Part 2, Episode 142.
Very slow motion.
As if showing the world Dohyeon perceives, the slow lowering of the sword was a downward strike.
Vividly visible to the eyes, yet unavoidable.
I mean that downward strike Dohyeon felt the other day when he received the Forgotten King’s sword strike.
“……!”
At that, Asion’s eyes widened.
With his capillaries swelling as if about to burst and the corners of his eyes trembling, I think he might be feeling the exact same emotions Dohyeon felt back then.
No, judging by the reaction, it might be more than that.
In a world slowed down by extreme concentration, Dohyeon took in every single one of Asion’s reactions and gently raised the corners of his mouth.
Is this a success?
At first glance, it appears to be a perfect recreation of the forgotten king’s sword strike, but the reality was different.
[‘Snow Flower Blooms Fiercely’ manifests.]
[Like a snowflake blooming on a cliff amidst a fierce blizzard, I imbue my sword strikes with an undying will.]
The Snow Flower was not a fixed-form technique.
It is simply about imbuing the sword strike with strong will.
Then, you can deliver a powerful sword strike like a snow flower blooming while enduring a fierce blizzard on a snow-covered mountain cliff.
Just as even the same snowflakes differ in size and strength.
Dohyeon’s Tales of the Nine-Folded King were still lacking compared to what the Forgotten King had shown.
Of course.
Because Dohyeon, who merely saw it once, cannot catch up to the forgotten king’s technique, which was attained through such realization and honed throughout a lifetime.
That is why Dohyeon gave up on imitating him.
It was a bold choice that I probably wouldn’t have made if I hadn’t reached this level now.
It was only after I had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship that I could see it.
“Why bother copying? I have my own swordsmanship that is familiar and outstanding above all else.”
The fact that I also possess swordsmanship just as excellent as his.
It is said that all streams return to the origin.
If it falls short of the original, isn’t it enough to simply fill it with your own original energy to compensate for the lack?
[Executing Yeokcheongi 1st Form Shi.]
The energy of Mount Tai in the Reverse Heaven Period takes the place of the irresistible weightiness shown by the Forgotten King.
Thump.
It represents the intense will that blossoms amidst disaster, the determination to overcome adversity.
The phenomenon of becoming heavier as it falls slowly embodies the subtlety of the second technique that purifies the energy of Mount Tai within.
“!”
The moment the sword fell upon the head of Asion, the human who ultimately failed to resist the disaster.
The explosive power that seemed to burst forth from a single point was present in the light that could no longer be called faint, which was embedded in the riverside.
And so, the Snow Flower Blossom, which only Dohyeon could achieve, was completed.
Kwagagagaga-!!
Its power was sufficient to be compared to that of a king.
The surrounding area was swept away with an explosive roar.
“crazy…….”
“oh?”
“!!”
“That swordsmanship is…!”
After the sword strike that surprised everyone ended.
As the thick dust cleared, revealing the place, only Dohyeon was standing upright on both feet.
* * *
[Player ‘Ashion’ has been defeated.]
[The target’s Karma Index is overwhelmingly high. Judging as a villain, no preemptive strike penalty is applied.]
[I have recreated the swordsmanship of great kings of the past using my own swordsmanship.]
[Swordsmanship proficiency increases significantly.]
[Swordsmanship proficiency has reached 62LV.]
[I shared communion with the White Lion’s Snow Flower Sword.]
[You have acquired the title ‘First Step to Becoming a Great Swordsman’.]
[The First Step to Becoming a Great Prosecutor]
– Grade: Legendary
– Description: A title awarded to a great swordsman who has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship and communed with the sword itself.
All the legendary swordsmen recorded in history shared a deep communion with their swords.
This is the first step toward becoming a great prosecutor.
-Effect: When wielding a sword with which you share communion, all power +12%, proficiency experience +10%.
All stats + 10.
Oh, this is tough.
Upon confirming the message that Asion had been defeated, Dohyeon immediately let out a groan.
I was out of breath and my whole body felt stiff due to my depleted energy.
Ultimately, they won overwhelmingly, but in reality, it wasn’t that overwhelming.
[Your HP is 10% or less.]
[Mana is 10% or less.]
A situation where not only physical strength but also vitality and mana are at rock bottom.
Tears of God and the Symbol of the Holy King.
And the Poison King’s constitution, the Thunder Dragon, the ability granted to the Thunder Dragon Descent.
Even the next level of the Reverse Heaven Technique used against the gods, and transcendent characteristics.
You really poured everything out.
It was truly a battle where everything was poured out.
What is even more surprising is that despite doing all this, there were still crises.
A mage who struts through the air dealing area damage, while simultaneously possessing powerful melee combat abilities and insane sustain.
This combination was ridiculously difficult.
Even when delivering the final blow, I honestly wasn’t completely certain.
Still, it is a technique that even harmed a god, and since it split the flames completely once activated, I merely guessed that it might work this time as well.
Well, I was half-convinced, but…
It was a strategy I adopted because I had a hunch, but things might have become complicated if it hadn’t worked.
It was a bit too late to use the 3rd move of the Reverse Heaven Technique.
If that had happened, I would have had to use the Snowflakes for defense instead of finishing him off, and the fight would have dragged on longer.
Of course, they would have won.
Still, considering his sustain, it would be better to block the variables…
‘… … Or maybe not? Maybe it would have been better if it dragged on?’
Dohyeon paused for a moment and thought seriously.
That is understandable, as he was secretly disappointed.
Not being able to see the world anymore, which has slowed down as if every single cell has awakened.
It was regrettable that the time to fully experience the mastery of swordsmanship in such a world was shortened, but the most regrettable thing was indeed this.
[Not yet reached Yeokcheongi 4th form.]
“Sigh, I feel like we would have reached it if we had stayed just a little longer.”
He ultimately failed to reach the completion of the 4th form of Yeokcheongi.
Still, there was income.
Compared to the time of Demisus, the power has increased just as much as the light has become noticeably darker.
Above all, thanks to reaching a high level of swordsmanship, I felt like I was getting a better sense of direction.
I am confident that I will be able to fully complete this if I have a few more experiences like this in the future.
That’s enough.
It was when Dohyeon, having decided to be satisfied with this for now, put Cheonbyeon back into his scabbard.
-Owner!!!
-Lizariza!
-My Lord! I, your humble sword, believed you would accomplish this!
-Huh? That’s my line?
-Liza?
Jihad and Eliza, who had been running over in a frenzy, paused as they watched Charlie push them aside and thrust his face forward with a look of solemnity and emotion.
“Ah, I was struck by a shiver as I watched my Lord grow another step forward. This humble sword will also strive to emulate him.”
“… … Charlie? Calm down. Why are you so worked up today?”
-Lizariza… … .
What? You mean I’m usually like that? Not at all.
-Rizari? Riza.
“You’re grumbling while doing that? Come on, no way. That’s just too gross.”
Dohyeon wondered what was being said by someone who was second to none when it came to being disgusting, but since it was true that it was burdensome to see a grown man acting like that, he didn’t bother to object.
“Hmm, yeah. It’s good for me if you get stronger.”
-… … ! I will not disappoint my lord!
Leaving Charlie behind, who was burning with enthusiasm as if he were about to leave for training at any moment, Dohyeon turned around, and this time, his colleagues approached him after leaping down from the twisted, soaring ground.
“Congratulations. You’ve grown another step further. I think it’s safe to call you a full-fledged swordsman now.”
“You little brat, that was intense just now. I’m itching to fight you out. Want to have a round?”
“……Can’t you see Kaiser’s condition?”
“Oh, right. Then, do you want to come in while I recover? I can’t stand it.”
“Phew. Always trying to pick a fight.……”
Seeing not only the Sword Saint, who is not easily recognized as a swordsman, but even the Empress, who is not easily agitated by ordinary fights, getting so excited, I thought that they were still the same, yet at the same time, I felt proud.
He was just beginning to feel that he had grown a significant amount, even to himself.
But seeing that they recognized it right away, it seems the difference isn’t subtle, so how could I not feel proud?
I am kind of curious, too. Shall we have a real sparring match?
Come to think of it, since returning to God of Savior, I have sparred with the Sword Saint, but I have never once sparred with that Kuku guy.
He said it was because he didn’t have the opportunity, but in fact, he might have instinctively avoided it.
Unlike the Sword Saint, who stopped at sparring, that guy was the type to charge in like an unbridled colt.
Even thinking about it now, a proper sparring match wouldn’t have been possible with the specs at the time.
But what about now?
I think it’s worth a try.
I thought that even though I would still be at a disadvantage against them, it was worth a try.
After all, it is just a sparring match, not a real battle.
Just as I was about to bring up Dohyeon on a somewhat impulsive note, a voice suddenly interrupted and dampened my competitive spirit.
“I was wondering where everyone went… You guys, the fight is over for me too.”
“huh?”
“Ah, there was the middle-aged man.”
I see. Good job.
Ast had wounds here and there, as if he had just finished a battle.
Of course, it’s just that there are wounds.
Judging by the fact that nearly half of his life force remained, it seemed like he had won quite an overwhelming victory, but…
“Seriously, isn’t the reaction completely different? Didn’t you see me ignore the skill and cleanly finish him off with a headbutt? Giving up the flesh to gain the bone! That was a brilliant move.”
“Really? You worked hard.”
“No, I said put some soul into it!”
They merely replied indifferently, like students listening with one ear to a young niece boasting about reciting the multiplication table.
However, it couldn’t be helped. For them, a victory of that magnitude was a given.
The battle that Dohyeon and Asion showed right away was also very spectacular.
“Sigh, that’s just how I’m. They always pick on me…”
That’s just how life is, old man.
“I don’t know why even you are calling me an old man, but thanks.”
-Lizarija.
Jihad and Eliza comforting an older man who, despite his large size, is huddled in a corner like a wimp.
Dohyeon chuckled at the sight and turned his gaze.
There was something that had been bothering me ever since the battle was coming to an end a little while ago.
[The Eye of Truth is active.]
Amidst the chaotic ground left by the traces of a grueling battle, something red that was not there at first lay there, emitting a distinct light.
This is the Eye of the Abyss.
What else but a hidden piece could there be in this place, where there is no way any trace of users, that would trigger the Eye of Truth?
That alone was exciting enough, but Dohyeon’s gaze was low and subdued.
[Remnants of the disaster have been discovered.]
[Traces of Lucia have been found.]
[The source of disaster, ‘The Ruler’s Eye,’ reacts to the energy.]
“There are traces of Lucia here, too?”
Even the ‘Eye of the Ruler’ found in the remnants of the abyss is reacting.
Moreover, where is this place?
It is the Eye of the Abyss, even though it is a replica.
Didn’t even the kings of the lawless lands ignore the remnants of the abyss and come to guard this place first?
Dohyeon swallowed hard, sensing that it was unusual in many ways, and slowly approached and reached out his hand.
Swoosh.
I thought it would be something sticky, but when I actually picked it up, it felt strangely hard, as if it had been compressed hundreds of times.
And at that moment.
Ding-
As the notification, which should have been cheerful, felt like an alarm, a line of system window popped up.
[Discovered the Magic Stone of Calamity.]
[Caution! This is a magic stone that has been neglected for a long time. Destroy it before it accumulates the energy of the remnants to its maximum.]
At the even louder warning sound and the ominous message, Dohyeon instinctively brought his sword down.
Crunch!
Then, the magic stone, which I felt was unbelievably hard, broke unexpectedly easily.
Pow!
The energy contained within the magic stone burst forth and took on a certain form.
A shape that anyone would inevitably be familiar with.
At that, Dohyeon’s eyes widened.
‘……eight?’
It was a woman’s arm.
Pure white skin without a single blemish, as if completely uncorrupted.
One, a warrior’s arm that feels strong rather than feminine due to the compressed muscles within it.
[We have discovered the left arm of the great Nymph Hero, Lucia.]
The shock at the shocking identity was short-lived, as a feast of messages that soon followed overwhelmed my vision.
A gloomy space filled with darkness.
“……So, in the end, it fell into their hands.”
The robed man, who had been continuing his work covered in blood, spoke in a low voice.
It was a calm tone, but upon hearing those words, a woman reminiscent of a half-naked black rose shouted in anger.
“These useless fools made such bold promises… This won’t do. I will step forward.”
No, it’s done.
The one wearing a robe shook his head.
The woman closed her mouth at his appearance, which looked not just calm but even relaxed.
All I expected of them from the start was merely to buy time. It would be fine if they did more than that; I never expected anything more.
“ah…….”
“And…… they did an excellent job with that role.”
Having said that, he slowly raised his head and looked at a certain spot.
Endless darkness.
The woman looked at that spot and took a step back without realizing it.
It was a place where I couldn’t see an inch ahead, but I knew it instinctively.
That a terrible disaster lurks beyond that will cause one to lose their reason.
“It’s not finished yet, but… since the magic stone is broken, I suppose I should be satisfied with this. Even this much seems more than enough to achieve the goal.”
Gulp.
The moment the woman could not bring herself to answer and simply swallowed dryly.
Disaster will come upon Elanis.
One wearing a robe,
A chillingly cold voice of a man called the leader of the intruders leaked out.
Flash.
The disaster lurking beyond the darkness has opened its eyes.
And at that moment… … .
[Break the Calamity Magic Stone to receive the Continent Quest earlier than scheduled.]
[However, if the Magic Stone is destroyed before accumulating energy to its maximum, it will occur with reduced difficulty.]
[It will be recorded in the Book of Adventures.]
[The continent quest ‘Prelude to the Great Cataclysm’ occurs.]
[Prelude to the Great Catastrophe]
– Rank: Continental Quest
– Explanation: The Great Cataclysm of Elanis has already begun.
Secretly, out of sight. The disaster, which had been unfolding step by step over a long period, arrived earlier than scheduled.
Thanks to destroying the magic stone before it was completed, we might be able to prevent the disaster.
Inform the alien races of Elanis of this news and prepare for war.
– Time Limit: 48:00:00
If the time limit expires, a disaster will strike. If the disaster is not prevented, significant changes may occur in Elanis.
Dohyeon, faced with a barrage of countless messages, could not hold back and spat out profanities.
Was it destined to happen from the start?
In the end, it was the moment when the continent quest that had been so dreaded began.
