Chapter 216: Holy Sword (5)

The Solarian Self skill only used 70% of the original body’s stats.

It’s a shame. The level difference is too great, so the effect of Oblivion has been reduced this much.

If Kai struck Zirukan with the Sword of Oblivion himself, the result wouldn’t have been a mere ten seconds of effect. It would be a lie to say Kai felt no regret, but he smiled nonetheless.

Well, ten seconds is more than enough.

In combat, ten seconds was like a magical window for a warrior. A precious period where they could accomplish anything.

Of course, I’m a Cleric.

But that didn’t make a difference. With the effects of his various titles and Cherantia’s Body, Kai’s Strength stat now exceeded 1,700. The thighs of this monstrous cleric swelled as if they were about to burst.

“...Oh no. I hate making a mess,” Zirukan said.

As if he already knew exactly what was about to happen, Zirukan wore a resigned smile, as Kai’s fist slammed into his face.

Boom!

In the blink of an eye, Zirukan was sent flying into the opposite wall of the boss room. But this was only the beginning. Kai was far from satisfied with just one attack.

9.4 seconds left.

Shh-clink.

Multiple Holy Chains shot out from Kai’s left sleeve, wrapping tightly around Zirukan’s body.

“

Hrgh!

”

As Kai pulled his left arm back, Zirukan's body was dragged like a kite caught on a string. Timing it perfectly, Kai’s knee shot upward, aiming directly for Zirukan’s abdomen!

Crack!

Kai’s knee strike hit with such force that Zirukan had no chance to scream, and his body was sent flying toward the high ceiling. Of course, he wasn’t given the freedom to writhe in pain.

As Zirukan's body moved a certain distance away, the Holy Chains tightened. Kai pulled the chains once more, and as Zirukan came hurtling down, he drove a straight right punch directly into his face.

Thud!

Zirukan’s body rebounded off the floor like a spring before Kai landed another kick to his midsection.

Bam! Crunch! Crack!

As if replaying the same video on a loop, similar actions were repeated over and over. Kai's relentless attacks turned Zirukan’s entire body into a mess.

With a Strength stat exceeding 1700, Kai’s fists and feet had become unmatched weapons on their own.

One second left.

Now, it was time to deal a truly fatal blow.

Pulling hard on the chains, Kai watched Zirukan fly toward him, and murmured, “Upgrade Final Attack, Solar Field, Flood of Blades.”

[Final Attack has been enhanced by the Upgrade skill.]

[Final Attack’s damage increases by 50%.]

[Solar Field has been enhanced by the Upgrade skill.]

[Solar Field’s stat boost increases by 15, and its area expands.]

[Flood of Blades has been enhanced by the Upgrade skill.]

[Flood of Blade’s rotation speed increases, and its damage is boosted by 100%.]

The messages cluttered Kai's vision, but his gaze remained firmly locked on Zirukan.

“Flood of Blades!”

Whooom!

Zirukan, struck by Kai’s longsword imbued with rotational force, was sent flying into the distance. Then Kai immediately activated other skills, aiming at the airborne Zirukan.

“Chasing Light Arrows, Holy Explosion!”

Boom!

As the hundreds of Light Arrows and two Holy Explosions struck Zirukan, Kai was certain of his victory.

He’s a dark wizard with naturally low defense. After ten seconds of nonstop attacks, his health must be gone.

Looking at Zirukan’s collapsed form in the distance, Kai swung his sword habitually to shake off the blood. However, that action made his expression harden.

“Wait, there’s no blood?”

There was no blood on the blade. Alarmed, Kai turned his gaze toward Zirukan. The first thing he checked was Zirukan’s health.

[Remaining HP: 100%]

“Th-that’s impossible.”

Kai shook his head as if trying to deny reality. He had relentlessly pummeled Zirukan during the magical ten seconds.

And yet, no damage at all?

Even Lucifer, with his incredibly high defense, wasn’t this resilient. And there was no way a dark wizard could possibly possess such defense. Especially when Final Attack and other strikes dealt defense-ignoring damage.

“

Phew

... This is why I said I dislike making a mess,” Zirukan said, shaking his head.

He slowly stood up, covered in dust from being smashed against walls, the ceiling, and the floor. Yet, there wasn’t a single sign of injury on his body.

“To be honest, I’m impressed. I didn’t expect you to have prepared something so interesting in that situation.”

“... How?” Kai asked in a trembling voice, still unable to understand what had happened.

Zirukan shrugged casually. “Sorry, but I’m not a failed creation like Lucifer. I have fully embraced the power of the Demon King’s hellfire. Your holy power is impressive, but it’s not enough to harm me.”

—He’s right.

Cherantia, who had been silently observing the battle, agreed with Zirukan’s words.

“No way. I’m a Solaris Cleric, and yet, I can’t even hurt him? Is that even possible...?”

—It’s possible. Those who inherit even a fragment of the Demon King’s power are like that. And dealing with such beings has always been part of a Solaris Cleric’s duties.

“You don’t mean...?”

—Yes. One of the Apostle’s tasks is to erase them from this world since they cannot be defeated by ordinary means.

“That doesn’t make sense. If I can’t even scratch him, how am I supposed to defeat him?”

—

Haa

... That’s something only time and experience will teach you. Unfortunately, you’ve encountered such a being far too early.

In other words, there was no way for Kai to win at his current level, no matter what he did.

“So you’re telling me to just die here?”

—If you can escape, do so. That’s the best you can do right now.

When even Cherantia spoke with such pessimism, the result was obvious.

Damn it, but...

Karundal was currently held hostage. Of course, Kai could use his Shadow Shift skill to escape alone whenever he wanted, but...

“Run!” Karundal’s voice suddenly pierced through Kai’s contemplation like lightning. "A capable adventurer like you must have something prepared for this. Don’t worry about me, and just get out of here."

“Karundal...”

"I’ve lived long enough and enjoyed all that life has to offer. Thanks to you, my greatest recent worry—the safety of my clan—has been eased. I have no more regrets left in life."

A faint smile appeared on Karundal’s lips.

Foolish old man.

It was clear he was trying to ease Kai’s burden with that smile, but it didn’t fool Kai’s keen eyes.

His lips are trembling while saying so.

Even an elder like Karundal was still a person, and it was only natural to fear the unknown realm of death.

“How am I supposed to run in this situation?”

Karundal’s words to abandon him only solidified Kai’s resolve.

I’ll take down Zirukan and leave this place with Karundal.

Zirukan tilted his head, curious at the determination on Kai’s face. “I wasn’t going to let you escape easily, but... that expression tells me you’re not planning to run at all.”

“That’s right. I’m going to defeat you and leave here with Karundal.”

“

Pfft!

” Zirukan burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking as he chuckled. “At your current level, that’s impossible.

Ah!

But there might be a way.”

As Zirukan snapped his fingers, a subspace formed in midair and produced a single sword. The weapon was characterized by its pure white blade, as elegant as a noble egret.

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

“If you attack me with this Holy Sword, you might deal significant damage.”

“...That’s the Holy Sword?”

Kai turned to Karundal, seeking confirmation.

Karundal lowered his head with a deeply somber expression. “When the Death Dragon and its army of monsters invaded Ingart, he stole the Holy Sword from the royal treasury himself.”

In other words, it was indeed the Holy Sword.

“

Oh,

how I miss Helik right now.”

It was Kai’s way of saying the situation was absolutely terrible. To make matters worse, in the next moment, the Holy Sword vanished from sight.

“I’m not a fan of gambling. I’ll store the Holy Sword safely in my subspace,” Zirukan said.

“That’s unfair...”

It was essentially Zirukan’s declaration that he intended to eliminate any chance of his defeat.

No matter what skill I use, I can’t harm Zirukan.

Kai had already tried everything—Holy Explosion, Chasing Light Arrows, even defense-ignoring physical attacks. But none of it worked.

The realization brought only one thought to Kai’s mind.

Am I really going to die this time?

Thoughts of XP loss and penalties from dying floated around in his mind. The idea of escaping alone also briefly crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

“Well then, let’s get rid of the annoying ones first, shall we?”

Zirukan casually beheaded the Kai’s doppelganger, which had been standing idly by. Even though it was just a clone, its abrupt death was dispiriting. Kai couldn’t help but feel gloomy as if he was staring at his own imminent fate.

—Don’t be fooled.

Cherantia suddenly said.

“What do you mean?”

—The Holy Sword. When I spoke with Patrick at the edge of the heavens, I asked him to show me what the Holy Sword looked like out of curiosity. But he only told me something.

“What did he say?”

—He said he couldn’t show it to me because he had already entrusted it to you.

As Cherantia spoke in such a confident tone, Kai instinctively began sifting through his memories.

Patrick already entrusted the Holy Sword to me?

Without a doubt, no such thing had ever happened.

Kai shook his head. “No, Patrick must have been mistaken. I never received it. And Zirukan has it right now.

—No, Patrick clearly said he passed the Holy Sword on to you.

“But that doesn’t make any sense.”

The Holy Sword was currently stored in Zirukan’s subspace. Unless there were two Holy Swords, there was no reason Kai would possess one.

No, even if there were two, I haven’t received anything.

Kai couldn’t help but wonder if Patrick had perhaps developed some kind of memory issue.

“Well, since the nuisance is gone, shall we start again?” Zirukan, clearly enjoying the situation, extended his hand.

As darkness began swirling toward Zirukan’s grasp, Cherantia abruptly continued,

—I don’t know how Patrick passed the Holy Sword on to you, but he also said that only the one who has inherited everything from him can wield it.

“The one who inherited everything?”

There were only a few things Kai had inherited from Patrick.

They’re all things I learned at the Training Grounds of the Dawn.

The training ground was Patrick’s final creation, meant to pass on his teachings before his death. Kai had learned two major things there.

The Supernova skill, and... the Swordsmanship of the Dawn technique.

He wondered what connection those teachings would have to wielding the Holy Sword, but before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, a wave of darkness engulfed him.