Published at 5th of April 2022 03:38:18 PM

548 Sword Genius (side: Volk)

The distance between me and Howgrey shortens. I grip the longsword in my hand strongly.

At a glance, Howgrey seems unguarded. Compared to the long blade of my [Destruction God Doldia], the short reach of his sword should be unreliable. Hes taken no preparations whatsoever for dealing with my blade. Normally speaking, I should be able to cut through him from this position by capitalising on my reach and physical strength.

However I cannot help but see the entire area surrounding him as a danger area. The moment I step in, his sword will come flying in a way that I will be unable to react. My instincts are telling me so.

In battle, there are two types of attacks: those that can be reacted to once seen, and those that cant. Its better to avoid the former once seen. For the latter, its necessary to prepare in advance and work around it so as to not receive the attack in the first place.

Within the widely known styles of swordsmanship, there are techniques devoted to maintaining an unassailable form against attacks that cannot be reacted to. Of course, those techniques are ineffective against opponents whose movements can compensate for even that. Which style has the least weaknesses is a topic often brought up in swordsman circles as well, yet the clashes of swords that often break out and end while leaving that question unanswered form the underpinnings of the swordsman community.

Against attacks that cannot be reacted to, they must be dealt with by reading the movements of the attacker. Thats how it is.

And, Howgrey is terrifyingly sharp at reading those movements. Naturally, I wont get through his defence by relying on my strength. Its evident that my attacks will be seen through and avoided, even if I aim solely for attacks that he should be unable to react to.

As we exchange swords, I have no choice but to try and force him into patterns that allow me to corner him. Of course, theres a high chance that hell get past using inexplicable movements even if I go to great lengths to chase him down, but if I dont take things that far at the very least, it wont be much of a fight. If I dont use reasoning and logic, my blade wont reach Howgrey.

[Shockwave]!

I swing the sword, and let a [Shockwave] loose from its blade. Following that I increase my speed and dash forth as if chasing the [Shockwave].

I plan to first let him deal with the [Shockwave], then take that opportunity to land an attack. Between us, I have an advantage in pure physical ability. This method should be considerably effective.

However, I have a bad feeling about this. Before I know it, Howgrey is swinging down his short sword in front of my very eyes.

I think for a moment that hes even capable of teleportation, but quickly understand. He simply dodged to the side of the [Shockwave], and then came to my front. However, he did it with exceedingly precise and polished movements. In an instant on the battlefront, he evaded my [Shockwave] with an acrobatic movement, and immediately switched to the offensive.

Even though were squaring off against each other directly, it seems that an attack will only appear from outside my perception. I cant accept that he should be slower than me in movement speed itself.

Kuh!

To receive Howgreys sword skill, I pull the swords blade backwards in order to defend. [Destruction God Doldia] is a thin blade, but it is by no means frail. Its an item that can even defend from the blow of an A rank dragon.

Howgrey moves to my front, and at that moment, he slips under and past my sword and arm.

Damn!

A wave of heat runs through my abdomen. I have been cut.

With Howgreys stats, if I can twist my body before he can complete his swing, it wont become a serious injury. That short sword doesnt seem to have a blade with a terrific sharpness, either.

The problem is the mysterious second cutting blow that occurs after the first. Howgreys attacks have much heavier damage on the unidentifiable second slash.

I swing my body away and twist, kicking at the ground. I tumble over once. The second slash doesnt come. I ready my sword again as I regain my footing. Howgrey scowls at me, not moving to close the distance.

As I thought it wasnt a fluke when you avoided it at that time. Truly, for there to be a genius in this world that can avoid the blow after just receiving it once.

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Seeing Howgreys reaction, sure enough, hes convinced that I didnt avoid his attack out of pure coincidence. Thats right I dont understand the inner workings of Howgreys second slash, but Ive just barely become able to deal with it.

The mysterious second slash appears from the part that Howgrey cut through, with only a slight deviation to the set angle. Its completely incomprehensible, but thats the only way to describe it.

Im able to sense it after receiving it just once because the angle and direction of the second slash are so far removed from the standard. Someone like Howgrey who wields a masterful sword art is unlikely to casually send out haphazard slashes one after the other.

In other words, as Im able to infer the position and angle of the second slash in the moment after he slashes, I can move to avoid it without much injury. Of course, its not at all simple to pull through even if I understand it, and itll be my loss if I receive just one of those, but that doesnt mean that its impossible to be dealt with.

Including nonhumans, youre the first. To think there is one who is able to avoid such an attack from me. Its truly regrettable, [Dragon Hunter] Volk, that I must end your life here.

I feel a ferocious killing intent from Howgrey, more than hes ever let off before. As I brace my sword, I unintentionally take half a step back.

Hmph even if its coming from the [Ascetic] purported to be the strongest swordsman, its only just words. Are you planning on provoking me?

I regain control of my legs that are beginning to tremble, and forcefully send a retort at Howgrey. Itll be fine. I can avoid that slash. If I seal just that, its even possible to drag this out into a battle of attrition. At least, I wont hit the ground from just a single blow.

Youre blessed with talent leagues above people like me. Thats not just in terms of the limits of your physical potential.

Howgrey speaks.

I was once a mercenary who slaughtered untold thousands. Tiring of that way of life, once I chose to live only by hunting edible monsters When I took notice, I was being called [Ascetic], a very amusing name. Its been decades since Ive reached this mental state and gotten this abominable black magic.

Abominable black magic?

My words come out haltingly. I had guessed it was a technique incomprehensible by normal means. However, I had thought it was something he took pride in.

Something gets stuck in my mind. Dont tell me That sword techniques actual form is No, theres no way such a thing is possible.

I shake off the thoughts surfacing in my mind. If I get controlled by worthless delusions, Ill end up losing to enemies I can win against. I know how to endure it. Just that alone should be enough.

Though that is one part, truly, that you can pick up the means of avoiding it just from one blow. Youre undoubtedly a genius above me in all respects. Only, youre much too young to be standing in front of me.