350. Decision (3)
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Fierce strikes were exchanged.
The two holy swords Seongakja drew clashed with my authority.
Of course, I do know how to wield a sword to some extent, occasionally practicing, but fundamentally, the style I’ve used most frequently until now is that.
“-Even after a long time, it’s still spicy!”
“…”
Uttering such words, he was smiling from ear to ear.
Given the situation, it’s not strange at all for such a reaction to occur.
The fact that he is fighting with the most familiar attack method makes it clear that what he says about being ‘familiar to me’ is not just empty words.
It’s not just a matter of him handling my attacks well, or dealing with them at a high level. It’s more like a process of matching beats, like dancing rather than fighting.
Rather than fighting, it’s an act closer to communication.
“You’re here, you know.”
Surprisingly, I’m saying something like this in the middle of a fight.
“Aren’t you watching now?”
“Oh my. Did you just realize now?”
“…”
“If I wanted to kill you, I would’ve done it earlier. Since the first time I recognized your existence, I’ve had the power and means to do so. Isn’t that right?”
“…”
That may be true.
But just because that’s the case doesn’t mean I can simply retreat here.
With a deep breath, I sequentially activate several skills.
As the concentration of the examiner is turned on, reflexes are maximized. The body aligns itself according to the martial arts engraved in the muscles, and it springs forward.
Although the Seal of the Celestial Heaven is blocked by Toker’s influence, the ‘influence’ still lingers in the body.
If the enhanced physical specs as a demon and the critical situation are added, my current athletic ability surpasses that of a pioneer.
Just based on the combat experience I’ve gained so far, I could land an unexpected blow against him.
Between the sword strikes going in both directions, a momentary opening is seized, and a fist strike captures his face head-on.
-!
The fist struck directly at the spot that could deliver a shock to the brain.
“-Hoo.”
…
My eyes narrow at the sight of the leader quietly inhaling.
No sign of any damage.
‘-What’s this.’
There was definitely a sensation in my hand. If I had hit it properly, it should have collapsed just like that.
But, this guy.
Right ‘before’ the attack landed, there was a sudden surge in body specs.
As if it automatically activated something in response to a life-threatening situation.
I certainly know a skill that has this effect.
Desperate.
The skill that was both my alpha and omega, granted to me when I first awakened my gift.
And now, the leader in front of me was perfectly copying the same performance.
“…How did you do that?”
Cutting straight to the question without preamble, he answered while massaging his neck as if it was still stiff.
“Teacher gave it to me. Always hated it when someone important to him got hurt to an almost absurd extent.”
…
“Took away his own ability and gave it to me. Don’t know how he did it, but thanks to that, I have the most important thing.”
Teacher.
Elijah and this guy’s way of addressing me always overlap.
“…”
As the words are spoken, the things hanging from the pioneer’s arm catch my eye fleetingly.
Until now, they were hidden by the clothes, but now I recognize them very well.
The Sacred Ultima and the Soul Linker.
Two pieces of equipment that symbolize me.
However, unlike what I wear, noticeable traces of the passage of time are evident. To the point where one can’t imagine how long this guy has been carrying them.
And beyond those traces, something even more eye-catching.
In a state where not a speck of dust has accumulated, meticulously maintained.
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Always polished, repaired daily, it is clear. Except for the parts that are beyond repair, it almost looks brand new.
Just by looking at how carefully this guy has treated them, it’s apparent how precious they are.
“Ah, this?”
And with a knowing smile, the pioneer brushed it off with his hand.
A mix of preciousness, longing, and tenderness flows out.
“It’s a memento from that side.”
“Seems like you’ve cherished it.”
“That’s right.”
As he says so, his face continues to smile.
But if one were to tear apart that smiling face, inside, the rotten pus would surely be dripping.
Didn’t I say earlier that this isn’t a battle, but rather a connection? Because you can clearly feel the rush of emotions the other person is experiencing.
In that regard.
The ‘sense of loss’ emanating from this guy’s sword hilt right now.
From my perspective, it was undoubtedly a depth I couldn’t dare to fathom.
“If you know, just leave me alone to kill all the demons.”
“…”
“I wonder how you’d feel watching me die?”
However, even so.
I can’t just leave it be.
Of course, trying to stop it, this conversation will forever run on parallel lines. The principles of his actions stem from his own experiences, so no matter how much I try to intervene, he’ll have confidence.
“How about this?”
So, what he needs is not persuasion.
It’s an ‘action’ that will completely grant a ‘closed possibility.’
“-I’ll erase your worries for you.”
If the worry is that the devil will destroy the world.
That’s something I can resolve best.
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Come to think of it, family reunions are always touching.
Even meeting with a brother and a sister met in the afterlife must be poignant. It’s probably as heart-wrenching as severing the umbilical cord…
[Eliyah, stay calm for a bit-]
“Oppa, just stay still for a moment!”
[…]
…There was a time when Kallivan thought the same way.
But what’s returning now is an uncontrollable roar.
“-Seriously, can’t you get your act together!”
“If you’re doing what I’m supposed to be doing, then what should I do?”
If it wasn’t for the urgent situation, they would have thrown away their weapons and fought by grabbing each other’s hair.
To the point where Sun Hwayun, who was unleashing consecutive attacks from the opposite side, awkwardly scratches her head.
“…Hey. I know I’m a bit of a reckless mage. But what are we supposed to do if there’s already internal division?”
In truth, that’s the problem.
Even when facing a leader who surpasses their abilities by far, they were able to work in sync. But now, their cooperation is strangely off.
It’s maddening and infuriating to witness such a phenomenon even when the other side is blatantly taking advantage.
“Student Council President. Can I be honest?”
“…What is it?”
“Are you preoccupied with Dowood right now?”
“…”
It’s hard to deny.
But one thing is for sure.
“That goes for you too, doesn’t it?”
“…Yes, it does.”
“Well then, there’s only one solution.”
Please note that while I have taken care to preserve the word choice, phrasing, and atmosphere of the novel excerpt, the translation may not capture the full essence of the original text.
Elijah narrowed his eyes and mumbled.
“Is there anything else, other than quickly wrapping things up over there and going to help the teacher?”
…”
Eleanor silently stared at Elijah.
Having faced each other with swords for quite some time, it was now not difficult for them to read each other’s intentions.
Elijah was certain.
There was undoubtedly a “way” to stab into the other side.
In Elijah’s position, who knew what the soul of the young king inside the soul linker given by Dawood had prepared.
The young king, who had hidden within for a long time, had prepared a small and sharp dagger.
However, that dagger.
Undoubtedly, it could pierce the heart of that sorcerer.
“-But the stance is quite solid.”
The opponent, who set up attacks, defenses, and various other auxiliary spells and circulated them flexibly, was undeniably powerful, almost as if facing a fortress rather than a person.
Although not the vanguard who mixed hands with them just now, at this moment, this human feels almost like facing a fortress rather than a person.
Colliding on a human scale feels like hitting a rock with an egg.
Yet, they can continue the battle with such a breath because…
“Because we’ll win if we just drag it out.”
Sen Hwa-ryun said with a voice almost mixed with a yawn.
It was an attitude that clearly showed our intentions.
“It seems like you’re preparing something to stick into me, but can you find an opening to do that?”
“…”
I don’t know what you’ve prepared.
With that kind of attitude, it’s clear that just staying quiet without giving any variables from the start would result in a definite victory.
And, Sun Hwa-ryun clearly had the capability to keep what she said.
The problem is.
“That’s something I don’t know.”
The man who had just smashed the head of the Lawful Emperor, who took the same attitude a moment ago, was right nearby.
The two women here, and especially one of them, had been deeply influenced by his behavior…
“You confident?”
Sun Hwa-ryun, who saw Elijah emitting a fierce light in his eyes, smirked, but Elijah didn’t show any signs of backing off, exhaling only through his nose.
“There’s no rule that only the teacher can do crazy things, right?”
“…”
“Listen to me, I have a plan!”
Eleanor looked at Elijah, who said such a sentence with a determined expression, without saying a word, breathing heavily.
‘…That man’s background is deep.’
It was a sincere thought.
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