Episode 198. Didn’t you say you would light the way
? Colosseum arena.
Being a Berserker, Leonie knew the flow of the duel better than anyone else.
So I couldn’t even open my mouth.
I… What are you looking at?
“…Hey Snake Eyes.”
“I am listening.”
“Are you looking right? Can’t you see?”
dory dory.
At Nam Tae-min’s question, Hisagi shook his head.
They were three people who were confident that they would not be left behind by any player in terms of physical ability.
However, at this moment, the movements of Ho-yeol and Sword-Sung…
“are on a different level.”
Harkon, Commander of the Lion Heart Knights.
Even thinking about Harkon’s movements, it wasn’t this far.
All three of them had experience competing with Harkon in training.
It was agile like a lion, but it was visible.
Saaek—
Fuhuaaak—
It’s scary to catch the shape at first glance.
Due to the speed, the sand dust rising up obscures the view.
fleeting moment.
visor!
Karung!
visor!
The sum of dozens of back and forth.
The sound is slow enough to be heard in the ear one beat.
It was literally proof of movement faster than sound.
“What do you see, Camilla? Can you see it?”
Another spectator spot.
Dmitri pulled Camilla into the seat next to him.
Wasn’t it Camilla, the No. 1 in the long-distance martial arts ranking?
Her eyes would be able to catch movements like that.
“So who’s winning huh?!”
But Camilla only sighed.
“…I’m still a long way off.”
“Eh? What are you talking about?”
“I don’t see any. My eyes can’t keep up.”
“!”
It was such an answer that even Rox hesitated.
Camilla’s vision is one of The Shining’s greatest weapons. Even when dealing with monsters hundreds of levels higher than themselves, Camilla’s eyes never missed the enemy’s movements.
Rox thought coldly.
‘Actually, it’s nothing surprising.’
Sword Saint.
At the same time, the only grand sword master on the continent, Shagwin.
Ever since Arcana was just a game.
Who is the strongest NPC?
It was one of the characters that appeared without leaving out when rice cakes were circulated.
Although, by chance, only a handful of players said they met Shagwin in person.
His reputation was not cut off from books, rumors, and NPCs’ mouths.
‘If it’s a swordsman, I can do that.’
Besides, I don’t know how it happened.
Shagwin had regained his youth.
If it’s the pinnacle of Arcana Continental Swords, it wouldn’t be strange to show such inaction.
However, the problem was Lee Ho-yeol.
Rox murmured with sincerity.
“What the hell…”
Just a little while ago.
I came to experience Ho-yeol’s incomparable magical ability.
Light covering the Zero Mountains.
I moved that light at once and used it as a means of attack.
That level of magic realization was more appropriate for the head of the Mage Tower than the player. I tried to understand that co-chief Lee Ho-yeol would be able to do that.
however.
“…How far are you planning to go?”
Now you’re competing with the swordsman on equal footing with the sword?
Yes.
That was no longer the realm of the Arcana System.
‘It cannot be explained by the level.’
for Lee Ho-yeol.
There is a ‘something’ that we don’t know about.
It wasn’t just Rocks who noticed that fact.
“…!”
Second Sun’s guild master Schraig.
After clearing the dungeon [City of Melancholic Rain] with Ho-yeol, he realized and released his sword skills.
Thanks to the forced opening of his eyes, he was visible to Schraig.
The silver sword that drives the swordsman!
It wasn’t about competing.
It was a one-sided attack.
Shagwin was in a hurry to block Hoyeol’s attack.
Schraig swallowed dryly.
I couldn’t follow it with my eyes, but I could feel it in the sword.
‘…This duel will not last long.’
No, it was a game that should have been decided long ago.
Schraig, who unleashes sword energy.
That’s why the presence or absence of sword skills makes a big difference.
I knew myself well.
‘I don’t know why, but I can’t radiate sword energy.’
All I could see was the silver sword.
Because I couldn’t see Shagwin’s sword skill.
So Schraig could tell.
“…no way?”
Hoyeol told Shagwin several times.
No, the fact that I’m giving away dozens of hundreds of times.
It was.
This duel should have ended long ago with Shagwin’s defeat.
When I realized that fact, I saw everything.
visor!
It wasn’t that Shagwin blocked it.
so that he can stop it.
Hoyeol swung his sword.
Even Schraig, who realized his sword skill, barely realized the truth.
There was no way the watching players would know.
Excited voices erupted from everywhere.
“You stand up to the Sword Master on an equal footing!!”
“Does this make sense?”
“Aren’t you really winning at this rate?!”
The match is decided.
So Schraig wasn’t thrilled.
I was just watching.
‘What the hell do you mean?’
It was then. With
a creak—
with a sound, Shagwin knelt down.
However, Ho-yeol just swung his sword the same way.
Shagwin’s body had reached its limit.
“crazy…!!”
Ho-yeol seizes the victory.
In the cheers that burst out as if they had been waiting.
Schraig thought.
‘Attack so that it can be received, and wait when it is knocked down…’
“…!”
Realized.
Because he himself had the same experience as Shagwin.
The image of Ho-yeol holding a long umbrella comes to mind.
-“From now on, what you will do is simple. to watch.”
-“To be precise, it is to witness swordplay.”
– “Believe in me who believes in you.”
Schraig muttered in disbelief.
“…Could it be to teach the Sword Saint?”
.
.
.
I could feel it.
The fact that I’m overpowering Shagwin.
Yes, it wasn’t enough that he entrusted himself to Gwicheol, and he even emitted sword steel.
It wouldn’t be strange to be able to overwhelm them from start to finish.
Furthermore.
‘…see.’
There was Grandfell’s ignorant talent.
Adapting to Shagwin’s quick sword in real time.
You’re good enough to stab your conscience, Grandfel.
As a result, I gave Shagwin a valid hit.
Suddenly—
Shagwin’s left arm began to stain with blood.
It seemed to be pushed all the way through.
Was this the first time the attack hit?
After all, the swordsman is a monster.
But what I heard was unexpected.
“…what do you want from me?”
…What are you talking about all of a sudden?
You want to win, of course.
Because I didn’t want to lose and die in the duel of time and space.
However, it seemed that he was not talking to me.
“You have had the opportunity to take my breath away hundreds and thousands of times. Why? Is it to humiliate me, who is worse than the devil? If so, didn’t it turn out as you wished?”
Shagwin looking at his wounds.
“To the point where I couldn’t even repel the attack I was trying to block. My body has reached its limit.”
…is it true?
Did I really have such an opportunity?
Gwicheol answered instead of me, who was startled.
-Did the child still not realize the master’s will?
…why are you rushing again?
Of course, it didn’t mean anything to me, Lee Ho-yeol.
It’s not me, so it’s Grandfel’s will…
I can’t help but be surprised.
Who is Grandfel?
To the extent that I don’t mix unnecessary words with the devil.
Granfell did not show unnecessary mercy to the devil.
Even for the corrupted Shagwin, Grandfell probably had no sympathy.
“Raise your sword.”
As if to prove my thoughts.
Grandfell said in a cold voice.
Like he said, did he really reach his limit?
Shagwin straightened his creaking body.
Then he let out a laugh.
“Is it just bad taste?”
Grandfel did not answer.
Of course, even if you don’t answer, I know.
To Grandfel, the devil is not even a hobby.
Because it wasn’t worth the effort.
Then why?
Abruptly—
“…Kuh.”
Abruptly—
“Ugh.”
Why did Grandfel not end the duel with Shagwin?
Yes, only I know the answer to that profound question.
‘…As expected, it’s a flower garden, Grand Fel.’
In real life, Lee Ho-yeol, who is stained with dirt, and Grandfel are different.
I was well aware of how difficult it is for humans to change, but I am not Grandfel.
To put it simply, Grandfel overestimates the human animal, even if it means overestimating it.
There is nothing to go far.
this place.
It was the same with Zero Mountains.
– “I will light the way, so you can follow it as much as you like.”
Thinking that any human can regain their pride.
The first move to jump into the fire is proof of that.
Every moment I did not expect.
As you said.
Because I knew the soiled me.
It will be the same in the future.
A person’s heart is turned upside down like a palm turned upside down.
Right now, they hold me up as a symbol of peace and a hero of mankind, but humans are living creatures who do not know when to turn their backs on any temptation.
Even so.
“Raise your sword.”
Grandfell is to believe in humans.
Even if he sold his body to the devil.
It is not to give up the expectation of pride.
‘In the end, all the hardships are because of my karma…’
In this rough world.
Who can sympathize with your stubbornness, Grand Fell?
there will be only me
So, just like I always have been.
I will struggle until I can struggle.
I promise
“…?”
was overlooking
even if no one
that there was a system.
[A small change occurs as a result of the sublime.]
Yes.
as soon as the message pops up.
A change has happened.
from Shagwin.
.
.
.
eyes slowly close
The body that has reached its limit screams that it wants to rest.
If you think about it that way.
‘…haven’t you ever had a good rest?’
It was the wrong way from the start.
No matter how hard I try not to stop, not to stumble.
You mean you rushed and ran? Shagwin.
Don’t you think so, Atlas?
‘Everything is over.’
Maybe you think you’re lucky
Wasn’t it me who had entered the wrong path rather than the sword path in the first place?
If I went further, I would have only seen ugly things.
I can only thank the man who stopped me.
Shagwin slowly closed his eyes.
‘…I won’t ask for forgiveness.’
I will not hand over an apology that will not be delivered.
I will just embrace my sins and pay for them in hell.
Yes, that betrayed humans.
It would be the end befitting a devil.
He didn’t even have the strength to move his body.
Even the power to lift an eyelid.
“…?”
okay.
because I closed my eyes
You shouldn’t be seeing anything.
Why?
something was seen
To be precise, a single path was visible.
“If this is a kaleidoscope…”
Shagwin laughed.
“It was a really simple life.”
This must be the futile sword path I chose.
I wonder if that guess was correct.
The road was so dark that I couldn’t even see an inch ahead.
“…”
But it was the path I chose.
It was a path of no return.
It was a path to take responsibility.
It was the moment Shagwin was about to take a step.
Raise your sword.
“…?”
A man’s voice was heard.
until everything is over.
Are you scolding me?
“…do whatever you like.”
you deserve it
It was the moment when Shagwin lowered his head bitterly.
For some reason, I saw something I shouldn’t have seen.
With the wrong sword.
That’s why his own sword that shouldn’t exist.
Atlas was in his hand.
Atlas’ voice came.
– You’re finally listening to me.
“…!!”
– Didn’t your throat get hoarse from shouting?
“…why are you here?”
– Why are you asking the obvious?
Atlas continued.
-The road with you is my sword.
Shagwin kept his mouth shut.
Atlas’ heartbeat came from his fingertips.
is it.
do you mean that
you haven’t forgotten
Shagwin struggled to open his mouth.
“…it will be a rough road.”
-Hasn’t it been tough so far?
“I may never come back.”
-What would you like to come back to?
“…This may be the wrong way.”
– Still good.
“…I see.”
There was a moment of silence at the last words.
But the silence didn’t last long.
With a sword I couldn’t see anything.
“…!”
Why?
Because there was a ray of light in the darkness.
It was a flash of silver that shone sublimely.
“You are needlessly friendly. The man you are.”
Shagwin finally let out a smile.
– They say that if you laugh after crying, trouble will happen.
“Shut up, Atlas. Didn’t you cry too?”
– Who did it? I am the sword. Black cannot cry.
“How about saying something with that snoring voice?”
– Didn’t I tell you? It was screaming….
It made its way.
.
.
.
Glow counterbalance.
Shagwin radiated the bluest sword river.
I just closed my eyes.
With Atlas in his arms.
A face that has returned to an old man at some point.
A faint smile hung on his lips.
A shout came in my ears.
“I believed in you, Ho-yeol!”
“I won! Lee Ho-yeol won the Sword Master!!”
“Is that why you came up with a legendary achievement?!”
“But what if this isn’t a new legend!”
Soon after, a message popped up.
[You have won the space-time duel.]
[You have met the conditions.]
[You will receive a reward.]
