episode_0181

bang!

There was a loud noise.

It was a sound that did not stand out very much in this space where explosions and magic were constantly pouring out.

bang! Quang!

The story would be a little different if that loud noise erupted several times in succession in an instant.

The sound itself alone drew attention, but considering the aftermath that accompanied it, one could not help but direct one’s gaze to the place where the roar was coming from.

bang!

A loud noise rang out again, and the aftereffects shook the surroundings.

Just the aftermath causes the surrounding monsters to stumble and the ground to shake.

That extraordinary phenomenon was caused by just two men.

Ethan Bertrand, a member of the Ten Swords, and the leader of the cult.

The fight between the two was clearly the most striking fight at this moment and in this place.

The average person… No, the two were constantly clashing at a speed that even a martial arts person could never follow with his or her eyes.

In the middle of that fierce battle.

One of the parties, Ethan, frowned quietly.

The cause was the opposing cult leader, or more precisely, the cult leader’s fighting style.

The cult leader was dealing with Ethan with his bare hands, without even holding a weapon.

This wasn’t the first time he got into a fight with a martial artist who didn’t use weapons.

Ethan has been a warrior for quite a long time, and most of his life has been filled with fighting.

When they see a strong person, they start a fight, and when they encounter someone they are interested in, they start a fight.

I don’t avoid fights, but if I feel like it, I fight no matter the situation.

A man crazy about fighting.

That’s why Tugui.

That was Ethan.

While living that life, Ethan met many martial artists and competed for his hand.

And among them, there were quite a few fighters, and there were some who were skilled enough to make even Ethan feel cold.

However, this was my first time dealing with an opponent like this.

The opponent blocks and parries his attacks with his bare hands, not even wearing hand armor or gauntlets.

‘What happened to your body?’

Even among martial artists, very few people actually fight with their bare hands.

Most fighters essentially wear hand armor.

Otherwise, you cannot counter the weapon.

Of course, it does not mean that there are no people who do not wear gauntlets.

However, such people avoid direct contact with the opponent’s weapon.

This was because there was no way he would have known that if he collided with a weapon with his bare hands or body, his body would not be left behind.

However, the cult leader in front of me was blocking Ethan’s attack with his bare hands.

It is no exaggeration to say that it was Ethan’s first time experiencing it, and it was his first time seeing it.

An ordinary martial artist who has reached the level of skill can achieve the level of striking a sword with his bare hands.

That is, if you strengthen your skin and the durability of your body with magical power.

And if you reach a point where you can control your thoughts, depending on the situation, you can even block a sword loaded with magical power with your bare body.

but.

Slashing the sword of a Ten Sword-level warrior with bare hands was a completely different story.

Because the sword of a warrior who has reached the state of intention has the power to literally cut through mountains and seas.

It is impossible to stop it with bare hands.

… No, it would be impossible. In general perception, that is.

However, the way the cult leader struck down Ethan’s sword as if it was no big deal completely contradicted that common sense.

It was a strange and rare sight that even Ethan could not help but frown.

Ethan was sure that even if he searched the entire continent, there would be no one other than the monster in front of him who could do this.

However, that wasn’t the problem.

Whether the opponent blocked his sword with his hand or his foot, it was just a miracle.

Aside from that, Ethan didn’t like this fight at all.

‘This guy is having fun.’

Because I could clearly feel that the opposing religious leader was not doing his best.

The cult leader was always engaged in battle with a smile on his face.

It wasn’t just the facial expression.

Ethan felt it.

The unwavering composure behind that smile.

The leader was dealing with him as if he was playing a game, without even using his full strength.

Because Ethan really didn’t like that fact.

“How long are you going to play?”

I asked the leader sharply.

“Hmm?”

The leader looked puzzled for a moment at Ethan’s sudden question, but then smiled and said.

“Did you get caught? This is really quick-witted.”

The leader shook his head a few times with a sheepish smile.

“However, I would like to say that this was out of consideration for you, Tugui.”

He added in a soft tone.

“If I give my best, the game will end too easily. Then wouldn’t it be too vain?”

“… Ha.”

Ethan, who heard those words, burst into laughter.

The leader’s words definitely scratched his pride.

Ethan soon frowned and was about to open his mouth.

“But, we can’t play around like this forever.”

The cult leader’s smile faded.

“If I don’t do anything like this, your group will be wiped out, and it might be fun to just watch the struggle, but… … .”

The cult leader’s eyes moved.

Toward Wade, who is standing with his eyes closed.

“There’s no need to take risks.”

And as soon as the leader finished speaking.

Kuung─

The atmosphere around me changed.

“… … .”

Ethan’s expression, who was glaring at the religious leader with a frown and a disapproving gaze, changed in an instant.

The atmosphere, the momentum.

I knew right away that something was not unusual.

No, it wasn’t just the atmosphere.

Suuu

Energy began to flow from the leader’s body.

A tangible energy that can be seen with the eyes.

It was a strange and unpleasant feeling that gave goosebumps all over my body just by looking at it.

“Then, let’s end this.”

The cult leader declared, and the next moment, he disappeared from the spot.

It was in front of Ethan that the cult leader reappeared.

“… … !”

At that sight, Ethan was astonished for the first time in a long time.

It was because the leader’s speed exceeded his senses.

An attack that was carried out at a speed that far exceeded Ethan’s expectations, and was nothing short of an unexpected blow.

Originally, it would not have been strange to be helpless, but Ethan’s superhuman reflexes and innate sense allowed him to move his body immediately even in such a situation, and Ethan blocked the cult leader’s fist reaching towards him with the blade of his sword.

Quang!

There was a loud noise again.

However, it was qualitatively different from the previous roars.

Also, the shock was nothing compared to before.

“… … !”

Ethan, who blocked the cult leader’s fist with his sword, was sent flying backwards from the impact.

Ethan regained his balance in an instant even when he was flying, but his expression was not that bright.

It was because I felt with my body that the power of the cult leader’s fist was unusual.

“Hoo. I didn’t know I could stop this.”

The leader’s voice sounded like he was impressed by Ethan.

“It seems that the nickname of Ten Sword Jaeil’s talent is not an illusion.”

It wasn’t a sarcastic remark.

The religious leader was purely impressed by Ethan’s abilities.

And that offended Ethan even more.

Because that was an admiration that proved the religious leader’s composure.

“Good. Then let’s see if this can be blocked too.”

The leader moved again.

Once again, at a speed beyond recognition, the cult leader rushed towards Ethan.

Even the speed was noticeably faster than before.

So much so that it creates the illusion that you have literally moved through space.

Even if you are a warrior at an advanced level.

No, even a warrior who has reached the state of consciousness cannot react, a superhuman speed that should be called speed.

However.

‘see.’

The speed was faster than before, but Ethan could see the movement.

No, strictly speaking, it wasn’t really visible.

To be precise, I predicted it.

Through superhuman senses, through natural talent.

The movements of the leader that cannot be followed with the naked eye, the location that the leader will reach, and the movements to be made there.

Ethan was picturing it in his head.

It was a feat that Ethan could only do, and it was a divine feat.

Sigh─

Ethan swung his sword.

Towards empty space where there is nothing.

The sword wielded like that looked ordinary at first glance, but it was not ordinary.

A faint energy was pulsing around the sword.

Geomgang-i, the energy that can cut down all things in the world if you put your mind to it.

Although it was pale, it was clearly black steel.

And, as if it had been put together, the leader of the cult appeared on the trajectory of the sword being swung.

After seeing that scene, Ethan was convinced.

‘I can cut.’

This time, we can cut down the religious leader.

────.

Ethan’s senses accelerated.

As a result, everything around him slowed down.

A fleeting realm that even warriors who have reached the level of superhumans can only rarely reach.

Ethan’s concentration, pushed to its limit, led him to that area, even if only temporarily.

Slowly, I saw the cult leader’s eyes widen.

The cult leader looked at Ethan’s sword with his eyes wide open, as if he had not even expected Ethan to counterattack in this way.

However, the religious leader did not remain completely surprised.

Although he was very surprised, he began to move his body as if he was trying to counter Ethan’s sword.

The speed was clearly overwhelming Ethan.

however.

‘no use.’

Ethan’s sword moved without even giving him time to react, and was already digging into his body.

Even the cult leader’s reaction was something Ethan had predicted.

That was a blow that could never be avoided, no matter how much the leader surpassed Ethan in speed.

So, the cult leader failed to respond to Ethan’s sword.

Suddenly!

Finally, Ethan’s sword tore the cult leader’s body apart.

“… … !”

“Duguwi… !”

The companions who were watching the fight between the two from the corner of their eyes cheered when they saw the scene.

A blush appeared on their faces.

This was because they knew well that the most dangerous enemy in this place was the religious leader.

“… … ?”

However, they soon felt strange.

Because Ethan’s face, who had actually accomplished the task, was so grave.

However, they never voiced that question out loud.

No, to be more precise, there was no need for that.

Because soon they also found out the reason.

“Amazing.”

The religious leader, whose body had been cut in half, was somehow still speaking.

It goes without saying, but people die when their bodies are cut.

However, a scene that denied such obvious common sense was unfolding before their eyes.

“No matter how careless I was, I got hit hard.”

The leader continued speaking in a voice that did not waver even though his body was cut off.

“But you can rest assured now.”

As soon as the leader finished speaking.

Sreuk─

The religious leader’s body, which had been split into two parts, was crushed like clay.

Before the group watching the scene could see surprise on their faces, the clay that was the cult leader’s body immediately changed its shape.

It looked like it was fine before the two sides split apart.

However, strictly speaking, it was not exactly the same.

There was a clear difference that could be seen even without looking closely.

First, skin color.

The cult leader’s skin, which was originally an unremarkable color, had somehow turned pitch black.

Next is snow.

The whites of the eyes and the pupils in the center were everywhere, and only red filled the eyes.

Lastly, the horns that grew on the head.

Horns that were not supposed to grow on a human head, reminiscent of a monster, had suddenly taken up residence on the head.

With a completely different appearance, the leader smiled and said.

“Now I’m really going to give it my all.”