Chapter 286: Temar’s First Grave (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 286: Temar’s First Grave (7)
The lightning energy condensed within the Heart of Light made it look as if a miniature sun were blazing in the center of Jin’s chest. A pure white glow, too bright to be hidden by his clothes, illuminated the surroundings.
But the light didn't just illuminate the area.
A moment later, as even more lightning energy gathered in the Heart of Light, the dim interior of the subspace flared as bright as day.
The Guardian could not immediately comprehend this phenomenon, but he could sense that a significant change was occurring within Jin.
[Lightning energy… Just as I heard from Temar, it is an interesting power.]
The onslaught continued.
The Guardian’s greatsword now unleashed massive waves of sword energy that looked capable of cleaving a large sailing vessel in a single blow. Jin was barely clinging to life, nearly buried under the overwhelming barrage.
Even that precarious balance seemed unlikely to last.
Ever since the lightning began surging in his Heart of Light, Jin’s movements had noticeably deteriorated. His concentration was wavering as he focused entirely on gathering the energy required to manifest a Fighting God Technique.
[Did you think you could show such an opening before me?]
Screeeech—!
The greatsword swung down in a vertical arc, letting out a horrific, air-rending shriek.
A 10-star knight could imbue even a simple downward slash with enough power to be called an ultimate technique. Naturally, Jin, whose movements had slowed, could not block it perfectly.
His best option was evasion.
Gritting his teeth, Jin relied on his footwork.
His posture remained steady as Silderay’s greatsword slammed into the floor.
However, evading the strike of a 10-star knight was a feat that far exceeded ordinary standards. Simply dodging the blade’s trajectory was not enough. Even the shockwaves ripping through the air possessed the destructive force of an 8-star attack.
Slash, shing—! The shockwave grazed his throat. A mere finger’s breadth deeper and it would have been a fatal wound. Almost simultaneously, another shockwave swept across his chest and shoulder.
Crimson blood sprayed in an arc.
As his coat and shirt were shredded and incinerated by the heat of the aura, the Heart of Light, now brimming with lightning energy, was fully revealed.
It was blinding. Facing its sudden radiance, Silderay’s eyes momentarily flickered.
That split second was the first real opportunity Jin had found since the battle began.
Instead of attacking, Jin used it to increase the distance between them. Since Silderay had completely controlled the engagement distance the entire time, Jin could only manage to pull away by a single step.
Yet, the breathing room that one step provided felt incredibly precious.
While a single step wasn't enough to escape Silderay’s range, it allowed Jin to catch his breath and pull away from the oppressive aura the Guardian exuded. It was as if he had momentarily stepped away from an active volcano.
‘Just being near him felt like my entire body was being crushed by his aura.’
He had only endured this long thanks to the blessed body of a Runcandel.
Now that he had gained a single breath, it was time to complete the Fighting God Technique he had been preparing. Within the Heart of Light, which glowed as if it might burst into flames at any moment, an immeasurable amount of lightning energy was swirling.
It was the sum total of all the lightning energy Jin possessed.
[It seems what you were preparing is complete, Jin Runcandel.]
The Guardian flashed a faint smile, as if he had been waiting for this. He had adjusted his pace to allow Jin to complete the technique. His smile was a mixture of anticipation for Jin’s hidden potential and a silent reprimand: if this were a real battle and not Solderet’s arrangement, Jin would already be dead.
“You say things that wound my pride.”
Boom, crash!
Reading the intent behind Silderay’s smile, Jin spoke as he batted away the incoming sword energy, shattering it with a thunderous roar.
[Because I waited for you?]
“If this were a real battle, I wouldn't have fought you so recklessly, Lord Silderay.”
The corner of the Guardian’s mouth twitched.
In Jin’s defiant posture, the Guardian caught a glimpse of the younger self of the man he most respected and followed. Temar Runcandel had always been like that.
No matter the opponent, he was provocative yet never arrogant, seemingly reckless yet always cold-headed. That was why everyone who knew Temar regarded him as a mystery.
[You resemble him.]
“That’s an assessment I’m not particularly fond of.”
Cr-crack—!
A sound like something being crushed echoed from within the Heart of Light. The compressed lightning energy on its surface tangled together like thick cords, making it look as if the heart itself were fracturing.
What Jin was about to unleash was the Pluto Sword Fighting God Technique 10th Sword—the final chapter of the Fighting God Techniques and the strongest profound technique that encompassed them all.
Pluto’s Sovereign Sword – Open
When Ban had passed down the 10th Sword to Jin, she had explained that it was not merely a killing technique designed to annihilate enemies. Pluto’s Sovereign Sword was a declaration, a roar announcing that a single individual had reached the pinnacle among the Kings of Light.
Creeeak, snap…!
The ground beneath them split apart. The terrain twisted, and the fissures spewed lightning energy like erupting lava. In an instant, the surroundings were blanketed in sharp lightning, making it impossible even to breathe.
This wasn't just a figure of speech. Anyone lacking the ability to protect themselves from this flood of lightning would be reduced to ash within seconds. Even those who could barely manage a shield would soon suffocate. This happened regardless of Jin’s will—just as fire does not choose whom to burn.
Within the lightning of Pluto’s Sovereign Sword, only those with the proper qualifications could survive. It was a privilege granted only to those who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the strongest race on earth.
“That is why my brothers no longer tell me I resemble Temar, Lord Silderay.”
Jin’s voice changed. A strange, multi-layered resonance—as if dozens of people were speaking simultaneously—carried a natural and profound dignity.
His eyes and hair were dyed by the lightning energy, glowing with a deep blue light. If there were a God of Lightning worshipped by all, he would surely look like this.
The Guardian agreed, but he possessed the insight not to be deluded by appearances.
[Changing your appearance to look like a transcendent does not mean you have actually transcended, though it is interesting.]
The 10-star realm—a level that even the Guardian felt was infinitely close to the absolute peak. Because he had reached that realm, the Guardian knew what true transcendence was. That was a title reserved only for those who had reached the Realm of Creation.
In the Guardian’s eyes, the manifestation of Pluto’s Sovereign Sword was merely a momentary explosion of Jin’s latent potential.
Of course, that didn't diminish its impressiveness.
[Your openings have clearly diminished. Let us begin again.]
Vrooooom!
Once again, sword energy poured from the Guardian’s greatsword. The waves of energy pushed through the lightning as if stirring through water, but their power was noticeably diminished by the time they reached Jin, their strength halved as they fought against the storm of lightning.
Similarly, Silderay’s movements were also slightly restricted.
On the other hand, to Jin in the state of Pluto’s Sovereign Sword, lightning was a power more familiar than the very air he breathed.
Unlike the Guardian, who could not exert his full power while resisting the lightning, Jin’s blade became even sharper.
Pluto’s Sovereign Sword was not a one-time attack but a form of awakening—an ability that turned even an ordinary vertical slash into an ultimate technique. That now applied to Jin as much as it did to the Guardian.
— I told you before, Brother Jin. You are a brother of the Pluto Tribe, a descendant, and my successor. Therefore, I told you that you have no need to fear anyone you encounter.
These were the words Ban had spoken after Jin mastered Pluto’s Sovereign Sword, just before he left Laprarosa. She had added that there was nothing left for her to pass on to him.
From then on, the only realms left were those Jin would have to reach on his own.
Zzzzt, shhh—!
The lightning covering the battlefield swayed along the trajectory of Sigmund.
Sigmund and the greatsword.
Jin slashed upward, and the Guardian struck downward. Both moved with such blinding speed that they left afterimages. As the two blades collided, a completely different dynamic unfolded.
They were neck and neck.
Who would ever think this battle was a clash between a 10-star and an 8-star?
The two swords strained against each other, neither able to gain an inch.
‘Remarkable!’
The Guardian did not offer such trite praise. Nor did he shout in admiration or show a satisfied expression. Such attitudes were reserved for those looking down on someone from a significantly lower realm.
The Guardian no longer needed to evaluate this distant, young ‘descendant’ in such a way. He only needed to recognize him as an opponent worthy of the final battle for the Guardian of this grave.
That meant he no longer needed to maintain his casual composure. Just as Jin was giving his all, Silderay had to unleash everything he had.
Boom, crash! Clang!
The subspace crumbled under the shockwaves, and spirit energy swirled like a sandstorm. This chaotic landscape, created by the mingling of lightning, sword energy, and spirit energy, was truly a sight worthy of a battlefield of great warriors.
Just as Silderay was not conceited, Jin did not let the fact that he was fighting on equal terms go to his head.
‘I can’t maintain this state for long. I have to end this as quickly as possible.’
As lightning frantically concentrated along Sigmund’s blade, the Guardian took a step back for the first time. Seizing the momentum, Jin unleashed another Fighting God Technique, the 3rd Sword Judgment, to pressure him again.
In the state of Pluto’s Sovereign Sword, the power of Judgment naturally far exceeded what Jin could normally produce. Three spikes of pure energy formed simultaneously and surged toward the Guardian.
Pluto’s Sovereign Sword was only truly complete when one could manifest the Open, Transition, and Close stages. Jin was currently at a level where he could barely maintain the ‘Open’ stage. Attempting to manifest another Fighting God Technique on top of that was clearly a heavy burden.
Yet, his reason for using Judgment was clear. He believed the Guardian did not possess a blessed body.
‘To withstand the Judgment of the Sovereign Sword, Lord Silderay will have to overexert his aura. Even if we both take damage, the odds are higher that I’ll come out on top.’
Jin’s judgment was accurate.
The Guardian, Silderay Runcandel, who had responded with indifference throughout the fight, finally stiffened his expression as if feeling the pressure. Of course, it wasn't an expression born of fear.
It was resolve.
[I shall show you the legacy of the Runcandel ancestors, descendant.]
Skreeee!
The spikes of Judgment slammed into Silderay’s shield. Cracks formed instantly; it would shatter in the blink of an eye.
But that blink of an eye was enough time to unleash one of the essences of Runcandel swordsmanship achieved by Temar and the Ten Great Knights a thousand years ago.
Runcandel Secret Technique: Silderay
‘King of Greatswords’
“…Insane!”
Jin, who had been pouring strength into the spikes, gasped.
He watched as the Guardian’s already massive greatsword became… truly, terrifyingly… enormous.
He had seen aura used to extend a blade countless times during his training, but he had never even imagined a blade of such monstrous proportions.
The shadow of the greatsword, rising as if to pierce the heavens, loomed ominously amidst the crackling lightning.