Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Ambitionless Adventurer? -1-
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Time, this selfish creature charging ahead without heeding anyone's voice. It's terrifying.
The forehead widens, and the hair thins out like limp threads.
Appetite isn't what it used to be, shying away from greasy foods. Even lifting a glass feels hesitant when tomorrow looms in mind.
As the joys once called a man's life and pleasure slip away one by one, all that's left for me are two swords.
Were the senses I honed steadily in Rimno, the city of revelry, the answer? The key?
I've reached the realm knights dream of... but there's no joy in it. No one to share this raw emotion and drive with, unfiltered.
I age. I'm aging.
When wrinkles carve into the face like furrows in farmland, you truly feel the days ahead are absurdly fewer than those behind.
In a city swirling with vigorous desires—I'd mimicked youth, sketching my final moments.
A traitor's end, fitting for one who callously cast aside even family?
An archenemy arrives in rage, vomiting all the old wounds and regrets. I wanted to shatter then, clutching a hollow chest empty of even remorse or satisfaction.
Because I craved an end beyond my worth.
It won't allow it.
As if such fantasies were an impossible luxury... a man like a beast at the height of ferocity has come.
The Harun Empire guarantees no honorable death for a mere traitor.
Defeat here, and the emperor will cast aside dignity to laugh until his gut splits.
My corpse dragged off as beast fodder. Or my severed head strung up at the capital's gate as a warning.
Grit—
Anger surges, jaws clenching tight. At least, I've never dreamed of such an end. Nor will I accept it.
Overcome genius realm opponents—even two—with tenfold the experience.
Didn't I abandon knighthood? To win, spare no means or methods.
To survive, twist these era-leading young geniuses into history's pitiable footnotes.
Kill. I will kill. Kill and move on.
I'll survive here and await my true archenemy once more.
—
The green-tinged sword traced a complex path, only for the dark red aura-clad shortsword to block it simply.
Clang—!!
The moment auras clashed, Cutler couldn't push his sword forward.
It wasn't a matter of pure muscle.
'This... can this even be called aura...!'
The dark red aura in the adventurer's hand resembled thunderbolts ripping through a murky sky.
A refined aura expressed superb control and application of mana—typically fixed and sharp in form, unyielding.
Yet this adventurer's aura defied that logic.
Imbued with immense will, yet shapeless, crackling like lightning and scattering remnants everywhere.
The moment it met his sword, the excess aura tried to climb onto his body.
Sizzle—
A clash lasting less than a second.
The tendril crossing to his hand savagely tore the skin.
Aura piercing mana-reinforced flesh—even a light wound. Accumulate them, and it becomes severe.
"Quit the wistful face, you old bum who's been hiding out and gorging. It's irritating."
"Hah... hahaha! Hiding? Me? I don't hide! Never changed my name, never fled foes... I'm standing here by my own choice!"
Adventurer traits, maybe.
His sharp tongue was no joke—impossible not to bite back.
If it didn't grate that this kid talked like he knew everything, that'd be the biggest lie.
"No. You're standing because you have to. I know your type."
"Hmph... Old folks ramble, but that mouth of yours, brat—is it natural? That rude tongue will hasten your end."
Grip—
His grip tightened, blood trickling from the split skin.
He wanted to correct that cocky attitude, spinning the dagger in one hand.
The sneers, as if he'd predicted every move—mind games, he knew, yet rage boiled anyway.
It had been ages since he'd felt such killing intent toward an opponent.
"The reason you kept trash like Cutlass, unfit to call human. Not some noble excuse about old imperial subordinates. An old geezer who tossed family like rags."
"...?"
Spreading his arms like in a play, the adventurer laughed mockingly, imitating someone.
"Behold, my archenemy! Among knights, only I stand unbowed. Even in Rimno's pleasure dens, I never stopped training! Your rival—only I am this exceptional!"
Like a virgin caught naked—heat rushed to his face.
"Hah—hahaha!! Hahahaha!!!"
No excuse. Just laughter.
"That's the incarnation of self-pity. Feel the shame. And... maybe thought you were rivals, archenemies, all alone your whole life?"
Cutler curled his lip at the adventurer snickering behind his hand, channeling mana into his sword.
"...Won't spare a thought for the one behind you. I promise—just you die."
Horizontal Boom
[Wide-area slash erupts horizontally]
Ping—!
A green circle erupted horizontally from Cutler's body.
He leaped the instant he saw it, powering his thighs.
Zzz... Rumble—!!!
A thick black line scarred Cutler's grand mansion, the structure shifting.
Pillars and walls crumbled, unable to bear the weight, spraying stone dust.
Splash—
Shattering glass, he burst from the splitting mansion and slid to a halt in the garden.
'Got him properly riled up.'
A satisfying turn for the fight. Those words struck his deepest scale.
Cutler Duar—one of the empire's elite knights' top rivals. He'd hold that rank even returning now.
Did he have only that green aura? No—powerful skills, aces up his sleeve.
Maintaining his personal aura while unleashing a wide-range skill?
A massive mana drain.
Full power just to kill me. Endure, and the edge is mine.
"Don't worry."
He signaled Eclair, already perched on a tree outside the mansion.
"Quick moves for that bulk. Composure too."
Tap.
Cutler landed on the garden fountain. Roman steadied the weapons in both hands.
"Get too heated like some fool, and you botch everything."
"Tch... Can't take a single jab—feels like facing a battle-hardened vet. If trash talk's a talent, you've hoarded them all."
Finishing his words, Cutler's form stretched like taut rubber and blinked before him.
Clang—! Screech!
Green glow flared from the veteran's blade; reflexively, dark red erupted from the adventurer's.
Splatter—
Twin blades dodged and parried the green circles blasting at point-blank range.
In the ultra-close fray, the dagger art honed across lifetimes shone first.
A bold thrust hidden in the right-hand longsword lopped off Cutler's ear.
Psh!
The monocle fell, support lost.
"Urgh... you worm!!"
A hasty head snap—if slower, his skull pierced, game over.
One ear? Men live without. No brake for a deathmatch.
Skills rained to bisect the torso; twin blades traced a lifetime's path.
Whirl—
Backpedaling into a flying squirrel leap, the adventurer's body evaded skill and steel alike.
Splurt!
Blood welled from the imperfectly dodged flank. Not deep.
Blood Ghost
[Passive: Effect active]
Descending midair, eyes rolling.
To Cutler clinging in pursuit, he packed overflowing power into an extended kick.
Dragon Fang Kick
[Powerful piercing kick]
Crack!!
Crossed swords blocked the kick; Cutler shook his throbbing wrists.
"Hah... regular beast cub. Stuck to one weapon under a good master, you'd be a war god."
"War god? Way too lofty for my style."
Touching his severed ear, Cutler flicked blood and grinned.
"Mind if I ask something?"
"Old man. Master at breaking rhythm."
"Can't help rambling in old age."
"Sigh..."
Roman sighed; Cutler voiced his curiosity.
"With that power at your age, how's the world look? Feel omnipotent? Take the goddess for your parents, nurture faith?"
"What...?"
"Answer me. Just a warrior curious about uncharted worlds."
"...Pfft. Puhahaha!! What kinda... kekeke..."
Cutler scowled at the uncontrollable laughter.
"That absurd to a genius?"
"Sigh... old man. Want a truly sad tale?"
"..."
"That power you kill and die for? Never once set it as life's peak goal."