Chapter 196

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Dead.

A nameless demon soldier was slain in a single blow by a human Swordmaster.

Blood and intestines splattered onto the ground with a sickening sound, followed by the triumphant roars of the human soldiers.

On the other hand, the demon soldiers were greatly demoralized.

"N-No way."

"Sir Kasak..."

Was he that famous within the Bares family?

Although I hadn't known him because I was only focused on Rene and Crete, he seemed to have been one of the top talents within the Bares family.

And that man died in a single blow.

By the Swordmaster named Kanpel.

What happened next was simple.

"Sweep away the insects."

The Sword Saint's declaration.

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaa-!"

The human soldiers roared in response and began their charge.

"Attack."

Crete also commanded the demon soldiers to charge against the humans.

However, the demon soldiers were no match for the surging human forces.

Thud-.

Thud-.

Slash-.

One by one, the heads of demon soldiers rolled across the ground.

The screams of demons and the stench of blood filled the battlefield.

The sheer volume of blood painted the ground crimson, resembling a river of gore.

It wasn't just the human soldiers' morale that had shifted the tide of battle.

The Seven Swords.

They personally joined the fray, reaping the lives of demon soldiers.

'...So fast.'

I watched in awe as they moved across the battlefield with lightning speed.

Slash-.

Slash-.

Slash-.

With each flash of their blades, countless demon soldiers fell, their throats slit.

Led by the Seven Swords, the humans launched a relentless offensive.

Only a few minutes into the battle, hundreds of demon soldiers lay dead.

The number was quickly approaching a thousand.

I realized the urgent need to turn the tide.

If this continued, the war would become an irreversible massacre.

"My lady, stay close behind me."

"...Okay."

With a grim expression, I adjusted the grip on Fang of Darkness and the crimson dagger as I spoke to Rene.

As dire as the situation was, I couldn't leave her side.

Protecting her.

That was more important than winning the war; returning Rene safely to the Demon Realm was paramount.

As long as Rene was safe, the Bares family could be rebuilt.

Perhaps even with Samuel, surprisingly, taking on the mantle of the family head.

So Rene must be safe.

"Yes, never leave my side."

"I know."

Only after hearing her affirmation did I kick off the ground and move.

Hundreds of black blades materialized around me, summoned by Fang of Darkness.

There was no need to imbue them with killing intent yet.

Right now, the priority was boosting the morale of the overwhelmed demon soldiers.

Focusing on reducing the human numbers was more critical than targeting their Swordmaster.

Black Blades.

One Hundred Black Blade.

A hundred black daggers floated around me.

Then.

Swish-.

The instant I swept my hand toward the human ranks.

Thud-.

Thud-.

Thud-.

Thud-.

Exactly one hundred human soldiers collapsed, their throats pierced, before they could even register what was happening.

The Black Blades had precisely targeted their vital points.

An astonishing feat.

With a single technique, I had killed a hundred human soldiers.

Perhaps it was due to this shocking display.

"You're the one."

Kanpel, the Swordmaster who had effortlessly killed the nameless demon soldier in their duel, grinned at me, baring his white teeth.

An oppressive, almost suffocating bloodlust emanated from him, accompanied by a sharp, honed aura.

It was similar to, or perhaps even stronger than, the female knight from before.

He was not someone to be taken lightly, but neither was he an insurmountable opponent like the Sword Saint or Crete.

Unsure of the outcome, I gestured to Rene.

'Please step back for a moment.'

'...'

With a nod, Rene quickly retreated.

She, too, wanted to fight alongside me, but she understood.

That her presence by my side would be a hindrance rather than a help.

While Rene might have been one of the most skilled individuals within Sytan, she was no match for a Swordmaster.

Kanpel, recognizing Rene's limitations, simply lost interest in her.

Fuu-.

After confirming that Rene had safely retreated towards the demon soldiers, I took a deep breath.

There was no need to panic.

I just had to fight back.

I decided to provoke him first, uttering a condescending remark.

"It's an honor that you know who I am, but I haven't the faintest idea who you are. You'll have to try a little harder than that."

"Ha, is that so? Then I'll just have to carve my name into your memory... by killing you."

"By all means, try."

As if you could.

As soon as I finished speaking, Kanpel's expression shifted rapidly.

However, as expected of a Swordmaster, he quickly regained his composure.

"You'll regret crossing paths with me."

"I believe those words are best directed at yourself."

With that, Kanpel and I clashed without another word.

Clang-!

Fang of Darkness met Kanpel's sword with a deafening clang.

The force behind his strike...

Tremble-.

My right hand, gripping Fang of Darkness, trembled involuntarily.

In terms of pure strength, I was outmatched.

It was unavoidable.

I was still young and physically underdeveloped; it was only natural that I would be weaker than Kanpel.

However,

In battles between those who have reached the level of Swordmaster, mere physical strength wasn't the deciding factor.

"I'll go all out."

"As will I."

Having gauged each other's basic abilities through a clash devoid of Aura or techniques, Kanpel and I immediately materialized our Inner Images.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaa-.

Kuuuuuooooooo-.

Darkness engulfed my surroundings, while waves surged around Kanpel.

Darkness and Water.

These were the manifestations of our respective Inner Images.

But it didn't end there.

Within my darkness...

Within Kanpel's water...

Kugugugugu-.

A pitch-black serpent and a blue-backed shark materialized, their forms taking shape.

Crack-.

Kwadadadaduk-.

The snake and the shark clashed violently, tearing at each other with ferocious bites.

The serpent, at times, would gracefully coil around the shark's body to strike, while the shark would roar fiercely, charging through the water with its jaws agape.

They wounded each other, leaving deep gashes in their wake.

But soon...

Kwadadadaduk-.

"......!"

The shark ripped the serpent asunder.

In that instant,

Kugugugugu.......

The darkness that had enveloped me began to recede.

My Inner Image had been defeated by Kanpel's.

On the other hand,

"Is that all you've got?!"

Crrroooooooooo-.

Kanpel's shark, propelled by a surge of water, lunged towards me.

Closing the distance between us in the blink of an eye, the shark bared its razor-sharp teeth.

I clenched my jaw tightly.

The manifestation of Inner Images was undeniably a powerful technique, but I wasn't the only one capable of using it.

Swordmaster Kanpel.

He had honed his Inner Image for a far longer time than I, which explained the disparity in our power.

'......Damn it.'

I instinctively knew that I couldn't defeat Kanpel with my current abilities alone.

Even though I contorted my body, narrowly dodging his sword strike...

Sssshhwiiiing-.

The shark grazed my side, tearing away a chunk of flesh, before disappearing.

Kanpel, witnessing my state, clicked his tongue.

"What a shame. I could have split you in two right there."

"Just because you regret missing your chance doesn't mean it will come again."

"...Still got some fight left in you, huh?"

"Not only do I have fight, but I also have a life... though it seems you're about to lose yours, considering you can't even see straight anymore."

"You...!"

Kanpel had completely fallen for my taunts.

I gritted my teeth.

This was my chance.

My only chance.

Realistically, I knew that Kanpel wasn't truly affected by my words.

He was a Swordmaster.

Would he truly lose his composure and be consumed by rage from such paltry provocations?

But this brief moment of distraction was all I needed.

I had just met the activation condition for the 'Red Dagger'.

Sssshhhhaaaaaaaaa-.

From my gaping wound, a torrent of blood erupted, its crimson flow swirling and churning as if alive.

Kanpel, realizing that this wasn't magic, nor some swordsmanship technique, but a form of an ancient curse, furrowed his brows.

"...You dare resort to sorcery?"

"What can I say? It's in our half-demon blood. Don't act so surprised."

"Hmph, you're not wrong."

And with that exchange,

Sssshhhhaaaaaaaaaa-.

My crimson torrent clashed violently with Kanpel's azure waves.

Tiny droplets of water splattered, stinging like needles as they grazed our faces.

Kanpel's expression hardened as he felt the power emanating from my dagger.

"For a mere curse to..."

"This will have to do."

The power of the Red Dagger.

As my abilities grew, so too did the power of the red dagger.

While it hadn't reached a whole new level, it was now capable of rivaling the power of his Inner Image.

But this alone wasn't enough to defeat Kanpel.

I had one more trick up my sleeve.

"Now, try and stop this."

Kugugugugu.......

I channeled my killing intent into the Red Dagger.

I had refrained from using it before because of the price it demanded—my own blood.

But now, I had no choice.

Sssshhhhaaaaaaa-.

A wave of crimson, tinged with black, erupted from the Red Dagger.

Kagagagagak-.

Like a pack of ravenous wolves, the blood-infused energy tore into Kanpel's white shark, ripping it to shreds.

"......!"

Kanpel's eyes widened in shock.

And I seized this golden opportunity.

'-Switch.'

In that split second, I activated Positin Exchange, exchanging positions with Kanpel.

It was only possible because of the minuscule opening created by his momentary lapse in concentration.

Had he been at his peak, he would have easily countered it.

But right now, still reeling from the backlash of his Inner Image...

Sssggegeggegeok-.

"What... Kuhuk...!"

He was nothing more than prey caught in the crimson tide.

The wave I unleashed, resembling a raging tsunami, engulfed Kanpel entirely.

And just as he had mercilessly slaughtered the demon soldier in their duel...

"......!"

Slash-.

I cleaved through Kanpel's body, splitting him in half.

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