Chapter 548: 548

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. He’s 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 can’t. It’s better to avoid the former once seen. For the latter, it’s 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. That’s how it is.

And, Howgrey is terrifyingly sharp at reading those movements. Naturally, I won’t get through his defence by relying on my strength. It’s 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, there’s a high chance that he’ll get past using inexplicable movements even if I go to great lengths to chase him down, but if I don’t take things that far at the very least, it won’t be much of a fight. If I don’t use reasoning and logic, my blade won’t 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 he’s 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 we’re squaring off against each other directly, it seems that an attack will only appear from outside my perception. I can’t accept that he should be slower than me in movement speed itself.

“Kuh…!”

To receive Howgrey’s sword skill, I pull the sword’s blade backwards in order to defend. [Destruction God Doldia] is a thin blade, but it is by no means frail. It’s 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 Howgrey’s stats, if I can twist my body before he can complete his swing, it won’t become a serious injury. That short sword doesn’t seem to have a blade with a terrific sharpness, either.

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

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I swing my body away and twist, kicking at the ground. I tumble over once. The second slash doesn’t 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 wasn’t 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.”

Seeing Howgrey’s reaction, sure enough, he’s convinced that I didn’t avoid his attack out of pure coincidence. That’s right… I don’t understand the inner workings of Howgrey’s second slash, but I’ve 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. It’s completely incomprehensible, but that’s the only way to describe it.

I’m 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 I’m 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, it’s not at all simple to pull through even if I understand it, and it’ll be my loss if I receive just one of those, but… that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to be dealt with.

“…Including nonhumans, you’re the first. To think there is one who is able to avoid such an attack from me. It’s truly regrettable, [Dragon Hunter] Volk, that I must end your life here.”

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

“Hmph… even if it’s coming from the [Ascetic] purported to be the strongest swordsman, it’s 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. It’ll be fine. I can avoid that slash. If I seal just that, it’s even possible to drag this out into a battle of attrition. At least, I won’t hit the ground from just a single blow.

“You’re blessed with talent leagues above people like me. That’s 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. It’s been decades since I’ve 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. Don’t tell me… That sword technique’s actual form is… No, there’s no way such a thing is possible.

I shake off the thoughts surfacing in my mind. If I get controlled by worthless delusions, I’ll 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. You’re undoubtedly a genius above me in all respects. Only, you’re much too young to be standing in front of me.”

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