章節 229: Chapter 388
[Support me here:- https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
Jin and Luntia slowly closed the distance between them.
And belated screams echoed over the arena.
Kwaak, Aaak...!
Roughly, more than a hundred guardian knights lay groaning all around.
The martial artists who had protected them had barely taken a breather, but they had a premonition that a new shock was about to come.
'The 3rd flagbearer is furious...'
'Until just now, we had no choice but to save the knights, so we couldn't intervene to stop the 12th flagbearer. But now, we won't be able to interfere.'
In particular, those who 'knew a bit' about Luntia (mainly the core members of the Elder Council) judged that it would be difficult to prevent the fight from starting again.
They knew how dangerous Luntia, who had pushed aside the lethargy, was.
And there was no need to stop her.
'The clan's guardian knights were almost burned to death.'
'If this isn't treason, then what is?'
Jin had obliterated the entire central arena of the clan, and in a worst-case scenario, more than dozens of guardian knights could have turned into ashes.
Thanks to the efforts of the top flagbearers and the high ranking knights, there were no casualties, but it was an incident that could easily be called treason. Moreover, they had witnessed bold statements that not only questioned the legitimacy of the clan but also undermined it from the perspective of Runcandels who were attacked.
Of course, Jin had unfolded 'Flame of Hell' under the judgment that the top flagbearers and the knights could adequately protect the guardian knights, and there was a situation where Lynn Milcano encouraged the situation by talking about 'display of strength.'.
However, it would be difficult for that to be a mitigating factor. There is a limit to everything.
From now on, what Jin had to show was nothing else but value.
To prove that the declaration of reinstating Runcandel to the Magic Swordsman Clan was not just words.
And for that, there was no need to mention that he must win.
The moment he got defeated in the battle against Luntia.
No matter how shocking the words, how remarkable the challenge, how powerful a warning, how shining a truth it was, all the words Jin uttered would lose their value.
Originally, just engaging in a decent fight with the 3rd flagbearer as the 12th flagbearer would have been a remarkable achievement, but not now.
Responsibility for the heavy words that contained a thousand years of history rested on his shoulders. As an individual from Runcandel.
With ten steps between them, Jin and Luntia stared at each other in silence for a moment.
Fighting spirit and the killing intent filled Jin's eyes, while Luntia's eyes held a mysterious gaze.
Bradamante, the sword that had consumed the Flame of Hell, and Charles, the sword infused with the aura, were vibrating.
The two swords emitted sharp resonances like beasts trying to tear each other apart.
There was no signal. Yet, both of them swung their swords at each other without the slightest error. It was as if they were wielding a club, not swords, without any restraint. Thus, the first clash between the two began.
Boom!
As the energy bound within the swords was released, there was a thunderous sound and a shockwave. Before the shockwave could escape the arena, the swords clashed once more.
Like giant pieces of glass breaking, a shower of flames and aura erupted from their blades.
"Kkup!"
It felt as if a nail had been driven into their bones and organs. Jin's expression contorted in pain, and Luntia tightly clenched her teeth.
Despite being covered in flames, Luntia seemed to be composed, and she was even managing to withstand the Flame of Hell flowing through Bradamante.
I will kill you.
She didn't open her mouth, but it seemed like he could hear Luntia's voice. Her killing intent seemed to take on a form and pierce through Jin's mind like an icicle.
'There's no way she hasn't taken any hits.'
No matter how resilient Luntia was.
What Jin had just unleashed was Sarah Runcandel's magic sword secret technique. It may still be inferior to what Sarah in her prime could unleash, but it was a sword that had pressed the entire Runcandel present at the arena until just now.
'You can't keep enduring like this, elder sister. That's impossible for anyone in the world, except for Father.'
Just because Jin had an indifferent attitude didn't mean he wasn't genuinely shocked. The Flame of Hell entwined with Bradamante was constantly gnawing at Luntia's body.
But Jin's body was breaking apart at a much faster rate than Luntia's.
'Flame of Hell alone is not enough.'
If he had unfolded it solely to defeat Luntia from the beginning, the story might have been different.
However, over half of the power of the Flame of Hell had been consumed in dealing with the other Runcandels. Just igniting the remaining flame would not be enough to deal with Luntia.
'Elder sister hasn't even brought out her decisive killing moves yet. If this continues, I'll surely lose.'
He had to play his trump card. With a sword that matched or surpassed the Flame of Hell.
Hwaaaah-!
Jin poured out the last remaining flames of Bradamante and distanced himself. The flames roared with a mighty energy, enveloping Luntia.
At that moment, Luntia showed signs of hesitation for the first time.
But it was only for a moment.
In the next instant, as Luntia emitted her aura, the Flame of Hell turned into embers, emitting a faint light.
The flames that had surrounded Jin were also dissipating. His body that had burned like fire was returning to its original state.
Hoooook, hoo, hoooook...!
Jin's breathing became heavy. Blood trickled from his dry lips. Even the wounds that had blazed like fire were now oozing blood, and his staggering appearance seemed like he could collapse at any moment.
On the other hand, Luntia's movement became light as the flame of hell that had been bothering her had disappeared. Also, she wasn't showing any sign of exhaustion like Jin.
'It's over...'
'It was certainly remarkable, but it's the victory of the 3rd flagbearer. Judging by the condition of the 12th flagbearer, the match will be over within three minutes.'
'The 3rd flagbearer won't spare the 12th flagbearer. Even if he lives, she will surely cripple him.'
The onlookers naturally thought so.
It was a fact that Jin, as a magic swordsman, had demonstrated an incredible power that they couldn't comprehend.
However, from the beginning, the 3rd flagbearer, who was considered the strongest after Luna, and the now nineteen-year-old 12th flagbearer were too different in class.
It was still shocking, though.
Some Runcandels were on the verge of going mad with regret, thinking it was a pity that Jin would end up like this. Just ten minutes ago, they had wanted to strangle the 12th flagbearer after seeing his actions.
They were thrilled by the power of the magic sword that Jin had demonstrated. They felt that Jin's words about the possibility of that power breaking Zipel had credibility.
So they thought about other possibilities.
'If the acting matriarch steps forward, the 12th flagbearer can survive.'
'If we kill the 12th flagbearer, it will become more difficult to find out about the tomb of the first patriarch. If the acting matriarch intervenes before the 3rd flagbearer kills him...!'
Contrasting thoughts swirled in the minds of the Runcandels.
However, those who wished for Jin's death and those who wished for his survival shared one common thought.
Jin's fate lay in the hands of Rosa Runcandel.
Rosa Runcandel, and the seat of honor in the arena where she was sitting, remained unchanged from before the Flame of hell unfolded.
She sat calmly, pushing aside the surging flames of the Flame of Hell with nonchalant expression.
While the top flagbearers and knights protected the guardian knights, Rosa had watched Jin and Luntia's battle from start to finish.
"The 3rd flagbearer."
At Rosa's call, Luntia came to a stop.
If Rosa hadn't called, Luntia would have taken two more steps and cut off Jin's throat.
"Yes."
"Are you going to kill him?"
"Yes."
Rosa didn't add any further words to Luntia's response.
In the silence, Jin's rough breathing sounded especially loud. Even to those unfamiliar with swords, it was clear that his stamina had reached its limit, considering how rapid his breaths were.
After about fifteen seconds had passed like that, Luntia finally had no choice but to ask.
"Is there any problem with killing the 12th flagbearer? I'd like to know why you haven't said anything."
Upon hearing this, Rosa slowly raised her head.
"I had my doubts, so I was thinking."
"What doubts..."
"I find it curious why everyone thinks the fight has ended."
At Rosa's words, all Runcandels turned their gaze towards Jin. He was still gasping for breath, and he was standing while plunging the Bradamante into the ground.
Jin drew a new sword. The blade that emerged from the sheath was as pale as the dawn sky.
The Thunder Sword Sigmund.
A divine sword of the Plutonian tribe that Jin inherited from the battle god, Vahn.
Pzzzzz...
The blade, imbued with thunderbolts, emitted a low and gloomy sound.
The pupils of the Runcandels who saw this were filled with astonishment.
'Does he still have the strength to fight...!?'
'After unleashing that insane flaming sword just now, he still has energy left?'
"No, the acting matriarch must have just examined the fact that the 12th flagbearer still has some will left. His actual stamina won't support it any longer.'
Jin no longer had the strength to fight.
Even if he did, it would never be enough to change the tide of the battle. That's what the Runcandels believed.
"Huff... I thought I had completely destroyed everything, but there was one left."
Finally, when Jin opened his mouth, Luntia felt her hair stand on end.
She also thought that Rosa's words were meant to signify that Jin still had some remaining willpower.
That's not it.
"It seems that today, I must completely destroy even the seat of honor where my mother is sitting for my declaration to become more meaningful."
Upon hearing this, the Runcandels once again felt as if their heads had been struck by a heavy hammer, numbing their senses.
Plutonian Swordsmanship Battle God Technique 10th sword:
Plutonian Reign Sword – Open
[T/L: 개 - Begin/Beginning/Open]
Jin's eyes filled with lightning.
The ground twisted and darkened as the lightning radiated outward, splitting the scorched earth. A malicious heat, different from the fire of the flame of hell, spread rapidly and engulfed the surroundings.
[Everyone, open your eyes wide... and look closely. What is the real Runcandel and what has been protecting the Runcandel. And…]
What the current Runcandel has forgotten.
With his blazing eyes, Jin turned to look at the Runcandels and continued speaking.
The Plutonian Reign Sword's lightning covered the shattered ground.
章節 230: Chapter 389
[Support me here:- https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
The power of the Plutonian Tribe's Battle God was being recreated on the melted ground of the arena.
They were the mightiest beings in the world, who had challenged the gods as conquerors of the world five thousand years ago. From inside the lightning that resembled their souls, Jin examined the eyes of the Runcandels fixed to himself.
There was fear in the eyes of those who were protected, and there was bewilderment in the eyes of those who were protecting. They were all biting their lips.
Who could have expected that someone would show such battle prowess against the entire Runcandel, and that too after unleashing the flame of hell?
[And I will give one command to the members of the clan below the flagbearer.]
The voices of dozens of Plutonians resonated as if they were speaking at once. The clan members felt a kind of reverence in their voices.
Although they had never met the Plutonian Tribe's Battle God even once, they instinctively felt that Jin was exuding her aura.
[Do your best to protect the guardian knights so that not a single knight dies because of my sword.]
Pzzzzt!
As Jin's body was covered by lightning, blue sparks burst out. The pale light of Sigmund, the sword of Plutonian Battle God, stood out in the hands whose fingernails were dyed with lightning.
It seemed as if death had a color; it would be this pale.
And it was added to the heat of flame of hell that had not yet completely subsided.
As the hot air, hot enough to make rocks melt and burst, pressed heavily on their chests, the Runcandels were strangely overwhelmed by the sensation of their whole body growing cold, as if touching a long-dead corpse.
"Everyone, get out of here...!"
As soon as the sword began to fall, the first person to scream out loud was none other than Luntia.
I let my guard down.
I thought I could finish him now, that I could kill the youngest at any moment.
But that youngest had become a monster that far exceeded her expectations.
I should have realized that fact earlier. I should have known earlier that if I confronted him with such an arrogant attitude, I would not be able to win, that I had to bet my life too.
As Luntia's pupils flickered, what she saw was Jin's sword, which was rushing toward her with lightning.
With a speed that felt like thunder striking, the power contained in that single strike was, by no means, inferior to any swords Luntia had experienced before.
Her body couldn't react immediately. In that moment, she raised her voice in concern for the knights behind her, and that was a blunder.
Slash!
Blood sprayed from the center of Luntia's chest. If she hadn't fallen back her body might have been split in half.
"Ugh!"
Fortunately, there was no damage to her vital organs.
However, the injury, which could not be considered Charleslow by any means, shook Luntia's focus once again.
Before she could even readjust her stance, Sigmund's lightning surged toward her.
Her entire body was engulfed in excruciating pain as if it were on fire.
A strong body surpassing even Luna.
How much pain did she have to endure to develop such a body?
After Luna announced that she was giving up on becoming the patriarch, Luntia had briefly entertained many people's expectations as a possible alternative.
The reason Luna found it difficult to deal with Luntia was because she had watched Luntia 'destroying' herself to have such a strong body.
That was how she obtained her rigid body.
A rigid body obtained by going down the unhappy answer that life is only boredom and pain, without even the slightest pleasure, or having any thoughts or actions.
That rigid body was now being shattered.
Flesh was tearing, bones were splitting, and blood was bursting. The horrifying pain digging into the wounds took away her breath.
'Damn it...!'
Luntia grit her teeth and cursed.
Due to the thick mist-like caused by the lightning that covered the arena, it was not easy to pinpoint Jin's exact location. The sharp bolts of lightning piercing through the eyes added a constant sense of impending darkness.
However, at that moment, what Luntia thought was not the desire to escape this place without getting hurt, or the desire to survive.
'At this rate the knights will die.'
There were her mother, the flagbearers, the core members of the Elder Council, and the enforcement knights. No matter how formidable Jin's power was, surpassing them all was beyond imagination.
However, "fighting" and "protecting" were clearly different things.
Could other strong individuals protect the knights who faced imminent death in the storm of this lightning?
She couldn't be certain. Above all, there was no one to protect the knights who had first rushed in to stop the blaze of flame of hell.
Because their lord, herself, was fighting Jin.
Above all else,
'Mother isn't someone who will protect the knights.'
Luntia bit her lip. Rosa was still sitting in her seat, taking no action.
The reason she was so convinced wasn't because she disliked Rosa.
It was her perception that Rosa Runcandel, her mother, was someone who wouldn't bother saving guardian knights who were being swept away like discarded goods by the "swords of the 12th flagbearer."
Such individuals were considered useless in Runcandel. Or maybe she was trying to leave only stronger knights in the Garden of Swords after this incident.
That's how Luntia perceived Rosa.
And others also saw Rosa the same way.
Even so, she could still be a person who cared for others.
There were no screams just like before when the flame of hell unfolded. However, Luntia and everyone else were well aware.
How much agony the Guardian Knights, who were engulfed in flames and lightning, were enduring, not to mention the screams.
A new shining aura covered Charles. Luntia had made her decision on how to end this fight.
"You've shown a glorious sword, youngest... So, I must respond with a sword befitting that glory."
In her eyes, which were filled with killing intent and shock, something new was reflected—a newfound sense of responsibility as a flagbearer that she had long forgotten.
Runcandel's Third Secret Technique:
Annular solar eclipse
As Luntia extended Charles, a single circle, no bigger than an egg, appeared in the space brimming with lightning. The circle emitted a peculiar light as if it allowed no intrusion.
Thump!
Jin tried to strike the circle with Sigmund but it bounced off.
It was unexpected that Sigmund, which had been strengthened by the Plutonian Reign Sword, bounced off like this. Moreover, the Annular solar eclipse was growing larger, expanding its territory.
Although it possessed enough power to repel the attack of Sigmund, Jin strangely didn't feel threatened by the Annular solar eclipse.
'A decisive killing move? Or perhaps a secret technique? Either way, it's an unusual sword.'
A sword with absolutely no killing intent.
Not long after, Jin realized that the purpose of this sword wasn't killing. The Third Secret Technique, Annular solar eclipse, was the only sword in Runcandel that intended to protect others. The firm sword energy forming the circle acted as a kind of shield.
It wasn't difficult for Jin to reach a conclusion.
'If I break it, it's over.'
The blood of the Battle God and the lightning was surging inside the illuminating heart. If it didn't crumble under a single strike, he would wield an even stronger powerful strike again.
Jin had no intention of ending it with moderation today.
He had no intention of using only as much power as necessary to avoid killing his opponent. He was determined to finish it in any way possible.
After all, it is a sword that even withstood the great sword of one of ten great knights, Sylderay.
No matter how sturdy Luntia's Annular solar eclipse appeared, it couldn't continue to block Sigmund indefinitely.
Crack, boom!
When Jin swung Sigmund again, the same result occurred. The blade was deflected by the expanding ring of the Annular solar eclipse.
However, amid the fluttering aura and lightning, Jin observed something keenly. He saw Luntia, who had just repelled the second sword strike, spitting out a handful of fresh blood.
She had already suffered injuries even before unleashing the Annular solar eclipse. It was uncertain whether she could have blocked Sigmund's strike when she was at full strength.
Having done so while already injured, Luntia's struggle was quite understandable.
She had staked her life on this.
However, the meaning of her determination is different for the first time she had faced Jin. She didn't intend to kill Jin, but to protect her own knights from him.
The clash between the sword and the ring created a thunderous noise.
Although not a single word could be exchanged between them in the midst of this battle, Jin could understand Luntia's mindset.
Having seen the faces of those who sought to rescue people several times, he knew what they looked like.
'You are not someone to be taken lightly, second sister."
Ironically, Jin felt relieved.
If Luntia, with all her strength, could block Sigmund, there would be no unnecessary deaths among the knights.
Not even one.
There was no room for mercy in Jin's blade.
Jin swung Sigmund without caring about Luntia's life.
All the members of the Runcandel clan were watching if he showed any signs of weakness here, the declaration would surely lose its meaning.
'If you survive, I will recognize you as a worthy rival, elder sister.'
Creak, creak!
It seemed like massive fangs were tearing into their prey. Under the relentless rain of sword strikes, Luntia's bleeding grew worse.
On the other hand, Sigmund became increasingly fierce. The lightning, moving along Sigmund, poured down like a torrential rain onto the expanding ring of the Annular solar eclipse.
The sword energy in Charles's blade, which was supporting the ring, was trembling. She had been enduring 50% power of the Plutonian Reign Sword on her own, so it was clear that Luntia had reached her limits.
Suddenly, the form of the lightning that was attacking the ring changed.
Battle God Technique, 3rd sword
Condemnation
The awl of condemnation, imbued with the power of the Plutonian Reign Sword, exuded overwhelming energy even within the storm of the lightning that had pervaded in all directions.
As the five awls pushed forward simultaneously, the ring of the Annular solar eclipse eventually shattered. Luntia didn't let go of Charles until the very end.
However, the Plutonian Reign Sword and the energy of the condemnation were already sweeping past her, heading towards the knights who were holding their ground outside.
Just as he was about to unleash his lightning energy once again, Jin saw Luntia, who had stopped in the same posture as when she had unleashed the Annular solar eclipse.
There was no need to confirm whether she had lost consciousness or died. Either way, it didn't matter.
Jin took confident strides.
His gaze was fixed on Rosa, who was sitting on the seat of honor as if she were the matriarch of the clan. It was time to break that seat.
In the moment when Jin tried to emit his lightning once again...
Thunk...
Suddenly, something solid and sharp lightly pricked Jin's back.
It was Luntia's sword, Charles.
Even so, Jin didn't turn around to check his second sister. He knew that the action of placing Charles on his back was the last bit of strength Luntia had left.
Jin thought that what had touched his back was not Charles, but the determination holding it.
It was a determination he could respect as a martial artist, and as a sibling.
Dump…!
With that, Luntia fell to the ground.
Jin and Rosa's gazes met.
[Will you continue sitting there like that?]
每周推薦票狀態
200+ 推薦票
榜單 
51 推薦票 
段落評論