Ch 166
What is a Swordsmanship Contest.
‘What is it, really.’
It was still an unfamiliar world to Lisir.
Even while engaging in the Swordsmanship Contest, he wasn’t sure if he properly understood the significance or Rules of the Swordsmanship Contest.
It was the first dilemma he faced in that state.
‘How do you start a Swordsmanship Contest?’
In a real battle, the moment combat begins, all the factors that make up the surroundings are included in the scope of the combat.
The Distance between each other. Each other’s condition. Awareness of each other. Thought. The rhythm of Breath. Even trivial Habits.
The Klana Style that Lisir handles is a Surprise Attack swordsmanship that considers all of that to create the optimal gap and then exploits it.
Of course, it is the Murderer’s Sword that possessed outstanding Rank even among Superhumans. That Nuance wouldn’t be limited to the act of Surprise Attack, but-
The undeniable truth was that the most skillful thing the current Lisir could handle was the “Breath Step,” a one-Strike kill that made use of one aspect of the Surprise Attack swordsmanship.
Because that was the best way to utilize the uniqueness he possessed.
Therefore.
The moment the Swordsmanship Contest began, Lisir began to consider all the factors as he would in a real battle.
‘If the Swordsmanship Contest has already started, what is the Distance between each other? Which hand is holding the Sword? Which is the leading foot, the left or right, and where is the center of gravity located-‘
In the midst of that, Lisir gained one Realization.
‘There’s no end to it.’
This would not be the Right Path approach to engaging in a Swordsmanship Contest.
Swordsmanship Contest. Discuss Swordsmanship and compete to determine superiority.
The words are grand, but in the end, its essence lies in an argument.
Lisir knew.
How childish this animal called ‘Human’ becomes when arguing about ‘strength’.
‘Tiger vs. Bear’ was a difficult problem that I carried with me throughout my Past Life.
And ‘Dragon vs. Giant’ is also a difficult problem that I will carry with me throughout my current life.
Two people with different opinions are arguing about that topic?
You can assume that two winners and two losers are born at that moment.
I’m right.
No, I’m right.
In the end, its essence is an argument.
If I put my mind to it, I can definitely win, and if I put my mind to it, I can definitely not lose.
Perhaps the Swordsmanship Contest is the same?
In that way, Lisir reached one conclusion.
‘Maybe it’s right not to worry about such trivial things like the Distance between each other?’
This is different from real combat, where the outcome changes due to subtle small differences and minute details.
If you want to secure a certain victory, you must inflict an overwhelming defeat so that the opponent cannot make any excuses.
An ordinary argument-
No.
It wouldn’t have been easy if it were a Swordsmanship Contest-
Lisir succeeded in discovering the solution.
The key was in the part that the Spirit said, ‘the same 6th Rank’.
Perfectly equal power.
The most basic element that establishes a Swordsmanship Contest.
‘Attacking that is the same as attacking the Swordsmanship Contest…!’
An unprecedented approach in the history of Swordsmanship Contests.
A groundbreaking strategy using a move achieved through that!
I.
7th Rank.
Table sharing. Trouble.
Lisir looked at the Chest with a triumphant Presence.
Now. What are you going to do?
‘I’m 7th Rank, and you’re 6th Rank, so what are you going to do?’
It is not easy to overturn the difference in Rank in a Swordsmanship Contest that purely competes in Skill while excluding all factors.
Rather, it may be easier to overturn the difference in Rank in real combat, where there are many Variables and factors.
In other words.
Lisir was, in fact, certain of his victory.
-Are you serious?
The Chest asked in a trembling Voice.
“Are you afraid?”
-Insane bastard…
The Spirit guarding the Chest was trying to maintain Composure even in this Situation.
In fact, it wasn’t a very unusual case.
It happened occasionally.
Like the Insane Man in front of him, a childish madman trying to run wild on top of the Rules of the Swordsmanship Contest.
Dealing with such people was surprisingly simple.
Childish stubbornness that has no basis is bound to be full of errors and contradictions.
All you had to do was exploit that in reverse.
Like a Sword made of paper.
Only the outside is flashy ━ the inside is empty and will be cut off as soon as it collides.
-You’re going to raise your power’s Rank to 7th Rank… Shall we hear the principle behind that?
“First, I overload Magical Power with Resonance, then trap it and hold it inside my body.”
The Spirit realized that this opponent had extraordinary Talent.
-Insane bastard…
It was a Talent that made those words come out of his mouth every time he spoke.
‘Looking at him, he seems to have handled a Sword quite a bit, but he’s calmly spouting such nonsense.’
At that level, it wasn’t childish stubbornness, but madness.
The Spirit was certain.
He was the type of guy who wouldn’t even blink an eye when the battle started and would throw Sand in his opponent’s eyes.
Separately.
The Spirit was already looking at the end of that stubbornness.
He was looking forward to another victory.
Did he know?
That he had already driven himself to self-destruction in the Swordsmanship Contest?
-It’s over.
“What?”
-It’s your defeat.
“…Suddenly?”
-It’s not sudden. You just said it yourself. That you trap and hold the overloaded Magical Power inside your body. Congratulations. Your power’s Rank has temporarily increased. But, as a Price, your body has experienced Overload. You are not in a state to continue the Combat. Therefore, it is your defeat.
“Ah. Wait a minute.”
-What else is there?
“I told you at the beginning. That I would combine Resonance and Blue Breath. I will strengthen my body with Blue Breath to endure it, and furthermore, while enduring it, I will control the flow of that Mana as much as possible with Resonance. In that way, I will minimize the Influence of the Overload.”
-I’m going crazy. You. Have you ever done a Swordsmanship Contest?
“No. This is my first time.”
-Yes. I figured. It looks like that to anyone. First of all… Let’s put aside the fact that you’re suddenly talking about Blue Breath in a Swordsmanship Contest.
Haa.
The Spirit sighed.
As if he had a lot to say, but he would stop here for now.
-But, if I’ve conceded that much, shouldn’t you at least do just one thing?
“One thing?”
-Decide for sure whether you’re engaging as a Wizard or as a Swordsman.
“Of course I’m a Swordsman, right? It’s a Swordsmanship Contest. Since it’s a Swordsmanship Contest, I’m only going to use a Sword for now.”
-Only use a Sword since it’s a Swordsmanship Contest. What nonsense. Are you saying that if it wasn’t a Swordsmanship Contest, you would handle both Sword and Magic? From the beginning. To control Magical Power overloaded in the manner of a Wizard with Blue Breath. Do you think that’s even possible?
Before he knew it, the Spirit’s tone had become friendly.
It was like a skilled person kindly explaining the Rules of the game to a beginner.
“Ah.”
Was it because that Spirit’s sincerity was conveyed?
He nodded, saying that he understood.
And words of Understanding-
“It’s surprisingly possible.”
-Ah.
The Spirit let out a sigh as if his Soul was leaving his body.
Who is the strongest opponent you can encounter in a Swordsmanship Contest?
A Swordsman of the century. Sword Master?
No.
It was a Stubbornness.
No? Is.
It works? Is.
It could be said to be the strongest Swordsmanship in a Swordsmanship Contest.
If the opponent used that Swordsmanship, there was nothing that could be done from the opposite side.
Other than using that Swordsmanship in the same way.
“I’ll show you once… No, wait, is that okay in a Swordsmanship Contest?”
-That’s enough.
I’ve already conceded enough.
The Spirit no longer intended to accommodate him.
-You said that you would raise your Magical Power’s Rank by combining Resonance and Blue Breath?
“Yes.”
-I will respond in the same way.
“…!”
The Spirit’s counter-stubbornness.
Lisir widened his eyes.
The Spirit felt a sense of pleasure at his reaction.
As expected.
There is nothing as effective as empathy for those kinds of guys.
The Spirit could clearly see his reaction that would follow.
‘He’ll come back with a counterattack, saying how can we come to a conclusion if we’re being stubborn like that.’
It was the Orthodox Method of childish stubborn people.
In that way.
It was the moment when the Spirit completely lost Interest in him, saying that there was nothing more to deal with.
“You too… is that possible?”
Lisir, genuinely surprised.
He asked seriously, his eyes shining with Interest.
-…
What kind of move is this again?
When a reaction that was completely contrary to expectations came back, the Spirit fell into Confusion again.
‘Is it possible.’
The Spirit could no longer tell.
Whether this Man Lisir was stubborn and lowly, or a little lacking but kind at Heart.
“To think there would be another person who could do that… Well, it wouldn’t be strange if there was…”
Lisir’s eyes contained a different light.
Kin.
Or the eyes of a Man who had met a rival.
He, who had been indifferent to the act of Swordsmanship Contest, belatedly ignited his enthusiasm.
“Okay, then is it my turn now.”
Just in case.
Instead of directly mentioning the Murderer’s Sword ━ that name, Lisir explained that unique Surprise Attack swordsmanship in words.
A Spirit Sword that creates a blank space in perception as a Breath Step containing the Nuance of acceleration and Deception, and then exploits that space,
-Is it a swordsmanship that does not have a systematic form or style?
“Yes.”
-I’m saying this for your own good. You cannot aim for a high Realm with such an informal swordsmanship that relies on Sensation.
“…Is that so?”
-Well, anyway-
The Spirit’s response that followed.
He saw through the loophole in Lisir’s move.
-Step back. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going… That’s far enough.
Lisir, who had moved away from the table where the Chest was placed according to the Spirit’s instructions.
The Spirit, who had estimated that Distance, said.
-This must be the Distance you usually prefer.
“…Oh.”
It was a pretty accurate estimate.
“How did you know?”
-You approach while deceiving the opponent’s Sensation. To make the most of the Nuance contained in your Breath Step, it shouldn’t be too far or too close.
Lisir felt pure amazement.
‘He wasn’t just discussing the Swordsmanship Contest carelessly.’
In that way, the Spirit, who had reviewed Lisir’s move while maintaining the Distance, said.
-Usually. It seems you’ve only been dealing with Swordsmen who are far below your level. It seems that this Improvised Method has worked. It is impossible to completely deceive my perception at this Distance. Even if you completely deceived my perception for a brief moment ━ that wouldn’t buy you enough time. Your Sword will not reach me by a hair’s breadth.
“What if I make up for that insufficient gap with Sword Qi?”
I thought he was finally discussing Swordsmanship seriously, but here we go again.
The Spirit lamented inwardly.
Blue Breath comes out while discussing the Swordsmanship of the 6th Rank, and Sword Qi comes out-
It was a mess like no other.
The Spirit rebuked himself for having been serious for a moment and said it as if spitting it out.
That he would interfere with his actions with Magic that he had prepared in advance.
“Huh? Magic in a Swordsmanship Contest?”
-You used Blue Breath first.
“Ah, I guess so.”
He’s readily accepting that again.
He even has a spirited Smile, as if he’s excited.
“This is fun? It’s my first time having this kind of battle, even if it’s just in words.”
-It’s the same for me. This kind of… Anything goes, that is.
“Anything goes, huh ━ that sounds good? Okay. Then, why don’t we take this opportunity to take out all the cards we have and have a proper fight?”
-Okay. Do as you please.
Let’s see how far you go.
The Spirit said indifferently with that kind of feeling.
“You have a lot of Composure? I’m getting more and more curious about what’s inside that Chest.”
Lisir admired.
He judged the Spirit’s Attitude as ‘Composure’.
Lisir’s next move that followed.
He attempted to seize Dominance of the Magic that was interfering with his actions.
The Spirit announced the failure of that seizure and at the same time, launched a Surprise Attack on Lisir with a Hidden Weapon.
“Oh. A Surprise Attack with a Hidden Weapon. I think we have something in common?”
Lisir, who was excited, acknowledged his Surprise Attack-
And healed the resulting wound with Divine Power.
-Even though I’ve set the stage. You’re really going all the way. Now you’re even using Divine Power.
It didn’t even end there.
After Divine Power, Wind Magic and Fire Magic were unleashed at the same time.
It was the art of Wizards who were born with some innate Talent, called Multiple Attributes.
-Ah. You’re not just able to use Magic, you’re a skilled person?
Next, while a Sandstorm confused the Sensation, an unquenchable flame stuck to him-
At the end, Spirits appeared and began to support him.
-I’m going crazy.
Now he was feeling Awe at his audacity and imagination.
Wouldn’t a child’s fantasy be less absurd than that?
The Spirit, who had been indulging in it, suddenly felt Self-Loathing.
‘What the hell am I doing?’
According to his calculations, the opponent should have felt this way a long time ago and stopped this Farce.
But, instead of feeling Self-Loathing, he gets even more excited and continues the Swordsmanship Contest（?）.
In that way, a move was made when the Spirit’s imagination reached its Limit.
-I will raise my Rank again. Now I am 8th Rank.
The Spirit’s tone when saying that lacked Soul.
Also, because he knew that the opponent would respond in an absurd way.
“…!”
But what is this.
Lisir’s Expression is filled with shock.
“That’s, possible…?”
The Spirit was inwardly dumbfounded.
‘Now?’
He said with a Chuckle.
-…
Then at that time
The Spirit belatedly sensed the Atmosphere around him.
The Swordsmen’s Gaze looking at him was quite different.
It could be said that the serious air, such as resentment or spite, that was in that Gaze had faded considerably.
It was the Influence of the fierce Swordsmanship Contest（?） he had with Lisir.
-…
Could it be.
The Spirit belatedly realized Lisir’s purpose.
Perhaps, he engaged in the Swordsmanship Contest with the intention of thoroughly humiliating him.
‘He was quite a sly guy, unlike what I saw…’
The Spirit inwardly shuddered.
“Hahaha!!!”
Gorein burst into cheerful laughter.
He approached Lisir and patted him on the shoulder with Friendliness.
“It’s a very fierce back-and-forth, isn’t it?”
He also had the same thought as the Spirit.
Gorein recalled Lisir’s appearance when he was talking to Dray before engaging in the Swordsmanship Contest.
The way he reacted with disbelief to the words that the Grey Wolf had lost in the Swordsmanship Contest.
Gorein interpreted that appearance in connection with the actions he had shown in the Swordsmanship Contest.
‘He saved our Master’s Face!’
Suddenly the Rank rises.
All sorts of things, including Magic and Divine Power, run rampant.
That is a Swordsmanship Contest.
In that short amount of time, Lisir thoroughly proved how ridiculous it is to wield a Sword with words.
In that way, he showed Respect to the Grey Wolf who had lost in the Swordsmanship Contest.
Gorein’s eyes looking at Lisir were sparkling madly.
He considered the Swordsmanship Contest with the Chest meaningless.
Nevertheless, the Reason he was obsessed with victory was to deny and avenge his Master’s defeat.
But, the Chest’s Swordsmanship Contest, where he couldn’t see a way to attack no matter how many moves he tried.
Because of that, he had no choice but to fret inwardly-
To think there was such a method.
‘What wit…!’
Gorein’s fondness for the Man Lisir rapidly increased.
I wondered how a picky Man like Dray would be Interested in such an ordinary Man-
Now I felt like I completely understood.
“You seem happy…?”
“Huh? Is there a Reason to be sad then?”
“No… Wasn’t that Chest owned by you and the Grey Wolf? Aren’t you feeling hopeless? How are you going to win against that and open the Chest━”
“…No. What. Why are you so serious?”
Gorein was taken aback.
Unlike what he expected, Lisir’s Attitude seemed quite serious.
And Lisir.
He, who had not yet recovered from the frustration of defeat, thought.
What the hell is inside there.
What’s inside that makes it possible to command an Existence that can discuss such unconventional power.
‘Is it okay to release what’s inside there…?’
It was the moment when Lisir looked at the Chest with a Gaze filled with Awe.
“Huh?”
The strength in his eyes increases.
Soon, he approached the Chest and put his hand on its lid.
-What are you doing! Now you’re even-…
The Spirit’s words could not continue.
The Chest was opened without any resistance.
The Atmosphere of the place, which had become chaotic due to the crazy Swordsmanship Contest（?）, was cleared up.
Gorein said with strength in his eyes.
“…When did that open?”
Chest.
The Contract that made it up judged.
That during the Swordsmanship Contest, one side discussed a power that they could not handle themselves.
The Guardian Spirit of the Chest.
The nameless Swordsman who was its main body.
He, who had lost his body and loved Swordsmanship so much that he clung to the Swordsmanship Contest, could not actually handle Magic.
Of course.
“…”
Lisir’s Party, who had watched the series of Situations, were trembling.
-…?
The Spirit, who belatedly grasped the state of the Chest, made a dumbfounded sound.
The other side started first, so why?
✦✦✦
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