Ch.348348. Resolution

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Humans who have reached the extreme in a field, those who are the strongest on the continent, are called saints.

Among them, the Sword Saint, considered the pinnacle, can face transcendent beings from mythology—heroes and demons—albeit in a limited capacity, as is well known.

Of course, as the qualifier “limited” suggests, even they cannot fully contend with such beings. Overwhelming them head-on is simply impossible.

In that respect.

“Not possible.”

What unfolded before them now clearly lacked even a gram of realism.

With that casual voice, the forms of two humans—a hero and the strongest Demonic Vessel—were simultaneously knocked back.

‘This guy’s a real monster!’

In the continuing clash, Elia Krisanax gasped for breath, sweat streaming down her forehead, too focused to wipe it away.

Upon reflection, she too was among the continent’s strongest—sometimes even considered the strongest within the “human” category—a hero of remarkable power.

And the being she couldn’t guarantee victory against even if she risked her life was Elnore Erinarise la Tristan, who was now fighting alongside her.

But what kind of human was this, who wasn’t just facing two humans simultaneously, but actually overwhelming them?

‘I can’t sense anything…!’

Whatever ability they were using, there was nothing she could detect.

No magical power, no divine power, no spiritual power—nothing!

“Not coming again?”

“…”

“…”

Both Elia and Elnore fell silent at the blatantly smirking question.

Provoking these two would make even the bravest think twice, yet clearly they were now hesitant to launch another attack.

The reason was obvious.

Unlike the Luminary, who hadn’t broken a sweat and maintained a relaxed demeanor, they were clearly on the defensive, covered in wounds.

The fact that this was true even though their opponent showed no intention of taking the offensive was truly despair-inducing.

“…Should we try to synchronize our timing again?”

“You know that’s not the issue.”

Elnore responded in a low voice to Elia’s muttered suggestion.

Setting aside their normally terrible relationship, their coordination was clearly not just smooth but remarkably effective.

In fact, it would be more accurate to say it was approaching perfection.

And yet, despite both of them clearly recognizing this fact.

There wasn’t even a hint of a viable strategy.

“The difference in basic capability is absurd. This is—”

Though the sentence was cut off, Elia could only silently agree with the implied meaning.

Even with the combined power of a hero and the Grey Demon’s vessel.

They couldn’t win. It felt like fighting a mountain.

“I’ve been a hero for over ten years. How many times do you think I’ve fought those designated as enemies of the world?”

Enemies of the world.

Those who carry the ominous sign of being able to destroy the world single-handedly.

Heroes, designated as humanity’s hope, had the duty to fight such beings and protect the world, and the Luminary, a hero from “another world,” was someone who had never lost such a battle.

The Luminary, smiling brightly, leaned forward.

“Hero, Grey Demon’s vessel—”

And suddenly their body accelerated.

Though generally maintaining a defensive stance, they would occasionally switch to offense at unpredictable moments like this.

“—to me, you’re both just greenhorns.”

“Kuk!”

“Umph!”

And each time this happened, both Elnore and Elia would be knocked back simultaneously, adding another wound to their bodies—a pattern that had never failed.

It was strange. The speed wasn’t extraordinary, the power behind the sword strikes wasn’t transcendent, and above all, the combat style was one both Elia herself and Elnore, who had faced countless similar opponents, were very familiar with.

And yet.

They were simply overwhelmed by the “perfection” of it.

The warrior’s ability to find the most “correct” movement for each moment far surpassed the combined capabilities of the two.

And the bigger problem was that there seemed to be no way to face such a person except head-on.

“…You can manipulate time, stop it, things like that. Don’t you have anything you can use now?!”

Elia shouted in frustration, seeing blood flowing from the wound across her thigh.

“Do you think it would work?”

“…I guess not?”

It was a question asked knowing the answer already.

Elia narrowed her eyes at the Luminary, who was playfully twirling weapons in “both hands.”

She knew better than anyone the effect of the holy sword in their hand. Nullification of “all abilities.” Including demonic energy.

‘And that’s not the only one they have.’

While one hand held a holy sword identical to Elia’s, the other held what appeared to be a weapon also made of star iron.

However, its length was clearly just barely longer than a dagger. In contrast, the handle and pommel were made in the form of a longsword, creating an unbalanced appearance.

‘—What is that thing?’

Elia gritted her teeth as she stared at it.

It was a weapon unlike any she had seen before, but it was clearly what was giving them the most trouble.

Not only did its bizarre timing of thrusts throw off their rhythm, but it also seemed to double the resistance to demonic energy compared to Elia herself.

Even the Grey Demon with its tremendous powers found its abilities ineffective.

“You’ve been staring at it for a while. Curious what it is?”

Before her, the Luminary chuckled and rotated the dagger a few times in their hand.

Despite its unique appearance, the motion showed an attachment like handling a lifelong companion.

The following words would clarify this.

“This is also a holy sword. Strictly speaking.”

“…What?”

“It was completely broken once. Shattered beyond use, so I salvaged what remained and somehow forged it into a weapon.”

“…”

“Aren’t you curious why the holy sword broke?”

The Luminary’s lips twisted a bit more at the silent Elia.

If earlier they had worn a sly smile like Elia’s usual expression, what now crossed their face was clearly a frost-edged sneer.

“—While killing all the demons.”

With those words, the Luminary lunged at them again.

Before Elia could react, she was kicked and sent tumbling away, while the Luminary blocked Elnore’s raised sword with the longer holy sword.

The short holy sword drew a vicious arc.

“-!!!!”

The next moment, sparks flew before Elnore’s eyes.

The twisted blade had lodged itself directly into the left side of her abdomen.

“At least your mental fortitude has improved?”

The Luminary mockingly addressed Elnore, who glared back through gritted teeth.

“Before, you’d just take hits as soon as you were pushed back and lose. Now—”

Even while saying this, the Luminary coolly lowered their gaze to follow Elnore’s movements.

“I guess just taking hits doesn’t suit you?”

Indeed.

Even through the pain of her flesh being torn open, Elnore was pulling back her other arm holding the sword.

Her fist shot out with enough force to tear through the air. A direct hit would be enough to explode a human body, but the Luminary smoothly twisted away, evading it.

“It stayed in my memory for a long time.”

Elnore answered, spitting out the blood pooled in her mouth.

The fortunate thing was that it hadn’t come from inside her body. The sword hadn’t pierced her internal organs.

“When you tried to kidnap Darwood Campbell in front of me.”

She had worked hard because of that. To ensure that man would never suffer in front of her, no matter the situation.

And clearly, this was where she would see the fruits of that effort.

“Well. Will you be able to see that?”

“…”

Of course, she could only respond with silence to such words, given the vast difference in their abilities.

“Perhaps—you couldn’t see it alone.”

“…?”

“I’m envious, you know. That you’re not alone.”

Elnore’s eyes narrowed at the Luminary’s sudden statement.

What was this person suddenly talking about?

But ignoring her reaction, the Luminary raised their sword with a bitter smile.

As if preparing to defend against “something” that was about to arrive.

“The timing is impeccable. This person.”

And then.

“Well, I’ve always been in your debt.”

Along with a man’s voice from nearby.

“Shouldn’t I come to save my wife at least once?”

A powerful physical strike charged with tremendous force slammed into the Luminary’s position.

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