HBWnovel Chapter 997: Intense (2)
Chapter 997: Intense (2)
Chapter 997: Intense (2)
‘What is that?’
Tristan felt his heart freeze up from the shock at the surreal sight of black flames twisting and billowing like a devil’s tongue while rising up in the air.@@@@
Wasn't this ironic, though? Tristan and his fellow Elder Knights should have been the most absurd and surreal existences in this place, after all. They should have died eons ago, yet here they were, swinging their weapons around centuries later.
He wasn't agonizing about the absurd nature of an Elder Knight, of course. Tristan understood that, depending on one's point of view, Elder Knights could be seen as monsters.
However, that didn't matter anymore when the “real” monster was right in front of his nose! A creature that not even monsters like the Elder Knights, who were revived from eternal slumber by unnatural means, could not comprehend!
‘Just what the hell is that thing?!’
Of course Tristan knew. Even if those black flames were not something he could recognize, they still had to be another type of aura manifestation. That was the only likely explanation for the incredible power he could sense from those flames.
Even if that was true, how could a mere mortal unleash flames of aura from his entire body until they reached a dozen-plus meters in height! And how could that person envelop himself with so much aura as if it was his second skin?!
None of it made sense. Tristan's common sense refused to believe it!
Unfortunately, now wasn't the time to be impressed or tremble in fear. That was because... Those insidious, ominous-looking black flames were unquestionably targeting Tristan! If he failed to respond correctly right now, he'd get killed. Without a doubt!
“Kuk!”
Tristan's beautiful sword was immediately enveloped in a stunning silver aura.
All the mana gushing out of his heart raced through his arms to enter the sword. And then, it circulated at a crazy speed on the blade.
“Taaaa-aaaaht!”
“Take this!”
Determined roars coming from his left and right registered in Tristan's ears. Percival and Bedivere were ably matching the timing of Tristan's attack.
These Knights were so in tune with each other that they didn't even need to discuss anything before unleashing a coordinated attack like this.
‘We will... break through!’
Tristan hacked down with his sword brimming full of aura. A pristine silver-hued energy extended from the blade to create a massive crescent of light. That was an outstanding display of accurate and perfect aura utilization in a battle. RA????ОbË????
The descending light of aura was as beautiful and smooth as silk. Finally, Tristan's highly regarded signature move, Silver Moon, has been brought to life in the modern era!
This utterly beautiful crescent-shaped sword aura clashed against the black flames.
Craaaaaaaack!
The deafening noise of metal scraping against another metal loudly tore through the air. Despite its aching beauty, the crescent-shaped aura failed to split open the ominous black flames.
Elder Knights swiftly attacked with a spear and a mace afterward, but the black flames held firm. The only thing these Knights managed to do was make those flames flicker for a bit.
‘How is that even possible!’
Just what were they fighting against here?! How was it even possible that flames roiling around like living creatures possessed hardness exceeding forged steel!
No, forged steel had nothing on these flames. After all, the Elder Knights could casually rip such steel apart like pieces of paper. But they grandly failed to put a dent in these accursed flames!
How could any flame possess the necessary vigor to burn so ferociously and endlessly? And also be so nonsensically tough that nothing could penetrate them? Only the literal flames of the devil fit those criteria!
And now, those ferocious flames were surging angrily toward Tristan!
Tristan's heart madly pumped mana to the rest of his body. He knew he absolutely had to cut down those flames targeting him like a living entity!
Or he'd die for sure!
Before he could take a swipe with his sword, however, the flames shot up at a scarcely believable speed and wrapped around his legs!
CRUNCH! CRAAACK!
“Kkuuuuhuph?!”
Much to his relief, Tristan somehow managed to avoid the shame of screaming in pain. That didn’t mean his situation was good, however.
The magic-reinforced armor was unceremoniously crushed and ripped apart. The resulting metallic bits began digging into Tristan's flesh next.
“Sir Tristan!”
Someone urgently cried out from behind him. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the situation.
“Aaaaaahk!”
“Blast it all to Hell!”
Judging from the panicked yells, it seemed Tristan's companions jumping in at the same time were stuck in a similar predicament as him! He could clearly sense the fluster of his companions coming from his left and right.
Of course, he didn't have the mental leeway to worry about their situations at the moment.
Tristan was too busy sensing incredible pressure crushing his legs, after all!
It felt like a giant had grabbed him by his legs to crush his lower torso flat. Even before the pain from metal digging into his flesh could weaken, Tristan was wrecked by a sensation similar to his bones turning into powder. And then...!
“Kuk...?!”
“Although it is quite a task, I don't have a choice, now do I?” The Elder Knight named Percival grunted while tapping the end of his massive lance on the floor.
Gawain sucked in a deep breath. They had finished strategizing what to do. As long as they didn't make any mistakes... They should be able to land a fatal blow on the enemy!
Despite thinking that way, Gawain still couldn't rid himself of this one worry.
‘If this is all that devil has to offer... Then we have a chance. However!’
However, what if Kang Jin-Ho had been holding back until now? In that case, would the Elder Knights be able to defeat him?
An unexplainable ominous foreboding crept into Gawain’s heart.
That was when Kang Jin-Ho suddenly broke his silence. “I want to ask you something.”
“...?”
Who should answer him? If this had been any other situation, an Elder Knight would've casually answered back. But now? All they did was glance at each other without saying a word.
This sight stoked flames of rage in Gawain and made him grit his teeth. He glared at Kang Jin-Ho and chewed his words out. “What do you want?”
“Are you strong?”
“...?”
What a strange and confusing thing to ask in this situation that was! Even then, for some reason, Gawain had no problem figuring out what Kang Jin-Ho wanted to know.
“Yes, we are. At least, as far as we know.”
“I see...” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.
The Elder Knights couldn’t tell how or where Kang Jin-Ho had acquired his incredible strength. Their limited knowledge of what things were like in the East meant they had to assume that some strange, unknown Eastern martial arts were responsible. And this story should be the same for Kang Jin-Ho, too.
Kang Jin-Ho was asking if these Elder Knights could call themselves the absolute best in the history of Western martial arts.
Since that seemed to be the case, Gawain decided to ask back. “Then, tell me. What about you?”
“...?”
“Can you confidently say your strength allows you to represent the East’s martial achievements?”
Kang Jin-Ho slowly shook his head again. “No.”
“...!”
Did he say no? Gawain’s expression stiffened like a rock.
“I’m still not quite good enough. My level is still not there yet. Not yet...” Kang Jin-Ho’s gaze drifted up toward the ceiling.
Could he proclaim that? That he was the strongest?
Actually, the answer to that question was not complicated at all.
Kang Jin-Ho had gotten stupendously powerful. After his return to the modern era, he began regaining his former strength several times faster than he had expected. Even so, he wasn't back at his former peak yet.
Even now, he still had a long way to go to match Heavenly Crimson Demon Emperor’s strength!
Kang Jin-Ho ruefully chuckled. “I can’t say I’m the strongest, but...”
“But?”
“I’m good enough to beat you all down, at least.”
Gawain gritted his teeth at that reply. “It seems you’re too full of yourself!”
The Elder Knights quickly and smartly got into formation with Gawain in the center. Kang Jin-Ho leisurely watched this scene as a subtle smirk formed on his lips.
‘How bizarre...’
Kang Jin-Ho admitted that these Elder Knights were strong. No one he had fought until now was stronger than these Knights from the ancient past. Of course, that was excluding the Crimson King.
He even felt that even Vator would fall slightly short when compared to these Knights. In that case, would the big man lose if he fought an Elder Knight in a one-on-one duel?
No. Vator wouldn't lose. Not necessarily. That was because a crucial difference separated Vator from these Elder Knights.
Kang Jin-Ho muttered quietly. “It seems I was wrong.”
Gawain narrowed his eyes. “...What was that?”
“You were not martial artists, after all.”
“What inane nonsense are you on about, you devil?”
“I don't need to treat people who are not martial artists as martial artists, right? Either way, it doesn't matter to me,” said Kang Jin-Ho while baring his fangs in a toothy smirk. “I'm also used to dealing with such people, you see?”
Kang Jin-Ho resumed his leisurely walk toward the Elder Knights, his Crimson Destiny and Azuremourne resting by his sides.
“Well, then. Why don’t we start this... ‘war’ properly now?”