Chapter 135

In the days that followed, our rematch was nothing short of a literal contest. Our breaths synchronized almost perfectly as we wielded our swords. My blade met Dominus’s, neither able to inflict harm on the other, clashing only against each other in our hands. This was a draw, a competition.

Clang!

“…Ugh!”

Though I was trying to pass off this exchange as a fair match, in reality, as soon as our blades met, I let out a pained gasp, giving way slightly under his pressure.

Dominus’s sword, filled with an unyielding resolve to end my life, came at me without any unnecessary tricks or techniques, only pure, ruthless intent. Each strike aimed to sever any impurity from its path, forming an unwavering trajectory toward destruction.

Even though I had been awake for only a short while, the hostility that surged through me gave me strength and sharpened the tip of my sword. Despite this, I could barely manage to parry his strikes.

The gap between us was still painfully evident, yet I refused to accept defeat.

Crack!

I gritted my teeth, determined not to show any sign of pain, and swung my sword again. With each swing, the sharpness increased, and the color of hostility wrapped around my blade became more vivid. Yet, even with such a fierce attack, Dominus effortlessly parried my sword.

I was being pushed back. It was truly regrettable, but there was no denying that he was overpowering me. However, I couldn’t let him think he had gained such an impression over me.

“Hmph! You’ve been the most worthwhile opponent since I first crossed swords with you… But this ends now!!”

As Dominus struck out at my throat after deflecting my sword, I retaliated.

“Don’t decide the end so easily!”

I roared, immediately diving into a fatal gap, ready to strike. My movements were so frenzied that it was impossible to discern how I moved, but Dominus saw right through it.

“Hah! Pathetic!”

He sneered, stepping back and preventing me from closing the distance he intended to maintain.

Even in the midst of exchanging blows, I couldn’t control the gaps between us, nor did I feel like I was dominating him. But I wasn’t losing; I was merely unable to overwhelm him.

“Who do you think you’re talking to?!”

Compared to when he had used a weaponless strike to pierce my abdomen before, this confrontation felt far more balanced.

Vibrations surged through my sword, illuminating the dark, twisted temple.

“You dare challenge your own father?! Centuries too early!”

Despite the light that seemed to envelop the temple, the darkness returned, thickening with Dominus’s hostility. Even as this pattern repeated, my sword never touched him.

I needed to bring him down quickly to save Asulin, but he felt the same urgency.

“Hmph! You’ve learned some tricks in the meantime! Always falling for the same tactics!”

“I always thought I’d just be taking hits from you!”

My deft handling of his attacks showed my growth, enough to respond to his desperate provocation.

“Why don’t you shut up and see what happens? I don’t want to hear any excuses about losing due to lack of strength later!”

I closed the distance, aiming a clear provocation at him as he tried to regroup.

It didn’t sit well with me, knowing he would resort to such cheap tactics to rile me up, just like me.

“You’re the one stealing my words! Don’t you realize that every moment you waste speaking of defeat brings you closer to losing your life and body?”

Seeing his reaction, I felt a rush of satisfaction that fueled the intensity of my hostility, making it more vivid.

My sword felt weightless.

Even as fatigue overwhelmed me, my grip on the sword remained light. The trajectory my sword traced then was truly beautiful.

When Asulin and I engaged in practice duels, they often ended in a stalemate. But when I attacked with such fervor, she couldn’t avoid or parry my strikes, resulting in my victory.

Splash!

The moment my blade sliced past Dominus, cutting his left arm, causing blood to spray like mist, I realized…

“Stay vigilant! Push forward!!”

“Andy!!”

Even without the support from behind, I was resolved to finish this here.

“Phew…”

My hostility sharpened by a single breath, I deliberately dulled the edge of my sword, intending not to be consumed by it.

If I focused solely on maintaining sharpness, my actions might seem foolish, but this was a calculated move to keep a broader perspective.

Though defeating him was crucial, I also needed to remember why I was here.

“…What are you doing?”

Dominus growled, unprepared to stop the bleeding from his left arm, despite the visible severity of the wound.

His menacing presence made me feel like physical force alone could subdue me, even though I knew better.

But now, I felt no fear or anger at his threats; I only felt a resolute will to act.

“Prepare to end all the twisted things before you.”

Even if I had to face the threat of his blade, I responded curtly, conveying my determination.

“Y-You… No, that can’t be! It can’t be!”

Seeing something amiss, Dominus charged like a released arrow.

Despite the blood loss, his movements were faster and sharper than ever, but this time, there was no calculation or confidence behind them.

So, it seemed.

Adjusting my stance, I effortlessly avoided his strike aimed at my neck with a mere step.

“…?!”

Dominus, realizing his mistake, turned to swing his sword in the direction I had evaded, but—

“You’re truly twisted.”

My sword pierced his right shoulder before he could complete the motion.

Actually, the thrust aimed for his heart hit his shoulder as he hastily turned away.

Thud!

The heavy sensation transmitted through my hand, coupled with Dominus’s agonized scream, revealed his true expression for the first time.

He was stunned and shocked by his unexpected defeat.

“…Why should I listen to such nonsense from someone like you?!”

Even though he was disoriented, the fury and hatred directed at me were palpable.

Only now did I realize how deeply emotional Dominus could be, despite his usual cold demeanor.

—

The fight was over. From the moment my sword pierced his right shoulder and slashed his wound, it was clear he couldn’t continue.

Even though he fought on despite his injuries, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because of the person who had given birth to me, or perhaps an inexplicable stubbornness and madness that kept him going.

“I won’t give up yet. I’ve set up this game too far to lose now.”

Dominus, despite dropping his sword from his right hand, aimed it at me with his left, refusing to surrender.

His eyes, now more piercing than ever, seemed to freeze my soul. They were the eyes of someone who had experienced unspeakable torment.

“Bravado…”

Seeing his waning resolve, I decided to let him come to me rather than approach him directly.

Click-clack—

With blood still clinging to the blade that had sprayed him moments ago, I stood my ground.

“In light of your formidable presence, I shall yield the initiative.”

“…”

Dominus’s blank expression suddenly twisted into an odd grimace.

How could I describe that look?

Even though I understood the rage he must feel, I struggled to find the right words to describe it.

“Argh! Up! Down! Stop!”

With a roar, Dominus lunged at me as if propelled by fury.

Though his movements were quicker than before, the sheer volume of emotions he displayed made him easier to read.

And so, it played out—

Slash!

My sword struck again, spraying blood across his right arm.

“Guh!”

Dominus fell forward, his body contorting in agony.

For the first time, I had inflicted injury on the one who had tormented me with his sword.

I had wished for this moment, prayed for it countless times, yet now, instead of exhilaration, I felt a chill.

Why?

Even as my body trembled in pain and confusion filled my voice, Dominus’s eyes burned with madness, revealing the depths of his despair.

Something was coming. Whether from him or another, I couldn’t tell, but the ominous feeling in this temple grew stronger.

Instead of rejoicing in his pain, I tightened my grip on the sword.

“Who is really the corrupt one…”

I prepared for the final strike, stepping closer to Dominus.