Chapter 169

Chapter 170. Can You Feel the Difference in Power? (9)

When the five judges declared Pasian’s victory instead of Norman’s, the audience erupted in boos.

“What nonsense! Anyone can see Sir Norman won!”

“Biased judgment! We can’t accept this!”

Norman was quietly observing the situation, but his face showed an expression that seemed ready to tear the judges apart.

However, the host, as if expecting this, began to explain.

-We understand why you might disagree with the judges’ decision. Clearly, the fight between Sir Pasian and Sir Norman was slightly in Sir Norman’s favor. We have no disagreement on that. However, there is another reason why we sided with Sir Pasian.

As the host mentioned there was a reason, the audience quieted down, as if to hear the excuse.

-When the explosion occurred in the city center, Sir Pasian, as a knight’s duty, immediately stopped his attack. However, Sir Norman took advantage of the situation and launched a surprise attack. Our judges clearly saw this and deemed it a violation of chivalry.

It was an incredibly shameless statement. But witnesses began to pop up everywhere, claiming they saw it too.

“I definitely saw it. Sir Pasian sheathed his sword, but Sir Norman didn’t stop and aimed for his neck!”

“That’s a bit too much.”

“No matter how strong you are, that’s just dirty. Not knightly.”

“I don’t want a cowardly knight who resorts to sneak attacks to represent the Southern Sword in this tournament.”

In an instant, public opinion shifted in favor of Pasian.

Though Pasian was battered and bloodied from the onslaught, his wounds weren’t deep, and he smiled faintly at Norman.

‘The world isn’t all about power, you brat.’

It was true that Norman didn’t stop his attack. However, that wasn’t against the tournament rules.

But the judges made it an issue. And when they do, it becomes a problem.

This is because the judges are all nobles who have received bribes from Galahind.

Even if that weren’t the case, it’s better to side with the upper noble, Marquis Galahind, a wealthy man, than with a common noble like Norman. There’s no benefit in siding with a common noble.

The citizen who said, “I saw it,” was also a hired agitator by Galahind. You don’t need thousands to change the opinion of tens of thousands. Ten people are enough.

Of course, not everyone agrees, but minority opinions are easily dismissed by the majority.

The host, after gauging the atmosphere for a moment, spoke.

-If anyone disagrees with this decision, please step forward.

He drove the nail in.

If you tell someone with a grievance to step forward, who would? Especially since Norman’s family background is that of a common noble, and his opponent is an upper noble.

Not that Norman was a particularly virtuous person. A cruel and merciless person wouldn’t have allies.

“…….”

“…….”

As expected, both citizens and nobles remained silent. Not a single person stepped forward to protest for Norman.

-Then, I will announce the match result once again. Sir Pasian is the winner!

No one questioned why the outcome of a team tournament was decided by just two people’s fight.

If you have complaints about the haphazard management, step forward.

If you don’t? Then it just proceeds.

Mail, watching the chaotic and messy tournament situation, muttered in disbelief.

“What a mess.”

Of course, Mail had no intention of stepping forward for Norman either.

* * *

Immediately after the match, the city, which had been bustling due to the bomb terror, quickly regained stability.

Thanks to the swift response of the security forces.

“We will now begin the execution of the terror leaders!”

In the middle of the square, three people ascended the execution platform.

All were dressed in luxurious clothes but were severely beaten, their faces swollen to the point of being unrecognizable.

The executioner addressed the gathered citizens.

“Listen carefully. By the Queen’s solemn decree, those who break the law, even if they are nobles, will not be forgiven. These three nobles, as puppets of the Empire, planted bombs in our territory’s key facilities, the mill and grain warehouse, and will be executed for their crimes!”

They didn’t even reveal which noble family they were from.

The citizens didn’t care either. They just cheered at the execution of those who had caused them anxiety.

“Fall into hell, dogs of the Empire!”

“I’ll take their heads!”

Splat!

With the executioner’s blade, three heads fell to the ground in an instant.

The onlookers quickly rushed to grab the heads, fighting each other. It was due to the superstition that eating a noble’s eyeball would make you as rich as a noble.

Even if that were true, none of the citizens gathered here would become rich. The three dead weren’t terrorists who planted bombs, nor were they nobles.

They were just ordinary beggars found everywhere in the city. The security forces had only pretended to catch the terrorists to quell the citizens’ anxiety.

“Humans are so foolish.”

Norman, who was among the spectators, muttered.

Then, someone whispered behind him.

“Norman. Marquis Galahind’s orders. Follow me.”

“…This is getting interesting.”

Norman followed the masked man, leaving the city’s bustling streets and entering a dark, narrow alley.

Creak.

Entering an abandoned building, Norman looked around. From the first to the second floor, fully armed knights were glaring at him.

“You’re perceptive. Coming all the way here just because you were called.”

The door opened, and Pasian entered. He too was holding a sword.

Norman smiled silently. A creepy smile that didn’t show his teeth.

“Quite the unpleasant face. Hey, Norman. Do you know why I called you here?”

“Hmm. I don’t know.”

“Kukuku, acting all high and mighty as a Master. No, I understand. That omnipotence. The superiority of having all humans in the world beneath your feet. I’ve experienced it too.”

Pasian took out a cigar from his pocket, cut the end with his finger, and lit it with a match.

Sssssss- Puff.

He blew hot, acrid smoke into Norman’s face.

Norman didn’t even blink as he stared at Pasian.

“Reveal your true self, monster.”

A thick killing intent enveloped Norman’s entire body.

In the finals, Norman had dodged Pasian’s sword with movements impossible for a human. Pasian couldn’t just let that slide.

As Norman silently smiled, Pasian smiled back and said.

“Don’t be too scared. I’m not here to judge you. In fact, I hold you in high regard. A monster pretending to be human. And a perfect human at that. That’s quite useful, isn’t it?”

Sssssss.

Pasian rubbed the cigar against Norman’s chest.

“Become mine, monster. I’ll let you live your life pretending to be human. Ah, before you answer, you better think carefully with that little brain of yours. If you refuse, I’ll kill you here and then reveal to the world that you’re a monster. Then I’ll be the hero who slayed a monster, not a bad deal.”

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“I’ll allow it, monster.”

“Who else knows? That I’m not human.”

“Ah, don’t worry. Only me and my subordinates here know. Even Marquis Galahind doesn’t know. That greedy old man would surely want you if he knew.”

“That’s quite kind of you.”

Swish.

Norman extended his left hand. As if asking for a handshake. Pasian’s lips curled up.

“A wise choice, monster.”

Thump.

Pasian accepted Norman’s handshake.

Then Norman’s lips also split open. Creepily, reaching up to his ears.

“You made a foolish choice, human.”

“…?!”

As soon as Pasian sensed something strange, he swung the sword in his left hand.

Having once been a mercenary, and now a 5-Star Master, Pasian didn’t let his guard down until the end.

Anticipating such a situation, he kept his sword hand ready to strike Norman’s neck at any moment.

Thanks to that, Pasian’s sword, filled with aura, easily slashed across Norman’s neck.

But it didn’t cut.

No, it cut but didn’t cut.

Squish.

As it cut, the neck reattached itself. Like jelly.

“Wha, what the hell! Kill him!”

At Pasian’s shout, his subordinate knights rushed at Norman from all directions.

Pasian wanted to pull back, but he couldn’t. His hand, shaking Norman’s, was completely stuck. As if glued together.

“Damn monster!”

Slash!

Norman’s wrist was severed.

Then the shape of his hand, which had been shaking Pasian’s, collapsed and turned into a transparent slime.

The problem was, that slime was alive and burrowing into Pasian’s skin.

“What the hell is this!”

Pasian dropped his sword and tried to peel off the slime burrowing into his skin with his hands. But more slime burrowed in than he could peel off.

But that wasn’t the end. The real problem was elsewhere.

“Cap, Captain! Save me…!”

Splat!

The body of the knight who had reached out to Pasian was split in half.

Norman, no, now a monstrous creature that couldn’t even be called Norman, was slaughtering the knights.

Norman, who had clearly been in human form, had now become a monster in the truest sense.

Dozens of blade tentacles swung at high speed, cutting through the swords and bodies of countless knights.

Pasian couldn’t believe his eyes. The blade tentacles weren’t just fast.

“All of them are swordsmanship?!”

Having fought in numerous countries, Pasian could see it. Norman’s tentacles weren’t just randomly swinging fast.

It was swordsmanship.

He couldn’t tell what kind of swordsmanship it was. But it was clear that all the tentacles were swinging with the essence of swordsmanship.

In the face of the grotesque monster’s slaughter, which was indescribable even by sight, Pasian tried to escape-

Crash!

The slime monster that was once Norman threw the knights’ corpses to block his path.

“Where… are you… going so… fast?”

A horrifying voice came from the crudely formed mouth on the tentacle.

It wasn’t Norman’s voice. It was as if dozens of voices were mixed together.

“Damn it, damn it!”

Pasian, holding his sword with both hands, glared at Norman.

Clack clack clack.

His entire body was trembling with fear. Pasian had never faced such terror in his life.

‘I, I need to use Muryeong. I, I have the Rage Elixir with me!’

Even if it’s a monster that slaughtered dozens of knights in an instant, with the Rage Elixir and Muryeong, he could handle it. Surely.

Pasian, who believed so without a doubt, was…

“Magnificent…”

“Shut up.”

Sssssss!

The sound of wind splitting, and dozens of blade tentacles covered Pasian’s entire body.

One of the few weaknesses of Muryeong.

It needs time to speak.

If the opponent doesn’t give you time to speak, it can’t be activated.

Crash crash crash crash!

Pasian, without Muryeong, blocked Norman’s blade tentacles that the knights couldn’t even stop. Thanks to his full-powered Aura Sword and Aura Armor.

“Ugh…”

But it was still not enough to escape or counterattack. Pasian had two arms and one sword, while Norman had over twenty blade tentacles.

Moreover, those blade tentacles were imbued with dense Aura Swords, all swung with swordsmanship. It was like being surrounded by twenty Master-level swordsmen.

“Kaaaaah!”

Thinking he would die if this continued, Pasian let out a shout and unleashed a massive Aura Wave.

Not with the intention to kill Norman, but to buy time to at least drink the Rage Elixir at his waist…

Swish!

Norman snatched the Rage Elixir from Pasian’s hand.

“Is this the Rage Elixir?”

“How, how do you know about the Rage Elixir?!”

“Why should I tell you?”

Pop!

Opening the elixir’s lid, Norman dipped a tentacle in and grimaced.

“Ugh- Why would anyone drink this? Good thing I didn’t let you. I almost got in trouble too.”

Clang!

Norman threw the Rage Elixir away and dragged his slimy body towards Pasian.

Then, his grotesque body began to return to a more human form.

Squelch squelch.

Stepping through the puddles of blood from the dead knights’ bodies, the naked Norman reached out to Pasian.

Of course, Pasian was horrified and unleashed his best swordsmanship.

The experience of surviving hundreds of battles as a mercenary, and the secret technique he perfected after gaining enlightenment in the Adeus Kingdom, the land of warriors.

Extreme Light Gale Sword!

“Die!”

Pasian’s fierce strike, fueled by all his aura and stamina, tore Norman’s body apart.

Splat splat splat splat!

Norman couldn’t block the Extreme Light Gale Sword either, and his body was torn to shreds without a chance to react.

No blood was shed. As soon as he was hit by the Extreme Light Gale Sword, he scattered into transparent liquid in all directions.

“Haah, haah…!”

Norman, who couldn’t even maintain a human form, disappeared. Pasian looked around with trembling eyes.

The dim, faded brown abandoned building was a hellscape stained with blood. The sound of dripping blood tickled his ears.

The transparent liquid, once Norman, clung here and there, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Pasian poked the nearby slime with his sword. No movement.

Clack clack clack.

With trembling eyes, Pasian looked around and finally muttered what he shouldn’t have.

“…Did I win?”