185. The Imperial Authority Struggle [2]
——————————————— [Basic Information] Name: Garen von Reinhaver Gender: Male Age: 21 Race: Human Primary Element: Darkness
Achievements: [Minion of the Demon] / [Eldest Son of the Reinhaver Family] / [The Continent’s Executioner]
[Traits] Positive: [Prodigy of Swordsmanship and Combat] / [Prodigy of Mana Sensitivity] / [Rapid Growth] / [Versatility] Neutral: [Boundary Between Good and Evil] Negative: [Twisted Desires] / [Love and Hatred] / [Demon Worshiper] / [Murderer]
[Stats] Physical strength: 19 Mana: 18 Luck: 6 Willpower: 14 Charm: 24
[Skills] Passive Skills: [Demonic Sword Manifestation] / [Essence of Dark Magic].... Active Skills: [Supreme Black Sword – First Form] / [Supreme Black Sword – Second Form] / [Supreme Black Sword – Third Form] / [Mana Amplification]
———————————————
I checked Garen’s status window out of caution, but it was just as I remembered. He was an irredeemable piece of trash, just as he was in the game, a monster who led countless others, including his own kin, to their deaths. I keenly realized this once again, the enemy before my eyes was an absurdly dangerous lunatic.
I examined his traits more carefully.
First, his achievements. The title [Minion of the Demon] was proof that Garen was indeed a follower of the dark forces. Next, the title [The Continent’s Executioner] and the negative trait [Murderer] spoke volumes about his evil deeds.
Garen von Reinhaver was a hopeless madman who lost all control at the sight of blood. In the game, after he sealed his fate defeated by the protagonist’s party, driven insane by his thirst for blood, he ultimately ended his life.
But things are different now.
He has a clear objective and a demon backing him. It’s obvious what this means.
The difficulty of Inner Lunatic has risen yet again.
But I’ve grown stronger, too.
Even if he has two [Prodigy] traits, he is different from me. If battles were decided by something as simple as higher or lower stats, I wouldn’t have played this game.
So. I keep my eyes wide open, staring at my enemy.
“Young Master! It’s dangerous...!!”
Christopher’s urgent voice and.
“Nox...!”
Even Eleanor’s cry. None of it shakes me. I calmly repeated to myself. I might just a crazy bastard, I might just someone who doesn’t even fully understand myself. At least, I understand the talent of Nox von Reinhaver, a character who might become a villain.
No, I understand my talent completely.
“Come, Garen.”
With a voice that I let out without realizing, Garen raises his two outstretched swords upright and draws them close to his body. Then, as he focuses his mana and the dark blade begins to brim with magic, the guy starts to hurl it toward me as if to make it explode. Countless shapes flash through my mind.
I stop that moment.
The swaying white hair, the trembling tips of my fingers from excitement, and even the feeble breath that might stop in an instant.
The only light granted to me, who has stopped this moment, is time.
The ability to move faster than the enemy?
No, at least this time, I won’t do that.
Then, the ability to block the enemy’s attack?
No, that too holds no meaning at this moment. No, that’s not enough. That won’t even come close. I need to make it more clear. I need to assert myself, to prove that I am undeniably more skilled than Garen. To etch it clearly into the minds of everyone present here, just being able to stop isn’t nearly enough.
‘Then.... The correct answer is’
My pupils.
“Nox...! Stop! It’s too dangerous....!”
But the one who stopped her from approaching was none other than Christopher, who had finished his own battle. Eleanor’s face showed a mixture of slight sorrow and stubbornness. Suppressing her emotions, she spoke.
“...Why are you stopping me? Is it because I’m not helpful?”
“That’s not it.”
For once, Christopher didn’t launch into long-winded praise of his young master or elaborate on his perspective. Instead, he simply pointed to the scene before them. At Nox, who was blocking the attacks of Garen von Reinhaver, his entire body covered in wounds.... wearing an expression that seemed to suggest he was enjoying himself immensely.
At Nox, who had started rapidly deflecting Garen’s attacks, his pupils darting back and forth.
“...This is the first time I’ve seen the young master with that expression. I understand your concern, but please, watch. The young master doesn’t make promises he can’t keep. And I.... I am certain that young master Nox will win this battle.”
Chaeng! Chaeng! Chaeng...!
Even as sparks flew wildly, Nox showed no signs of agitation.
This was just the beginning.
Soon, something even more astounding began to happen.
It didn’t take long for Nox to start deflecting Garen’s attacks more frequently. Christopher gulped unconsciously, his hands trembling.
’[Black Blade Falling Petals]. A technique is known to be impossible to counter, leaving no option but to endure. Even I who had seen that technique several times never dreamed of following it. But... deflecting it?’
The fact that he was parrying the absurd swordsmanship of Garen, the eldest, whose skills far exceeded his own, sent shivers down Christopher’s spine.
This cannot be classified as just talent.
Heaven beyond the heavens? [천외천]
Yes, I have seen a few talents that could be described in such terms. Even at the academy, such beings were numerous. Those called geniuses were extraordinary from the start, showcasing their skills and overwhelming everyone with their innate talent. Christopher too was a fairly talented knight and had often been treated as such.
But...
Even among them. That is, even among those so-called geniuses, there exists another genius. Another heaven, a presence above all others. He couldn’t help but feel this truth anew.
Nox von Reinhaver His young master was already deflecting both Garen von Reinhaver third form and his sword. As if he knew all too well that he could do so. Garen’s flustered expression, and Nox, whose white hair was matted with blood and clinging to his face. The involuntary curl on his lips represented Nox’s current situation.
He had won.
The match was already as good as decided.
‘How...’
Christopher’s hands holding the sword trembled violently. Suddenly, the image of his young master’s cold and resolute gaze flashed through his mind. Only then did Christopher realize.
That it wasn’t arrogance, nor was it pride. It was confidence born of genuine conviction.
So, it wasn’t as others said, that he was a ruffian relying on his family name and wearing such an expression. That wasn’t it at all.
And, he was certain.
Nox von Reinhaver might have been a ruler from the very beginning. And perhaps that was why he had been drawn to him.
Meanwhile, at that moment, Nox had already lost consciousness. He felt a strange sensation and memory controlling his body. It was an entirely unfamiliar feeling, yet at the same time, it acted as a kind of trigger, unraveling the hidden truths of who Nox von Reinhaver truly was.
———————————————
Note:
I’ve been using ‘first half’ to describe the stages of sword techniques . I translated 전반부 [jeonbanbu] literally, which means [first half]
From now on, I’ll go with initial stage, middle stage, and last stage since they sound more suitable.