Chapter 78

The Sword Emperor Reincarnated in the Sword Art World (78)

Clang!

The spear tips clashed, emitting sparks before returning to their original positions.

The basic technique of spearplay is thrusting, and the ultimate technique is also thrusting.

Cutting (斬) and striking (打) are methods used only when the conditions or skills for thrusting are not met, and techniques like turning (回) and pressing (壓) can also be incorporated into thrusting.

The strongest spear user that Sword Emperor Yeonmuhyeok had ever faced was Ak Jin, whom he defeated in the final match of his last duel, wielding the Flying Dragon Spear (飛龍槍).

'The principles underlying the Ak family spear technique and the Yang family spear technique are different, but they both prioritize thrusting.'

While the Yang family spear technique, known for its unpredictable changes, becomes invincible once its momentum is suppressed, the Ak family spear technique is the complete opposite, relentlessly pressing forward without giving any chance to suppress its momentum.

Gallano's spear technique, <Maelstrom>, was closer to the Ak family spear technique.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The spear shaft moved brilliantly, striking the lower part of the opponent's spear to disperse the force that should have been used for a thrust.

This was a defensive technique called "eating the spear" (吃槍) in the Eight Mothers (八母).

Before the movement was fully completed, it would disrupt and then retreat. The subtle changes in the techniques were the reason it was called the "flowing spear" (流槍), and it was the essence of the Yang family spear technique.

Gallano, who had almost no experience fighting spear users of his level, was pushed back one-sidedly. The sparring with his brother Dentsu was just a sparring match, and since both used <Maelstrom>, there were times when the skill level was inferior, but it was rare to be caught off guard.

Sss!

The spear Gallano thrust in a desperate attempt to regain the initiative was countered by a parry, and blood spurted from his neck.

It was just a superficial wound, but if it had been an inch deeper, it would have severed the carotid artery. The sudden near-death experience made Gallano's body shiver.

In a situation where he had already lost the initiative, it was fatal.

Clank!

The spear tips entangled, and the two men simultaneously kicked each other.

A low kick aimed at the ankle flew like a hatchet.

Leonard read the trajectory, stepped on the shin, and lifted the opposite knee to thrust Gallano's side. Although it wasn't a full-force kick, it was enough to make him gasp for breath.

"Keh!"

Contracting his abdominal muscles to minimize the impact was a good move.

Still, he was at a disadvantage.

Leonard, who had established his dominance, read a few moves ahead.

'If I keep pressing for just 5 more seconds, I can pierce his heart.'

However, he had no intention of killing his opponent, and it would be meaningless if Gallano ended up defeated without fully utilizing his abilities.

So Leonard deliberately slowed down the speed of his spear attack.

To give Gallano a chance to regain his composure and fight with all his might.

"Hiss!"

With a short, intense shout, the spear Gallano thrust pulled the surrounding air.

A spear technique that creates a vortex with a single thrust.

<Maelstrom> not only increases the destructive power of the spear strike but also repels any force that interferes with the spear's trajectory. If the spear shaft is touched carelessly, it can be caught in the rotation, leaving one vulnerable to a fatal strike.

'This is a spear technique that relies on the Silk Reeling Power (纏絲勁).'

While there are various types of power (勁) in martial arts, Silk Reeling Power is particularly powerful and difficult to master.

It belongs to the external power (外勁) category, which involves drawing in external forces and making them one's own, allowing for explosive and strong power.

Leonard highly valued its consistent form.

'Pure One Ten Thousand Techniques (純一萬技) — if you excel in one, you can surpass ten thousand others.'

While thinking this, he calmly thrust his spear.

'The only flaw is the incomplete development of the body and technique.'

The thrusts of <Maelstrom> and the Yang family spear technique met at a midpoint.

Lan (攔): Rotate the spear outward to reduce the vortex's rotation.

Na (拿): Accurately press down on the weakened rotation.

Zha (扎): Pierce the disoriented vortex in one go.

The most fundamental techniques of spearplay flowed seamlessly, penetrating the eye of the storm like water.

Sssss!

Gallano, pushed back four steps, had blood gush from his grip, and the spear shaft vibrated, shaking his bones and muscles.

If both had used aura, he would have suffered serious internal injuries and spat blood.

Realizing the gap in their levels as a spear user, Gallano's eyes were about to overflow with frustration.

"Your stance is weak. Drive it deeper."

"What—!?"

Leonard didn't wait for him and thrust his spear.

Gallano narrowly avoided the path and instinctively planted his front foot.

At the same time, a second vortex appeared.

The first move of <Maelstrom> and Lan Na Zha clashed again.

Sss!

Gallano was pushed back three steps.

But despite the defeat, the fire in his eyes did not extinguish. It couldn't.

The number of steps had decreased from four to three.

The level that had stagnated for eight years was advancing.

"Keep your grip on the spear shaft with your front hand half-loose, and exert all your strength only at the moment of explosive rotation. Control not just your wrist and elbow but also your fingers."

"..."

Words were unnecessary.

Gallano, lost in a state of no-mind, loosened the grip of his front hand and extended his focused mind to the tips of his fingers.

And the third clash occurred.

Sss!

Gallano took two steps back and wiped the blood from the spear shaft.

Bleeding and pain were irrelevant, but if the spear shaft slipped due to blood, his grip would weaken.

Leonard, impressed by his concentration, said:

"Don't use the rotational force only for attacks. When receiving an impact, disperse it by rotating it outward. Silk Reeling Power is not just about amplifying force but also about neutralizing it."

This was in the same vein as how Leonard's 'Lan' and 'Na' neutralized the rotation of <Maelstrom>. Rotating inward concentrates force, while rotating outward disperses it.

If you can't use both Li (裏) and Wai (外), it's only half the technique.

Sss!

Finally, it was reduced to one step.

By dispersing the counterforce after the clash with an outward rotation, the spear tip that had torn his grip calmed down.

With each thrust and each piece of advice from Leonard, Gallano grew. The eight-year-long stagnation seemed like a lie. The growth rate was unbelievable, as if he were dreaming.

For Gallano, it was a pleasure more intense than any drug. His eyes, filled with desperation, begged Leonard to teach him more.

"Hmm."

But Leonard, as if turning away from that gaze, extended his spear.

"To follow me to the final step, you must enter the realm of 'Nian (念).'"

"Nian?"

"Equivalent to the qualification for entering the Transcendent Power (超凡勁). Your technique's completeness has reached its peak with the advice I just gave, so you need to elevate your realm itself."

It was impossible for the current Gallano.

While the external power (外力勁) reaches the 9th or 10th level, the boundary with the upper dantian begins to break down, but whether you can collapse it is another matter.

Even Banneret Bradley, the second-in-command of the Leviathan Knights, could only unleash giant sword auras with the power of the upper dantian.

Gallano, who had not yet reached the 10th level of external power and had wasted eight years, could not aspire to that realm.

"...Is that so."

Gallano, convinced by the explanation, extended his spear.

By ending his eight-year-long wandering, Leonard had bestowed upon him a favor that was hard to repay.

The shock that traveled from his grip to his elbow and shoulder still resonated in his body. The tingling pain, the sense of achievement far more intense than the pain, overwhelmed him.

Leonard, who had waited for his reflection, asked:

"Did you see a new path?"

Gallano, silent in response to the question, reversed the direction of his spear and bowed deeply.

His attitude was now respectful, unlike before.

"I deeply thank you for your teachings. I was indeed like a frog in a well, unaware of the outside world."

Leonard continued to ask:

"Are you afraid of the sea?"

"I was."

"Are you afraid of tomorrow?"

"I was."

"Are you afraid now?"

Gallano, closing his eyes and then opening them wide, answered:

"I am still afraid, but it won't be forever."

"Good."

Leonard, nodding, praised the man who had been running from the world.

"If you had said you weren't afraid, I would have left you here. Courage is not the absence of fear but the strength to face it despite knowing the fear."

Leonard stepped aside, making way for Francis, who had been watching their duel.

Francis, recognizing the intention, stepped forward.

An awkward and embarrassed expression spread across Gallano's face. Thanks to the duel with Leonard, he realized how disgracefully he had tried to run away.

But Francis smiled brightly, recognizing that his demeanor had returned to what it was long ago.

"Uncle Gallano."

"Francis."

By calling each other's names, they shook off the awkwardness. The new leader of the Aquamarine adventure party spoke to 'Whale Hunter' Gallano.

"Just as my father brought Uncle Dentsu, I want to bring Uncle Gallano into my party. I'll give you one last chance to join Aquamarine. What do you say?"

Francis's bold invitation made Gallano laugh heartily.

"Hahaha! That's a hard offer to refuse."

"If there was no old friendship, I would have left long ago. I'm only reconsidering because of Leonard. If you had been as listless as before, I wouldn't have come back."

"I know. I'm glad there's no mirror. I don't want to see how terrible my face was."

Gallano, self-deprecatingly, took a few steps and bowed before Francis.

Not as a close uncle but as an adventurer greeting the party leader. He placed his spear on the ground, avoided eye contact, and extended his hands.

"I am 'Whale Hunter' Gallano, a B-rank adventurer of <Bermuda>. I swear by the sea that I will not waver in the waves and will not turn away from the storm."

Francis, shaking his hands, responded:

"I am Francis, the leader of the A-rank adventure party, 'Aquamarine.' I accept your oath, adventurer Gallano. By the name of my father, Njord Ler von Okeanos, I promise that we will not lose our way in the waves and storms that come our way."

It was an old custom almost forgotten in the Atlantis Maritime Union, but they were serious. Njord and Dentsu had also performed this ritual to join the Aquamarine adventure party.

Gallano and Francis, having exchanged oaths, smiled and nodded, then returned to their original positions.

"By the way, Francis?"

"What is it?"

"Why did you introduce yourself as the leader of an A-rank adventure party? I remember Aquamarine was demoted to B-rank after that."

It seemed Gallano was unaware of the wager duel that had taken place yesterday. He must have been drinking heavily or the news from <Bermuda> was delayed in the slums.

"I'll explain that when we get back to the ship! For now, wake up those guys and let's talk! We won't see each other for a while once we return to Aquamarine."

"That's a good idea. Wait a little longer. They can take care of themselves even without me, so it won't take long."

The moment the 9th-level external power adventurer, Gallano, joined the Aquamarine adventure party.

With this, Vivian and Nini, and now Gallano, made three.

Including Marian and Leonard, the combat personnel now numbered five. It was unclear how many more were needed, but it was definitely insufficient.

One spirit mage, one archer, two swordsmen, and one spear user.

A mage was desperately needed in this combination.

'Hmm, it would be great if I could bring Esa along.'

While the versatility of a high-level spirit mage is impressive, it's hard to find a profession more adaptable than a mage.

A mage of at least the 5th tier and at most the 6th tier.

This was the next condition for the member Aquamarine needed to recruit.