kscans

Chapter 265 - The God-Slayer, Once More

The aurora stretched out like a road.

…From a distance, it might be called a path of light, or even a divine road.

But to be caught in it would mean not even your bones would remain.

The light of the Absolute Excalibur faded, leaving nothing in its wake. The mountaintop was now a semi-circle, as if carved out by a rock drill. Sidoor didn't even glance at the scene; he was looking to his right. There, I sat slumped, gasping for breath.

Thanks to that all-out dodge, I was somehow still in one piece.

…But I was incredibly fatigued. Each of Sidoor’s blows had been powerful, draining my stamina.

I steadied my breathing and stood up.

Sidoor simply watched. It seemed he had waited for me.

…On a battlefield, waiting for an enemy to recover is a suicidal act. But for Sidoor, it meant he had that much leeway. I wasn’t irritated. If anything, I was grateful. Not only in physical ability, but in every other aspect, Sidoor was overwhelmingly superior. It was a miracle I was still alive.

Sidoor said, "…You still haven’t lost your will to fight even after seeing that? …Hmph. You are sufficiently strong in spirit as well."

He readied his greatsword.

Then, he leaped towards me. I threw my sword with all my might.

Sidoor was surprised and knocked it aside with his greatsword.

…Sidoor saw Shinsuke throw his sword and thought for a moment, Has he lost his mind? Has he run out of moves and resorted to desperately throwing his weapon? He felt a flicker of disappointment, but it was hard to believe Shinsuke would do such a thing. If he had lost his will to fight, he would have thrown it and then fled with all his might.

But he wasn't running. In fact, he was taking a stance.

It was then that Sidoor remembered. The other sword that Shinsuke carried.

Throwing the sword seemed to halt Sidoor’s movements for a split second.

Seizing the opportunity, my eyes turned red as I drew my other blade. I manipulated the sparks that flew from the draw with my fire magic, transforming them from red to blue. To show the power of the blue flame. I unleashed an overhead slash to meet the approaching Sidoor.

Sidoor parried with a return stroke. …Sidoor stopped. I held my ground.

There was a fierce stalemate between us, neither giving an inch.

I had released ‘Thunderclap Incarnation’ and activated my ‘Turmoil’ skill. All my physical abilities were pushed to their absolute limits, far beyond what they were a year ago. Even from my perspective, I could see Sidoor was putting all his strength into it. But that, too, would end.

…I was in a perfect stance, while Sidoor was off-balance from the sudden change. The pushing match was decided by this difference.

I put my strength into it and knocked Sidoor’s greatsword aside. I aimed a horizontal slash at his wide-open stomach. But Sidoor immediately leaped backward. It was just a graze and left no wound, but it did leave a slight burn.

Sidoor's forced retreat caused him to lose his balance further and fall on his rear. …Sidoor was stunned. I wore a triumphant expression.

Sidoor quietly stood up.

"…Impressive. To use your own sword as a decoy to restrict my movements. …But what concerns me more is that flame. Why can you use it?"

His voice was filled with curiosity.

I had expected him to curse me for throwing my sword. No, Sidoor wasn't that kind of person. Before being a warrior, he was a monster. He must have faced such tactics countless times. He felt no sense of dishonor. But I could sense something else from Sidoor—a question.

I replied, "…This flame is commonly used in my homeland. I just happen to know about it. But there’s nowhere that can maintain this level of output. At best, they can only sustain a flame the size of a candle’s."

I gave a slightly dishonest answer as I looked at the blue flame.

On Earth, it's used in gas stoves, so I see it often. However, it’s difficult to extend it or maintain it to this degree. Even with a gas burner, you can only extend it about the length of a forefinger. To increase the temperature, you have to concentrate it. …Considering that, I realized once again that I was doing something incredible.

But I used a candle as an example because explaining gas stoves and burners would be a pain.

Sidoor said, "…I see. I’m surprised by that level of technology. As expected of an Otherworlder, I suppose."

To this, I replied, "…Danmes said the same thing. How do you know? …I’d like to ask, but I suppose you have no intention of answering."

As I took a high stance, Sidoor said, "You’re right. And we’re out of time."

He took a similar stance.

Indeed, now that I’ve activated ‘Turmoil,’ time is ticking away. Questions could wait until after.

I steadied my breath.

"…Cheeeeeeeeeeeeest!"

I ran, shouting.

Sidoor channeled his magic.

"…Absolute Bastard!"

He ran as well, shouting in unison.

…The two clashed. A fierce battle began.

A battlefield ringing with the sound of metal. A life-or-death struggle at a speed of three swings per second. …It was impossible for an ordinary person to follow with their eyes.

As I parried and countered, a thought crossed my mind.

Honestly, I expected to be sent flying. I knew firsthand the power of one of Sidoor’s ultimate techniques. But I wasn’t intimidated. I felt that with ‘Turmoil,’ I could withstand it. But not only did I withstand it, I blocked it multiple times without feeling a thing.

Did that mean the enhancement from ‘Turmoil’ was that much greater? If so, I could do this. I could fight Sidoor on equal terms. …I grinned.

Sidoor was wary of the blue flame.

A flame that incinerates all. He understood its power well. That’s why he had unleashed ‘Absolute Bastard’—to counter the flame. He also felt that the current Shinsuke could withstand the blow. His hunch was correct. Shinsuke blocked the first strike, then parried and countered from there.

…The skill he used back then has become even more powerful. …He was thrilled. Exhilarated. This was truly the first time a human had pushed him this far. In this moment, Sidoor was grateful. Grateful to fate for giving him such an opportunity. …Sidoor grinned.

A sword fight with both combatants laughing. A situation where one wrong move means certain death. Neither felt any fear. They were dominated solely by the emotion of joy. To call it high morale would be an understatement. A madness that made one think so was spreading.

After several dozen clashes, the two separated.

My breathing was quite ragged, and it was all I could do to steady it. …On the other hand, Sidoor was also out of breath, but his breathing was less ragged, like someone who had just surfaced from a dive.

I took a deep breath and readied my stance. The blue flame flared even more intensely. Sidoor took a similar stance, his blade shining.

A blow that neither would be ashamed of.

I was the first to move.

"…True Inferno, Kagutsuchi!"

I unleashed the god-slaying technique.

Sidoor also ran with great force.

"…Absolute Excalibur!"

He unleashed a flash of brilliance. The mystical techniques of East and West clashed.