Reset Life – Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Oh Yeah? Then Bring It On! (7)

“What? Y-You!”

“Shall we continue?!”

I didn’t want to show it in front of Father, but I’ll show you what I’ve learned from the person called the Sword King!

I quickly closed the distance with the guy who was adjusting his stance. Before he could even thrust his spear, I got inside his range and swung my sword to the right.

Wheezing!

Cutting through the air, he jumped back. The distance he jumped back was a whopping 3 meters. However, I didn’t panic and closed the distance again. In a fight between a spear and a sword, the one who controls the distance wins.

“Take this!”

Shhh-shhh-shhhk!

Seeing the spear thrusting consecutively, I first stepped in a tangled way. Focusing all my strength on my ankles, I create a swaying movement while preventing myself from falling.

Shick! Shh-shhk!

The spear pierced the air. Every time it pierced through the spot where I was, the air screamed. I was dodging the spear, moving my body smoothly within its reach.

You said to meet strength with softness, Levidian.

It was only three days, but I was able to grasp the basics of Stream Cloud. Moving gently like flowing clouds, hiding the two swords, lightning and thunder, within it.

“Hey!”

Whi-whi-whi-wheezing!

Thinking that thrusting wouldn’t work, Pilledvan controlled the space by drawing a circle with his flexible spear. And that was the moment I was waiting for.

Like a shooting lightning bolt.

“Cha-aat!”

“Huh-what?!”

When the spear started to draw a circle, I immediately jumped forward and thrust my sword. The sword, aimed at his neck, should have stopped right in front of him and subdued him, but he dodged it.

Cha-ak!

Although it was blunt, with enough force and speed, it could still cut skin. The sword grazed his cheek and passed, and I ended up standing behind him with my back turned.

“You bastard!”

“Don’t even think about it!”

Whooong!

I deflected the spear swung like an axe with my sword, striking it from below.

Pa-ang!

The spear flew high into the sky. I gripped the sword in my right hand, pulled it back with all my might, lowered my stance, and dashed into the small opening created by the raised spear.

Although it’s still underdeveloped, I can project at least three illusions!

Whi-whi-wheeeng!

As if testing my body’s flexibility to the limit, my sword was swung at angles that seemed impossible for my body to move. If I master it completely, nine swords would appear to dance, hence the name Dance of Nine Swords. This is about one-third of what I can do.

“Hiiik!”

Ta-da-dang!

With a frightened face, he still managed to block the attack that was piercing in three directions by swinging his spear. It’s inevitable since there’s a time lag as it’s done by a human. However, he was clearly scared.

“Hyaaah!”

“Uwaaa-!”

The sword swung up as if striking his shoulder. However, Pilledvan, flustered and swinging his spear, exposed his empty side.

Poo-eok!

“Kuh-eok!”

Thud! Thump.

I think I rolled on the ground at least three times. Ugh! I think a few ribs are broken, and there’s a strange feeling as if my insides are completely crumpled.

“Ugh! Uck!”

It hurts……I feel like I’m going to vomit. But this much is……What Levidian did was more painful!

“Haaaah!”

Forget the pain. Charge relentlessly.

Taeng! Spear! Cha-ang!

The clash of spear and sword.

Cutting through the countless rays of light thrusting towards me, thunder and lightning roared. Even though I was losing in strength, I never retreated, and I kept swinging my sword, slowly advancing forward.

I can never win by dodging. I have to go forward and bring him into my range.

Pa-kang! Ta-ang! Spear!

That damn spear shaft, doesn’t it break? No matter how I look at it, it’s made of wood. I gritted my teeth and deflected the spear shaft and blade. If I counterattacked directly, I would be pushed back. So, I manipulated the trajectory of the spear shaft by adjusting the force.

Chwa-ak!

“Kook……!”

The spear blade grazed my right upper arm, leaving a sharp wound. A tingling sensation spread, and my blood stained the blade.

Yes. Take as much as you want. I will take the victory.

In this duel, the one who endures wins. I don’t know how Artshever enhanced Pilledvan’s strength, but there must be a limit to his stamina. It’s strange that he’s using tricks in a place where magic and divine power are completely excluded, but even so, there will be a limit.

“Iyaaaa-!”

“Haaaah-!”

With a loud shout, Pilledvan and I rushed at each other, unleashing all our techniques as if we were spitting them out.

30 minutes passed.

“How about surrendering now……, hoo!”

“That’s……what you should be saying, kook, huff……”

Pilledvan was only slightly out of breath, standing triumphantly.

The only wounds he had were a cut on his face and bruises on his legs and stomach. Despite the long exchange of attacks, his strength and the distance it carried were like an impenetrable wall.

On the other hand, I was in a miserable state.

Blood was still trickling down both sides of my face, and my arms and legs were covered in wounds that looked like they had been torn apart. The most fatal wound was the one on my side from a while ago.

The spear, imbued with brute force, pierced through my armor and embedded half of its blade into my side.

Blood dripped down even when I just stood still. People were starting to show expressions that the tide had turned. If this continued for a little longer, the Emperor would declare my defeat as the judge.

“Hmph, you look pathetic. Do you desire defeat that much?”

Pilledvan said with an arrogant expression. In contrast, blood was gushing out of my side. The only reason the Emperor didn’t stop the duel was because I stopped him.

Let me fight until I’m satisfied, for the sake of my honor.

That was my request. And what I bet on was that if I got three more wounds, he could stop the duel.

Since then, I’ve gotten two more wounds.

This is my last chance.

“Defeat……is not a word prepared for me.”

I gritted my teeth, grabbed my sword with both hands, and glared at Pilledvan. I was a fool to think it would be easy. Artshever, for some reason, seemed to want me to lose.

That’s what makes me the angriest.

I’m tired of being forced to face something against my will.

I’m sick of situations I can’t control.

“Humph! How arrogant! Fine! I’ll end it with this!”

Pilledvan spun his spear vigorously and thrust it towards me. However, the tip was trembling surprisingly compared to the beginning. His arms and legs were shaking as if screaming in pain.

He wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer. That’s why he’s trying to rush the conclusion. Of course, it’s because victory is within reach.

In the end, both second sons of the Duke’s family are reaching their limits. The reason this could have ended quickly but has been dragged on for so long is, of course, due to the machinations of one being.

Artshever……!

Grit.

I clenched my molars and suppressed the rage in my chest. I had roughly guessed it from the moment I first heard his name.

Now I’m certain.

He is my ‘enemy’.

There can be no goodwill or favor in the things he does, at least in the things directed towards me.

This is not a conclusion drawn from experience or a deduction from reasoning.

It’s just a feeling. The feeling wriggling in the deepest part of my being, the feeling I trust the most, was telling me so.

I opened my eyes that had been closed for a moment. In front of me was the obstacle prepared by the enemy my instincts had identified.

I said.

“Here I come.”

“Ha! Try to struggle!”

Holding my sword horizontally at the height of my right shoulder, I slowly took two steps. Then, I increased my speed and took three steps, and beyond that, I sprinted with all my might.

I ran.

Pilledvan smirked and shouted.

“This is the end-!”

Countless thrusts, imbued with a powerful force that would make even a demon flee in terror, began. And it was endless.

Pa-ba-ba-bak!

“Haaaaaaa……!”

I lowered my center of gravity and slowly crossed my legs. With a swaying body, I dodged dozens of spearheads and threw myself into that enormous force.

The spear pierced past my head, back, arms, and various parts of my body, confining me like a cage. If I made even the slightest mistake, it wouldn’t be strange if a hole appeared in my body.

But there were no wounds. Because I thought this was my last chance, I was throwing myself forward with all my might.

“Eek?!”

His momentum, which had been gradually pushing back while thrusting, slightly waned. I took a big step forward, and with that, I entered within half the length of his spear.

With this, I’ve won……!

“Cha-aat!”

Pilledvan threw his spear back as if throwing it away. And after pulling the spear back halfway, he firmly gripped the shaft and thrust the remaining half towards me.

Kwaaaa-!

The air scattered, screaming as if begging him to stop. Amidst the desperate sound of air tearing, I quickly racked my brain.

What should I do? Dodge?

Judgments flashed through my mind.

The spearhead was approaching me. There was no time to hesitate or step back to regroup.

I focused all my attention on the tip of the spearhead. With the feeling of looking at the most important thing in the world, I only watched where the tip of the spear would be directed.

The spear was thrusting towards the upper part of my left armpit.

Then……! I’ll give you one wound! Give me victory!

Kwa-jee-jeuk!

“Uwaaaa-!”

Between my left shoulder and chest, between the bones, the spear blade dug in, tearing through my muscles. Sparks flew in my head, and excruciating pain shot through my heart and brain. But I couldn’t stop here.

“Aaaa-!”

Even while screaming, a scream filled with pain, I pushed my body forward. The spear blade pierced through my shoulder blade, and a cool sensation spread.

Cool?

Indeed, it was. Because at the end of the smooth spear shaft embedded in my shoulder was Pilledvan.

I threw my body forward. Even if the spear embedded in my shoulder tore through muscles and scraped bone, I didn’t care.

It was white-hot. The world flickered.

Putting my soul into each step, I moved forward.

Ji-ji-ji-jik-!

Fire erupted from my shoulder. It burned like heated metal sizzling. Using that as momentum, I took three steps forward, the world appearing and disappearing, offering up my soul.

And there……was Pilledvan.

“Uh, uwaaah?!”

“Got you-!”

With the spear half embedded in my shoulder, I knocked him down and pressed my sword against his neck.

“Kuh-eok……!”

I could see the blunt blade pressing dully against his neck.

Pilledvan, pale as a sheet, trembled his lips and looked at me. Mounted on top of him, I could see my demonic expression reflected in his eyes.

At this moment, I truly harbored killing intent.

Thud. Thud-thud-thud.

The blood that had flowed down the spear shaft slowly dripped to the ground.

There was no other sound besides that. I continued to press the sword against his neck and said.

“Now, say it. Surrender.”

“Ah, uh……! Aaah……! Uh……! Kuk!”

“Say it!”

“Su, surrender! I surrender! Kugh!”

Only after hearing those words did I release the sword.

“Haa……”

I slowly got up from his body. The spear shaft shook, and sparks flew before my eyes again. But I couldn’t collapse yet.

I turned to the Emperor. The Emperor and most of his aides were also pale, having watched the duel to the very end. I smiled faintly and knelt on one knee before the Emperor.

“Your Imperial Majesty, the duel is over.”

“Huh? Ah, aaah……! Th, that’s right. Hmm!”

The Emperor, trying his best to maintain a dignified expression, announced the end of the duel.

“I hereby declare that Arisein Pen Herduke, the second son of Duke Ecaledon Uck Herduke of Orknesia, has won the duel against Pilledvan Salain, the second son of Duke Mujaindos Uck Salain of Narvilt. Arisein Pen Herduke has honorably defended the burden he carried, the honor of his family, and his lady. The Salain family must make appropriate compensation for the honor they have insulted. This is my recommendation.”

“Your grace is boundless, Your Imperial Majesty.”

I gritted my teeth and spoke with dignity until the very end of the duel. And only then did my observers run towards me.

“My dear, are you alright?”

“Risel, please hold on! Healer, healer, quickly heal him!”

“Wait! Don’t lose consciousness!”

I turned my head and saw the spearhead, wrapped in blood, piercing through my shoulder and protruding like a wing. A drop of blood dripped from the tip, reflecting the sunlight.

The moment that drop of blood hit the ground, I lost consciousness.

Sorry, Aila. I can’t do as you said. Haha……

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