Ch.8686. Brilliance

[I will take on the Apostle.]

Rex’s body twitched at the voice echoing in his head. Facing an Apostle alone. Even Berger knew how absurd such a statement was. Even if they brought every knight from Lindvale right now, they couldn’t achieve victory against that monster.

An Apostle is a superhuman who has reached the status of a demigod in a mortal body. Just as Sungnyeom cannot defeat Hwigwang even if he dies and awakens again. No, there exists an even greater gap between Hwigwang and an Apostle.

Victory is impossible.

[I’ll try to buy as much time as possible… Meanwhile, you all should join forces to eliminate that Holy Knight.]

But holding out is possible. Though he didn’t know exactly what power the Apostle possessed, Berger had seen a being like Shaharon before. His master. Assuming Shaharon’s level was similar to the Apostle of the Sword, he could hold out for at least ten minutes or so.

‘If I risk my life.’

He deliberately left the latter part unsaid. The situation was already desperate enough.

[Can you do it?]

The enemy wasn’t just Shaharon. Malakor. Though overshadowed by the intimidating presence of an Apostle, Malakor was equally threatening. If an Apostle is the pillar supporting the Order, then a Holy Knight is the sword that carries out the Order’s will. A Holy Knight’s martial prowess far exceeds that of an ordinary knight belonging to a domain.

Rex had been sparring with Lindvale’s knights for the past half year. He no longer suffered helpless defeats like when he first sparred with Brandon. Though he couldn’t win, he occasionally managed to achieve draws.

While his skills had grown through repeated training, the main reason was that the purpose was focused on “sparring.” If it had been a real battle, the result would surely have ended with his neck being severed. And Malakor was stronger than Lindvale’s knights.

It was an impossible request. Rex had not yet reached Hwigwang. Even setting aside Elin, Chloe was still at the stage of Revelation, not even Sungnyeom. Even if the three of them joined forces, defeating Malakor would be nearly impossible.

“I understand.”

Despite knowing all this, Rex nodded. Berger had decided to shoulder a burden incomparably heavier than his own. This was no time for weak words.

[I’ll protect Chloe. Don’t worry about us and fight. I’ll attack when I see an opening.]

Berger’s telepathic message was heard by Elin and Chloe as well. Elin chanted a spell while sending telepathy. When she finished her incantation, the barrier’s surface thickened. However, its size decreased, no longer enveloping the entire party but only wrapping around Elin and Chloe.

Once the battle began in earnest, Rex and Berger would need to step forward. A wise decision. Berger adjusted his grip on his longsword and turned his head.

Shaharon was still standing motionless, watching the party. However, the shadow stretching beneath him was gradually expanding, painting over the forest.

“You must not kill him.”

Malakor spoke in a cautious tone. He found the current situation extremely unpleasant. Being selected for a mission with little benefit was already annoying, and now he had to engage in an unnecessary fight. Other Holy Knights of the Order would be spending faithful days at headquarters at this very moment. For him, who was aiming for the position of the next Holy Knight Commander, this wasted time was far too precious.

‘They should have just followed obediently when offered mercy…!’

It was pointless resistance. Malakor couldn’t understand their psychology. Despite promising not to kill them, why did they insist on kicking away the opportunity? This wasn’t a problem that could be resolved through stubbornness. Of course, Malakor wasn’t afraid of fighting. After all, the Apostle was by his side.

What was truly frightening was that very Apostle.

Shaharon was the pinnacle of the Chaos Order, closest to Pandemius. Naturally, his temperament resembled chaos. Even within the Order, Shaharon’s capricious behavior was well-known. While divine commands work absolutely for ordinary believers, Shaharon was an exception. Even the Holy Maiden couldn’t control Shaharon at will.

If these ignorant fools’ resistance upset Shaharon, and if Rex, who needed to be brought back intact, ended up dead as a result. Who would bear that responsibility? Malakor glanced nervously at Shaharon. They wouldn’t hold the Order’s only Apostle accountable.

“As long as we don’t kill him, it’s fine, isn’t it?”

Shaharon, who had been silent all along, muttered indifferently.

“The Holy Maiden instructed us to bring him with a kind attitude, as if dealing with the extremely poor…”

In truth, the oracle itself only stated to bring Rex to the Order “alive.” The Holy Maiden’s command was merely her own interpretation of the oracle. For this reason, Malakor couldn’t strongly deny Shaharon’s words. The term “alive” could literally be interpreted as just needing to be breathing, regardless of condition. Even with limbs severed or eyes gouged out, as long as he was alive, it would suffice.

“How bothersome.”

Shaharon dismissed Malakor’s objection with a blunt tone. Malakor gave up trying to persuade him and let out a small sigh. At this point, further words would be meaningless, and moreover—

An attack was coming.

Shaharon and Malakor simultaneously stomped the ground. —BOOM! The ice spike shot by Elin pierced into the spot where they had just been standing. The ice spike quickly melted, cooling the surroundings, but the two had already moved far beyond the reach of its chilling influence.

Malakor twisted his lips and turned his head. Rex, who had somehow reached close proximity, entered his field of vision. Without time to catch his breath, the blade of the Zweihander came slashing in. Bright golden flames erupted. The Zweihander, wrapped in Sungnyeom, aimed for Malakor’s neck.

Shaharon slowly raised his hand. Darkness clumped like mud transformed into a spear. Rex felt his blood run cold as he stepped back. CLANG! A deafening sound shook his eardrums. The spear crushed through the tree beside him. He had nearly died. If he hadn’t tilted his head at that moment, the spear would have pierced his head.

“Damn it!”

Malakor roared, glaring at Rex. Humiliation crawled up his skin. The reason for his anger wasn’t the sudden ambush. He could have avoided the attack. Nevertheless, Shaharon had personally intervened to block the Zweihander for him. That gave Malakor a sense of shame. The fact that he needed Shaharon’s help against mere Sungnyeom was unbearably humiliating.

“This is all your doing. Yes, I was too lenient. Losing a limb or two should be fine. It will hurt quite a bit. Please don’t beg for your life while whimpering. I might want to kill you.”

It was provocation that needed no response. Rex let the mockery slide past his ears as he readjusted his grip on the sword. Seeing this, Shaharon created another spear. But the spear’s trajectory was twisted by a longsword that intercepted it.

“Don’t get distracted. I’m your opponent.”

Shaharon turned his head. Berger’s Hwigwang pushed back the shadow Shaharon had created.

That’s how it appeared on the surface. The reality was different. Berger stared at Shaharon with a hardened face. His expression remained relaxed. While Berger had been exerting his full power from the start, Shaharon hadn’t even shown half of his true ability yet. As the distance between them decreased, a terrible pressure constricted his breathing.

‘Ten minutes, he said.’

Berger couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh. There’s a limit to arrogance. Could he properly hold out for even five minutes? He wasn’t sure. Thud. Without certainty, Berger took a step forward.

“How amusing.”

Shaharon muttered in a blunt voice. Swish! Shadows rose and enveloped his body. The glossy sheen resembled snake scales. Then, pitch-black Hwigwang flowed out. Berger widened his eyes and swung his longsword.

—CRASH!

He deliberately ignored the impact sound from behind. The situation wasn’t comfortable enough to worry about Berger. Rex regulated his breathing and employed Cheongang Gyeol. The divine power latent in the pattern spread throughout his body, supporting his movements. The warrior’s gaze enhanced his senses. He focused his spider-web-like perception on Malakor.

‘Not enough.’

Despite employing every available means, Malakor was still stronger than him. Rex gritted his teeth and moved his feet. Far from attempting an attack, he was barely managing to dodge.

No. He couldn’t even dodge properly. Tsk. A burning sensation crossed his side. Though he thought he had avoided it, Malakor’s sword was already stained with a thin layer of blood.

“Tired already?”

Malakor sneered in a nonchalant voice. A dark light, similar to Shaharon’s, was leaking from his body. It was Hwigwang. That absurd ability had the effect of blocking attacks from opponents of lower rank. This was why the gap between levels intensified as one’s sacred status increased. Even Sungnyeom cannot break through Hwigwang.

Despite the various spells Elin fired in succession, the Hwigwang remained undisturbed. How much time had passed? Berger’s words came to mind. He said he would hold out for ten minutes. Though Rex wanted to believe in Berger, he considered the worst. It was just an estimate; in reality, Berger might fall before then. Somehow, he needed to quickly eliminate Malakor and help Berger.

But how?

Even now, he was being pushed back one-sidedly. Barely clinging to life, how could he possibly kill his opponent? The difference in level was clear. More precisely, the presence or absence of Hwigwang was painfully evident. If the opponent’s divine power was depleted, Hwigwang would naturally disappear. If they were on equal terms, he might be able to turn the situation around, but…

‘I’ll get exhausted faster.’

What Rex was thinking, Malakor must have thought as well. Though he verbally mocked, Malakor’s inner thoughts were filled with surprise. Despite his young age, the boy was stronger than imagined. His level of utilizing divine power was impressive, suggesting he had learned sacred methods. But what bothered him most was the swordsmanship.

‘This swordsmanship seems familiar…’

He couldn’t identify its origin. One thing was certain: it was a higher form of swordsmanship than what he had been taught in the Order. Superior martial arts aren’t always beneficial. Sacred combat techniques, known as absolute arts and esoteric skills, require considerable time to train to a level suitable for practical use. Even with a guiding master, many fail to learn if they lack innate talent.

‘How irritating.’

Malakor frowned and thrust his longsword. CLANG! Though he clearly aimed for an opening, his blade was blocked by a sword that instantly curved downward. That wasn’t the end; a counterattack utilizing the force of the sword strike came back. Again! Malakor gritted his teeth with a distorted face.

He had received Rex’s background information before carrying out the mission. Fifteen years old, was it? While Rex felt the absurdity of Malakor’s Hwigwang, Malakor felt the absurdity of Rex’s swordsmanship. It was a skill that a mere fifteen-year-old boy couldn’t possibly possess. He had always prided himself as a genius. That self-esteem was completely shattered.

Regardless of Malakor’s inferiority complex, he steadily cornered Rex. This was not an opponent to be taken lightly. Though he possessed considerable divine power, it was inferior to his own, who had reached the stage of Hwigwang. If he denied opportunities and took a defensive stance, the other side would exhaust its energy first. There was no rush to crush him slowly.

“Rex!”

Chloe screamed. Rex’s staggering figure looked precarious, as if he might collapse at any moment. A deep sense of helplessness colored her heart with despair. She hated her own weakness. She wanted to help, but rushing out now would only be a hindrance. The fact that she couldn’t be of any help and was once again in a position of being protected, just like before, was unbearably terrible.

Such helplessness and self-loathing.

‘Ah.’

Rex felt it too. Belated regret washed over him. If he hadn’t come here today, they wouldn’t have encountered those people. Really, do you think so? A question, perhaps not his own, echoed in his mind. Think properly. If you had refused Berger’s invitation for an outing, could you have avoided this situation?

No. Their goal was to take him to the Chaos Order anyway. Sooner or later, they would have come to Lindvale. And the same events as today would have unfolded. The outcome was predetermined from the start. Defeat in battle, and the death of loved ones. Berger. Chloe. Elin. I cannot prevent their deaths.

“No!”

Finally, Malakor spotted an opening. Chloe unconsciously closed her eyes. Elin desperately reached out her hand, but the manifestation of magic was slower than the blade’s speed. Rex blankly stared at the blade. He couldn’t avoid it this time. Since they needed to take him to the Chaos Order, they wouldn’t kill him. Still, as Malakor had said, he might lose an arm. That was fine. But if he fell, others would be harmed.

He didn’t want that.

Suddenly, time seemed to slow down. His eyes were fixed on the blade, yet he could see everything. Everything in all directions—front, above, below, left, right—was clearly visible. Malakor’s expression with his twisted lips. Berger engaging in fierce combat with Shaharon, his face pale. Chloe looked like she might cry at any moment. And Elin… was looking at him with desperate eyes he had never seen before. Though she must be wearing a robe.

He could see.

Everything.

‘I…’

During training with the Gear, when he obtained the Nightmare Prohibition. Back then, the recurring nightmares were painful. Three months later, he thought he had overcome the nightmares. That thought stemmed from a kind of confidence. If the same situation came again, I could prevent that tragedy. I have become stronger. Now I can protect. I will protect.

The annihilation of the Underhand Clan was the same. He didn’t want to see his loved ones saddened by trash worse than beasts. If he let it slide, that day’s events might return as a new nightmare. As he happened to have the power to solve the problem, he didn’t hesitate.

It was joyful.

Watching Chloe’s bright smile. Learning letters from Elin. Conquering dungeons with the party. Training in the swordsmanship Berger taught him, and growing day by day in fulfilling days.

Perhaps, he thought, it might be okay to continue living leisurely like this.

It was an illusion.

Peaceful daily life is a facade, as fragile as glass.

The nightmare hasn’t ended yet.

The reason is because I am weak.

Rex craved power.

Power to protect his loved ones. Power so absolute that no one could invade his domain, no—power to reign over all.

‘Steel is tempered in fire, and faith is forged in adversity.’

The verse of Cheongang Gyeol resonated.

Something sleeping deep within the pattern reached out its hand.

Rex grasped it.

A storm of light that brightened the world enveloped Rex’s body.