Chapter 84

“I’m glad I didn’t leave it to Palas.”

I thought while looking at Algul, who was surveying me with a vigilant expression.

It was truly forced movement caused by Gal’s draconic incantation.

If Algul is indeed an adept at manipulating mana, it was only right to remain cautious when witnessing the powers of the transcendental incantation right before my eyes.

“If Palas were to intervene now, at best it would be an equal match; eight times out of ten, they would surely be defeated.”

The extreme manifestation of the art was piercing through the veil of powers close to divine, reading Algul’s essence accurately.

They mentioned the Einherjar of Bruwon Krishaka.

Just by their very essence alone, they were comparable to a High Elf. To top it off, they were a product of the grievous sin of killing their father, Bruwon, claiming part of his flesh and essence. Not to mention, they managed to overcome the curse left by Ul Kanadiel, Alia’s father, before his death, ultimately crafting their own strength.

As a Roa born from the primordial wilderness and life, Bruwon’s Einherjar seemed to embody a raw and resilient essence, likely resisting the powers of Ul, the Roa of night and death.

The ratio might be around eighty to twenty.

It seemed that the energies of life and death were circulating within Algul, drawing a blurred taiji around them.

Surprisingly, part of Algul’s energy bore a resemblance to the qualities of their own innate power.

“…Can you see?”

In a state of quiet standoff during their self-introduction, Algul’s mouth eventually opened, signaling some calculation was complete.

“Do you know no shame? Despite your face being obscured like a thief, that’s quite alright. My eyes are keen.”

They gestured to their eyes with their index finger.

The extreme manifestation was not just a simple divination technique; it was an art of perceiving the essence, intertwining with the heavens and earth.

Although not at full readiness, when perfectly executed, it had the power to read the flow of Gal’s draconic incantation.

There was no reason to be unable to pierce through the shadow of Algul wrapped in powers not originally their own.

“Hmm…”

At that moment, the iron cage lightly struck the ground with a thud! as Algul’s shadow flinched, shifting as if a layer of cloth were being peeled away, it then slipped into Algul’s own shadow.

Once the shadow receded, Orcus was revealed.

With green skin.

A grotesque face that resembled a blend of pig and human, with two sharp tusks protruding from its mouth.

As they tossed away the rag draped over them, they revealed themselves to be a warrior dressed like a shaman of primitive faiths believed by the tribes in the southern lands.

‘Every ornament adorning their body is all made of cast metals.’

Hanging from them were ornaments made of bones of beasts or living creatures that appeared to have been hostile to Orcus in the east, and even fingers.

Though I’ve never seen it, it seemed to be a different form of casting from the talismans used by practitioners written in red ochre on Huai Huang Paper.

It was true that the very nature of sorcery was unsettling, and given the aura exuded by these cast items, which appeared to be tainted, I instinctively felt that if those casts were utilized, it would not make for a pleasant sight.

Furthermore, the iron cage made of an extraordinary substance, showed no signs of damage even when clashing with Bulrak, their cherished weapon made of true iron.

The foundations and knowledge for refining proper iron were still lacking on both continents.

Yet here was a staff made of iron, which had withstood a clash with Bulrak without so much as a scratch.

If it were a sword made from the metals of this age, I could break it with nothing more than a wooden stick; the fact that they couldn’t sever Bulrak was astonishing.

‘…Could it be made of meteorite iron?’

A faint energy from the stars was perceptible within the staff.

‘I won’t be able to encounter this easily.’

Despite being a parricidal aberration born from killing their father and seizing their essence, they were nonetheless a creature born nobly, having lived for hundreds of years.

Wrapped in powers and adorned with extraordinary gear, there was a certain calmness that radiated from this formidable being, hinting at a history of long dominion.

“…You are young. Have you not been born long ago?”

In the deep, ominous eyes, reminiscent of decades spent refining like a monk, an azure flame flickered.

I felt instinctively that the conversation Algul initiated spoke not of the years spent on my outer appearance, but of something far more essential.

“Though there are traces of numerous hardships upon your soul, just as one cannot deceive time with the rings inscribed within wood, so too do I feel your soul is still quite new. It is indeed astonishing, but even more so, it is shocking.”

In the eyes akin to those of an ancient practitioner who had fallen, a secretive greed glimmered.

“In the mere span of this star turning not even twenty times around the sun, how can such a completed existence manifest? Coming to seek treasures, you’ve found another treasure waiting for you. I am eager to see how your potential that will consume and intoxicate you might transform me.”

“I did not anticipate any elegance from you, but those are indeed rude remarks for an invader.”

“Keheh… In Orcus, there is no pretension. It is only through combat and consumption that one ascends to better existence. That is my lord’s mission, engraved when my father created us. Though, of course, aside from me, no being could fully digest you.”

I casually placed my hand on the hilt of Bulrak.

“Is that so? But it matters not. You will die here. Haven’t we already assessed one another enough? It’s been a while since I’ve had a conversation that became more unpleasant the longer it continued.”

“Keheh… I can’t say I hate it. I too dislike unnecessary processes.”

With that, the conversation diminished, and the rhythm between Algul and I shifted.

Even on the wide-open plain, the energy emanating from both our bodies tightened the air, creating a taut tension that hung heavily.

Both sides instinctively sensed that the moment the balance swayed, they would launch their best first strike at one another.

‘What should my first strike be? Unlike Gal, Algul has no clear symbolism. Since the energy of death, which was originally their innate essence, already coexists, it would be meaningless to target weaknesses with elemental energy. In that case… the first strike should be a swift and powerful blow without any tricks.’

I mentally engraved the upcoming moves.

As the wind rushed across the plain without any mountains obstructing it, scattering the remnants of spring between Algul and me, a peal of thunder resonated.

“Hehe… oh…! Truly nonsensical!”

As the blade of Bulrak surged forth like a flash toward Algul’s throat, the moment Algul blocked it with their iron cage, a tremendous energy rippled and shook the surroundings.

“To think such a ridiculous force could arise merely from a mass not even one-fifth my own!”

Algul was pushed back, scraping the ground as they were displaced by a distance of two spans; however, their stance remained unyielding, and their powerful arms held firm on the iron cage against the tremendous shock, only displaying a slight tremor.

‘Indeed, they are sturdy.’

However, the initiative resided here.

With soundless steps.

From the shoulder to the wrist of my weapon-bearing right arm, the joints seemed to ripple as if they were divided into hundreds of parts.

The wave of motion reached the wrist and smoothly transitioned into the blade.

The silhouette of Bulrak created shadows that resembled over twenty phantoms like a mirage.

At the same time, a soft and sweet floral fragrance filled the desolate plain.

Twenty-Four Moves of Jujube Blossom Swordsmanship

Jujube Blossom Gradually Unfolding

As Algul was pushed back, before them danced the shadows of blades while an illusion of pristine white flowers began to bloom.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the flower illusion, Algul’s eyes widened, and suddenly realizing something, they raised both arms and yelled.

“Kraaha–!”

Simultaneously with the scream, several clusters of flowers vanished, but in the end, the flowers settled upon Algul’s powerful body.

A flesh that could be torn apart even by beasts, markedly more robust than that of a human being.

Yet, what alighted upon that physique was a mere sight that appeared pitiable compared to its strength—white flowers.

“Ughh-!”

But the ones torn were not the flowers, but Algul’s flesh.

Though they could not inflict a deep wound, Algul’s body was torn in various places, bleeding crimson.

Thus concluded the second move.

Their bones were as firm as iron, muscles as tough as tightly twisted ropes, and their skin reminiscent of well-prepared cowhide.

Coupled with their innate energies and the accumulated power through their feast over long years, which enveloped their body, I instinctively felt that although the dazzling techniques might fool the eye, they would not completely cleave this beast.

‘It seems that lately, all the creatures I encounter are like this.’

I briefly grumbled internally.

Though it wasn’t a fatal injury, Algul’s core was surely shaken from the surprise of the sudden onset of Jujube Blossom’s first strike.

Only a fool would let such an opportunity pass, unless they were a monkey dressed as a martial artist.

With Bulrak, which created the flower illusion, withdrawn and raised as if to pierce the heavens, it began to tremble and clank, infused with an unfathomable force that would be hard to withstand for any ordinary weapon.

At the same time, I walked toward Algul as if taking a leisurely stroll, standing upright.

Even if it appeared infinitely slow and calm, it was indeed an act taking place within the span of a moment.

Though Algul struggled to redirect their original center, they could do nothing but watch as I advanced.

Bulrak, with all the muscles and energy contained within, came crashing down upon Algul like a bolt of lightning.

Peng Family’s Five Tigers Breaking the Door Blade

One Cut to Sever the Soul

The strike that could split both body and soul cut deeply into Algul’s left chest.

Thus concluded the third move.

However, my opponent was also a monster who had survived many battles.

If I continuously offered them opportunities, I wouldn’t be able to escape from a disadvantage.

Or perhaps they trusted in their formidable body.

As Algul’s eyes gleamed with cunning light, the iron cage they held transformed into a living serpent and lunged forward.

If there was a moment the attack was at its weakest, it would be at the beginning and end of the move.

As Bulrak swept past Algul, I retrieved my sword, halfway cut.

However, having halted the technique to urgently recover my sword, there was no way I could intermingle an adequate defensive maneuver.

The serpent, biting into Bulrak, was flung back.

As Bulrak’s grip was forcibly loosened and it flew away, my wrist from the hand that held it twisted slightly.

Despite half of their upper body being slashed at an angle, Algul’s eyes sparkled when Bulrak vanished from my grasp.

‘What an arrogant expression.’

Did they think that was enough to disarm me?

Accompanied by a sneer bubbling up from my chest, my left hand formed a sword seal and aimed at Algul.

Araya Technique

Art of Sword Control: Silver Scales over the Milky Way

As Bulrak detached along with the iron serpent, it responded to my will, shaking off the serpent, transforming into a beam of light that pierced into Algul’s defenseless solar plexus after mere three moves.

Simultaneously, I swung my left hand.

Like a skewer through a target, Algul’s massive body, now pierced by Bulrak, was tossed in mid-air as if it were prey caught by a tiger.

“Ha-!”

Bang!

And finally, with a yell, as the sword seal pointed to the ground, Algul’s massive body descended from the sky, creating a tremendous clash.

The exchange of the first move and the aftermath occurred in less than two seconds.