章節 197: Chapter 356
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Jin reflexively narrowed his eyes.
The flash of the Venom, extending from Mary's hand, had stung his eyes. It was a blinding light, comparable to the direct hit of a flash cannon.
'A decisive killing move? Or perhaps a secret technique?'
It didn't seem like an attack modeled after Plutonian Swordsmanship.
When Jin had such thoughts, Mary had already finished her move. The white smoke was soaring from Mary's sword, extended diagonally towards Ozdock.
Hoo!
Mary took a deep breath once. The move had ended, but nothing had changed yet.
'I couldn't see the moment the sword was thrust...!'
Even for someone like Jin.
No, even for a more skilled martial artist than Jin.
Reacting to that light was impossible. True to its name, the speed of light, an attack that even a being at the pinnacle would not be able to evade the 5th Secret Technique with just by reacting, as no one in the world could respond to it.
It can be evaded by predication that goes beyond reaction.
Or some kind of realization that surpasses prediction.
The Light Speed Thrust was a sword that could never be avoided without those elements. Moreover, a monster who hadn't even mastered the basics of swordsmanship couldn't react to that mysterious strike.
The flash had already pierced through Ozdock's chest three seconds ago.
Squelch-!
A moment later, there was a sound of something being torn apart and exploding from Ozdock's chest.
A hole, large enough for a person's head to fit, was pierced in the center of his massive chest. Ozdock lowered his head in despair and stared at the hole, while Jin was looking on the other side.
He was looking at a scene where an even larger hole had opened up in the sky.
Mary's Light Speed Thrust had reached the sky. It spread like a circular island through the dense clouds floating in the Black Sea-like sky, creating a crack.
A shiver ran down Jin's spine. As a martial artist, he couldn't help but feel awe. This was the result of a single thrust.
'Thankfully, my magic managed to hit alongside the tremendous speed of that thrust. Maybe elder sister Mary adjusted her speed for it. It wasn't just luck; maybe elder sister Mary aligned her timing.'
Ozdock couldn't defend against both magic and physical attacks at once. Jin unconsciously nodded again, remembering that fact.
'But even if my magic didn't hit, somehow it feels like that thrust wouldn't have missed Ozdock.'
Ahhrrgh-!
Ozdock vomited a chunk of black blood. He roared in agony, writhing in pain, and pounded the ground with his fist.
Snap…
It felt as if threads were snapping, and from the hole pierced in his chest, a new crack began.
Lines appeared on Ozdock's body like veins of blood, haphazardly etched across him. There were hundreds, thousands of these lines, all derived from where the Light Speed Thrust had passed.
Its fingers were cut off, the tail was sliced into dozens of pieces, ankles and thighs were torn apart. Quite literally, Ozdock's entire body was disintegrating.
A shock befitting the name "Secret Technique."
Yet, Mary seemed unsatisfied, despite this near-divine power.
"Tch, it's still far from enough."
Anyone who had witnessed a thrust that approached this level of power would never think to use the phrase 'still far from enough.'
However, if someone had seen the sword of Chiron Runcandel erasing opponents in a single blow, if you are a Runcandel who grew up seeing such a scene. They might believe it was still not enough.
Or they might seem overly proud.
Already comparing herself to her father.
But there was something that chilled Jin's spine even more than Mary's Light Speed Thrust.
'This isn't over yet.'
Ozdock.
Jin and Mary had an intuition that this thousand year old core monster hadn't died yet.
Top-tier demonic creatures possessing super-regeneration abilities were not uncommon. It was a given for a named core monster like Ozdock.
If Ozdock were merely at the level of a decent core monster, the heroes from a thousand years ago would not have been so troubled.
Ozdock was undoubtedly the mightiest among those with the core monster, arguably the strongest of his time.
Thump, thud-!
Ozdock's body, shattered into pieces, began to shrink rapidly.
Superficially, it didn't seem threatening at all. It almost appeared as if the separated bones and flesh were turning into dust and disappearing.
However, this was preparation for a "transformation."
Ozdock's body, which had turned into particles, was shaping a new figure in the air. Mary's pupils dilated, and Jin called out his phoenix.
"Tess!"
Gaahh-!
Tess emitted fiery blue flames. It was a concentrated blast of all the flames it could currently wield.
It was an instant in which Tess completely consumed Ozdock's form. Still, the insufficient blue flames formed barriers in all directions, completely imprisoning Ozdock.
However, Jin and Mary couldn't relax their guard and adjusted their stance.
"Quite a nasty guy, isn't it? After taking a direct hit from the Light Speed Thrust and still not finished, it's been a long time since I have seen someone like that."
Fssshhhh...
Tess, who had been staring at Ozdock for a moment, gradually shrank and its summon was released.
It wasn't because Tess had depleted all of Jin's mana.
'I have a bad feeling. I need to conserve my power and prepare for a new move.'
Jin couldn't predict the extent of Ozdock's power after the transformation, so he had to be ready for variables. If a situation arose where he needed to use the magic sword secret technique, he would summon Tess then.
'It's been a while since I have seen that annoying form."
Murakan looked at Ozdock, who was finishing its transformation, in the spot where Tess's blue flames had disappeared.
The monster that had been injured by the swordsman reflected on countless moments of defeat, until one day it evolved into a core monster with a sharp-bodied form akin to a sword, or a monster that had been afflicted by a mage become immune to magic...
In Ozdock's case, it was greed.
He hadn't always feasted on gold. He was a common existence like other monsters, preying on beasts, humans, or other monsters.
However, one day, Ozdock realized the habit of the humans he killed—never letting go of their gold coins even in death.
Before he acquired the core, he lived near a trading city. There, Ozdock devoured numerous humans who clung to their gold coins even in death, prioritizing their wealth over their comrades.
And when he gained the core.
Ozdock became more human-like than any other monster. Not only in appearance but also in personality, actions, and even language.
Ssshh...
Emerging from the smoke, Ozdock descended from the sky to the ground.
His massive body seemed as large as a mountain, and yet it had disappeared completely. He now resembled a human perfectly. As if his previous black flesh had turned into armor and a sword, he was fully armed.
"Whoa, what's that? Is that really a monster? He looks like a person!"
He had shrunk. He was even smaller than Jin.
Clearly, he had become significantly smaller compared to before his transformation, yet the intimidation emanating from Ozdock was several times stronger.
It sent shivers down Jin and Mary's spines.
[Awakening after a thousand years, and they can't even welcome me properly. What kind of treatment is this...]
Ozdock shrugged his shoulders and spoke.
"Damn, the youngest. Did that thing just speak human words, huh?"
[That last thrust was quite dangerous. It almost caused a huge problem.]
Shiik, spurt!
As Ozdock finished speaking, a drop of blood splashed from Mary's right cheek.
It was the sword energy Ozdock had shot, grazing her cheek narrowly.
Originally aimed at her neck, had Mary not twisted her head, her throat might have been sliced.
Mary quickly distanced herself.
Huff, huff.
Her chest pounded as her breath became rapid. Cold sweat formed on the hand gripping the sword.
[Oh ho, you dodged it? I intended to kill without pain, considering the merit of awakening me. But if you come out like this, you will only suffer.]
As he said this.
Ozdock was already thrusting his sword into Mary's side. He closed the distance in an impossibly fast speed that even she couldn't perceive.
Though the attack was blocked by the armor, a long gash appeared on Mary's shoulder from the subsequent strike.
If Jin hadn't intervened and deflected the third sword strike, Mary's injuries could have been much worse.
Clang, swish!
Sigmund and Ozdock's sword clashed. The thunderbolt and suppression of the Plutonian swordsmanship alternated ceaselessly in attacks, but Ozdock seemed entirely unfazed by the pressure.
[Wait, you guys. This swordsmanship... Could it be Runcandel?]
Ozdock leisurely attacked while asking.
"What do you intend to do, knowing that?"
Jin takes a defensive stance, shielding Mary's back.
Having just rapidly consumed a massive amount of aura through the Light Speed Thrust and evaded a surprise attack, she needed a moment to recover her strength.
[To save you.]
"What?"
[Now that I've finally awakened, I don't think I need to be humiliated by you ignorant fools again. If Runcandel still exists, then is Zipfel destroyed?]
As all factions had designated monsters as public enemies in the past, Ozdock understood how humans saw individuals as representatives of their factions.
So, he had always traded with various factions as needed for survival. And he had planned to do the same this time.
No matter how strong he was, he had learned a lesson a thousand years ago: he couldn't take on the entire world alone.
[If Zipfel is still standing, I might be able to help a bit. How about forming a sort of symbiotic relationship between your clan and me?]
"Not a symbiotic relationship, but rather a parasitic one, Ozdock. Does Runcandel seem like a name that someone like you can utter carelessly?"
[I don't think you guys are that smart.]
Skkk!
Ozdock's blade sliced through the edge of Jin's coat.
"Youngest, buy me 30 seconds. Is that possible?"
Mary spoke in a low voice, but she didn't have a serious expression.
"I buy more than that, as much as you need."
[You're quite bold.]
Mary was actually wearing a delighted expression, as if she were excited about the prospect of regaining her strength in just 30 seconds. The idea of recovering and being able to engage in a fierce battle with Ozdock once more using the variation of Volcano thrilled her.
'Mary Runcandel. She's pretty crazy too. Does this mean she won't ask for help in this situation and just want to keep fighting? I thought the kid would ask for my help, but they just want to keep fighting by themselves?'
Murakan assessed the situation and shook his head.
It was his moment to step in. There was no need to put the siblings in danger.
'I will transform into my true form and start properly from the beginning... Huh? What's that?'
As Murakan calculated the situation about his entry,
Zzzing!
From somewhere, a streak of light flew and severed Ozdock's right arm. It wasn't Jin and Mary's attack.
Furthermore, it was an attack that was originally intended to bisect Ozdock's torso.
[Grrr!]
"Oh ho, you dodged it?"
A man smiled as he said the words Ozdock had spoken to Mary a while ago.
He had been observing Jin's group on the battlefield all this time.
章節 198: Chapter 357
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The man was using a scimitar, which appeared to be twice as long as a regular one and was commonly used by Vermont's knights.
'There definitely wasn't someone like him nearby. Where on earth...!'
Jin, Mary, and Murakan.
They were completely unaware of the fact that the man had been observing the battle from one side all along.
The reason they didn't know was because the man didn't want that. He had initially planned to simply observe the battle of flagbearers and then leave.
However, his interest was piqued by the presence of the demonic creature named Ozdock and he revealed himself.
'He's an extraordinarily skilled person. No, the term 'skilled person' is inadequate.'
A superhuman.
The siblings immediately classified the man as such.
The sudden intrusion of a powerful individual had their hearts racing as if a spear had pierced their hearts.
The transformed Ozdock was a formidable opponent, Jin had a doubt whether he could win against him even if he used techniques like the "Sword Technique of Plutonian Battle God," and "Magic Sword Secret Technique."
And this man cut Ozdock's right arm by a single blow. There couldn't be too many humans capable of that in the world.
Moreover, this was the Black Sea.
'It's highly likely that he's someone associated with my father.'
A Black Knight or perhaps a former Black Knight.
The man's face was not visible because of the hood of his robe. He glanced at Jin and Mary for a moment, then turned to Ozdock, who was stretching his arm again befor anyone knew it.
[Who are you...!]
Ozdock was indeed an intelligent creature capable of human-like speech.
He had realized it the moment he took the blow. That this man wasn't someone he could handle. Though, had he been in his prime, there would have been no need to feel daunted. However, such assumptions were meaningless.
"You?"
Swish!
Like a crescent moon, a sword strike passed and severed Ozdock's right arm that had just regenerated. Blood sprayed like a fountain, and Ozdock winced in pain, raising his arm again to distance himself.
"Even my lord doesn't address me in such a manner... Yet a mere demonic creature like you dares to speak so boldly."
[Who... are you, Sir?]
Ozdock had instantly shifted into a submissive stance after taking the blow. His expression and posture displayed the fear he felt even from a distance.
"Smart demonic creature, aren't you? Don't you have the ability to learn?"
Swoosh! As the curved sword shook, a chilling sound of something being sliced echoed. This time, it was Ozdock's right arm again.
[Ahhh...!]
"When asking about an opponent, it's usually best to first reveal one's own name and status. Oh, have I expected too much from a demonic creature?"
[No, it's not...!]
Crack! Snap! This time, the man had grabbed Ozdock from behind and delivered a powerful low kick to his thigh. If one weren't accustomed to hearing the sound of muscles tearing and bones snapping, they might have shut their eyes tightly.
"Name."
[Oz... Oz, Dock.]
When the man asked in an indifferent tone, Ozdock winced and replied while restraining his groans.
"A legendary creature of folklore, it seems. I never imagined you'd be buried in a place like this."
[If you spare me, I can be useful... Cough!]
This time, a fist struck his abdomen. The seemingly light blow created a shockwave that reverberated through his body, and before that shockwave could fully disperse, the man leaped and landed a kick to Ozdock's thigh, knocking him back to the ground.
Thud!
With his head slammed onto the ground, Ozdock's body trembled, looking as if he might stop trembling and die at any moment.
"I'll warn you in advance, I won't tolerate any rudeness."
Of course, the man didn't find Ozdock's state the least bit pitiable.
Given that Murakan was present, the odds of Ozdock winning a prolonged battle were already slim. However, with the man's appearance, even that slim chance had disappeared completely.
Ozdock lifted his head from the ground, took a deep breath, and then exhaled heavily.
[I'll do anything, just spare me!]
He knelt before the man, his hands scrubbing against the ground fervently. He scrubbed his hands so rapidly that it left afterimage.
"Sure, now it seems you're starting to realize your position."
[If this pitiful monster has committed any crimes, it's only for waking from slumber. I have no intention of causing chaos in the world again, I'm just drawn by the scent of delicious prey, that is, gold, not a human…]
As Ozdock explained his circumstances in great detail, Jin found himself at a loss for words.
The demonic creature who had been relentlessly attacking him and Mary just moments ago had suddenly become so submissive. It was a scenario Jin had never imagined.
[...Therefore, I will live quietly and virtuously. So, please let me go.]
"Hey, hey. Ozdock. What is bastard babbling about? Virtuous? Quiet? Can we believe anything that comes out of your mouth?"
Murakan approached Jin as he spoke. He frowned as if Ozdock's words were quite absurd.
[Mya mya!]
Shuri chimed in, raising her voice in agreement. Shuri had also heard of Ozdock's notorious reputation during his prime. Of course, compared to her former owner, he was hardly a threat, to say the least.
"A thousand years ago, how many humans did you kill or eat for your leisure time? In the Sarba Kingdom, you and the corrupt human rulers collaborated to starve and kill how many people? Do the souls of those you consumed or killed never appear in your dreams while you sleep?"
[You, could it be... M-Murakan!? Then, is this person also a knight of Runcandel!?]
Ozdock took a step back in surprise. When he referred to "this person," it naturally meant the man.
In Ozdock's memories, Murakan still remained the king of sky, in his heyday Unless he had taken the entire Sarba Kingdom hostage, it was best to avoid meeting his gaze.
Whew, whew.
Murakan used his pinky finger to dig his ear while shrugging his shoulder.
"Look like you need more beating. How can you call my name so casual?"
[S-Sorry. No, I apologize. It's just that I've awakened after a long time.]
"Yeah, that's more appropriate. Now let's go."
[Go... where are we going?]
"To hell. The surface isn't a suitable place for a monster like you with so many debts. Drop your core along the way. Figure it out yourself. Or should I do it for you?"
After the man, Jin also felt a strange sensation of fear from Ozdock toward Murakan. The attitude of the ancient beings from a thousand years ago towards Murakan was something he just couldn't get used to.
[How could that not be possible? And what do you intend to do with my core...?]
"You have a lot of questions, even though you are going to die."
As Murakan stepped forward with brisk strides, Ozdock seemed on the verge of bursting into tears.
When there were about five steps left between Ozdock and Murakan, the man blocked Murakan's path.
"What?"
"I apologize for late greetings, Mr. Murakan. Runcandel's Sword greets the clan's guardian dragon. My name is Tuben."
The man introduced himself and respectfully bowed his head. Murakan smiled in apparent satisfaction with Tuben's demeanor.
"Oh, are you the Black Knight?"
"I've taken off the black helmet for a while now, but I'm still performing duties similar to those times."
"Yeah, you've been through a lot. Anyway, step aside, let me finish this."
"I'm sorry. I can't do that."
Why?
Murakan didn't ask for the reasons.
"Then I'll have to handle it forcefully."
"Is there no way for you to step back?"
"I have somewhere to use his core. Step aside."
Tuben stared back at Murakan, not responding.
In his mind, calculations rapidly churned as he wondered how his lord would judge the situation.
"Ha, fine. Does nobody here care about me and the youngest?"
Mary raised her voice with a determined expression.
"Seventh flagbearer, likewise, I apologize for the late greeting. Have you been well?"
"As you can see, I've been doing well. But I didn't expect the one who barged into my fight to be Sir Tuben. No, I mean, uncle Tuben."
Mary's eyes sharpened.
"If this is the uncle Tuben I know, he wouldn't dare touch my prey carelessly... Isn't that right?"
Tuben had helped in Mary's sword training under Rosa's command in the past. While he didn't teach her for long, Tuben held Mary's primal instincts in high regard.
This was why he wasn't particularly surprised when he saw that Chiron directly passed on the Secret technique.
Woong...!
Mary's sword glowed brilliantly with an aura like rising smoke.
In truth, since Tuben's appearance, Mary had wanted to say something, but she stayed still because she was suppressing the aura backflow.
"Everyone seems to have misunderstood. This guy is mine and the youngest's prey. Even if my father himself were here, not the former black knight, he wouldn't lay a finger on my prey."
Mary was now preparing to fight Tuben instead of Ozdock.
That was who she was. It was because of these qualities that she consistently received high marks from Chiron.
However, not everything she said now was entirely sincere.
'Even my elder sister knows how to bluff.'
While Mary was genuinely angered by Tuben's sudden intrusion, she was putting on a show to protect what her beloved youngest brother deserved – Ozdock's core.
'But if Sir Tuben doesn't step back here, I'll have to stand by the words she blurted out.'
Would there be a chance of victory if Mary, Murakan, and Jin joined forces against Tuben?
Amidst the swift calculations, Murakan also began to participate in Mary's bluff.
[Yeah, Mary is right. You can't suddenly appear and interfere in someone else's fight.]
Having transformed into his true form, Murakan looked down at Tuben and Ozdock.
Ozdock felt like he was crossing the river of life and death with every passing moment. He had gone from trying to overpower the kids who tried to kill him to begging a giant and now facing a threat from Murakan and the kids combined.
"And as for your mission, I don't even know what it is. But that monster won't bring anything good to the world even if you spare it."
"You know my personality well, right? Uncle Tuben. I never back down in moments like these. Even if it leads to a pathetic death."
Jin, wrapping his lightning energy around Sigmund, took his stance beside Mary. He had never imagined that he would confront the Former Black Knight in this manner.
"It would be best if you just go back, Sir Tuben."
"I didn't know the 12th flagbearer had such a reckless side."
"Haha, uncle Tuben. This guy is even more stubborn than me. If you're going to do it, let's get it over with quickly before the enthusiasm fades."
Just as Mary was about to extend her sword with a gleam in her eyes.
[Hold on a moment!]
Ozdock, who had just finished organizing his thoughts, spoke up.
[There, there's a way to achieve everyone's... objectives. If Lord Murakan and the children of Runcandel take my core, and Sir Tuben takes me alive, wouldn't that solve the problem...?]
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