349. Bonding (2)
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It’s a fact proven countless times, but my skills can deliver a proper blow to those who consider themselves strong.
“-Hmm, it’s spicy after a long time.”
“…”
So, seeing the vanguard just nonchalantly brushing off his clothes after taking a direct hit, I have nothing to say.
Of course, there were quite a few who survived my blow, but this guy is the first to take it without any particular response, just with his bare body.
It’s not about impressive specs or exceptional combat skills… It’s more about the feeling of familiarity, as if he knows me well.
Like he’s stood alongside me countless times in the crossfire-
“-Well, that feels a bit different from that.”
“…What?”
“You are strong-willed, and I’m not exactly a pushover either. We’ve been married for so long, wouldn’t you think we’d have had at least one fight?”
“…”
“If it’s not even once, then I can ~ predict ~ your every move.”
“…”
What was I in that world she lived in, to have apparently never hesitated to throw punches at my wife whenever we fought…?
[…On the other hand, doesn’t that mean she also stabbed her husband?]
“…”
I can’t help but feel like I’m being encouraged to stay single.
And because of the words I just blurted out, it seems like Eliana and Eleanor are almost rolling their eyes.
“…Just be patient.”
“I thought I was gonna lose my mind waiting for you!”
However, despite their appearance, it’s clear that Eliana and Eleanor, who have been taking hits all along, are showing signs of renewed vigor.
Given that I’ve never lost an intervention before, it seems like this is the beginning of a counterattack.
And I’m sorry to say this to such people, but…
“I can’t lose.”
“…”
“…”
I can see both of their faces contorting at the same time.
But what can I do if that’s the truth?
Wasn’t it clearly evident just now?
Strategically infiltrating and launching a surprise attack, yet considering the fact that no effective blows were landed, it’s evident that this guy’s overall combat power pierces through the ceiling.
Even facing three opponents, it’s not going to be an easy fight.
Above all,
“It’s not like the enemy is only that guy.”
“What do you mean-“
Before such a question could conclude,
A familiar voice intervened.
– I wish to observe.
– I wish to observe.
【Just remain calm】
Eleanor’s expression rapidly stiffened upon hearing that voice.
I was somewhat in a state of being split in half at that moment, so my memory is a bit hazy, but Eleanor getting beaten up by someone around here is definitely etched in my memory. It’s not something I can’t comprehend.
And then,
-…
“Hmm.”
Seeing the momentary loss of radiance from the emblem of the celestial, which always emits light, I exhale.
“Just tied up for a moment, Captain.”
“That should be sufficient. Are you prepared?”
“Of course. We have 10 minutes left.”
So, alternating between the vanguard and the talker, I gaze at the ones exchanging words.
By now, I had a feeling it would pop up.
“Oh, but let me ask you one thing.”
At my sudden remark, Elijah, Eleanor, and the two guys in front of me, who had been muttering among themselves, all turned to me with puzzled eyes.
However, honestly, I couldn’t let it slide without asking.
“Hey, what’s your purpose?”
As I said this, at the tip of the finger I pointed, Toka-Seonhwa Ryun was seated.
“Huh? Me? My purpose?”
“Yeah. The only one I haven’t heard yet.”
The purpose of the Exorcist is clearly the annihilation of demons, but I have no idea what this guy cooperating with them wants to achieve.
In the first place, the principles of this guy’s actions have never been explained until now.
But, the answer that came with a smirk and a flick of the hair was surprisingly simple.
“I don’t have any special reasons. I just do it because I can.”
“…”
“The wizards’ traces are imprinted most prominently on the world. In that sense-“
Seonhwa Ryun looked at the Exorcist next to him and swept his hair back.
“Contributing to wiping out all the demons is quite an achievement, don’t you think?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“So, everything you’ve done is just because you ‘can’?”
“Yeah. Do you need to think about it complicatedly? Just think of me as a guy who was born that way.”
Yeah. It does feel like that.
Without complicated motives or circumstances,
“But why is that?”
“I’m not particularly curious, but there’s someone who is.”
Certainly, that’s the case.
“-That’s the case, Vakarsis.”
At least, there was someone who felt the need to hear the reason why his kingdom was destroyed by this guy.
“There’s no need to go easy on me.”
With those words, he takes off the soul linker.
[…Let’s see in a little while.]
“Why are you speaking in such a wistful voice?”
As he responds, he senses the fading presence of Caliban.
In reality, even if he says so,
This small bracelet – especially the Caliban inside – is almost like another self to these humans.
Actually, it feels incredibly awkward to have that ‘presence’ drop as soon as it’s removed.
“Hey, catch.”
He tosses the removed bracelet straight to Elia.
“Uh, Professor…?”
“Put that on and work with Elnor to deal with that monster for me.”
…”
“You can handle it. There’s someone inside to guide you.”
It’s a family matter. She should be able to handle that much.
Elijah, who heard my words, looked at me with a stern expression, alternating his gaze between me and the Soul Linker.
Because what I said was very clear.
I, from now on.
Will face off against the Vanguard Leader in a one-on-one match.
Without holding anything back, not even the emblem of the Celestial Guild.
“…I will win.”
“Yeah.”
But without uttering anything more, he raised his sword towards Seon Hwa-ryun. It seems we’ve worked together for quite a long time, judging by the way he handles the sword without any hesitation.
Eleanor is the same.
“You seem to trust them a lot. Both of them.”
“If not, we wouldn’t have survived together until now.”
The Vanguard Leader chuckled and nodded.
It seems he understands.
As if he has experienced the same path.
“-Then, respecting that decision.”
Following that, for the first time, ‘magic’ begins to wriggle in his body.
Mana. Extremely well-organized.
The mana of the ‘knight,’ dignified and noble, wriggles in his body.
“-Should we change the location a bit?”
With those words.
The surrounding environment changed rapidly.
●
“Is this your first time coming near the Empty Zone?”
Certainly, it is.
There are memories of coming here before – encountering the Purifier, Marquis Riverback, and entering the headquarters of demon worshippers when facing the threat of abduction.
However.
“Even if I don’t know what Seonhwa-ryun is up to, you’ve done a commendable job. Removing the barriers from the Celestial level for real.”
Like this.
It’s the first time facing directly without any ‘barriers.’
A ground that seems endlessly uneasy, exposed to a storm of magical power to the extent of peeling off the skin, a concentration of magic so thick that even I feel like my mind might be contaminated, and a terrain that eerily resembles the nature of Pandemonium, spreading and writhing like it devours everything around, without any ‘barriers.’
Truly a living hell.
“The true forms of demons, just their arrival alone, can turn the world into this state. Unbelievably repulsive.”
“…”
“Wanting to erase them entirely, isn’t that understandable?”
“I understand.”
Said calmly.
Understand completely.
Especially considering what this guy has been through.
However.
“But still, we can’t leave it like that.”
I don’t know what you’re preparing, but he said ten minutes.
Ten minutes until whatever Seonhwa-ryun prepared, whatever this guy has set up to annihilate the demons, goes off.
That’s when it all ends.
I take a stance without a word.
The insignia of Tacheon is unusable anyway, bound by Tokka. All I can use is my own skills, combat techniques, and experience ingrained in my body.
Seeing me like this, the observer just smirked.
“…This is unusual.”
“What is?”
“You’re the type who usually fights using everything at your disposal, even if it means putting on all sorts of stuff. I didn’t expect you to take such a formal stance now.”
Certainly, it doesn’t quite fit my style. I prefer diving headfirst into fights I know I can win.
Yet.
“It’s you we’re facing.”
“…”
“You seem to have a lot piled up.”
I don’t know what this guy has been through, how much emotional weight he’s carrying with me. I don’t know that well.
So, at the very least, the minimum amount of respect I should show.
It’s a real clash of sincerity versus sincerity.
“There are things you can only understand when our bodies collide. Think of it as my respect.”
“…Pervert.”
“…What nonsense brought you all the way here?”
“Well, it’s not like you coming all the way here and suddenly spouting abstract philosophy is any less peculiar.”
“Let’s see if there’s any common ground. After all, we’ve gone as far as getting married.”
“Your words are truly something…”
Smirking, Seongakja raised the sword he held in his hand.
The atmosphere while speaking was friendly, but the discourse emanating from him undoubtedly reflected the demeanor of one facing an ‘enemy.’
“-So, shall we give it a try?”
Decision.
The final gateway for me to breathe and live in this world is now just this one.
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Marital spat, LMAO