Chapter 243 – The [End]

I have no way of knowing just how strong the [End] is.

But judging by what I’ve felt from her so far, 

With my ki sense, I could never keep up with her movements.

The [End] is faster than any opponent I’ve ever faced. It’s not just speed; she moves beyond what should be possible.

So, I don’t rely on ki sense.

Just like when I fought Sirin, I trust my instincts.

The most important thing is to avoid vital spots and adapt to the [End]’s movements.

I’ll leave the rest to my senses.

Crunch.

I gripped the hilt of my sword, Frey. I steadied my breathing and drew up my Aura within. The energy, rippling like [Blood Aura], wrapped around my entire body. It lent strength to my whole frame, as if taking the place of my [Blood Aura].

Next, I channeled the Aura into Frey.

A sharper, harder [Sword-force] than before coated the greatsword.

I expanded my ki sense. To capture every last corner of the world’s edge. Instead of black feathers, the image from my ki sense sent every detail around me straight into my mind.

I let out the breath I’d been holding.

The [End], who was watching me, stomped her foot with a boom, 

At the same time, 

Crash! 

I kicked off and charged toward the [End]. I didn’t bother worrying about distance. I swung Frey up the moment I brought it around.

The [End]’s greatsword rose, diagonally. I twisted the hand holding Frey. With that twisted arc, Frey smashed, 

Clang! 

Against the [End]’s greatsword.

A rough jolt ran through my arm and washed over my whole body. I forced the blade off track to minimize the impact, but even so, it was like this. Of course, I never thought I’d land the first blow. But I realized right away from that first strike: the [End] is far stronger than me.

Still, that changes nothing. I’ll simply give it my all. I cast off all other thoughts.

I clenched my teeth hard enough to crack them.

I braced my aching arm and launched myself skyward with Frey. With that, my body spun, rapidly, Frey spinning with me. I pounded power back into my loosened grip. I stomped to halt my spin. Using that momentum, I thrust Frey through the cloud of dust I’d kicked up.

The [End] simply watched and then lightly extended her left hand.

Crack.

A casually thrown fist struck the blade of Frey.

It didn’t bounce away. As if some unknown force had grabbed it, Frey hung suspended in midair. The moment I realized it, I reversed my grip on Frey. I twisted my waist, putting even more force into the downward strike.

The [End] didn’t stay still.

She opened her hand. With that left hand, she gripped my greatsword tight. Then she straightened her back. Her feet glided across the ground.

Her movements flowed as naturally as water. The [End]’s right hand, no longer holding the greatsword, was now clenched in a fist. She pulled it back.

An electric warning stabbed the back of my neck, moving my body on instinct. I released Frey. My ki sense was gone, but my intuition screamed. I obeyed it and twisted my torso. At the same time, 

Rumble!

Thunder roared past my ears. Sticky blood from my jaw dripped onto my collarbone. I immediately summoned Frey and gripped it tight. I didn’t take a stance. I simply swung wide to create distance, flinging myself backward.

The swinging Frey burst through the air. The erupting wind sent me flying even farther. Behind me, my ki sense started to spread once again.

The ground was torn open in the wake of her punch. Space was warped, the axis of time itself seemed bent and ruined.

And above it all, 

The [End], her golden eyes blazing, stood there.

She stretched out her hand. Her greatsword appeared in her grasp.

[True Energy] rising from the [End] spread a murky shade over the world. Darkness, deeper than even the Black Sun, and a power beyond words, shrouded the [End]’s body. 

Fwoosh! 

A long shroud of darkness draped across her shoulders, swaying like a cloak.

The movement stilled. The [End] raised her greatsword.

The distance is far, but that slash will reach me.

Whether I dodge or block, it will hit me no matter what.

Realizing this instinctively, I held my breath. I reversed my grip on the hilt. I angled the blade and placed my hand along the flat.

At last, the [End] let out a slow breath.

‘[Flowing Water]?’

She relaxed her waist, bowing softly. She shed all unnecessary thoughts and focused her entire ki sense on the slash coming from right in front of her.

‘Yeah. Let’s see you try.’

The greatsword fell. No, it felt like the sky itself was crashing down on me with overwhelming force.

My mind, receiving it through my ki sense, screamed. My whole body trembled, cold sweat running down my skin. All the more, I drove my feet harder into the ground. With both hands gripping the greatsword tightly, I lifted it diagonally.

And then, the moment my greatsword and the [End]’s slash met, 

‘Hu, rp!’

I twisted my waist.

―――!!

A thunderous crash rang out, shaking the world.

Through it all, I could clearly hear the [End]’s cheerful laughter. That laughter grounded me. I ignored the pain tearing through both arms and steadied my breathing.

‘Not bad.’

The [End], planting her greatsword in the ground, brushed the cloak from her shoulder and smiled.

‘But not good, either.’

Creak! 

A sound that shouldn’t come from Frey. I gritted my teeth and clutched it with both hands.

At that moment, the [End] stepped forward.

Squish,

Just one step. But when that step ended, my instincts screamed.

I reflexively raised Frey. Just like before, I angled the blade in front of my heart, bending low with strength in my back leg.

At the same time, 

Thwack! 

The [End]’s fist, shot like a bullet, smashed into Frey. A leg, stretched like a spear, stabbed into my abdomen. Crack, my ribs shattered. The breath I’d been holding burst out, along with pieces of my insides. Blood gushed from my eyes, nose, mouth, ears, everywhere on my face.

Forcing down the blood flooding my throat, I drove my knee upward. But thud, my knee was stopped limply by the [End]’s palm.

The [End] gripped my knee. Crunch, her hand squeezed so hard it felt like my bones would shatter. I immediately pushed back with all my strength, breaking free of her grasp. The moment my feet touched the ground, the [End]’s greatsword swung.

Letting out a scream-like kiai, I twisted my waist. Broken bones stabbed my organs, sending dizzying pain through me. Even so, I moved my shoulder. I struck upward with Frey, scattering [Sword-force].

Clang clang clang!

The sharp-edged [Sword-force] grazed the [End]’s wrist. Because of that, her greatsword, which had been coming for me, veered off course. But the trajectory still aimed for my neck.

I released the strength in my supporting leg. I bent my knee. I leaned my back and head backward. With a sharp hiss, several strands of my hair vanished without a trace, unable to keep up with my body.

I burst my [Aura] and snapped my body upright again. Using that rebound, I lashed out with [True Energy]. With Frey pulled back behind my head, I swung it down.

Claaang!

A clear sound rang out. The Frey I slammed down bounced off the [End]’s greatsword, which had been raised at an angle. Frey plunged straight down toward the ground. Then, the [End] ducked again. She pulled back her fist. That fist, drawn tight, looked like it could be launched at any moment.

If that lands, 

I can’t dodge. I can’t block. I can’t counter.

But I anticipated this.

Right after using [Flowing Water], she wouldn’t be able to swing the greatsword again immediately, so the [End] would use her fist.

I’d done the same up to now.

I let go with my left hand and twisted my right elbow outward. The path of Frey, which had been dropping toward the ground, shifted.

Instead of embedding in the ground, Frey skimmed along it and rose into the air. I let my body follow its weight. I tried to retreat along with Frey, but my left foot, stretched to the limit, anchored me to the ground.

Finally, just before Frey and my body reached their limit, I pulled my left foot up. With the hand I’d let go, I gripped Frey again. I seized the momentum. Frey, which had swung backward, traced a semicircle overhead.

The [End]’s fist shot forward. Murderous intent gathered. All the darkness in the world converged. A fist, clutching the power of mortality, opened its maw to destroy its enemy.

I held my breath, tracking that fist. With my head feeling like it would crack, I sharpened my ki sense even further. I stoked the fire of my already burning body.

Thump. 

My heart pounded as if it would explode, and I fully seized the rebound of Frey.

Thump. 

On the second beat, my right foot slammed down with even more force.

Thump.

On the third beat, my Aura condensed in Frey until it screamed. Light burst forth, power beyond Heavenbreaker, the might of [Opening the Heavens].

Thump.

On the fourth, Frey, charged with all my strength, finally matching the [End]’s speed, fell toward the [End]’s neck.

Beheading.

In that instant, 

‘Did you predict I’d do this?’

The [End] murmured in surprise. It was a voice I shouldn’t have been able to hear in that moment, but I heard it, clearly.

I didn’t have time to answer.

The [End]’s empty hand rose to block the oncoming greatsword aimed at her neck. But at this moment, Frey could even sever her wrist.

She must have chosen to offer her wrist instead of her neck. I immediately began plotting my next move.

However.

I had to discard every plan I’d drawn in my mind.

Crunch.

‘But I predicted it, too.’

The [End]’s hand, 

A hand clad in scales like an ancient dragon, grabbed Frey’s blade.

‘If it were you, or if it were me, we would have done exactly this.’

Thunk.

The [End]’s fist landed on my chest.

‘Too bad.’