kscans

Chapter 263 - Rematch with the Sword Demon

A giant figure rose from a cloud of dust. Sidoor the Sword Demon.

…The Minotaur who had utterly crushed me. What came with this long-awaited reunion was fear. Back then, it was the fear of an unknown entity. This time, it was the fear of knowing his strength.

…But I calmly observed my opponent. If I lost my composure here, what was the point of my journey?

Sidoor said, "…It’s been a while. So long that I thought you might have forgotten about me."

He spoke as if greeting an old friend.

To this, I replied, "How could I forget? The fact that I lost to you here, that you let me go. It’s all burned into my memory."

My answer was meant to project confidence.

Sidoor said, "I’m glad to hear it. I’m happy to have made such an impression. …Shall we begin?"

He began to ready his greatsword with a grin.

To this, I said, "…Before that, I have something to ask. A year ago, a Minotaur appeared on the Empire’s border. His name was Danmes, I believe. Was dispatching him your doing?"

Sidoor replied, "…Half right, half wrong. …It’s true I was thinking of a way to make you stronger. No matter how much you train, there’s no guarantee of improvement. That’s when Danmes came to me and said, ‘Let me go.’ In a way, it was convenient. …I chose the border because he could rampage there without causing any major problems."

He answered my question.

I see, so it was to make me stronger. I was grateful, but I wasn't happy that innocent people were sacrificed for it.

Well, choosing the border was a good call. The people there were prepared for the worst. That eased my conscience a little.

I asked, "…Should I be thanking you in this case?"

Sidoor said, "There’s no need. It was something we did on our own. Don’t worry about it. …Now, are we done with the questions?"

He readied his black greatsword.

…I drew my sword in silence. There was nothing left to ask. All that remained was to speak with our blades.

I channeled magic into my sword. The crimson-tinged blade glowed like fire.

…I chanted ‘Thunderclap Incarnation’ and enhanced my body. My preparations were complete.

Sidoor stood perfectly still, as if he had been waiting for me.

…The two of us stared each other down. …In the silence, I was the first to move.

In an instant, I was within Sidoor’s range.

A speed so fast that no ordinary person, not even a seasoned master, could react. The opponent would be finished without being able to do a thing.

However, Sidoor was a being who transcended even that.

…With a confident expression, he blocked my attack with his greatsword. …The two of us were locked in a stalemate. A clash of strength where neither would yield an inch. …At this rate, we’d get nowhere, so I pulled back.

My breathing was steady. So was his, and he showed no surprise. But this was just as I expected.

If it ended this easily, I wouldn’t have gone on a journey.

…Sidoor readied his stance again. And then, in an instant, he vanished.

I was startled, but I quickly calmed down. Panicking here would only get me killed. I focused my attention on my surroundings.

…Just then, I felt a surge of killing intent from my right. I immediately turned and instinctively blocked with my sword. Sidoor brought his greatsword down in an overhead slash. I caught it.

Its immense weight nearly brought me to my knees. …But I held on. If I knelt here, I wouldn’t be able to move.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. Then, I let the greatsword slide off my blade, parrying it. …Using that momentum, I passed by Sidoor’s left side, leveled my sword, and slashed at his flank.

It was a shallow cut that didn’t even draw blood. But I felt a small sense of accomplishment.

Sidoor said, "…Excellent. That was a fine reaction. An ordinary man would have died instantly."

He spoke with delight.

…As expected, he didn’t seem to care about the wound at all.

I said, "…Thanks. Well then, how about this?"

I took a high stance.

"Suuuu… Cheeeeeeeeeeest!"

I charged forward with a roar.

…It was a reckless, straightforward attack. But a war cry is an effective tactic for intimidating an opponent.

However, Sidoor was unfazed. He readied his sword and met my charge.

He swung his greatsword in a wide arc from the right. I brought my own sword down with all my momentum.

…The swords clashed.

They didn’t lock; they repelled each other.

"Aaaahhhhh!"

"Oooohhhhh!"

We continued to swing our swords, shouting at each other.

…A fierce exchange of blows unfolded. …Parrying, deflecting, sparks flew.

An unending barrage of attacks. But even as our breathing grew ragged, neither of us showed any sign of stopping.

If anything, a mutual desire to continue this exchange filled both our minds. …However, it couldn’t last forever.

The impact of a final clash was too strong, and we were both forced back.

My breath was a little ragged as I tried to compose myself. Sidoor wasn’t out of breath, but his expression was one of exhilaration and joy.

Sidoor said, "…I’m thrilled. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this excited, not since I was still young and inexperienced."

His words surprised me.

"…So you had a time like that, too."

Sidoor grinned.

"Of course. No one is strong from the very beginning. Even if you have talent or a unique power, it takes long years of training and unwavering patience to wield it as naturally as breathing. …Without that, there can be no growth. Wouldn’t you agree?"

He had a point.

…Training and patience. They are indispensable and absolute necessities for growth.

But in recent Earth society, that was becoming a thing of the past.

Because of parental influence and corruption. There were plenty of useless people in high positions with no real achievements or the ability to fulfill their duties. An exception would be those who know their own shortcomings, reflect on them, and then carry out their tasks with determination. That alone allows one to move forward.

But even that was disappearing.

I’d gotten sidetracked.

I said, "…Honestly, I’m happy. To meet someone with that mindset… even if you are a monster."

Sidoor said, "Hmph. …I merely stated my own thoughts. I would be troubled if you felt a sense of camaraderie and hesitated to kill me. Forget what I said."

To this, I replied, "…I won’t forget. I’m happy, so I won’t forget. But I won’t hesitate or waver either. …I don’t have that luxury."

I readied my sword.

…Sidoor remained silent, a grin on his face as he took his stance.

Magic radiated from his greatsword. I steadied my breath. It was coming.

As I braced myself, Sidoor declared, "…Absolute Bastard!"

He vanished again.

…But I could feel him. Sidoor was right in front of me. I raised my sword to block an overhead attack.

As the impact hit my sword, Sidoor materialized.

I couldn’t hold my ground, nor could I parry it. Sidoor’s momentum was unstoppable, and I was pushed back.

Then, Sidoor swung with all his might.

I was sent flying. …Like a ball hit by a bat.

I slammed into a large rock behind me. I coughed up blood.