The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 255: The Technique of Combat (4)

Chapter 255: The Technique of Combat (4)

“…An‌ angel?”

Fermush murmured briefly, her⁠ neck tilted back,‍⁠‍ completely still. Even‍‍ as she remained⁠‌ there, stunned, the‌ number of shadows‌ rising like whirlwinds‍ within the clouds‌‍ kept increasing.

Dozens,‍ hundreds, thousands. Soon‌‌‌ they were beyond‍ counting. The figures,‍ white as snow,‌‍ descended close to‍⁠ the ground.

The‌⁠‍ angels’ feet hovered⁠‌ slightly, a few‍‌ centimeters above the‍ ground. They were‌ not bound by‍ gravity.

Flap.‌

The‌⁠ angels folded their‌ ivory-colored wings as⁠ if curling inward, and then extended⁠⁠ them. Feathers scattered.⁠⁠ White and light,‌‌ they fluttered like⁠ snowflakes.

One‍ of them landed⁠‍ softly on the bridge of Fermush’s nose. Even then,‌‍ she stared blankly.⁠ Her laughter had‍‍⁠ long since ceased,‍⁠ and her face‌‍ was now painted⁠‍‌ with sheer astonishment—white‌ as the feather on her nose.‍⁠‍

Amid‍ it all, footsteps‌ were heard approaching.⁠ With each step,⁠⁠⁠ the world, once‌‍ turned upside down,‍‍ slowly began to‍‍‍ stabilize, restoring its‍‌ natural order. The⁠ earth and sky,⁠ the sun—everything returned⁠‍ to its rightful place.

Step.‍

The‌‍ clouds, punctured like‍ a sieve, timidly‍ dissipated, revealing their‌ interior. The original‍‌‌ colors. A violet‍‌ sunset. The moment⁠ of purple light‍ jaha.

Step.‌‍

The‍ angels, sashimi knives⁠ in both hands,⁠ parted to the‌ left and right.‍ That corridor, like‍ a snowy avenue,‌‍‍ was walked through⁠‍ by Kang Geom-Ma,‍ striding forward with‍‍ unwavering steps.

Black‍‍‍ and white. Opposing⁠ colors that pushed⁠⁠ all sense of‌‍⁠ reality far away.‍ The pure white⁠ backdrop created an‌⁠ illusion that made‌ his dark figure⁠‌‌ stand out even‌ more.

Fermush’s⁠ pale face twitched⁠ as she brushed‍ off the feather.‍ Then she bared‌ her teeth in‌ fury.

“…So⁠‍⁠ it’s you. The human who killed‍ Agor and Vesna.‌⁠ The one they‌‍ call the spiritual‍ successor of Balor⁠ Joaquin, that arrogant‌‍ bastard. And also…”⁠‌

Fermush,⁠⁠ her expression completely‍ twisted, screamed.

“The⁠‌ damned insect who monopolizes lord Kuarne’s‌ attention.”

“……”‌⁠‍

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma looked on⁠ with those black eyes at the⁠ hell Fermush had⁠ created. The heroes had died. And‍‍ horribly. Burst, crushed,⁠‍‌ trampled. It was‌⁠ rare to find‌‌ an intact body.‌⁠⁠

Crunch.⁠

His teeth clenched on‌‍‌ their own.

If‌‍ he’d been ready⁠ just a bit‌ earlier… would fewer‍ have died? That‍‌ thought crossed his mind for only‍‌ a second. He‌⁠ shook his head,‌‍ black hair swaying.‍

This⁠ was the best. It wasn’t self-justification. After weighing all‍‌ options and analyzing‌‌‍ the data, this‌ was the only⁠ way to ensure‍‍‌ the greatest number‍‌ of survivors.

But.⁠‍

Even‍⁠ if logic and‍‌ reason were on‍ his side…

The⁠ fact that so many lives had‌⁠⁠ been lost remained‍⁠‍ unchanged.

“Fermush.”⁠

I am a swordsman.⁠‍‌

“I‍ will cut you‍⁠‌ down.”

Therefore,⁠⁠ with my sword,‍‍ I will honor‍‌ their souls.

“Not leaving even a single piece of‍‍ flesh behind.”

***‍⁠

Beep—⁠⁠‍

[The‌ humanity level has‍ increased drastically.]

[The‍ user’s level is‌‌⁠ still slightly low⁠ for the program⁠ to function perfectly.]‍

[The‌‌ world line’s level‌ is still slightly⁠ low for the‌ program to function⁠ perfectly.]

[However,⁠‌‌ by using the humanity level as⁠‌ a catalyst, partial‍ temporary use of⁠ the divine level‌‌ is possible.]

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《Oh,⁠‍‌ Omnipotent One who‍‍ has become a youth.》

《Be‍‌ liberated.》

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***‌‌

The⁠ Swordmaster barely managed‍ to place his‌⁠ feet on the‍ ground, and the moment he felt‍‍ the earth beneath⁠⁠ his soles, he⁠ looked up. Across⁠‍⁠ the long horizon,‍⁠ he saw Kang⁠⁠ Geom-Ma surrounded by‍‍ a host of‍ angels. The Swordmaster‌ rubbed his eyes‍ and looked again‍ in that direction.⁠

“It’s‌ just like that‌‌ time with Agor.”

No,⁠⁠ maybe this time‍ was a little‍‌ different. The Swordmaster⁠‍‌ was in an‌‍‍ Awakened state.

His‌ perspective had risen‌‌ along with his‍⁠ level, and now,‍ more than ever,‌‌ he felt an‍ inevitable chill.

Because‌ now, even if just a little,‌ he could comprehend what had previously⁠ been beyond understanding—how‍‌ disconnected from reality⁠ Kang Geom-Ma truly was.

‘What‌⁠ dwells inside Kang⁠⁠ Geom-Ma is not⁠‍ a god.’

He was convinced of‍‌‍ it.

‘It’s‌ something beyond the⁠ Divine level.’

He⁠‍ couldn’t find words⁠‍‍ to describe it.⁠‍ A being superior⁠ to a god.‍ A notion so⁠ irreverent that he‍ didn’t even dare‍ to dwell on⁠ it. But it‌‌ undeniably existed.

His‌ reality, seen through‌‍ the eyes of‌ the Awakened, was‍‌ the clearest proof.‍‌

At⁠ that moment, Changseong‍⁠‌ nimbly climbed the‌ giant’s arm like‍ a monkey. Ever‌ since Kang Geom-Ma‍ had manifested that⁠⁠ inconceivable power, the⁠ giant had stopped⁠‍ moving entirely.

As‍‌ if someone had unplugged its energy. Whether it was‌ due to Fermush’s‌⁠‌ shock or Kang‌ Geom-Ma’s presence, they⁠ didn’t know.

Either‌‌ way, it gave‌ the heroes a brief respite, and‌ Changseong had made‌⁠⁠ it just in‍‌ time.

“Nibelung!”‌

He‍ rushed forward, shouting.⁠⁠ The Swordmaster, who was kneeling, waved⁠ his hand to⁠‍‌ show he was‍ okay. Then, with⁠‌ the same hand,‌ he silently pointed‍‌ toward something.

Changseong‍⁠‍ followed the direction‍‍ of his finger.‍⁠ He blinked several‌ times, rubbed his‍‍ eyes like the‌ Swordmaster had earlier,‌‍‌ and widened them. The rubbing had⁠‌‍ reddened the skin‍‌ around his eyes.‍‌‍

“…What‌ the hell is‌ that?”

“The‌‌ white ones are‍ angels. The little‌ one is Fermush.”‍‌

“That’s‌‍ not what I meant!”

He‍ knew about the angels because Kang‍ Geom-Ma had mentioned‍‌ them the day‌ before. And that⁠⁠ Fermush had the⁠‍ body of a child was unexpected,⁠ yes. But that⁠ wasn’t what drew‍⁠ attention.

It‍ was that overwhelming‍‌ presence that seemed‌⁠ to erase everything⁠⁠⁠ around it. Kang⁠ Geom-Ma, as if‌‌ he were the⁠‌ very center of‌‍ gravity, drew in‌‌ the surroundings and⁠‌ every gaze.

The‌⁠ space bent under‍ the pressure of⁠‍ his existence, and‍‍‌ the ground beneath⁠‌⁠ his feet rippled‌ softly.

They⁠ couldn’t even see‌ his full form.‍⁠ Only a human‌‌‌ silhouette outlined in⁠⁠‍ light, as though wrapped in a radiant cloak of white.

“Can’t⁠ you see it,⁠ Mura?”

“No. That’s why I’m⁠‍ asking. What is‌‍⁠ that?”

Changseong‌‌ was bewildered. Unlike⁠ the Swordmaster, he‍ was not Awakened.

“What⁠‍ else could it⁠‌ be? That’s Kang‍⁠ Geom-Ma.”

The‌‌ Swordmaster replied, getting⁠‍ to his feet‌ shakily. The backlash‍‌‌ from Awakening had‍ left his body‍‍ in tatters. Though⁠ moving was hard,‌ they had to‌ get away quickly.‍‌

“We‍‍ have to go.⁠ If we stay⁠ close, our heads‍ will blow off.”‌

“…Funny,‍ I said the‍ same thing to‌‌ my subordinates just‌ a while ago.”‌

“What‌ are y—?”

Just‌ as he was‍⁠‌ about to reply,‍ the angels broke‌‍ formation and soared into the sky.⁠‌‍

Hovering⁠ in the air,⁠‌‍ they launched themselves‌ at the remaining⁠ golems.

Even‌‌‌ the giant, disconnected⁠ from power, was⁠⁠⁠ torn apart, its‌ arms severed by‌ the sashimi knives⁠ of the angels.‌‌

“So‌ it wasn’t just⁠ about throwing sashimis‍ as a preemptive‍⁠ strike, but giving‌‍‍ those weapons to‍ them.”

Changseong‍‌ commented, watching the‌ scene.

“He⁠ didn’t just see‍ the present, but⁠ also what was‍⁠ coming. Sure, the⁠‍ cost was enormous,⁠‍ but by holding‍ back his trump‌ card until the‍ end, he avoided‌‍ even greater damage.⁠‍ Right now, the one suffering the‍ most emotionally is‍ Kang Geom-Ma. That’s⁠ why he has that expression.”

While⁠⁠‌ helping the Swordmaster,⁠‌ Changseong tilted his‍ head.

“And‌ you, as an⁠ Awakened, can see‌‌ his expression?”

“Not‍⁠⁠ clearly. But I can feel he’s‌ furious. My whole⁠‌ body’s trembling.”

“Mine‍ too… In any‌ case, it seems‍‌ the plan worked.‌⁠ What Kang Geom-Ma‍‍ said, ‘he’s an‍ earth-affinity enemy, so‍ we need an⁠‍⁠ aerial unit to‍‌ intercept,’ was spot‌ on.”

“Yeah.‌ And those angels⁠‌ modified by the⁠ President of the‍ Association are incredibly fast and strong.”‍

Changseong nodded.

The‍ angels flew at astonishing speeds, scattering⁠ feathers as they⁠ moved. Just flapping their wings created⁠‌ shockwaves. It seemed like the absolute‍‍ limit of what‍ a living being‌ could achieve.

But‌ when Kang Geom-Ma⁠⁠ took a step,‌ that limit was‍⁠‍ instantly surpassed.

Then‍ they saw it—a⁠ speed so extraordinary⁠‍ it bordered on⁠ mystical. Or rather,⁠‍ they felt it⁠‌ from behind.

Whoosh.⁠‍‍

A gust of wind‌‍ slammed into the‌‍ two of them‍ as they retreated.⁠ They nearly fell,‍‍ but Changseong managed‌‌⁠ to stay on‌‍ his feet.

Instinctively,⁠ they turned around.‌ A flash of⁠⁠ light burst forth.‍ A crimson slash‌‍ tore through space and then slowly⁠‍⁠ closed.

Their⁠ lips dried instantly. That wasn’t something‍⁠‌ human eyes could track. Kang Geom-Ma’s⁠‌ movement was pure⁠‍‍ disappearance. All he‌⁠⁠ left behind was⁠⁠ a crescent-shaped crater.

The⁠‌ slashes raining down‌‍‌ on Fermush even‌ melted the air.‌‌

———!⁠‍

A second wave hit them. This time‌⁠ it was a white buzz that burst their eardrums.⁠⁠ Blood trickled from‌‍ their ears.

Fermush’s⁠ ten fingers floated⁠‍ in the air.‍ Her pink stumps‌ dripped blue blood.⁠‌

Fermush‍‌ looked at her‌ empty palms as‍ if she couldn’t comprehend what had‌ happened.

When‌ had she lost⁠⁠ them? Even before asking the question,‍ the cuts were⁠ already there on‍ both wrists.

All‌‍‌ that remained were‌‍ streams of blood‍ where her hands‌ used to be.⁠

Fermush,⁠ struck twice without‌ being able to react, lost focus‍⁠ in her eyes.⁠ Her brain finally grasped the severity‍‍ of the situation.‌‍ She twisted her‍ lips.

“No,⁠‌ no it can’t‌ be…”

But‍ she couldn’t finish‌ the thought. Kang‍⁠‍ Geom-Ma appeared before‍⁠ her and swung⁠‌‌ his sashimi blade⁠ in a sweeping⁠ arc. The blade⁠ traced a fan⁠⁠‌ of light and⁠‍ grazed her forearm.‌‍

She felt a searing‌⁠‌ burn. She had‌ no time to scream. She swallowed⁠‍ the pain with⁠‍ her whole body⁠⁠ and tried to‍‌‍ cast a spell.‍ At least raise a barrier and‍ counterattack…

But‍‍ only breath escaped‍ her lips.

“The‍‌ magic… it won’t‌‌‌ concentrate…”

Only‌‍ by reviewing the⁠‌ milliseconds could she‍ understand why.

「Earthshift」,‌⁠ 「Thousand-Hand Death Strike」,‌‌ 「Mantra」

She‍ had used all her most powerful‌‌ spells. In short,‍⁠⁠ she had spent⁠ too much magic.‌‌

‘Even‍‌‍ so, it makes‍⁠ no sense.’

They‍‌ were near Gehenna,⁠‌‌ a place rich in magical energy.‌ Not infinite, but nearly. How could⁠‌‌ she have run‍ out of magic?‌‌ Worse yet, she‍ had drained her‍‌‌ internal reserves and now couldn’t absorb⁠ more.

‘Don’t⁠ tell me…’

Fermush‌‌ felt her mind‌ go hazy. She scanned the surroundings.‌

The‌‍⁠ flow of mana‌ was flickering as‍ if boiling. She⁠ had thought the‌ magical bombardment had‍⁠ been chaotic, but⁠‌‍ in fact, it‌⁠ was to block‌‍ the magical flow.⁠

He‍‌ had waited patiently⁠⁠ until her internal⁠ reserves were spent.‌‍‍

‘He⁠ didn’t retreat just‌⁠⁠ to summon those⁠‍ angels!’

The‍⁠‌ battle had been⁠ lost before it even began.

— The way to‍‍ win a fight.‍‍‍ The second and‌ most important wait.⁠ Wait and wait‍ until the enemy‍ thinks they’ve already⁠‌‍ won. Even if⁠⁠ they hit you,‌ look them in‌‌ the eyes and wait for your‌‌ moment.

One‌ of the longest‍‍ lessons from his‌‍ old restaurant master.‍⁠

— And when they‍⁠ make that victory‍ face… bam, stab‍⁠ them with a knife! Or a punch. It’s called⁠ a counterattack.

He always said it‍‍ with a smile.⁠

— You’ve got a shit attitude, but‍‌⁠ you’re stubborn. Don’t‌‍ live just taking⁠ hits. If the enemy’s strong, carve‌⁠‌ your madness into‍‍ them. That way,‌ they won’t dare‍⁠⁠ come back.

His‌‍ master’s face flashed⁠ in his mind,‍⁠ ruffling his hair‍‌ with one hand.⁠‌

— I’ll cover the damage.

A faint smile formed‌‍⁠ on Kang Geom-Ma’s lips.

Slash.

The‍‌‍ sashimi knife sliced‍‍ her shin. Fermush,⁠‍ already small, had‍‌ just closed off⁠‌‌ her growth plate.‍‍ Elbow, shoulder, legs, hip—excluding the vital⁠ points, she was‌‍ struck with surgical⁠ cuts all over⁠ her body.

Just‌ as he had⁠⁠ promised, Kang Geom-Ma‍‌ was carving her‍‌⁠ flesh away.

He‌‌ was the best‌⁠ blade man in‌ the nation. He⁠ didn’t just know fish anatomy, but‍‍⁠ human as well.⁠

He‍‍ knew exactly how‌‌ to make it⁠‌⁠ hurt.

Crunch.⁠‌

Suddenly,‌⁠‌ Kang Geom-Ma grabbed⁠⁠‌ her by the neck and lifted‌‍ her into the⁠⁠ air.

With‍⁠ her limbs severed,‌‍ Fermush was completely incapacitated. She couldn’t‌‌ even twitch.

Kang‌ Geom-Ma stared directly‌ at her.

Fermush’s‍⁠ eyelids quivered.

Then⁠ he spoke. His⁠ bloodshot red eyes‍‌ pierced her.

“Fermush.”⁠

He⁠‍ deactivated the [Blessing of Insensitivity to Pain].

“All‍‍ the pain I feel.”