight was inevitable.
Lee Sang-hyun downed the elixir first. He wasn't dumb enough to refuse a freebie.
Gulp, gulp!
'...This is actually delicious?'
HunterNet, the world's largest player network, described the elixir's taste as heavenly.
Like a castaway in a scorching desert stumbling upon an oasis on the brink of death. And it was true.
The elixir was incredibly tasty. Unlike its rich appearance, it went down smooth like water, with a pleasant aroma.
"Mm..."
No wonder tycoons dominating finance threw fortunes at it.
Fully absorbing the elixir, Lee Sang-hyun eyed Jack Roar.
"Let's begin."
No more words needed—Jack Roar leveled his sword.
Lee Sang-hyun didn't drag it out.
He forged the Blood Sword.
"......"
"......"
The taut tension snapped after just five seconds.
Jack Roar struck first.
Swoosh!
Jack Roar wasn't a hero because he was strong—he was strong, so he became the hero.
Boom! Bang!!
His raw strength, stamina, endurance, agility—all matched his 203cm monstrous frame. Judgment and adaptability were innate genius.
Beyond that, his mana control surpassed a Swordmaster's sword aura despite the vague "Hero" class—and eclipsed an Archmage's spells.
Bam! Boom boom!!
Even more astonishing: his potential hadn't fully bloomed.
'...The hero, huh.'
Lee Sang-hyun acknowledged Jack Roar's talent. He had no choice.
The gap in "talent" was glaringly obvious.
Clang! Claaang!!
No limits in sight. No human "wall"—he was growing even mid-fight.
Whish! Slash!
Unbelievable, but true.
Hero Jack Roar grew stronger with every clash. Like a Berserker absorbing blood, he fed on his opponent's might.
'...Manga heroes are average-built. The real deal's a monster like this.'
Jack Roar was the true hero. Not some flashy manga archetype, but a realistic one armed with overwhelming physique and intellect.
Plausibility incarnate, turning impossible into possible.
Lee Sang-hyun even felt envy.
'...Cheating.'
He naturally fell back.
Proven tactics were dismantled, losing all edge.
Unorthodox strikes got blocked; soon, he was on the receiving end.
Kaang! Kang! Kang!
Extending or shortening the Blood Sword? Read like a book from his footwork and hands.
Retreating, Lee Sang-hyun admitted it sincerely.
'If I fought for my life, maybe... but swordsmanship? No chance.'
Even with Berserker instincts transcending Super Sense, no openings—just utter domination.
This was...
A wall?
Or realizing his own puniness against genius?
Either way, unpleasant.
'...Spar or not, I hate losing. Time to gamble.'
Trusting Berserker instinct, he charged.
"?!!"
A reckless gamble.
Exploiting the "spar" nature thoroughly.
Whooosh!!
Jack Roar's sword grazed Lee Sang-hyun's head. Trajectory screamed decapitation.
But Jack flinched; instinct read the path.
Thud!!
Blood Sword vanished—hand now a fist, slamming Jack's gut.
"Guh?!!"
Not lethal, but enough to hurl the 203cm giant far away.
"......"
No dirt-eating finish. Jack recovered mid-air, landing cleanly.
"Impressive."
Jack's lips curved in delight at finding a worthy rival. And now, serious mode...
His heartbeat quickened.
"If that was a sword instead of a fist, I'd be in trouble."
"......"
"I hesitated too... but somehow, I feel you'd have dodged."
Lee Sang-hyun neither confirmed nor denied. Water under the bridge.
Dwelling on it? Pointless. Matching this monster mattered more.
"Enough chat..."
Here I come.
Jack Roar mirrored him—faster, sharper than before.
Slaaash!!!
The brief exchange revealed Jack Roar's nature fully.
And vice versa. Jack saw through Lee Sang-hyun.
"You're strong, alright. Strong enough to prove the black tower solo wasn't a lie. On par with the Strongest 7—or beyond."
Sincere praise. But then, a tilt of the head.
"Yet something's missing. Not quite stronger than the Strongest 7. Lacks that decisive edge."
"......"
"What are you hiding?"
Jack's eyes pierced Lee Sang-hyun.
'Hiding, huh...'
Regrettably, nothing. A 172cm average joe couldn't out-talent a 203cm musclebound titan—that was fact.
Just that this peaceful spar ill-suited a Berserker.
Nothing hidden.
To earn the elixir's worth, he came clean.
"...Berserker."
"What?"
"...I'm a Berserker. Doesn't suit this kind of spar."
"Berserker..."
Jack's expression shifted—understanding dawning.
"I see! That explains the off vibe. Berserker! You weren't holding back—you couldn't go all out."
Jack's wry smile mixed comprehension and joy.
"Thought only Kang Mu-hyuk in Korea could match me. Wrong—there's you too."
A rival found—flames ignited in Jack's eyes.
But Lee Sang-hyun dispersed the Blood Sword.
"...Spar ends here. No point continuing."
"What? We could go real-combat style. Haven't even broken a sweat."
Jack showed no intent to stop, unyielding.
But...
"...If blood spills here, one of us dies—you or me. Because I'm a Berserker."
Lee Sang-hyun lied, using Berserker as excuse. He just didn't want more.
Did it work? Conflict flickered on Jack's face.
"Hmm..."
His "superhero" peacekeeping role applied the brakes too.
No issue against vile criminals—but risking life against a "normal player"? No.
"Still..."
Sensing the hesitation, Lee Sang-hyun landed the finisher.
"...Saving Brazil comes first, right? Spar anytime."
Jack reluctantly agreed.
Spars could wait; Brazil's citizens teetered on the brink.
"Fine. Next time, we clash for sure."
"...Sure. Someday."
Death Lord Arhim's death was certain.
No king of death could deny it.
Yet Ark of Death endured. It never "descended" to earth.
'Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu?!!'
「......」
Ignoring Arhim's desperate plea, it stayed silent, evading annihilation.
「Death is...」
「...merely another beginning.」
「It hasn't ended.」
From the start.
Ark of Death had planted a "seed" for contingencies—one sprouting only at Arhim's death.
「Rise.」
「Demon King.」
That seed was the Demon King.