Chapter 70
“So it’s come to this.”
The core principle of Wendy’s Pursuit Breakthrough Formation was speed—breaking through enemy lines like an arrow and causing chaos.
But now, that forward momentum had stopped.
Should he step in to help his teammates finish clearing the battlefield quickly?
He considered it, but interfering in someone else’s battle was no easy decision.
It wasn’t just a matter of pride for his comrades.
Poor coordination could lead to their attacks clashing and creating even greater risks.
So, what should he do?
He glanced down at the tightly closed shield wall of the second layer of the Layered Circular Formation after the three strong fighters had stepped out.
“Breaking through comes first.”
For now, the priority was to follow the plan and break through the second layer of the formation.
With support from the long-range attackers, he could cause enough disruption alone.
[Sword Strike: Heavy Slash]
Gripping his sword with both hands, he let out a slow breath.
“I’ll break through in one strike.”
He raised his sword slowly, the weight of the sky seemingly pressing down on it.
This was Heavy Slash, a move he’d demonstrated to Wendy once before—a powerful, deliberate strike that bore down with such force that it crushed the will to resist.
The immense energy gathering around the sword made the air itself appear distorted.
With each deliberate step forward, the blade grew heavier, the oppressive force building within it.
And when he finally brought the sword down—
“Well, well. Didn’t my Apostles tell you this was as far as you’d get?”
A chilling voice interrupted him.
At the same time, a sword bathed in radiant light descended from the sky.
“You’ve forced me to step in.”
The ground shook as if in an earthquake, and standing amidst the brilliant light was Agatha, clutching a massive, glowing greatsword and smiling.
“You’ll pay dearly for forcing me to act.”
It was a smile so cold and menacing that it seemed to freeze the air around him.
“So you’ve finally crawled out.”
But he wasn’t the type to let fear take root in his heart.
If anything, the fact that Agatha had stepped out to face him made things simpler.
He was a target he needed to cut down anyway.
[Dragon’s Song]
As the skill activated, an immense power surged through his body.
The air vibrated with tension as his muscles tensed, veins bulging on his forehead.
Compressing all his strength into a single strike, he swung his sword.
What followed was a blinding flash of light.
The compressed energy collided with the radiant sword, unleashing a shockwave so powerful it sent him stumbling backward.
His fingertips trembled from the jarring impact. It had been a long time since he’d felt such force.
Clenching his jaw, he tightened his grip on his sword.
“If I kill you, perhaps she’ll falter a little.”
Seven steps. That was how far back he had been pushed.
Four steps. That was how far Agatha had retreated.
“A mere three-step difference, and you dream so boldly.”
He flexed his grip on the hilt to conceal the trembling in his hands and took a steadying breath.
“And for the record, Wendy wouldn’t falter because of someone like you.”
Even if he were to fall here, Wendy had reliable allies. There was no need to worry.
Glancing over at Wendy in the distance, he remembered a time when she had tied flowers into a necklace, her fingers cramping from the effort.
The thought brought an involuntary smile to his face.
Compared to that pain, the trembling in his hands now was nothing.
“Let’s see if she remains as steadfast after I take your head.”
Was it his smile that provoked him?
Agatha lunged forward like a streak of light, and Xenon calmly raised his sword in response.
“He’s stronger.”
Objectively, Agatha held the advantage.
He had conserved his strength in the innermost layer of the formation, while Xenon had expended his energy leading the charge.
Their remaining stamina couldn’t be comparable.
“If that’s the case, I’ll pour everything into one strike.”
[Song of Life and Death]
Closing his eyes, he activated the skill. The life force within him condensed and began to drain away, transforming into destructive energy.
The ominous red aura filled him as he opened his eyes once more.
“With this, I might have a shot.”
Facing an equal, if not stronger, opponent, his focus sharpened to a razor’s edge.
The peak of his skill resonated with his willpower, pushing his strength to its utmost limit.
[Sword Strike is evolving.]
The vision of a sword he had only imagined before began to manifest in his mind.
Surpassing mere concepts of speed, weight, and gravity, he imbued them directly into his sword.
[Threefold Sword]
The Threefold System of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity—the triad forming the foundation of the world.
Among them, the essence of the steadfast Earth became embedded in the blade.
“So this is it. This is what it feels like.”
A perspective a level higher than before, unlocked by sheer luck and unorthodox methods.
It wasn’t like the awakenings his comrades experienced.
This wasn’t merely an increase in strength but something that broke through an intangible wall.
Lost in the euphoria of this moment, he forgot himself for a brief instant.
And then, his body moved on its own.
[Threefold Sword: First Form – Earth Blade]
A blade rose from the solid earth and slowly split the world apart.
A simple horizontal slash devoid of flair or aggression.
Yet, within it lay the weight, gravity, and unyielding resilience of the Earth.
[Horizontal Slash]
The swing carried an overwhelming force, sweeping away everything not permitted to stand upon this ground.
***
‘What is going on here?’
She had anticipated the Apostles might appear. With two of them still unaccounted for, it seemed they hadn’t been found yet.
Still, she expected a confrontation with Agatha’s core forces to be inevitable.
But Xenon clashing directly with Agatha? That, she hadn’t foreseen.
Agatha, who cherished his own safety above all else, stepping into the battlefield personally? Did this mean Xenon posed that much of a threat? Or was it simply that Agatha had taken an interest in him?
Moreover, the technique Xenon was now using wasn’t something listed among his usual skills.
The overwhelming sword strike that seemed to split the world in half—it was on a level far beyond what Xenon typically displayed.
‘An awakening? But there were no prior signs…’
Had something changed in Xenon’s heart during the brief moment she looked away? Or perhaps…
Thunk.
She stopped short as Agatha, kneeling on one knee and coughing up blood, began to tremble.
The blade of Xenon’s technique had struck true, forcing him into this position.
“Guh, kuhuhu…”
Upon closer inspection, the trembling wasn’t from weakness. Agatha was laughing.
Gripping his broken sword and spitting blood, his twisted face contorted with glee.
His shoulders jerked as if he was about to burst into hysterics.
What a lunatic…
She’d always known Agatha was mad, but she hadn’t realized it was this literal.
“It’s been so long since I’ve felt death approaching.”
Agatha’s pale, regal face bore a cruel delight. Bloodied but still wearing his radiant smile, he let the broken sword fall to the ground with a thud.
“Though, I must admit, it’s not an entirely pleasant feeling.”
Wiping the blood from his lips and straightening his disheveled clothing, Agatha’s movements were disturbingly composed, as though this entire situation was perfectly natural.
“Impressive power… enough to make me want to recruit you as one of my Apostles.”
Now tidied up, Agatha flashed a cheerful smile.
“What do you say, Xenon? Why not abandon those pathetic comrades and join me—with Wendy?”
Behind them, his comrades fought valiantly against the advancing Beasts and soldiers of the White Army.
Despite their fierce efforts, Agatha dismissively referred to them as “pathetic.”
Though he didn’t say a word, Xenon’s eyebrow twitched sharply.
Agatha tilted his head slightly, his smile widening as though encouraging Xenon to speak.
“Well?”
Xenon stared back at him blankly before finally opening his mouth.
‘Tell him to get lost.’
“Get lost.”
…It was exactly what she had been thinking.
Without hesitation, Xenon readjusted his grip on his sword, his expression resolute.
“What a shame.”
Agatha glanced at him briefly before extending his hand.
A brilliant light coalesced within his grasp, forming into the shape of a sword.
It was a weapon straight out of myth—a radiant holy sword of breathtaking splendor.
If only the wielder weren’t Agatha, it might’ve been a truly magnificent sight.
Holding the sword, Agatha fixed his gaze on Xenon, who stood unwaveringly before him.
“If I can’t have the sword, I suppose it must be destroyed.”
—
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