Chapter 135
Thud-!
Reacting instinctively, Raciel blocked the attack, feeling it bounce off him. He endured the shock as if the world itself had struck him.
Ugh!
He was out of breath.
He had no choice but to be.
He had successfully blocked the Swordmasters attack. The cold shield from the Perennial Snow absorbed most of the shock, but his elbow still felt like it was about to fall off. His shoulder joint seemed like it was about to disintegrate into powder.
Along with dizziness, his vitality also plummeted. But it didnt matter.
Ding-dong!
[You have successfully defended against the Swordmasters attack once again.]
[The Asrahan Core Technique has efficiently absorbed the physical/magical shock inflicted on you and stored it as your energy.]
[This unique experience promotes the rapid growth of Asrahan Core Technique.]
[The level of Asrahan Core Technique has increased.]
Each time he successfully defended, his heart thumped wildly. Was it because he was exerting an explosive amount of effort? Was it because he was gasping for air?
No.
Each time his heart beat, a message sounded. It was the drumbeat of a blood fight and the bell toll of growth. A deep resonance announcing the evolution of his Core Technique.
[Skill Name: Asrahan Core Technique]
[Stage: Single Circle Lv.8]
[Mana Amplification Rate: 230%]
[Skill Exclusive Options: Circle Slot / Impenetrable / HP Conversion]
[HP needed for the next level-up: 3,000]
[Current HP: 6,000]
Thump! Thump!
His heart throbbed as if announcing growth. Cheers from his internal organs.
[Your internal organs sponsor you 1,000 HP in support of your struggle!]
[Current HP: 7,000]
Real-time HP sponsorship came in with the growth of Asrahan Core Technique. The amount was overwhelming.
Thank you! Thank you again!
Raciel safely protected his body as he landed. He sacrificed his buttocks, the plump part of his body, as a cushion and rolled backward. He responded generously to the lavish support of his internal organs.
At the same time, the applause from his internal organs echoed in his ears, giving him strength. He boldly invested more HP.
HP Conversion!
Ding-dong!
He expended 1,200 HP.
The vitality that had just dropped while blocking the attack was fully restored. His vision cleared in an instant. His mind cleared. Strength returned to his legs. Vitality returned to the arm holding the Perennial Snow.
Squeeze!
He gripped the handle, stood up, lifted his head, and saw Javillon charging towards him. The outpouring of murderous intent sent shivers down his spine, but his rising confidence overwhelmed those shivers.
He shouted at the same time, veins bulging on his neck and red blood cells throbbing within those veins.
Come at me!
He roared hoarsely.
Javillon responded by raising his sword, and Raciel raised the Perennial Snow in return. He rotated the mana circle vigorously.
Screeeeech-!
The Asrahan Core Technique, which had been rapidly growing, now infused mana into the Perennial Snow at a significantly higher output level. The cold shield, which responded only to refined mana, responded in kind.
With a cold shield 1.2 times wider than before.
With unmatched thickness.
Fwoosh!
!
Javillons eyes widened.
The imminent clash followed immediately!
Creak!
Ugh!
It was manageable. He wasnt blown away this time. Strength remained in his legs. Had Javillon noticed his growth? For a moment, his eyes wavered.
Raciel didnt miss that.
How about it! Isnt it time to let go of that obsession?
He quickly remarked.
Its finished.
He could feel Javillon becoming more excited. His sword strikes became more powerful, but also more predictable.
So its done.
Now, Demian, all you have to do is get back up. Hurry up, will you?
He was responsible for defense, and Demian was in charge of counterattacking. That was the only winning formula for today. Raciel cast his eyes in hope for that.
Where his gaze landed.
There, Demian was struggling to his feet.
It hurts.
He never knew it would hurt this much.
Demian, who had been lying down, barely raised his head and belatedly realized the situation he was in.
Did I?
Did he faint for a moment?
Then he remembered. Just before losing consciousness, he had tried to escape with the Crown Prince. He was rushing toward Princess Adeline and the Royal Guard Cavalry.
Did he feel an eerie energy coming from behind at that moment?
Javillon.
He heard his footsteps. He came rushing in quickly. He was targeting the Crown Prince. So, he reacted first. He immediately turned around to block him. He didnt even have a chance to deflect the blow. In the end, he lost consciousness as the price for blocking a single sword strike.
And only now had he barely opened his eyes.
Truly pitiful.
Ha.
A laugh escaped.
As heavy as the laugh that flowed out, a feeling of powerlessness swept over him. He barely managed to lift his gaze. Then he saw it. In the far distance. The Crown Prince was there. Javillon was there too.
Javillon, who kept attacking the Crown Prince relentlessly. The Crown Prince, who barely managed to block his ferocious attacks and hold on. It was strange. It was odd. The Crown Prince, who kept fending off the Swordmasters attacks. It was a sight he had never imagined.
At the same time, it was an extremely ominous and precarious sight. To others, it might have looked like the Crown Princes miraculous defense was succeeding one after another, but it wasnt so for Demian.
Javillon, his aura is trying to come back to life, little by little.
He felt it.
For some unknown reason, the aura from Javillons sword had disappeared. But now, a faint luminescence was gradually starting to emerge within it. Despite being far away, the unique, tingling aura was ominously closing in.
It was still faint.
You could barely feel a trace of it.
But very slowly, gradually, yet surely, it was taking form. If left like this, the aura would be fully revived in just 1 to 2 minutes.
Then it would be the end for the Crown Prince.
No matter how strong the Perennial Snow is. No matter how miraculous the Crown Princes defense may be. Because from the beginning, the aura of a Swordmaster is impossible to defend against. Only by facing it with the same aura can you block it.
Therefore,
I have to move.
Demian steadied his trembling knees and stood up. He had to help the Crown Prince quickly. He couldnt just stand idle like this.
A newfound resolve filled his chest.
Just as many questions also arose.
How?
How would he help the Crown Prince? How would he confront that Swordmaster? Of course, he knew the answer.
Should I do that?
He took a deep breath. Since experiencing the feeling of helplessness when dealing with the Minotaur in Cremo, he hadnt been idly wasting time. He had spent time honing his skills in secret. He had also acquired a new insight: a new mana manipulation technique that could exert overwhelming power.
But its dangerous. To be honest, he hesitated. However, now is not the time for hesitation. If he fails, he wont be able to protect the Crown Prince. Everything would come to an end as it is.
So lets do it.
Snap!
Demians molars clenched tightly.
With a resolution that ground down his bones, with a determination that set his Manaheart ablaze, Demians eyes widened. At the same time, the mana flowing throughout his body slowly, yet surely, started to flow in the opposite, more violent direction than what was normal.
Krrrrrrr!
A technique that Raciel never wanted and always sought to suppress, the forbidden Reversal Core Technique, the strongest and most ominous skill in the Devil Sword Emperor novel, erupted from within Demian Cayennes chest.
(To be Continued)
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