TopAppnovel Chapter 181 : Nabrash (5)
Chapter 181 : Nabrash (5)
Chapter 181: Nabrash (5)
Zakras’s body from their first encounter could no longer be found.
At some point, the corpse had been absorbed into the ground as if it had sunk into a swamp.
By the time he disposed of the second Zakras.
He had tried to seize him and extract information, but the man had ended his life with self-destruction.
Bzzzt.
The wall tore open, and this time three emerged at once.
Once again, they were young men.
“No matter how skilled you are with the sword.”
“No one has ever driven me.”
“This far before.”
The three took turns speaking, making it grotesque beyond measure.
“If you’re just going to self-destruct as you please, what am I supposed to do.”
He had said he wanted to talk, yet before Robin could even ask a question, he had blown up the corpse.
Zakras certainly used Fighting Spirit, but it seemed he had not completely lost his magic.
How that was possible was a question Robin set aside for the moment.
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“You haven’t drawn out your true strength.”
“This time, it will be troublesome.”
Three well-built men charged at once from the left, front, and right.
Each wielded an axe, a spear, and a sword, their reach all different, and their full strength unknown.
As he took a defensive stance, an arrow flew in from behind.
Twang!
The man with the axe halted in place, having just deflected the probing strike.
The attacks he had to guard against were from the front and the right.
He first shoved aside the shaft of the spear thrusting in from the front with his foot, then blocked the slash from the right.
Swiish!
In the brief moment of confrontation, an arrow flew in and embedded itself between the brows of the man holding the sword.
As the remaining two adjusted their stances, he hurled the arrow-struck man straight at them.
With a thud, the two fell, and he retreated to avoid a possible self-destruction that might follow.
There was no explosion from the dead body.
“So even self-destruction has its timing.”
The two men pushed aside the one who had died first and rose to their feet.
Individually, their martial prowess was nothing remarkable, but just as he had said, they were quite troublesome.
Because one never knew when a dead body might explode.
The one with the axe kept a close watch on Aelin’s arrows, and the one with the spear had long reach, making it difficult to subdue him in one go.
It was not that he could not defeat them, but the problem was timing.
Only by eliminating both at the same time and pulling back could he reduce the damage from self-destruction.
Shing.
In the end, he drew one more sword.
The sword of Black Mask, obtained in the Arena.
He had not drawn this blade until now because it reacted to Demonic Energy.
Moreover, its former owner had been a Demon Tribe Worshipper, which made it extremely unpleasant.
Vowing to subdue them as quickly as possible, he looked at the two, and both curled their lips upward to the fullest.
“You’ve finally drawn both blades.”
“We’ve been waiting to see when you would.”
Disgusting bastards.
Since it had come to this, he would end it swiftly.
While gathering Fighting Spirit to finish them from a distance.
Before he could even properly engage, they collapsed one by one.
“Robin! In front!”
With Aelin’s shout, an arrow was loosed.
But as if anticipating it, the wall remained still.
Only after the arrow embedded itself into the wall did it tear open.
Gurgle. Gurgle. Gurgle.
As the three fallen men were absorbed into the ground, another emerged from the wall.
“So you’re the real Zakras.”
“The real one, you say. I have never shown a false self.”
“I can guess your ability. You overlay your consciousness onto humans, don’t you.”
“One might see it that way.”
He could not hear an answer to the question.
It did not matter.
It was a fraudulent sort of magic, but he would not be able to change bodies endlessly.
“After crossing blades with you, I understood. Robin of the Dancing Twin Swords, you are the one I have been searching for.”
“So what.”
“Come at me with your full strength.”
With those words, Zakras charged.
His movements were not greatly different from before.
His speed, physical strength, and combat sense were the same.
“So this is another fake.”
Zakras’s true body must be elsewhere.
He was likely hiding beyond that wall, watching and gauging the situation.
Rather than take his life, Robin would render him unable to act.
Having clashed with this pattern for the fourth time now, he was confident in victory once more.
Because that was not the real Zakras.
The thought of defeat vanished from his mind, replaced with the intention to make the man kneel intact.
Clang!
In the first exchange, the man’s posture faltered.
After striking his leg with a low kick, Robin shifted his center of gravity to thrust at his shoulder.
Clang!
Zakras barely received the second exchange.
He could have aimed for the heart through the opening in the upper body, but he limited himself to slashing the calf.
Drip. Drip.
As drops of blood fell, he continued the chain of strikes.
Attacks meant to gradually restrict his mobility.
Zakras barely managed to receive them, but as time passed, Robin’s attacks grew faster.
Clangclangclangclang!
The man’s legs were already drenched in blood.
It was astonishing he had not collapsed yet.
Just as Robin was about to draw his blade to slice the ankle for the finishing move.
“Dodge!”
The moment he heard Aelin’s warning, he pulled his body back.
As Zakras’s sword cut through empty air, a chill ran down his spine.
It was not that the strike was particularly powerful, nor that magic had burst forth.
But the man’s Fighting Spirit had abruptly changed.
The formless Fighting Spirit darkened into black and exuded a sinister aura.
Could that truly be called Fighting Spirit.
“You have sharp instincts. Since you have drawn both blades, show me your all without reserve.”
The man who had looked on the verge of collapse just moments ago now lunged with vigor.
What happened? He seemed like a different person.
Looking closely, viscous mud clung to his wounds.
As if the foul, stinking water possessed healing properties, Zakras’s injuries rapidly closed.
“According to the records, this is how you would act, is it not?”
As Robin moved to knock aside his blade, Zakras evaded exactly as anticipated.
He turned his head to avoid the thrust that had come right up to his face.
Fighting Spirit filled with filthy energy brushed past the bridge of his nose.
“At this point, an arrow should come flying.”
Just as Zakras said, Aelin released an arrow.
Was he foreseeing the future?
He evaded it far too easily.
“How long will you keep hiding it? Is the Mercenary King’s swordsmanship only that much.”
“What?”
“If that is all, you will soon die.”
Crack.
Robin ground his teeth and glared at Zakras.
The way he spoke as if he knew something grated on him.
“Fine. I’ll grant your wish.”
“That’s it.”
“I’ll kill you as many times as it takes.”
He discarded the plan of subduing the man without killing him.
A half-hearted attack would only turn into a meaningless war of attrition.
He spun the swords gripped in his left and right hands and accelerated.
Blades that carried the clear intent to kill without hesitation.
“Yes! This is it!”
For some reason, Zakras laughed without pause even as he was being relentlessly cut.
His sword had clearly grown faster and stronger than before, yet it was not enough to surpass Robin’s speed.
That was certain.
Then why did he not stop smiling.
Slash.
His left hand was severed.
An arrow that followed pierced his right eye.
The situation was all but decided.
“Khuhuhuhuh. Hwahahahahat!”
“What’s so amusing.”
Robin severed both of his arms and lightly pressed the tip of his sword into his neck.
Did it not matter because this was not the true body.
“Ah, forgive me for laughing alone. I am grateful to you, you see.”
“Are there Demon Tribe members grateful for having their arms cut off.”
“Not that. I mean that you showed me that swordsmanship directly.”
“And why would that make you grateful. It’s not as though you can copy it after seeing it once.”
“Not once.”
He rambled on about something only he understood again.
If left alone, he would recover once more, so Robin moved to sever his neck—then hesitated.
“What do you mean, not once.”
“Exactly that. I devoted much time to observing and interpreting the Remnants of Calamity.”
“You… where is your true body.”
“Do not worry. You will meet me soon enough.”
Kiiiiing.
An ominous light burst from his mouth.
Robin immediately cut off his head, but the sign of self-destruction did not cease.
He kicked the headless body toward the wall, and with an explosion, the ceiling trembled.
“Are you going to tear through the wall and come out again. This time, I’ll go first.”
Without waiting, Robin sent Fighting Spirit toward the wall.
Sword marks carved into the soft wall as it was shaved away.
After swinging his sword dozens of times, just as the space beyond was about to be revealed.
Aelin grabbed Robin’s arm.
“Wait. Something’s coming out.”
Catching his breath, he stared at the wall and sensed, just as Aelin said, a presence.
Different from the humans that had emerged until now.
As if melting, the wall collapsed, and a man holding two swords stepped out.
“Fuuu. Haaah. It has been so long since I came out; even the air tastes sweet.”
“Zakras.”
As though he had been asleep for a long time and had just awakened, Zakras rolled his shoulders.
Red Fighting Spirit surged from his blades, raking across the ceiling and floor.
“Yes. This is it. This is what I have longed for!”
Robin doubted his eyes.
Though a sinister aura befitting a Demon Tribe member lay beneath it, the man’s Fighting Spirit resembled his own.
“…Have you learned the same swordsmanship as I.”
“Indeed. Thanks to you, I was able to complete the Mercenary King’s swordsmanship.”
“Thanks to me. That’s unpleasant to hear.”
“I merely stated the truth. Shall we confirm it?”
Robin readily accepted the provocation.
It seemed disposing of him would take longer than expected.
The front yard of Drake’s mansion.
The sound of sword and rod colliding rang out, and all manner of Spirits manifested.
“A Barbarian who uses a rod is rare. Where did you learn it.”
“My father taught me.”
“Impressive.”
Whoooosh.
A fireball fell above Sigbard’s head.
Drake seized Sigbard, but water poured down and extinguished the flames.
While the two Barbarians engaged in close combat, Serena kept Isadora in check.
“You there, pretty one. At this rate, the match won’t be decided. Are you fine with that?”
Isadora smiled brightly and summoned Spirits.
Though the standoff somehow continued, the longer it dragged on, the more disadvantageous it became for Sigbard and Serena.
There was no telling what Dexter, who had entered the mansion, might do, and this area was Drake’s territory.
“And it seems I’m superior in Spirit Arts as well.”
Serena did not refute her.
Just as Isadora said, the Spirits Serena commanded were blocked time and again.
It had also been Isadora who stopped the Spirit Serena sent to warn Robin.
“Oh. Found an opening!”
A fire Spirit that had taken the form of a leopard aimed for Serena’s neck.
She set a water Spirit in front, but the leopard’s foreleg was far heavier.
When her chest was struck, she was blown back as if hit by a battering ram.
“Serena! Are you alright!”
“Focus here, young warrior.”
When Sigbard turned his head, Drake’s greatsword immediately came crashing down.
He barely blocked it, but having been off-balance, he lost the flow.
Clang! Kkagagagak!
Hearing the clash of the two Barbarians, Serena let out a groan.
It had been a long time since she had allowed a direct hit.
Living as a Spirit Mage, she had never felt the need to train her physical body, so the shock was severe.
“Ugh. Ptui.”
As she spat sharply, a lump of blood flew out.
She had wondered why Robin and Sigbard spat blood while fighting; now she understood.
Had the two of them fought on unfazed even after receiving such impacts.
“Oh dear, did I hit you too hard. You mustn’t be damaged.”
Isadora approached with a cheerful smile.
The Spirits guarding Serena disappeared one by one.
Spirit Arts was a realm of talent that could not be practiced without innate aptitude.
Though she hated to admit it, Isadora surpassed Serena in every aspect.
The amount of Ether, affinity in communing with Spirits, experience as an Adventurer.
She handled herself deftly, as if this were not her first time fighting another Spirit Mage.
“Oh my. Can’t get up? That’s fine. Rest. I’ll finish this soon.”
Lying sprawled on the ground, vomiting blood, she pondered.
A way to defeat Isadora.
What should one do when the enemy was superior.
Serena recalled the master she had parted from long ago.
“Uncle, what do I do in times like this.”
She imagined her master lying atop the clouds, propping his head up and shouting at her.
But she could not hear his voice.
If she were to guess, it would likely be this.
—Do you think you’ll find an answer lying down. Get up at once!
She planted her staff into the ground and rose.
Looking ahead, she saw Isadora frowning in faint disappointment.
Dangerous Area, Burning Desert, Nabrash, Spirit Mage, Adventurer, Bandit, Ether…….
Watching Isadora dismiss her Spirits one by one, she racked her brain.
“You, you blocked my Spirit from reaching Robin.”
“That’s right. I did. You need to increase your Ether capacity, girl.”
“Spirits aren’t handled by Ether alone.”
“Hm? What are you babbling about. Is that your last will?”
Isadora smiled sweetly as she approached right up to her.
Seeing that confident expression, her eccentric master flickered in her mind.
She stretched out her hand and condensed Ether into the air.
“It’s still incomplete……”
“Oh my, oh my, what a waste of Ether. I’ll be taking it.”
At Isadora’s gesture toward the leopard, the fire Spirit bared its fangs.
But Serena did not stop pouring in Ether.
“Leod, bite her so she can’t waste Ether!”
At Isadora’s command, the leopard opened its jaws wide toward Serena’s hand.
However, when the leopard made of fire closed its mouth, it had already lost its form.
“W-What? Leod! Where did you go!”
“Leod is gone now.”
“What did you say?”
Kwaaaaaa.
Looking to the side, an oval-shaped passage had opened in the air.
She had not cast a spell, so what in the world had she done?
It did not take Isadora long to recognize the mysterious passage.
“The Spirit Realm……? How in the world did you…….”
“If you’re curious, why not go see for yourself.”
Thud.
Serena embraced Isadora and threw herself to the side.
Isadora, too, was a slender Spirit Mage.
No matter how weak Serena’s strength was, throwing herself together with Isadora was not difficult.
“H-Hey… what is this! Let go!”
Isadora called out to Drake, but by the time he looked over, the two had already vanished.
Only the blood that had soaked the ground remained as the sole trace.