Chapter 186: Transfusion, Brothers (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 186: Transfusion, Brothers (2)
‘Where am I?’
The space was narrow on all sides, and the ceiling was so low it nearly touched his nose. It felt as if he were inside a coffin.
He couldn't put any strength into his limbs. A searing pain, as if he were being branded by fire, radiated from both his thighs.
‘It seems Shaku really did cut my legs. He said he’d sever my limbs, and he wasn't joking. Did Boras put them back together with that Special Grafting Technique?’
Dealing with amputations was a feat that even top-tier healers found difficult. However, Jin had long since decided to stop trying to understand the Pluto Tribe through the lens of common sense.
They weren't just strong; they possessed techniques and a civilization so advanced that they rivaled the current era.
‘By the standards of modern humanity, they are an incomprehensible race. Even Shaku, who is just an ordinary warrior, far surpasses the highest-level Guardian Knights of Runcandel…’
In fact, he might even be as strong as a Black Knight.
Before their fall, the streets of Laprarosa must have been filled with individuals like Shaku. The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine.
‘Perhaps the gods destroyed the Pluto Tribe because they feared they would become too powerful to control.’
As he was thinking, Ban spoke again.
“Can you not do it, Brother Boras?”
“No, I can. But I don’t quite understand your thinking, Brother Fighting God, offering your blood to Jin. Is this another test?”
“Did you not give Jin your molar the moment you met him, Brother Boras? And with your memories embedded in it, no less.”
“That’s a different matter. Can Jin even handle the blood of a Fighting God? One slip-up and he’s dead. Even Temar refused it for that reason.”
“Temar and this child are different.”
“To be honest, I like Jin more, but the other brothers still remember Temar because that man was incredibly strong. Do you believe Jin is superior to Temar, Brother Fighting God?”
“No, not yet. At least, not for now.”
Jin could only listen in silence. He couldn't make a sound or move his limbs, leaving him no way to express his will.
“Then why the blood…?”
“Once he reached his peak, Temar became a human so strong that even I couldn't guarantee a victory. But what was the result? He met his end in the same way as our lost brothers.”
“Hmm.”
“If this child ends up the same way, what will be left for us?”
“If that happens, we’ll just have to wait for the next successor.”
“A thousand years have passed in the outside world since Temar. Yet, contrary to what Solderet predicted five thousand years ago, a successor has appeared only once since then.”
“…Are you saying Jin might be the last successor?”
“Yes. Above all, I cannot hear Solderet’s voice from this child at all. Something has clearly gone wrong with that dark god. This child’s death might lead to our complete extinction.”
Boras let out a low sigh.
“It seems you want to give Jin everything the Pluto Tribe has, Brother Fighting God. But it’s too much of a gamble. If what you say is true, the moment Jin dies from failing to endure the blood, everything is over, isn't it?”
“Seeing him fight Shaku, I don't think that will happen. And even if it does, then that was simply the extent of our fate and the successor’s destiny.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you this impatient, Brother Fighting God.”
“It is not impatience, but anticipation.”
“Well, fine. If you’re going this far, I don’t have the right to refuse. I’ll perform the transfusion. Let’s pray that Jin holds out.”
A moment later, the blood of Fighting God Ban began to fill the coffin.
Jin quietly closed his eyes and accepted it.
* * *
The Ten Thousand Poison Liquor proved to be a godsend.
The liquor latent within Jin’s body recognized the Fighting God’s blood as a ‘poison,’ and for over a month, it boiled fiercely to detoxify it.
As a result, the toxicity of the Fighting God’s blood vanished, leaving only its inherent divinity and strength to fill Jin’s veins.
The moment he woke up, he felt it instinctively. If not for the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor, he wouldn't have opened his eyes for at least a year.
However, he felt certain that he would have eventually overcome the blood and woken up regardless.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Fighting God Ban’s face. She had never left his side while he was absorbing her blood.
“Are you awake, successor?”
“I’m not sure what to say. First Boras gives me a molar, and now you give me your blood. All without asking for my opinion.”
“Did you want to refuse?”
“Did I even have the authority to do so? You knew I was awake when you were talking to Boras, didn't you?”
“I apologize if it was unpleasant for you.”
“I didn't say that to get an apology. I’ve interpreted it as making another contract with a god, in my own way. You are called a Fighting God, after all.”
“How unexpected. I thought you would argue with me.”
“I would have, if you were my enemy. Honestly, it’s not that I don't want to complain, but time is too tight for that. I have to return by May.”
Jin already knew that about a month had passed. His consciousness had been awake the entire time the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor was active.
It was now March 16, 1797. Jin had only two months left in Laprarosa. He had to return before the operation to steal the Compass began on June 1.
“How is your body?”
“Excellent. I feel light and full of energy. Though having a Heart of Light in my chest is quite startling.”
Jin said, pointing to his chest.
It wasn't a Heart of Light formed from Aura, but a real one forged by Ban’s blood, emitting a faint glow.
Though it was only half the size of Jin’s fist, the Aura surging violently within it was by no means small.
“Just because I have this doesn't mean I’ve become one of the brothers you speak of. If anything, people like Shaku will only resent me more.”
On the other hand, those who already liked Jin—like Garmund, Boras, Linpa, and Belize—would be pleased.
“Most likely.”
“In your eyes, did it seem like I wouldn't be able to change their minds on my own before I had to leave?”
Jin met Ban’s gaze with calm eyes.
If she answered yes, or if she lied, he intended to crush the Heart of Light without hesitation.
“If I say no, will you destroy the heart? Because it is power you did not seize for yourself?”
Ban immediately saw through his intentions.
But this time, Jin prepared an answer that exceeded her expectations.
“You’ve seen through me perfectly. However, I did seize this heart. I didn't ask for it, but if I hadn't met your standards, I wouldn't have received the transfusion in the first place. I simply consider it a method of succession.”
“Then why would you destroy it?”
“I can do as I wish with what I have seized. Conversely, if this were power obtained solely through your goodwill, I wouldn't even think of destroying it at my whim. Because then it wouldn't truly be mine.”
Ban smiled.
“Even without my blood, you would have eventually earned the recognition of the brothers.”
“Then I shall put it to good use.”
Jin put on the clothes that had been placed next to the coffin.
Clang, clang. He could hear the constant sound of hammering that had continued while he absorbed the blood. The place where Jin had been lying for a month was Boras’s forge.
“I’ll be training the Spirit Sword 2nd Technique with Linpa. Am I sparring with Shaku this afternoon?”
“Brother 7th Fighting King will also be at the training ground. Brother Belize will teach you the Spirit Sword 3rd Technique.”
“I like the tight schedule. I’ll see you this afternoon then, Fighting God.”
* * *
Training in the morning, sparring in the afternoon.
Another forty-nine days passed in that manner. During that time, Jin fought Shaku forty-nine times and tasted defeat forty-nine times. Each time, one of his limbs was severed, and he had to rely on Boras’s help.
The Pluto Tribe was strong.
If obtaining a Heart of Light could bridge the gap instantly, countless martial artists would risk their lives seeking miraculous encounters rather than train.
With every defeat, Jin gained a clearer understanding of Shaku’s skill and the power of the Pluto Tribe.
At first, he vaguely thought Shaku was just distantly stronger than him. After about ten fights, he thought Shaku might be as strong as Luna.
By the twentieth fight, however, he began to doubt that judgment. By the thirtieth, he had completely reversed it, deciding that was absolutely not the case.
And by the fortieth fight, he was confident that he would soon be able to cut off at least one of Shaku’s arms.
The fact that his perception of his opponent was constantly shifting meant he was growing at a terrifying speed. If Luna was still a distant mountain, Shaku was now a peak whose summit was beginning to come into view.
Because he knew this well, Jin always enjoyed his fights with Shaku.
“Why the long face today, Shaku? Are you bored of fighting me?”
While Jin was thoroughly enjoying himself, Shaku had recently seemed increasingly reluctant to cut him down.
Even the 1st-Class Fighting King Baltirok, who had always looked at him with disdain, no longer sneered at Jin or the brothers who cherished him.
Though they wouldn't admit it, both Shaku and Baltirok had grown fond of Jin.
He had received the Fighting God’s recognition but was not arrogant; his limbs were severed every day, yet he held no grudge; he did not despair despite endless defeats. They had no choice but to acknowledge him.
Furthermore, since the other brothers had been doting on Jin for so long, it was becoming painful for them to watch him get beaten to a pulp every single day.
“…It’s not that. I think I’ve grown fond of you through these daily spars. It’s becoming difficult to bring myself to cut you down.”
That’s right, it was the same with Temar.
Such words no longer came from the onlookers. At some point, the Pluto Tribe had stopped mentioning Temar’s name in front of Jin.
“I’ve told you several times, my training suffers if you face me with such a lukewarm attitude. Let’s do this properly. I understand how you feel.”
“Hmm… Understood.”
“Wait, Brother Fighting God!”
Suddenly, someone among the onlookers called out to Ban.
It was Tantel.
“What is it, Brother Tantel?”
“Jin Runcandel, the successor, must leave Laprarosa soon. There are only about two weeks left. And it seems Brother 1st-Class Fighting King and Brother Shaku are also ready to acknowledge Jin.”
“Continue.”
“I believe it is time to officially accept the successor as a brother and give him the chance to experience the swords of all the brothers at least once. Brother Shaku has monopolized too much of his time.”
“He’s right! The brothers who actually cherished the successor from the beginning have just been watching from the sidelines. Give the other brothers a chance as well!”
Shaku was the first to nod.
“Actually, that has been weighing on my mind as well, Brother Fighting God. While time remains in Laprarosa, I would like the other brothers to be able to spar with Jin.”
When even Shaku spoke up, Ban nodded calmly.
“If all the brothers here and now agree to accept Jin as a brother, I shall accept that proposal.”