Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Judgment of Atala (10)
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A streak of radiant light sliced through the air in an instant, carving a brilliant line across the spectators' vision. The ferocious bolt of lightning converged right in front of the one-armed warrior's face.
Flash—!
A dazzling blue gleam flashed first. Perun countered with his hook, but it wasn't enough to withstand the thunderclap's impact. The crackling flames of exploding lightning erupted, and only after the warrior's form was hurled far back did the savage roar of thunder follow.
――――――――― Kraka-ka-ka, Kraka-ka-BOOM—!!!
As the echoes faded, Perun groaned from where he lay sprawled on the dirt floor.
"Hahk... Ngh..."
Crackle—
His skin was charred in patches, veins burst to leave vivid red streaks like leaf veins. Sparks danced over his blackened hook hand. The spectators were left stunned by the weapon's might, as if lightning itself had manifested.
Perun gritted his teeth and, propping himself up on trembling knees, barely managed to rise again.
"In that time... another... new weapon you've sharpened... Most impressive power... What is... the name of that sacred weapon...?"
A low reply came back.
"'Thunderbolt'."
A name granting the special effect of 'Lightning Strike'—a powerful electric attribute attack. Yesterday, Kadim had used The One Who Sharpens Names to bestow it upon the throwing axe. Thus, it had become a literal bolt one could hurl.
And giving it a new name didn't erase the 'Return' effect.
Kadim reached out, recalled the axe, and immediately threw it again.
――――――――― Crackle-crackle-crackle—!
Flash—!
A flickering, eerie flash. Perun barely managed to block it again, but he was flung all the way to the barrier wall, rendering his defense pointless. Only after the discharged current dissipated and dust filled the air did the furious thunder's cry follow.
――――――――― Kraka-ka-ka, Kraka-ka-BOOM—!!!
Return lightning strike. Lightning never strikes only once.
Cries of awe and terror rippled through the crowd.
"M-My god..."
"H-Heavens, Remillion..."
How a non-mage could wield such mysteries was unknown. But one thing the spectators were certain of: after taking such brutal lightning strikes in succession, the 'Unyielding Warrior' must have burned up like a lump of charcoal and collapsed.
That certainty was proven wrong.
Though slammed wretchedly into the barrier wall with his flesh charred pitch-black all over, the warrior did not fall. Instead, he exhaled faint smoke through clenched teeth, his gaze shining fiercer than before.
"Hoo..."
Sizzle, pop—!
He shouldn't even have been able to stand. His muscles should have burned and shriveled long ago, toppling him. Yet Perun did not yield. Drawing forth a spirit that transcended humanity, he stood firm on both feet and took a step forward.
True to the epithet he'd earned battling as a gladiator. As the 'Unyielding Warrior'.
"A splendid... combo... Great Warrior... I blocked it... but it doesn't... feel like... I did... Still... I can... fight... more..."
To Kadim, it just looked like stubborn folly. He fixed the battered warrior with a cold stare.
"You're being reckless. You've already lost all your weapons and can barely speak. How do you plan to keep fighting? Stop the pointless struggling and surrender."
"I can't... do that... I... gave up... struggling... when I lost... one arm... already... Even if I lose... my life... I will never... surrender."
Perun raised his half-broken hook hand, trembling. Kadim furrowed his brow at a sudden suspicion.
"Why didn't you use 'Atala's Sacred Artifact' sooner? It wouldn't have been easy to handle the aftermath, but you could've survived for now."
"That power... is for the War God to... face the impure... How could I... use that power... against His Great Warrior...? I would have... no face... to meet Atala..."
A hollow laugh escaped Kadim. Even if it meant death, he would never die shamefully before Atala...
What profound faith. It almost made Kadim feel ashamed to be called 'Great Warrior' when he had no faith to speak of. But he had no intention of showing mercy out of admiration. Hadn't this man declared he'd serve a false Great Warrior to the end?
Whoosh—whoosh, whing, whing, thunk!
Kadim gripped Thunderbolt and issued a final warning.
"If you take even one more hit from this axe’s lightning, you'll die without doubt."
"..."
"If you truly want to die a dog's death in this shabby arena, stand your ground and meet the axe. But if you want a death with even a shred of meaning, dodge it with all your skill."
These were no empty threats. The muscles gripping the axe tensed, heavy with imminent launch.
Yet Perun showed no fear or hesitation.
Instead, he wore the faintest smile.
"A shabby battlefield... even so... no regrets... The greatest foe... of my life..."
"..."
"For this... lowly warrior... to face the Great Warrior... the greatest... honor... We clashed... with all our might... Please... show no mercy..."
The warrior's eyes, resigned to death, gleamed like stars in the wilderness.
The Great Warrior proxying for the War God met that resolve calmly.
And hurled the axe with merciless judgment.
Scree—slash!
The lightning did not explode.
The axe flew with only its chill blade spinning.
Whirrrrrring, schiiing!
Even that was devastatingly powerful, but Perun blocked even this final blow. His thick hook shattered, the glancing axe blade deeply gashed his forehead, and he lost balance to tumble grandly—but he'd blocked it nonetheless.
Whoosh—whoosh, whing, whing, thunk!
Kadim recalled the axe and approached the fallen warrior. Blood streamed from him as he lay dazed. His eyes questioned why he was still alive.
"...'Thunderbolt' can hold lightning for exactly two throws. Using it in succession requires about half a day to recharge."
That wasn't the answer the warrior sought. In a thin voice, Perun asked,
"Why... did you... spare... me...?"
Kadim lifted his gaze to the distant sky and replied slowly.
"Your choice to serve a false Great Warrior was wrong. However... this is far too shabby a battlefield for an unyielding warrior undaunted by death."
"..."
Kadim thought to himself.
This man hadn't bent his stubbornness to the end, so he deserved to die here.
Yet he couldn't judge him solely on that error.
Cutting off his own arm to survive, refusing to abandon the fight despite losing it, upholding his will unflinchingly even unto death. The warrior's life trail was worthy of a Great Warrior's respect. This den of depravity was too low-class a grave for such a man.
Thus, Kadim changed his mind. He'd let him live—for now.
By the same method he'd saved the half-dead Duncan.
Slice—slash, slice—slash, slice—slash!
Kadim drew Blood Ghost's hilt and repeatedly slashed his own forearm. Infinitely splitting flesh—the Hydra tattoo regenerated the severed dermis and arm muscles. The crimson blade devoured its master's blood and offered it to the wielder.
Of course, Kadim wasn't granting unconditional mercy. He had a mission for this man.
"...Not sparing you for your merits. You said the way back is too far? But one who's walked a long road once can endure another journey's length."
"..."
"Set out on a long road again. Find a battlefield worthy of you. Slay demons and beasts, continue the struggle. Die atop a mountain of corpses and sea of blood, burning with battle spirit. And when you reach the heavens to meet Atala... give that bastard a sharp stab for me."
"..."
"That is the mission I entrust to you, in exchange for this new life."
If a man like this grew further, he might land a solid blow on Atala.
His lightning-scorched body fully healed. Perun blinked in bewilderment. Realizing the immense mercy Kadim had shown, he sprang up, knelt, and pounded his chest.
"My body is your blade, my soul your axe. I swear by the noble name of Atala to fulfill the mission you entrusted, no matter what, Great Warrior...!"
"..."
No—he'd said to stab him, yet he swore on that bastard's name.
Swallowing a wry chuckle, Kadim nodded curtly. Overwhelmed by emotion, Perun's shoulders trembled faintly. Rays of sunlight pierced through, and a yellowish whirlwind like the wilderness wind flowed naturally between the two warriors.
Meanwhile, the stands were deathly silent.
""...""
The spectators couldn't comprehend what was happening on that dirt floor. They could only blankly watch the miracle-like scenes unfolding one after another.
Then, those regaining their senses vented their dissatisfaction.
"What the hell! Why kill him then revive him?!"
That gruff shout sparked it. Spectators who'd come craving brutal slaughter, drunks who'd tossed back a few, gamblers soured by losing big to the Demon Slayer—they all began jeering and complaining in droves.
"Yeah! If you win, kill him! What're you doing, Demon Slayer?!"
"Showing mercy 'cause he's a fellow barbarian?! Don't act all noble now!"
"Demonic power! The Demon Slayer used devilry to resurrect the dead!"
"It was all rigged! Fraud! This match is fixed! Give me my money back!"
"Boo! Boo! Boo!!"
No matter how spectacular the show, this ending wasn't what they wanted. A gladiator's 'first loss' must end in humiliation and death. The drunken rants converged into a single chant.
""Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!""
Even the dumbfounded joined the mood. Dissenting cries were buried under the relentless noise. Tens of thousands of bloodthirsty eyes gleamed with malice.
"He revived with unholy power! We can't let him live!"
"The heavenly gods will curse us! Kill him again, Demon Slayer!!"
""Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!""
The massive roar shook the entire arena. The atmosphere teetered on riot; no one, not even the Arena King, could defuse it without blood.
Yet Kadim dismissed the complaints without spilling a drop.
By hurling his axe straight at the stands.
Whirrrrrring—
"...Guh!"
"Ughk!"
"Gaaah!!"
The onrushing whirlwind made spectators cower in terror. But the axe cleaved no skulls, flying instead toward the gong signaling the match's start.
――――― Clang—CRASH!!!
The gong shattered, unleashing an ear-piercing ring. Everyone hurriedly plugged their ears and groaned. The stands' clamor died instantly.
Kadim recalled Thunderbolt and slammed Blood Ghost into the dirt.
Thud—!
"Any dissatisfied with my judgment, step forward and draw this blade. I'll give you a chance to defeat me and kill that warrior."
""...""
Once more, deathly silence blanketed the arena.
No one voiced complaint again.
Not a single one among the sand-grain multitude of spectators.
The wilderness code absolutely forbade killing without resolve to die oneself. Even pooled, the courage of tens of thousands wouldn't match one Atalan warrior.
Kadim scattered contemptuous glances at the cowards and turned away.
The blood-hungry eyes lost focus, rolling like dead fish across the dirt.
'However... this is far too shabby a battlefield for an unyielding warrior undaunted by death.'
The moment he heard those words, Perun saw it.
The vision from when he'd lost his arm, reproduced exactly.
On the wilderness plain, Kadim stood tall against the sun. Tawny dust winds whipped like a cape over his shoulders, his sparse tattoos gleaming like freshly honed blades. The lightning-bearing axe and blood-quaffing sword yearned in the warrior's hands to slaughter foes.
That instinct had been right. Kadim's true nature nailed into his mind once more.
Atala's great proxy enacting the War God's will on earth. The savior to exterminate rampant evil and lead them to endless war and revelry.
I shall meet my death at this great warrior's hand.
Exhilaration burst in his heart, ecstasy trembled through his muscles. But it didn't last. Suffocating anxiety gripped his chest. Perun knew how this vision ended.
Sure enough, the warrior's flesh split, raw red meat exposed as in the vision.
Slice—slash!
Perun's face paled.
But no—it wasn't there. No ominous horror leaped out to stop hearts just by sight. That raw flesh was merely what Kadim had slashed open on his own arm.
'...?'
Bewildered, Perun soon realized Kadim had revived him with his own blood.
The vision had been just that—a vision. The Great Warrior wasn't a harbinger of doom but a magnanimous savior granting even a betrayer one more chance.
'Die atop a mountain of corpses and sea of blood, burning with battle spirit.'
New life from the Great Warrior's blood and flesh. Despite crimes warranting shameful death, he'd earned a glorious end. Inexpressible gratitude swelled. He must repay this grace. Even if the world split asunder, fulfill the mission.
Thus, Perun sought the Indomitable Legion's camp without hesitation and reported.
"I will leave this place now."
Atalan warriors lined with blades at ready, and at center, the hulking man with fierce eyes.
Agon’s Furious Horn scowled darkly.
"...What nonsense, Perun. What of the match with the Demon Slayer? Where are the weapons I lent?"
"I have no face. I lost the match, and all blessed weapons were destroyed. But taken by the wrong hands, reclaimed by the sharpened one... perhaps the Father of the Wilderness ordained it, Goltaran."
A twitch—thick veins bulged on Goltaran's forehead.
Sharp words laced with barbs. And Perun hadn't even called him 'Great Warrior'.
"What... drivel are you spouting, Perun."
"I think you know better than I what I mean, Goltaran."
"..."
"...Thank you for everything until now. But I can no longer serve the false one. I go to fulfill the mission the 'Great Warrior' entrusted."
Perun turned and left without hesitation.
Thus, one of his most trusted subordinates departed.
A blade-chilling silence descended. All were too stunned to even try stopping him. The Atalan warriors belatedly eyed their leader.
"..."
Agon’s Furious Horn glared with bloodshot eyes at the spot the one-armed warrior had left...
Bang—!
...before hurling his helmet to the ground and clutching his face, crushing his temples with one hand.