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I’m Here to End This Fight - Novel Updates
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I'm Here to End This Fight
Chapter 5: Escape (5)
Yuri accepted Johan's sword, heading towards the square.
The sudden turn of events raised suspicions all around.
"What's happening? What's this talk about a deal?"
"Yuri is taking the test, or something like that?"
Questions about the relationship between Johan and Yuri, whether Yuri is qualified to take the Yoram's test, and various other uncertainties mingled in the confused murmurs.
However, the most perplexed were the Irons family, who had prepared the stage for this unexpected event.
"Who is that kid?"
To Ashraf's stiff inquiry, the attendants looked at each other.
Despite being in a remote territory, the Irons family had rapidly expanded its influence, boasting nearly 20,000 residents. Even though they were administrative attendants, not everyone could know all the residents.
Amid the silent exchange of glances, the oldest-looking attendant stepped forward.
"He seems to be one of the refugees we accepted. I will find out and report back before the end of the day."
"Do that."
Ashraf nodded, but his stern expression did not soften.
It was understandable; the stage meticulously prepared for today had shifted attention elsewhere due to Johan.
Even now, observe.
"Wasn't that person supposed to come and see our master, the great sage?"
"Really? Did he come to see him, not that kid?"
Already, Johan's choice of the commoner boy over the military commander was becoming a subject of jest.
"Hmm..."
The attention that should have been directed towards the military commander was now flowing in another direction, all thanks to Johan.
Even now, look.
"Didn't that renowned person come to see our master?"
"Indeed? He came to see him, not that kid?"
The attention that should have been on the military commander due to the stage Ashraf set up was now flowing towards Johan.
This was intended to be a stage for Ashraf, specifically prepared for today.
However, the spotlight was being stolen by Johan.
Even now, observe.
"Wasn't the great sage supposed to have a visitor today?"
"Really? Did he come to see the sage or the kid?"
Johan's decision to choose a commoner boy over the military commander was already turning into a source of amusement.
"Hmm..."
Ashraf nodded, but his stern expression remained.
Understandable; the carefully arranged stage for today had shifted attention away due to Johan.
Now, it was all about figuring out who this young refugee was.
The oldest-looking attendant stepped forward to find the information.
"He appears to be one of the refugees we accepted. I'll investigate and report back before the day ends."
"Do that."
Ashraf nodded, but his expression remained stern.
Even now, keep watching.
As for Johan, he was already drawing attention away from the intended focal point of the stage.
Now, observe.
Ashraf let out a discomforted sigh, his gaze landing on Johan.
'Johan Redner.'
Why was he showing interest in an ordinary boy like that, leaving his own son behind?
'What on earth... have you seen in that boy?'
Unable to dispel the rising questions, Ashraf's gaze remained fixated on Johan.
Meanwhile, Gunter, standing beside his father, was lost in his own thoughts.
'Who is he?'
Someone who appeared to be around the same age as himself.
No, his slightly petite stature made him look even younger.
Disappointment crept onto Gunter's face as he observed Yuri with curious eyes.
'Not well-trained, huh?'
Even through the shabby clothes, there were no visible signs of discipline in the exposed physique.
Taking a closer look, was his body more balanced than other kids his age?
Yet, for some incomprehensible reason, a master had used a token, usable only once in a lifetime, for this boy.
A choice that defied understanding.
This puzzlement lingered in the minds of the Black Swordsmen.
"Hmm..."
The gaze of the 8th unit leader of the Black Swords rested upon Yuri, who was loosening his shoulders in the center of the square.
'I can't understand. Using Dragon's Token for a boy like that?'
Acknowledged as one of the few masters by his owner, there was an internal sense of anticipation, considering the choice made by such a person.
'Why that boy?'
Ironically, the boy recommended by Johan fell short of the 8th unit leader's expectations.
Physical development, posture, and even the exhaled breath—none of them showed signs of training or discipline.
Moreover,
'I don't feel even a trace of mana.'
As a 7th-tier official, his skills should have been enough to sense mana residues, unless he intentionally hid them.
'He couldn't be that exceptional.'
It meant that the boy hadn't accumulated even a bit of mana, the foundation of magical arts.
This was a serious issue.
Certainly, in the past 50 years, among the countless talents who underwent the qualification test for the cradle, there wouldn't be anyone who hadn't learned magical arts.
'Even the Unbreakable Sword shouldn't be ignorant of this.'
However, using the Dragon's Token for someone who lacked basic magical arts meant Johan had seen something unfamiliar.
'Now, let's find out what that is.'
The 8th unit leader made a decisive gesture.
"Begin."
In response to the leader's order, a member who faced Gunter and had returned declared loudly.
"The one responding to the test, step forward."
At that moment, a chubby voice spoke up.
"I've already come forward, though?"
"...Reveal your name."
"Yuri Holland."
The 8th unit leader's brow twitched slightly at Yuri's appearance, which showed no signs of tension.
However, the Black Sword member regained composure and spoke in a loud voice.
"Now, according to the laws established by the great swordmaster, under the supervision of the Black Sword 8th unit, the Cradle's qualification test has begun! The test will end with the exchange of moves. You can enter whenever you're ready."
The procedure was similar to Gunter's test, and after the announcement, the Black Sword members drew their swords and waited.
It seemed like they were saying, "Come whenever you're ready," with a relaxed attitude.
Watching the Black Sword member, Yuri also lifted Johan's sword.
Swish.
The silver and black waves intertwined, revealing the blade outside the scabbard.
Johan's sword was a narrow-bladed Dao, like the swords of the Black Sword members.
The only difference was that the tip of the blade, which extended straight forward, had a slight curve.
It was a style of sword derived from the ancient eastern traditions, which had spread to the central continent as the descendants of the East settled there.
And even at a glance, Johan's sword was undoubtedly a masterful weapon.
Yuri's impression of holding it was simple.
"It's heavy."
Not just the weight of the sword, but also the weight of the heart was overwhelming.
The essence of the weight Yuri felt was fear.
'Facing someone with the intent to kill… How long has it been?'
After realizing the curse, Yuri hadn't held a sword.
Because, if he were to grip the sharp blade, it felt like he would summon another monster.
And he felt like he would be devoured by the curse once again.
Due to that decision, it had been over seven years since Yuri last held a sword.
Now, holding it again, memories of that day when he unintentionally summoned a monster naturally resurfaced.
The sensation of the kitchen knife he held.
[Ah-ah-ah-ah!]
A scream that reverberated in his ears as if tearing apart.
[Splurt-]
Red liquid staining his retina.
In the vivid recollection of that day, Yuri's pupils shook momentarily, but he quickly regained his composure.
Adding strength to the hand holding the sword, Yuri addressed the Black Swordsmen.
"A warning."
"…?"
"I can't control my strength or anything. Survive on your own."
Yuri's warning, delivered with a playful tone, contorted the eyebrow of the Black Swordsmen facing him significantly.
A sense of bewilderment settled in his eyes.
Facing the nonchalant attitude of the Black Swordsman seemingly ignoring his warning, Yuri sighed slightly.
"I warned you. It's not my fault if anyone dies."
Having rationalized himself, Yuri swung Johan's sword, lifting it with both hands.
Then, the end of the sword wavered significantly.
He struggled under the weight of the sword, clearly having difficulty supporting it.
People around began to murmur.
"Tsk, can't even hold the sword properly."
"How is he going to pass the Cradle's test like that?"
Despite the murmurs around him, Yuri, undeterred, exhaled deeply.
Exhale - Exhale -
Within the repetition of the long breaths, Yuri's focus concentrated on the sword, and the surrounding noise faded away.
It felt as if there were only himself and the single sword remaining in the world.
Simultaneously, his senses rapidly expanded.
A feeling as if everything in the surroundings was directly projected into his mind.
Gazes from behind, actions pointing fingers at him, all within a few meters, everything was read in detail, and the passage of time seemed to slow down.
'Not enough at this level.'
Under normal circumstances, he might have stopped at this point.
Previously, this much was sufficient to overcome various obstacles.
But now, he was facing the renowned Black Swordsman.
A mere tip-toe wouldn't suffice.
He had to immerse himself completely.
'Let's go!'
With a firm resolution, Yuri sharpened his mental focus.
Simultaneously, it felt as if his consciousness was being sucked into the sword.
'Urgh!'
A sensation not felt for a whopping seven years.
Soon, a sensation like being submerged in water, a floating feeling, sent shivers down Yuri's spine.
'This is terrifying, seriously!'
Drifting naked in the endless expanse of an open sea, the horrible feeling of not wanting to experience this again made Yuri reluctant to grasp the sword.
It felt like constantly drifting, to the point of forgetting one's identity.
'Snap out of it!'
Yuri regained his composure.
This was just the beginning.
'Here it comes!'
And perhaps that was the signal?
-Growl...
From one side of Yuri's consciousness, the sound of a beast's howl echoed.
'That... it's coming!'
-Growl...
Again, along with the echoing sound of a beast, a black shadow approached Yuri within the boundless sea of non-existence.
As if a gigantic whale were attacking from beneath the surface.
Aaargh!
The abruptly enlarged figure swallowed Yuri, drifting in the boundless sea, like a massive whale enveloping the ocean.
And from this moment, a change occurred in Yuri in the real world.
"What's this? Seems a bit darker, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, maybe a sudden shower is coming."
The surroundings significantly darkened compared to a moment ago.
That was the beginning.
Squelch...
Under Yuri's feet, the shadow wavered.
Initially a subtle change, but as the shadow rose along Yuri's body, everything changed abruptly.
"Huh?!"
"Wha-what?!"
The shadow that ascended Yuri's body vertically suddenly expanded, bulging in size.
0.01 seconds.
In an ephemeral moment, the black energy swelled so abruptly that to ordinary eyes, it felt like it had suddenly appeared.
And...
Growl...
Two holes appeared in the black shadow.
Like eyes that appeared, they looked around, curved like a crescent moon.
Crackle...
Even a presumed mouth opened up in the shadow, tearing widely on either side.
Kya kya kya...
Though silent, it emitted a sinister smile that could be felt as sound.
"Wh-what!"
"Whoa?!"
People recoiled in horror at the ghostly, demonic, or specter-like appearance.
"Wh-what is that! A g-ghost?!"
"I-it's a monster!"
"A devil! A devil has appeared!"
Astonishment erupted from everywhere.
Those who were frightened backed away.
But the most surprised were those who realized what the shadow Yuri created truly was.
‘W-what is that?!’
‘It's unbelievable!’
The leader of the Black Sword 8th Unit and Ashraf Irons, both formidable warriors who had reached the 7th level of recognition through accumulated experience, immediately grasped the nature of the form above Yuri's head.
'Demon? Not even close!'
The black figure emerging above Yuri's head couldn't be described with such a lowly term.
For those walking the path of the sword, it was a dream and a guiding point, a goal.
Simultaneously, the leader of the Black Sword 8th Unit and Ashraf shouted out a cry that resembled a scream.
“Avatar?!”
“Avatar?!”
Avatar. Or the state known as "Transcendent Form," "Idea," "Imaginary Manifestation," or "Avatar," and various other names.
It was a realm as diverse in form as in its names.
For some, it took the shape of a single sword.
For others, that of a massive beast.
And for another, perhaps a beautiful flower.
The avatar had no fixed form, and much wasn't known about it.
Yet, the reason Ashraf and the leader of the Black Sword 8th Unit were so shocked at recognizing the avatar was that there was a well-known orthodoxy regarding the existence of avatars.
The presence or absence of an avatar was the criterion that distinguished the Certified 9th Dan from the Masters.
‘Ridiculous!’
‘This is unbelievable, it's... impossible…!’
It was extremely rare for even a genius who had trained all their life to pass away at the Certified 9th Dan without transcending to the state of an avatar.
Yet, a seemingly ordinary boy, who hadn't even accumulated mana, was displaying an avatar—a sign of a Master?
This was something unimaginable, or rather, something impossible.
However, in denying this, there was one clear thing that had appeared before them was undoubtedly an avatar.
Too clear evidence.
In the confusion between their common sense and the reality unfolding before them, they were perplexed.
Then they realized.
Why they couldn't recognize the boy's extraordinariness.
And why Johann went to the extent of letting this boy, who hadn't even gathered mana, participate in the Yoram's test.
‘He recognized him!’
Johann was also a Master, having reached the same realm of an avatar. That's why he recognized him.
The boy named Yuri Holland was holding something extraordinary.
Meanwhile, Johann, who was watching the avatar created by Yuri, grinned strangely.
“Kukuku, puhuhuhu!”
Excitement, joy, satisfaction, pleasure, ecstasy, and a strand of madness intertwined within the storm of emotions.
“Finally...”
Occasionally, or rather, with an extremely rare probability, there were beings born with talents beyond common understanding.
Dramatic talents that not even an ordinary person could achieve even after being reborn tens or hundreds of times.
Representing such an example was Luke Rider, the ruler of the world.
A talent born with such a profound gift that, even if someone were to be reborn many times, they couldn't reach it.
Everyone in the world was convinced.
Those with talents like Luke Rider would never be born again.
Such a thing was impossible.
However, it happened.
On the remote outskirts of the continent, a monster with talents comparable to Luke Rider was born.
“A monster's spawn...”
Johann's eyes sparkled, and his mouth, split long from left to right, revealed a ferocious smile.
“The brat discarded his human disguise!”
Starting from Johann's mutterings.
Kya kya kya...
The black monster created by Yuri pounced on the Black Sword soldiers.
Fantasy,
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