Blood was everywhere to the extent that it was impossible to tell where it was flowing from—every part of him was covered in it. Haehyuk gasped for breath, holding a sword drenched in blood, uncertain if it was flowing from his head or forearm. The young-looking Irregular, who had been screaming and shooting fighting spirit in a frenzy, now regained its composure, looking at Haehyuk with cold, emotionless eyes.
"You've done something foolish."
The voice, low and filling the space, was similar to the threat of a monster. Hearing the throaty sound, Haehyuk quietly laughed.
"Does it seem foolish to you?"
"You are not meant to die here."
"Oh, can you see lifespans too?"
His joke caused a frown to form on Septimus's forehead.
"Among all humans I have seen, you were the strongest. The boy with the rare power was not fully matured, but among those who came here, you were the only ripe one. That must mean you are a considerable force among humans."
"That's not wrong."
"It would be a great loss if you were to die here alone."
He looked puzzled. Haehyuk glanced behind him, stopping the fight and continuing the conversation with this sentient being.
After Kang Sihyun and the rest of the group left, the army controlled by Septimus lost its strength. The one controlling them had ceased its operations.
It was unclear whether it was out of consideration, mercy, or if it was planning a more cruel method to kill him. Haehyuk gave up all predictions about the superior being whose intentions were unfathomable and simply held his sword.
The sword that had been by his side since the first awakening, cutting down tens of thousands of enemies.
A laugh escaped him suddenly.
He had spent time protecting someone, but he had never risked his life like this before, and even he did not understand why.
He remembered the first moment of awakening, trembling as he faced the Irregular. The boy who had been thrown into the battlefield before he even realized his growth, now a grown man, Haehyuk took a deeper breath, gripping his sword tighter. Facing Haehyuk, Septimus narrowed his eyes.
"You are different from the others."
"..."
"You have no intention of begging for your life, do you?"
His voice was a mix of sarcasm and doubt. Haehyuk did not affirm or deny but just calmed his breath, exploring the flow of mana swirling around him.
Unless he was reborn to live another life, his current power was insufficient to cut down the enemy before him.
However.
He could buy some time.
Especially since this vicious Irregular seemed interested in him.
He had to stall for as long as possible, until his sister and his guild's members safely descended, until they left Septimus's territory for a safe area.
Haehyuk's gaze shifted from Septimus to the sword in his hand. Perhaps because death was imminent, he found himself lost in thought, which normally wouldn't happen.
Initially, he wielded the sword to protect his crying mother and sister from the Irregular.
Next, he followed his father's orders to slay the Irregular, and after that, he cut down a catastrophe-class to protect his country.
Most were done in pursuit of benefits and value, following his father's commands.
He never thought the day would come when he would offer himself as a sacrifice.
If the dozens of guild members who died before his eyes and the friends he grew up with had heard these thoughts, they would have been shocked. While he entertained such unworthy thoughts, the air grew colder. Not waiting any longer, the atmosphere around him became menacing, as if it would tear his body apart any moment. Haehyuk, sensing this, opened his mouth towards Septimus, who was still waiting for his response.
"I plan to cut your throat."
"..."
"And then return to where I belong."
His voice was calm, unshaken by the imminent death. At the clear provocation, Septimus's eyebrows twitched. After staring at Haehyuk for a moment, he flicked his finger. Thousands of people standing idly fell to the ground all at once.
Thud, thud. The sound of unknown people collapsing made Haehyuk squint his eyes. Septimus, watching the wary man, cracked his neck, making a clicking sound.
Then, Septimus's appearance began to change.
What once seemed to be a young body not even fifteen, grew to the size of an adult man. By estimate, he would be at least seven feet tall. His once smooth, youthful skin now bore wrinkles, and his black hair turned white. Instead of sharp nails, the figure now wielded a greatsword that looked heavy just by the sight of it. He was no longer a young boy but had become a veteran knight in full armor.
Haehyuk almost let out an exclamation but managed to hold it back.
Instinctively, he could guess.
This form must be Septimus's true appearance.
Transforming from a thoughtless boy to a seasoned knight whose years of experience were evident, Septimus, with eyes blackened to the point where the whites turned dark, looked at Haehyuk.
Boom!
He slammed his sword into the ground with a single strike, causing the suspended earth to resonate loudly. Amid the vibration, Septimus spoke.
"What's your name?"
Facing the Irregular, whose relaxed demeanor belied an underlying fierce combativeness, Haehyuk gripped his sword, ready for battle. Even without words, both understood. The brief moment of dialogue had ended.
"Lee Haehyuk."
"I will remember you."
Septimus whispered in a grave voice as he raised his greatsword high. Then, with a speed unbelievable for a knight wielding a sword as tall as himself, he charged forward.
Boom!
The longsword and the greatsword collided. The purple aura emanating from Hahyuk's sword pushed Septimus's sword away.
Thud, thud, thud.
The ground vibrated with the ferociously surging energy. Septimus, witnessing the fierce momentum, smiled as if delighted. With one strike, the earth shook, and with another, the space itself split. Hahyuk, enduring the pain as if his grip was being torn apart, deflected the incoming strike.
His body spun, and once again, dazzling aura and sword energy rushed forth. Septimus, holding his greatsword sideways, blocked it all, then kicked off the ground and charged again.
The sound of metal clashing echoed dozens of times. Following that, Hahyuk, who was knocked back several times, rolling on the ground and spitting blood, finally managed to send Septimus's finger flying with a diagonal slash.
Grrr!
A purple sword energy cleaved the ground towards Septimus. Amidst the rising dust cloud on the battlefield, Hahyuk's aura struggled fiercely, almost desperately.
Crash!
When the swords met again, Hahyuk, trembling, bit his lip before grimacing and speaking.
“I have a request.”
“What is it?”
As Septimus swung his sword horizontally, Hahyuk, dodging by turning his body, grasped his sword. The silver blade, moving as if alive, sliced through the enemy but only left a scratch on Septimus.
“When my companions come here again, make sure to kill the big one, will you?”
Cough, Hahyuk spat out blood.
“The big one?”
“The biggest one among them.”
Hahyuk, explaining about the largest among them, swung his sword again. Blood flowed from his split palm. Septimus, realizing belatedly who it was, exclaimed softly. Thwack! Hahyuk's sword finally succeeded in slicing halfway through Septimus's shoulder.
Unhurt, or so it seemed, the Irregular smiled brightly, clutching the sword embedded in his shoulder. Hahyuk's expression soured at the sight of the immovable sword, held fast by Septimus's grip. Septimus's lips curled up in a smirk.
“A request like that is not too much to ask. I promise to kill everyone who comes here.”
It was a response far from what Hahyuk had hoped, but he was not dealing with someone who would agree to spare his companions just because he asked. Hahyuk said nothing more and rolled back, narrowly avoiding Septimus's sword that grazed his abdomen.
If he hadn't let go of the sword, his stomach would have been pierced for sure.
Without a moment to breathe a sigh of relief, Hahyuk grabbed a fallen sword from the ground. It felt different from his own long-used sword, but it was better than fighting bare-handed. Hahyuk adjusted his grip on the sword, covering it with fresh blood over old stains. The last of his mana surged, summoning an aura that washed over Septimus like a tidal wave.
Crash!
Septimus deflected the aura with his greatsword and charged at Hahyuk.
“I promise there won't be a day when you're used as a puppet.”
Septimus, having closed the distance, thrust his sword. Hahyuk, facing the weapon meant to pierce him, let out a small laugh, sensing no presence with his expanded perception.
Everyone had safely escaped.
That alone was enough to feel his duties were fulfilled.
“Cough!”
Hahyuk, holding the greatsword, coughed up blood, infusing his last energy into the sword.
The core, sensing its master's death, spun wildly.
Whoosh!
From the usually dull purple aura of the sword's tip, a brilliant light burst forth. Hahyuk, standing beneath the light, like Septimus before him, gripped the greatsword and thrust it towards the Irregular's heart.
Septimus screamed as the sword pierced his chest.
‘All endeavors that lack reason are futile, my son.’
Hahyuk remembered his father's words.
Click, as if something broke, Hahyuk felt the heavy energy that enveloped him falling away and closed his eyes.
Even in a life you deemed worthless, there must be value.
So.
“I have a request.”
Among the many regrets left beneath the floating ground, he remembered the deepest one.
Towards the boy who had shown through his own body that soft tenderness was better than harsh love.
Whirr.
The purple energy at the sword's tip gradually calmed down. Finally, the two beings kneeled together on the barren ground after their fierce battle.
A wind signaling a ceasefire in the long war
blew.
The wind, filled with the smell of iron, reached the remaining companions who were escaping Septimus's domain.
“...Damn it.”
A black-haired boy, carrying Kang Sihyun and Haru under his arms, cursed with a trembling voice. Tears streamed down the boy's contorted face.
It was their first taste of a clear defeat.
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a member of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public.
- You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.
- Your name will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- You get access to Digital art.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
- You get to recommend a Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
