Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Necromancer of the Sword Clan
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"I've come at my master's call-nya. Are you my master-nya?"
"Yes."
Shin Yu-hyun nodded in response to the girl's words.
"Confirmed as the successor of Immortal King Daniel Kreighton through the Phnacoic Bible. Pleased to meet you-nya. I'm Dia-nya!"
The girl who introduced herself as Dia greeted him with a lively expression.
At that moment, an information window about the girl appeared before Shin Yu-hyun's eyes.
'Jackpot.'
Shin Yu-hyun was stunned as he checked the information on the Mediator of the Gate of Literary Song, Dia. She possessed traits and skills at S-rank or higher.
But Dia's rank was only 3-star.
It should have been higher originally, but since her master, Shin Yu-hyun, was 3-star, Dia's rank matched his.
That was why her skill proficiencies, stats, and rank were restricted.
On top of that, her apparent age had regressed to around ten years old.
Kyaaahhh!
At that moment, Izar's monstrous roar echoed once more.
The transformation was finally complete.
Izar's form had changed dramatically.
Previously, only his arms were blade-shaped, but now his torso had morphed into something like jagged steel armor with shoulders protruding sharply.
His legs had also transformed into blade forms.
"Looks like it's ready."
Confirming the message in front of him, Shin Yu-hyun glared at Izar.
Izar glared back with bloodshot red eyes.
"Staring at my master like that? You need some discipline-nya."
Dia stepped forward in front of Shin Yu-hyun and summoned a black staff from empty air.
The Dark Saintess's dedicated weapon.
Abyss, the staff that pilgrimages through darkness.
A refined staff blending silver and black hues exquisitely, Abyss was longer than Dia herself.
It floated idly by her right side.
"Master, your orders."
Dia turned to Shin Yu-hyun after summoning her dedicated staff, Abyss.
"Can you hold it in place for a bit?"
"Nyaa."
In response to Shin Yu-hyun's question, Dia snatched Abyss from beside her and slammed it into the ground.
Boom!
At the same time, a black magic circle unfolded centered on Dia.
Shhrrrk!
Suddenly, black chains made of dark mana erupted from the ground around Izar.
And in an instant, they bound him?
The black chains wrapped Izar's body in a diamond pattern, constricting him tightly.
Kraaaahhh!
Izar roared monstrously, resisting the dark chains binding him.
But the more he struggled, the tighter the dark chains gripped his body.
And that wasn't all.
Flash!
Suddenly, a golden light flashed from Shin Yu-hyun's body.
"This is...?"
Shin Yu-hyun looked down at his body enveloped in warm golden light, his face full of surprise.
An indescribably cozy and comfortable feeling.
And his stamina, which had been completely depleted just moments ago—along with his mana—was recovering.
Dia's Unique Skill, Saintess's Prayer, fully restored a target once per day.
And that was not all.
After healing Shin Yu-hyun, Dia began shaking her body and dancing.
Dia performed her adorable cat dance, bestowing a blessing upon Shin Yu-hyun.
It seemed Dia specialized in support.
'Perfect.'
With his stamina and mana restored thanks to Dia's support, and his body feeling lighter, Shin Yu-hyun gripped Ignis tightly.
Shin Yu-hyun lowered his stance and glared at Izar, bound by Dia.
Moments later, a system message appeared before his eyes.
Boom!
As Limit Mana Overdrive activated, a chakra shockwave exploded centered on Shin Yu-hyun.
His hair and coat fluttered wildly from the force.
Boom!
He kicked off the ground hard in that state, creating a small crater in the concrete floor. Then, Shin Yu-hyun charged at Izar, skimming the ground like lightning.
Unleashing Heaven-Splitting Divine Steps, Gale Divine Steps.
Kraaaahhh!
In response, the berserk Izar roared, dark crimson mana pouring from his entire body as he unleashed a shockwave.
At the same time, the dark chains binding Izar were swallowed by the dark crimson mana light and crumbled away.
Krunch!
Immediately after, Shin Yu-hyun's Ignis clashed against Izar's arm blades, sending shockwaves and sparks flying.
Clang!
Shin Yu-hyun and Izar exchanged blows at speeds too fast for the eye to follow.
Rapid exchanges of offense and defense.
Thanks to berserk mode, Izar was now fighting on even terms with Shin Yu-hyun, who had activated Overdrive—unlike before.
But that was the end of it.
Screeech! Screee!
As time passed, Izar began to be pushed back bit by bit. Though berserk mode greatly enhanced his physical abilities, his rationality was gone, so he was merely reacting instinctively to Shin Yu-hyun's attacks.
Moreover, from the moment berserk mode activated, Izar's stamina and mana were plummeting.
In contrast, Shin Yu-hyun had been fully restored by Dia and gained a 10% agility boost.
At this rate, an opening would soon appear in the rapidly fatiguing Izar.
Crack!
And that opening came quickly.
A crack formed in Izar's left arm blade.
'Now!'
Whoosh!
Not missing the chance, Shin Yu-hyun surged into Izar's left side, black flames blazing fiercely.
Izar reflexively shoved his right arm blade leftward to block Shin Yu-hyun.
He intended to cross both arm blades to defend against the next attack.
But.
Heaven-Splitting Divine Steps.
Third step, Thunderbolt Step.
Shin Yu-hyun, who had feinted diving left, vanished and reappeared on Izar's right side.
Izar's right flank was completely exposed.
Realizing too late, Izar tried to defend, but his exhausted body moved sluggishly despite his instincts.
Heaven-Splitting Swordsmanship.
First Form, Ignorance.
Clang!
Soon, black flames accompanied by red flickers erupted over Izar's right flank, armored like plate.
Following Ignorance, Shin Yu-hyun relentlessly pressed Izar with Ignis infused with black flames.
Crack!
Having allowed the attack almost defenselessly, a crack formed in Izar's right flank.
Boom!
Not only that—the powerful shockwave from Ignis launched Izar's body several meters into the air.
Heaven-Splitting Swordsmanship's Third Form lifted Izar airborne.
"It's over."
Click! Boom!
Shin Yu-hyun sheathed Ignis and kicked off the ground.
As his body soared after Izar, the third form of Heaven-Splitting Swordsmanship unfolded in rapid succession.
Krunch!
Ignis's red blade light and black flames shredded Izar's airborne body.
Izar's armor-like exterior shattered and peeled away.
Finally, Shin Yu-hyun raised Ignis high, concentrating his aura.
Whoosh!
The concentrating aura made the black flames roar wildly.
In that state, he struck down at Izar.
Heaven-Splitting Swordsmanship.
Third Form, Annihilation.
Boom!
Just like before, Izar was hurled toward the ground by Annihilation's shockwave.
Rumble!
Izar crashed into the concrete with a deafening boom, sending cement dust and debris flying as a crater formed.
'The power's increased.'
It was stronger than when he had previously slammed Izar into the ground before Phase 2.
Thanks to Dia's full recovery and agility buff, no doubt.
'This should be enough.'
Landing on the ground, Shin Yu-hyun turned back. The dust cloud rising around Izar was slowly settling.
But no system message confirmed Izar's defeat yet.
Meaning Izar was still alive.
Shin Yu-hyun approached the spot where Izar lay.
Soon, the dust blew away in the wind, revealing Izar's crash site.
'Still alive, as expected.'
Sure enough, Izar lay unconscious, his Phase 2 Full Metal Armor mode released.
One final blow would end it.
But.
'Unique magic beasts have high value.'
Most magic beasts moved on pure instinct without reason, driven by a single purpose.
To slaughter humans.
They harbored blind murderous intent and impulses.
Unique magic beasts, however, shared that hostility toward humans but possessed intellect and reason.
Thus, they held great utility.
'I can extract information on magic beasts and dungeons.'
The knowledge held by a unique magic beast.
Its value would be immense.
Information on magic beast identities, types, goals, and dungeon strategies.
That was why hunters had repeatedly tried—and failed—to capture unique magic beasts alive.
Encounters were rare, they were overwhelmingly strong, and if things went south, they self-destructed without hesitation.
Yet now, Shin Yu-hyun stood on the verge of capturing the unique magic beast Doppelganger Izar alive.
Capturing a unique magic beast would be a monumental achievement, not just for the World Hunter Association but even within the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan.
Shrrk.
Shin Yu-hyun cast Dark Soul Chain on Izar, sprawled on the ground.
A restraint skill higher-ranked than Dia's Dark Chains, it steadily drained the target's mana over time.
Making it ideal for prolonged binding.
"Kugh!"
Feeling the Dark Soul Chain's tendrils constricting his body, Izar groaned and regained consciousness. He immediately assessed his condition.
"Kill me!"
Izar glared at Shin Yu-hyun and shouted. He realized he couldn't escape the Dark Soul Chain binding his entire body.
In this state, what awaited him was obvious.
Something unspeakably horrific.