Chapter 89

089. Heaven-Touching Sword Dragon (4)

After the transcendentally fast fall came to an end, the first emotion I felt was regret.

"The spirit of the command absorbed the damage inflicted on the user."

"The spirit of the command of the Rock Snake has been extinguished."

"The spirit of the command of the Rock Snake has been extinguished..."

"The spirit of the command of the Rock Snake has been extinguished..."

Even after replenishing my mana and having all remaining spirits of the command rush into a passive protective barrier,

my vision was completely dyed red, and I couldn't even tell what was happening.

I could only guess that my brain wasn't severely damaged because I could still think.

"The skill 'Ashen Blood' is activated."

"All types of pain inflicted on the user are reduced by 40%."

I couldn't feel anything, as if I had no sensation in my entire body.

But one thing I could clearly understand was that I was not in a normal state.

I couldn't see, hear, or feel anything; my sense of touch was so dulled that it felt almost non-existent.

I could tell that I was seriously injured.

The protection from the steel pendant and the old tuxedo of the vampire count seemed almost false.

I was foolish.

I truly believed I had become a being that transcended humanity and didn't consider the consequences.

Of course, the fact that I was still alive and could activate skills showed that my belief wasn't entirely wrong.

'I need to think about the consequences more in the future.'

But I didn't want to move in a way that would damage my body to this extent.

"The skill 'Ashen Blood' increases in proficiency by 20% as you narrowly survive."

...But seeing the proficiency increase, I felt that I could probably endure more intense battles.

Amidst the complex emotions, I gradually felt my vision returning.

My senses, which had been completely paralyzed, also returned, bringing with them intense pain.

"..."

I realized that my situation was even more serious than I thought.

Fortunately, the steel wings that enveloped my body prevented external attacks.

However, my legs were completely crushed and unrecognizable, and my left hand was nowhere to be seen.

Of course—

'This can regenerate.'

Injuries that would be difficult to heal with a recovery potion began to recover within a few seconds.

The crushed leg bones regenerated, and the flesh grew back, restoring my lower body.

The missing left hand started to regrow from the wrist, quickly regaining its shape.

I felt a sense of relief, having synthesized the 'Ashen Blood' skill in the waiting room, and moved my hand.

My right hand, which was unharmed, still held the Blood Heaven Demon Sword.

The old tuxedo of the vampire count was also not significantly damaged.

I slowly unfolded the steel wings that enveloped my body and stood up.

Crack.

Rising from the debris of the building, I led my trembling legs out of the rubble.

In the process, I spat out the blood that had gathered in my mouth and muttered with a sigh.

"Really, falling from the sky is something you can't do more than once."

At that moment,

"Who are you?"

I immediately turned my head in the direction of the voice and saw a young man in a blue robe standing there, shocking me.

"..."

Nangong Hyuk, the Heaven-Touching Sword Dragon, was not as seriously injured as I had expected.

While blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth, he didn't have any visible, severe injuries like me.

'Why...'

The charge I made with the fall was, frankly, the most lethal attack I could muster.

It might not have had the endless versatility of sword qi, but it was definitely the best I could do in terms of lethality.

Yet, he didn't have a single proper wound, which left me bewildered.

However, the moment I saw his swollen right hand and the sword he held,

I understood, albeit reluctantly, why Nangong Hyuk was unharmed.

"You managed to deflect me."

He had struck me with his sword the instant I was enveloped by the steel wings and fell.

Or, more accurately, he had deflected me with his sword.

But that fact alone was enough to make me extremely tense.

I had gathered all the mana in my body and charged directly at Nangong Hyuk.

Yet, he had recognized the sudden ambush and deflected it with his sword.

However—

"—Didn't I ask you who you are? Who are you?"

I didn't have time to be shocked.

Clang!

I blocked the sword that suddenly rushed at me with the Blood Heaven Demon Sword, frowning.

He was strong.

Nangong Hyuk was not only skilled in sword techniques but also had formidable physical abilities.

Just one exchange left my hand trembling and my arm feeling like it was about to break.

But I, instead, smirked and stared directly at Nangong Hyuk.

"You searched so desperately, but you don't even know who I am when we meet."

As I spat out the words almost mockingly, Nangong Hyuk frowned and opened his mouth.

"Wha—"

"Maybe this will make you understand."

I immediately infused the mana in my body into the sword and smiled.

"The authority 'Sword Qi Wounds' is activated."

"The skill 'Lightning Sword Qi' is activated."

Crackle!

The moment the torrent of lightning swirled around the blade,

Nangong Hyuk's eyes changed, and he opened his mouth in shock.

"Sword qi...!?"

And—

"I am the challenger, Han Seungyun."

In that instant, I pressed my attack on Nangong Hyuk like a storm, roaring.

***

Facing an opponent I could never defeat, I exerted all my strength.

"The skill 'Instant Acceleration' is activated."

My bones creaked and my body was damaged from the movement that exceeded my limits.

The mana flowing through my body, enhanced by the skill, raged like a storm, tearing my blood vessels.

Was it because of the sudden, intense movement, or because I had already exceeded my limits?

My body warned me that if I crossed the line, I wouldn't be able to return.

And I ignored that warning, the inherent warning of life...

"The skill 'Blessing of the Wind' is activated."

"All speeds increase by 70%."

"Current skill stacking progress – 7/7"

I ignored it completely.

Boom!

Despite neither of us giving an inch,

the pure clash of strength shattered the asphalt road.

Of course, during this, Nangong Hyuk only raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Lightning Sword Qi?"

He didn't bleed from his mouth or have his arm tremble like me.

In fact, sword qi was already filling the sword in his hand.

"Could it be that you stole Baek Seonhak's sword...?"

Ignoring the suddenly agitated Nangong Hyuk,

I took advantage of the momentary opening and twisted the sword I was facing, aiming for his neck.

Nangong Hyuk leaned back to avoid the blade, which slipped away like a snake, and clicked his tongue.

"Filled with the desire to fight. That's why challengers from minor dimensions are..."

Without a moment's rest, I began to slash at Nangong Hyuk from all directions.

Clang, Clang, Clang!

But Nangong Hyuk blocked all the sword strikes, even with his swollen right hand.

"Poor sword skills."

He was right.

The current estimated skill level of Nangong Hyuk's sword technique by the Iron Blood Lord was A-grade.

My sword technique skill was only C-grade, so it was no wonder it wasn't enough.

However, I had skills to compensate for my lack of sword technique.

"The skill 'Frenzied Sword Technique (C+)' is activated."

"Blade attack speed increases by 20%."

"Current skill stacking progress – 10/10"

But it was still insufficient.

As if in a choreographed sword drama,

Nangong Hyuk blocked every sword strike I made, finding them laughable.

With minimal movements, he deflected all the threatening blades and occasionally let some slip by.

"You seem to have only stolen sword qi from Baek Seonhak."

There was an insurmountable wall.

However, I never thought I could defeat Nangong Hyuk with my sword.

I attacked him so fervently for just one moment.

Whoosh!

"!?"

Suddenly, flames rose behind Nangong Hyuk, spreading around him.

"The authority 'Suppression of Fire' significantly reduces the abilities of those who come into contact with the flames."

"Due to the user of the authority 'Suppression of Fire,' you are temporarily immune to these flames."

Seeing the two system messages, I turned my gaze.

"The authority has been activated...! Don't die until the other challenger arrives!"

Catherine, who had cut through the debris, shouted as if telling me not to push myself further.

Only then did Nangong Hyuk seem to realize that my attack on him was not without thought, and he showed great irritation.

"Just a mere insect, interfering with my battle. I'll make you regret it."

Nangong Hyuk turned around nervously, as if to kill Catherine, and took a step forward.

But he couldn't reach me, who had activated all my skills and possessed transcendent mobility.

Clang!

The swords clashed, sparks flew, and the gap between us was reassessed.

In that moment, I was certain that Nangong Hyuk had weakened and smirked.

"You asked if I stole Baek Seonhak's sword?"

"..."

"Soon, I'll be using your sword qi."

"A mere challenger from a minor dimension dares to deceive me with false martial arts...!!"

At that moment,

"Did you not think that you could die to that mere challenger from a minor dimension?"

Boom!

Kim Seunghoon, enveloped in lightning, immediately swung Ohamma at Nangong Hyuk.

Nangong Hyuk, frowning, stepped back from me and immediately defended.

Clang!

The impact was significant, and Nangong Hyuk was pushed back, struggling to regain his balance.

But even that was not allowed.

Ice spikes shot at Nangong Hyuk like cannonballs.

Boom!

"I'll join in too."

It was a skill activated by Oh Chunsuk, who had already opened a magic book in his hand.

Nangong Hyuk, after blocking the ice bombardment, gritted his teeth in annoyance and spoke.

"Truly annoying, these pests that don't diminish no matter how many I kill."

The moment Nangong Hyuk's eyes split like a reptile's and began to emit a killing aura,

a chill ran through my body, and I sensed the impending danger.

Sensation.

The conclusion reached purely by instinct whispered to me.

The ruler of the heavens, now beyond anyone's control, had awakened.

However—

"Since wearing a mask is uncomfortable, I'll send you off early."

Before I could properly respond to that instinct, Nangong Hyuk moved even faster.

The moment Nangong Hyuk took a step, his figure appeared in front of Kim Seunghoon as if the space had folded.

Nangong Hyuk aimed a punch with his left hand, as if to shatter Kim Seunghoon's black mask.

Even in that situation, Kim Seunghoon tried to counterattack, but his body was sent flying even faster.

Boom!

Leaving Kim Seunghoon, who flew into the debris of the building, Nangong Hyuk immediately changed his target.

Not someone else, but Catherine, who had placed a restriction on him.

Of course, Oh Chunsuk hastily activated a magic skill, creating an ice wall, but it was ineffective against someone of Nangong Hyuk's caliber, even with the restriction.

Crash!

The ice wall collapsed, and Nangong Hyuk extended his sword to kill Oh Chunsuk.

But I moved there in an instant, blocking Nangong Hyuk's sword and sending a piercing sword qi at him.

Clang!

"Right, I'll deal with you first."

Nangong Hyuk easily blocked the lightning-infused Lightning Sword Qi and smiled coldly.

He extended his hand toward me, as if to grab me, and clenched the air.

"Forced Duel."

And—

"Due to the unique characteristic 'Forced Duel,' a duel area is formed within a 30-meter radius."

"Except for the challenger Han Seungyun and the challenger Nangong Hyuk, all others are prohibited from entering or leaving the duel area."

"The duel area will last for 10 minutes and cannot be destroyed."

"..."

The moment the 'duel area' was formed by the light barrier, leaving only Nangong Hyuk and me,

"I didn't want to use it, but... since I also have a restriction, let's consider it an equal restriction."

He muttered, seemingly dissatisfied, and then said,

"I'll make it clear that everything you use is nothing but a counterfeit of martial arts."

It was the beginning of a battle without a response.