117. Archrival 3
Helden Grander gripped his sword. At once, white smoke billowed out around him.
'Opening, Meteor.'
The moment a massive plume of white smoke erupted from Helden's body, red energy swirled around Gravity.
Rumble. Rumble.
The ground shook, and the air trembled. Soon after.
Shrieeeek.
A piercing whine assaulted their ears as something began plummeting from the sky. Countless meteors.
The rocks accelerated, friction igniting them into blazing fireballs.
Thunderbirds darted through the air amid the falling infernos, while the stunned Crimson Knights gaped in shock.
"Th-this is the Opening of a 1st Class knight, what they call the realm of the gods…!"
"To think something like this is possible."
"He's on a whole other level from other knights…!"
It defied common sense. As expected from one of the Absolute Weapons, the sword that commanded gravity—its power was unparalleled.
Bin stared at the meteors hurtling toward him, eyes wide.
'Yeah, that's more like it.'
Even with the sky choked full of meteors, Bin's gaze didn't waver. He simply watched them descend with calm defiance.
The Crimson Knights exchanged puzzled glances at the sight.
"Why's he just standing there?"
"He's given up. What could he do against all those falling meteors?"
"You think?"
The Crimson Knights tilted their heads at Bin, who stood motionless, gazing up at the onslaught. And who could blame them?
There wasn't a trace of intimidation on his face. If anything, he looked utterly relaxed.
This was the Opening of a 1st Class knight, no less. Even the toughest knight would melt if grazed by Meteor.
Soon.
Shrieeeek.
As a meteor hurtled toward Bin with a deafening roar.
Whoosh.
Black smoke began pouring from Bin's body. The instant it touched the meteor, it ignited like oil meeting flame.
Fwoooosh!
The soaring black smoke devoured the falling meteors one after another. Just like when it had smothered Silva's flames in their duel.
Fwoooosh! Fwoooosh…!
Before long, the massive meteors vanished from the sky, leaving only debris scattering in the air.
Swish.
The Crimson Knights gawked, mouths agape.
"Th-the black smoke just swallowed the meteors…!"
"N-no way. Lord Grander's Opening… didn't work?"
It was unbelievable. This was a 1st Class knight's Opening.
Yet the guy before them blocked it without batting an eye. With a serene expression, no less.
Boom!! Boom!!
Explosions rocked the ground as fireballs cratered the earth. Bin's former position was now a gaping pit like a lump of coal.
It was utter devastation. But Bin himself looked perfectly fine. Not a single scratch.
Helden's brow furrowed as his Opening failed to land a hit.
'The black smoke is absorbing the magic…'
Panic flickered through him. He couldn't believe this moment.
This Opening had terrified countless knights before. They should be screaming in agony as their bodies melted.
But not this guy. Magic immunity. A nightmare matchup for the Grander family.
His Opening fizzled out harmlessly. To Bin, they were just oversized pebbles.
Helden scowled at him.
'So this is the most aberrant innate power of the Bascon family… Dark mana.'
Codic, thrilled at their fluster, bobbed excitedly from Bin's belt and crowed.
"Hahaha! You thought these turds could harm my lord?"
As Codic muttered, the final meteor plunged toward Bin.
'The last one…'
Bin focused on it and leveled Luminare. In that instant.
Blue light flashed from Luminare. The dazzling azure swirled clockwise, sucking in the blazing meteor.
It was the power of Hobas's Great Sickle.
Helden, watching intently, clutched his head mid-scowl as another headache struck.
'Hobas…'
Hobas's face surfaced in the blue vortex. Bin didn't just gain the upper hand—he rattled his nerves.
Clouding precise judgment in battle. Concentration frayed bit by bit.
Memories of his family's massacre flooded back relentlessly.
Helden's brow tightened, breaths ragged.
'Damn… Hah… Hah…'
Images of his kin slaughtered by rivals wouldn't fade.
Unable to endure, Helden raised his sword and stabbed down.
Thud! It pierced his own arm.
Drip. The searing pain scattered his thoughts, quieting the mental noise.
"Hah… Hah…"
His breathing steadied at last. The Crimson Knights watched worriedly.
"L-Lord Grander…"
Helden glared at Bin, brow furrowed. The brat stared back with infuriating leisure, as if he held all the cards.
Helden ground his teeth.
"Too early to get cocky."
He charged Bin.
"If magic won't work, I'll crush you with raw strength."
Clang!
Their swords met. They shoved, eyes cold steel. No quarter given in the tense standoff.
Then Helden swung his swollen blade. Mana of Strength boosted its speed and power.
Right to left. Top to bottom.
Clack! Clack!
Bin parried flawlessly, but…
Screeech.
Helden's force dragged Bin's feet across the ground. Power befitting his massive frame.
Helden smirked; sweat beaded on Bin's forehead.
"Where'd that smug look go?"
"Don't get the wrong idea. We haven't even started."
"What…?"
Helden's eyes narrowed. Bin's gaze was crystal clear. His words rang true.
That moment.
Bin glared at Helden.
'Opening.'
Black aura erupted from Bin's body. It swirled around him like blades, assailing Helden.
Slash! Slash!
Bin swung relentlessly.
Swish. Swish.
Clang! Clang!
Luminare, laced with black aura, furrowed Helden's brow.
'Annoying…'
Block the sword, and razor-sharp aura followed. Swinging frantically sapped his full power.
Helden retreated a few steps.
Thud. Thud.
The Crimson Knights' eyes bulged.
"The Bascon heir is pushing back a 1st Class knight—Lord Grander?!"
"The Bascon prodigy is this strong?!"
An unfamiliar sight: their lord on the back foot.
A 1st Class knight, realm of gods. Facing him was impressive enough.
But Bin pressed further, slowly overwhelming one of the continent's top ten.
His eyes burned not with tension, but pure confidence.
The Crimson Knights rubbed their eyes at the impossible scene.
Swish. Swish.
They doubted their own vision.
Clang! Clang!
Swords clashed, echoes ringing out.
Thud. Thud.
Helden still yielded ground.
He thought, eyeing Bin's relentless assault.
'Like father, like son.'
Moden flashed in his mind—overpowering foes with sheer confidence.
In his advantage, Bin twisted right toward Helden.
Swish. Shadow accompanied, sword arcing down.
"Not a chance."
Helden's eyes narrowed. He had more moves.
'Time to flip the script…'
His hand darted to his belt, drawing another sword—
Whoosh.
A wave from the blade repelled Luminare. The power of Repulsao, forcing objects apart.
Helden fixed Bin with silver-gleaming eyes.
"…!"
Bin's body froze momentarily. Mana of Wisdom, halting the opponent's thoughts.
"…!"
Bin grimaced. He struggled, but his body wouldn't obey.
A pinnacle technique from a top-ten 1st Class knight.
Helden swung without mercy.
"It's over, brat."
Slash—Thud!
Bin's right arm flew into the air. Luminare snapped in half, spinning clockwise.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
Helden thrust into Bin's heart.
Stab!
Bin stared skyward, eyes rolled back.
Codic cried out in shock.
"M-my lord!!"
Jack and King clenched their fists.
"Your Majesty…"
Just then, the cigarette butts in the dirt pile burned out completely.
"No more playtime…"
Helden sneered. Then.
Sneer.
One of Bin's eyes turned monstrous. Not just that.
Regrow.
His severed arm regenerated. Magi surged, spiking his hair and etching black patterns on his neck.
Helden's eyes flashed.
"Th-that form…"
Bin replied coldly.
"Now the real fun begins."
His voice had changed. But his will burned steady.
Bin flicked his hand.
Swish.
Luminare's blade lifted from the ground, floating into the air. It rocketed toward Helden's head.
Stab!
Eagle Sword. In that instant.
Blood fountained from Helden's eye.
Splurt!!
"…!"