Chapter 65: Just This Once

The aura of the Sword Saint was like that of a great mountain.

The Sword Saint wielded a greatsword.

The sword is imbued with the principle of the heavy and strong sword.

And his traits seemed related to gravity.

In addition, he had a Unique Trait called Sword King—the Sword King possessed the temperament of a warrior who would not even spare his own life.

He was neither a member of the Five Great Clans nor did he form any power.

For the nation, for honor, to become stronger.

The Sword Saint, who only cared about these, did not need a side to pick.

Being in the high realm only solidified his belief.

Alone, the being called the Sword Saint possessed power rivaling that of an army.

Was it from that time?

His temperament began to change.

For the nation, for honor.

Rather than those, reaching a higher realm became his goal.

Even among high-rankers, he was considered to have exceptional talent.

Among the transcendent, some even claimed he could ascend and transcend himself.

He was secretly proud.

For the Sword Saint, the existence of Han Seojin was a shock in itself.

Basic swordsmanship.

With that, he had effortlessly defeated those who had reached a similar realm.

It was shocking.

Could one become so strong with just that?

His body heated up involuntarily.

He wanted to cross swords with Seojin.

He wanted to fight him.

And the Sword Saint met Han Seojin.

The association had asked him to care for someone who would invade this place.

But he had already forgotten about that.

Now, the Sword Saint's mind was filled with one existence.

'How will you react?'

Kwoong.

He exuded his aura in all directions. He had no intention of hiding it.

His opponent was weaker than him.

But he was an opponent who could not be underestimated.

Physical abilities.

In that regard, he was superior to Han Seojin in every aspect.

But what about Seojin's martial prowess?

If asked, he couldn't confidently answer. His swordsmanship was also exceptional, but…

It was because the impression of Han Seojin, who used to defeat enemies with basic swordsmanship, was too deeply ingrained.

Great Mountain Crush.

It's just a simple vertical slash.

However, the Sword King's Great Mountain Crush was different. At first glance, it seemed like just basic swordsmanship. But it was not. It was an advanced martial art disguised as basic swordsmanship.

The pressure it exerted on the opponent intensified.

Once it began, no one in the higher ranks could properly block it.

It was truly unparalleled.

That was certain.

Ssssst.

A grey mass was gathering in Han Seojin's hand. It completely enveloped his hand.

'What is that?'

The Sword Saint paid full attention.

It was a power he had never seen before in his life.

However, the threat it posed was beyond imagination.

Every sense was sounding the alarm—'I must not be hit by it.'

"You handle a very dangerous power."

"Indeed."

A response that seemed somewhat languid.

The Sword Saint raised his greatsword above.

'Great Mountain Crush.'

Kwoong-!

The resolve to split a mountain in one thought.

The Sword Saint's resolve began to unfold into the world.

Everything around started to be pressed down. Han Seojin's collar was pressed.

Yet, Han Seojin remained relaxed.

'The third sword strike.'

The more it stacks, the stronger it becomes. Great Mountain Crush, stacked three times, is daunting even for considerable opponents.

But even in that situation, Han Seojin wore a relaxed expression.

It didn't seem to be for psychological warfare.

'In that case, from my side.'

He's going to make his move.

Great Mountain Crush.

A greatsword that could press down a Great Mountain struck down. Only then did Han Seojin move.

Towards the descending greatsword, he thrust his fist straight out.

Crrraaasssh!!

The fist and greatsword collided, causing a tremendous shockwave that twisted everything around.

The Sword Saint immediately prepared for the next strike.

The danger of a martial artist is in close quarters. If one allows the distance to close, the likelihood of defeat increases.

However, Han Seojin wore a relaxed expression.

Impossible.

The doubt that had been present in the background since earlier turned into certainty.

"What a joke."

"What is?"

"Right now, you. Are you adjusting your fight to match me?"

Anger was evident in the Sword Saint's voice.

Accompanied by a look of disappointment. Perhaps it was because the martial artist, who had finally found a worthy opponent after so long, didn't suit him.

"I thought you were something special, being called the Sword Saint, but you're less impressive than I expected."

"…I'll make you regret those words."

If Seojin goes that far, the Sword Saint can't back down either.

The Sword Saint gripped his greatsword tightly.

Once again, the sword strike came down from above. Seojin heavily swung his fist to the side to deflect it.

Clang!!

The greatsword was greatly pushed back, causing the Sword Saint to take a step back.

Then, he lifted his sword high once again.

However, his momentum was not the same as before.

"What was that just now?"

"You must have good eyes. To recognize that."

The confusion of how he could be pushed back was evident on his face.

'Well, it's a simple story.'

The Sword Saint's swordsmanship is exquisite.

He continuously strikes with his sword and layers his momentum to pressure the opponent.

It's not bad.

The problem is, it's also not that great.

The more he layers, the more the opponent is supposed to feel pressured.

'My Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique just doesn't match well with it.'

Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique.

It shatters everything head-on.

Even the sword strike of the Sword Saint was shattered just the same.

Realizing this, the Sword Saint laughed.

"Great Mountain Crush. That was a sword technique I acquired during my novice days."

"Is that so? Then you must have more to show."

"Of course. There are even greater things than this."

The Sword Saint laughed.

When had he ever been so arrogant?

From the first encounter, he felt it. That he had to use everything he had to win against this opponent, yet he hadn't clashed with everything.

He had to use everything.

This man was someone he had to use all his abilities to defeat.

He lifted the greatsword high. He made the greatsword face left.

"It's called Army Annihilation Sweep."

The greatsword stretched out long.

Though this place was underground, the greatsword extended as if passing through the ground.

Seojin found it fascinating.

What kind of trait is it? He asked.

It looks quite good.

It wasn't something Seojin could use, but it seemed like he could have some fun with it.

Han Seojin cleared his mind.

From now on, even he couldn't take it lightly.

Whoosh!

The greatsword swept through all terrains.

Crack.

He punched down from above. The greatsword shattered.

But it didn't feel satisfying, as if it were merely an illusion.

'How ridiculous.'

To think it would be a fatal blow if it hit, yet it was an illusion.

"Haha! Hahahahaha!!"

The Sword Saint laughed loudly. He began to swing the greatsword.

Wielding the greatsword left afterimages.

Ssssssssh!

Sword qi soared. A blue light wrapped around the greatsword.

"Army Annihilation Sweep."

The sword qi stretched out long. As if dozens of afterimages had appeared, the sword qi slashed in all directions.

'This is dangerous.'

The sword energies grazed the tips of Seojin's hair, slicing them.

Boom! Boom!

Everything existing underground began to collapse.

Sword qi was slashing everything around. It dominated all directions, cutting everything above and below.

'Ice Realm.'

Seojin activated the Unique Trait stolen from Abel before.

Quickly materialized the Ice Realm with moonlight.

Seojin didn't block the Sword Saint's attack.

Such foolishly strong sword qi is rugged to withstand with just a temporary sword qi replacement.

That's why Seojin aimed for the ceiling.

Crackling!

Threads of moonlight sliced and cut everything above them.

In an instant, the sensation of the entire building collapsing with a thud! Han Seojin quickly dodged upwards.

Boom! Boom! Thud!

The building continued to collapse. However, not a single speck of dust could be found near the Sword Saint.

Everything around him was split in half before the building could even fall near him.

"Absurd."

"You need to be at least this level to match me in the High Realm."

It meant that Seojin needed to be at least on the upper levels.

Crack. Crack.

Han Seojin lightly cracked his neck.

'Fortunately, it seems Yoo Eunchae and Abel weren't caught up in it.'

They seem trapped inside a building but find their way out alone.

"Do you still have the luxury to think about other things?"

The voice of the Sword Saint.

And then the instinctual warning that follows.

Han Seojin quickly bent at the waist.

Swoosh!

The debris was split in half.

He quickly unfolded the Wind God's Steps. He kicked the debris with a bang! His body stretched forward rapidly.

He swung his fist. The Sword Saint swung his greatsword with a fierce laugh.

Clang!!

In an instant, their collision brought about a tremendous shockwave.

Clang! Clang!!

Fist and sword. The two of them began to smash all the surrounding debris.

'This is.'

While blocking Han Seojin's fist, the Sword Saint thought,

He was driven into a defensive position.

He tried to force his way through, but the opponent was more adept at fighting than he expected. Much more than himself.

'Absurd.'

Everything is absurd. The strength that surpasses realms. And the flow that makes the battle favorable.

The Sword Saint had the flow until a moment ago, but he was pushed back because he allowed some distance.

Each of the opponent's attacks cuts off the Sword Saints' flow and defense. The opponent's attacks were endlessly sharp.

The Sword Saint's attacks didn't seem to be able to connect, as if they were being cut off.

Was there no other way?

'I didn't want to use this.'

The Sword Saint couldn't lose here.

Although it was merely a sparring match, he couldn't afford to lose.

The employees of the association were watching the battle.

The Sword Saint swung his greatsword widely. Han Seojin dodged the greatsword with an expressive movement.

'Dive deeper.'

Swordsman and martial artist.

Both are types who fight within striking distance.

Their realms are clearly different, and though they can reduce the distance with a sword or fist qi, it's all just catching up.

If the opponent is equal, the weapon with the longer reach has the advantage in the end.

But it's a bit different in a fight between the very best.

That's how it is in a fight of equals.

Seojin slipped through the greatsword of the Sword Saint and dove in close.

Vroom!

The Soul Origin Qi began to mix with the Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique. Soul Crushing Strike. The power to shatter the soul was about to be unleashed on the opponent.

Instinct rang the alarm inside the Sword Saint's head.

Dangerous.

Wind God's Steps.

In an instant, he retreated far back. At the same time, Kwoong! Everything around the Sword Saint began to be crushed.

'What is this, magic or swordsmanship?'

Han Seojin sighed as he opened his eyes.

Heavenly Eyes.

The eyes that even peek into the secrets of the heavens began to see through everything.

Slowly.

The Sword Saint, having retrieved his greatsword, appeared.

In an instant, the world slowed down.

Everything was infinitely slow.

Yet, it was also the most dangerous moment.

In a flash.

'This is.'

Han Seojin saw through everything.

Thus, he knew that this was the Sword Saint's life-threatening technique.

A moment when one second is divided into dozens of parts.

Han Seojin chuckled. This guy seems crazier than he thought.

"Weren't we just sparring?"

"Even so, being one of the faces of the association, I decided to be a bit shameless."

"A bit shameless?"

Leaving Han Seojin chuckling behind, the Sword Saint said.

「Manifestation of Thoughts.」

A giant greatsword appeared behind the Sword Saint.

The greatsword appeared, defying all laws of physics.

Manifestation of Thoughts.

If one reached the High Realm, whatever knowledge one accumulated up until then would manifest in some form or another.

Magic would build its domain through territory.

Martial arts would discern its world and present it outward.

That was—Manifestation of Thoughts.

Immortal's Guiding Strike.

The Sword Saint thrust his greatsword. The massive blade flew toward Han Seo Jin like a meteor.

'I can't dodge that.'

Realized immediately upon seeing it.

In any way, it was undodgeable because it was imbued with the will of always hitting.

'How cunning.'

Army Annihilation Sweep.

A horizontal slash disrupts the opponent's stance, and with Immortal's Guiding Strike—a thrust, it finishes the opponent.

Even if the horizontal slash doesn't disrupt the stance, it doesn't matter.

Because that thrust is filled with the momentum of a certain hit.

'I have to smash it head-on.'

Woo, Woo, Woong!

The Soul Origin Qi began to roar low.

Seojin clenched his fist, and the Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique fiercely bared its teeth as if it was telling Seojin to smash that thing head-on.

'Don't worry.'

Han Seojin was going to smash it head-on.

He raised his fist-clenched hand.

Make the Heaven Surrender.

Shattering the sky.

The martial art that destroys the most revered symbol among warriors began to roar.

A grey haze blossomed. Then, it merged once more.

To a single point.

One fist.

Han Seojin calmly observed the Sword Saint. This time, a bit of overreaching was necessary.

'It was dangerous, but.'

Meanwhile, the Sword Saint sensed victory.

He won.

The opponent's attack is still fierce.

The Sword Saint's eyes widened.

The attack from the opponent was extraordinary.

A warning that his life might be in danger.

Yet.

The Sword Saint smiled.

The opponent was arrogant. That's why he could see more chances of winning.

If he wins this fight, he might never be able to defeat that man again.

But he won.

'What's this?'

Strange.

A sense of déjà vu flowed.

His Manifestation of Thoughts, Immortal's Guiding Strike.

It is an attack that never misses.

The greatest attack possessed by the Sword Saint.

It cannot be broken.

Using Manifestation of Thoughts against someone lower level was humiliating, but the opponent was worth it.

Rather, it was terrifying.

Even without fully realizing his Manifestation of Thoughts, the opponent was that strong.

However.

'What is this.'

An ominous feeling.

It enveloped his entire body. His Manifestation of Thoughts he had cultivated began to waver.

No, it began to shatter. The giant greatsword that was thrust began to break into pieces.

'What…!'

He felt a shock of horror.

And the Sword Saint saw.

A grey mist concentrated in Seojin's hand. Something that turned into a black light.

Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique.

Limitless.

Crackle!

The greatsword shattered, and the manifestation of his Thought completely broke into pieces. But it didn't end there.

Han Seojin's fist also affected the greatsword of the Sword Saint.

Clash!

The greatsword shattered as if it were glass breaking into pieces.

And beyond the shattering greatsword, he saw Han Seojin's face.

Smiling brightly.

"I'll let it slide just this once. You handle the building."

─────!!

A shockwave spread silently. And the Sword Saint inadvertently looked up at the sky and stopped.

The moon was shining brightly.

'It was definitely a pitch-black sky before.'

The black fist.

It scattered all the clouds and illuminated the bright full moon.