Chapter 54

Chapter 19. Banquet (9)

Although he is actually an 8-star, Bisquel is known to the public as a 7-star knight. There is a gap that Jin cannot overcome.

'A duel with a 7-star knight.'

For Jin, it's like a windfall.

Whether he wins or loses, it will undoubtedly have a positive impact on his reputation. As long as he puts up a good fight, it will be beneficial in many ways.

Moreover, experiencing Ebliano's swordsmanship is itself a form of study. The former head of the family was a formidable warrior even recognized by Siron, and Jin had always wanted to face him once.

However,

'Marjella Ebliano. What a funny girl.'

Jin was acutely aware that she was enjoying the situation. The justifications she put forward were all lies, and her sole purpose was merely to watch an interesting fight.

Or perhaps she was enjoying putting her brother in a difficult situation. Either way, it didn't sit well with him.

"Sir Bisquel seems to be very fond of his sister."

Jin stretched out his arm toward the guardians. One of them respectfully placed a sword in Jin's hand and stepped back.

Hum!

Like a magic lamp being lit, the sword blade began to glow with aura.

"...You're asking an obvious question, Master Jin."

"I also care for my sister. So, please keep your servants in check from now on."

Still, to call Bubbar Gaston, a 6-star combatant, a 'servant.'

This was a moment when the audience truly felt that Runcandel was indeed Runcandel.

"Sir Bubbar Gaston is not a servant but an attendant. Did he make any mistakes?"

Bisquel pretended not to know and demanded an explanation. The moment Jin heard the name 'Bubbar Gaston,' his head throbbed.

It was not a common name. Despite the insolence that led Jin to beat him without even asking his name, it was Bubbar Gaston. Jin needed to confirm.

"Did you just say that man's name is Bubbar Gaston?"

"Yes. He came to help my disabled sister, and he is an artist who doesn't fit in at Runcandel's banquet. Whatever happened, he had no ill intentions, so I hope you can be lenient, Master."

An artist.

There was no need for further confirmation. The Bubbar Bisquel brought was definitely the shapeshifter he was looking for.

The world still doesn't know that Bubbar Gaston is a shapeshifter. Even the Viment Special Task Force, investigating shapeshifting crimes, has yet to find any clues and is only spinning their wheels.

Therefore, Bisquel only asked Bubbar to wear a simple disguise when attending the banquet. Since his name was unknown, there was no need for an alias.

Bisquel thought no one would pay attention to Bubbar, so a disguise wasn't even necessary.

Unaware that Jin was a regressed person, it was natural for Bisquel to think this way.

'I should have let him introduce himself formally. With a different face and place, I never expected that guy to be Bubbar. If I had known, I wouldn't have let it end there.'

Bubbar had attempted to assassinate him right after leaving Storm Castle and was someone who used his abilities to cause chaos in the world. He was also the one who casually called Jin his brother-in-law.

He was better off being killed and used as fertilizer.

If Jin was certain that Bubbar had no connection to Bisquel Ebliano, he would have found a reason to kill Bubbar without a second thought.

'Bubbar Gaston and Bisquel Ebliano.'

What is their relationship? Does Bisquel know that Bubbar is a shapeshifter?

His mind began to race. In his previous life, when Bubbar was caught by the Special Task Force, the news didn't mention any involvement of the Ebliano family.

It only emphasized that Bubbar acted alone. At the time, Jin read the article without much thought, but assuming Bisquel knew Bubbar's true identity made the story quite unsettling.

However, there wasn't much time to think. Many eyes were watching, and the confrontation between Jin and Bisquel was ongoing.

"...Alright. Since I hit him under the pretext of a duel, let's consider it a mistake."

"Thank you. Then let's begin. I look forward to it, Master Jin."

"I will learn from you."

The duel began as a guardian handed Bisquel a sword.

Jin cleared his mind of all the questions that had arisen. Revealing any change in his behavior after hearing Bubbar's name or showing any suspicion between the two would be unwise.

'After Zep, it seems I'll have to start investigating the Ebliano family, especially this Bisquel Ebliano.'

Clang!

He could sense it in the first exchange.

'He's not a 7-star as known.'

It was an intuition. Bisquel, of course, wasn't using his full strength against Jin, but the trajectory of his blade was extraordinary.

His swordsmanship was as deep as that of Uncle Jed. It was hard to describe, but from the moment their swords clashed, Jin realized Bisquel was hiding his true abilities.

A few spectators also noticed this in the first exchange.

"That guy must have made a significant achievement recently. His movements have deepened."

"Indeed, he's worthy of being called the hope of the Ebliano family."

The audience's expressions were serious as they watched the duel.

While it was a mismatch, it was a rare opportunity to witness the swordsmanship of the pillars of the Ebliano and Runcandel families.

Swoosh!

Bisquel's blade, moving like a whip, grazed Jin's shoulder. Though not deep, the blood spurted and scattered on the duel ground.

Jin dodged a follow-up strike but was cut on his thigh again. The strange trajectory of Bisquel's sword was beyond Jin's current understanding.

"Sure enough, Master Jin is starting to be pushed back. I know best how crazy the Ebliano swordsmanship is."

"The gap is too large. It's a 7-star against a 5-star, so it's inevitable. Hmm, still, it's impressive that he can hold out for a few exchanges..."

The Ebliano swordsmanship is cunning and unconventional. Those who have suffered from it tend to avoid fighting the Eblianos if possible.

"Hmm, it seems you don't know. The Runcandels shine in such situations."

If the Ebliano sword is compared to a cunning snake, the Runcandel sword is like a charging bull. It never stops charging, even if its horns break.

The Runcandel swordsmanship is specialized for fighting opponents stronger than oneself. However, since the Runcandels are always in the position of the strong, they rarely get to fully utilize its efficiency.

Despite the blood gushing from his thigh and shoulder, Jin's sword only launched fierce attacks. The fewer defensive movements he made, the sharper his senses became, and the bolder his choices.

Even as Jin's chest was cut by Bisquel's sword, he took a step forward, aiming for Bisquel's neck.

"Excellent, Master Jin!"

Bisquel shouted, narrowly avoiding Jin's sword. Despite facing a boy far below his level, the wild Runcandel swordsmanship made his hair stand on end.

"Ugh."

The attack, launched while receiving a 20-centimeter gash on his chest, was in vain, and Jin let out a low groan. Unlike his shoulder and thigh, this was a critical injury that significantly reduced his combat ability.

It was fortunate that there was no damage to his bones or organs.

'The day I faced the White Wolf Clan comes to mind.'

Fighting Bisquel is just as hopeless. Even with the Runcandel's exceptional physical abilities and tough swordsmanship, he was not an opponent they could handle.

Ultimately, he would have to lose.

But Jin felt a rare satisfaction, his heart racing.

'Bisquel is clearly holding back. But it's also true that I'm putting up a decent fight against him.'

For now, that was enough.

Not all 8-stars are the same, and not all 5-stars are the same.

Even if all the 5-star students of Runcandel were gathered here, none could put up as good a fight against Bisquel, regardless of how much he held back.

Moreover, Jin was fighting with two of his abilities sealed.

'As my vision starts to blur... strangely, I can predict Bisquel's next attack.'

He had lost too much blood.

Jin decided to end the duel. As his vision began to darken, he suddenly understood the essence of the Heart Sight training he had done with Luna.

Jin's posture changed.

He closed his eyes and held his sword vertically in front of his body. It was a stance that seemed more fitting for a ceremony, and people thought Jin was finished.

Bisquel thought the same. He praised Jin internally and, for the first time, infused his sword with a deep aura. He intended to break Jin's sword and end the duel.

He thought it was a fitting response to Jin's tenacity.

"Good match, Master Jin."

Flash!

The final blow was not held back. The sword, glowing with the aura of an 8-star knight, moved horizontally with Bisquel's body.

"Wow!"

Those who knew it was one of the highest-level techniques of the Ebliano family were amazed.

The sword and body moved forward at lightning speed, a gesture of respect from Bisquel to the youngest prince of Runcandel, who had fought so well.

Clang!

Almost simultaneously with Bisquel's technique, Jin's vertically held sword shattered.

The Ebliano technique, which had shattered the sword, stopped just before reaching Jin's neck. If it hadn't stopped, it would have decapitated him.

Jin, seemingly unconscious, stood for about two seconds before collapsing.

"The winner is Sir Bisquel!"

As soon as the announcer declared the result, the medical team rushed in. The audience watched tensely, and shortly after, the medical team signaled that Jin's life was not in danger.

Clap, clap, clap!

Applause followed for the excellent match. The warriors, especially, were deeply impressed by Bisquel's final technique.

However, Bisquel and a few exceptional warriors knew that something unusual had almost happened just before Jin fell.

'What was that at the end? Could he have awakened to the Heart Sword realm during our sparring?'

He had clearly shattered Jin's sword. But at the moment the sword broke, he felt something sharp pierce his chin from below.

It was a sensation he instinctively felt when his attack was 0.1 seconds late.

If Jin had reacted 0.1 seconds faster, Bisquel would have been in trouble. The vertically held sword would have pierced his chin.

And with Jin already half-unconscious, he wouldn't have been able to stop the thrust like Bisquel.

Of course, closing that 0.1-second gap is the domain of true masters.

'Jin Runcandel. A terrifying kid.'

Perhaps, he could be a threat when Kinsel starts his major endeavors.

'Fortunately, he's too young to become the head of the family, surpassing his other siblings.'

Bisquel thought as he sheathed his sword, his hand trembling.