Demon Sword and Holy Sword

The moment Jupiter-ssi finished speaking, I dashed forward.

Kicking off the ground, the dust scattering behind me blankets the sky.

Kaang-!

Fast and precise. The swords clash with a crisp sound as we aim for each other’s vitals with perfect accuracy.

One second feels like one minute. Our gazes, locked on each other, dart around complexly.

Reading every movement of the body, every expression on the face. We decipher everything.

Kang-! Tang-! Kang-!

As the Demon Sword spews out jet-black demonic energy, aiming for Jupiter-ssi’s neck, the Holy Sword unfailingly flies in to deflect the trajectory of the blade.

30 seconds-she dared to utter those words in front of me.

Audaciously proclaiming some fancy-ass technique name like “Limited Release.”

“Hyaaaat!”

“Hiyooaat!”

The naturally erupting shouts scatter quickly. The sound of swords clashing in that spot spreads out, as if cutting through the sound itself.

We’ve exchanged ten blows so far. Every attack was fast and lethal, but none have landed successfully yet.

And so, we continue this meaningless game of wits.

As time passes, an emotion called impatience surfaces on Jupiter-ssi’s face.

In contrast, I was overflowing with composure. Unlike Jupiter-ssi, who even had to create a technique called “Limited Release” and control her abilities, I didn’t need such effort.

I can accelerate my thoughts to any desired time.

If I can just endure the pain of my brain heating up intensely.

Therefore, this fight is my victory.

“Haaaat!”

You cheeky sparrow-today, I’ll settle the score for real.

The blinding pain intensifies. I swing my sword, feeling the white pain engulfing my head and spreading widely.

Kaaaaang-!

The sound of the swords clashing seemed to stretch out long.

10 seconds elapsed-

I felt a sense of triumph as I watched the smile disappear from Jupiter-ssi’s lips.

Come to think of it, wasn’t I Jupiter-ssi’s benefactor? Didn’t I provide something to help her control her abilities?

“You ungrateful little brat…!”

“W-What did you say…!”

I didn’t intend to, but the words that popped out of my mouth caused hesitation in Jupiter-ssi’s stance.

Now’s my chance. I can’t miss this opportunity.

“Yap!”

With a short shout, the sword is launched. Straight-the sword, shot like a flash of light, evaded Jupiter-ssi’s sword with strange, serpentine movements.

No matter how talented Jupiter-ssi is, she couldn’t easily block the swordsmanship I’ve built up over time.

Kuuuk-!

It was an attack aimed at the chest, but Jupiter-ssi twisted her body, turning the direction towards her shoulder.

The Demon Sword, piercing through the thick armor, impaled Jupiter-ssi’s shoulder.

“Keeueuk!”

At that moment, a strange smile appeared on Jupiter-ssi’s face.

The moment I met that smile, I realized. This whole situation was Jupiter-ssi’s trap.

Pretending to expose her chest but actually exposing her shoulder, easily allowing the attack on her shoulder.

It was all Jupiter-ssi’s trap.

I frantically moved my hand to retrieve my sword.

But-

Kaaak-!

The thick armor clamped shut, preventing the blade from escaping.

That’s when I realized it.

From afar, the rapidly swung trajectory of platinum flashed past my eyes.

“Heuaaaat!”

Jupiter-ssi’s strike, filled with all her might. But that strike grazed my cheek.

Because I had let go of my sword and ducked.

If I hadn’t made the decision to let go of my sword, my head would have flown off.

“H-Blood Demon King…!”

My upper body was completely exposed due to the wide swing of the sword.

I looked up at Jupiter-ssi from my crouched position.

An emotion of shock surfaces in Jupiter-ssi’s eyes. As if she had foreseen the ominous events that would befall her.

That premonition was not wrong.

“Hayaaaat!”

My left leg, stretching out forward, stabilizes my center of gravity, while my right leg, extended backward, sends rotational force.

From the leg to the waist, the waist amplifies the rotation once more, sending all that power towards the shoulder and arm.

Kwaaaang-!

The moment my long-extended right fist struck Jupiter-ssi’s solid armor.

That spot caved in, and a massive impact erupted.

Normal attacks that don’t use weapons inflict damage based on the character’s strength stat.

My current strength stat far exceeds that of a normal user.

In other words, one punch is as powerful as a normal user’s sword strike.

Even without the Demon Sword, I am the Blood Demon King.

You cowardly and cheeky sparrow.

You can never defeat me.

Jupiter-ssi’s body, having suffered a powerful blow, shakes violently. I didn’t miss that opening.

Retracting my outstretched right hand, I swing my opposite hand.

Shuga-gak-!

A fist that cuts through the air.

The heavy weight contained within directly struck Jupiter-ssi’s body.

Kwang!

I don’t stop. I don’t even think about retrieving my sword. In this position, I slam my fist into Jupiter-ssi’s stomach.

I imagine Jupiter-ssi’s soft belly. The thick full plate mail was protecting that belly, but it wouldn’t be able to block all the impact transmitted inside.

From the bottom up-

“Achyo-chyo-chyo-chyo-chyo!”

A merciless punch rush is unleashed, without any regard for the opponent.

Kwaga-ga-ga-gang!

It’s an attack poured out with all my focus. Jupiter-ssi, in her collapsed stance, allowed all the attacks.

“H-Hueeeeeng!”

No matter how cute she looks, no matter how cute her moans are, I had no intention of forgiving her.

Die standing there, Knight of Light Jupiter-ssi.

“Achyo!”

The final fist-

The moment the fist, extended forward, was about to strike Jupiter-ssi’s lower abdomen.

Kwang-!

The most powerful and fastest attack, poured out with all my focus, landed directly.

But Jupiter-ssi didn’t fall.

Jupiter-ssi, her face distorted with pain, opened her mouth, blood flowing from her lips.

Her gaze, even in its pain-distorted state, scattered a strange light.

“I acknowledge you, Blood Demon King. The current me cannot defeat you.”

“What…?”

“I have 10 seconds left. It refers to the time I can keep up with your speed.”

“W-What are you saying…!”

“From now on, I will use Forced Payment.“

“F-Forced Payment…?”

“By compressing those 10 seconds, I will now transcend your time.“

The moment Jupiter-ssi’s words slowly scattered-

Her body drew a strange trajectory.

-It’s my time.

Jupiter-ssi slowly moved away, moving her lips.

I couldn’t hear her voice, but she must have said that.

But-

Thud-!

Jupiter-ssi’s body collapses to the floor.

“Ek…”

I looked down at Jupiter-ssi, who had collapsed on the floor, with a strange gaze.

Forced Payment? It’s my time? I will now transcend your time?

What the hell is she talking about?

“Jupiter-ssi. Did you even check your HP before fighting?”

“Hieuk…”

Jupiter-ssi, with a blank expression, lay face down on the floor, twitching her arms and legs.

That’s right. Jupiter-ssi, who had allowed all of my powerful punch rush to her lower abdomen, had exhausted all of her HP and collapsed.

Even with the sturdy job of a Holy Knight, she had allowed my attacks dozens of times.

Even if her body looked fine, it was natural for her HP to run out.

The duel is my victory.

I retrieved the Demon Sword that had fallen to the floor and raised it high into the sky.

It was the victory stance.

“Wa- Waaaaaa~”

“Heok… Oh my god…”

There were only two people who watched this match.

I turned to look at those two spectators and grinned.

I gave that cheeky sparrow a proper lesson. How could I not feel triumphant?

“Did you see that? Merlin-ssi, the Demon Sword is stronger than the Holy Sword.”

“W-Well, that’s… It wasn’t finished off by the Demon Sword… but by punches…”

I showed my clenched fist to Merlin-ssi, who was spouting useless words.

Then Merlin-ssi’s shoulders twitched, and he shook his head with a hurried expression.

“M-Magnificent… I admit it. The Demon Sword is indeed better than the Holy Sword…!”

I nodded, smiling contentedly.

Jupiter-ssi, lying face down on the floor, must have heard these words as well.

“Get up, Jupiter-ssi.”

“Heeeek…”

But Jupiter-ssi didn’t think about getting up.

I frowned and sat her up.

She will soon be logged out due to the penalty of the duel system.

I could at least listen to the loser’s last words.

“Jupiter-ssi. You cheeky sparrow. You have been defeated by me.”

“M-Me…?”

“Yes.”

She still hasn’t come out of her thought acceleration, it seems.

I stretched Jupiter-ssi’s soft cheeks.

At that moment, Jupiter-ssi’s body disappeared from before my eyes.

The 1-hour login ban penalty, set by the duel penalty, had been activated.

Jupiter-ssi’s annoying presence disappeared.

I approached Merlin-ssi and sat down.

“S-She’s gone…”

“It’s because of the duel penalty.”

“Heoeo…”

“Then, shall we continue?”

“W-What do you mean?”

“The story of the Holy Sword. I also know how Jupiter-ssi obtained the Holy Sword.”

“But… that should come from the person involved…”

“Merlin-ssi, Jupiter-ssi won’t be back for about an hour. It would be better if I told you.”

“But…”

“You should hear the truth as it is, without any lies mixed in.”

In the end, Merlin-ssi nodded with a reluctant expression.

I maintained the most composed expression possible and told him everything about what Jupiter-ssi had been doing and how she had obtained the Holy Sword.

“Yeon-gun… There are parts of your story that I can’t understand…”

“Yes? What is it?”

“The Jupiter-ssi in the story was a terrible knight, but the 모습 she showed in the fight with you just now was not at all like that…”

“Ah… that’s…”

I nodded at Merlin-ssi’s question and told him about what happened at the offline event.

That due to a slight accident that occurred there, Jupiter-ssi’s 모습 had changed.

“Is that, that true?”

“Yes.”

“From a fake 모습… to a real 모습… the power that had been sealed all along…”

Merlin-ssi, with a very excited expression at my words, began to mutter to himself.

He doesn’t answer even if I try to talk to him from the side. It seems he’s fallen into his own world.

At that time, Arthur, who had been watching from the side, carefully asked a question.

“Hey. Yeona.”

“Yeah?”

“Um, is it okay if I upload the video I just filmed to the internet?”

“Oh… you filmed it?”

“Yeah.”

Then that’s a relief. I nodded.

If Arthur uploads the video, everyone will know.

That Jupiter-ssi is beneath me. That the owner of the Deron Gallery is not a sparrow, but this Blood Demon King, everyone will acknowledge it.

I smiled, imagining that future.