Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Interruption
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The figure that had suddenly appeared was bizarre.
Flames like jet-blackness itself.
Darkness that dripped like putrid filth.
And within it, glowing red eyes.
It was a being that felt like a collection of all things evil.
No, its silhouette was only vaguely human.
It looked so alien that it could hardly be called a person.
—Kukukuku! A face I haven't seen in a long time.
I recognized him the moment I heard his voice.
It was the voice of that damned spirit that occasionally echoed in my head.
“...Alkheim.”
Muttering his name, I glanced to my side.
This was a space created by the Founding Head for the education of his descendants.
It wasn't a place just anyone could enter.
But despite the intruder's appearance, Deinox's expression barely changed.
—A rather unwelcome fellow. You wretched descendant. Why in the world are you carrying something like that around?
Instead, he merely chided me with a gruff voice.
Somehow, I got the feeling these two knew each other quite well.
“...Are you acquainted?”
—Of course. We ran into each other a few times back when I was active. That was before the family was established, so it must have been well over a thousand years ago.
Coincidentally, the active periods of the Riverune's Founding Head and the Dark Spirit King had overlapped.
Since they were both renowned figures on the continent, it wasn't strange for them to have met.
‘The problem is that the Deinox here isn't his real body.’
Furthermore, the key was how much influence Alkheim, who had infiltrated this far, could exert.
What if that body-snatching pervert was stronger than our Founding Head?
‘Don't tell me he can take over my body regardless of Calipe?’
I couldn't let some crazy monster snatch away this new life I’d finally gotten.
I narrowed my eyes and quietly observed the situation.
—There's no deep-seated grudge between us, but I must bring up an uncomfortable topic.
—Go on, spit it out. What's your purpose for coming all this way?
—Because now is the perfect time... Hand him over.
—Hah!
At Alkheim’s declaration-like cry, Deinox let out a scoff.
‘I knew it! That psycho was after me even in here! That damned stalker.’
The Dark Spirit King, reeking of evil energy, was going to possess my body!
Just imagining it gave me the chills...
—What are you doing?
As I shuddered and shook my head, Deinox stared at me with a look of disbelief.
He looked at me as if I were some kind of idiot.
‘If he weren't my great ancestor, I'd...’
Though the thought crossed my mind, I spoke as if nothing was wrong.
“Please, continue your conversation. What are you going to do about him?”
—What do you mean? He's interrupting the lesson, so I'll kick him out.
Deinox cracked his neck and stepped forward.
He looked like a back-alley thug getting ready for a fight.
But I could clearly see the true nature hidden beneath.
‘I can feel it. His incredible strength!’
Even in the light flick of his hand and the casual way he rolled his ankle, a tremendous aura flowed from him.
It felt as if he could turn countless people to dust with a snap of his fingers.
But Alkheim was no pushover, either.
‘He’s only trapped in Calipe. In reality, he's a legendary being, isn't he?’
The tales of the Dark Spirit King's chaos on the continent were still spoken of today.
Even I, a thousand years later and ignorant of history, knew of them.
A clash of beings straight out of mythology was about to unfold before my very eyes.
With sweaty palms, I watched the standoff between Deinox and Alkheim.
—To think I'd see the man who became a god in a place like this. If I defeat you, will I earn the title of God-Slayer?
—Amusing. You speak as if you've already won.
—Isn't it obvious? I've now become a being of another dimension.
—The constraints of the natural world... Of course, that law applies to me as well.
The natural world, where humans lived, had a force that defended against interference from external dimensions.
Prime examples were the Celestial and Demonic Realms.
Holy power and demonic energy could only act indirectly through a medium.
On the other hand, the adjacent Spirit Realm was a different story.
It was a relationship of mutual aid, freeing it from the constraints of the natural world.
Alkheim was pointing out that very fact.
—So what?
But Deinox's attitude was perfectly composed.
—Oh? You're that confident even with the constraints?
Fwoosh!
At Deinox's subtle provocation, Alkheim erupted in fierce, black flames.
It was a hair-trigger situation, ready to explode at any moment.
‘In a fight between shrimp... no, in a fight between whales, I hope the shrimp's back doesn't get broken.’
The sight was so terrifying that even my thoughts were coming out jumbled.
But then Deinox, after cleaning his ear, blew on his pinky and said.
—Hmph! That's not what I meant.
—What?
—Let me ask you something. Where do you think you are?
—...
For a moment, Alkheim couldn't answer.
He had naturally assumed he was in the natural world.
The space known as the Fairy Forest was unique, but it wasn't an entirely different dimension.
Soon, Deinox spoke with a sly grin.
—Don't know? Then you'll just have to learn your lesson.
Snap! Vwooooom!
It was a casual snap of the fingers.
But the result was anything but light.
A black shadow formed in the air, and Alkheim was sucked right into it.
—Aaaaaaaah!
The scene was so overwhelming it was awe-inspiring.
How could he defeat the Dark Spirit King so easily?
“Huh...”
I watched the scene with a dumbfounded expression.
Then Deinox lifted his chin and muttered with an arrogant look.
—Now do you feel my greatness?
I did feel it, quite a lot, actually.
But his expression was so smug, I hated to admit it.
Still, a man has to admit what he has to admit.
And it would be good to learn how to subdue the Dark Spirit King, too.
“I respect you, Founding Head! Please teach me the secret to crushing that bastard!”
And so, I succumbed to power.
Does it look pathetic?
I'm just respecting my ancestor, so what's the big deal?
* * *
“Aw, and I was so impressed. This is a total scam, isn't it?”
A while later, I voiced my complaint.
I had learned the trick behind expelling Alkheim.
Deinox hadn't used some grand technique to drive out the Dark Spirit King.
It was simply the nature of this place that caused him to be naturally pushed out.
Surprisingly, this place was a newly created space in a rift between dimensions.
A place unaffected by any world.
The absolute ruler who could set the rules was Deinox.
That's why the Dark Spirit King was thrown out without being able to use any of his power.
And that was against what was just a mere thought-form of Deinox.
—I wouldn't go so far as to call it a scam.
“Then you shouldn't have been acting all high and mighty.”
—...Let's begin. We've wasted too much time on idle chatter.
When I hit him with the facts, Deinox hastily changed the subject.
It seemed he was a bit embarrassed himself.
In any case, the incident with Alkheim's intrusion was settled for now.
Now, it was time to learn the Head's secret sword arts.
No, before that, it was time for my qualifications to be tested.
“But I don't have a sword.”
—Here.
With a casual gesture from Deinox, the Black Dragon Sword was suddenly in my hand.
The familiar, snug fit of the hilt bolstered my confidence as always.
“Alright, here I go.”
—Full of confidence, I see. Alright. Let's see how good you are.
With no other target available, I pointed my sword at Deinox.
He was far stronger than me and the absolute ruler of this space, so I figured nothing would happen.
Deinox also waved his hand as if to say, ‘do as you please.’
Soon, I awakened the beast sealed within my chest...
No, I stimulated my Demonic Soul and began to unfold my swordsmanship.
‘The only killing strike I can use. It has to be the Heaven-Severing Supremacy.’
My own ultimate technique, which added assassination arts to the ultimate sword of supremacy.
The moment the aura filling my entire body was about to be unleashed, the unique stealth of the Dark Chain Kill reared its head.
Energy delivered without a trace of presence.
An aura blade, its color deadened to a grayish-white, without even a name to its technique.
A faint sound of tearing air, barely audible.
Swish!
Until the first contact, all its effects were minimal, but what came after was different.
Psssssh!
Struck by the Heaven-Severing Supremacy, Deinox's form crumbled into dust.
A force so powerful it negated existence itself had shattered his body.
Whoooosh!
The aftershock that pierced the empty air created a heavy sonic boom.
“Eh?”
I couldn't help but let out a sound of bewilderment.
Even after a moment had passed, Deinox didn't return.
Could it be that he was annihilated by the immense power of my sword technique...?
“No way, right? Does that mean I just turned my ancestor into dust?”
Of course, I had only destroyed a mere thought-form.
Still, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
But it was at that very moment.
Suddenly, from behind me, came the sound of slow, deliberate applause.
—Incredible! To think you'd mix assassination arts with the Heaven-Severing Nine Harmony Sword. You've made excellent use of the Wheel Energy Arts' characteristics.
“Oh, what the hell? I thought I was about to become the patricide of the century.”
—I am a god, you know. As if I'd fall for a little sword trick like that.
“Tch.”
As expected, Deinox had just completely hidden his presence.
Either that, or he had reconstructed his shattered thought-form.
In any case, judging by his reaction, it seemed I had passed the test.
—In any case, with that level of skill, you're more than qualified. Shall we begin the transmission of the secret sword arts in earnest?
“Heh heh! Excellent.”
The Head's secret sword arts could elevate my skills by a level.
No, perhaps even by several levels.
And on top of that, I could receive advice directly from the Founding Head.
Where else could I find such an incredible opportunity?
I looked at Deinox with eyes full of anticipation.
Then, a question was immediately thrown my way.
—Descendant. What do you believe is the most important thing in swordsmanship?
It was a rather sudden question, but I answered confidently without hesitation.
“Force.”
—Wrong. I'm asking about the fundamentals. Try to answer more carefully.
“But I was quick, wasn't I?”
—...
As I brazenly lifted my chin, Deinox made a face of utter disbelief.
It was a look that said, ‘What in the world is this thing?’
I shrugged my shoulders and continued speaking nonchalantly.
“Just kidding. I'll be serious now.”
At that, the furrows on Deinox's brow smoothed out.
—I thought so. A man needs to be serious when the time calls for it. So, your answer?
“Hmm... striking first?”
—You little shit. Get over here! You brat!
Thwack!
“Gak!”
And so, the lesson on the secret sword arts with the Founding Head began with a sound beating.