Chapter 288: Decisive Battle (4)
Mfc8dY4Leon stared straight ahead, gripping Balmung tightly. Hair black as spilled ink, eyes just as dark.084vs
ANnpjHe was like a curtain of shadow, hiding the faintest glimpse of what lay behind.sA3
uUDLKang Geom-Ma, you and I were destined for this.’NNU
omg2MjOThe first time he met Kang Geom-Ma was when they were placed in the same group for the midterm exams during the first semester.ZiWt7
9DbO5aAfter spending time with him, Leon knew.hAW
DYn3‘The entity that resides within Kang Geom-Ma.’rAmsySi
s4OIt was, inevitably, the being Leon had to face.XRbQk
oVYAnd at the same time, it was an abomination so immense it could erase all existence.x8Q
0f4OIt was neither good nor evil. If it had to be described in words, it was a phenomenon born from taking technique to its limit.r7b7
GD8FRfIt was the pinnacle of the sword. Assigning values like good or evil to that idea was meaningless.4T7k
wPQQy‘Just a year ago, he didn’t seem aware of it yet.’C5ekE
dT22LBut for a growing teenager, a year was a long time.WPm
BdYXqIn that time, Kang Geom-Ma had neared the divine.2Enl
WVULeon had also grown tremendously, yet he still couldn’t compare.6Yi
4QAIn fact, it felt like he’d fallen behind.G2gfv
LfnAnd the worst part was that Kang Geom-Ma, even in that very moment, was still knocking on the door of something beyond.UBjt
WJT‘Just one step more.’Lv79ef
ZV0gtJust one step away from truly reaching divinity. Could he really get there?n8l
WzfbLeon didn’t know. Even for him, the Hero, that was a realm shrouded in mystery.SaGld
H1alHaDeep down, Leon hoped he would reach it.P6PS
AXhmfBecause only then would everything he had done make sense.JjID
gq8zTBecause only then could he avenge his father, Metatron.QZxL
s1dWBecause only then could he be free.Qzh44s
IVBrHeo‘That’s why I’m willing to do anything, accept any sacrifice.’jVjlgk
JQg032As part of that resolve, he killed Kojima, the Absolute Archer.3EhFoq5
g3OnBR‘It had to be done.’KVCUp
GSCehThe bitterness in his mouth numbed his tongue.Y2sdJH
bSTdZe‘Kojima deserved to die.’w4Ri94J
wwKWNEven as he said it, he knew it was a flimsy excuse.MHB8ww
rNiSFlwIn his final moment, Kojima had put others before himself.xNFP
p2mCjrHe, who had always acted only for his own benefit.M5RBRrv
LL8NW3In truth, Leon hadn’t only targeted Kojima. His attack was clearly indiscriminate.zpZmv
7g8‘There’s no turning back now.’ZErL
LUfqLHe could only look forward. Looking back meant death.Sk1RuvF
DWmwuEgThat was what it meant to face the Demon King.EV43a
Yyk7‘…At this point, I don’t even know who the hero is and who the demon king is anymore.’g66
1rcThe line had been crossed. There was no return.Mjry8XX
5SyRdTThat’s why he had to let go of any lingering remorse.Y6CFe
loZH3With everything he had. In the literal sense, launching himself to kill.dkK4feb
aHV1w‘I’ll compensate for the difference in power, no matter the means or method.’1lCYfz
YWlULeon condensed air beneath his boots.Frm8
OF3wKuarne’s magic. A Hero had made a pact with a Corps Commander.kPu
LTV2aIvA total contradiction.io9OS
HQc5IXBut he’d already said it—he was willing to do anything for his goal.GWjIK
BbUdHEven give up his own identity.R56UlN
Pz2eYBOOM!D3VO
UbBcXHis step caused a blast.1tUaw
Y36RAn explosive leap. A trajectory as straight as one drawn with a ruler.K6G
OLWNo maneuvers, just direct attack. That was what made it powerful.stu1
XzGUK9IThe sashimi moved.Zdl4kv
llUA nearly imperceptible gesture that would have gone unnoticed without focus.S5Us39
d4kglDLeon twisted his body back instantly.KUKvF
b6OHe bore all his weight with his knees and the backs of his legs.sSpiYej
iTevdSlash↔niF
BESA sword slash grazed his nose.xHGUMf
bElA lock of his bangs was cut, disintegrated in midair, and scattered into particles.0BFolyr
F7WE4Leon spun fully around.yuE8eNl
lUkPN9Before he could even roll on the ground, Kang Geom-Ma’s shoulder was already moving again.ktHAic
X6LglwYSlash↓sVkc
Y3xa4A downward slash.sR40g
XVAThe mark on the ground easily spanned over 100 meters.ZTGI
QPaIThe corpses of demons blocking the path were shredded in all directions.hu0y
THeRJust barely—2rdnU
fjE2qTXLeon slid across the ground, scraping with his fingers.7Ki5DTw
6j0He lost two fingernails and felt a searing pain at the tips.Iu5G1kl
ZMOz‘But I kept my balance.’zHc
hci2That was enough. Leon crouched, chest pressed to his left knee. His right leg stretched firmly behind.vKaPkTM
p6hEven his breath was directed into his lower body.OUyi
lB91J4mFrom his core, dragon power and wind-attributed magic converged in his legs.Gv9kDu
F5B7oxHe exploded forward. The boom was louder than before.H400g
xhzM5zHis speed now far surpassed his earlier charge. A supersonic rush.m4x
6Lg2RThe Hero launched himself at the Demon King.UeiqLk
cGUdThis time, Kang Geom-Ma assumed a different stance.8fS
2NqhRWHe held the sashimi in reverse grip.vQbl
MGumJ7bThe anomaly caused Leon’s pupils to narrow like needles.uPaggq
Tu6‘He’s going to face it head-on?’gRy
pbXTPgtIf it was a contest of strength, Leon wouldn’t lose. He was Metatron’s son.U49
05oIOHis father had annihilated Grigori’s group of fallen angels with sheer brute force.dcSXqB
WYNfjwAnd recently, Leon had awakened that power. Kuarne had helped him.LdpI
bOUDqNot out of familial affection, but because their goals aligned.5t3rTGc
qtAFThe reason didn’t matter.KXP
smVBpLeon closed the gap with confident strides and swung Balmung in a diagonal cut.ZXPP8DF
3KBThe air grew more violent.QSc3vOZ
dOcwGYHe intended to fake him out with an aura-cloaked feint, then follow up with a thrust.0J5
rVZKang Geom-Ma took the hit directly. A gash opened on his torso, spraying blood.JoO9znk
v0egeLeon’s narrowed eyes widened.SDDrS
UQGGWhen the distance closed from thirty to ten steps, Kang Geom-Ma’s wound vanished.c9J7w
sWGLC8[True Regeneration Blessing has activated.]82YKN5z
g3WxmbWounds caused by aura are said to be incurable.KkI
Kg98YThat’s why such a blessing is so coveted among swordsmen.7sO
W5oYBut Kang Geom-Ma healed anyway.jxjr
c0ei72sThere was no time to be surprised.dJVbb
YZsq2The sashimi and Balmung clashed.mcmq
Eokp8JqFrom the impact of both blades, an explosion of light erupted.3IhnJw
mU6IkIn a world completely bleached of color, the traces of Kang Geom-Ma and Leon were drawn as pure, formless lines, barely perceptible.wDgD
1EDHIn that moment, the world lost its three-dimensionality.mMYLBG
GKu2QThe third dimension vanished, and points and lines formed shapes and paths on a blank canvas.owMMM5a
caymiThe battle between them had transcended the limits of dimension.i9t6pI
tZRThe real battle had begun.q5LCb
NZjyIn most exchanges, Leon was the one attacking relentlessly, while Kang Geom-Ma deflected everything with ease.9VPCC1
6sx3lOccasionally, Kang Geom-Ma’s counters opened wounds on Leon’s arms and legs.rcz7Iv
TKvEach strike from the sashimi resonated. Within them was a level of understanding that Leon dared not measure.yVVnQp
c94TEHe couldn’t let fear defeat him. He was a Hero because he had the necessary courage.0acr
RESZnDQEven if his soul was tainted, his essence hadn’t changed.AQGjd
Z1qjLeon pushed his strength and speed to the limit. He strained his body, his mind, and his life force. He even released the seals he had placed on himself.jsHKLd6
V9tX7lA voice, like an agonized scream, whispered near his ear.lOvB
SfjMPwu— More.dIoBP
mtYdqcaHe responded to the sashimi with his sword. His muscles refused to obey his brain.ZHGm6m
ZPgHis body moved before his thoughts formed.ASH27rM
F1s— More.46gAI
VG1His reason flew, and instinct took control. What seemed like a one-sided fight began to look balanced.v8Awbpo
q7GSUIJ— More.MCIObAi
Y9GHis movements no longer aligned with the world’s perception.RcCP
YD5NkdObservers could only see images from two or three seconds before.lvVTqB
zNvB6K‘Maybe.’eE2DRW
j7sMDyLeon was surprised by himself.zJMMN
WaR7RAThe gap he once thought insurmountable seemed to be slowly closing.fjdT3
iRYAzu2But he didn’t get excited. As long as his body functioned, nothing else mattered.fCaG
wkElcBalmung moved with a single purpose. All that mattered was landing one more strike.tp4f8c
1INXBalmung wove a net of aura threads. Each of those threads could be a lethal blow, but Leon launched them without restraint.lRJqvK
3KmWNkRather than think about where to strike, he preferred to unleash another slash.s2a
sKlDMKA brutal fighting style that squeezed out all his stamina and energy.GOOO
f3Bh1DNThat was the true art of combat.7EKnFV1
cRs9But reaching that truth was beyond human capacity.IvsW
wc77o— More.IGR
Qaj9mBbImpurities layered inside his body. He knew exactly what they were.6T8rhP
SXEOoyThe remnants of the gods, those entities he so despised.OOsNc
ty4SM5VThe more he fought, the more the divine claws dominated every corner of his body.m7AUk
UGG9a9His breathing turned ragged. His muscles moved on their own.Up71jql
idOk4AaBut Leon clung to his willpower.hw6m
l1tpA superhuman will kept him conscious.xm2p
JDniiqv‘Not yet.’sh3fe
QQnLeon opened his eyes wide.CQG2
9CJaHHis gaze gleamed with ferocious intensity.Y8Bl7a
03NThe vessels in his eyes burst as if strangling his own pupils.kKcId
DJNdThe sashimi was fast and heavy. Not a single strike could be taken lightly.gY0S
FIBKJBThe pressure of the aura didn’t block it—it turned to dust.rzr7
lKXDespite using all his techniques to resist, Kang Geom-Ma’s understanding of the sword was on another level.keGJ7
YYFEven without the power of the Demon King, he was already elite. The sword was his natural calling.JGdwNWa
HaeTtFor the first time in the entire fight, Leon dared to look directly into his eyes and immediately flinched.Vucv
jpEdKang Geom-Ma’s eyes were vacant and dark.d7qhE7d
21yHis body moved like a machine, but his gaze was indifferent.eaY8rQ
cyn3xBl‘It can’t be… Is he holding back?’HI79L9
05HWqMA tiny thought, like a speck of dust. An opening.c9QuR
75JkaK0In that moment, the sashimi, which had been moving without urgency, accelerated.4mjNb
m8lUBlcSlash!zgM0
12vPThe electricity-charged blade pierced his left shoulder.WXy
s2UpuIt was just a stab, but his entire arm burned. The sensation was like lightning surging through his body.aeOEQCv
X4shW“…Kugh!”RkU7
GmGYxhYSaliva sprayed out with Leon’s groan. Kang Geom-Ma slashed diagonally with the sashimi.xgBd
BhEbkCrack—Kyq9aL
0d0hThe blade cut through his collarbone and ribs. The tip pierced his lung and entrails.6cRO
Sqy5Leon extended his hand and pushed Kang Geom-Ma away.baIIxl
nMTFrom the sashimi flew bone splinters and pink tissue.rEH
WSNBOOOOM!8wDxhX1
kRHAn explosion separated them. The distance stretched to 200 meters.jY0GBA9
WWlKang Geom-Ma spun in the air like a swallow before landing softly on the ground.V9t
IRqZLeon, in contrast, tumbled like a worn rag.J8SRa
kc4WFace down, he could only gasp. Magic and divine power sealed his wounds, but the regeneration was slow.oVd
Z7AWith effort, he lifted his gaze.2d8J8x
qdvKuarne was descending between him and Kang Geom-Ma, as light as a feather.1IjJIu7
qFBA moment of silence.uO8
9ebrMKuarne looked at Leon with dry eyes, then turned to Kang Geom-Ma.BkXcGP
xc62T“Looks like my nephew still isn’t ready. Mind if I replace him?”lqT
0yqfDYL“No.”WuYl9rw
9GpXKang Geom-Ma was slowly twirling Murasame.FbnxG
o0d0The blade expelled impurities as if burping.Knuo
neB“You two come together. I don’t have time to waste.”tsVVdVC
CbUHe rubbed his eyelid as he spoke. Though his expression was calm, his body was at its limit.Ot4
vNYThe Blessing of Insensitivity to Pain had already exceeded its limit.KOYf
nKB9The boost from “Weapon Class Category” helped him hold out a bit longer, but it wouldn’t last.oTfr9eM
QG5HIGAt this rate, not only his body but also his mind would break.afP
FkGIMYl“Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”UDC
OGy3tJVKuarne smiled gently. It wasn’t mockery—it was sincere concern.5VY
mvobcKang Geom-Ma gave a short laugh.ohPr
uEJusF“Worried about the enemy, you idiot?”lNnCH
dPAJaMeanwhile, Leon staggered to his feet. Pale skin, purple lips. He looked like a walking corpse.bYZLTno
63xAnd still, the impressive part was that he could still stand. Even with his guts spilling from an open wound.gCQ
nvv“Leave him to me, for the sake of our plan.”PteZx9
9ZAKuarne sighed and spoke to Leon.s7wvfOQ
VTtRp“Nephew, you can’t die yet—‘not yet.’”3yQXC
LycM85X“……”uLw
njYIKLeon twisted his pale lips. But ultimately, he stepped back. He used his sword as a crutch and retreated to focus on healing.xoZg8
GFUGs“Well, it’s finally you and me. Shall we start having fun?”zdaN
yhAkxKuarne rubbed his palms like a kid excited at an amusement park. Kang Geom-Ma looked away from that annoying face.tWS
eRyJioIn the sky, where thunder once roared, now hung a crimson sun like at dawn.2Ix
3tSq60GHe looked at the sacred lightning and recalled the sensation from a moment ago.hiFpNl
ODB1XIDuring his duel with Leon, he had felt a strange release. That’s why he took the time to reciprocate.7yWJ
GnE06For affection? No way. He wasn’t that soft. He cuts down enemies regardless of reasons.fRT
RVMAnyway—xDA
fuXUThat experience just now wasn’t his as a person but a sensation passed on by the God of the Sword.9bw
3U9gThat battle was the catalyst that allowed him to glimpse what lies beyond.OKT
AWVmBak‘The enemy of the God of the Sword—the false gods.’7yulp
bDMfaiWhile other animals kept their heads down searching for food, humanity raised its eyes to the sky and drew constellations.CgazfK
zqhDUThe curiosity of ancient humanity carried through the ages medieval, modern, and beyond.Y1KbN
XUevropThus, the kings of creation left the closed Earth and stepped onto the Moon.hVo3
r5GfDon’t stop at fantasy.MvWn
fJufK6Surpass yourself—more than yesterday.PYF
UByIqiTo transcend the unreachable, free the limits of space-time.jIj08Mt
fwhOwz2Expand your perception.rOhEkN
87AKAnd in the end, when all of that accumulates.WJJ
DPY[You have awakened the Blessing of the God of the Sword.]AJC
I0m7TCPHumanity evolves.b4Hn5y9
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