Book 2: Chapter 383

Book 2: Chapter 383

Lukas wasn’t the only one surprised by his impulsive approach.

Naturally, the two elders that were about to fight him were more surprised than he was.

It was the red robed old man that returned to his senses first. He squinted his eyes as he observed his opponent.

There were strange beings with a distinctly foreign aura, who wore clothes similar to those of monks, those who used all kinds of sorcery and other magical spells and wielded canes and staves with large gems embedded in them.

They were called... Wizards.

He was certain.

The man in front of him was a Wizard.

Despite not holding a weapon, the flames that coated both of his hands were the best proof of that fact.

And that was what made the current situation even harder to understand.

‘Would a Wizard voluntarily reduce the distance like this?’

‘Something so foolish...’

The elders laughed inwardly at Lukas’ judgement, but their outward reactions were different. Instead, they began to shuffle backward, widening the distance slightly.

That was not the reaction that Lukas expected.

In any case, thanks to their voluntary retreat, he had a bit more leeway. Lukas’ eyes turned to Pale.

She was still standing in the same spot, twirling her hair around her finger as she watched the situation with an interesting expression on her face. When their eyes met, she smiled like an idiot.

Clearly, she didn’t have any intention of joining the fight.

That was too bad. Pale’s power was something even Lukas hadn’t gained a full grasp of. It would have been great if she could help him with even one elder.

...Nevertheless, it didn’t really matter.

He looked around. He realised just how disadvantageous the terrain was.

It was an underground cave. A closed off, narrow space.

If he were to recklessly use magic, he himself would suffer from it. The key to the Wizards’ fighting style was to maintain distance, and in such a narrow, straight place, the difficulty of the fight would increase several times.

Not to mention he had to be considerate of the woman who was still unconscious and Lee Jong-hak who was in poor physical condition.

Nevertheless, those series of problems were not a major obstacle for Lukas.

Srrng-

When the distance between them narrowed a bit more, the sound of swords being drawn was heard.

The red robed and blue robed elders were ready to start the fight.

At first glance, it might seem like they were just retreating, but they had moved with strange shifting steps and before he knew it, they were standing on both sides of Lukas, their swords at the ready.

Suddenly, Lukas stopped walking.

“...”

One step.

If he had taken one more step, he would have entered the elders’ most comfortable rhythm and exposed an opening. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he almost stepped towards death with his own two feet.

This distance was perfect.

Fwoosh!

At the same time, the flames that flickered on Lukas’ hands shot towards the elders.

Taht, the figures of the two elders disappeared. Their swords, which they had been holding openly, seemed to become undetectable flashes as they pierced the flames. In an instant, the intangible element disappeared silently as if it evaporated.

Their advance did not stop because of Lukas’ first attack. Rather, it was only beginning.

The two elders clearly kicked off at the same time, but it was the elder on the left that reached him first.

In other words, it was the blue robed elder.

He hadn’t arrived first because he was faster or closer. Instead, it was simply because the red robed elder deliberately slowed down in order to sync their attacks.

When the blue robed elder was only one step away...

Fwoosh!

Lukas saw plum blossoms in full bloom.

It felt like the dark cave had become brighter. Then he felt a tingling sensation all over his body. It felt like he was pressuring him with his aura.

‘He’s at a level close to Master.’

He was impressed by his opponent’s achievements, but the progression of the blue robed elder’s mastery was about to come to an end.

Fwoosh!

The plum blossoms fluttered and covered most of his vision. It was a beautiful sight, but now was not the time to admire it. Lukas could feel the dozens of blades fluttering around him.

It was a sword technique that mixed truths and falsehoods while bewitching the opponent.

In other words, it was a phantom sword.

Lukas’ eyes glinted coldly and his fingers shot into the air.

Motion magic. A spell was triggered by his simple gesture, and the ground stretched like rubber before soon shooting up like a sharp spear.

“What?”

The blue robed elder uttered a cry of shock. He wasn’t surprised that spears of earth rose up from the ground. It was the same even for the fact that they were able to pierce through his sword technique.

No, the truly surprising thing was what happened next.

A total of fifteen spears, large and small, rose up from the ground.

It was the same number of blades hidden in the blue robed elder’s sword technique.

‘Did he immediately see through my phantom sword?’

It was unbelievable.

He continued to talk in a gentle voice.

“So?”

“...this prison is quite sturdy, but that impact clearly exceeded its durability. It won’t be long before its foundation begins to collapse.”

The foundation was collapsing.

It went without saying what the consequences of such a thing would be for this underground cave.

Lukas asked.

“Do you intend to die together?”

“That wouldn’t be a bad outcome. Because you... are stronger than us.”

The red robed elder acknowledged this fact after their few exchanges. Until now, their engagements hadn’t been largely biassed to one side.

However, they could understand one thing.

That Lukas was hiding his power.

Perhaps the strength he had revealed was only around 30% at best. And yet, this monster was able to gain the upper hand against two elders.

‘In that case, then our mission also changes.’

In the first place, the mission they had was to capture or eliminate the intruders.

If that was not possible then the next best option would be to do exactly what Lukas mentioned. However, even that seemed difficult to do.

In that case, there were only two options left.

To cause even the slightest bit of damage, or to make him use more energy.

To make it easier for the Senior Disciple to fight him later.

Krrr...

The falling stone fragments and the shaking cave walls.

They were no different from the screams of the cave. Even at that moment, the sinking of the foundation continued to accelerate.

Lukas also felt the change in their mindset. The arrogance in their expressions had faded. Their will to fight had also changed.

Basically, they intended to take the defensive instead of the offensive, but if his response faltered for even a moment, they would not hesitate to rush in at the risk of their lives. Just to leave an injury of some kind on Lukas.

This was going to become a real hassle.

“...”

The corners of Lukas’ lips rose.

* * *

Lee Jong-hak watched the fight unfolding before him.

He knew how strong the elders of Flower Mountain were individually. When they attacked together, the difficulty rose to an unimaginable level.

Naturally blocking and counter attacking.

The martial arts ability that Lukas was displaying. It was definitely amazing. To the extent where he couldn’t help but feel admiration.

‘However...’

He was weakened.

Even Lee Jong-hak could tell that much. He couldn’t feel the same aura and pressure of an Absolute that he’d felt every time he faced him in the past.

What was the reason? Did it have something to do with the strange feeling he’d had during their short conversation.

“My friend fights well, doesn’t he?”

Lee Jong-hak turned his head at the sudden voice.

A blue haired woman was standing there. She continued with a grin.

“I like fighting as well.”

“...”

“An overwhelming fight is not worth watching or doing. Fighting is always rough and ugly, but above all else, the more equal it is, the funner it is. Don’t you agree?”

Lee Jong-hak didn’t answer.

He didn’t know why, but every time she talked, he felt an inexplicable sense of strangeness.

However, he didn’t show his discomfort. After all, the other was his benefactor.

He’d seen the jerky Pale had taken out.

Regardless of whether it was a trade with Lukas or not, she had handed over such a valuable item.

“You know. There is something I want to ask you, Oppa.”

“...”

“Answer me. I know you can talk now.”

Pale chuckled.

It was true. Lee Jong-hak’s tongue had already regenerated. It was possible because of this world.

Lee Jong-hak opened his mouth and spoke in a slurred manner.

“What is it?”

“I want to talk to the person behind you.”

Behind?

Lee Jong-hak looked behind him. Naturally, there was nothing there. Just a dank cave wall.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t pretend to be innocent.”

Pale’s smile deepened even more.

“I’m saying I want to talk to the Lightning God.”

Lee Jong-hak’s expression hardened.