111 – Bellator. (1)
The battles continued even after that. Fortunately, the ghosts seemed considerably weakened for quite a while, unlike me, who had become stronger in this space.
In the end, they couldn’t easily overwhelm me.
However, the truly astonishing fact was that even though they had become noticeably weaker, the battles had become quite intense with me in a considerably stronger state.
How strong would they be once released from restraint? That fact was somewhat unsettling.
Well, no matter how much human power in handling magic developed and became stronger, ghosts were beings transcending the humans of that era.
Anyway, if I could command such beings, I could become significantly stronger compared to before, as long as I passed the test.
… If I passed the test, that is.
It’s not an easy task, but still, it wasn’t an entirely impossible one. After all, I had already defeated numerous ghosts with the Shackler’s Sword to an astonishing extent.
Truly amazing.
He exclaimed as he gazed at my black self.
“I’m astonished too. I never knew my mental strength could be this strong.”
-Is that so?
“Yeah. Ordinary people don’t know how much mental strength they have. In the end, I’m just an ordinary person too.”
-You’re talking nonsense that’s not convincing at all. Ordinary people can’t even come this far. Anyway, now there are only two left.
“Only two left?”
-That’s right.
Wait. When you say two, it’s a little intimidating…
“Could it be…?”
-Yes, that ‘could it be’ is correct. Along with Bellator, there’s one last warrior remaining.
-What? Isn’t Bellator the last one?
-That’s right. Let’s keep the last opponent shrouded in mystery for now. After all, you can only meet the opponent if you defeat Bellator.
It’s not Bellator as the last one…? Surely, the strongest ghost within the confines of the Binding Sword should be Bellator?
Is there another ghost that I don’t know about? It’s unknowable. However, a senseless unease began to sweep over me.
Who could that last opponent be that they refuse to reveal?
Perhaps, it could be the Binding Sword itself. Why not? It’s not uncommon for such clichés. If it wants to become my master, it should try breaking me directly! It feels like that kind of cliché.
…I can’t be sure that I’ll even get approval from Bellator right away, so thinking about the next opponent is no different from sipping cold broth.
-Aren’t you curious about the last opponent?
The sword asked me as I pondered.
“I’m curious. But I know I don’t have the luxury for that right now.”
Black agreed with my words.
-True. Bellator is not one to linger. So, do we need more time to prepare?
“No. We can start right away.”
Anyway, if the opponent we have to face is inevitable, there’s no need to drag it out needlessly.
-Understood. Good luck. May you receive his acknowledgment.
With the words of the sword, a rift appeared in the sky above the arena.
Crackle!
With the sound of the sky tearing, a person fell into the arena.
Kwaaang!
At the moment of his landing, dust and cracks spread on the ground.
Eventually, as the dust settled, I could see Bellator. Unlike the first warrior I encountered, he wasn’t as huge as Urcur.
A perfectly proportioned physique. Holding a greatsword similar to my size, he gazed at me with an imposing presence befitting his name.
The great warrior Bellator. With a name like that, he exuded the aura of a true warrior, looking at my hand with respect.
“…It’s been a while. Seeing the earth like this.”
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He murmured softly, looking at me intently.
“An excellent physique. It must be evidence that you haven’t neglected your training.”
“I had to.”
“Good. One worthy of qualification. I salute you for coming this far.”
I nodded silently and raised my sword.
Where did I get the sword? Well, it was given to me by the shackles of the opponent after the battle with Uruwa. They threw it to me, saying that they had forgotten about it. Part of me wanted to strike back with all my might, but I restrained myself because I was weaker than the sword.
Anyway, Bellator looked at me, taking a stance without saying a word, as if he liked me even more.
“Good. Yes. Warriors have their own way of communicating.”
He said that and raised his greatsword.
In that moment, an indescribable pressure fell upon me.
Unconsciously, my knees buckled.
“Ugh…!”
It was an immense pressure. Just by lifting the greatsword, he emitted such intimidation. Once again, I realized how powerful the man in front of me was.
I resisted the pressure I felt from him. It would have been impossible for my original self, but in this place where strength is determined by mental fortitude, it was possible.
Slowly, I rose to my feet. Just that action alone caught Bellator’s attention.
How strong is he, this gentleman? To be so weakened and still have this level of power… If such a person were to appear in the present world, he would truly be a warrior capable of single-handedly opposing a country.
That means his strength is comparable to that of a high-ranking angel or demon. Of course, he would be weaker than them, but for a human to reach that level… it is almost a miracle.
To sacrifice oneself in the battle between heaven and hell to protect the human realm means that he had enough power to stand up and protect it.
Anyway, I crawled up and stood on my feet. And then, the intensity of the pressure coming towards me became even stronger.
But I will not yield. My mental strength, which had unknowingly become stronger, did not submit to someone’s mere intimidation.
“Excellent. There’s nothing more to see. Well then, here I come.”
As soon as he said that, he rushed towards me. And he was unbelievably fast.
Kwaaang!
The sound was heard when he approached me. Following that, the greatsword in his hand mercilessly unleashed a powerful strike at me.
Can I block it? No, even before considering if I can or cannot block it… I absolutely had to block this strike.
The minimum sum must be achieved, shouldn’t it? If I can’t even withstand his sword, I will never earn his recognition.
Crash-!
Even more tremendous than when I clashed fists with Urwa earlier. No, an enormous shockwave shook the entire arena.
At the same time, a dreadful pressure was felt from the sword, and a pain as if my arm would come off was felt.
“Ugh…!”
Though excruciating pain flowed through my arm, I clenched my teeth and ignored the pain as I withstood his sword strike and retreated.
However, that was just the beginning. His swordsmanship was not so easily concluded by a mere strike of a great sword.
The onslaught of the great sword whirled towards me. I clenched my teeth and exerted strength in my numb arm. Endure, my arm.
I threw myself into the onslaught. In the moment when a storm made of great swords was about to pound my entire body, I began to parry the strike with my long sword.
Clang, clang, claaang!
The sound of metal rang in my ears as if going crazy.
Along with it, the pain in my arm gradually intensified. Damn it. It hurts like hell.
Apart from the pain, surprisingly, the battle continued without interruption. It was all possible because I managed to withstand his sword strikes somehow.
“hahahahaha! Excellent!”
And that was soon to be a most delightful thing for Bellator.
“Damn it…!”
“It has been so long since I had such a enjoyable fight. Even though I may have grown weak, this fight is still incomparably enjoyable!”
Damn it. What’s so enjoyable about being enjoyable…!
With each clash of our swords, the pain in my arm grew even more intense.
If I continued like this, I would break first. In that case, I must escape from this pressure for now.
Receiving the incoming strike with a solid block, I immediately retreated backward. Whether Belator read my intentions or not, he unleashed an even more powerful strike against me.
Damn it, barely withstanding the force of that formidable blow, I gradually gathered strength in my arms. The pain was excruciating, as if my arm would snap at any moment, but I had to endure. If I didn’t earn Belator’s recognition, it would be the end for me.
One, two…
Now!
I forcefully parried Belator’s greatsword with my own. The strength behind my block momentarily pushed back his sword strike.
I did it. Then, without continuing the attack, I quickly withdrew, if only for a moment to relieve the strain on my arm.
“To block that… you’re strong.”
“…Thank you for the compliment.”
He probably understood my intentions. However, the reason he wasn’t pressing the attack now was likely because he wanted to savor the fight with me.
He looked at me with a sharp smile.
“A brief rest, perhaps. Not bad. Considering your current condition, it must be quite burdensome.”
“I’m well aware.”
“No doubt. Your strength has waned, but your eyes haven’t dimmed. Anyway, you must earn my acknowledgment, and it’s up to me how I’ll recognize you.”
“…True.”
“I want to fight a bit more. You’re definitely aggressive and intense. Most who faced me either trembled or cowered away. None with broken knees stood up again. But… you’re different.”
“That’s only because you’ve weakened.”
“No, it’s a matter of willpower. Even with broken knees, you stood up again, and you threw yourself into the barrage of the greatsword that could tear you apart at any moment. So, I want to see everything about you.”
He said this with a smirk, sounding like he intended to play with me until I fainted.
I felt a cold sweat running down my back.