Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 223

In the middle of the fight, two bright lights, one gold and one red, twisted together. Everyone nearby stopped to watch.

Normal soldiers might not understand, but the leaders knew. This fight would decide who wins the war.

Patrick watched, worried. He thought Logan was losing. *Maybe,* Patrick hoped, *they won’t really hurt each other. Maybe they will just decide who is stronger, not try to kill.* He wanted to believe this.

However…

A loud crash!

Swords hit with a CLANG!

A heavy BANG!

Wood cracked and splintered!

The duel, which began with an explosion, saw blood erupt from the very start.

Logan stumbled back, blood flying from his side like red rain. The Sword Master saw his chance and kicked Logan hard in the side. Logan fell to the ground.

The Sword Master swung his sword down at Logan who lay there. The sword hit the ground, but Logan’s gold light flashed out and cut the Sword Master’s neck, leaving a thin line of blood.

BANG!

After a fierce exchange that unfolded in the blink of an eye, master and disciple were hurled in opposite directions.

They staunched the bleeding from their wounds, their gazes heavy yet utterly savage as they glared at each other.

Patrick stared, his mouth wide open. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“W-what is this?!” he stammered.

Louis, fighting Patrick, looked just as surprised. His eyes were wide, and he seemed frozen.

Whoosh.

The cool breeze that swept between them seemed to cool the heat, but the sparks flying in their gazes were more intense than anyone except them had anticipated.

Master: “You’ve gotten much stronger.”

Logan: “Because of you, Master… Ack!”

BOOM!

The moment he replied, a blade came at him, seizing the opening.

Logan reflexively parried the incoming blade, but, unable to muster enough force, he slid back, a tingling pain spreading through his body.

But his master’s sword showed no sign of stopping.

Crimson auras surged towards Logan’s entire body as he was pushed back.

Each crimson ray targeted only the vital points of his body, showing no hesitation.

‘Damn it!’

Having missed his chance, Logan had no choice but to take a risk to regain the initiative. The moment his will surged, a wave of 32 layers of golden aura poured out in front of him.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa.

BANG!!

The power to erase all approaching sword attacks in an instant.

But his master’s crimson aura only paused momentarily, not diminishing in the slightest.

His master, who had only let out a brief exclamation, vanished without a trace, only to suddenly reappear behind Logan, unleashing another storm of attacks.

“Hmph!!”

Pa ba ba bang!

Clang!

Bang!

Fortunately, Logan managed to deflect most of the attacks and even counterattack.

This was partly due to Logan’s ability to transcend the limits of his skill, but more fundamentally, it was because he was familiar with his master’s swordsmanship.

Scratch.

Crack.

The moment their bodies crossed, blood splattered from Logan’s arm, and a scratch appeared on the Sword Master’s cheek.

It was a sight that clearly showed the difference in their skills, but their expressions were the opposite.

The Sword Master muttered under his breath, watching Logan smile.

Master: “You are very talented. You remember everything I taught you.”

Logan: “I am grateful for your teaching. How could I forget?”

The Sword Master’s expressionless eyes wavered for a moment at the words that seemed out of place on the battlefield.

Master: “…Enough talk.”

But unfortunately for Logan, his master’s wavering gaze quickly returned to its place, and his master’s body, with an even stronger aura, disappeared as if shortening the distance in an instant, reappearing right in front of him.

Crack!

The earth where Logan had been standing split apart as soon as he barely managed to evade.

Cold sweat trickled down Logan’s spine, and he felt as if his body had become dozens of times heavier with the aura that resonated through the space.

Patrick knew that move! *Gravity Sword* – it felt like the air itself was pushing down on you, trying to crush you.

The technique he had first learned from his master was now pressing down on his entire body.

– If you can implement it properly, it’s a useful skill against opponents below a certain level. I’ll show you slowly. Concentrate!

He felt as if he was recalling the memory of when he had first received the teaching.

Of course, the power was on a different level than back then, but what was also different was himself.

Whoosh.

A similar aura emanated from Logan’s sword, offsetting the Gravity Sword.

But at the same time, a blazing crimson aura cleaved through the space where Logan was standing.

Swoosh.

“Hmm?!”

The Sword Master knew Logan was using his *Ghostly Shadow* move – moving so fast he seemed to disappear.

A fading afterimage that disappeared without any sensation.

Naturally, the response was swift.

Boom!

Crimson and golden auras clashed once more.

The eyes of master and disciple met as their flashing swords collided.

Grrr…

“…You’ve learned it well.”

“Because you taught me well.”

“Indeed. That’s what makes it even more regrettable.”

Bang!

“Ugh!”

In contrast to his somewhat melancholic gaze, the Sword Master’s kick to Logan’s abdomen was terrifyingly powerful.

The Sword Master’s gaze followed Logan as he was sent flying, but the crimson aura emanating from his sword relentlessly lacerated Logan’s entire body.

– The essence of my martial arts lies in dominating space. And I chose speed as the means to do so.

The swift swordsmanship, vividly recalling the memories of when he received the teachings.

The master’s movements, now faster than before, were so powerful that they could not be defended against simply by being familiar with them.

However…

– Ghostly Shadow is the culmination of my martial arts, which provided the spark for me to become an aura user. It’s a remarkable technique that even I, who created it, consider a miracle.

– Don’t be complacent just because you know the theory and have mastered it. Train with swordsmanship throughout your life. Even I don’t consider myself to have seen the end of it yet.

Swoosh.

The moment Logan took a step, recalling his master’s teachings.

His body split into two, and the two Logans simultaneously swung their swords.

Chaechaechaechaecheng!

Bang!

“What?!”

Logan used the *Ghostly Shadow* again, but this time it was different. He moved so fast, it looked like there were two of him!

Logan smiled wryly to himself as he watched his master’s eyes widen in surprise.

‘Afterimage. This is the ultimate form of Ghostly Shadow that I have realized.’

One of the reasons why he was confident that he could face his master.

However…

“Still not enough.”

With a somber voice, the Sword Master’s figure, who had been clashing swords, disappeared, leaving behind an afterimage.

The eerie crimson light that appeared from all directions around Logan instantly lacerated his entire body.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

Bang!

Clang!

Swords flashed like lightning, hundreds of strikes in a blink of an eye. Logan tried his best to block each attack, but sharp blades cut him again and again, leaving cuts all over his body.

This was Master Esperanza’s second secret move, the Whisper of Blades.

*Shhhhk*. Hot blood sprayed from cuts all over his body.

The pain from all the cuts hit him at once, making his head spin. Logan knew he had to use his secret weapon. ‘Blast it!’ *Flash*. Light burst from the King’s Bracelet, and Logan felt his wounds start to mend quickly.

‘So, you rely on the dead King’s gift!’ Master Esperanza’s voice was cold. His sword flashed forward again, his face hard as stone.

Logan didn’t think, he just reacted. Maybe Master Esperanza was tired after his powerful attack, because Logan saw a chance. ‘Afterimage Step!’ Logan moved so fast it looked like there were two of him, blurring past his master.

*Shing!* They spun around, blades meeting again. A thin sound like ripping cloth filled the air. Master Esperanza’s eyes flickered. A long, bleeding cut appeared on his right arm. Logan had finally landed a real blow.

But Logan’s chest tightened with anger, not relief. He looked at his master, and then at his own blood dripping onto the ground. *This is wrong.* Why were they fighting like enemies? This man had taught him everything.

Logan spoke, his voice shaking slightly, “Master, please! Why are we doing this? Remember when we fought together to stop the war? We were on the same side then!”

Master Esperanza’s eyes flickered for a moment. Was he listening?

Logan pressed on, “Master, the King… he’s gone too far. You know it’s true.”

“I know,” Master Esperanza said, his voice low.

Logan blinked, surprised. “You… you do?”

“Of course, I know what the King has done to you, Logan. But… I fear *you* more than him now.”

“What? What are you talking about?” Logan asked, confused.

“Logan,” Master Esperanza said, his voice sharper now, “What will you do after the King is gone? What then?”

“I… I want to fix the kingdom, make things right again,” Logan stammered.

“You don’t want to be king yourself, do you?” Master Esperanza’s words hit Logan like a punch.

Logan’s face went stiff. “No, I… I don’t…”

*Before, I would have said it without thinking.* But now, facing his master, the words felt stuck. A strange thought crept into his mind: *If I were king, I could protect everyone better. I could stop the Empire.*

“…I didn’t plan to be king,” Logan said, but his voice wasn’t as strong as he wanted it to be. “Really.”

Master Esperanza’s face became even harder. “That hesitation, Logan. That’s your answer. And that’s why I must stop you.”

Red lightning crackled around Master Esperanza’s sword, crushing any hope Logan had left.

“This ends now, Logan.”

*Oong*. A low hum vibrated from Master Esperanza’s sword. Red aura tightened around the blade, then exploded into crackling red lightning.

Logan’s breath caught in his throat. He knew this move.

*Lightning Chaser.*

His master’s deadliest technique. It was all about speed, power pushed to the absolute limit. A desperate move, but in that desperation, Logan saw his chance.

*He told me himself… “Lightning Chaser is too strong to control perfectly. It’s a double-edged sword.”*

His master’s own words echoed in his mind. *Too strong to control… that’s the weakness.* It sounded crazy, but Logan believed it. This was his moment.

*Here we go!* Logan thought, focusing all his will. Deep inside, a core of power ignited, flooding him with energy. It was a rush he still wasn’t used to, even after all his training. Strength surged through him, senses sharpened. He felt like he could take on the world – but he knew it was a trick of the power.

*I’m still only equal to him, even like this.* He’d hoped to be stronger, but Master Esperanza was a wall. He needed more.

*Time for my hidden cards.* Logan reached for the power he’d kept locked away.

*Wind Boots,* *Strength Gauntlets,* *Guardian Shoulders.* Ancient artifacts, humming with power as he unleashed them. They amplified his speed, his strength, his defense, pushing him beyond his limits. He’d held back before, knowing they weren’t enough on their own. But now… now was different.

And then, there was Lux. His sword, more than just steel. *Time Acceleration.* Magic flowed from the blade, twisting time around him. The world seemed to slow as his mind raced, thoughts lightning-fast. With the artifacts and Lux working together, Logan finally felt it – he was faster, stronger, than his master.

*“Artifacts are crutches, Logan,”* his master had always said. *“True strength comes from within. Rely on them, and you’ll never truly grow.”*

Master Esperanza had always used simple, strong blades, nothing magical. It was his stubborn belief.

Logan knew he was breaking that rule, defying his master’s teachings. It felt wrong, but… *I have no choice. Not if I want to win.*

*Oowoong.* Logan channeled every ounce of power from his core, focusing it into his sword. *I have to do this.*

He saw Master Esperanza blur forward, a streak of red lightning about to explode. It was almost too fast to see.

But Logan was ready. Calmly, he swung Lux. Golden Force erupted from the blade, not as a simple aura, but as a shimmering wave of pure energy, spreading out in front of him.

*Ggggeee.* The sound of clashing power ripped through the air as golden light slammed into red lightning. Master Esperanza’s face twisted in shock.

But Logan’s face was set, determined. *You can’t stop this, Master. You don’t know this move.*

He’d kept it secret, even from him. Beyond the waves, the metal, the earth, the flames… the fifth form of the Divine Sword Secrets. Past the cuts that defined, past the cuts that found formless things…

*Life Severing.*

Logan’s golden wave crashed into Master Esperanza’s red lightning, and the red aura began to break, to shatter, to disappear…