Chapter: 443
Thud thud thud.
As the dust settled, I gazed at the Demon Sword Master with wide, startled eyes.
Crackle crackle.
The Demon Sword Master was staring at the shattered wall with fierce eyes, causing the air to crackle with tension.
The pressure I felt was nothing to take lightly. While there was no direct harm done, the palpable difference in power was unmistakable.
Wooooow-!
The pillars supporting the Great Hall began to tremble slightly.
It was all due to the presence of the Demon Sword Master.
Ugh.
Ugh….
Ugh.
Gradually, those who were being crushed by this weight began to kneel. Even the Black Flame Corps, who managed to hang on, couldn’t last much longer.
Barely holding on, I took a look at the Demon Sword Master.
‘What’s going on? Why is she acting like this?’
I couldn’t comprehend it.
Not only did she suddenly smack the swordsman, but now she’s downright furious too.
Seriously, what the heck is going on?
Just as I was taken aback by the actions of the Demon Sword Master—
Boom-!
A loud explosion resounded from the wall where the swordsman had crashed into it.
Moreover, the killing intent I felt was leagues apart from what came before.
This damn b*tch—!!
Something came hurtling through the dust with a terrifying roar.
It was a sword made of magic.
Shhhhh! Paaaaang!
Then, it collided with the sword swung by the Demon Sword Master, exploding around us with a cracking sound.
The force from the magic nearly knocked me off my feet, and I could feel the weight of its power.
I braced myself against the shock.
As I tried to regain my balance, someone with a twisted expression appeared in the distance. It was Geomma.
Grrrr-!
Geomma was baring his teeth and expressing rage with his entire being.
The dark magic wrapping around the sword’s tip and the killing intent rising like smoke was clear evidence of that.
“This crazy b*tch really wants to die, huh?”
“…”
The Demon Sword Master didn’t respond even to Geomma’s furious taunts.
From her reaction, it felt like she didn’t want to talk at all.
“You think you’re something special just because the big guy’s got your back, huh?”
‘Hmm?’
Listening to the swordsman’s mocking, I had to internally question things. A very fundamental question at that.
‘Why the hell is this guy acting so cocky?’
I couldn’t understand why Geomma seemed so bold against the Demon Sword Master.
Objectively speaking, while Geomma wasn’t weak—being in charge of a unit of the Demonic Cult—it felt a little lacking against the Demon Sword Master.
He’d always been like this, but he particularly despised the Demon Sword Master for some reason.
‘Well, it’s no different for the Demon Sword Master.’
I wondered if any demonic beings—excluding the Ghost Sword Corps—actually liked him.
Either way, it was definitely true that those two were not on the best of terms.
“Did you get that position because of a breeze? You don’t seem to know your place very well.”
“…”
Woof!
The Demon Sword Master reacted to Geomma’s words.
The sword she held started to glow ominously.
Geomma smiled at that sight, smirking devilishly.
“Alright, this is my chance to take you down and claim your place.”
‘Place?’
Is that what Geomma meant by the position of the Demon Sword Master—the deputy leader of the Black Flame Corps?
‘Did he long for that position?’
Thinking back, I think he might have.
There were several times when he’d asked me why that woman was in charge and why he had to lead the Ghost Sword Corps.
Each time, I grew annoyed and simply threw him aside.
‘Is that why he hates her so much?’
I hadn’t paid attention back then, but now it seemed like that could be true.
‘And probably the reason he wasn’t made the deputy commander.’
On paper, there was nothing wrong with the Demon Sword Master taking on the role of the Grand Captain of the Ghost Sword Corps. Conversely, there was no issue with Geomma taking the Deputy Leader role of the Black Flame Corps.
When it came to sheer strength, it wouldn’t make a significant difference.
The reason I placed the demon sword master in charge during this situation was simple.
‘Because she’s stronger.’
Simply that. Because the Demon Sword Master is stronger, that’s all there is to it.
If we consider manageability, Geomma might be easier to deal with, but I assigned ranks solely based on strength.
Though it seems Geomma disagrees with that.
Click.
Geomma straightened his sword.
Then—
Swish-!
“Ugh!?”
The Demon Sword Master grabbed the back of my neck and threw me backward.
What the heck was going on all of a sudden?
Slash-!
Geomma’s sword tip sliced through the very spot I was thrown to! My eyes widened upon seeing that.
‘That bastard?!’
Even while he seemed intent on targeting the Demon Sword Master, his primary goal seemed to be dealing with me first.
I didn’t see it coming due to how fast he was.
The Demon Sword Master blocked Geomma’s strike, while Geomma looked disappointed.
In an instant, a burst of energy erupted from the Demon Sword Master’s sword.
Crackle-!
Though the area wasn’t narrow, it was still too constricted for an intense battle between such high-level fighters.
Within this confined space, the Demon Sword Master’s power began to flow wildly.
I swallowed hard watching it.
There were thousands of strands of energy pouring out, overtaking the vicinity.
‘No damage around, huh?’
Remarkably, it didn’t inflict any harm on the walls or the members of the Black Flame Corps.
Even amidst what seemed to be impending combat, she controlled this immense power effortlessly.
Grrk… Grrrr!
“L-Lord… save me…! Aaaagh!”
The Black Flame Corps was unharmed, but the Ghost Sword Corps was not so fortunate.
It seemed the Demon Sword Master had no intention of caring for those weaklings, pouring all her energy into the fight.
Geomma observed this scene with an expression of indifference, solely focused on the Demon Sword Master.
Gugugugugu-!
The deep magic unfurling from the sword’s tip began to envelop his entire being.
This energy was fierce and grotesque, yet it couldn’t pierce through the sword’s magical barrier.
This fact proved that even Geomma was no weakling.
And then, Geomma moved.
Whoosh-!
It looked like a light jump, but the ground trembled underfoot and broke apart.
Fast.
‘I can’t see it.’
Clang-!
Geomma had leaped from afar and was now right before the Demon Sword Master. She drew her sword just in time to guard against his attack.
Watching this unfold, I felt certain.
‘I can’t hold out against either of them.’
At this moment, I knew I wouldn’t survive a second against either fighter.
Boom-! Crash!
Lightning clashed with swords, producing a violent cacophony.
The sounds echoed like the roar of a sword.
It was hard to believe such a slim blade could generate this level of impact.
Creak…
“…!”
A wave of shock coursed through me as I felt the tremor of their clash.
I couldn’t even see their movements, and I wasn’t on the receiving end of it, yet the damage felt overwhelming.
All I could observe were the flickers of blades clashing, the sparks flying, and the traces left hanging in the air.
The patterns they created were oddly vibrant and chaotic.
In that brief moment, it was clear just how many techniques were exchanged.
Crack-!
A jolt of lightning struck from the ceiling.
Thud-! Boom-!
Mystifying strikes from the swords caused one of the pillars to shatter.
‘Is this dangerous?’
I rolled my eyes, assessing the scene.
No matter how I looked at it, this was a perilous situation. If things progressed further, the battlefield could easily collapse. More importantly, everyone inside could face demise.
‘What should I do?’
I had to focus, since other people dying didn’t matter. The problem was my own safety.
As I pondered how to stall those maniacs, a spark jumped out.
Ting-!
In an instant, two figures appeared, separated by distance.
Just when I thought the clash was over, I was taken aback by the sight.
“…!?”
In contrast to my expectation of Geomma’s defeat, there he stood, unharmed as before.
Instead, the Demon Sword Master, which I had assumed would be fine, was—
‘She’s bleeding from her arm…?!’
I noticed blood seeping from the hand that held her sword.
What on earth happened?
The Demon Sword Master frowned slightly, as if becoming aware of her dire situation.
From the blood, it seemed clear that it wasn’t merely a shallow wound.
Hehe.
Geomma laughed heartily upon seeing this.
“Ah, I see now.”
With an expression of malicious delight, Geomma smirked confidently.
Then he turned—
Swish.
‘Huh?’
He suddenly pointed his sword in my direction and continued speaking while eyeing the Demon Sword Master.
“You! That guy must be important to you.”
‘What?’
I wondered what kind of nonsense Geomma was spitting here.
“…”
To this, the Demon Sword Master remained silent, denying nothing.
“It must be significant enough for you to throw away an arm.”
“…!”
Only after hearing Geomma’s words did I begin to understand why things had unfolded in such a way.
‘That bastard is for real.’
While they exchanged blows, it seemed Geomma had targeted me all along.
This meant the Demon Sword Master had to take the hit while defending me.
If that weren’t the case, there’s no way she would have been wounded so easily by Geomma.
“During your pointless fight, I kept wondering about your story…”
“…”
“Could it be that he’s your hidden son? Because apart from the age difference, that seems unlikely.”
Swish swish-!
There was definitely a sense of glee in Geomma’s taunting voice as he swung his sword.
And yet, his deadly intent only thickened.
From the tips of Geomma’s feet, dark energy began to creep and envelop the arena.
“It really doesn’t matter what it is. The important thing is that you’ve got a weakness.”
Kugugugu-!
His purple eyes sharpened, smoke billowing from the corners of his mouth.
As I watched, I could feel the cold sweat trickle down my back.
This was power reserved for only those at a certain caliber among demonic beings.
This meant Geomma really intended to kill the Demon Sword Master.
The Demon Sword Master recognized this, as evidenced by her strained expression.
I needed to question the Demon Sword Master.
“Why hasn’t she brought out the Brain?”
Brain, the cherished sword of the Demon Sword Master and one of the five great swords of the Central Plains.
Even though the Demon Sword Master possessed unmatched power, she could turn the tide even further by wielding the Brain.
If she had drawn her sword from the outset, she could handle Geomma effortlessly.
Yet she hadn’t revealed it until now, and I wondered why.
Even now, the Demon Sword Master was only amplifying her energy.
She hadn’t switched her weapon.
‘Should I interfere?’
I contemplated this while repeatedly clenching my fists.
Things were escalating bizarrely.
My gaze fell back to the Demon Sword Master.
Because my questions extended beyond just the Brain.
‘Why me?’
Strange circumstances continued to unfold. From Geomma’s surprise attacks to the Demon Sword Master’s ire directed toward me.
For some reason, it felt like the Demon Sword Master was shielding me.
‘…Wait, what if…’
Had she recognized who I am?
‘No, that can’t be.’
The insane thought that crossed my mind was swiftly dismissed. It was ridiculous.
My face had changed; the Gu Flame Wheel Technique had been sealed deliberately to erase my presence.
There was no way for the Demon Sword Master to recognize me—and even if she did, it would be something unbelievable.
‘Then why?’
I was puzzled. The lack of understanding only fueled my questions.
What on earth is her motive towards me?
While I was lost in thought, pondering this.
“Alright then.”
Geomma nodded, gearing up to move again.
“Let’s see how this ends.”
At the sound of his murderous voice, I readied myself to channel my energy.
This was no time to hide or hold back.
I wondered if even making a brush would be possible. I couldn’t let the Demon Sword Master perish here.
‘Damn it.’
Geomma lunged again, aiming his sword at the Demon Sword Master.
In that moment, I prepared to release my energy, focusing on my danjeon.
“Slice him to bits!”
Boom-!
The head of the madly charging Geomma slammed against the wall.
“What…?”
It sounded completely different from the earlier crash when the Demon Sword Master had tossed him aside.
Crack… crack…
A massive crack spread across the wall.
That wasn’t all.
The area of intent that Geomma had meticulously expanded began to vanish as if something were tearing it apart.
Snap… Snap.
As I confirmed this, I swallowed my astonishment. But soon came to one realization.
‘No… That’s not being torn apart.’
Even if others were oblivious, I could not be mistaken.
This wasn’t space being ripped away, it was being incinerated.
A ghastly black fire began to engulf Geomma’s domain.
Ding.
“…!”
Hearing a resounding chime, I turned my head only to witness the Demon Sword Master’s sword shatter and fall.
Someone had destroyed her sword.
Gazing at the half blade lying on the ground—
“First, let me ask you something.”
My focus shifted back to the dry, weighty tone that echoed from afar.
Something malevolent loomed there, an intensity contrasting sharply with Geomma’s murderous aura.
The voice’s owner appeared and seized Geomma’s face, pinning him against the wall.
The flames weaving from the man’s feet swayed ominously, ready to engulf the surroundings.
The air stilled.
The heat began to engulf everything.
Leaving Geomma trembling in fear, the man’s distinct purple eyes turned my way.
I found myself involuntarily trembling under that gaze.
“What is going on here?”
Then came the voice of that man.
Whoosh whoosh-!
Black flames erupted from him, beginning to fill the entire battlefield.
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