Chapter 175 – The Primordial Demon, Brunhilde Subjugation (3)

[Geez, maybe you’ve read too many useless comics. You’re trying way too hard to look cool.]

Snicker — Though her words were meant to tease me as always, I could sense the underlying approval in her tone.

‘…Can’t you be a little serious at times like this?’

[Nope, not happening. You’re too far removed from anything cool.]

Behind Kartia’s words, other voices seemed to chime in as if agreeing with her.

So it wasn’t just my imagination.
Voices I hadn’t been able to hear before were now reaching me.
I could even clearly sense their emotions—even Kartia’s.

…Could a simple change in mindset really make such a difference?

[Hmm, it’s not just a simple change in mindset—]

[Noah! So, among the three of us, who do you like best? It’s gotta be me, right? I met you first!]

Valoran’s dignified voice was cut off by what sounded like an excited, large puppy.

…Carpeng, I’m guessing?

[…Be quiet.]

[Good grief, what a mess.]

A cold, timid voice filled with genuine annoyance. This must be… Tylant? They sound… much younger than I expected.

[Silence.]

[You’ve already talked plenty with Noah, old man. Let me have a turn!]

[Geezer.]

[Didn’t I tell you to maintain your composure no matter what happens?]

[Hey, all of you just shut up. Read the room. Tsk.]

[…Hmm, my apologies.]

[Understood…]

[I was quiet to begin with.]

With just one word from Kartia, the voices clamoring in my head were instantly silenced.

Had they… established a hierarchy while I wasn’t around?

Well… since it was quiet now, I shifted my focus away from these perplexing mental impressions and returned to reality.

Just like before, the moment I exited that mental space, time—which had seemed stretched—snapped back to its normal flow.

[Unlike me, the others are thought entities. Their thoughts are transmitted directly, but since you’re accustomed to conversation, they manifest that way for you.]

‘I see…’

I didn’t fully understand, but at least it meant I could communicate with them in a comfortable space.

Perhaps later, when I have more time… yes.
I’d like to have a proper conversation with them.

Especially Carpeng.

“You’re really quite arrogant.”

Meanwhile, Brunhilde had clearly heard my claim about finishing everything in ten minutes and was glaring at me with contempt.

Yet within her expression, I caught a strange anticipation, faint hope, and traces of nostalgia.

I met her gaze directly as I adjusted my grip on Frey.

“Ahahaha! I’ll give you credit for your courage. Very well. I won’t touch your Spirit Summoner, so let’s see what you can do. Ten minutes.”

Brunhilde fluttered her wings and descended to face me.

Seeing her relaxed movements, my companions began to move to their positions one by one.

“Tch. Never in my life has my pride been so wounded.”

“…I’m counting on you.”

I nodded to Serr as she passed by me, then turned my attention back to Brunhilde.

Her stance appeared relaxed yet revealed absolutely no openings.

[In close combat, she’s the strongest among the Apostles of the End. Be careful.]

Valoran’s grave voice echoed in my mind.

Strong in close combat.
I already knew this information, but I had decided to discard everything in my head.

This wasn’t a game, but reality.
I would treat these beings not as game characters I knew, but as real entities existing in this world.

Even so.
Even in this life-or-death situation.
What I needed to do remained unchanged.

These were simply high mountains I needed to climb along the way.

So right now.
I needed to empty my mind and heart.
And focus on just one thing:

Defeating Brunhilde.

That alone was enough.

Step

As I took a step forward, the spirits’ wind enveloped my body. Simultaneously, Avalon’s mystical power—the spirit guarding Serr—firmly supported the ground beneath my feet.

I doubted whether such a small foothold could support my power.
But when I stomped on it with all my might—thud, thud—its unwavering stability reassured me.

“If it’s uncomfortable, we can fight down below.”

Crack — As Brunhilde finished speaking, the small platform beneath my feet grew thicker and rose higher.

…I suppose she wants me to fight here?

“Be careful not to get hurt, Rubia…”

“…Noah.”

“It’s fine. I want you to watch closely.”

Watch what I can do.

I gave Rubia my usual smile before stepping onto the newly formed platform beside me.

Brunhilde’s wings contracted to fit her body. The bone armor encasing her body compressed, transforming from what had looked like heavy armor into a lighter form. The pitch-black flames surrounding her condensed into the shape of a short spear.

“Come whenever you’re ready.”

Thud — Brunhilde shifted her stance, holding a long spear and short spear in her hands.

[Her weapons change purpose depending on distance. They can lengthen, shorten, or even take entirely different forms as needed.]

[Old man, this guy’s the type who learns better from experience than overthinking. Just watch instead of making things complicated.]

[I am 352 years old. I’m still quite young—]

[I’m 35. So you’re not an old man, you’re a grandpa.]

[Ahem.]

…I severed the faint connection I felt with these souls and focused all my attention on the battle.

“Haaah…”

Trusting in Serr, I cleared away all information from my Ki Sense. All that remained was Brunhilde standing before me and Rubia behind me.

I let Frey hang at my side.
I stepped forward.
I lowered my upper body and tightened my waist.

Crack — As cracks formed in the platform supporting my back foot…

Boom! My body launched forward.

I began with my most familiar move—an upward slash.
In an instant, I closed the distance to Brunhilde and swung Frey upward. Clang! Her thick spear deflected Frey with a flourish.

The difference in power was overwhelming.

The uncontrollable recoil traveled up my arm and threatened to consume my body. I managed to control it with all my strength. At the same moment, her short spear rushed toward my shoulder.

Crack — Thick ice bloomed over the short spear. Blood energy twisted my body, pulling me away from the spear’s path. Crunch — The ground beneath me collapsed, and a new platform rose. My unstable posture stabilized.

A stance perfect for wielding a greatsword.

Clang! I twisted my greatsword to deflect the rushing short spear and immediately pressed forward. The long spear shot toward me. I detonated blood energy at my side to forcibly change direction. The spear’s trajectory curved like a snake. Bang! The feathers floating through the air gathered to block the spearhead.

Despite the incredible speed of our battle, the platforms that kept forming beneath me were reassuringly solid.

Grateful that they moved exactly as I wished, exactly as I thought, I continued my relentless advance toward Brunhilde.

The long spear, quickly retrieved, rushed toward me again. Clang! I twisted my sword to deflect it. I released blood energy to add force to the recoil. Instead of fighting against the momentum, I rode it. Using the spinning momentum, I raised my back leg for a kick.

Thud — My left foot crashed into Brunhilde’s abdomen as if drawn in. Immediately, her short spear slashed toward my ankle. I gathered feathers to block the short spear. I spread intense cold energy to create a slight opening in Brunhilde’s movements.

I seized that opportunity to widen the distance between us.
I caught my breath and readjusted my stance.

And once again, Boom! I distorted the platform beneath me as I charged at Brunhilde.

In our relentless exchange of offense and defense…
In moments split into dozens of fragments…
My Ki Sense revealed thousands of possible movements from Brunhilde.

She not only matched my instantaneous responses but seemed to be a step ahead.
Brunhilde’s attacks restricted my greatsword’s movements.
My body’s movements were being controlled.

When far away, her long spear came rushing in. When close, her short spear attacked. Her defense worked similarly.
The two spears in her hands created a perfect unity of offense and defense.

Moreover, unlike me who had been constantly moving, Brunhilde hadn’t taken a single step from her position. If I hadn’t been paying attention, I would have been skewered dozens of times by now.

But that must be true for her as well.

Because I had been cautious…
Because I had paid attention to the distance and her spear tips…
She had been able to remain stationary.
She could afford to neglect her defense.
She could maintain her composure.

So.

I would change my approach.

I forced my way through the barrage of long spear thrusts. I held Frey against her short spear and used my foot to catch the long spear. Simultaneously, I detonated blood energy and demonic energy to forcibly create distance between us.

As Brunhilde readjusted her stance, I glanced at Rubia. Her expression contorted. I heard Kartia sigh.

I let Frey hang down.
I lowered my upper body even further.
I loosened my waist and flipped my hand from a normal grip to a reverse grip.

A stance focused solely on attack, abandoning all defense.

I charged at Brunhilde. Her wings spread wide. Her legs shifted backward, lowering her stance. Her center of gravity moved forward—not a posture for receiving my attack, but one meant to shatter it head-on.

“Serr—!”

I called out Serr’s name. Placing complete trust in her, I stomped with all my might. Boom! Instantly, a thick chunk of earth rose beneath my feet, channeling all my power.

The momentum from my foot traveled up to my waist.
From waist to shoulders, from shoulders to arms.
From arms to hands. From hands to Frey.

Frey, imbued with my full strength, swung toward Brunhilde.

At the same moment, Brunhilde’s spear was thrust forward.
Unlike before, its tip contained indescribable magical energy as it tore through space itself.

My Frey, swinging upward.
Her spear, perfectly aligned to intersect that path.
If things continued like this, my attack would be blocked.

So. Crack — With a precisely controlled burst of blood energy, I twisted Frey’s trajectory.

Her spear, containing horrifying magical power, rushed toward where my body had been. My Frey, carrying everything I had, swung toward her exposed ribs.

Shock and intense delight appeared on Brunhilde’s face.
The corners of her mouth lifted as if about to tear.

She didn’t stop. She didn’t change course. She didn’t waver.
Just like me, her attack moved straight forward, intended only to kill her enemy.

And then.

Crack — An arrow-like spearshaft.
A subtle breeze. A momentary lightning bolt.
Heavy gravity.

The trajectory of the long spear aimed at my body…

Shrrk

Twisted.