[Anyway, maybe I’ve watched too many pointless cartoons. I’m totally holding my ground.]
kikiki– It was the usual teasing remark, but it was laced with a feeling of triumph.
‘…Can’t we be a bit serious in times like this?’
[Nope, can’t do. You’re miles away from being cool like this.]
In response to Cartia’s words, voices agreeing with that sentiment began to surface.
Indeed, it wasn’t just my imagination.
Voices that had been silent now echoed.
Their feelings and even Cartia’s emotions started to become palpable.
…Can just a small change in mindset make such a difference?
[Hmm, it’s not just a minor shift in mindset—]
[Noah! So, out of the three of us, who’s your favorite? It has to be me, right? We met first?!]
Interrupting Valoran’s dignified voice, a booming voice akin to a big puppy’s rang out.
…Is that Carpen?
[…Shut up.]
[Whoa, what a mess!]
A cold and timid voice, seemingly genuinely annoyed. This must be… Tylant? Younger than I expected…
[Shut it.]
[You’ve chatted quite a bit with Noah. Let me talk too!]
[Geez.]
[Didn’t I tell you? No matter what happens, keep your composure.]
[Hey, hey! You all just shut up. Read the room and speak when you should. Tsk.]
[…Hmph, my bad.]
[I get it…]
[I was quiet by nature.]
With those words from Cartia, the voices that had been echoing in my head were swiftly suppressed.
Have they established a hierarchy while I was gone…?
For now… since it got quiet, I pulled my attention away from the confusing mental imagery and returned to reality.
Just like before.
As soon as I escaped the space within the imagery, the elongated time returned to its original flow.
[Everyone except me is what you’d call thought entities. Their thoughts are conveyed directly, and it seems to be interpreted in the form of conversation that you’re familiar with.]
‘Ah…’
I don’t really understand, but it means I can communicate with those people in a comfortable space.
Later, when I have a bit more time… Sure.
I want to have a chat.
Especially with Carpen.
“You’re really cocky, huh?”
Meanwhile, after hearing my remark about finishing in ten minutes, Brunhilde was glaring at me with a smirk.
Yet, within that expression lay a strange sense of anticipation, a faint hope, and a subtle nostalgia.
I faced Brunhilde head-on while tightening my grip on Frey.
“Aha. You’ve got some guts. Fine. I won’t touch the spirit user, so give it a go. Ten minutes.”
Brunhilde flapped her wings and descended in front of me.
Seeing Brunhilde’s relaxed movements, my companions began to leave one by one to take their positions.
“Tsk. I’ve never felt my pride wounded like this in my life.”
“…I’ll rely on you.”
I nodded to Ser, who brushed past me, then turned my gaze back to Brunhilde.
Her stance looked loose, yet I could find no openings.
[If we’re talking close combat, she’s the strongest among the Apostles of Jong-eon. Be careful.]
Valoran’s heavy voice echoed in my mind.
Close combat is her strong suit.
I had known that, but I decided to discard all the knowledge I had in my head.
This is not a game, but reality.
I’m not dealing with fictional characters but actual existences in this world.
Even so.
Even if this situation is dire,
What I must do remains unchanged.
Thus, what I face now is merely a high mountain to climb in the process.
So, right now.
I’ll clear my head, clear my heart.
Let’s focus on one thing.
Defeating Brunhilde.
That’s all I need.
thud-
With one step forward, the spirit’s wind enveloped my body. Along with it, Ablon’s mysteries under Ser’s protection firmly supported my feet.
I doubted whether such a small platform could support my power, but…
crunch- crunch- The solidity that didn’t crumble under my full weight eased my worries.
“If you’re uncomfortable, you can do it down there.”
thud- As soon as Brunhilde finished speaking, the small ground supporting my feet thickened even more.
…In other words, she means I should do it here, huh?
“Be careful not to get hurt, Rubia…”
“…Noah.”
“I’m fine. I’m watching closely.”
What I can do.
I gave Rubia my usual smile and climbed up onto the ground that had just appeared beside me.
Brunhilde’s wings returned to an appropriate size for her body. The bone armor that had been enveloping her body softened, transforming from heavy armor to light armor. The swirling pitch-black flames around her condensed into the shape of a spear.
“Come in whenever you’re ready.”
thud- Brunhilde’s stance changed as she held both a spear and a harpoon in each hand.
[It changes in purpose depending on the distance. The length can be adjusted according to need. It can become longer, shorter, or even take entirely different forms.]
[Old man, she’s the type to leap first and think later. So don’t complicate things, just sit back and watch.]
[I am 352 years old. I’m still quite young—]
[I’m 35. Guess that makes you not just old but senile?]
Ahem.
…I severed the faint connection I felt in my soul and focused my entire consciousness on the battle.
“Phew…”
I trusted Ser and erased all sensations I felt. What was left were only Brunhilde in front of me and Rubia standing behind me.
I lowered Frey.
Taking a step forward.
I bent my torso, tightening my waist.
creak- The platform under my back foot cracked.
thud-! My body shot forward.
It began with the most familiar upward slash.
Before I knew it, I was before Brunhilde, raising Frey to strike. clang- The thick spear whirled and deflected Frey.
The overwhelming difference in power.
An uncontrollable recoil engulfed my body through my arm. I exerted all my strength to counter the recoil. Simultaneously, a harpoon came rushing toward my shoulder.
crackle- Thick ice erupted on the harpoon. The Blood Aura twisted my body, evading the harpoon’s trajectory. crunch- The ground beneath my feet crumbled, exposing new ground. My previously unstable posture found stability.
The most comfortable stance for swinging the Great Sword.
clang-! I twisted the Great Sword to deflect the approaching harpoon and immediately pressed forward. The harpoon was fired. I burst the Blood Aura at my side to forcibly change direction. The trajectory of the fired harpoon curved like a snake. swoosh- Feathers that had been dancing in the air converged to block the spearhead.
Even as the battle continued at breakneck speed, the platforms sprang up without a moment’s rest.
Feeling gratitude for how they moved as I desired and thought, I rushed toward Brunhilde without pause.
The rapidly retrieved harpoon surged forward again. clang-! I twisted the Great Sword to bounce it off. With the Blood Aura, I added strength to the recoil. I rode the wave without resisting it. Following that, I kicked off the ground while spinning.
thud- My left foot slammed into Brunhilde’s abdomen as if sucked in. Immediately, the harpoon swung toward my ankle. I gathered the feathers to block the harpoon. My powerful cold aura created a slight gap in Brunhilde’s actions.
I seized that gap, widening the distance.
I caught my breath and adjusted my stance.
And once again, thud-! The platform distorted as I rushed at Brunhilde.
In the unceasing offensive and defensive exchange,
A moment that felt like it had been split into dozens of milliseconds.
The movements of Brunhilde illustrated in my senses surpassed thousands.
Her movements, which materialized as thoughts, caught up with and exceeded mine, while Brunhilde’s offensive preempted my actions.
The movement of my Great Sword became restricted.
My body’s actions were forced.
If the distance increased, the harpoon would be used, and if it decreased, the javelin would strike. The same went for defense.
The two spears in my hands depicted a perfect sense of offense and defense.
Moreover, while I kept moving, Brunhilde remained rooted in place, not taking a single step. If I hadn’t paid attention, I wouldn’t have been able to dodge several stabs already.
However, it must’ve been the same for Brunhilde.
I was cautious; therefore, I kept an eye on distances and spearheads, enabling me to remain stationary.
I could afford to neglect my defenses.
I could be composed.
So.
I decided to change things up.
I slipped through the thousands of harpoons being shot at me. I met Brunhilde’s harpoon with Frey and lifted my foot to catch the harpoon. Simultaneously, I unleashed the Blood Aura and Magical Power to forcefully create space.
While Brunhilde readjusted her stance, I glanced at Rubia. Her expression morphed. I could hear Cartia’s sigh.
I lowered Frey. Leaning even deeper, I relaxed my waist, flipping my one hand gripping the hilt upside down for a reverse grip.
A stance centered on power, solely for attacking.
Casting aside all defenses, I charged at Brunhilde. Brunhilde spread her wings. Her legs slipped back, lowering her stance. Her center of gravity shifted forward. It wasn’t a posture to receive my attack, but one aimed to crush me head-on.
“Ser-!”
I yelled Ser’s name. Fully trusting her, I poured all my strength into my thrust. boom-! Instantly, the thick slab of earth beneath me received all my power.
The momentum transmitted from my feet surged into my waist.
From my waist to my shoulders, from my shoulders to my arms.
From my arms to my hands. From my hands, to Frey.
The full force of my strike from Frey swung toward Brunhilde.
At that moment, Brunhilde’s harpoon shot forth.
Unlike before, the spear’s tip imbued with an indescribable magical power tore through space as it advanced.
Swinging Frey from the bottom up.
And the harpoon coming in on the exact trajectory to pierce me.
If this continued, I would surely be blocked.
So, crack- I unleashed a minuscule burst of Blood Aura to twist the sword’s trajectory.
The spear, filled with horrific magical power, surged toward the empty space I left behind. All my strength delivered through Frey swung toward Brunhilde’s empty ribcage.
A blend of horror and tumultuous joy filled her face.
Her lips curled up, almost painfully.
I didn’t stop. I wouldn’t change. I wouldn’t bend.
Just like me, thrusting solely to kill the enemy.
And—
crack- The arrow, akin to a spear,
A faint breeze. A fleeting electric shock.
A heavy gravity.
I twisted the trajectory of the harpoon aiming toward my body.
swish-
