Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Fire Fist in the Left Hand, Ice Fist in the Right Hand
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Roginin, remember this."
"I'll listen and commit it to memory."
Roginin gave a slight nod.
"Our gatekeeper Steron didn't get stubborn. A martial artist might cling to the idea that their own style is the strongest."
Still pinning down Steron's right arm that gripped his sword, I blocked his bare-handed strikes up close.
Pow pow pow!
Dozens of exchanges already—fists, elbows, and palms clashing in the air.
Clap!
The sound of clapping hands rang out, followed by the snap of splitting leather, then the crack of shattering stone.
I kept my hands busy while running my mouth.
After all, as captain, I was guiding my subordinate.
"Rigid attacks get read and dismantled every time. Adaptability is what keeps you alive."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Roginin responded promptly each time.
He was the big, model-student type.
"But you're still weak. And that's because you haven't put in the work."
Steron lunged with a headbutt, so I countered with my forehead.
Luke's sturdy skull plus a firefighter's headbutting prowess.
Krraaang!
A rock-shattering boom erupted.
"Urgh—."
Steron staggered.
I clamped down harder on his arm to keep him from collapsing freely.
Time to pump them up a bit? Fake captain's gotta sell the morale boost.
Luke's mouth twitched in my imagination. Of course.
Speaking in Luke's voice, voicing Luke's thoughts.
"During my trials, I worried. Are my brothers growing complacent in Hellite's peace, falling behind? Will Hellite one day fall to the Drauven onslaught? Will our glorious today become history, and our tomorrow fade to nothing...?"
Steron and Roginin would understand fake Luke's concerns.
Luke had been a singular force against the Empire, after all.
"But mark my words, brothers. Hellite's peace doesn't come from one Holy Knight's might. It springs from brothers trusting, relying on, and encouraging one another. If you all strive unceasingly to break your shells, I can face my trials with peace of mind."
Steron's staggering eyes and Roginin's stoic gaze flickered wildly.
Only then did they seem to notice something off about my vibe.
"I won't reprimand your insolence. I know it stems from loyalty to Hellite."
Luke, who had cleaved a massive beast in two with his twin blades, twisted mid-air and landed safely.
He looked up at the stars, sighing in relief.
Nodding toward me.
Follow your justice.
Yeah, got it, man.
That's why this fake Holy Knight's pumping them up.
But...
Is this really just my trickery?
I can't lie, after all.
"I won't tell you to aid him. But the firefighter is a hero I've chosen. He deserves no disdain—treat him as you would me."
You son of a bitch, Luke.
Thanks a fucking ton!
"Th-then..."
Steron's eyes glazed over as he mumbled something.
Then what?!
Opening!
I swung my elbow—hard, fast, precise—right into Steron's temple.
Crack!
His helmet crumpled, and Steron crumpled with it.
"Fuck yeah! That's it!"
"Woo! The captain wins!"
Ibu and Erakins clapped wildly in delight.
"That's who I serve!"
Kruk shouted excitedly too.
I'd never once thought of losing, but they must've been worried.
I tossed aside the limp, lightless Steron.
Thud.
The Holy Knight flopped like a ragdoll.
Oof, that’s gotta hurt.
But it’s fine.
Not my body.
"Roginin. Let’s see your skills. This fake captain will guide you. You saw how Steron got wrecked without showing his stuff? Don’t hold back—come at me with everything from the start."
Boom!
Roginin slammed his shield down like he was stomping the ground.
His helmet hid his face, but his eyes blazed like fire.
Provoked—though not really—he drew his sword slowly, steeling himself.
Hmm... what’s this?
They called it a Myeonggeom.
If you didn’t hold your breath and watch closely, you’d miss the blade sliding out.
That slow a draw.
Roginin wasn’t even breathing.
Like a gladiator facing his final duel.
Giving his all just to draw the sword.
What are you doing...? Man, this is boring.
Wanted to snap at him, but I let it slide.
I’m generous.
His own brand of romance, probably.
Exciting.
Compared to Steron’s sharp, unpredictable strikes—what would Roginin bring?
Rock-solid toughness, I bet.
Obvious for a shield-wielding brute.
To shake off the boredom, I cracked my neck and popped my knuckles. Ahh, refreshing.
Against Steron, I’d focused on evasion and defense. With Roginin, I’d need some power.
Even as I fully loosened up, he was still drawing his sword.
Is this guy planning to charge once I fall asleep waiting?
A yawn bubbled up.
Didn’t want to be rude, so I clenched my jaw and shook my head side to side.
Ugh-aaaah.
Couldn’t fight biology—my nostrils flared anyway.
Finally, sword fully drawn, Roginin murmured quietly.
"Here I come."
Oh, please do.
The moment I sensed the big model Holy Knight’s body tremble...
Boom!
Roginin kicked off the stone floor and launched forward.
Well, damn?
Despite his bulk, faster than Steron.
Pouring everything in from the start.
Startled, Blue Eye flicked on by itself.
Light on!
Roginin charging like a winged pig slowed to a crawl.
If not for the glowing armor, I’d swear he was a barbarian.
Build of a barbarian, stance of one.
Roginin pulled both arms back, hiding shield and sword.
A Holy Knight hiding his moves? Cowardly!
Mana surging, Divine Power exploding—his body blazed white-hot.
I’ve already gauged the gap. A few days ago, I’d have been rolling in sweat against them. Not now.
Meeting Ibu had skyrocketed my Toolsep reserves. Even without Blue Eye, I had the edge.
Hesitation’s a luxury.
Shield comes? Smash the shield. Sword thrusts? Break the sword.
Maybe use some abilities on this one?
Fire fist left, water—no, ice fist right.
In the frozen time, even light halted, the sword thrust forward.
Legs spread wide, stance low, I extended the ice fist from my waist.
Kraaaang!
Sword met fist in a thunderous explosion.
Clash of auras.
Fresh, thrilling—strength is king.
The shockwave rode my body like a lightning rod, rippling outward in a circle across the ground.
Gale-force winds swept everywhere.
Steron, sprawled nearby, rolled half over.
"Fuuuuck!"
"Ow, Mommy!"
The onlookers far off toppled, eating dirt.
They’re going all out after the warning. Decent power.
Roginin leaped back after the clash, landing steady—no stagger.
Shield up to his eyes, he circled me like a predator eyeing prey.
I relaxed my stance, hands on hips.
"What’ve you been doing? You circle, I circle. I waited patiently for the sword draw, but save this for training. Think enemies on the battlefield will wait? Has guarding the sanctuary dulled your combat sense?"
The limit of sanctuary guardians, maybe.
No real fights, just scripted spars—twisted their instincts.
Liked my first lesson? Roginin nodded faintly.
"Here I come again."
This time, both hands on the shield. Sword tip poked out sharply from below.
Gripped reverse, like he didn’t need it.
Telegraphing the attack like that.
Confident in his strength, huh.
Sword guys get the sword treatment, brute force gets crushed. Tastes best that way.
Psychologically breaking them? Essential.
Right leg forward and bent, left stretched back.
Loaded my weight into the fire fist.
No emotions here.
Sturdy Divine gatekeeper Roginin was one of us now. Or else.
Ibu and crew would suffer worse otherwise.
Twice to the same trick? My pride wouldn’t allow it.
I’m a tree.
In the hastily deployed mental realm, I sank roots into the earth.
Kraaaaang!
Bigger boom and shockwave than the first.
The force flowed naturally into the ground.
The saintess-embroidered cloak billowed back fiercely.
How strong have I gotten?
Ack!.
Silver Star had dozed off suddenly, and chasing Ibu’s ass—no, just busy with Ibu—I hadn’t noticed.
Using activated Toolsep power started with the Ibu chase too.
Now I get why athletes dope.
"Guhk!"
Blood sprayed from the mouth of the guy who seemed unbreakable.
Roginin tumbled several rolls before sprawling spread-eagled.
"Dead? I deliberately let the shock flow instead of rebounding—don’t die on me, big gatekeeper. Gone already? I’ll bury you nice."
"Still... alive... Urgh—."
Hates burial, apparently. Roginin struggled to rise.
I approached, grabbed his arm, and hauled him up.
Heavy as hell, matching his size—my arm ached.
"Disappointing. All of you."
"My apologies."
Roginin bowed deeply.
Suddenly, frantic footsteps shook the ground from behind.
Ruuuumble!
A suddenly accelerating hippo charged at Roginin.
Tongue lolling side to side like a dog, speed insane.
Why’s this pig going berserk now after sitting quiet?
Cute that the hefty thing wanted to protect me.
But the hippo was spent, and Roginin was internally injured.
Fun as watching the kids scrap, but no one gets hurt.
"No! Hold up!"
Screeech.
Ruuuuh!
The hippo hit brakes with its stubby legs and flipped.
Short legs, yet tumbling like a sports car over a speed bump.
Righting itself, the hippo looked up at me and tilted its head.
"Not food."
Ruuuuuh.
Understanding, it sat like an obedient pup.
Would’ve preferred the tongue in.
Squatting to pet the hippo, I glanced at Roginin—gesturing with my chin at the neatly laid-out Requiya.
"What happened to them?"
"Steron jumped into the middle of those three and detonated his Divine Power. No intent to harm."
"I see."
Using such a dangerous technique—too much.
Divine Power Explosion.
What was that again...?