Chapter 590: Humanity’s Secrets

As a child, I wondered what truly brilliant martial arts were.

To put it simply, anyone could wield a sword or a spear, and even wanderers carried knives. Besides, someone could die stabbed in the back no matter how skilled he or she was.

While I admired the heroes of stories, I thought I was terribly indifferent to martial arts as a child. I even thought that a weapon was only worthy if it could be swung and used to stab.

But after meeting numerous heroes, including Caria, I finally began to understand the essence of martial arts, even if just a fragment of it.

The difference between a sword wielded by a sewer rat and one wielded by a hero. It could be discerned even from a single breath. The breath taken before raising the weapon and swinging it…even that sharpness put ordinary people behind.

…King Medic raised his spear and exhaled. The mere sight of him lightly extending the tip of his blade was enough to send shivers down my spine.

I raised my treasure sword and took a half-step forward. It was Medic’s terrifyingly close range. A numbness, not from cold, ran down my cheeks.

「Humans killing each other is the lowest, most miserable, and utterly desolate mess. I don’t want to see it. So I’m going to give it my all. 」

「I agree with you, though I wish we could have talked about it as allies. 」

These words signaled the start of the battle. Weapons swept through the air the moment the words ended.

In an instant. The silver spear pierced through the air without even a blink of an eye. The spear itself was no longer visible, only a single line remained.

Instinctively, I twisted my wrist and deflected the spearhead with my blade. The sound of iron joining and interlocking echoed across the snowfield.

Just one clash. After exchanging the impact transmitted to our palms, we both took a step back.

It was tantamount to an agreement. Both I and Medic instantly understood what we had to do next.

The sound of us inhaling overlapped. Medic raised his spear again, and I raised my treasure sword at my waist.

…Our gazes locked, and we both took a step forward simultaneously.

In that instant, the spear and treasure sword roared, roaring as if to devour each other.

Two clashes, three clashes…thirteen clashes in the blink of an eye.

A spear was originally intended for cutting, not thrusting like a lance. But it seemed Medic’s spear had also been modified for thrusting.

Thrusting, parrying, slashing. Those three stances changed their expressions, constantly aiming for my weak points. Every single movement was imbued with murderous intent and cruelty.

I understood it completely. Medic’s breathing, his every step, and the handling of his weapon…everything spoke volumes of his character.

…Was this what it meant to transcend humanity? Was this what it meant to be the King of Humanity?

It wasn’t the refined, supreme martial art of someone like Helot Stanley. This was undoubtedly Medic’s own style.

No, perhaps in Medic’s time, neither the words “martial art” nor “self-taught style” even existed.

It was utterly rough and crude, yet its power to sweep away enemies was supreme. It was like a wild beast, leaving no opening for attack.

Primitive violence. I felt I understood a part of what Shadraput meant when she described him as utter chaos.

It was terrifying. I wasn’t just clumsily receiving the spear with my treasure sword. Sometimes he would make it look like a simple swing, but he was actually closing the distance and aiming for my neck, heart, and vital points. He even managed to deflect my attacks during this crazy fight.

In the midst of a flurry of attacks. I had to kill him or I’d die. I’d have to press in even further.

Medic took a slash and distanced himself. It was then that both realized they had sustained minor wounds and were bleeding.

「…You’re incredibly strong, astonishing, and also a threat. You seem completely on the demonic side now, but you were once human, weren’t you? I can tell from your movements. You’ve done a great job creating that, but why did you turn to the demonic side? 」

There was no sign of forced breathing. Medic seemed to have spoken purely out of curiosity. The lack of desperate anxiety or the typical human tension was reflected in his character.

「I don’t recall ever succumbing to evil, and I still consider myself human. The world is harsh, you see; I couldn’t have gotten this far as a mere human. It’s my own fault for lacking talent, though. 」

I didn’t want to lie too much in front of him. It wasn’t that there was anything specific, but there was something about him that naturally made me feel that way.

In truth, for someone like me to stand here…it was obvious I couldn’t remain just an ordinary human. I had to overcome obstacles, even swallowing magic to move forward. The world was always cruel to ordinary people without talent.

Medic, without changing his determined expression, readjusted his spear.

「No, that’s wrong. We are the world. Whether it becomes harsh or kind is up to us. Lugis, it’s not your fault. We were the ones at fault. We couldn’t change the world that you found so harsh. I’m not asking you to forgive me for not being able to save you as King. But for the sake of humanity, I cannot back down. It’s absolute, certain, and clear. At least, don’t suffer. 」

For a moment, his eyes opened wide. He almost broke into a smile. Ah, he was as wonderfully heroic as I knew him to be. Even if times changed, I could confidently say that would never change. If only he were an ally, not an enemy.

I felt the air change the moment his spear was readjusted. Medic took another step back, putting us outside each other’s range. From there, he would defend himself even if I closed the distance and tried to cut him down.

But a chilling shiver ran down my spine, tormenting my skin. My throat was strangely thirsty, and my fingertips were frozen cold.

Something was coming. Medic’s presence made me realize it.

I felt terrified. Not because Medic was powerful, but because I had been fortunate enough to face many powerful beings…great demons, sorcerers, heroes…but this was a first.

Powerful beings possessed magic, to a greater or lesser degree. Even heroes, and those of demonic nature, naturally forge themselves into formidable beings using the magic within their bodies. Sorcerers and elves, of course, used magic to accomplish things.

Magic was a symbol of a certain kind of power, and if humans sought power, they would inevitably approach magic.

…Yet, the Human King before me possessed absolutely no magical power.

He had been resurrected, so he should have been subjected to magical techniques. To my horror, he remained totally human.

I had a feeling he was like this in life as well. He faced countless great demons and sorcerers, carving out land from it, yet he was never killed by anyone.

So this was what it meant to be a Human King. He was an absolute individual, untouched by evil.

I saw Medic exhale. The absolute speed at which he swung his spear now seemed strangely slow.

It suddenly made sense. This was how the ancient demons were killed. The treasure sword instantly pointed its tip upwards, naturally protecting my body.

「Transcendence…Masterful Technique “Spirit Slayer”. 」

Both the spear and Medic vanished from my sight the moment the spear was swung down. An ultra-fast movement that left no afterimage in my eyes.

Blood gushed from my abdomen the moment that thought crossed my mind. Seeing the blood rising in my mouth, I knew for sure that my internal organs were missing.

It took me a few seconds to comprehend all of that. My thoughts were always slow, and my actions lagged behind. My arms instinctively moved to protect my wounded stomach.

「You’re quick on your feet. You protected your heart and neck, didn’t you? 」

Hearing the voice from behind, I recognized Medic and finally realized he had cut me with his spear. But even after realizing it, I couldn’t believe it.

Because, surely, to face someone and then disappear without leaving any trace was beyond the realm of mere speed.

The next attack was already coming by the time I turned around.

「Hate me. Transcendence…the ultimate technique, “Giant Slayer”. 」

This must be what it meant for even sound to be destroyed. Even defending with the treasure sword was no match. Thinking about this, leaping back was the only and best decision I could have made.

But even then, escape was impossible.

My right shoulder was completely destroyed, flesh ripped apart, and bone gouged out. It was impossible to tell if there was any blood there to begin with. With a single swing of that spear, I was sent flying into the air, thrown several horse lengths behind me.

That single blow possessed a secret technique capable of shattering even the most supreme treasure sword if it dared to stand against it. My survival was nothing but pure luck.

Yes, a secret technique. The ultimate technique of humanity, possessed only by him, a man who became simultaneously King and Hero.

One needed the speed of light, and to resist a giant that destroyed all things, one had to use the same destruction. I understood that this technique was created in that way.

I was slammed to the ground with great force. The impact must have damaged my lungs; I could barely breathe.

「…But, ahh!?…Guh…So that’s it. 」

Gasping for air, I realized why Shadraput had been so sensitive to the threat of the Human King. And why she had joined me.

The Human King Medic was undoubtedly a formidable enemy of demons. He resisted demons, kept them at bay, and overwhelmed them. A unique individual, perhaps unlike Altia as well.

In other words, it was the absolute proof of human justice. If one upheld human survival as justice, then his existence was undeniably righteous.

「…I can understand why you had run away, Shad. 」

I forced myself to stand while holding the treasure sword in my left hand. Blood covered my hands, whether from a broken bone piercing my flesh when I fell to the ground, or from the wound in my stomach.

Medic had easily caught up to me, who had been blown away. He stared straight at me while I tried to stand up.

「…Sorry. I made you suffer. 」

「It’s alright. Surprisingly, it doesn’t feel bad. A duel with a hero of history. It would be a lie to say I’m not fired up. 」

I spat blood from my mouth, staining the death snow. I exhaled towards Medic, who still held his spear. I felt a sharp pain with each breath, perhaps from a wound in my throat.

My entire body was covered in blood and pain. The fact that I could still fight was proof that my body had moved several steps away from being human. I didn’t think that was a bad thing. It was necessary to survive, after all.

But on the other hand, it was also true that I felt a burning desire to be like powerful beings, such as Medic, who had reached such heights while remaining human. I even felt like kneeling here and now.

I raised my treasure sword in my left hand. My grip strength had returned.

「…Well then, let’s continue, Human King. I can’t afford to fall either. 」

「You’re strong. I’m astonished, shocked, and disappointed. If only you were human. 」

「I told you. My mind is human. Then and now. 」

「Is that so? But I won’t lose. There are too many things I won’t give in! 」

Medic’s words, imbued with even a sense of military might, made me involuntarily smile. He truly was a magnificent Human King.

But I couldn’t kneel here no matter how much he yearned for victory.

After all, countless humans had kept me alive to this point. Those who guided me knowing I was an ordinary man, those who held me by the scruff of the neck and supported me…and those who even sacrificed their lives for me.

Therefore, just as Medic was the Human King, I too was their hero. I was no longer a sewer rat, nor just another human.

I let out a sigh. What, it was simple, wasn’t it?

「…Human King. Just as there are things you cannot compromise on, there are things I cannot compromise on as well! I don’t accept the happiness that Altia speaks of because its utterly evil. That’s why I have no choice but to kill you for the sake of the people who believe in me. You are my enemy! 」

I felt magic power seeping from the depths of my stomach. I heard the sound of my soul devouring the magic, leaving my humanity and even demons stumble. That was the same feeling I had when I faced the Great Demon Zebrililith.

But there was only one will in my skull contrary to the demon surging within me.

「…I don’t understand. It’s bizarre, chaotic, and astonishing. Why would someone like you be my enemy? 」

With a frown, Medic still faced me, raising his spear. Again, no, it was even more tense than before…The tense air around us filled the atmosphere, and our gazes met.

…In that instant, the roar of a dragon struck my ears.

Previous | Next

😉

—————–

Support us on Patreon and get access to early chapters