episode_0052

Macderas ran like a madman towards where Leviah was.

He arrived at a place with shabby containers. Looking around, various magical formations were set up to prevent the location from being exposed to others.

Kael was screaming to hand over control of his body, but I did not permit it.

“I will clear the way first.”

The top priority now is Leviah’s safety. I need to make sure she is unharmed.

“Brother! Come here. That kid seems to have arrived, doesn’t he?”

Some men started approaching me, and as soon as I met their eyes, I thrust my sword at them.

“You crazy bastards!”

In an instant, a man lost his comrade and rushed at me with a sword, but before he could swing it, his hand was cut off. He then felt fear and tried to turn back, but my sword was faster.

Swoosh

His head fell to the ground. I immediately cast a detection spell.

“There.”

Each person has their own unique mana wave. Having been near Leviah many times, it was not difficult to find her wavelength. I promptly destroyed the layered doors with magic. Even though around six people rushed in from beyond the door, I easily killed them all.

Thud

Thud

As blood was being trampled on, a steady sound echoed in the hallway. Although there were still dozens of people inside, no one dared to rush recklessly anymore.

The Akir guild members and the moment I confronted them.

“Aaargh!”

A scream came from behind. Among the men standing in layers, a man holding steel armor and a giant greatsword was gripping around Leviah’s neck, walking towards us.

“That guy.”

Even without someone explaining, a man wielding a greatsword was clearly the leader of the Akir guild. Pausing for a moment to assess his strength, Leviah shouted.

“Kael… why… why did you come… I told you it’s dangerous…”

As the girl spoke, the Akir guild leader threw her to the ground, smacking her with his tongue. Leviah fell to the ground, screaming.

Seeing that sight, Macderas realized how much he was being underestimated. This guy wasn’t just holding Leviah as a hostage. If he intended to use her as a hostage, there would be no reason for him to let go of her body. The reason he brought Leviah was as bait. Clearly, he wanted to use Leviah, who seemed somewhat friendly, as bait in case Kael tried to escape. His malice was palpable.

“Wait for me. Your attitudes are suspicious. After breaking all of this guy’s limbs, I’ll enjoy watching you suffer in front of him. Just thinking about it brings me joy. It’s so delightful to see faces contorted in agony.”

The Akir guild leader was the epitome of human trash befitting the reputation of a plundering guild. Macderas spoke to the man.

“You’re underestimating me a lot. Handing over a hostage to a lowlife who can only wield a sword.”

“A hostage? Does a lowly scumbag who can only use a sword need a hostage? It’s an excess of self-esteem, young one.”

“All the guys who rushed at me earlier are dead.”

Within a few minutes, I had killed all ten or so Akir guild members, even breaking through the main gate. Yet, I couldn’t understand why they were so nonchalant.

“Killing a few scumbags and acting all high and mighty. Most of the guys here are idiots who haven’t learned anything. But I’m different.”

The Akir guild leader began swinging his greatsword. Even the light gleamed from his blade.

The meaning of that light was clear.

Come.

Upon reaching a certain level of skill, one can utilize the ability. It allows for the formation of sword energy or even enhancing martial arts through it. Note that Aura always requires mana; hence, those unable to use magic cannot learn Aura.

In short, the burly man could handle basic magic to some extent.

And lo and behold!

Thud!

In an instant, he planted the greatsword he wielded into the ground and cast a spell with his hand. Swiftly, a fireball flew towards him. I swung my sword to obliterate it.

“Oh… I heard you couldn’t even use a bit of mana, let alone Aura. How did you manage to dispel magic like that?”

The man looked at the orc-like figure beside him. The fellow trembled as he tried to justify himself.

“W-when I investigated, it was clear…”

Swish

The orc-like man’s head fell to the ground.

“These useless bastards can’t do a single thing right. If they’re incompetent, they should die. Don’t you think so?”

Guildmaster Akir’s act of killing his comrade was eerie yet foolish. He was a valuable combatant in the current situation. But to kill him with his own hands…

Well, expecting these folks to have a normal thought process was foolish from the start.

Weren’t they the vultures who passed off poison as magical elixirs? I walked slowly towards them.

“Stop right there!”

As I did, Akir’s guild members who were standing by started to rush towards me. I calmly told them,

“Anyone who approaches will die.”

Most stiffened at my voice and retreated. However, Guildmaster Akir didn’t just watch.

“Kill anyone who retreats. Charge at him!”

When faced with a skill he didn’t know, Guildmaster Akir cowardly avoided a one-on-one fight, using his subordinates as shields.

Their swordsmanship seemed threatening but was crude. It lacked refined movements and training—a mere combat style for killing.

Thwarting their unsophisticated swordplay was all too easy.

Swish!

Stepping forward, I beheaded the man charging at me. Then, twisting my waist, I swung the blade in the opposite direction.

Simultaneously raising the sword diagonally, another man’s head rolled.

“Damn it! Stop attacking one by one and kill him at once!”

This time, men from all sides began to charge. Yet, it didn’t matter. If they formed a circle around me, I just needed to break through.

I chose a direction and leaped towards it. One man tried to block me, but I plunged the blade into his chest. As he coughed up blood, some recoiled in horror, which I seized upon.

Thud

As the men blocking one side fell, the encirclement crumbled. With their formation broken, the outcome was clear.

I snatched a sword from a fallen man’s hand, wielding it with both hands like a dance, rushing at them.

With each step, blood spurted into the sky, creating beautiful arcs as heads fell. The blade moved back and forth like a reaper, effortlessly cutting down the men.

After this series of events, only Guildmaster Akir remained.

“This is f*cking… unbelievable…”

Approaching the man who was speechless, he finally regained his senses and tried to grab Leviah lying on the ground, but I immediately threw the sword at him.

“Damn it!”

In a split second, Guild Leader Akir, who almost had his head pierced, urgently withdrew, protecting his body. Ready to throw a sword at any moment, he aimed at the man, who, unable to help it, maintained a certain distance and eventually reached Leviah.

“Kael…”

Leviah stared blankly at me. I spoke to her in that state.

“Stay still. I’ll take you home soon.”

Looking at Leviah’s hand, I noticed a dagger, as if she had picked it up from the ground. Upon seeing it, I exclaimed briefly.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary. There’s only one thing left now. Don’t interfere needlessly; just stay quiet.”

“But…!”

I cut her off, looking at her with cold eyes.

“I told you to stay still because you’re getting in the way.”

Only then did Leviah put down the sword and approached me from behind.

“That person… That person is different from the other guild members… They said he’s unbelievably strong… He can use magic… Even if, no matter how much you’ve grown stronger, Kael, he’s on a different level from the people you’ve killed… I’d rather take advantage of this moment while that person is on guard…”

Once again, I firmly stated.

“You can win.”

However, my words were directed not at Leviah but at Kael. I walked towards Guild Leader Akir, a bit further away from Leviah, and spoke to him.

“Don’t be afraid, Kael. You can win.”

I speak to Kael, giving him courage and, furthermore, motivation to act.

“The one in front of you is strong. However, you have trained tirelessly. The calluses on your hands and the muscles in your body prove that your efforts were not in vain.”

I speak to Kael again.

“While some rely on magic for shortcuts, you have simply walked a slower but more certain path.”

It’s pointless. I know that too, but before Kael’s soul is extinguished, there was something I wanted to tell him.

“Kael, your efforts were not in vain.”

With those words, I reached out my hand and cast an invisible spell.

Magic Nullification

“What… What the hell is going on? Why is the magic…”

Guild Leader Akir began to retreat, wildly reaching out his hands. But it was futile. I had blocked his mana.

Now, the conditions were equal. We were in a state where we couldn’t use magic against each other.

“Kael, it’s time to prove yourself. If there’s something you want to protect, don’t rely on others; protect it with your own hands. Prove to yourself that your life has not been in vain.”

[I transfer control of the body to Traginman. Traginman’s soul is rapidly depleting.]

Kael, temporarily back in control of his body.

He shed tears for a moment.

“Why… Why are you giving me this opportunity?”

Kael cried like mad, clutching his trembling hands.

Eventually, Kael raised his sword.

“In death, or rather, even if my soul is extinguished, I will not forget your kindness.”

The foolish boy, who knew nothing but the sword, began his final battle, seemingly fulfilling Macderas’ last wish.

“Prove yourself. In front of Leviah, whom you considered everything, face the killer who made the world tremble in fear.”

As if hearing Macderas’ words, Kael raised his sword towards the opponent.

“I will never forget your mercy, even in death or when my soul is extinguished.”

The naive boy, who only knew the sword, began his final battle.