Chapter 313: The Battle of the Dead (2)
Undead.
Those who do not die even in death.
Endlessly drifting, always seeking the living.
And the pinnacle of those who command them…
The ‘Death Knight.’
[T-Bone activates Lv15 ‘Darkness Blade’!]
Flash!
A black aura blade surged from the gleaming white sword.
A deep, menacing light flickered in his hollow eyes.
In his complete form, T-Bone no longer had the playful demeanor he used to show.
He was now just a knight obedient to his master’s command.
“Neeeigh!”
Thud!
T-Bone spurred his ghostly steed forward.
Although the distance was short for the charge typical of heavy cavalry, it didn’t matter.
For a ghostly steed, acceleration was not something to be built up but something it inherently possessed.
“Kieeeek!”
“Keeeek!”
The blood ghouls lunged reflexively.
Empowered by the formation, they felt no fear.
Their claws, sharp enough to cut through steel, and their significantly enhanced speed.
These two alone were enough to rip cavalry apart.
The ghouls formed a dense formation.
“Charge.”
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
T-Bone led the charge at the forefront.
The ancient soldiers extended their long spears forward.
A wedge formation.
The concentrated destructive power of the formation pierced the heart of the ghoul formation.
BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!
In an instant, the ghouls in the first line were shattered to pieces.
T-Bone slashed through the enemies with his sword, and the ancient soldiers followed with precise thrusts.
Like bullets.
Thwack!
Thud!
Round holes appeared in the bodies of the blood ghouls.
And the gaps created by T-Bone and the ancient soldiers were quickly filled.
Rattle! Rattle!
A wave of skeletons surged forward.
This was the undead legion.
“This… can’t be.”
The Heart Demon Commander widened his eyes.
He had heard of necromancy techniques from other floors, not from the martial world.
However.
To overwhelm blood ghouls empowered by the ‘Servants of the Commander’?
Was that even possible?
This number of blood ghouls could easily devastate an entire sect of orthodox martial artists in half a day.
Despite that.
Boom!
The skeletal knight exuding a menacing aura was overpowering every fight.
The other knights and skeletons attacking alongside him were just as troublesome.
Nearly half of the blood ghouls were already rendered combat ineffective.
At this rate, it was only a matter of time before they were annihilated.
“Impressive. Though I hate to admit it, blood ghouls alone won’t suffice.”
The Heart Demon Commander nodded.
Then.
Swish!
With a sound like the wind, ghouls with entirely white bodies began to move.
These were the Yin-Yang ghouls, specially brought to deal with peak-level masters.
A stark contrast between their red left hands and frostbitten right hands.
Yin and Yang.
Their opposing properties targeted T-Bone’s neck.
“Three should be enough.”
A wicked smile appeared on the Heart Demon Commander’s lips.
But just then.
Hum!
[The unique ability ‘Blessing of the Stars’ is activated!]
A holy light descended from the sky.
Teresa, clad in white armor, intervened between T-Bone and the Yin-Yang ghouls.
Clang!
The claws bounced off her shield.
“I’ll assist.”
Her radiant golden hair fluttered beneath her helmet.
The ‘Relic of Joan of Arc’ and the Holy Cross Sword from the Sacred Kingdom of the Empire emitted a blinding light.
“Kieeeek!”
“Keeee!”
The ghouls shrieked in agony as they faced the holy radiance.
Holy power, the perfect counter to the undead.
Teresa’s very existence was lethal to the ghouls.
Moreover.
[You have used ‘Blood Spear’!]
Vroom…
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Blood-crafted spears pierced the Yin-Yang ghouls’ bodies.
“Kraaaa!”
The ghouls thrashed about wildly, skewered by the spears.
“Hmm. They are quite tough.”
Jet-black hair that matched her dark eyes.
Alice, appearing as a martial artist, summoned more spears in quick succession.
“Don’t let a single one pass!”
“Yes, senior brother!”
“We can’t leave it all to those from outside the tower.”
Soh Yoomyung and his disciples also spread out, protecting the villagers with a broad formation.
Having trained rigorously since childhood, the formation they created together was incredibly solid.
—
“Damn… how annoying.”
The Heart Demon Commander growled in frustration as the situation deteriorated.
As long as the ‘Servants of the Commander’ was active, the others would barely hold on.
If he could just eliminate those ghostly knights, the tide of battle would turn in his favor again.
There was no choice but to step in personally.
It was a bother, but just a little effort would suffice.
Srrng!
The Heart Demon Commander drew two daggers.
The uniquely curved, crescent-shaped blades gleamed.
But.
“Don’t forget. I’m your opponent.”
A chilling voice whispered in the Heart Demon Commander’s ear.
“When did you…?”
Jinhyuk had gotten behind him.
Crunch!
As Jinhyuk’s fang aimed for his neck, the Heart Demon Commander deflected the attack with a slanted dagger.
A sharp metallic sound rang out.
“I assigned five Yin-Yang ghouls, yet you handled them all?”
“Five is nothing.”
He should have left at least a Shura Heavenly Killing Ghoul to buy more time.
In the past, Jinhyuk had faced all the ghouls alone while climbing the tower.
There had been many failures and much despair.
Of course.
It was almost impossible to do everything alone without any help.
However.
This time, he wasn’t alone.
He had comrades he could trust and rely on.
With such reliable support…
He had no doubt.
No doubt of his victory.
“Everyone is fighting hard, so let’s wrap this up.”
The stage was set.
It was time to grandly conclude the climax.
“Do you think you can beat me in this bloodline-curse-filled area?”
All abilities were forcibly nerfed.
Fighting a powerful opponent like the Heart Demon Commander here was indeed challenging.
However, there was one thing.
A power that was not restricted even in this curse.
-The Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
A martial art that transcends all limitations and constraints.
The strongest and most feared ability granted only to the Heavenly Demon.
Jinhyuk quietly closed his eyes.
Pzzz!
A strange energy began to flow from the tip of his sword.
Although he hadn’t fully met the copying conditions, he couldn’t use the power in its entirety.
That’s right.
In other words, this was just an imitation.
Far from the original.
But.
Through the Heavenly Demon’s memories, he had seen the essence and spirit of that martial art.
Noble. Arrogant.
Thinking only of oneself, with no regrets or lingering attachments.
“Watch closely. See who you’ve betrayed… and how foolish it was to choose Sama-ja.”
I will show you now.
Jinhyuk opened his eyes.
He would recreate it.
The sight he had witnessed.
The Fang and Twin Dragon Swords took different stances.
That was…
the beginning.
BOOM!
‘First Form.’
The tangible energy that followed the Fang erupted explosively.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Heavenly Dragon Emergence!
The sword wind that followed the sword strike engulfed the Heart Demon Commander’s entire body.
“Argh!”
Although he tried to counter the attack with his crescent daggers, he couldn’t withstand the overwhelming sword pressure.
His black robes were torn to shreds, exposing his arms.
“That technique… no, how did you… how could you!”
The Heart Demon Commander couldn’t finish his sentence.
His voice trembled violently with shock.
It was only natural.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art was a unique martial art only usable by the Heavenly Demon.
Even Sama-ja had broken dozens of taboos trying to master it.
Before the trembling Heart Demon Commander, Jinhyuk took his stance again.
“If you have any more tricks up your sleeve… now would be the time to use them.”
Fwoosh!
An even larger surge of energy erupted from the Twin Dragon Swords.
—
A step back.
The Heavenly Demon silently watched the fight.
“…”
He had mixed feelings.
A martial art he could no longer use.
Was being performed by another’s hand.
“…”
He had thought this fight was forgotten by everyone.
He had believed it was a solitary battle with no recognition.
Having accepted that, he had no regrets or lingering attachments.
However.
That was a wrong thought.
Before his eyes, the techniques from his past battle were being reproduced one by one.
As if to say that it wasn’t just the Heavenly Demon who remembered that fight and knew who had protected the martial world.
Clench.
His teeth bit into his lip.
Unexplainable emotions flickered in his trembling eyes.
“…Thank you.”
Words that should never have come from the Heavenly Demon’s mouth.
Words of gratitude that were never meant to be heard by the other.
—
[‘Heavenly Demon Sovereignty Steps’ is activated!]
[Due to lack of proficiency, the ability’s effect is limited to 10%.]
10%.
However, that number did not diminish the prestige of the Heavenly Demon Sovereignty Steps.
Even just a fragment was enough.
BAM!
Swords clashed.
Jinhyuk intercepted the Heart Demon Commander’s side strike.
Seizing the gap created by the impact, Jinhyuk lunged.
“…”
The Fang moved swiftly, attempting a stab.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew.
The blades clashed repeatedly in the air, their exchanges too fast to count.
Almost simultaneously.
The Twin Dragon Swords sliced horizontally.
Clang!
“Ugh!”
The Heart Demon Commander barely blocked the attack by crossing his daggers.
However, when he tried to counterattack, Jinhyuk had already disappeared.
His speed was increasing.
Dust rose, and the ground where he stepped cracked.
Only the afterimages of the two fighters remained visible.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Boom!
The Heart Demon Commander frantically swung his crescent daggers.
His heart pounded like it would burst, and his senses were on edge.
This was a battle not of sight and reaction, but of prediction and surpassing those predictions.
It was a life-or-death struggle.
Yet.
“I… can’t keep up.”
Despite using all his techniques, he was gradually being overwhelmed.
Slash!
New sword wounds appeared on the Heart Demon Commander’s body.
At this rate, he would be defeated.
The decision didn’t take long.
“Who said this was a one-on-one!”
The Heart Demon Commander commanded all the ghouls through the ‘Servants of the Commander.’
“Kraaaah!”
“Keeee!”
The Yin-Yang ghouls fighting T-Bone and the others charged at Jinhyuk all at once.
Even the trump card, the Heavenly Ghouls, joined the fray.
He might be called cowardly.
He might be told he was outmatched in skill.
But survival was the true measure of strength.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The precarious balance was shattered.
The Yin-Yang ghouls surrounded Jinhyuk, taking his attacks head-on with their bodies.
And the Heavenly Ghouls, far superior in performance, tore Jinhyuk apart.
No.
They thought they had.
[Unique ability ‘One Second Invincibility’ is activated!]
From amidst the swarm of ghouls.
Jinhyuk’s smile emerged.
“Yes. I expected you to pull something like this.”
The only question was when.
As the battle pressed on, he had anticipated that they would pour all their forces in a final effort.
Including the Heavenly Ghouls, which had not participated until now.
‘Fighting while protecting the villagers put us at a great disadvantage.’
Except for Alice, the others were at risk.
So he waited.
Until all their forces converged.
And finally, the awaited moment had come.
An immense energy began to condense around Jinhyuk’s body.
Hum!
The air distorted from the heat waves rising from the ground.
It was the effect of overwhelming magical power.
‘Heavenly Great Destruction.’
An ultimate move known for its extreme destructive power.
The ultimate technique of the Heavenly Demon, which he used against Shub-Niggurath, was now activated.
“At this distance… you can’t avoid it.”
Jinhyuk extended both swords forward.