Chapter 254: The Technique of Combat (3)
VUZBFermush opened her lips, and at the same time, the giant unleashed a rain of punches. In that winter under a pale gray sky, the blows pounded the earth like a monsoon downpour.IFSWH7
w9BZThe giant mercilessly tore through sky and land. With a serene face, it stripped away life.71X
hsGqvVw“Top! Move in!”UeVem
B8UYK6Amid the apocalypse, a high-ranking official from the Association shouted. His desperate voice echoed inside his helmet.VF2b
EXLDAt the signal, the heroes with visors activated their blessings and raised their shields, forming a turtle-shaped wall. It was the testudo formation, in the style of ancient Rome.8Njjko3
5qG“Mid and Jungle, inside!”Wjn3vp
NxDC85rThose from “Mid” and “Jungle” quickly took shelter within the formation, while “Bottom” tried to keep their distance. But not everyone could escape.RTKe
LtVkoZ2The stone giant had about two thousand hands fanned out behind it. The punches fell with such speed that the silhouettes were barely visible.EhNk99
XSRSpeed multiplied by weight. Is there a need to explain the destructive power? A single blow came down like a meteorite, with enough force to crush the dome of shields raised by dozens of heroes.HJ6
F446wA3“Shittt!”Wh2oL
YjKDtThe heroes gritted their teeth to endure.Bk9VHs
FJ28NABang!9hOvFJ
0A1UBaDThey couldn’t withstand the giant’s hammering, and the formation collapsed along with the shields. Bathed in the blood of their comrades, the survivors barely held their weapons. There was no time to grieve; the next strike could be theirs.kE7u
ewoqj“Aaaaahhhhh!”uZnz
SQvQjHuThrough the cloud of dust, screams stretched on. The giant’s fists fell indiscriminately, crushing heroes like ants. The ground flattened under the force. Human parts flew in all directions. Pools of blood formed in the crevices.TfjuR
MKLMa0oFrom above, on the giant’s head, Fermush observed everything with her arms crossed, unperturbed.H7gRV83
OHOT9“This is how you should be, humans. Crawling like worms, bursting with a mere gesture from us demons. You are scum. Learn your place.”iDUK
foXFermush gave a twisted smile that didn’t match that of a child.p6b4L
Nbkq“No one will survive. At least in the next world, you’ll know your place. There’s some charm in that too.”kVE
OShja2sIt wasn’t that Fermush harbored personal hatred toward humans. What sense was there in having emotions toward insects? That’s how Corps Commanders were.e8Sb1iJ
xxWqWuRTheir perspective was different.pGL
jU9N1They didn’t see humans as equals. Not because they “didn’t want to,” but because they “couldn’t.”84QjFT
XVQNThe same happens among humans—those with power cannot understand the lives of those on the margins.brEjS
Psvnq“Now then.”afAY
7Kixp4Fermush scanned the battlefield with her gaze. It was all chaos, but that old swordsman had disappeared.CIy
XyT0‘That one’s an Awakened.’4kNlPqz
oKapHe couldn’t have died from that. She knew it better than anyone; she had faced him centuries ago.jijU
cVTWw3O‘And more importantly…’U48saO
WYRCi1XKang Geom-Ma.XdQqqP
gmIThat boy still lingered in her mind. He wasn’t visible anywhere. Even the number of floating knives in the sky had decreased.G4FAQ
74fFermush moved her eyes back and forth. She didn’t lower her guard by nature, and that’s why Lord Kuarne had granted her access to the battlefield.rUGv
ucXvrVOtherwise, she wouldn’t have opened the portal at such risk.d1J3nb
4AHIO“I’m Lord Kuarne’s favorite.”gCldm
7Vzup7That’s why she couldn’t fail him.WiZbc
Pj8t‘I’ll eliminate every insect that could get in his way.’Y5f
M5AiAnd above all, she would kill Kang Geom-Ma amid the flames of punishment. She wanted her brother’s attention solely for herself.bjpaq
pOSH7ZsSwoosh!qtx9I
k5sMAn ambush fell suddenly. Fermush tilted her head to dodge. A sashimi knife landed at her feet.1MaR2R
1HDvIWhen she turned her gaze, she saw the Swordmaster gliding on his own blade, hurling himself toward her. In midair, he recovered the sashimi knife and threw it like a dagger.t15
zFfbsFor a moment, Fermush was startled by the ambush. Just for a moment. Then her face twisted with rage.RFmP
LqM5EqO“You think you can fly and are above everyone else?”mpX8
n3gQVETShe snapped her fingers. The giant redirected its fist upward.YhBlz
kvHjKd“Even with wings, you’re still an insect.”7HrcJB
B0BtThe heavy fists swept the sky as if beating the clouds. The torrent of attacks filled the Swordmaster’s field of vision. If he tried to block every blow, he would be crushed like a fly.PlwU
mnQt‘I’ll dodge.’WgAc0TI
CIJzDodge them all and get closer. He lowered his body and gripped the hilt of his sword with one hand. Like a surfer riding the waves. His blade drew a smooth line, exploiting the gaps between the fists.ZGA6
Mfy7iQUThe better he dodged, the more momentum he gained. It was like letting himself be carried by the current.5raYP
sI0mDaWith his white hair blowing in the wind, the Swordmaster advanced. His teeth bit down on his lip.pdoL
5pcL7rp‘Damn it.’e3OCe7
3ImHe had to ignore the hell unfolding on the ground. He kept his eyes forward as if tied there. He couldn’t let the sacrifice of so many be in vain. At least not until Kang Geom-Ma was ready.LMG
PA5M‘If I can at least land a small wound.’U8309x
JewHe had already closed the distance. He threw the sashimi knife with precision. It was then he understood why Kang Geom-Ma insisted so much on that kitchen knife.wuxTOw
3iTa2A sashimi knife bought for 3,000 won at Daiso. More useful and of better quality than expected. Simply very cost-efficient.sW9U5en
KZxiFwooosh!NAbaH
c0ZFrFermush fired a barrage of stones like a machine gun, clashing midair with the sashimi knives. Scowling, she growled.ETL
D2Hzj“Damn insect.”Rlxski
OZ2uyThe Swordmaster finally deflected the entire offensive. Upon landing, he launched himself forward, pushing off with his back foot on the statue’s head. A fast, precise slash.gF7LI
QRfw“Very well.”8lUu
hDr0XFermush extended her palm and scattered stones across the ground. Her shoulders dropped, then she clenched her fists.f4P
dU1“If you’re so eager for hand-to-hand combat, then let’s play your way.”MVEBQ
HSudCStone fragments wrapped around her forearms. In an instant, gauntlets formed. She planted a firm step to propel herself.QWcTZDK
PJMjThe Swordmaster also jumped at the same time, and both bodies collided at the center.tWuVk
CBKdmoUBang!qFX
1iJG8tIt happened in the blink of an eye. They exchanged countless blows amid sparks and booms, again and again atop the giant’s head.8H7JYn
Vo7kAs he faced Fermush directly, the Swordmaster was surprised inside. The martial skill of one who had only thrown stones before was formidable, and he surprised himself for being able to endure face-to-face against a Corps Commander.XYbrKM
a8y4YJBut it wasn’t a favorable scenario.fWEYxbC
WyxJ‘Not much time left.’RSdhnmG
3WeZskThe power of Awakening consumes. In exchange for great strength, life is sacrificed.ByX
UfRw7zPThe Swordmaster suppressed his anxiety and wielded his sword calmly. Thump—he deflected a punch with the sword’s spine. Whoosh—he turned the blade, relentlessly aiming for vital points.zReQNVg
VBDysm3He didn’t defend. He only attacked. The best defense is a good offense. The foundation of all combat.5IPI3Q
dLUThe battle began to tilt in his favor. Fermush might have been toying with him, but no one could surpass him in close combat. And besides, his Awakening gave him the upper hand.Syo
vVuKLm3His movements were lighter than at his peak, his blade ever sharper, and his golden eyes discerned patterns in the enemy’s moves, creating openings.dLj8
leImRizFinally, Fermush’s rear foot tripped on her own ankle. The sword’s skillful guidance had entangled her fists and legs.51ZS
T4lU7The Swordmaster didn’t miss the opportunity. He shouted furiously.iX9Lxw
JOfkP“Fermush, you damn brat with no blood in that head of yours!”xGT
03lBbHe concentrated his white aura into the blade and slashed diagonally from lower right to upper left.lWRMf
yC9Whoosh! Boom!dN1
Tm446z7Fermush, hit head-on, crashed against the ornament atop the giant’s head. The Swordmaster caught his breath and stared at her.gTSdz2
aADShe looked like a painting carved into stone. Her drooping head hid her eyes, but her mouth was visible. She was smiling.zoj3
fIll29“Hehehe.”l5qkAN
40pHer laugh was sinister. She twisted and stepped out from the wall, calmly dusting off her skirt.k14bhf
5KL“I admit it. For a moment, you reached the level of the Swordmaster.”3esLXAs
HTunMThe Swordmaster frowned at the unexpected praise. His clothes were torn, and his cheek was bleeding with deep cuts. But her smile reflected a twisted pleasure.V6YOln
0fh2jFermush stared at him. Her eyes still lifeless.wWcqqpX
iUB2“But it’s a shame. If you were younger, you would have surpassed your predecessor.”l8Qj
jYOSuddenly, she raised three fingers.C4WiCB
vWlr“There are three reasons why you’ll die today. First, because you’re facing someone who has already fought Awakened ones. Second, because you ran into me today.”4gs
SDE5JtShe folded one finger after another.vigvz
ol4“Third, because you found me.”rd78l
of4JD“You’ve got a real talent for spouting nonsense with flair.”IQ0V8
QVaxDespite the mockery, Fermush let out a giggle.0KjeKzr
eiRbmto“Your mouth is just as filthy as your predecessor’s. Aaron Nibelung also had a sharp tongue, though her face was far too beautiful for it. She was an interesting woman.”cltDKC
Txt5ZHer dull eyes wandered through memories from centuries past. She closed her eyes, then opened them again.UxEzXxY
6Ute“Tell me where that black-haired bastard is. If you do, I’ll honor you by crushing your head in one blow.”ull
CPbH“Do you really think I’d tell you?”qEsv6
1rfL78“No.”g5wCEe
HeWNtFermush shook her head.54i0P
85MW2“I just said it for the hell of it.”T2HB
wysl50Then, she curled all ten fingers like an eagle’s claws and slashed them through the air.ksZCE
JDHI54The Swordmaster’s eyes widened in horror. Space rippled at each of her knuckle joints, as though she were tearing reality apart.P3ukZ
JEVY“Do you know the best way to get rid of insects in a sack of rice?”kce
8vvXip“……!”9wEdj2
Iz5Fermush smiled from one corner of her lips.Tmqyyk
7sdDh“Flip the entire sack.”EOypZcj
pQUAnd with her ten fingers, she tore through the air, as if drawing back an invisible curtain.MyYksk
NkQ「Mantra (मन्त्र)」FupJtt
7z1G◑
○
卍
●
◐0cxwKd
6EEfVThe earth tilted. The vast sky overturned. The horizon swallowed the sun and spat it back out.ZaF
ltBIEaThere was no deafening crash. It simply mocked the very logic that feet should remain on the ground.fvFT
dT5Those on the ground were hurled into the sky. Those suspended were slammed down to earth.oB9
EVpA64And in that inverted world, the only one still standing upright was a demon in the form of a little girl.HFyJM
jTuz3e“Hahaha!”aFTZ
f5khl5KFermush looked up and laughed maniacally. Her lifeless eyes reflected the sky—or perhaps the ground—who could tell?Q4OKKhb
Um0ezf“…Ah, ah.”Av13R
DyqThe Swordmaster barely managed to drive his sword into the earth, hanging from the hilt.3N4OzuO
v6onUUntil that moment, he had fought against despair. He believed that no matter how powerful the enemy, he could always face them with his sword.OnknI1
RxxQvdyBut now, that conviction shattered along with the sky.mSN
Tmhi1ON‘Who could possibly stop a demon who mocks the laws of the world?’xxmy6
970rhHopelessness consumed him. If he let go of the hilt, he would be swept into that gray cloud. He kept glancing between his sword and the abyss below.BtIzlIM
46cw“……!”1pPe
7qbOAt that moment, winged figures were approaching at great speed, with sashimi knives in both hands. From the ground, from the clouds, from the sky…imNo3M
Q4FsG“What… is that?”00O
4sYxFinally, Fermush’s confident expression faltered. For the first time since the battle began, discomfort appeared on her face.lFV9HAe
9MjiBStep.ikju
ilRUFubFootsteps echoed. No one could tell if they came from the sky or the ground.55T
1ZOyStep.m47g
2cEBut everyone knew whose steps they were.Wxl
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaFINALLY THE AURA FARMER IS HERE TO SHOW THIS BITCH WHO IS REAL INSECT.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaAURA FARMER IS HERE.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaWhat they are using hindi scripture.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaLook who’s taking the scum is calling someone else scum.
Santiago. Bernal
MortalVamos mi gallo tu puedes
Sergey Kononov
MortalKILLEM