Chapter 218: Holy Sword (7)

“W-what just happened...?”

Zirukan's eyes widened as he looked at the Holy Sword in Kai’s hand.

There’s no way. I definitely stored the Holy Sword in the subspace.

Retrieving an item stored in someone else’s subspace was impossible.

Zirukan’s hands moved quickly to grasp the situation. He pulled out a sword from the subspace he opened in an instant, and compared his own Holy Sword to the one in Kai’s hand with a sharp gaze. He realized a fact that anyone with eyes would see unless they were blind.

The Holy Sword I’m holding is a fake.

The Holy Sword, which he believed to be real because it held faint holy power, turned out to be a well-made replica. Nothing more, nothing less.

... If that’s the case, this is truly a big problem.

For the first time since the battle began, cold sweat started to bead on Zirukan’s face.

I suppose I’ll have to be more cautious from now on.

Of course, Kai holding a single Holy Sword didn’t mean Zirukan’s defeat was certain. However, Zirukan felt a significant threat from the mere fact that his previously 0% chance of losing had risen to even 1%. That meant this fight, which he couldn’t afford to lose, had turned into a battle he might actually lose.

Meanwhile, Kai was observing his surroundings in frozen time.

What is this? Is this an event?

His curiosity was answered within seconds. A knight clad in shining holy armor appeared before him.

—At last, you’ve gathered all the legacies me and the predecessors have left behind.

“... Patrick!”

The knight’s identity was Patrick of Radiance. Kai vaguely remembered seeing him at the Trial of Hanox.

Patrick looked at the Holy Sword in Kai’s hand with a pleased expression.

—The legacies of the predecessors are no longer in our hands but have now been entrusted to you. Our era has ended, and yours is beginning.

“I will listen closely.”

—The path you must walk from now on will be filled not only with villains but also with remnants of the Church of Muldine and the forces of the Demon King. You could prioritize protecting your allies like the first generation, save souls like the second, or, like me, cut down all your enemies to eliminate future threats. Of course, you may also follow your own convictions as you walk your path. The choice is yours.

My beliefs, my path...

Kai stayed silent at the thought of something abstract he had never considered before.

—The Swordsmanship of the Dawn I left behind allows one to summon the Holy Sword upon reaching its peak. That will lay the foundation for the Sword of the Heart you must attain someday.

“The Sword of the Heart?”

—Slashing an opponent you truly resolve to defeat—that is the Sword of the Heart. The Holy Sword is merely a tool to draw out the sword that resides within your heart.

In other words, there was still a long way to go.

Patrick slowly turned his head toward Zirukan within the frozen time.

—It seems we don’t have much time to talk today.

“We can talk anytime in the future.”

—Indeed, anytime. But I wanted to leave you with this.

Patrick smiled radiantly at Kai, his face glowing with a bright smile that seemed to justify his title as the Radiant.

-—You’ve done well up to this point. Now, there are only a handful on the continent who can face your sword.

“I won’t let pride get the better of me.”

—That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you. Continue to strive forward and protect justice on this land.

With those words, Patrick’s figure slowly faded away. At the same time, time, which had been frozen, began to flow again.

—

Hmm?

Congratulations.

Cherantia greeted Kai, who was staring blankly at the Holy Sword. He unconsciously sensed that something about Kai had changed.

However, Kai was busy reading the messages that had appeared before him, and had no time to respond.

[

Sublime Sword of Judgment

]

Grade: Eternal Legendary

Attack Power: Fixed at 40% of Holiness stat

Strength: +50

Agility: +50

Holiness: +100

Dignity: +50

Damage dealt to Demons/Undead: +50%

Ignores durability loss.

Skill Radiant Sword available.

Can communicate with Patrick’s thoughts.

This holy sword was named Prius by Patrick of Radiance, and was used by him.

Composed of holy power, this sword carries the aura of eradicating evil and breaking curses.

*This equipment grows with its wielder.

Requirement: Level 350, Solaris Cleric class.

Durability: Infinite

This is insane.

Kai stared blankly at the item details with his mouth hung open.

The first thing that stood out was, without a doubt, its extraordinary attack power.

The sword’s attack power is fixed at 40% of the Holiness stat?

Kai’s current Holiness stat was at 1,500. However, while summoning the Holy Sword, it increased to a staggering 1,600. In other words, in his current state, the Holy Sword’s attack power exceeded 640.

Considering the Silent Longsword of Frost’s maximum attack power was 412, this is absurd.

And that 412 wasn’t the minimum but the maximum attack power. That didn’t mean the Silent Longsword of Frost was low-grade equipment. It was a Unique-grade sword with a level 315 requirement, and obtaining one wasn’t easy.

The grade of the skill to summon the Holy Sword is Legendary, but the Holy Sword itself is Eternal Legendary.

Someone possessing a Legendary-grade skill was unheard of.

As if to prove it, a flood of pending notifications poured in due to this unbelievable achievement.

Ding!

[You are the first player to acquire a Legendary skill.]

[Special title acquired: Holder of Legendary Techniques.]

[A set effect has been activated by gathering all the holy relics left by the Solaris Clerics.]

Okay, the Holder of Legendary Techniques makes sense, but... a set effect?

Kai already had so many special titles, which most people struggled to even obtain one. Moreover, the grades of all the holy relics were Eternal Legendary. It was certain that the effects would be unprecedented, making his interest overwhelmingly high.

“Check set effect.”

[

Set: Path of the Apostle

]

Effect applies when all three Apostle’s relics are equipped.

+100 to all stats.

+30% in effects of all skills consuming Holy Power.

-30% Holy Power consumption for all skills.

When a person was too shocked, even their voice failed to come out. Kai wanted to scream, but his voice got stuck somewhere and couldn’t pass through his vocal cords.

O-of course, gathering all the relics is supposed to be ridiculously hard...

According to the developers’ scenario, obtaining these relics would have been like reaching for the stars. Searching through the ruins of the eliminated demi-humans’ cities to find their remnants would just be the beginning. At times, one would have to go to war against the Church of Muldine to reclaim them piece by piece.

Even if someone went through all that trouble, seeing this set effect would make their struggles feel worth it.

Kai, who hadn’t even endured such hardships, was on the verge of tears from the overwhelming emotions. Kai also checked the effect of the Holder of Legendary Techniques title.

[Holder of Legendary Techniques

]

Rank: Special

Description: A title given to the first player to acquire a Legendary skill.

Effect: Increases the proficiency growth rate of all skills. (This effect remains even when title is unequipped.)

This is good too.

The grind for skill proficiency was something so grueling for all players. However, this title served to reduce that painful grind time. From Kai's perspective, it was an effect he could only welcome with open arms.

Now, let’s wrap things up, shall we?

As Kai subtly turned his head, Zirukan flinched under his gaze.

I-Is it possible that I’m afraid?

The overwhelming presence exuded by the novice adventurer was beyond imagination. That intensity made Zirukan’s body feel fear for a moment. However, Zirukan couldn’t bring himself to accept that fact.

I am a dark wizard blessed with the blood of Demon King Angol Moa. It’s illogical to feel fear toward a mere adventurer.

As Kai casually unleashed his power that was almost completely changed, Zirukan also gathered his full strength.

Rumble!

Dark mana surged violently from Zirukan’s entire body, thick and vivid enough that even an ordinary person could distinguish it with the naked eye.

Karundal, trapped in the iron cage and watching the scene, trembled in fear. “

Hm

... I knew he was strong, but I didn’t expect this much!”

He immediately turned to Kai, intending to warn him. However, the moment he looked at Kai, his mouth shut on its own.

I-I need to warn him, but...

Why was it that his heart that had been racing gradually began to calm just by looking at Kai? Moreover, an inexplicable trust that Kai would not lose began to grow.

“How chaotic,” Kai gave a brief evaluation as he stared at the ferocious mana Zirukan was releasing.

—That’s a very dark reaction. Even in my era, dark wizards of that level were rare.

“So, is this someone I should be cautious about?”

Cherantia quietly chuckled and replied,

—Of course not. Go and tear him apart.

“Alright.”

Kai nodded and began walking forward without hesitation. It was an ordinary stride with no trace of technique.

“

Argh!

”

Yet Zirukan felt immense pressure from that casual walk. To him, the Kai approaching now seemed no different from a grim reaper coming to claim his life.

“Just die already!”

As Zirukan’s desperate plea left his mouth, the chaotic mana around him transformed into hundreds of spears. Each spell was powerful enough to kill even high-ranking players in a single strike.

The hundreds of dark spears surged toward Kai.

Watching the attacks rushing at him, Kai instinctively muttered, “Use skill, Radiant Sword.”

At the same time, the Holy Sword in his hand—the one Patrick had once named Prius—began to shine brightly.

Is this... holy power?

The blade was enveloped in concentrated holy power. The strength it emanated was beyond ordinary holy energy.

Fwooosh!

The dark spears flying toward him lost their momentum before the Radiant Sword.

Kai walked forward like a machine, and also swung his sword like one. Each swing effortlessly sliced through the dark spears, scattering them to nothing.

At this rate...!

Feeling danger, Zirukan unleashed every spell that he could.

“Darkness Fog!”

“Hellfire!”

Countless spells were unleashed toward Kai. Among them were spells he recognized and others he had never seen before. However, they all shared one common trait. They all equally vanished equally before the Holy Sword.

“

Ugh!

”

In the end, Zirukan’s final, desperate choice was none other than taking a hostage.

“S-stop.” Zirukan extended his left hand toward the iron cage holding Karundal. “If you take one more step, the cage will turn into spikes and tear that dwarf to shreds.”

Kai stopped in his tracks and silently stared at Zirukan.

The emotion Zirukan felt at that moment was none other than emptiness.

Is this how fleeting individual strength is supposed to be?

Just moments ago, Zirukan had boasted his overwhelming power, seemingly fearless of anything. Yet, the moment the Holy Sword appeared, his power truly came into light.

Strength is always relative.

No matter how powerful one was, if the opponent was stronger, then the other became the weakling.

Kai showed a bitter smile as he lowered his sword, looking at the pathetic fall of a once-mighty enemy.

Zirukan mistook this for acceptance, and a glimmer of hope sparkled in his eyes.

Good. If I just keep my distance and retreat...

The adventurer would be exhausted by now. If he regrouped with his allies and launched a counterattack, he could surely kill him next time. This wasn’t a retreat—it was a strategic withdrawal.

Zirukan discreetly began casting a teleportation spell with his right hand.

—Are you just going to watch?

“No.”

Kai slowly shook his head and gripped the sword hilt tightly.

“Don’t you dare move—”

Sensing danger, Zirukan tried to warn him, but he quickly realized his voice wouldn’t come out.

W-when did...?

Slash!

Zirukan felt a rush of dizziness as he stared at the blood gushing like a fountain from his neck. He had no idea when Kai had approached and slashed his neck; he hadn’t even seen or sensed Kai’s movements.

“Well then, goodbye.”

Kai gripped the Holy Sword with both hands and plunged it into Zirukan’s heart.

“

Kugh...!

”

As the holy power spread throughout his body, Zirukan felt his consciousness fading.

Th-this can’t be...

He couldn’t believe that he, the one who once struck fear across the continent, was meeting his end at the hands of a rookie adventurer. Yet, even as death approached, he smiled.

The Church of Muldine... They’ll face a formidable opponent.

The only regret he had was not being able to witness that amusing sight himself.

With his waning consciousness, Zirukan slowly closed his eyes.

I’m heading off first, Demon King.

And his eyes never opened again.