072. Mana of Strength 3
In the Blood Lake where Moden had stepped away, a series of thunderous booms echoed one after another.
Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom……!
Countless tendrils of Yabateo slammed into the ground. The earth was pockmarked with holes where the vines had burrowed in. Beside them stood Bin, his eyes wide open.
“……”
Bin barely had time to catch his breath before another barrage of tendrils surged toward him. They came in sequence—legs, waist, shoulders, head. Bin swung his greatsword at each approaching vine in turn.
Slash.Slash…….
Thud.Thud…….
The blade had clearly been swung to sever the vines. Yet the tough tendrils merely split open slightly, holding their form. Yabateo was renowned among 3rd-class monsters for its exceptional defense. It didn't feel like cutting wood—it was like hacking at rock.
The creature's hardness played a part, but Bin couldn't ignore the weapon in his hand either. His gaze shifted to the sword.
'As expected of a lowest-grade weapon….'
The original Luminare would have sliced through those vines in one stroke. But the lowest-grade sword Bin now gripped was different. Its rusted, weathered blade couldn't transmit power fully. He put extra force into his shoulders and arms, more than usual. The unfamiliar greatsword felt alien in his grasp. Bin furrowed his brow.
'More flaws than I anticipated. Good—now it's interesting.'
He eyed Yabateo as he thought this. With Luminare in hand, he could bisect the beast without issue. But right now, his focus was training in Mana of Strength.
“Hah… hah…”
Sweat beaded on Bin's forehead, his breaths growing ragged. Yabateo, by contrast, looked utterly relaxed. As expected, Bin's attacks had done it no real harm.
The monster even sneered with newfound leisure. “That barely tickles.”
As it finished speaking—
Swish.Swish.
New tendrils emerged from the severed gaps, already knitting the splits closed.
'High-speed regeneration.'
Ordinary mana couldn't halt the beast's healing. Yabateo smirked at Bin's fatigued form. “I could take a thousand more of those, uuuuuh. Been a while since I tasted fresh young human blood.”
Bin glared back with a cold smile. “Dream on. I haven't even started yet.”
As Bin spoke, Yabateo threw its head back. “Uuuuuh. A worm who can't even scratch me talks big.”
Its eyes sharpened, and countless vines encircled Bin.
Ssssh.Ssssh.
No escape in sight amid the all-encompassing tendrils. Unable to bear it, Codic leaped from Bin's belt.
“My liege, leave this to me! I'll bury that thing's head in the dirt right now…!”
Codic bristled at Bin's struggle. He knew well how tough it was to master both Mana of Agility and Mana of Strength in such a short time. Even among elite monsters, few could wield both. He worried Bin might get hurt.
But Bin's hand reached out and flicked Codic's forehead.
Thwap.
“Skull, this isn't your fight.”
“My liege…”
Bin blocked him firmly. He wanted to conquer his father's trial with nothing but his own power—no top-grade weapons, no black arm, just his normal body.
Then Yabateo bellowed, “So cocky against this body of mine!”
Ssssh.
In that instant, countless vines rushed at Bin. Shadows layered around his form.
Swish.Boom!Boom!Boom!
Deafening roars followed as the vines cratered the ground where Bin had stood. A direct hit would've turned him into a pincushion.
Seeing Bin use Mana of Agility, Yabateo grinned. “So you're a Bascon too, uuuuuh.”
The beast had ruled the Forest of Death for ages. It knew the neighboring Bascon family well. Licking its lips, it leered. “Bascon blood. A nostalgic flavor.”
“……”
Bin, having escaped the crisis, reflected. Vines as thick as a grown man's torso—Moden had cleaved them with a lowest-grade sword in one go. Astonishing.
'Against something like this….'
It proved he'd perfectly enveloped his blade in mana.
Yabateo spoke as it spotted Bin emerging. “Uuuuuh. Slippery like a rat.”
Bin met its disappointed look with icy eyes. “No need to pout. This spot's your grave anyway.”
Yabateo laughed. “Uuuuuh. You, who can't even cut me? Pathetic. The wounds tell the tale.”
Indeed, Bin's body was covered in gashes. Yabateo remained unscathed, identical to before the fight.
But Bin wasn't one to quit. Grinding his teeth, he pictured Moden slicing Yabateo in half with a single stroke. Surely his rival Helden matched that prowess.
Comparing them sharpened Bin's gaze. 'I won't lose. Not even in death.'
He advanced on Yabateo, footsteps heavy. Thud. Thud.
'Mana of Strength….'
Closing his eyes, Bin focused on the mana circulating his body. He condensed it in his hands, imagining his arms swelling.
But Yabateo wouldn't wait. “Arrogant fool!”
Its cry unleashed a fresh volley—not simple vines this time, but braided like ropes for extra durability. Even Luminare might struggle.
Yet—
Shwick!
The braided thick vine severed in one clean cut.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Severed tendrils rained to the ground. Yabateo froze at this new ferocity.
'M-my body…!'
It felt threatened—especially since these were its reinforced braids.
Codic gaped too, eyes rolling upward. Bin's arms had bulged noticeably.
“……Mana of Strength. As expected of my liege! I knew it all along. Click! Click!”
Thrilled, Codic clacked his jaws and shifted to fawning mode.
The next day. Night at Blood Lake under a full moon. The ground was littered with severed vines—Yabateo's limbs.
Bin and Yabateo stared each other down. For two straight days, Bin had battled it. He couldn't yet wield Mana of Strength fluidly, and ending a high-speed regenerator was no easy task.
Bin was drenched in sweat. Yabateo showed no change—photosynthesis fueled it even in combat.
Bin heaved. “Hah… hah…”
Yabateo smirked. “Human, I'll praise you for lasting this long against me. But your body's wrecked.”
True enough—Bin was gashed everywhere. Worse, hunger gnawed at him, throat parched from endless sweat.
His hands and pupils trembled, signaling his limits.
Yabateo's grin widened; victory loomed.
“Uuuuuh. Humans are so frail. Withering after just two days. Pitiful species.”
Bin rasped at it. “Hah… hah…”
“Wretches suffering for rotten beliefs. I'll crush that stubbornness.”
Its eyes gleamed murderously as vines erupted from its body, cloaking it like a peacock's tail.
“I'll turn you into a honeycomb!”
Ssssh.
The vines writhed like anacondas, filling the sky. Codic scowled in alarm.
“That vermin dares against my liege…”
Roll roll.
Codic tumbled toward Bin, but Bin glared down sharply. “Not your turn.”
“M-my liege…”
It wasn't underestimating Yabateo—just his own conviction. 'If I can't surpass Father, I'll lose to that bastard all the same.'
Thinking of Helden, Bin eyed the skyward vines—and the glowing moon behind.
Moden's words flashed: 'If you understand your weapon and use Mana of Strength like now… the outcome will change.'
Resolved, Bin leaped into the air.
Yabateo laughed. “Uuuuuh. Jumping into empty sky? Stupid human.”
Dozens of vines lunged. Amid crisis, Bin focused on his sword. 'Maximizing the weapon's power….'
He curled his body, spinning the greatsword 360 degrees. His arms swelled, the blade growing with the rotation.
Codic's sockets widened. 'Th-that stance…!'
He couldn't close his jaw. Bin's form overlaid with Moden's massive silhouette. Slight difference: Moden spun just the sword; Bin spun his whole body.
A technique amplifying the blade's weight through spin—like a rising full moon. Moon Sword.
With the 360-degree whirlwind sword orbiting him, Bin charged Yabateo.
Shrieeeek!
The slashing roar pierced the air. But Yabateo countered. “Useless! I'll crush your pointless will!”
Sky vines swarmed like anacondas.
Yet—
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud…….
The tough vines fell away, sliced like tofu by the whirling blade. Crucially, no regeneration.
Yabateo's eyes filled with shock. 'Grown stronger in that instant…!'
Finally, the spinning greatsword cleaved its core in two.
Splaaat!
“……!!”
Codic gawked mutely. Bin landed, extending his greatsword horizontally.
“Humans, you see… grow stronger through the very convictions we hold.”
* * *
Meanwhile, amid nearby thick trees, a figure stood with back turned. A hulking form in black uniform—none other than Bascon family head Moden.
A pleased smile tugged his lips. 'Blood will tell, after all.'
With light steps, he headed for Plentel Castle. Thud. Thud.
His mind wandered to his own youth. Plentel Castle.