Chapter 95

Reincarnated as the Sword Emperor in the Sword Saint Family (95)

Kwaahaaa—…!

The sound of the wind cutting through the flying disc is quite loud.

It seems that a spell to counter air resistance and headwinds has been cast, as the [Floating Board] that the two people are riding on crosses the sky above the deep-sea city at an arrow-like speed.

Leonard looked down at the scenery spread beneath his feet and felt a sense of disgust at the bizarrely constructed buildings.

It's neither stone nor wood.

Something slimy and sticky is erected in a manner similar to buildings.

It looked like a colony of grayish-white snails.

"...I understand why they are vulnerable to light and heat."

"It's because the slime dries up. Although their appearance is closer to an octopus, their ecology is similar to that of worms or leeches. Unlike the Sioaks, they cannot leave the exterior of the 〈Rift〉 without being affected by the magical transformation."

Jack Russell responded, recalling the body of the evil octopus he had dissected in the past.

While the head is fixed in a shape similar to an octopus, the slimy body extending below it is almost amorphous. It can move on two legs, four legs, or even like a snake without limbs.

Another difficult aspect of the evil octopus species is that, apart from the brain inside the head, there are no vital organs that can be considered weak points, so destroying the body does not prevent it from regenerating.

"But the slime that makes up their bodies is vulnerable to heat and light. Even a torch can make their heads shrink and wither, not to mention fire magic. They're not buried in the deep sea for no reason."

"If they are that weak to fire, exploring the 〈Nether of Evil Octopuses〉 wouldn't have been that difficult, right?"

"Ah, that's a misunderstanding caused by me."

Russell answered with a wry smile in response to Leonard's words.

"Inside this 〈Rift〉, there is a significant burden on magic that generates light or heat. The laws of this world suppress combustion phenomena. Even a 6th Circle spell like [Fireball] can't be used."

However, a 7th Circle Grand Mage could still exert their full power even within the domain of the laws of this world.

While a Master-level martial artist can oppose the world with their own strength, a Master-level mage constructs their own world.

Although they cannot surpass or dominate the laws of this world in terms of scope and influence, they are not completely suppressed either. Unlike a medium that borrows a small and insignificant part of the laws, a Grand Mage is a sovereign of the laws in their own right.

'The flow of the Vermilion Bird is also being interfered with. This is interesting.'

Leonard dispersed the energy he had gathered in his palm, understanding his explanation.

He tried to release the Five Elements one by one, but only the Fire Qi did not move well. Even with his control, the discrepancy was noticeable, and normally, martial artists who had not reached the Transcendent Realm would find it difficult to handle the energy of fire, let alone enhancing their bodies.

The laws of this world (Outer-World Order).

The experience of the world's principles being hostile to him made him even more excited.

'The 〈Five-Colored Qi〉 can counter this. I can use it at any time in this deep-sea city, unlike in the 〈Sioak Lair〉.'

The 〈Five-Element True Dragon Ring〉 in his heart was already growling, ready to lend him its power if Leonard wished, even to spew fire from its throat. It seemed that the activation condition of this power was to oppose beings from another world.

"Hmm."

It was at that moment.

In front of the flying disc, which had already passed halfway through the deep-sea city, dozens of evil octopuses floated, blocking their path.

The tentacles fluttering like cloaks were truly grotesque.

There was no mention of them having flight capabilities, but it made sense. If they could walk on two legs or four, they could also mimic the flapping of bird wings.

"A pelican with an octopus head, that's scary even in a dream."

Russell, who shuddered before Leonard, said.

"From now on, we can't avoid combat. I'll block all their attacks, so you focus on clearing a path for this flying disc."

"Understood... but."

Five swords shot out from the five scabbards simultaneously.

The swords, like beasts sensing blood, lined up orderly above Leonard's head, exuding a murderous aura.

Russell, looking at them with a surprised face, heard Leonard declare without even turning back.

"It won't take that long."

The number of evil octopuses recognizing and opposing them was 42.

Each one was B3 grade, equal to or even stronger than the troll that almost killed Leonard before, but with the 〈Five-Colored Qi〉 activated, Leonard was already on par with a Master.

Five-Element True Dragon Qi

Blazing Sword (赫灼劍) Fly (飛)

The five swords burned bright red.

The blades, imbued with the energy of the Vermilion Bird, glowed and heated up, ready to dry out the entire bodies of the evil octopuses.

He extracted the Vermilion Bird energy from the 〈Five-Colored Qi〉 formed within his body and infused it into the swords. Even if suppressed by the laws of this world, the grade of the 〈Five-Colored Qi〉 was higher. The Blazing Swords, glowing and radiating several times more intensely than usual, flew swiftly at his command.

'Using the Heart Sword technique might be possible... but it would consume too much mental energy. Using Qi techniques is better.'

The technique he judged to be the best was then deployed.

Five-Phenomenon Style Five Swords

Vermilion Bird Twenty-Four Forms

Flaming Bird Explosion

The five Blazing Swords flew up and formed a giant fiery bird, roaring.

Kieeeeeeeek—!!

The completion was entirely different from the last time.

The fiery bird, temporarily endowed with spirituality, glared at the grotesque creatures writhing before it.

A summoned entity formed by an Aura Blade, a race with intelligence on a human level, or perhaps even higher, the evil octopuses emitted ultrasonic sounds filled with despair and began their resistance.

"■■■■■■—?!"

"■■■—!? ■■—!"

"■■■■■—!!"

Though incomprehensible, the intent was clear.

The magic circles that appeared before the octopus heads had no resemblance to the magic of this world. Judging by the scale of power, each one was a 5th Circle otherworldly magic.

Tentacles resembling a combination of worm and centipede legs sprouted, and a liquid, either poison or acid, was sprayed.

Naturally, the target was the flying disc.

"Huh, underestimating me, are you?"

Russell, with a displeased expression, focused on controlling the [Floating Board].

At the same time, the flying disc, which had been stationary, accelerated to 200 knots, weaving a zigzag trajectory to evade all attacks. There was no need to block or counter.

Unless it was an instantaneous magic like lightning, which is impossible to evade, hitting a moving object at this speed would require a projectile guidance system.

Russell, who had quickly moved out of the range of the evil octopuses' attacks, watched the ensuing massacre and said,

"By the way, what's that fiery bird? It looks like a summoned entity materialized by an Aura Blade, but wasn't Leonard still not at the Transcendent Realm?"

"Yes, I'm not. I used a technique of my own creation."

"Then I can't ask any more. Very intriguing. For them, you might be a greater nemesis than I am."

Indeed, that was the case.

The fiery bird born from the 〈Flaming Bird Explosion〉 was literally treating the evil octopuses like prey. It pecked them to death with its beak, tore them apart with its claws, and burned them with its wings.

Of the 42 evil octopuses, more than half had turned into charcoal and fallen. A few that managed to escape the hunt rushed at the flying disc, but

Six Yang Fingers

The light shot from Leonard's fingers pierced their heads and sent them falling.

A technique that could shoot six energy bullets in one go.

Though the power and range were halved because it wasn't used with the Six Yang Divine Technique, the firepower of the Vermilion Bird energy was sufficient to fry their brains.

"...The more I see, the more amazed I am. Is this really martial arts?"

"Yes."

Russell, who received Leonard's answer, called back the fiery bird that had just killed the last one.

Hwaaak!

As the fiery bird, which returned triumphantly to its master, dispersed, the swords that formed its body returned to their scabbards.

In just a few minutes, 42 evil octopuses were completely annihilated.

Thanks to the 〈Five-Colored Qi〉, the efficiency of his internal energy circulation was greatly amplified, so the energy consumption was not significant. It would not take long to replenish the energy he had used.

"Let's continue. The faster we proceed, the safer the ship will be."

"Hmm."

Russell, who wanted to slowly review Leonard's combat, but suppressed his curiosity, moved the flying disc.

After all, what they had faced was not a proper defensive force.

It was just one group of the patrol teams surrounding the medium. The real battles were yet to come. With repeated fights, this small curiosity would be easily resolved.

Sure enough.

Within five minutes, Leonard's swords leaped into the air again as they encountered the second line of defense.

'Indeed, joining this adventure party was a good decision.'

The joy in Russell's eyes, watching from behind, spread.

The continent's top sword family, Cardenas.

The mind of the Grand Mage, who witnessed the true power of this family, was filled with endless inspiration.

* * *

As they approached the center of the deep-sea city, the forces blocking their path grew increasingly powerful.

Not only did the average grade of the evil octopuses rise from B3 to B4, but their mental waves could reach them from hundreds of meters away.

If Leonard were an ordinary Outer Force Realm martial artist, his brain would have been destroyed long ago, turning him into a vegetable.

"Hmph, it doesn't even tickle."

Contrary to the evil octopuses' hopes, Leonard did not flinch and threw out the five swords.

'I can withstand a Heart Sword technique once or twice, but this kind of mental wave is nothing.'

It was a technique that imitated the power of the lower and middle dantians, not the 'Yan' of the upper dantian.

There were a few techniques in evil and demonic arts similar to this mental wave, such as scattering consciousness with eerie sounds or boiling blood to collapse reason.

Having already achieved the 〈Clear Mind Technique〉 before reaching the Harmonious Realm, all these tricks were useless against him.

"■■■■■■■——??!"

The evil octopus, whose mental wave was neutralized, fell in confusion.

Leonard, who witnessed its miserable end, took a breath.

He had already killed over 300 in the previous battle.

"Huff, the number is a bit tiring, though."

"Only now are you tired? I can't believe you're still in the Outer Force Realm."

Russell, who heard his complaint while controlling the flying disc, replied.

"But we're almost there. Can't you feel it?"

"Yes, the presence is quite strong."

The two of them almost simultaneously glanced at the center of the deep-sea city, where something was lurking.

Unlike the Sioak Champion, who had transcended his limits by accepting the power of the medium but was still far from the Master level, this presence was of a different caliber. If not for the protection of the laws of this world, he could have decapitated it within a hundred seconds without using Qi techniques.

But the owner of this presence was of a different grade.

'In terms of power scale, it's even larger than Fabian. The grade is similar, but the capacity is over 15 times greater.'

A true Master.

A powerhouse whose mere presence could alter the flow of the world.

The flying disc, slowing down, gradually ascended to bring 'it' into view, several kilometers away.

"...Is that the 〈Rift Guardian〉?"

Russell, momentarily speechless, asked, and Leonard nodded, adding a new challenge.

"...It seems the medium is inside its body."

Unlike the 〈Sioak Lair〉, the medium and the monster guarding it in the 〈Nether of Evil Octopuses〉 were boldly revealed in the center of the deep-sea city.

It couldn't be helped.

There was no way to hide such a massive body.

Unlike the evil octopuses, whose heads resembled octopuses, this one was an octopus itself. The only difference from a real octopus was its enormous size.

It appeared to be at least 500 meters in volume. Given that it was lying flat, it could be even larger if it stood up.

"I could believe it's a Kraken. Mental attacks and a giant octopus? Let's call it a Mind Kraken for now."

"Sure. It's a fitting name."

As they exchanged words, the Mind Kraken's massive mental wave swept through the entire city, identifying the intruders nearby.

It works on a principle similar to echolocation but is more primitive and swift.

Soon, a pair of blood-red eyes glared at their flying disc. The slight movement alone sent a mental wave that exerted physical pressure.

It was telekinesis.

Despite this, Jack Russell and Leonard remained calm.

"A surprise attack won't work."

"Approaching is also troublesome. I can't even pinpoint the location of the brain."

"We have no choice but to dig it out until it reacts."

The strength of the Mind Kraken, estimated by its presence, was at least S2 grade, and possibly even a half-grade higher.

Still, the two showed no signs of hesitation.

Kwaahaaa—!

The flying disc moved forward.

The time for the final battle had arrived.