Chapter 148
Chapter 148
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Superhuman, Mere Human (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
「Through experience and endless training, feeling that wall is the most common way. But that's not the only method. There are faster ways.」
「It's a dangerous and difficult method.」
「Only those with sharp instincts can pull it off.」
Shing.
「Feel the approaching death.」
「See with your own eyes the wall you can never surpass blocking your path ahead. Remember that moment when it's about to crush you—don't miss a single instant.」
Slash.
「In the face of death, people make judgments.」
The Kuntel who had swung his sword shrugged his shoulders.
The sword mark left on the ground was different from Kuntel's blade. It was wild and rampaging... like the sword of a disaster.
「About what you can do.」
「What you can't do, what you can do in this moment, and what methods there are to survive.」
「You think and think endlessly.」
And then, before you know it.
「You realize it naturally.」
「The limit you can reach. The exact shape of the wall built inside you becomes crystal clear.」
How do I know?
「I know it all too well.」
Kuntel answered with a bitter smile.
「Because I went through it.」
2.
Death was right in front of him.
Rak's instincts screamed louder than ever. It felt like tinnitus ringing in his ears. His heart pounded thump, thump, his breathing grew ragged.
'Sword Ghost.'
Rak looked ahead with trembling eyes.
Standing before him was a ghost wielding a blade.
'Sword Ghost, Draka.'
The superhuman of the sword.
A being who had transcended human limits with a single blade.
"......"
Rak instinctively took a step back. He couldn't even tell when he had retreated. His body moved on instinct. It was then that the soft crunch of snow underfoot echoed quietly.
Shing.
The Sword Ghost's blade tip moved.
The raised tip of his sword touched the sky. The straight line of the blade against the blue heavens sparkled in the sunlight.
Ragged clothes.
An arm in tatters, as if bones were broken.
A body on the verge of collapse.
Yet those bloodshot eyes held no tremor. The blade tip gleaming in the sunlight pointed downward. Slowly, without the slightest waver.
'Ah.'
Rak sensed death.
The red eyes grew even redder. Instinct moved his body. Rak swung his axe with all his might—not to attack, but to block the oncoming flash.
Kaaaaaaaang!
The axe bounced away. A crack formed in the iron axe that wouldn't break. The fingers gripping the axe snapped with a crackle.
Whoosh.
Unable to withstand the impact, Rak's body lifted into the air. He rolled across the snow several times, slamming his back into a tree before finally stopping.
"Kuhk!"
Blood mixed with spit sprayed out. There was a crunch when he hit the tree—something breaking. Rak staggered to his feet.
"...Hmm."
The Sword Ghost was looking at his own hand.
Those eyes were impassive. So was that strike just now.
'He didn't even swing properly...'
It was a light swing, like swatting a fly.
To block it, Rak had to stake his life. Goosebumps rose all over his body.
'A wall.'
Rak sensed it.
'An absolutely insurmountable wall.'
It was enormous.
An opponent he could never beat no matter what. This wasn't his first time facing such a foe. But this time was different.
'He intends to kill me.'
The Sword Ghost's bloodshot eyes.
They held clear killing intent. He meant to kill him.
Was it to leave no witnesses, or simply because he was annoyed? The reason didn't matter... the superhuman of the sword was targeting his neck.
Killing intent.
His eyes trembled under the suffocating pressure. Before the insurmountable wall, Rak felt utter powerlessness.
Step.
The ghost approached.
Staggering, but surely, one step at a time. The low blade tip dragged across the snowfield.
Clack, clack.
His whole body shook. His teeth clattered together.
Death drew near. Terror gripped Rak as death loomed before him. His fingertips quivered.
But he didn't let go of the axe.
「A warrior is a warrior until the moment of death.」
His eyes trembled wildly. But he didn't close them.
Rak stared straight at the approaching death.
「Resist until the very end.」
Facing death, Rak thought.
Trembling in fear, he made judgments.
What he could do. What was permitted to him. Rak thought endlessly.
'Can't grip the axe with a broken hand.'
Rak grabbed his collar with his good hand.
Rip.
He tore his clothes and bound his broken hand to the axe. Feeling the chill wind, Rak steeled his gaze. His trembling eyes slowly settled.
"......"
He gritted his teeth. He lowered his stance.
Every muscle in his body tensed.
Step.
Death approached.
Escaping the oncoming death was impossible. He couldn't even stop it. So Rak chose resistance. He thrashed to survive even one more second.
Gnash.
Rak's eyes gleamed red as he ground his teeth.
Firm resolve dwelled in those eyes. The Sword Ghost, meeting them, paused for a moment.
"......"
He had long abandoned a swordsman's pride.
But once, he had lived with it. In the boy before him, Draka saw light.
'...Impressive.'
He was purely in awe of the warrior before him.
A human retaining nobility before death always shone brilliantly. His intent to kill remained unchanged, but Draka regripped his sword.
Not as an obstacle to remove, but as a warrior.
Not as a novice, but as an equal.
Draka acknowledged the boy before him.
Moving his creaking body, he steadied his stance. Amid the swirling snow, the Sword Ghost regulated his breathing.
"...Hoo."
Cool breath escaped through his teeth.
Draka's eyes narrowed. He raised his sword. The dragging tip slowly pointed to the sky.
One foot back.
The other forward.
Without fanfare, calmly.
He took the most basic stance. The superhuman who had walked the path of the sword revealed his fundamentals. With respect for his opponent, he swung.
Shing.
The blade tip moved.
From above to below. Like delivering a verdict.
'It's coming.'
And Rak saw it.
In slowed subjective time, Rak saw Draka's sword. The swing was once, but the result was many.
Shaaaaaaaash!
Sharp sword aura raked the snowfield.
It swept away the blizzard. It slashed everything it touched. No room to escape. It came for him.
'...So distant.'
An impossibly distant realm.
The sword swung by one in that realm. A sword at the pinnacle was beautiful. And because it was beautiful, it was chilling.
'How far away is it?'
He gauged it.
The distance between him and the ghost seemed visible. A massive wall blocked the way. Beyond it stood the Sword Ghost.
Rak strained his eyes.
He wouldn't close them until the very last moment.
Just by seeing, he felt something.
Facing the pinnacle, Rak moved. Arms moving slowly wouldn't save him. Knowing that, Rak resisted until the final instant.
Look.
Don't avert your eyes.
Resist until the end.
'That is a warrior.'
For a fleeting moment, Rak's body surpassed its limits.
With a rip, muscles tore. Crack, bones snapped. Blood trickled from his nose. Blood vessels in his eyes burst, reddening his vision.
Paying that price, Rak advanced.
In that instant, Rak briefly neared the wall.
Ting, tick.
Rak's axe cleaved the sword aura. It severed one strand. Just one among dozens... but it wasn't meaningless.
Thud.
Because it bought time for someone to arrive.
In that fleeting moment, someone grabbed Rak's shoulder and pulled. Rak's body tilted back. Beyond the tilting Rak, someone stepped forward.
Ashen hair fluttered.
Ash scattered everywhere.
Ashen mana erupted like an explosion.
Smash.
Kwaaaaaaaaang!
A roar tore through the net of swords.
3.
Crack!
The spell shredded the sword aura. I didn't need to watch Draka block it. I immediately turned my head. I saw Rak slumped on the ground.
'Both arms, both legs intact...'
His bones seemed broken, but no major injuries. I relaxed my shoulders and let out a short breath.
"...Hoo."
Good. Relieved I wasn't too late—truly relieved.
"...Professor Lania?"
Rak blinked in confusion. I gave a wry smile and patted his shoulder a couple times.
"Well done, Rak."
I had seen him hold out against the Sword Ghost.
"Really, well done."
He hadn't even touched the wall, let alone become a superhuman... yet I clearly saw Rak endure a few seconds against one.
'Truly...'
It was remarkable. Really.
I wanted to say more, but the situation didn't allow it. I swallowed the rest and turned forward.
The blizzard from my spell cleared.
Through the parted snow, Draka's figure emerged.
"...Ha."
A smile crept onto Draka's lips.
It was a sneer. Mocking his own situation, or perhaps directed at me.
"What... just what..."
Draka spat.
"How far... will you go..."
Words I didn't need to hear.
I saw no value in listening to meaningless drivel. I took a step forward.
Thud.
My footprint stamped into the snowfield.
I looked around. Bloodstains were scattered everywhere. Not Rak's. Blood from nameless souls dragged here to meet their end.
A child's corpse.
An elder's corpse.
Many nameless corpses.
"...You know."
It reminded me inescapably of a past scene.
Just like the end of my childhood hometown.
"I try to understand, thinking anyone could do it, no one without a story..."
My stomach boiled.
"But you."
One step, another.
"Not you."
I stepped forward to end our long grudge.
My deep footprint sank in.
"Hey."
Ash crumbled between my clenched fist.
Flames flickered between my fingers.
"Let's end this. Please."
I thrust my fist forward.
Draka swung his sword.
No need to see the result. Victory and defeat were already decided. This was merely confirming it once more.
Crack.
Draka's sword shattered.
Author's Note
The illustration was provided by artist Othalja.
As promised last time, I've bulked up Rak!
I'm just moved to tears by the always amazing illustrations...
*The reason Draka isn't covered in wounds is because when I commissioned this illustration... well, about a month ago, my plan back then had no encounter between Raniel and Draka.
That's why Draka appears relatively pristine! Please bear with it! :D