Death

"This is not merely Sword Intent of a mortal lifeform... No, this is something much more.

Something that doesn't need to enter the physical world and is unable to be blocked by normal means.

I, who have long been an Immortal Cultivator have surpassed mere Sword Intent and have entered the realm of Will.

This is my Sword Will...!"

...

With the sudden shocking events, one would expect Saber's expression to change from his cold and aloof to a fearful or at the very least, an expression of alarm...

Well, at least, that was what the old man expected but,

Saber's cold and hollow eyes didn't change as a demonic smirk formed on his face as Saber then said.

"Hehe, you showcased your elemental ability which was being able to create an ice clone of yourself.

Do you not think that it is my turn to showcase one of my elemental abilities...!!?"

His words caused the Sword God to flinch in surprise as he realized something wasn't right. But, before he could think of sending another attack toward Saber...

"TEMPORAL HEALING!"

THRUM!!

His words resounded throughout the landscape as a bright silvery light his figure, causing a blinding bright silvery light to blind even the Sword God who was some hundred meters away from Saber.

Sword God's expression darkened when hearing those words as he realized that he may have found a truly troublesome opponent!

Tsk!

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, the old man then slashed toward Saber's direction once more intending to wipe out the existence known as Saber, before he could finish whatever he planned to do...

"Oh, did you truly think I was still there?" Suddenly, a voice entered the old man's ear as he felt a palm resting on his shoulder.

*Slash!*

Swiping his sword toward the figure behind him, the old man was left in shock once more as he saw Saber's body bursting into particles.

'How did he appear behind me... and what the hell is even happening to his body!?'

The old man thought in shock while his body unknowingly trembled in the fear of the unknown.

"Hehe, don't be soo shocked.

After gaining such injuries from your Sword Will, I immediately decided to place you under an illusion.

When you decided to attack me, it was already too late!"

Saber's shocking words resounded in his surroundings as a feral smile appeared on his face while he stood on the ground below gazing at the shocked Sword God.

Saber's smile was something that one would rarely see coming from him, but the current situation caused Saber to feel a sense of exhilaration.

The fact that he could get someone as strong as this old man to tremble in fear caused Saber to feel a sense of ecstasy he didn't feel in years.

'For a Level 1 True-Earth Immortal such as myself to equal the strength of a Level 9 Earth Immortal, hehe, I'm sure even Goldy would never see such a thing coming!!"

*Puchi!*

Thinking of his master's eventual reaction, Saber couldn't help but smile brighter than before, but, it was a smile that froze from shock when a sudden horrendous feeling gripped his chest.

A dreadful feeling that originated after Saber heard the weird sound of metal penetrating flesh!

*Cough!*

A mouthful of red liquid spurted out of his mouth as the blood of the humans he previously devoured finally exited his body!

"How?!"

These were the only words Saber could mutter as blood continuously leaked from his seven orifices.

Looking down toward his chest region, the image of a long blade that entered from his back and exited through his chest, entered Saber's eyes.

The feeling he got, made it known to him that his heart was completely obliterated by the sword as a sudden fear crept into his body.

If it was before becoming a True Lifeform, Saber would easily be able to survive without his heart, but now, things weren't like that.

Without a heart, death would soon approach, and what shocked Saber the most, was the fact that his body hadn't even reacted to the sword of the old man.

Did he not have the ability, Instantaneous Reaction?

After his soul and body fused, he had neither a soul nor a body, but something in between.

So similar to how one's mind has thoughts, so to did Saber's body, as it was then able to think and move on its own to incoming threats.

Yet, his 'body' didn't react to the incoming attack of the Sword God which left Saber perplexed beyond reason.

"Oh, are you surprised because I was able to stab you without realizing it?" The old man asked an extremely weak Saber with a tone filled with mockery and contempt

As if to prove his superiority and wisdom, the old man continued with shocking statements...

"The thing is, I never fell for your illusion in the first place.

When sensing an attack on my mind, I quickly utilized my Sage Energy and easily repelled it.

It was soo easy repelling your mind attacks that it made me realize that you didn't think that I was someone who cultivated Sage Energy along with Atomic Energy."

THRUM!!

Saber's mind worked on overload when these words were processed by his brain.

Saber's shock didn't end there though as the old man continued arrogantly explaining how easy his victory was.

"When I realized this, I instantly knew what I had to do. And with the ability to create an ice clone of myself, I simply made it do the actions which you previously saw.

When that was happening, using the improved version of my Sword Will, I willed for you to be unable to sense me.

Thereafter, I was able to leisurely walk behind you and embed my katana into your heart, effectively crushing it and also giving you an inevitable death."

At this point, the only thing keeping Saber alive was his will to figure out the mystery behind his soon-to-be death.

As Saber was about to close his eyes for the final time in this life, the old man once more let out shocking words.

"By the way, you never had a chance.

The only reason why I haven't entered the fifth floor of hell is because of my cautiousness, and seeing that my lifespan still has a few hundred thousand years give or take, I did not rush and instead focused on improving not just my Sword Art or cultivation base, but also my comprehension in my element.

To prove how this old man has long surpassed your concept of strength, I'll gift to you this final sight before your inevitable death!!"

*Puchi!*

As he said these words, the blade in Saber's chest was yanked out as he jumped hundreds of meters away.

*Thud!*

Saber's body dropped to the ground limply as his wings were now bloodied and staining the ground while his weak gaze looked at the three moons...

*BZZZT!*

The very fabrics of space buzzed as appearing in the skies and hovering over Saber's location were the shocking sight and appearance of hundreds, if not thousands of what seemed to be long light blue ice swords...

Swords that all pointed toward Saber's limp and unmoving body as if ready to strike it and rip it apart!!