The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 289: Decisive Battle (5)

Chapter 289: Decisive Battle (5)

The‌ altar was steeped in the scent‍‍ of balm.

“……”⁠⁠‍

Yu‌⁠ Sein, who was⁠⁠ praying with her‍⁠ hands clasped, slowly‍ opened her eyes.‌

“It seems it has‌ begun, Saint.”

Spoke‌ the Pope, who‌⁠ stood beside her,⁠ attending to Yu⁠‍‌ Sein. Under the circumstances, no other‌‌‌ member of the church was allowed‌⁠‌ to approach the‌ place where the‌ Saint prayed.

“Yes.”‌⁠

Yu‌ Sein nodded slightly.‌ Her face clearly‍ reflected the complexity‍ of her emotions.⁠

“From now on, the true battle begins.”⁠

The⁠ Pope let out‍‍‍ a long sigh.‌ His expression was‌‍ as somber as Yu Sein’s.

“…For⁠ this timeline, it’s‍ a blessing, but⁠‌‌ for the human‌ Kang Geom-Ma, it‍‌⁠ might be a tragedy. If he’s not careful, he‌ could lose his‌ humanity completely.”

Hearing⁠‌‌ those words, Yu‍ Sein silently looked⁠ at the altar.⁠ Sunlight filtering through‌‍ stainless steel refracted‍‍ into multiple colors,⁠‍‌ tinting her white‌‌ robe and silver‍ hair with radiant hues.

“Hmm.”⁠‌

The‌ Pope quietly stepped‍‌⁠ forward. Like the‍ Saint, he knelt‌ on both knees⁠ and closed his⁠⁠ eyes in prayer.‍

Yu⁠‌ Sein looked at‌ him, somewhat puzzled.⁠ According to the‍‍ doctrine of the‌ Outer Church, the‍⁠ Pope is forbidden⁠ from praying.

That‌‍ is, he had⁠‌⁠ personally violated religious‌ rules.

This⁠‍ stemmed from a peculiar theory if⁠ the one closest⁠⁠⁠ to the gods‌‍ prayed, the gods⁠⁠ might show favoritism.‍⁠

And‌ in a world‌ where the existence‍ of gods is evident, such an⁠ absurd logic held‌ weight.

“This‌ prayer is not‍‌‍ for the gods‌ of the Outer⁠ Church.”

The‌ Pope spoke without‍‌ opening his eyes.⁠⁠

“Praying⁠⁠ for Geom-Ma is,‌ ultimately, like praying⁠‌ to the gods.⁠ Isn’t that what⁠ you’re implying…?”

“Haha,‌ though it may‌‌ not seem like it, I’ve been‌‍‍ in communion for⁠ over fifty years.‍⁠ I may not‌⁠ possess your knowledge,‌ Saint, but I know enough to‌‍ discern these things.”‍

“…Then who is your‍⁠⁠ prayer directed to‍⁠‍ in this situation?”‌‍

“That’s‍⁠ a secret.”

The‍‍‍ Pope gave a slight smile.

“If⁠‍‌ I reveal my‌⁠ prayer, it loses⁠ its effect.”

***⁠‍‌

The‌‍‌ wind changed. It wasn’t just a reversal of flow.⁠‌‌

The‍⁠‌ weight, the scent,⁠⁠‍ the ratio of‍ nitrogen to oxygen—everything⁠ was different.

The⁠‍ air had become denser.

Breathing was difficult, as⁠⁠ if descending to⁠ the ocean floor.⁠‍‍ Pressure pressed from⁠‌ every direction, constricting‍ the entire body.

If‌ those present had‍‌ been ordinary people,⁠⁠‌ they would have‍ fainted instantly.

“……!”‍⁠

The‍⁠‌ heroes and demons⁠‌ locked in battle sensed the anomaly.

Both‌‌‌ sides stopped fighting‍⁠ simultaneously and turned‌ their heads in‌⁠‌ the same direction.⁠⁠‌

There⁠‍ stood Kang Geom-Ma,⁠‌ the Heavenly Sword, and Kuarne, the‌‍ Second Body Commander,⁠⁠ facing each other.‌

Though‍ more than a confrontation, it looked‍ like something else‍‍ entirely.

Kang Geom-Ma was gazing‍ at the sky.

Kuarne⁠‌ watched him in silence.

A pastoral scene entirely‌‌‌ out of place⁠⁠ on the battlefield.⁠⁠⁠

His‍ gaze—it was so‍⁠ melancholic it was‌ hard to believe‍ it belonged to the leader of⁠‍ the demon forces.

Like‍‍‍ someone who had‍‍ reunited with their‍ first love, his‍‌ eyes were full‌ of longing.

And‍⁠‍ not just the⁠ heroes—even the soldiers‍‍‌ of the Demon‍‍‌ King’s army felt⁠‌⁠ a chill down⁠ their spines.

The⁠⁠‌ fact that Kuarne‍‍ wore such a twisted expression meant‍ something truly abnormal‍⁠‌ was about to happen.

And⁠ those shared premonitions‍ were rarely wrong.⁠

“Ah…‍‌‍ ah… at last…”‍

Kuarne let out a sigh between sobs.‌⁠

His⁠‌ crystal-clear eyes were‍⁠ moist.

“Since‍‍ the mythical era,‍‍⁠ I’ve waited for⁠⁠ this day…”

A thick tear pooled‍ at his chin,‌ trailing down from‍ the trembling corner‌ of his lips.‌

“Oh, you who defy‌ the heavens…”

Kuarne⁠‍ bowed his head‌ and raised both‌ arms.

As‌⁠‌ if the white‍‌‌ robe he wore‍ had been tailored‌ for this very‌ moment.

His⁠‌ movements were those‌‍ of a complete⁠‍ fanatic.

“……”⁠

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma showed no‍ change.

A sharp-featured youth with‌‌ black hair and⁠ eyes.

But those who knew‍ him felt an‌ unexplainable chill.

“Y-y-you…”‍

The Sword Master’s reaction⁠ was especially intense. He had seen⁠‌ before the entity‌‍ that lay beyond‍‍ Kang Geom-Ma.

‘The⁠ one that defeated‌ Fifth Body Commander‌⁠‌ Agor on Avalon‌ Island.’

A deep, incomprehensible, almost⁠ imperceptible being.

A transcendent existence that⁠ could be called‍ a god—or something‌ even beyond.

‘But‌ this time is‍ different.’

Last⁠‍ time, that entity‍⁠ had controlled Kang‌⁠ Geom-Ma. In fact,⁠ it was that⁠ entity, not Geom-Ma,‌⁠ who had slain Agor.

The⁠‍ Sword Master looked⁠⁠‌ again at Kang⁠ Geom-Ma, his eyes⁠‍‌ trembling.

There⁠ was no external‌‌ change.

The‍ space didn’t distort,‍‍ nor did his‍‍‌ silhouette waver.

This⁠‍ time, Kang Geom-Ma‌‍ had complete control.⁠ And that made‍‌ it even more terrifying.

‘It’s certain.’

A human who has‍ reached the absolute⁠‌ pinnacle of the sword has awakened. He had shed‍⁠‌ his former self‍ and evolved to‍ a higher state.

Though‌‍ the lightning storm‍‍⁠ had ceased, it⁠ felt as if⁠⁠ a bolt had‌ pierced his mind.⁠

A massive revelation arose‌‍‌ within him.

At‍⁠ that moment, he⁠ understood how narrow‌ and limited his⁠ world had been.‍

What he had considered the “totality” of existence might have‌ been just one⁠‍ branch among many.⁠

Even‌‍ this war, on‍ a cosmic scale,‌‍ was no more‍‌ than floating dust.‌‌⁠

And‌ that cosmic entity—someone⁠‍ who came from‍ beyond the world—had‍⁠‍ descended into reality.‌‌

“Even⁠ so, it seems‌ he hasn’t fully‌ returned… He still‍‍ retains his humanity.”‍

Kuarne‌ muttered softly, frowning slightly, then softening‌ his expression.

“Let⁠ me help with‌‌ that, as one⁠ who admires you⁠ passionately.”

Clap!‌‌

With‌‍ a clap, a massive dodecahedron-shaped barrier‌‌ expanded around them.⁠

It⁠ was a field‌ of isolation, preventing‌‌ any outside interference.‍

Inside⁠‍ the field remained‌ only Kang Geom-Ma,‍ Kuarne, and Leon.⁠ Everyone else was‍⁠ blown away by‍‌ the shockwave.

“Damn⁠‍ it!”

The⁠⁠ Seven Stars desperately‍ tried to break⁠ through the barrier⁠‍ but failed. Even‌‌ if they swung their weapons, they⁠⁠ were easily repelled.⁠

It⁠‌ was clear no type of weapon⁠ could breach the⁠ field. The situation was so disorienting‍ that even though⁠‌‍ they were technically‌ outside, it wasn’t‌‌ clear who was⁠‍ truly trapped.

The⁠⁠‌ Seven Stars and⁠ other heroes could‌⁠ only gulp dryly.⁠‍ They had been⁠ forced to watch‍‌‌ helplessly the deathmatch⁠ between Kang Geom-Ma‌ and the Second⁠‍ Body Commander.

Then‍ Kuarne moved.

He‍‌ stomped the ground.‌⁠ Though it was⁠‍ a simple push‍⁠ downward, it felt‌ as if the‌ earth collapsed.

As‌ he rose into‍‍ the air, twenty-four pairs of wings‌⁠⁠ spread from his‍⁠ back.

They⁠ weren’t white like ivory—they were earth-toned,‍ as if stained‌ with grease.

“Oh,‍ you who defy⁠⁠ the heavens. Let‍‍ me help you‌⁠ awaken completely—to renounce‌ your humanity!”

With‍ a gentle flutter‍ of wings, a blast erupted.

That⁠‍ motion, as delicate⁠‌‍ as a butterfly’s,⁠ generated a windstorm‌⁠ capable of pulverizing bones with a mere graze.

「Aerokinesis」

Magic‍ that allows one‍ to manipulate air⁠⁠ at will. But‍⁠ its power isn’t‍⁠‍ limited to gusts of wind.

It‍ chemically alters the air’s composition—nitrogen, oxygen,⁠‍‍ argon, carbon dioxide—to⁠ instantly asphyxiate the enemy.

And‌ he didn’t stop⁠⁠‌ there.

「Europé」⁠⁠

Kuarne‌‌ spread his arms⁠ wide, then brought⁠‍ them together in‌ front of his‌‌ chest, as if‍ gathering the air‌ into a sphere.⁠

The‍‍ air compressed until‍⁠ it was the size of a bullet, accumulating at‌⁠ the tip of‍‍ his outstretched finger.⁠

“The⁠‍ smaller the aperture,‍ the greater the‍ destructive power.”

He⁠‍ combined the air⁠‌ bullet with a whirlwind. Like subatomic‍⁠ particles orbiting a nucleus, the gust‌ swirled violently around⁠ the projectile.

He⁠⁠ fired it.

───────────!‌⁠

The‌‍ air bullet flew‌ in a straight⁠‌ line without making‌⁠‍ any noise.

In‍‌ the ears of‍ the spectators, only‌ absolute silence resonated.⁠‌ Kuarne’s manipulation technique⁠ distorted even sound‌ waves.

Kang‌‍⁠ Geom-Ma raised Murasame.‍ The blade pointed‍‍ directly at the‌⁠⁠ projectile.

He⁠‌ made no other⁠‍ movement.

If‍ things continued, the⁠ bullet would envelop‌ him in its⁠ whirlwind and completely‍ disintegrate him.

Then,‌ Kang Geom-Ma moved. Not his body‍⁠ or his hand.‍⁠‍ It was his lips.

“ ”

A single word.

As‌ soon as he⁠ uttered it, an‍‌ oblique crack formed in the air‌‍‍ bullet. One, two,‌‍⁠ ten… a hundred,⁠ a thousand, millions.‌‌

The‍ cracks multiplied infinitely. It all happened‍‍ in an instant‌‌ that felt as‌ long as an‌ hour.

□□□□□□□□□

The‍‍ air bullet fragmented⁠⁠⁠ into particles smaller‌ than atoms. A single word from‍‌⁠ Kang Geom-Ma had⁠ produced the result,⁠ “cut.”

“Hahahaha!”⁠‍

Everyone‌ was speechless at‍ this extraordinary phenomenon—except⁠‍ Kuarne, who burst‌ into euphoric laughter.‍‌‌

“Is⁠⁠‍ that all you‍ can do without‌⁠⁠ being fully awakened?!”‌

Even‍ as he spoke,‍ he fired more‌‍‌ and more projectiles.‌‌‍ Air bullets wrapped‌ in toxic wind⁠‍ that exploded indiscriminately,‍ affecting both allies‍‍‌ and enemies. Pus⁠⁠ oozed from the‌‍ skin, and blood‍‍‍ filled the field like a mist.‍‍⁠

Step.‌

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma took a step. A step⁠ so light it‍‍ didn’t seem directed‌⁠ at the enemy.⁠

Kuarne‌‌‍ moved as well.‍‍‍

He‌⁠ raised his index‌‌‍ finger and pointed‌ to the sky.⁠‍⁠ Where the sun had been, a black hole the⁠ size of a volleyball appeared.

The‌‍ sky was sucked‍ into that dark⁠‍ point.

「Black‌⁠ Hole」

Small,‌ but powerful enough‍‌ to devastate everything‌ in an area.⁠⁠‍

“Aaaaaargh!‌ Kuarne, you bastard!”

As⁠‌ proof of its power, several demons‌ and heroes were‍‌ pulled upward and‍ devoured by the‌ black hole.

Kang Geom-Ma floated a handbreadth above the‍ ground.

He repeated the same‌‍ word.

“ ”

And‍ the black hole⁠ was destroyed. It‍ fragmented into particles‌ that dispersed like⁠‌ dark dust.

Kuarne,‌⁠ laughing, continued generating more black holes.‍‍‌ Of various sizes,‍‍ but all equally deadly.

“Hold‍ on!”

The‌‌ heroes, organized in⁠‌ formation, struggled to⁠ survive. The demons,‌ on the other‌⁠ hand, fell into chaos.

“Kyaaaaaah!”⁠⁠‍

They‍‌ tangled and were‌ absorbed one after‍‌ another. They died‍⁠ screaming, with entrails‌ hanging and vertebrae‌‍‍ detaching as if‍‌‌ they were lost‌⁠⁠ objects.

And‌⁠ that chain of‌‌ deaths was ironically‍‍ halted by Kang‌ Geom-Ma’s brief murmurs.‍‌‌

The⁠⁠ speed at which⁠ he spoke was‌‍ faster than the‍‍ speed at which‌ the black holes were generated.

The heroes rose and‍⁠ fell in the‍⁠ air, alternately looking‌‍ at the sky⁠ and at Kang Geom-Ma.

They‍ didn’t know how‌⁠‍ to react to‌ such a scene.⁠⁠⁠

Amazement?‌‌ Terror? Ecstasy? Fear?⁠⁠ They didn’t know. They could only‍‌ watch, stunned.

“Not‍⁠ even this brings‌ you a bit‍⁠ of excitement…?”

Kuarne⁠ covered his eyes, laughing like a madman.

The‍‍ demons around him‌‍ were paralyzed.

They‌‌ had joined him‍⁠ for a common⁠⁠ cause—to conquer the⁠⁠ human world.

But‌‍ what did they⁠ see now? A madman creating black‌ holes that devoured‌⁠ even his own⁠‍⁠ and laughing like⁠⁠ a lunatic.

“Stop‍ right now!”

The one who shouted‌ was the leader⁠‍ of the vampires.⁠‍ A figure of great influence and‍⁠‌ power among the‌‌ demons.

“We‌⁠‌ joined because we‍ shared a goal.‌⁠ But this? Is⁠⁠ this war just a game to‌⁠ you?!”

Kuarne‍⁠ glanced at him.⁠

Just‍‍ when the moment‌⁠ was reaching its climax. There always‌ has to be⁠⁠ someone who interferes.‍‍‌

“Answer!‍‍ Why do you‍ kill your own comrades without any‍‌ remorse?”

He⁠ didn’t respond. He‌ didn’t even look‍‌ at him. He‌‍ ignored him as‍‍ if he were less than an⁠⁠ insect.

The‌ vampire leader’s face‌‌ turned red with‌⁠⁠ fury.

But⁠‌ Kuarne didn’t care.‌‌ He looked forward again with a smile.

With⁠ each word spoken, Kang Geom-Ma lost‍ more expression in⁠‌ his face. He‍ was slowly shedding⁠ his humanity.

“Ahh…”⁠⁠

Just‍ seeing those empty⁠⁠ eyes made Kuarne’s‍‍⁠ body tremble with⁠⁠‌ pleasure. A wave‍⁠ of heat rose⁠ from below. His‌ groin swelled.

‘I‍ will see his⁠ true face.’

He had endured an‍‌ eternity just for‍‌‌ that. And finally,⁠ it had arrived.⁠‍‍

‘I can’t stop here.’‍

Not‌‌ until he saw‍ the beginning and‌ the end of that being.

‘That‍ observer role is⁠⁠ mine.’

Obsession‌‌ became conviction, and⁠ conviction drove his‌ hands, his feet, and his wings.⁠

With‍ eyes agitated by‌ madness, Kuarne turned‍‌ his head. Leon‌‍ had finished recovering.‍‌

“It‌‌ seems you’re ready,‍⁠ nephew.”

Leon‌‍ looked at him‍‍⁠ coldly but finally⁠‌‌ nodded.

Kuarne‌ smiled.

Everything‍‌ was prepared. The‌ blood spilled and‍ the sacrifices offered‍‍ were sufficient.

“Let’s‍ call them.”

“Let’s⁠ call ‘them’.”

Kuarne‍ increased the power‍‍ of his mana.‍⁠ Although it seemed⁠‍‌ there were no⁠ more limits to‍‍‌ break, he had⁠‍ accumulated power over‍ countless eras.

‘Just‌ for this day.’

He‌⁠ fully spread his‍ wings. Thirty-six pairs⁠ of wings kept⁠ him suspended in‌‍ the air.

In‍‌ that state, he⁠ adopted the lotus position and closed‌ his eyes. His‍⁠‍ hands moved slowly,⁠‍ forming a mudra.‌⁠

He‌‍ placed the edge⁠ of his left‍ hand over the core, with the‍‍⁠ palm facing the‍⁠⁠ sky,

and‌ the right hand⁠ on the knee, pointing toward the‍⁠ earth.

「Heaven and Earth」

In‌ that posture, he‌‍ recited with all‍⁠ his spiritual strength⁠ a spell.

A chant that opened⁠ a channel piercing the dimensional boundary.‌‌

「Only‌‍ I am supreme」⁠‌

The‍ sky split in‌ two and opened‍ completely.

Beyond‍ it appeared an⁠‍ ocean of blackness.‍

Those‌‍ who looked up in disbelief tried to imagine what‍⁠‌ lay on the‌ other side, guided‌ by the countless⁠‌ points of light⁠ embedded in the‌ darkness.

The universe.

In‍‍‌ the next instant,‌⁠ the stars that⁠ blanketed the cosmos‌‌ fell like hail. All converged on a single point⁠ of impact.

The‍ vessel known as⁠⁠ Leon von Reinhardt.⁠

At‍ once, sacred warrior,‌ hero, and the⁠ chalice capable of‌⁠ containing more than anything else.

Those‍⁠ entities, impossible to‍ distinguish between demons⁠‍ or gods, all⁠ surged toward him‌ like flesh thrown‍ into boiling broth.‍⁠

Their‍⁠ voracity far surpassed‌‌ that of any⁠‍⁠ black hole.

If‍ greed could take‌ physical form, it‌‍ would look exactly‌ like this.

A shadow covered the‌ entire sky. Silence‍⁠ fell over the world, dissolving into‍⁠ both sky and⁠ earth alike.

The⁠ immortals descended into⁠⁠ the world of‌ mortals.

In‌ the form that‌ humans call possession.‍