060. Super Nova Hobas 4
Bin gripped his greatsword, and Luminare began to gleam with silver light. The entire blade shone with a pure silver hue. That was when its thickness narrowed, transforming into a slender sword. A sinister black aura coiled around the blade.
Silence fell over the surroundings.
…….
A typical Opening would expand the vessel's capacity to hold mana, increasing its size. But here, the weapon was shrinking, which was baffling.
Hobas sneered at the sight.
"Hee hee hee hee, a failure, eh? As if a punk like you, who can't even grope a proper tit, could pull off an Opening."
Noni tilted his head at Hobas's words.
"A failure...?"
It felt like the world was crumbling. If Hobas was right, everyone here would die. He had believed he could restore the dwarves to their former glory—openly declaring themselves dwarves, earning respect from the world. That hope rested on him and Ront. But if they died here, who knew when dwarves could live proudly on the continent again? Not in fifty years, maybe not even a hundred.
This can't be...
As Noni wore a hollow expression, a faint sound cut through.
Swoosh.
Swoosh.
Blue tentacles rose from Hobas's sickle, wrapping around his shoulders. Blue mana and black magi spread outward, oppressive even from a distance.
Hobas, his eyes rolled back to show only whites, glared at Bin and spoke.
"Rookie, let's get started."
Crack.
Crack.
Just the spreading blue mana cracked the ground. Noni gaped in astonishment.
Cracks in the ground...!
He couldn't help but marvel. No physical contact—just pure mana unleashing that much power.
Bin didn't respond to Hobas. He kept his head lowered, staring at his sword.
"......"
That was when Hobas lunged forward in an instant, swinging his massive Great Sickle.
"I can see right where your neck is."
The sickle was about to slice Bin's throat.
Swoosh!
Thud!
Red blood sprayed into the air. Hobas's face twisted in bewilderment—it was his own blood.
Noni couldn't close his mouth at the unexpected turn.
What, what was that? Just now...!
Hobas had clearly swung first. Yet his shoulder was split open.
Even Ront was speechless.
Is that... what a superior weapon's Opening looks like?
He was certain it was an Opening. Otherwise, it defied all common sense.
Hobas glanced at his shoulder. Blood trickled from the split skin. The pain was nothing compared to the shock—a mere punk had wounded a Super Nova like him, even after absorbing the superior weapon's magi.
"You dare scar my shoulder...? I'll kill you!"
Hobas swung his blue-mana-infused sickle at Bin's neck again. Bin's expression remained calm as the massive blade approached. Everyone focused on the attack.
Then, another unbelievable scene unfolded.
Swoosh.
Bin swung later than Hobas—but Hobas's mouth tore open, blood pouring out.
Ugh... It was clearly out of reach...
Hobas was dumbfounded. He had risen through countless battles. Never had this happened. He had accounted for the sword's length. Yet Bin's strike exceeded that range. And despite Hobas swinging first, he was the one bleeding.
What the hell is that black energy...?
Hobas recalled Bin's sword approaching. Bin swung, and just before the blade reached him, black aura surged around it, slashing his mouth. It was Bin's innate power, Am, infused into Luminare.
This made the situation even worse for Hobas. Now he had to dodge beyond Bin's normal swing range. He recognized the impossible attack for what it was.
Definitely an Opening...
Bin compressed mana around the blade and released it on impact. As Hobas narrowed his eyes, he smirked, noticing Bin's gaze—he was still inexperienced with the Opening.
Now's my chance.
Hobas closed in instantly and swung again. Their weapons clashed.
Clang!
Bin and Hobas glared at each other. Hobas, with his white eyes, spoke first.
"Daring to look at me like that? I'll rip you apart like those bitches over there."
He hated Bin's composure. But Bin responded coolly.
"That all you got?"
Hobas ground his teeth.
"......!"
He had the berserk Great Sickle's power boosting him. Yet this punk didn't flinch and called it "that all."
Insulted as a Super Nova, veins bulged on Hobas's neck.
"Arrogant bastard!!"
The Great Sickle grew even larger—Mana of Strength. Hobas pressed with the massive blade, slowly pushing Bin back.
"Rookie! I'll hack off your limbs and rot you in prison forever!"
As Hobas advanced, multiple shadows emerged from Bin, appearing to Hobas's right.
But Hobas didn't miss it.
Change.
Swoosh.
Using spatial magic, he appeared before Bin and swung—only for shadows to envelop him.
"This is..."
It felt like fighting multiples, as if possessed by ghosts.
As Hobas hesitated, Bin circled him, swinging. Shadows followed each strike.
One swing became many. Hobas's eyes flashed.
Mana of Agility in attacks?!
Swords filled his vision. Top to bottom. Left to right. Right upper to left lower. Left upper to right lower.
Not normal swings. Black energy like extra blades amplified them.
Swoosh.
Swoosh.
Swoosh.
Swoosh.
In an instant, black aura tore Hobas apart. He couldn't speak.
H-how can a Super Nova like me...!
Bin using an Opening at his age was unbelievable. And long-forgotten fear made his body tremble.
My body! Then...
Instinct told him Bin outclassed him. His body reacted first.
Meaning Bin had surpassed 3rd class knight level right now.
2nd class knight realm...!
Hobas was right. Bin wielded the superior weapon freely at 2nd class.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Blood gushed from Hobas. As he collapsed,
"Urgh..."
Hobas used his last strength for magic, teleporting into Ria's cage.
Everyone's eyes widened.
"......!"
Bleeding profusely, Hobas panted.
"Hah, hah, hah..."
He pressed the Great Sickle to Ria's neck.
"Want her to live? Get out of here now."
Bin didn't waver. He advanced coldly toward the cage.
Step.
Step.
"......"
Hobas scowled, pressing the blade closer. Blood beaded on Ria's neck.
"You saying this bitch is expendable?"
Hobas meant it. Women were always playthings to him.
As the threat peaked,
Thud.
Thud.
Thud...
One-legged Ront rushed in, blocking Bin.
"Hold on a moment, friend."
Ront's face was desperate. Bin's darkened.
......
Silence gripped the second underground level. Ront shouted at Hobas.
"I've a proposal for thee. Release Ria, then."
"A proposal?"
"Let Ria and Noni escape, and I'll give thee this Ancient Weapon blueprint."
Hobas eyed him suspiciously as Ront produced the parchment. Captured Ria cried out tearfully.
"Master Ront! I don't care what happens to me... It's fine!"
Ront cut her off.
"Mia wouldn't want a world without thee."
"......!"
Ria fell silent. Noni frowned at their exchange.
Repeating the same mistake?
Ront avoided Noni's gaze. His eyes held only Ria.
I promised to get her out. Forgive me, Noni...
Step step.
Hobas, arm around Ria's neck, exited the cage, shouting warily.
"One step, and I'll separate this bitch's body from her head."
"......"
Bin's group could only watch as Hobas moved. Reaching his spot, he yelled at Ront.
"You alone—bring the blueprint."
As he finished, the red barrier filling the ceiling expanded. He was ready to flee outside via spatial shift.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Ront approached slowly with the blueprint. Bin frowned.
I won't let you have your way.
The Ancient Weapon could shatter a small castle in one shot. If Grander got it, their tyranny on Gana Continent would skyrocket, with countless victims.
But Ria was hostage. He didn't want Ront reliving past grief.
Need a way...
Ront reached Hobas.
"Here—release Ria at once."
Hobas sneered.
"A wench like this? Easy."
They eyed each other warily, extending hands. Ront handed the blueprint; Hobas released Ria.
Bin and Noni watched helplessly. As the blueprint reached Hobas,
He grinned darkly.
Desperate fools fall for obvious tricks.
The Great Sickle swung through the air. Hobas roared.
"You thought you'd escape me unscathed?!"
Shocked, Ria cried,
"Master Ront...!"
The sickle arced toward Ront's remaining leg. The red barrier turned black.
Then Ront vanished—replaced by Bin.
Change.
Hobas gulped at Bin and the black barrier before him.
Gulp.
M-magic...?!
He felt bewitched. Bin had used his magic. He didn't know Bin's Am fused with Luminare's Opening had absorbed it, along with Hobas's power and the red barrier.
How can a Bascon...!
Before the question lingered,
Swoosh!
Black aura from Luminare's tip grazed his neck. The Great Sickle snapped in two.
Flash!
It was like a massive monster's paw swipe.
Thud.
Hobas's head hit the floor. His body knelt before Bin.
The kneel faced the cage full of women. Bin gazed coldly at the corpse.
The rest will follow soon.
As Bin stared,
Crack.
Crack crack.
The bisected Great Sickle writhed. Blue smoke rose from it, coiling around Luminare.
Sssss...