Chapter 198 – Didn’t I Say I Would Light the Way

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Colosseum Arena.

It was Leoni who knew the flow of duels better than anyone because she was a Berserker.

That’s why she couldn’t open her mouth even more.

What am I…. looking at right now?

“….Hey, Snake Eyes-ssi.”

“I am listening.”

“Are you watching this properly? No, can you see it?”

Shake, shake.

At Nam Tae-min’s question, Hisagi shook his head.

The three were confident they wouldn’t fall behind any player if it came to physical abilities.

However, at this moment, the movements of Ho-yeol and the Sword Saint were….

“On a different level.”

Lionheart Knights Commander, Harkon.

Even recalling Harkon’s movements, it wasn’t to this extent.

Because all three of them had experience clashing with Harkon in training.

Although he was agile like a lion, they could still see him.

Snap

Fwoosh

As soon as they caught a glimpse of a form.

Sand and dust kicked up due to the speed blocked their vision.

In a split second.

Clang!

Cha-ching!

Clang!

Dozens of clashes exchanged.

To the point that the sound reached their ears a beat late.

It was literal evidence of movements faster than sound.

“Camilla, what can you see? Right, you can see it, right?”

Another spot in the spectator seats.

Dmitri prompted Camilla next to him.

Wasn’t she the 1st ranked ranged martial artist, Camilla?

With her eyes, she should be able to capture such movements.

“So who’s winning, huh?!”

However, Camilla merely swallowed a sigh.

“….I still have a long way to go too.”

“Eh? What does that mean?”

“I can’t see anything. My eyes can’t follow.”

“!”

It was an answer that made even Rox flinch.

Camilla’s vision was indeed one of Shining’s greatest weapons. Even when facing monsters hundreds of levels higher than themselves, Camilla’s eyes had never lost track of the enemy’s movements.

Rox thought cool-headedly.

‘Actualy, it’s not surprising.’

Sword Saint.

At the same time, the continent’s only Grand Sword Master, Shegwin.

Back when Arcana was just a game.

Who is the strongest NPC?

When the bait was thrown, he was one of the characters who appeared without fail.

Although the players who had directly met Shegwin even by chance were extremely few.

His reputation was ceaseless in books, rumors, and the mouths of NPCs.

‘It could certainly be so if it’s the Sword Saint.’

Furthermore, although they didn’t know how it happened.

Shegwin was in a state of having regained his youth.

If it’s the pinnacle of the sword in the Arcana Continent, it wouldn’t be strange to show off such military prowess.

But the problem was, as expected, Lee Ho-yeol.

Rox muttered genuinely.

“Just how….”

Until just a little while ago.

He had experienced Ho-yeol’s unapproachable magical abilities.

The Lights covering the Zero Mountain Range.

He moved those Lights at once and utilized them as attack means.

Because such magic manifestation suited the chief of the Mage Tower rather than a player. Since he is a co-chief, he tried hard to understand that Lee Ho-yeol could do it.

However.

“….Just how far ahead is he planning to go?”

Now you’re saying he’s facing the Sword Saint on equal footing with a sword?

That’s right.

That was no longer the realm of the Arcana system.

‘It cannot be explained by levels.’

To Lee Ho-yeol.

There is ‘something’ we don’t know that exists.

It wasn’t just Rox who recognized that fact.

“….!”

Second Sun’s guild master, Shraeig.

While clearing the dungeon, [Gloomy City of Rain] with Ho-yeol, he realized sword energy and came to emit it.

It was thanks to having his eyes forcibly opened like that that Shraeig could see it.

The silver sword aura pressing the Sword Saint!

They weren’t exchanging clashes.

It was a one-sided attack.

Shegwin was busy blocking Ho-yeol’s attacks.

Shraeig swallowed dry saliva.

Although his eyes couldn’t follow, he could feel it from the sword energy.

‘….This duel won’t last long.’

No, putting that aside, it was a match that should have been decided already.

Shraeig, who came to emit sword energy.

Therefore, he knew reasonably well.

How big of a gap the presence or absence of sword energy makes.

‘I don’t know the reason, but he isn’t able to emit sword energy.’

All that could be seen was the silver sword aura.

Because Shegwin’s sword energy couldn’t be seen.

Therefore, Shraeig could realize.

“….No way?”

That Ho-yeol was giving Shegwin leeway several times.

No, dozens or hundreds of times.

It was.

This duel should have ended with Shegwin’s defeat long ago.

Once he realized that fact, he could see everything.

Clang!

It wasn’t that Shegwin blocked it.

It was Ho-yeol who swung his sword.

So that he could block it.

Even Shraeig, who had realized sword energy, barely noticed the truth.

There was no way the watching players would know.

Excited voices erupted here and there.

“He’s facing the Sword Saint on equal footing!!”

“Does this even make sense.”

“Is he really going to win at this rate?!”

The outcome is decided.

So Shraeig wasn’t excited.

He just watched.

‘Just what is your intention?’

It was then.

Slash

With a sound, Shegwin fell to his knees.

However, Ho-yeol merely swung his sword the same way.

It was Shegwin’s body that hit its limit.

“Crazy….!!”

Ho-yeol taking the chance of victory.

Amid the cheers bursting out as if waiting.

Shraeig thought.

‘Attacking so he can take it, and waiting when he falls….’

“….!”

He realized.

Because he himself had an experience like Shegwin.

The figure of Ho-yeol holding a long umbrella recalling in his mind.

-“What you have to do from now on is simple. Watch.”

-“To be precise, you are to witness sword energy.”

-“Believe in me, who believes in you.”

Shraeig muttered as if he couldn’t believe it.

“….Don’t tell me, to give teachings to the Sword Saint?”

.

.

.

I could feel it.

That I am overwhelming Shegwin.

Yes, I didn’t just entrust my body to Gwicheol, I emitted sword aura.

It wouldn’t be strange to be able to overwhelm him consistently from beginning to end.

Furthermore.

‘….I can see it.’

Grandfell’s incredibly ignorant talent.

To adapt to Shegwin’s fast sword in real time.

You’re so exceptional it pricks my conscience, Grandfell.

As a result, I landed an effective hit on Shegwin.

Slash

Shegwin’s left arm began to be dyed with blood.

Even though it seemed I was pressuring him consistently.

Is this the first time an attack landed.

As expected, he’s a monster, the Sword Saint is.

But the words I heard were unexpected.

“….What do you want from me?”

….What is he talking about all of a sudden?

What I want is victory, of course.

Because I have no intention of losing in the duel of space-time and dying.

But it seems those words weren’t directed at me.

“You had hundreds, thousands of chances to cut my breath. Why? Is it to give humiliation to me who is worse than a demon? If so, didn’t you get what you wanted?”

Shegwin staring at his wound.

“To the point that I can’t even parry an attack swung for me to block. Because my body has reached its limit.”

….Is this for real?

I really had such chances?

Gwicheol answered on behalf of the flinching me.

-Has the greenhorn still not realized the master’s will.

….Why are you accelerating suddenly again?

Naturally, I, Lee Ho-yeol, had no particular intention.

Since it’s not me, it means it’s Grandfell’s will….

I couldn’t help but be surprised too.

Who is Grandfell?

To the point of not mixing unnecessary words with demons.

Grandfell did not bestow useless mercy to demons.

Even toward the fallen Shegwin, Grandfell wouldn’t have harbored any sympathy.

“Raise your sword.”

As if proving my thoughts.

Grandfell spoke with a cold voice.

Did he truly reach his limit as he said.

Shegwin straightened up his creaking body.

Then spat out a laugh.

“Is this just a bad taste?”

Grandfell didn’t answer.

Of course, even if he doesn’t answer, I know.

That to Grandfell, demons aren’t even a hobby.

They were existences not worth the effort.

Then why?

Slash

“….Kugh.”

Slash

“Ugh.”

Why is Grandfell not bringing the duel with Shegwin to a conclusion?

Yes, only I would know the answer to that profound question.

‘….It’s really a flower garden, Grandfell.’

I, Lee Ho-yeol, tainted by reality, and Grandfell are different.

I knew well how hard it is for humans to change, but Grandfell doesn’t.

Simply put, Grandfell overestimates the animal called humans way too much.

We don’t have to look far.

Here.

It was the same in the Zero Mountain Range too.

-“I will light the way, so you may chase after me as much as you want.”

Thinking that any human can regain their pride.

The course of action of jumping into the fire pit before anyone else indicates that evidence.

At each of those moments, I didn’t expect much.

As I said.

Because the tainted me knew.

It will be the same in the future.

Human hearts flip as easily as flipping a palm.

Right now they revere me as a symbol of peace and the hero of humanity, but you never know what temptation will make them turn their backs, that’s the creature called human.

Even so.

“Raise your sword.”

Grandfell believes in humans.

Even if they sold their flesh to a demon.

He does not forsake his expectations for their pride.

‘In the end, it means all the hardship is due to my karma….’

In this harsh world.

Who would sympathize with your stubbornness, Grandfell?

It would be only me.

Because of that, just as I always have.

I will struggle for you as long as I can.

As I resolve.

“….?”

I was overlooking it.

Even if there are no people.

That the system was here.

[A small change occurs due to the effect of Sublime.]

Right.

Simultaneously as the message floated up.

A change occurred.

In Shegwin.

.

.

.

His eyes slowly closed.

His body, having reached its limit, screams that it wants to rest.

Come to think of it like that.

‘….Have I ever properly rested even once.’

It was a wrong path from the start.

Why did you try so hard not to stop, not to fall over.

Whipping yourself to run thus far, Shegwin.

Don’t you think so too, Atlas.

‘It’s all over.’

Maybe I think it’s fortunate.

Wasn’t I the one who entered the wrong path and not a sword path in the first place?

Even if I went further, I would have only shown ugly steps.

I am only thankful to the man who stopped me.

Shegwin slowly closed his eyes.

‘….I will not hope for forgiveness.’

I will also not offer apologies that won’t be delivered.

I will merely embrace my sins and pay the price in Hell.

Yes, that forsaking humans.

Would be the end fitting for a demon.

Now he didn’t even have the strength left to move his body.

Not even the strength to lift his eyelids.

“….?”

Right.

Since he closed his eyes.

He shouldn’t be able to see anything.

For some reason.

He saw something.

To be precise, he saw a single path.

“If this is a kaleidoscope of memories….”

Shegwin ended up laughing.

“It really was a simple life.”

This must mean it’s the vain sword path I chose.

Indeed, that assumption seemed correct.

Because the road was so dark he couldn’t see an inch ahead.

“….”

But it was a path I had chosen.

At the same time, it was a path of no return.

It was a path I had to take responsibility and walk down.

It was the moment Shegwin was about to take a step.

Raise your sword.

“….?”

The man’s voice was heard.

Until everything is over.

Are you scolding me.

“….Well, do as you please.”

You would have the right to do so.

It was the moment Shegwin lowered his head bitterly.

For some reason, what shouldn’t be seen was seen.

The wrong sword path.

The sword of his that shouldn’t exist because of that.

Atlas was grasped in his hand.

Atlas’s voice was heard.

-You finally listen to me.

“….!!”

-Didn’t my voice go hoarse from screaming at the top of my lungs.

“….Why are you here?”

-Why do you ask the obvious?

Atlas continued speaking.

-A path with you, because that is my sword path.

Shegwin closed his mouth.

Atlas’s pulsation was transmitted from his fingertips.

Is that so.

Is that so.

You hadn’t forgotten after all.

Shegwin forcefully opened his mouth.

“….It will be a rough path.”

-Hasn’t it been rough all this time?

“You might never be able to come back.”

-What is so good that I would come back?

“….This path might be a wrong path.”

-Even so, it is fine.

“….Is that so.”

A brief silence flowed at the last words.

However, the silence did not last long.

The sword path where nothing could be seen.

“….!”

For some reason.

Because a single ray of light draped in that darkness.

That was a silver flash shining sublimely.

“Uselessly affectionate. A man like you.”

Shegwin ended up spilling a smile after all.

-I heard it’s a big trouble if you laugh while crying.

“Shut up, Atlas. Haven’t you cried as well.”

-Who said that? I am a sword. Swrods cannot cry.

“How about doing something about that nasal voice before speaking.”

-Didn’t I tell you? This is from screaming….

They moved forward on the path.

.

.

.

A flash before death.

Shegwin emitted a sword aura bluer than ever before, and then.

Closed his eyes just like that.

Embracing Atlas in his arms.

His face returning to an old man’s at some point.

A faint smile hung on his lips.

Cheers were heard in my ears.

“I believed in you, Ho-yeol-ssiiii!!”

“He won! Lee Ho-yeol beat the Sword Saint!!”

“Is this why the Legend achievement appeared?!”

“Right, if this isn’t a new legend, what is!”

Soon, messages floated up.

[You have won the duel of space-time.]

[Conditions have been met.]

[Rewards will be distributed.]