Chapter 181: The Heritage Site of the Spirit Sword (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181: The Heritage Site of the Spirit Sword (4)
Swish, swish, swish—!
For exactly five hours, he swung his sword ten thousand times. Every single vertical strike, from the first to the last, was executed with such perfect consistency that Garmund could only stand there, mouth agape in stunned silence.
"Phew, I'm finished," Jin said, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Tantel, who had claimed he would head back first, had remained to watch the entire display. By the time Jin reached three thousand repetitions, the members of the Pluto Tribe who had caused a stir at the gates of the Fighting God Temple the day before had also gathered to watch.
By the five-thousandth swing, Garmund’s face had turned pale. By the seven-thousandth, cold sweat was trickling down his back.
When the ten thousandth swing finally came to an end, Garmund was forced to admit that he had severely underestimated Jin.
The situation was truly bewildering.
I can’t believe he actually did it. I never… even considered this a possibility. What do I do now?
"Whooooaaa!"
Whether they sensed Garmund’s inner turmoil or not, the gathered Pluto Tribe warriors let out a thunderous cheer. Unlike the Fighting Kings of the temple, most of the common warriors held a different perspective.
They desperately wanted this successor—the first to appear in a thousand years since Temar—to succeed by any means necessary. They needed confirmation that the frozen centuries of their lives had not been entirely meaningless.
"Garmund, why are you silent?"
As Jin flashed a grin, Garmund let out a series of dry coughs. Ahem, hmph! It was mortifying to realize he was the only one who had been hoping for failure while all his brothers were so overjoyed.
"It was… impressive. I didn't expect you to perform this well."
"No, that’s not the kind of lukewarm praise I’m looking for."
"Hmph! Then what do you want me to say?"
"Acknowledge it yourself. Admit that I am ready to receive your teachings."
Jin wasn't provoking Garmund without reason.
The common warriors standing nearby were his ace in the hole. He had noticed Garmund glancing at them for some time now.
Even among the Pluto Tribe, Garmund possessed an exceptionally strong sense of brotherhood. If he refused to acknowledge Jin now, his watching brothers would feel a profound sense of disappointment.
"Tch, fine! I acknowledge it, Jin Runcandel. You are a human ready to be initiated into the secret techniques of the Spirit Sword by me, Garmund, the 8th Fighting King of the great Pluto Tribe."
"Ohhh! That’s the spirit, Brother 8th Fighting King!"
"8th Fighting King, Brother Garmund! Brother Garmund!"
As the warriors chanted his name in unison, Garmund’s face flushed with embarrassment. His heart glowed a little brighter, a clear sign that the light was linked to his emotions.
"Alright, alright, everyone clear out! We need to begin the training in earnest."
As the Pluto Tribe members departed, they gave Jin thumbs-ups or shouted words of encouragement. Jin waved back at them vigorously, a gesture of gratitude.
Soon, only Jin and Garmund remained in the training ground.
"How old are you, Successor?"
"Sixteen. I’ll be seventeen once December passes."
Garmund’s eyes widened.
At sixteen, there were few even among the Pluto Tribe who could accomplish what Jin just had. Moreover, Jin had already stepped into the realm of the Heart Sword.
Now, even I’m starting to get interested.
Sring!
Garmund smoothly drew his sword.
"Is it a duel this time?"
"Kuahaha, you certainly have a high opinion of yourself. A duel is only possible when the participants are on somewhat equal footing."
Jin had no way of gauging the martial prowess of the Fighting God and the Fighting Kings.
"How large is the gap between us?"
"You won't even be able to make my sword budge."
The moment those words left Garmund's mouth, Jin lunged, thrusting the Spirit-Absorbing Sword toward his throat.
Clang!
Garmund raised his blade with ease to parry the strike, sparks flying from his eyes.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"You said I couldn't make your sword move, so I was testing if that was possible. It seems it isn't. You just moved your sword to block me, didn't you?"
Garmund’s expression crumpled instantly. It was one embarrassment after another.
I was going to tell him to try striking my sword if he couldn't find an answer…
That had been his plan.
When Garmund said, "You won't even be able to make my sword budge," he was referring to the power behind the strike. There was likely no transcendent martial artist left in the world who could block Jin’s attack without moving their sword at all.
"...That’s not what I meant. I meant that no matter how hard you strike, my sword won't waver an inch."
"Ah, is that what you meant? I thought something felt off. It seems I failed to grasp the depth of your words, Lord Garmund."
Of course, Jin knew exactly what Garmund had meant.
He simply wanted to fluster him. In this situation, leaving a strong impression couldn't hurt.
Besides, this old man is actually quite fun to tease.
Jin didn't dislike people like Garmund.
"Hmph, anyway, try again. Don't aim for me; aim for my sword."
"Understood."
Jin stepped forward and swung the Spirit-Absorbing Sword.
Clang!
Oh…!
This time, Jin couldn't help but be genuinely impressed.
It felt like I struck a fortress wall, not a sword! It doesn't seem to be just because of his immense physical strength.
Though he hadn't imbued it with Aura, it was a strike delivered with considerable force. Yet Garmund’s sword didn't budge an inch, remaining perfectly still in his hand.
Naturally, Garmund’s posture didn't break in the slightest. Jin, on the other hand, lost his balance for a moment from the recoil.
Hmph!
Garmund snorted as if he had expected nothing less.
"Didn't I tell you? You cannot move my sword yet."
"I'll try again."
"Strike as much as you like."
Jin retreated and regulated his breathing.
He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing his mind. Blue Aura erupted from his grip, tightly enveloping the Spirit-Absorbing Sword.
Hup!
This time, it was a strike delivered with his full power—a blow that couldn't be used in a real fight. What enemy would wait for him to close his eyes and concentrate?
CLANG—!
The moment the swords collided, a thunderous roar echoed through the air.
Garmund’s sword remained unmoved, while Jin was sent flying back half a step before rolling across the ground. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
"Kh…!"
Originally, Garmund had intended to laugh heartily. He was certain Jin wouldn't be able to shake his sword and would be repelled in just such a pathetic manner.
But… my sword almost broke.
For the first time in a thousand years, Garmund felt the skin of his palm threaten to tear. The burning pain in his hand was so intense it almost made him smile.
By human standards, that was a strike bordering on 8-star.
Though Jin was still at the 7-star level, he could produce such power for a fleeting moment thanks to the Runcandel family's signature monstrous strength and the achievements he had gained crossing the Great Desert.
But I can't start coddling him just yet!
It had only been a day since they arrived in Laprarosa. If he started pampering Jin now, there was no telling how arrogant the cheeky human might become. He needed to show him his place.
"Perfect a strike strong enough to move my sword."
"Are you not going to tell me how?"
"The three mirages have already told you, haven't they? It is belief."
"Belief?"
For the Spirit Sword, 'belief' was more important than anything else. The core of the art was to sublimate one's belief—the conviction that nothing in this world is uncuttable—into pure Spirit Energy.
While this shared a common thread with the Heart Sword used by ordinary martial artists, the unique characteristic of the Spirit Sword lay in its 'expansiveness.' The Spirit Sword did not exist merely to cut targets effectively.
"Yes. Your deadline is one week. Strike my sword as many times as you want during that week. Scream until your palms tear and your teeth shatter. You need to realize the fundamentals of the Spirit Sword on your own."
Jin’s eyes narrowed.
One week, huh? He probably set a tight deadline on purpose again. If I finish this within the time limit, I’ll definitely win his favor. Surely he won't try to weasel out of it then, right?
Meanwhile, Garmund was thinking:
Was one week too harsh? You are indeed remarkable, but you won't be able to help it this time. Rise again after failing over and over, second successor. Then I, and my brothers, will gradually come to acknowledge you.
*
"Is that really all you've got, Successor!"
"If your belief wavers, the sword loses its power. Do you still not understand?"
"And you call yourself Solderet’s contractor?"
"Hmph, what’s with that look? I suppose you weren't prepared enough."
"Temar accomplished this in just two days. If you had known that, you wouldn't have been so bold as to reveal your name at the Fighting God Temple…"
Garmund had prepared a great many stinging remarks just like these.
He had planned to drive Jin to despair by standing perfectly still and taking thousands of strikes a day.
…However, the trouble started after only three days had passed.
CRACK!
On the twenty-seven thousand, five hundred and sixtieth strike, Garmund’s sword shattered, and he was forced to pull back his outstretched hand.
None of the stinging remarks he had prepared had provoked Jin, save for the one about Temar doing it in two days.
For nearly twenty-seven thousand strikes, Jin had looked joyful with every swing; it was Garmund who had been burning with anxiety.
"It took me one day longer than Temar."
Jin spoke as he picked up a fragment of Garmund’s broken sword.
His face, which had been bright the entire time, was now clouded for the first time. He was dissatisfied with being a day slower than his ancestor.
Damn it. If I had focused just a little more, I could have broken it yesterday.
Watching Jin let out a long sigh, Garmund could only blink his large eyes. He had expected it to take a month, not a week, but for Jin to finish in just three days…
Of course, he was slower than Temar.
But considering he succeeded while using the Spirit-Absorbing Sword—a clear disadvantage—and given his age… a one-day difference is nothing. In fact, it should be seen as an even greater achievement.
Jin had arrived in this land as an already accomplished warrior. Perhaps there wasn't that much the Pluto Tribe needed to teach him after all.
Garmund couldn't help but think so.
Thump, thump!
Garmund slapped Jin’s shoulder boisterously and laughed.
"Second successor, Jin Runcandel! To be honest, I looked upon you with distaste at first, but you have moved me in the end."
"Do you acknowledge me now?"
"I do. And the other Fighting Kings will open their hearts to you soon enough. They won't be able to resist your pure and powerful warrior’s soul."
Jin gave a bashful smile at Garmund’s sudden change in attitude.
"And there is one thing I’d like to ask of you."
"A favor?"
"May I be the first to taste the achievement you have attained?"
"Taste it…? What do you mean by that?"
"Just answer me."
Seeing that serious, sparkling gaze, Jin couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"I don't know what it is, but go ahead."
Garmund gently took the sword fragment from Jin’s hand.
Then, he crunched down and swallowed the fragment before pounding his chest with immense satisfaction.
"It is a taste that suits Laprarosa perfectly. Starting tomorrow, the 5th Fighting King will also join us at the training ground."