018. Ambush 2
Tenka’s voice echoed through the air.
“By now, you must be exhausted from swinging that superior weapon around. I’ll avenge my brother!”
Bin was in a bind. It would be hard to recall the sword he’d thrust out with his left hand. And with the 7th Division knights watching, using his black arm was out of the question too.
Tenka flashed a confident smile at Bin, whose eyes gleamed with intensity.
You’ve got nothing left, huh? Time to end this with one strike.
But Tenka’s certainty evaporated in an instant. Even as the mana-clad flail closed in, Bin lifted the corner of his mouth in a smile.
A smile brimming with leisure. It muddled Tenka’s thoughts.
A 5th class knight shouldn’t be able to dodge this at such close range. So what’s with that creepy grin…?
That’s when Tenka sensed something off. Bin’s right eye turned yellow, morphing into a reptilian slit pupil with a chilling gaze.
Seeing it, Tenka froze without realizing.
A m-monster?!
Tenka couldn’t make sense of it. This was the perfect chance to land a fatal blow with his flail. Yet his body wouldn’t obey in this absurd standoff.
His instincts screamed that attacking this foe would bring dire consequences. Even meeting Bin’s eyes was a struggle—like staring down a colossal dragon.
He’d never felt anything like it.
Sweat beaded on Tenka’s forehead as his body locked up.
Meanwhile, Codic, watching from Bin’s belt, let out a grin.
How long’s it been since I’ve seen my lord’s killing intent like this?
Through Codic, Bin had learned one key fact: Bellatan’s power wasn’t limited to his arm…
He couldn’t even gauge its full extent.
I don’t know how monstrous Bellatan is, but might as well put that power to good use.
With his eye returning to normal, Bin thrust Shabest into the dazed Tenka’s solar plexus.
The blade slipped into the glaring opening.
Stab!
Flesh tore with a sickening crunch, blood pouring from Tenka’s body.
The Red Sand Corps couldn’t hide their shock at the crimson drops hitting the ground.
“Sir Tenka, a 4th class knight…?”
“H-how did this happen? Sir Tenka struck first!”
It defied all common sense. Tenka, the 4th class knight, had attacked first—yet Bin, a 5th class, had stabbed him in the solar plexus?
The Black Wolf Knights were stunned too, having watched Bin push back not just the Red Sand knights but their officers as well.
“H-how…!”
“Is that really Young Master Bin?”
“It’s not just the speed—the attacks flow seamlessly…”
His youth was utterly forgotten in the spectacle.
In unpredictable battles, the inexperienced hesitated. That’s why swordsmen honed their swordsmanship.
And mastering the four basics naturally took time.
The four foundational techniques: Eye Technique for directing gaze, Strike Technique for slashing, Cut Technique for sweeping, and Thrust Technique for stabbing.
Even basics required practice. Yet this young Bin wielded them freely?
There was no hesitation in his assault. Pure, swift resolution.
Born from memories of his past life and endless thoughts of vengeance, every swing was decisive.
As everyone reeled in shock, Bin’s eyes flickered.
Against his expectations, Shabest hadn’t fully pierced Tenka.
As Bin’s strike hurtled through the air, Tenka inflated his chest.
His torso ballooned grotesquely. Bin frowned.
Mana of Strength…
One of the Grander family’s signature powers among the three great combat houses—expanding parts of the body.
They valued those who wielded it highly, which was why Tenka held an officer’s post.
Snapping back to his senses, Tenka sorted his racing thoughts.
That was a monster’s eye… Did I imagine it? No, this is Bascon territory—magi’s forbidden. With Bascon knights watching, he can’t use it freely!
Thinking of his dead brother, Tenka ground his teeth at Bin.
“I can’t face him if I die like this.”
As Tenka’s bulk swelled, the Black Wolf Knights’ eyes locked on.
“That’s Mana of Strength…!”
“It’s like a massive boulder in his chest…”
With all eyes on him, Tenka swiftly retreated. Shabest slipped free from his chest.
He stayed remarkably calm. Most would see Bin’s blade embedded as a golden opportunity—but Tenka chose retreat.
Because of Bin’s unwavering gaze.
He’s got a follow-up.
Bin smirked at the retreating Tenka.
Sharp instincts.
As Tenka predicted, Bin had planned to infuse Shabest with mana and freeze him solid.
Tenka’s composure had just saved him from the brink.
Tenka worked his jaw at Bin.
“What? Had a nice trick up your sleeve? Don’t look so disappointed. That was a praiseworthy strike for a kid your age.”
Bin nearly laughed. Combining his past life, this brat was over a decade his junior.
Still, he kept his cool.
“Disappointed? I’ll find another as long as you’re still breathing.”
Tenka snorted.
“Hmph. Cocky brat… That was your last.”
His eyes bulging, Tenka slammed his flail into the ground.
Thud!!
Just dropping it cracked the earth like glass, shaking the surroundings.
The Red Sand knights gaped at the massive flail.
“The Bratan that Donka used…”
Bratan. A flail that could multiply its weight dozens of times. A superior weapon that could crush even a 3rd class monster with one skull-cracking hit.
Codic whispered urgently from Bin’s belt at the menacing sight.
“M-my lord… Be careful.”
“I know.”
“It’s incredibly powerful even in one hit. You must—”
“I said I know.”
Despite Codic’s repeated warnings, Bin’s tone stayed even.
Codic had good reason to harp on Bratan. He prided himself on his sturdy defense and often served as Bin’s shield.
But this brutish thing changed everything.
Codic trembled faintly but feigned calm.
He wouldn’t use me as a shield again, right? I-I trust you, my lord…
Tenka deflated his chest and swelled his right arm with Mana of Strength once more.
He hefted the flail with all his might.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
The massive head traced black arcs over Tenka’s head. Even Bin’s eyes flashed instinctively.
“…!”
He knew one wrong hit meant the end.
Seeing Bin’s rare reaction, Tenka sneered and charged.
“I’ll send you to join your brother soon!”
“You’re the one going.”
“Don’t make me laugh!”
Thwack!
The flail crashed down from overhead. Bin dodged just in time.
Gazing at the descending head, Bin recalled his past life as a blacksmith.
A flail, huh…
Typically, a spiked round head linked by chain or rope—devastating destructive power.
In the chaos, Bin noted one trait: the chain whipped toward the target before the head.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Relentless overhead strikes. Bin dodged while eyeing the chain.
But its sheer weight shook the ground, throwing off his balance.
The footing…
Seizing the moment, Tenka raised his swollen arm for another assault.
He lightened the flail to lift, then amped the weight on the downswing for speed.
As it hurtled toward him, Bin desperately jammed Shabest into the ground.
Ice erupted upward.
“Useless!”
Crack!
As Tenka said, the ice shattered. The flail grazed Bin.
“Urgh…!”
Pain twisted Bin’s face. His uniform tore, blood flowing from his left arm.
A spike on the head had nicked it. Lucky it only grazed—if it’d hit bone, the arm would be useless.
Tenka mocked him over the shattered ice.
“Big difference from before. A 5th class overextending with a superior weapon… What’d you expect?”
Indeed, this ice wall was far smaller and thinner than the last.
Tenka pressed the advantage.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The ground quaked under the barrage.
“How long you gonna run? Won’t change a thing!”
Seeing blood drip from Bin’s arm, Tenka swung again.
White mana cloaked the flail. A white, ring-shaped blast like a sword wind shot forth amid the gale.
Whoosh-crack!
It scraped the ground, kicking up a sandstorm.
Black Wolf Knights shielded their eyes from the flying grit.
“This is a different league… No way a 5th class can handle a 4th…”
One knight stared blankly at the blast until another yelled.
“Stop gawking! It’s coming this way!”
The knights behind Bin scattered in organized panic. Instinct told them: it’d shred the injured Bin and keep coming.
Yet amid the sandstorm and blast, Bin smiled coldly.
Tenka tilted his head.
Can’t dodge at this range… What’s with the smile? Given up?
Bin gripped Shabest in his right hand, eyes icy.
Coming right at me? Perfect.
As the blast engulfed him, a faint black gleam flickered through the dust.
Only Tenka spotted the magi amid the haze.
His pupils shook.
M-magi?!
The blackness surged toward him in a flash.
Blood erupted from Tenka’s body.
Splurt!!