Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Thunderclap Sword - Rakan
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Thunderclap Sword - Rakan.
As the name suggests, Rakan's unique ability is azure lightning.
In other words, it's a sword that wields thunderbolts.
Among spirit swords with elemental unique abilities, Thunderclap Sword - Rakan demonstrates exceptionally outstanding performance.
Since it's not a manipulation-type ability, it can't summon bolts from the sky or shoot lightning blasts.
Even so, the advantages of a sword infused with thunder are tremendous.
‘Most knights would get electrocuted and die just from clashing blades.’
Of course, the effect can be greatly diminished depending on whether one possesses divine power, but in a match where life hangs on a split-second gap, Rakan's unique ability is a massive advantage.
And if pushed a bit, it can even perform area attacks.
Specs that rival the top among swords of the same grade.
And it's a highly versatile sword.
That is Thunderclap Sword - Rakan.
"Long time no see, Jerban's wastrel."
"It's been a while. Bernard. You've taken good care of my sword all this time. Seeing Rakan puts my mind at ease."
Kallias had been obsessed with that Rakan for three years now.
The other swords were impossible to find or craft with his skills back then, but Rakan was different. An elemental spirit sword renowned for its power.
Among them, a thunder sword that commands bolts.
"Who'd think you actually left it in my care."
With blades locked.
Bernard let out a scoff, as if it was still absurd no matter how many times he heard it.
"It'll be mine soon enough. So it's not wrong."
"Ha! You gonna nag me for another sword duel like three years ago?"
"Not a bad idea. Isn't it about time you retired? Why not hand over Rakan nicely and spend your remaining days as a backroom old man?"
If it were before, maybe not.
But now, he had confidence. All sorts of scenarios were flashing through his mind.
"You sure know how to talk back. Tsk tsk. Haven't changed a bit."
Rakan's thunder seeped in.
His right arm went numb.
However, from his dantian, the first rod of the Blossoming Divine Technique quietly unfurled its bud. The rising divine power mitigated the damage.
Kallias's presence, diminished by [Vivi’s Bracelet], swelled beyond recognition.
His pupils had turned silver before he knew it, and the locked blade tilted to one side. Deep wrinkles creased Bernard's mouth.
"Looks like you haven't been slacking. Got some hidden cards, huh."
"Don't slander me and just hand over the sword. It's better for Rakan in the hands of youthful vigor than an old man's."
"Such arrogance piercing the heavens."
Chaeng-! Whirlic.
Bernard flicked the sword away and spun his body nimbly.
Then struck down like a bolt.
‘Can't block it.’
Kwang-!
Kallias kicked the table aside and immediately leaped back.
Kwajik-!
Chwaruruk!
The table sliced clean in half, and Bernard's sword thrust forward simultaneously.
Zizizik!
The blade glowed blue.
Thunder flashed.
In an instant, Bernard's figure vanished.
Kallias's eyes flicked upward.
There, in midair, Bernard gripped the sword with both hands, azure dominating the surroundings as he plummeted like lightning.
Kwang-!
Bernard’s signature move.
Falling Thunder.
"Kh."
As if real lightning had struck, the restaurant floor exploded.
Azure thunderbolts spiderwebbed outward, chasing him like a predator.
Chwaak! Kallias swung once, his sword driving away the blinding bolt.
Shiiik!
Piercing the smoke, Bernard's lightning thrust targeted him again.
Kigigik! Kwang-!
Kallias barely deflected the trajectory with his sword, his neck twisting to evade Rakan.
Behind him, the wall shattered chaotically from Rakan's bolt.
Lingering azure thunder.
The charred log wall gaped open, letting snow howls whistle through.
"What's that ominous black sword."
Kallias, who had blocked Thunderclap Sword - Rakan, held two swords in his hands.
Lusen in his left.
Devouring Sword - Roas crossed in his right, barely stopping Thunderclap Sword - Rakan.
A split second later, and Rakan's crimson edge would have torn Kallias's throat.
Huung-!
Whirlic, tat. Bernard flipped in the air, dodging Kallias's sword, and landed on the bisected table.
"Smells too much like blood. Carrying it will bring disaster."
"Then hand over Rakan."
"Can't do that. We've shared too many years."
Seureung - chuk.
Sheathing Lusen, Kallias gripped Devouring Sword - Roas tightly with both hands.
The Blossoming Divine Technique's bud fully bloomed.
Pure divine power surged through his body.
Baduduk.
His eyes flashed silver as he gripped Roas hard enough to crush it.
Soon, Silver Flower Sword Wave's sword aura formed on Roas's blade.
‘End it in one strike.’
Dragging it out only favored Bernard with Rakan.
Kallias had no more hidden cards; he had only one thing to trust.
Blossoming Divine Technique - Silver Flower Sword Wave.
‘Recall the duel with Esther.’
That one strike born of momentary enlightenment.
That strike had felled a genius.
So here, once more, he would show it.
Thud - he stomped the floor as if to shatter it.
Contrary to his heavy step, his form darted swiftly toward Bernard.
At the same time, Bernard's Thunderclap Sword flashed. Movement in a blink.
Kallias and Bernard clashed.
Kwaang-!
A deafening roar hard to believe came from clashing swords.
Kwajijik - pajik!
But it was over in a flash, and they stood on opposite sides. Silver petals and azure lightning whipped through the air together.
Unclear who won. But soon, a broken sword sliced through the air.
Whirlic, puk.
The broken sword stabbed into the floor.
It was the one with the blue edge, missing teeth.
Devouring Sword - Roas.
Kallias's sword.
"…Tch."
Defeat.
Blood trickled slightly from his left shoulder.
But the wound was shallow.
Just a light shoulder cut.
Kallias glanced back, gathering his divine power.
Dduruk, chuk.
Sheathing Roas, he looked at Bernard with dissatisfaction. Bernard laughed heartily, wrinkles deep on his face.
"Hahaha!"
"What's so funny."
"‘That’ Jerban's wastrel has grown this much—how could your master not laugh!"
At "master," Kallias's face twisted.
"Cut the nonsense. When was I ever your disciple."
"Kekeke! What a fine day! Even the gods wouldn't skip drinks on a day like this!"
Pong! Bernard pulled a bottle from his bosom and chugged.
"Kyaa-! This is holy water."
A sturdy build unlike an old man.
Gruff voice. And a somewhat boisterous paladin temperament.
But Kallias clicked his tongue at Bernard's undignified antics.
‘The aroma is good.’
Yet the wine scent wafting from Bernard captivated Kallias's nose and gaze.
"Not sharing? Dream on. You'd drain an amphora dry."
"…I didn't ask."
Disappointed inwardly, Kallias let it go.
"Bernard, still as sly as ever. What was that earlier with that guy."
"Testing how much my disciple had grown, as a master. If you'd wasted my time, I'd have tanned your hide."
But Bernard was satisfied.
He had definitely grown stronger.
‘To the point he's a different person from back when he couldn't even hold a sword right.’
Bernard hid his trembling hand and kept bringing the bottle to his lips.
"Kekeke! But you failed to take my sword again, wastrel."
"My name isn't wastrel."
"I know, I know. What parent names their kid 'wastrel'? You earn that name yourself."
The old man's barbs were top-notch.
Kallias eyed him curtly and asked.
"…What do you want."
"Beating you up is masterly enough, no? Keeping you from dying while you hounded me daily for Rakan wasn't easy. You know that, right?"
"Tch."
Of course.
How could he not.
Three years ago.
Approaching Bernard had been entirely intentional.
He was the most affectionate and righteous among those who served as starting mentors for all players in Carpe.
His skill aside, his teaching ability was exceptional.
His very status and traits were optimized for instructing others—what more was there to say.
Thus, Kallias sought Bernard the moment he became himself.
Learning from him guaranteed sword skill growth, no matter how talentless.
‘Though Kallias's twisted personality kept me from getting chummy.’
The wastrel and noble traits on his body caused headaches over three years. He endured now, but Kallias's occasional outbursts had gotten him in trouble more than once or twice.
‘Nearly died for real at first.’
Turbulent times, but now, the only one Kallias could trust in this world was Bernard.
His master alone.
He denied it outwardly, but inwardly acknowledged him as such.
Just the wastrel trait and noble pride denying it.
"Kallias."
Bernard’s eyes changed. Kallias sighed involuntarily.
"Every time we duel, I've always wagered my lifelong companion."
"And I wagered my life."
"Your loss again, so grant me one request."
"…Don't make me do anything weird. If it's fetching booze from some annoying ruin again, no deal."
Kallias wanted his sword.
Bernard dueled him for it.
But always Kallias lost.
Each time, Bernard gave him one errand.
"No. Too easy for you now. I don't do unfair deals."
"Then what this time."
"You met Emily, right?"
"You know Emily?"
"A girl with quite the backstory."
"Her sacred blood is blocked, yeah."
Why would he care about a Jerban child...? He pondered briefly, then dismissed it.
Not important.
"Something to do with Jerban."
"Yes. The hunt tournament in a few days. Wheel of Patalite. You need to join."
"Me?"
"Yes. Join and protect Emily there."
Wheel of Patalite.
Long ago, Patalite—a saint and paladin of the church—came here.
After fierce battle in the North's White Forest, she uttered one phrase.
Wheel.
She called the White Forest an endlessly rolling wheel.
With that, she vanished, and House Jerban holds the hunt tournament named Wheel of Patalite during beast breeding season.
Originally to find vanished Patalite, but centuries later, it's just an annual beast cull.
"I'll think about it if you give me Rakan."
"Hmph, still far off, kid."
Bernard didn't explain why protect Emily or why he cared.
He just demanded, and Kallias had no grounds to refuse. Bernard, who arrived like lightning, drained his booze and vanished casually. Kallias simply stayed silent.
A moment later.
"Gah! M-Master! Are you alright? This Brans is fine!"
Brans, somehow recovered, rushed in babbling unasked.
Kallias eyed him wearily and spoke.
"Brans."
"Y-Yes! Master! Just say the word! I'll handle that pig! No need for you to—"
Out in one hit, yet talks big.
Too weak.
Time to train him.
"Wipe your nosebleed. It's unsightly."
"Ah-! Yes, sir! Hehe."
"And prepare."
"F-For what..."
[Wheel of Patalite]
-Death spilling from the North's destiny shrouds you.
-Survive.
-???
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<Reward> [???]