Chapter 82

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 26, 2025

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest Telegram

Just like in any game, the Soul World has a system for parrying and countering.

Parrying is the action of deflecting an opponent’s attack with your body or weapon, while countering is about returning that attack back to them by parrying or other methods.

It’s similar yet different from a counter; a counter means hitting back a beat faster, whereas a counterattack involves returning the opponent’s attack as is.

Parrying is relatively easy if you get the timing right, but countering is tough. The very concept of returning the attack perfectly is quite complicated.

That’s why in the Soul World, counter techniques are skills for veterans. Timing is tricky, and unlike parrying, you can’t learn these techniques without the right skill.

Just like how Rod returned my punch as if he were cutting through the space, or how I sent my lightning right back to me.

“…Cough.”

I got hit by Rod’s counterattack and let out a weak cough. I just got electrocuted by my own lightning.

The technique he used was a counter that only skilled practitioners can employ. It can even reflect intangible attacks.

Among them, lightning is a particularly tricky natural force to counter. Due to its nature, if both feet touch the ground, you get electrified.

So, Rod slightly jumped to hit my lightning back. He seemed to have quite a bit of hang-time in the air while he did that.

“I got a little singed. The scorch marks are hard to remove, so I’ll buy you new clothes later.”

“…”

Rod, effortlessly batting back my lightning like some sort of bionic ninja, spoke in a relaxed tone, still standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

At sheer strength, that lightning was comparable to Hector’s. Yet, Rod handled it with such ease.

I was slowly realizing just how strong Rod had become since overcoming his affliction. He’ll be incredibly reassuring when the Academy goes down.

“…How?”

First off, I should probably ask how he did that. I understand the technique conceptually, but I’d like to see it in action.

As they say, seeing it once is better than hearing about it a hundred times. I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

And Rod generously cleared up my confusion. He flashed a relaxed smile and explained calmly.

“There are various forces in nature, just like your lightning. Gravity, magic power, spiritual energy, firepower, and so on. Most of them lack specific forms. Thus, mastering them is quite tricky.”

“…”

“But there is a way to control those forces. It’s an ability to manipulate all the forces of the world at will. In the Eastern Empire, they call it ‘Geongon Daenai.’”

That’s a martial arts term everyone has probably heard at least once. Even if I don’t know the detailed meaning, it seems like it allows one to control the very forces at will.

Not only lightning, but also water and fire could likely be manipulated to one’s will with a sword.

Cutting through space works on a similar principle. Distorting the laws of nature to ignore restrictions.

In short, to reach a higher level, acquiring Geongon Daenai is essential.

It won’t impact the story much if you don’t, but if you’re pursuing strength, it’s advisable to acquire it.

“If you reach the peak of Geongon Daenai, you might even perform Gyeongcheon Dongji. I might struggle because of my age, but Rize may be able to.”

“Gyeongcheon Dongji?”

“It makes the heavens tremble and the earth shake. A force capable of literally shaking the world, just like an earthquake.”

That’s why Rize is referred to as ‘Whitebeard who knows boxing.’ One punch can cause an earthquake.

The Sword Saint and Gwonseong. Since they all have the connotation of ‘star’ attached, their strength is beyond words.

Considering that stars float in the sky, it seems they’ve practically become part of it.

‘Did I go too far?’

After being hit solidly by a counterattack, I suddenly regretted it. I asked for a duel just to indulge in a treat, and here I was receiving a lesson instead.

Still, I can’t give up. At least in terms of effective strikes, I had one last trump card left.

First, I thought changing positions might be a good idea. If I continued like this, I’d end up flying toward the Academy.

“That guy from the East can strike down lightning just by standing still and shake the ground, but… well, he’s not really interested in world affairs.”

“…”

“Anyway, are you going to continue? You can call it quits whenever.”

“No.”

I can’t give up. I feel like I need to land at least one valid hit to ease my spirit.

Differing from Hector, I won’t recklessly charge in. I’ll use all my tricks, except for going berserk.

I shook my head a little and dusted off the soot marks. It seems I’ll be visiting a barbershop soon.

“Just one hit.”

“If you can hit me.”

Rod shrugged. Watching how long that casual attitude lasts could be interesting too.

Before making my move, I glanced around. Unfortunately, the area was a wide open space, not suitable for an ambush.

In the end, it meant I had no choice but to use a frontal assault, but I had to be careful where I stood to avoid involving anyone else.

“Hng!”

So I just charged in. If I keep pressing hard, I might land at least one hit.

For now, my goal was to grab hold of a part of his body. Ideally, the hand that wields the sword, but Rod probably anticipated that.

Get a read on him!

So I had to be a little sneaky. Just before reaching Rod, I swept my leg like a broom.

The dust from the ground puffed up right in front of Rod. That should block his vision to a degree.

“Hmm…”

Rod seemed surprised I was making such a move as his brows furrowed, and then he closed his eyes. This would completely obstruct his sight.

An amateur would probably seize the chance to grab his arm and attack. But that wasn’t my target.

While Rod hesitated, my true aim was to swiftly take his back. That’s what I was counting on.

Sneak—

As soon as I positioned myself behind him, I swung my axe, but Rod dodged it effortlessly.

Did he use some kind of spatial manipulation? He moved several steps back, away from me in an instant.

Still, that’s fine. I expected that much. I’m only really aiming at one thing.

“Who taught you to—… Huh?”

Rod opened his eyes and displayed a puzzled expression. Surprise was etched all over his face.

And he had every right to be surprised because a red magic power was slowly gathering at the tip of my index finger.

Gathering through condensation, I was sculpting it to maximize efficiency.

The techniques I learned from Kronos and Gloria. Even if my red magic power was overwhelmed, I could still make use of the skills.

“Wait a second. You shouldn’t—…”

Rod seemed quite flustered, speaking in a hurried tone. But unfortunately, his words drowned in the moment.

Peeing!

The red magic power gathering at my fingertip was unleashed. My target wasn’t Rod, but the ground right next to him.

With his abilities, there was no doubt he could easily dodge it, so it was a splash damage tactic. My party was far enough away, so it was fine.

Moreover, with how fast it was, it’d be tough for him to counter it with any skill like Geongon Daenai. Finally, I could aim for a valid hit…

Siiing!

…that was the thought running through my head.

Rod swung his sword upward just as the death beam approached.

Miraculously, the downward trajectory of the death beam completely reversed. The direction of its force had switched entirely.

Bzzing!

Finally aiming for the sky instead of the ground, that death beam,

Kawa-fwang!

Exploded spectacularly while generating a huge gust of wind.

“…”

Is that really a person? I’m doubting if he’s human in a whole different sense than me.

At least Rize received the blessing of Chaos, but Rod is just an entirely normal human.

No matter how much he’s mastered Geongon Daenai, how can a person unleash such power? It fills me with awe.

“Phew…”

Regardless, Rod sighed deeply as he looked at the explosion from the death beam. There was a palpable frustration in it.

Maybe that’s why my wilderness instinct screamed out strongly. Begging me to kneel and plead. Or I’d regret it greatly.

But he looked indifferent on the outside, so I found myself frozen in place without realizing it. That’s when I realized.

“I didn’t want to poke the bear, but… it looks like I have no choice.”

I missed the opportunity. I shouldn’t have disturbed the sleeping lion.

Lions might protect their cubs, but if that cub is in the wrong, they correct it sternly.

That correction could be a bit fierce, but as soon as a lion growls, people instinctively cower.

Swoosh—

Rod looked around, picking up a tiny twig. It looked like it would snap any second.

Then, he inspected the twig and nodded. It seemed that was sufficient for him.

“Sivar, I’m telling you in advance. This isn’t a stick; it’s a sword.”

“…?”

What on earth does that mean? It looks like a twig that’s going to break right away.

Predicting my bewildered reaction, Rod grinned with his characteristic down-to-earth smile and swung the twig.

The direction he swung it was directly to the side. A thick tree stood upright at a short distance.

Kwa-rung!

But then a small crack appeared in that tree, and it immediately toppled over. Surely it was just a twig he swung, but it looked as if he had cut it down with a sword.

As I stood there bewildered rather than shocked, Rod emphasized again.

“Take a good look. This isn’t a stick; it’s a sword.”

At those words, I started looking at the twig closely. There was an extremely faint aura surrounding it.

An aura that took on the shape of a sword, faintly colored with blue magic. It was so weak that if I wasn’t focused, I’d struggle to perceive it.

“There’s an old saying: a person rules with the whip of love, and a beast with a club. We’ll see whether this will be the whip of love or a club.”

“A sword, you say.”

“Indeed. It’s a sword.”

Swoosh—

With that, Rod took a step forward. Just one step, yet he reached me in a blink.

I was so startled I swung my axe instinctively. It was so sudden, I felt like I’d gotten into a horror game.

Thwack!

“Ah!”