Chapter 806
Kwaaaaaang!
Darkhan and Rektor’s swords clashed at the center of the banquet hall, unleashing a powerful shockwave.
Kugugugugu!
Tables shattered, and the food and dishes atop them crumbled into dust, scattering in all directions.
Zzzzzzt!
Neither Darkhan nor Rektor yielded an inch amid the immense turbulence, their blades locked as they aimed for each other’s throats.
“Huuk.”
Rektor exhaled a sharp breath as he forcefully pushed away Darkhan’s sword.
‘I’ve got to draw out his [Living Sword].’
If Darkhan still held his sword in his hand, it meant he wasn’t serious yet. To win this fight, Rektor needed to force him to unleash his full strength as soon as possible.
Kuung!
Rektor leaned forward, accelerating with supreme footwork. His sword turned into a streak of blue lightning, thrusting toward Darkhan’s heart.
“Not bad.”
Darkhan tilted his head slightly in approval and blocked Rektor’s strike with just one hand.
“Not yet.”
Having anticipated Darkhan’s defense, Rektor adjusted his sword, twisting it diagonally as he swung downward.
His blade, trailing a brilliant blue arc, carried a crushing weight behind it.
Kwaaaaaang!
Rektor’s strike bore down upon Darkhan’s sword as if it would shatter it completely.
‘I can’t stop here.’
To drive Darkhan into a corner, he had to press on.
Chiiiiiing!
Once again, Rektor’s sword transformed. The overwhelming weight it carried fused with razor-sharp precision and fluid motion as it curved toward Darkhan’s neck.
“A fine killing intent!”
Darkhan clicked his tongue, smoothly deflecting Rektor’s multifaceted strikes.
The sheer pressure behind the attacks made his sword vibrate.
“This time, allow me to return the favor.”
With a deep smile, Darkhan thrust his sword straight toward Rektor.
His blade gleamed ominously as it neared Rektor’s left chest—a thrust honed to absolute perfection.
“Mm!”
Even in the face of such danger, Rektor remained composed. He calmly lowered his blade, smoothly redirecting Darkhan’s thrust with delicate precision.
Puwaaaaaang!
Darkhan’s sword missed its target, piercing through empty space instead. The force of the thrust split apart the clouds in the night sky.
‘Now!’
Seizing the moment, Rektor twisted his wrist.
His sword shone with a vibrant blue light, descending like a meteor. A strike embodying the grandeur of a thousand techniques.
“Hmm!”
Veins bulged on Darkhan’s forehead. Realizing that he couldn’t block this one properly, he released his grip on his sword and extended only his index and middle fingers.
Puwaaaaaaang!
Darkhan’s sword, now floating in midair, spun like a thunderbolt, splitting Rektor’s slash in half.
It was the manifestation of [Living Sword].
“To think you fight so well despite being blind.”
Rektor smirked, stepping back under the force of the shockwave.
“A swordsman doesn’t need eyes.”
Darkhan chuckled, implying that the world he saw was different from others.
“But you… you are remarkable.”
He nodded at Rektor in acknowledgment.
“If you didn’t entertain me, I would have ended this immediately. You’ve exceeded my expectations.”
Darkhan smacked his lips in amusement.
“To be satisfied with just this…”
Rektor straightened his posture, narrowing his eyes.
“Aren’t you underestimating me too much?”
“My apologies.”
Darkhan acknowledged the intense fighting spirit radiating from Rektor’s entire being, offering a slight bow.
“Then, let’s take it up a notch.”
As he lowered his finger, his [Living Sword] trembled violently before plunging down toward Rektor’s shoulder.
This wasn’t just a simple attack—it carried compressed vacuum blades formed in the empty air.
Kugugugugugu!
Rektor unleashed the ultimate mystery of his greatsword, striking down the falling [Living Sword] and obliterating the vacuum blades in its wake.
Chiiiiing!
Yet he wasn’t done. He pressed forward, raising his sword.
The heavy blade, now infused with fluid grace, arced toward Darkhan’s neck.
“Hah!”
Darkhan let out a small chuckle and flicked his fingers, sending his [Living Sword] forward like a drill to intercept the strike.
‘As expected, this alone won’t be enough.’
Rektor clicked his tongue and tightened his grip around his sword.
[Sea-Splitting Sword Form].
A deep blue sword strike, reminiscent of the boundless ocean and sky, descended upon Darkhan.
“A contest of strength, is it?”
Darkhan laughed heartily and hurled himself into Rektor’s attack, his [Living Sword] erupting in brilliant light.
KWAJAAAAANG!
Rektor’s strike and Darkhan’s [Living Sword] collided head-on. The ground split apart, and the surrounding mansion and nearby buildings crumbled into ruins.
Zhejeojeojeojeng!
Amidst the overwhelming shockwave, Rektor and Darkhan exchanged consecutive blows, seeking to end each other.
Countless slashes burst in all directions, and a massive, dark-blue vortex surged, threatening to tear apart the entire Holy Sword Alliance.
“Grrrrrgh!”
“My ears…!”
“I can’t endure this…!”
The clash between two transcendents was so intense that even the swordsmen observing from a distance bled from their eyes and ears.
Yet, as warriors who revered the sword, none of them fled the battlefield.
Instead, swordsmen from all corners of the hall began gathering, their numbers swelling far beyond the initial spectators.
“Now that the audience is here, shall we begin in earnest?”
Darkhan smirked at Rektor, tilting his chin.
“Let’s see what kind of sword the current Master of the Holy Sword Alliance wields.”
His [Living Sword] surged forward with newfound fluidity, as if completely unshackled.
“You didn’t have to say that…”
Rektor exhaled steadily and raised his sword, his eyes gleaming as sharply as his blade.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
—
Raon silently bit his lip as he watched Darkhan’s [Living Sword] rise into the air.
‘This is where the real battle begins.’
Darkhan’s ultimate swordsmanship was [Living Sword Technique].
If they couldn’t find a way to counter that mysterious blade, the outcome of this fight was already decided.
‘Grandfather….’
Raon swallowed dryly as he observed Rektor. He, too, knew that the real battle was just beginning and remained tense.
However, rather than fearing his duel with Darkhan, Rektor seemed to be enjoying it. After all, he was a swordsman of the Holy Sword Alliance.
Paaang!
Darkhan’s sword shot forward at the same angle it had risen, hurtling toward Rektor.
The blade moved as if compressing the air around it, accelerating to a speed so terrifying that it reached Rektor’s throat before he could even blink.
Zzzzeong!
Rektor, focusing to the utmost, parried Darkhan’s [Living Sword] with ease.
Fwoosh!
Yet, even as it was deflected, Darkhan’s sword twisted in midair, instantly curving back toward Rektor’s shoulder.
This was the unique trait of the [Living Sword], moving freely without being bound to its wielder’s hand.
“That won’t be enough.”
Rektor had anticipated the [Living Sword]’s return. With a flick of his wrist, he traced a half-circle with his blade, blocking Darkhan’s second strike once more.
“This is only the beginning.”
As Darkhan’s lips curled upward, his sword abruptly twisted at an unnatural angle, shooting toward Rektor’s waist.
‘It’s….’
Raon clenched his jaw as he watched Rektor clash against the [Living Sword].
‘Getting stronger.’
Every time Darkhan’s [Living Sword] was blocked, it grew faster and heavier, its attacks becoming increasingly erratic. It was as if the sword itself had gained sentience.
Zzzzeooong!
Yet, Rektor was also far from his limit. He elevated his swordsmanship and energy to another level, countering the [Living Sword] with absolute precision.
Swift blades, heavy blades, powerful strikes, nimble strikes, destructive strikes, cursed strikes, formless strikes. Countless sword techniques bloomed from his blade, devouring the [Living Sword]’s offensive momentum.
‘That’s….’
Raon’s fingertips trembled as he observed Rektor’s impeccable swordplay.
‘Grandfather’s Thousand Swords.’
Though Rektor hadn’t mastered every sword technique in existence, he had perfected their harmony, allowing him to block the [Living Sword] flawlessly.
‘Strangely enough… I can see it so clearly.’
Not just his grandfather’s techniques—but even Darkhan’s [Living Sword Technique].
Even though he had reached the peak of Grandmaster, Rektor and Darkhan, as higher transcendents, were leagues beyond him. The gap between them was like heaven and earth.
Yet, inexplicably, Raon could clearly perceive the flow of their swordsmanship.
‘Is it because I’ve been training in swordsmanship alone?’
After two months of refining the Thousand Swords, his ability to observe sword techniques had improved dramatically.
It felt like a stroke of fortune—an invaluable opportunity for learning.
—That is not the only reason.
Wrath shook his head gravely.
—That old man is showing it to you. His battle.
His deep-blue eyes locked onto Rektor.
‘No way….’
—Yes. He believes he might die. That is why he is teaching you.
Wrath pressed his lips together as if urging Raon to watch closely.
‘Grandfather….’
Raon clenched his trembling fist.
Just as Wrath had said, it felt as though Rektor’s sword was speaking to him—telling him to witness everything.
‘Wrath. The outcome of this battle….’
Raon turned to Wrath, clinging to a sliver of hope.
—You already know the answer.
Wrath smacked his lips.
—Your old man has grown stronger. He has prepared for this moment. If Darkhan were still at his previous level, Rektor might have been able to match him. But now… he cannot.
He shook his head, as if dismissing the idea entirely.
—You should start thinking about how you’ll escape once this is over.
‘I’m not running.’
Raon bit his lip and straightened his posture.
Even in the face of Darkhan’s overwhelming [Living Sword], Rektor continued to wield his blade, undeterred.
Raon’s hand rested on his sword hilt.
‘I won’t let my grandfather die.’
—
“Hoo.”
Rektor exhaled slowly as he deflected Darkhan’s [Living Sword].
‘It’s working.’
He had anticipated this battle long ago and had prepared countermeasures against the [Living Sword Technique].
Fortunately, they were proving effective.
Chiiiiing!
Darkhan’s [Living Sword] contorted into an eerie trajectory as it came flying at him once more. The energy radiating from the blade was so powerful and sharp that it seemed capable of splitting the heavens.
Suuuuung!
Rektor infused his sword with the pinnacle of the Thousand Swords, slashing downward.
A brilliant blue wave surged along the blade’s edge, soaring like a banner of victory as it clashed against Darkhan’s [Living Sword].
KWAHAAAAAANG!
Amidst the darkened sky, Rektor’s Thousand Swords and Darkhan’s [Living Sword] collided in a cataclysmic explosion.
Clouds were erased from existence, and even the moonlight trembled in fear.
“Kuhahahaha!”
Darkhan burst into roaring laughter, spreading his fingers wide.
At his command, his sword, which had lost momentum and fallen, suddenly surged upward once more, aiming straight for Rektor’s heart.
This was the fastest and most devastating attack yet.
Kugugugugugu!
Rektor planted his feet firmly into the ground, anchoring himself as if taking root in the earth. Then, he raised his sword to the center.
‘This is the final movement.’
Gripping his blade with both hands, he swung down toward Darkhan’s incoming [Living Sword].
His technique, infused with the full essence of Thousand Swords, manifested naturally.
Perhaps Raon’s thirst for swordsmanship had influenced him—his mastery was growing even in this very moment.
KWAHAAAAANG!
Darkhan’s [Living Sword], enhanced with immense aura, speed, and unpredictable movement, hurtled toward his heart.
Yet, the Thousand Swords, carrying the true essence of swordsmanship, negated every aspect of it flawlessly.
KYAAAAAANG!
In the end, Darkhan’s [Living Sword] failed to break through Rektor’s defense, deflected into empty air.
THUD!
But Rektor didn’t stop there. He kicked off the ground, lunging toward Darkhan’s left side with his sword raised.
His blade, imbued with the ultimate form of Thousand Swords, sought its mark.
“You came, after all.”
Just before Rektor could land his thrust, Darkhan grinned deeply.
As if he had been waiting for this moment, he spread his hand wide—
And from afar, his [Living Sword] tore through space, descending upon Rektor’s head.
‘A trap!’
…Of course, he had known.
There was no way Darkhan would fall so easily. From the moment he charged in, Rektor had anticipated this situation.
Kuung!
He thrust his left foot forward, causing the ground to quake violently, and extended his sword-wielding hand.
A brilliant blue aura, shimmering like starlight, trailed behind his blade as it carved a grand arc across the sky.
“Hmm.”
For the first time, Darkhan’s expression stiffened. He swiftly gestured with his hand, and his [Living Sword] flared with an explosive glow.
“It’s already too late.”
Clenching his teeth, Rektor unleashed his sword infused with the absolute pinnacle of Thousand Swords. In his aged eyes, he saw the reflection of his grandson, who was watching this battle unfold.
‘This is thanks to you.’
A sword technique he had spent his entire life honing but could never complete—until he reunited with the family he had lost.
A new constellation, drawn by his sword, rained down upon Darkhan’s entire being.
“Magnificent!”
Darkhan applauded Rektor’s miraculous swordsmanship as he fired his [Living Sword], which now pulsed with a deep, obsidian radiance.
Kuwaaaaaang!
The Thousand Swords, carrying Rektor’s full might, clashed with Darkhan’s [Living Sword], unleashing a storm of sword energy that swept across the entire battlefield.
“Hoo….”
Rektor stood still, his hand gripping his chest. He looked exhausted but still held his sword firmly, as if prepared to continue fighting.
“Kuh….”
On the other hand, Darkhan hunched over, black blood trickling from his lips. Though wounded, his mouth curled into a delighted grin.
“This is good.”
Darkhan slowly raised his chin and fixed his gaze on Rektor.
“One must experience a sword firsthand to truly understand it.”
He smirked in satisfaction at Rektor’s technique.
“Hmm….”
Rektor narrowed his eyes as he watched Darkhan remain standing despite his wounds.
“Incredible. You possess power beyond your level.”
Darkhan didn’t even attempt to retrieve his [Living Sword], which had been sent flying somewhere. Instead, he nodded in admiration.
“With this strength, you could stand against the other leaders of the Five Demons.”
“I took over Holy Sword Alliance in your stead. This much was necessary.”
Rektor remained tense, nodding slightly.
“Yes, you always had a sense of responsibility.”
Darkhan’s smile deepened.
“This was a satisfying fight. To honor your growth, I should show you my true strength.”
“Hmm….”
Rektor spread his senses in all directions, prepared for any incoming attack.
‘So it really is Heart Sword.’
Darkhan had claimed that losing his eyes allowed him to understand Heart Sword on some level.
But whether he had mastered it or discovered something entirely different, Rektor couldn’t be sure—so he had to prepare for both possibilities.
‘No. I won’t prepare. I will end this here.’
No matter what technique Darkhan used, every great power came with a corresponding recoil.
If Rektor could withstand it, he would have his chance to bring Darkhan down.
“Well then.”
Darkhan’s faint smile lingered as he extended his empty hand forward.
A pitch-black sword, seemingly forged from pure darkness, materialized in his grasp.
‘What is that…?’
The blade radiated no aura, no energy, no discernible swordsmanship. Yet, an unbearable chill ran down Rektor’s spine.
“If you can endure this, I will concede your victory.”
Darkhan’s Void Blade, wrapped in the essence of darkness, advanced.
It moved like the night itself, exuding an eerie presence that felt as if it could snuff out life itself.
Hwaaaaa!
Before its mesmerizing yet chilling trajectory, the determination Rektor had steeled wavered, and the image of his victory crumbled.
This was not a technique that simply cut through the mind and soul—it crushed them entirely.
A Heart Sword of overwhelming force that erased one’s very will to fight.
“Kuhuk!”
Rektor coughed up black blood and collapsed to his knees.
For the first time as a swordsman, he let go of his sword.
“How about I tell you something interesting?”
Darkhan erased his Void Blade and shook his head.
“If I were to unleash this Heart Sword in its perfect form, I would cease to exist in this world.”
He smacked his lips in regret as he watched the fading blade.
“Perhaps that’s why Glenn Zieghart never fully unleashed his Heart Sword.”
“Ugh….”
While Darkhan mused, Rektor struggled to reach for his sword again.
But his very soul seemed to reject the fight—his fingers wouldn’t even twitch.
“It’s already over. I have severed your will.”
Darkhan exuded a chilling bloodlust as he stepped toward Rektor.
“You’re not quite on Glenn’s level, but this duel was still meaningful.”
Just as he was about to swing his sword down—
A pair of familiar eyes, the same color as Glenn Zieghart’s, appeared before him.
“Raon Zieghart.”
Darkhan’s lips twisted into a grin as he looked at the young swordsman standing in front of Rektor.
“There was no need to rush. I would’ve come for you soon enough.”
“…From this point on.”
Raon tilted his chin slightly, standing firm in front of Rektor.
“I will take on your swordsmanship.”
