Chapter 38

A knight charging through the fog on a horse.

The lance-wielding foe spurred his horse and charged again.

There was no room for chatter—only the will to ruthlessly pierce the heart with that lance, without question.

“Hiss!”

In sync with a short shout, a spear glowing with white light shot forward.

‘I can’t block it.’

While glaring at the approaching spear tip like a flicker of lightning, I tilted my sword towards the blade.

Bang!

“Ugh…!”

Before I could even adjust from the numbing shock, I quickly regained my stance.

As the first knight swung his spear and moved past, another came charging in an alternating motion.

A massive knight wielding an axe emerged, swirling the fog around his presence. The thick iron chunk, wrapped in a heavy current, tore through the air.

Trying to deflect the axe but ended up rolling on the ground.

Whoosh—

A chilling sensation passed by my back.

There was no time to assess the situation.

The overwhelming momentum of continuous attacks forced me to twist my body again.

Boom!

The massive axe fell through the fog, smashing the ground.

Scattered dirt and flying air pressure raised a cloud of dust.

The fog mixed with the dust clouded the surrounding vision.

The limitation of sight was the same for both sides.

But, since the opponent just finished his attack, the turn had passed to me.

The moment I spotted the handle of the axe stuck in the ground, I swung my sword in one swift motion.

Hihyying—!

Before my attack could land, the knight swiftly moved away.

The sound of hooves loudly rang out, and in a blink, its figure disappeared back into the fog.

Moving agilely as if becoming one with its rider, the horse.

The knight naturally retrieved his weapon and prepared for the next attack in sync with the move.

It was a textbook motion of a horse-mounted knight.

Very impressive. I wished I could have shown this to the troops.

‘Spear-wielder. Axe-wielder.’

There were three presences detected. What about the last one?

The question was quickly answered.

Piiing—

A small and sharp sound sliced through the air as something flew.

A thin shadow drawing a parabolic arc approached.

‘Bow!’

In the time it takes to blink, the arrow was already right in front of me.

Firing an arrow charged with mana is no easy task.

The moment I moved to deflect the arrow, which had no light emitted from it—

A shadow of silver deflected the arrow.

“Captain!”

Cruel grimaced and swung his sword.

Though it was hit accurately, the impact was considerable.

Inside the fog with limited visibility, the arrow still aimed precisely at my head.

It meant the last knight’s skill with a bow was quite impressive from a distance.

‘This has become troublesome.’

At the moment of approach, they would immediately create distance.

Trying to chase would be futile since they were on horseback and could quickly escape.

I could probably chase them if I pushed myself, but the other two wouldn’t just sit idly by.

While observing the knights gathering mana again, I spoke to Cruel.

“There are three mana wielders. All at knight level and clearly not amateurs.”

“…”

Tension appeared on Cruel’s face.

The relaxed atmosphere sharpened instantly, his dark eyes quickly scanning the surroundings.

The preparation for battle. While his intention to fight is commendable—

It would be problematic if he joined the fight.

“Refrain from engaging and prioritize survival.”

The difference between mana wielders and non-users is clear.

Not just their absurd physical capabilities that can easily crush rocks—

The biggest difference is whether or not their weapons contain mana.

Weapons infused with mana can easily cut or break other weapons.

If Cruel charged at that spear-wielder or axe-wielder, his body would be split in two.

Typically, mana users can only be faced by other mana users.

I’m a rare exception. Only in very rare cases, those who have mastered martial skills to an artistic level might be able to match them.

It means the life of the newly acquired talent is at risk.

Cruel had to keep himself restrained to avoid drawing their attention.

“…I understand. However, I’ll make sure to block the arrows.”

Gritting his teeth,

The faint sound of hooves striking the ground.

Without responding to Cruel’s words, I swung my arm.

Giving a nod to the retreating Cruel, I quickly observed their positions.

There were three of them spread out in a triangular formation, surrounding us from a distance.

Attempting to charge would be too far, while galloping on horseback would be too close—a difficult position.

Behind where Cruel stood was the archer.

Using my frame of reference, knights wielding spears were on the left and right, charging forward.

Thanks to the fog, distances became difficult to discern clearly, but fortunately, I could see their mana, so it wasn’t an issue.

Even if their figures weren’t visible, the mana fluctuating around their bodies was clearly seen.

The spear-wielding knight approached the fastest.

Following closely, the axe-wielding knight also charged fiercely.

It seemed they planned for the spear to lead the attack first, with the axe following—quite an efficient tactic.

The spear charge was thrusting, and with the added speed and weight of the horse, it had tremendous destructive power. But,

“Hissk!”

Before the knight’s spear reached me, I jumped forward and swung my sword.

A thrust is an attack that penetrates a single point.

Being the fastest and simplest strike, it follows the shortest distance possible without any excess. However, if you know where it’s aimed and can see it, you can react.

Kwang!

“Ugh!”

The knight’s spear narrowly scraping past my ear.

My sword slammed forcefully against the side of the spear. The knight seemed surprised, as evidenced by the confused voice from the previously silent knight.

At the moment I aimed to deliver a finishing blow to the stumbling knight,

The knight’s horse quickly disengaged from the scene.

“Hmm.”

I wiped away the warm blood streaming down my cheek and leapt forward again.

Whoosh—Bang!

The axe that fell where I was standing a moment ago.

The attack amplified by weight, momentum, and mana shattered the solid ground.

The quiet fog-covered plains echoed with an explosion.

The cool body began to heat up from the excitement of battle.

Expelling the rising heat, I swung my sword again towards the incoming axe.

Ka ga gak!

The axe blade slid across the sword and fell towards the ground.

With the intense impact, spiderweb-like cracks engraved on the sword, nearing its breaking point. Throwing the sword as it was about to break, I retrieved the remaining sword.

“Ugh!”

The thrown sword was dodged by turning the head.

Simultaneously, the reins were pulled, and as if responding to the master’s will, the horse immediately changed direction, and the axe followed.

The axe that was stuck on the ground now cut horizontally through the fog.

The organic succession of weapon retrieval and attack from that knight. The menacing axe, emitting a roaring sound, came flying.

Lowering my back as much as possible towards the ground, I swung my sword upwards.

Tang!

The axe was sent flying into the air.

Both the knight and I had our openings fully revealed.

It was the perfect opportunity, but I couldn’t move.

My balance was disrupted while rising unstably.

To deliver the right amount of power, the lower body needed to be firmly fixed.

While I adjusted my stance, the knight would likely recover by then.

“For now, I need some distance…”

I concluded, but the knight withdrew first in that instant.

Hihyying—!

“How dare you…!”

The rapid retreat of the knight and horse.

In their vacated place stood Cruel with a bloodstained sword.

“It was an unavoidable opening!”

“No! Well done!”

Piiing—

Swiftly deflecting three covert arrows and scanning my surroundings.

They were reorienting themselves and preparing for another charge.

That said, the axe-wielding knight’s horse seemed injured, slowing his movements.

“Captain! Let me serve as bait!”

“What?”

“If I can take one of them down during this time, it will disrupt their balance. Then…”

Cruel’s resolute eyes.

I quickly waved my hand at his serious demeanor.

“There’s no need. Just focus on blocking the arrows.”

“But…”

“It’s fine. Now’s my turn.”

Yes, it’s my turn.

About time Calion arrives.

Kyeeek!

A sharp noise slicing through the air.

Soon after, the ground exploded with a deafening sound.

The summoned massive sword.

Calion, shining faintly even through the fog, stood embedded in the ground, handle facing me.

“A divine sword…!”

Leaving the astonished Cruel behind, I drew out Calion.

Swinging the heavy greatsword effortlessly in the air, then resting it on my shoulder.

They seemed startled by the sudden commotion.

The knights who were preparing to charge again paused to assess the situation.

The serene blue glow within the fog.

After what seemed like a judgment, they began to charge again across the earth.

The sight of the two knights galloping, shaking the land.

“First, their mounts.”

First, I’ll take away their mobility.

Staring at them, I tightly gripped the handle.

The knights swiftly approached within close range.

As the fog dissipated, the knights became more clearly visible.

I swung Calion towards the shining spear.

“Stupid!”

The knight with the spear mocked my actions, forgetting all about the lance charge.

A spear imbued with mana, and receiving the horse’s acceleration—facing it head-on with a sword is insane.

But, that madness only applies under normal circumstances.

“What the…!”

The knight wielding the spear flew into the air.

His horse cut in half collapsed, and he soared away due to the inertia.

Flailing about, the steel-armored knight eventually crashed heavily into the ground with a loud thud.

“Khhak!”

Leaving the knight gasping for air behind, I quickly leapt forward.

The stunned look on the axe-wielding knight’s face as the knight with the spear fell.

The galloping horse’s legs slowed, and the axe that should’ve been pulled back was pointed towards the ground.

Carelessness in a battle where seconds matter means death.

I leaped towards the knight fumbling to correct the axe grip and brought down Calion.

Clang! Puff!

The knight and the horse cleaved vertically. The massive axe also split in two.

The corpses and the metal debris fell to the ground.

The fog and the plain turned red.

“Huff…”

The cold winter air wasn’t noticed at all.

The overwhelming heat engulfing my entire body. The heat exploding through Calion translated into reality, as if melting me.

It was the day it rained blood.

Since the day, from then on, when I gained the ability to see mana.

The rising heat grew stronger, and correspondingly, so did my power, enough to instantly cut down a mana wielder.

I realized it when I just now cleaved the axe-wielding knight.

I’m continuing to grow stronger.

And I can clearly see it.

The mana dispersing from their fallen master is being absorbed by me.

As I repressed the rising spirit and strength at that moment,

Cruel’s excited cry rang out.

“Captain! The last one is fleeing!”

Hearing that, I turned my head.

In the distant fog, a shadow gleaming blue rapidly moved away.

“…Good judgment.”

Two mana wielders lost their lives.

Even in the situation where they were pressing us with three, the odds were uncertain, but now down to one—

Deciding to immediately withdraw from the battlefield is a wise decision. Given that they’re on horseback, pursuit is impossible.

However…

“Who said I’d let you go?”

Holding Calion in reverse grip, I pulled my arm back as much as possible.

With the other hand supporting the blade, I stared at the escaping knight in the distance.

Showing your back means death.

Knights should not cowardly show their backs but should fall honorably.

“Hiss!”

Focusing the explosively erupting power into my arms and legs,

I hurled Calion.

Kwaak!

The divine sword, weaving through the misty fog like a streak of light, disappeared.

And then…

Kraaaaaa!

Hearing the painfully echoing scream, I summoned Calion again.

“What… is this…?”

Shrugging at Cruel, who stood there with his mouth agape, I moved forward.

The battle wasn’t over yet. Now I had to extract information from these knights.

Once satisfactory information is obtained, then the end will come.

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