The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 485

283. Finale (8)

“A human…….”

율라 [Yula] responded to Karil’s firm resolve with cynicism. She seemed unable to forgive herself for the fear she had felt moments before.

“Do you really think you can defeat me by remaining human?”

The corner of her mouth lifted in a sneer, her gaze suggesting she found him pathetic.

“You know better than anyone why those who challenged me have failed. It’s because they tried to protect their own existence.”

Step— Step— Step—

율라 [Yula] slowly approached Karil.

“As a human, as a dragon, as a spirit… Fighting against God to correct the natural order and protect the dignity of existence.”

She shook her head.

“Godslayer? Yes, if that is for the prosperity of you humans, perhaps the existence of God is wrong. But what you say is just flowery words, ultimately just an excuse to avoid sacrificing yourselves for change and to settle for the status quo.”

Clang—

The red sword pointed at Karil.

“And in the end, you will follow the same path as your predecessors. I felt fear for you for a brief moment, but in the end, you cannot escape the shackles of humanity.”

Karil remained calm despite her provocation.

“You felt fear? For me?”

Then he slowly smiled.

Crack—!!

율라’s [Yula’s] face contorted at his reaction, and she gritted her teeth.

“You will eventually abandon being human.”

Clank—!! Thud!!

The sound of her armor shaking accompanied her body as she lunged toward Karil.

Whoooooooom……!!

Each step 율라 [Yula] took shook the ground as if an earthquake had struck, and Karil found it hard to breathe from the divine power emanating from her.

‘I expected it, but she has completely absorbed the Dimension Spiral. With my current power, it will be difficult to face her.’

That was why he had considered apotheosis [becoming a god], but that method was now out of the question.

“수안 [Suan]. Thanks to you, I was able to find a way. I am grateful to you all.”

Karil extracted the three Dimension Spirals engraved on 수안 하자르’s [Suan Hazar’s] body.

Whooooooo…….

As emerald fragments emerged from 수안’s [Suan’s] body, the corpse instantly turned to dust and disappeared.

The human body, having consumed three divine powers, no longer had the strength to leave even a trace of its form.

Thud—

Only the gauntlet remained on the floor where 수안 하자르 [Suan Hazar] had disappeared, and the 거암 군주 [Giant Rock Lord] grasped it.

[Accept our power as well.]

[We cannot let the contractor’s death be in vain.]

The power of the Earth Spirit King and the Lightning Spirit King permeated Karil’s body.

Fwoooooosh……!!!

The abundant spirit energy enveloping Karil’s entire body calmed the Dimension Spiral’s rampage, which had seemed overwhelming.

“…….”

He had now become a being far beyond the realm called the pinnacle of humanity, but the fight against 율라 [Yula] was still disadvantageous.

‘You will eventually abandon being human.’

율라’s [Yula’s] words echoed in his ears like a curse, but he shook his head as if to dispel the thought.

“Let’s go.”

Karil also raised his sword as 밀리아나’s [Milliana’s] determined voice was heard.

As the power of the spirits condensed in 아그넬 [Agnel], fire and ice, lightning and wind, earth and light, and darkness intertwined, emitting colors that changed every moment, and each spirit’s power, imbued with divine power, danced like a vortex.

“Hoo…….”

[Karil, remember. Unlike 율라 [Yula], you are in a human body, so you need a medium to use divine power. And that will naturally be us.]

[What humans need to use divine power is life force. Therefore, when divine power is used, humans disappear as a price. We will prevent that disappearance. So unleash every attack you can.]

[Just as divine beasts are born, spirits will reappear someday if nature exists.]

[Our disappearance is not the disappearance of the spirit realm… We too can become a foundation for future generations.]

The Spirit Kings seemed to have already made up their minds and spoke to Karil as if they had been waiting.

Clang—!!!

율라’s [Yula’s] sword and Karil’s sword clashed.

The moment the two swords collided, the black mist surrounding them scattered in all directions as if swept away by a storm, the earth shook as if dimensions were collapsing, and the air shattered.

Truly a battle of gods.

It was completely different from the battles with those who had used the Dimension Spiral until now.

“Haaah!!!”

A sharp shout.

Tap—

A very small footstep sound heard after the tremendous roar a moment ago. It was a subtle sound that could barely be heard by straining one’s ears, but before they knew it, Karil and 율라 [Yula] had exchanged dozens, hundreds of sword strikes in that fleeting moment.

“…….”

It was no exaggeration to say it was lightning fast. 율라’s [Yula’s] face slightly hardened as she watched Karil keep up with her power.

Even if they both possessed the Dimension Spiral, there was a world of difference between her, who had absorbed it into her body, and him, who was receiving the sword’s help.

The only reason he could fight 율라 [Yula] on equal terms was one thing.

“I can hear the sound of the spirits’ lives fading away.”

The competition to target each other’s vitals did not end even while they were talking.

율라’s [Yula’s] blade flew toward his abdomen. Blocking it, Karil’s sword tried to slash her neck, but she blocked it again with her wings, and the divine power she slammed into his leg while avoiding it, and 마엘’s [Mael’s] sharp teeth, aiming for her side while dodging, meshed together like gears.

Swoosh……!!

율라 [Yula] knocked away 마엘 [Mael], who was flying toward her, with her arm. But at that moment, the blue snake quickly rotated and wrapped around her arm in an instant.

A heavy sensation was felt, and her arm stiffened for a very brief moment. Karil did not miss that gap, which might have been a stop of one millionth of a second, no, ten millionth of a second, a moment that was hard to even call a moment.

Annihilation Strike (殲擊) [Annihilation Strike (Jeomgyeok): A powerful sword technique].

Karil drew 아그넬 [Agnel] in the air. Instead of the blade of the wave created by the impact of the two forces intersecting, this time a void was created in the place where 아그넬 [Agnel] was drawn, as if space was being sucked in.

Crack……! Crunch……!!

Emerald light exploded in the distorted space as if crumpling paper.

The divine power of Karil, which had been emitted from 아그넬 [Agnel], and the power of the fragments held by the Spirit Kings collided in the air to create the Annihilation Strike.

Swoosh……!!!

The distorted space rotated at a terrifying speed, and an invisible blade covered 율라 [Yula].

Clang!!

Clatter……!!!

The sound of sharp sword strikes was heard, but there was no scream from 율라 [Yula].

“Even if you contain the power of God, swordsmanship in the human realm is ultimately inferior to God.”

“……!!”

율라 [Yula], who had appeared behind him before he knew it.

Slash—!!

She roughly tore off 마엘 [Mael], who had wrapped around her arm, and tore apart the snake’s maw in an instant.

율라’s [Yula’s] sword, burning crimson, was thrust toward Karil without hesitation, and at that moment, a dull sound was heard, and blood splattered on her sword.

“Cough…….”

But it was not Karil’s blood.

Hagane, who had slipped between the two, tightly held the sword that had pierced through his torso with both arms as if embracing it.

“Now……!!”

At the same time, Hagane chanted a spell as if he had been waiting. Then, dozens of red vines rose from the pool of blood he was standing on and covered her.

“Hmm.”

But 율라 [Yula] seemed unimpressed by his attack at the cost of his life, grabbed Hagane’s head, and pulled out the sword as it was.

Bang! Bang!! Clatter……!!

The blood that had been trying to bind her was all annihilated by the rays of light that 율라 [Yula] had created.

Slash……!!

율라’s [Yula’s] sword instantly annihilated Hagane and aimed for Karil, and the moment she deflected her attack, a cracking sound rang out, and a Dimension Spiral fell as if being pulled out from 아그넬 [Agnel] as it cracked.

Whoosh……!!

The spirit’s energy weakened as the aura escaped through the cracked gap like smoke. The gap created by Hagane failed miserably, and only the Demon King’s corpse disappeared in black smoke.

“The tower you have built with your futile desires is no different from one built on sand. Do you now know why God is God? It is because they are noble and overwhelming on their own, without having to rely on others.”

She picked up the fallen Dimension Spiral and showed it to Karil.

“The outcome was decided from the moment the creation coveted the power of God. If you want to face me, you can only ascend to the throne of God.”

율라 [Yula] smiled at him.

“Otherwise, this world will perish. I will take everything precious to you as the price for challenging me. Hehehe… Even if you win, the only future left for you will be terrible solitude.”

“Is that so?”

It was then.

Fwoooooosh—!!!!

“Then I’ll drag you down to the bottom. Not as a noble god, but to this ground we’re standing on……!!!”

율라’s [Yula’s] back bent.

Something protruded from her back to her chest. It was 밀리아나’s [Milliana’s] strike that targeted her blind spot.

But Karil’s sword, which possessed divine power, had failed to inflict damage, so her strike, imbued with mere magic power, was simply laughable to 율라 [Yula].

“Futile…….”

But at that moment, 율라’s [Yula’s] face paled. Black veins stood out around something that had pierced her chest, like humans who had excessively used divine power.

“Cough……? Cough!”

She staggered as if she couldn’t understand.

“토스카’s [Tosca’s] bone……?”

Surprisingly, the pure white object embedded in her chest was not a sword but a thorn from the 황금룡 [Golden Dragon]. 율라 [Yula] could not hide her bewilderment at the unexpected counterattack.

Only then did she confirm the identity of the sharp object embedded in her chest, and she shouted at 밀리아나 [Milliana] as if to devour her.

“Cough……!! You, you dare……!!”

Ptoo—!!!!

As she forcefully pulled out 토스카’s [Tosca’s] bone with a face full of anger, crimson blood gushed out of her mouth like a fountain.

“Dragon magic, called the attribute of nothingness, is the best power for humans to use divine power, but even that cannot withstand divine power.”

“Cough……!”

“In that sense, it can only be poison to you, a god. How about it? You too, feel what kind of pain we have endured while fighting.”

“Crazy……! Isn’t it because you guys coveted power despite not being capable enough!! What nonsense are you spouting!!”

Black veins began to spread from 율라’s [Yula’s] chest like cracked earth in a drought.

“Kaaaaaaa!!!!”

A scream was heard.

She cursed the pain that surged every time she used the power of God, which she had taken for granted.

“Do you think this will change the outcome of this war!!!!!”

Fwoooooosh……!!

As 율라 [Yula] spread her arms, black mist enveloped their surroundings. Darkness came to Karil and 밀리아나’s [Milliana’s] surroundings with a fierce gale in an instant.

‘세리카 [Serica]……!!! Get a grip……! Wake up!!!’

‘Cough, damn it…….’

‘비올라 [Viola], retreat quickly!! The front line is collapsing!!’

‘Aaaaaaa—!!’

‘Warriors of the North! Do not fear death!! Charge!!!’

‘The Empress is inside! All southerners, take up your weapons! Show your barbaric courage!!’

‘S, save me……!!’

‘Cough……! P, please……!!’

‘Knights of the Free State… Advance!!’

‘Golem unit! Survivor report!!’

‘Magic deployment!! All mages of the Magic Council, give your all!!!’

Fight—-!!!!!

The screams like wails heard from everywhere.

The cries of those endlessly heard in the black mist sounded to Karil like an alarm bell signaling the end of this battle.

Listening to the voices of the soldiers dying miserably at the hands of the monsters created by God, he could tell that the conclusion of this battle had already been decided.

Defeat.

It would be difficult to define the struggles so far with just this one word, but at least the result would not be wrong.

Slap—!!!!!

It was then.

Karil, with a dazed face, hurriedly looked ahead at the dizzying impact.

“Get a grip!!!!”

It was 밀리아나 [Milliana].

“No one knows what’s happening behind the mist! We can’t confirm whether it’s 율라’s [Yula’s] trick or the truly miserable deaths of those people, but one thing is clear. They will still be fighting, and you must fight as well.”

He was sad.

Perhaps even on that day in his previous life when he lost his comrades, anger dominated Karil more than the sorrow of losing them. But now he could be honest with the emotion of sadness for the first time.

Tears streamed down his sharply chiseled cheeks. 밀리아나 [Milliana] hugged him tightly.

“Lift your head.”

Karil looked at her.

“Don’t forget their cries. That is will. Even if it is full of pain, we will not break.”

Ironically, this sadness would become a weapon that would make him stronger.

And Karil sensed that the end of that sadness would be 밀리아나 [Milliana].

“Stop…….”

She, who had been hugging Karil, smiled faintly.

“Without the power of God, we can’t create an opening. Thanks to Hagane’s sacrifice, we were able to inflict a blow… But that was still not enough. But it’s a relief. Because I didn’t lose this.”

Before he knew it, she was holding the fragment of God that 율라 [Yula], who had been wounded by 토스카’s [Tosca’s] bone and disappeared, had dropped.

“After all, there’s no one else who can do it besides me.”

밀리아나 [Milliana] said.

She said as she tightly gripped the last fragment. Only she, with dragon magic, could use the Dimension Spiral completely.

But being able to use the same power as God meant that she would have to pay an even greater price.

“It’s only a single blow, but using the power of the fragment will allow me to create a single opportunity.”

“……Stop!! You barely survived with the power of the Demon Realm, and you know better than anyone what will happen if you use the Dimension Spiral again!!”

Her body was already like rags that had been barely pieced together one by one.

Her body, tattered from the use of divine power, had been barely held together by the relics of the Demon Realm and the power of the Demon King, so it was in a state where it would not be strange if it fell apart at any moment.

Moreover, the supreme magic power, the power of the Demon Realm that maintained her body, was the opposite of divine power, so if she used the Dimension Spiral again, she would die without a shred of doubt.

“It’s better than losing you.”

But 밀리아나 [Milliana] lightly shook off Karil’s hand and said.

“Please do not yield to God… My King.”

“밀리아나 [Milliana]……!!!”

Behind his cry, she jumped into the mist.

* * *

Deep darkness.

In the darkness where even maintaining consciousness was difficult, 밀리아나 [Milliana] tightly gripped the fragment of God in her hand.

‘Is this how it ends after all.’

She smiled bitterly and brought the fragment to the inside of her chest.

“I wanted to see the future you would create…….”

But with a relieved face, she

“I believe. Karil, in the long time when the North and South were oppressed, your existence was truly light. I still can’t forget the first day you led us. So the future you create will surely be bright as well.”

Whooooooo……!!

The Dimension Spiral shone.

She closed her eyes with all her might to face her end.

[I certainly entrusted Karil to you, but are you giving up your life too easily?]

It was then.

“알른 [Aln]?!”

The mist was pierced in an instant, creating an entrance, and 밀리아나 [Milliana] looked in surprise at the appearance of the being that appeared from within.

“Empress of the South. Give it to me.”

“You are…….”

At that moment, she could not take her eyes off the owner of another voice coming from behind 알른 [Aln].