Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Caecus didn’t say anything in response. He just pulled his sword and adjusted his stance while keeping his eyes on Namgung Ri.

The two faced off, unblinkingly, their muscles taut.

In the next moment, Namgung Ri suddenly jumped forward and slashed down his sword. The slash released a sharp wind blade that tore through the air.

Whoosh!

The mana along its path twisted violently, sending a sonic boom that reverberated across the landscape.

Caecus sent a stream of mana into his sword, channeling its power. With a wave of his hand, he released a powerful force to deflect the wind blade.

When the two violent forces collided, an earth-shattering explosion burst forth.

BOOM!!

A cloud of dust kicked up, obscuring everyone’s sight.

When the dust settled, they all saw a deep hole in the ground. Massive cracks appeared near the hole, looking like an earthquake had just struck the land.

Some weaker warriors who were hit by the shockwaves fell to the ground with varying degrees of injuries.

”How strong! With just one exchange, they managed to demolish the land! Insane!”

”This is a fight between two powerful Mythical Knights. You guys should back off and maintain a safe distance. If you aren’t careful, you might get killed by the shockwaves.”

The warriors from both sides immediately retreated further.

”Look! They both look fine. Who do you think had the upper hand in that exchange?”

”It’s hard to say.”

”Lord Namgung has been a Mythical Knight for a long time. He has battled numerous formidable warriors and survived many gruesome encounters. On the other hand, Caecus is just a newly ascended Mythical Knight. However, his battle records are also extraordinary.”

The crowd watched on with rapt attention. No one blinked.

At this moment, Namgung Ri gripped his sword tightly. After that one exchange, he realized how powerful his opponent was.

I put a fifth of my mana in that attack, but it didn’t even leave any injuries on his body.

He furrowed his eyebrows.

Knowing that this battle would decide their fate, he stimulated his energy core and released half of his remaining mana to prepare his next attack.

He adjusted his battle stance and executed a spinning slash that caused a turbulent gust of wind. Multiple energy blades were fired, shooting toward Caecus with lightning speed.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Facing the destructive energy blades, Caecus waved his sword, moving fluidly, deflecting each energy blade with barely any effort.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

His hair danced wildly along with the rampaging wind.

The shockwaves from their collision created new holes in the ground. The warriors from both sides had to retreat further to avoid the shockwaves.

Galanar, who was observing the battle, frowned.

Why is he prolonging this fight?

He had fought many times with Caecus during their training, so he knew that he wasn’t using his full strength.

He hadn’t even released his domain since the duel began. On the other hand, Namgung Ri had already activated his domain.

The two clashed over and over, causing more damage to the surrounding terrain. With their destructive powers, the landscape had been transformed.

Bang! Bang!

An exhausted Namgung Ri fell to the ground. His body was covered in blood. There were slash wounds all over, and a huge gaping hole could be seen on his chest.

If a normal warrior were in his state, they would have already died many times over, but the strong life force of a Mythical Knight kept him alive.

With a grunt, he stabbed his sword into the ground and tried to prop himself up using it. Unfortunately, his strength wavered, and he nearly lost balance.

He was breathing raggedly. He could feel his energy core slowly shattering. His mana was gradually leaving his body.

I lost... so miserably at that...

He lifted his head with a helpless sigh. In front of him stood his opponent, whose battle armor remained unblemished. His aura was vigorous, and it didn’t even look like he had fought an intense battle.

To Namgung Ri, it was a tough pill to swallow. All his life, he was celebrated as one of the most powerful warriors in the country, but in front of this man, his confidence crumbled.

”Kill me...” He muttered weakly, his voice cracking.

Caecus stared deeply at him. With no emotional fluctuations, he brandished his sword and decapitated Namgung Ri in one move.

Whoosh!

The warriors of House Namgung watched in disbelief as the formidable general they respected was slain.

”Lord Ri!”

”Lord Namgung!”

They cried out in misery and anger.

”Kill him! Avenge the lord!” Some loyal retainers urged their horses to charge forward, unsheathing their weapons as they eyed Caecus with rage.

A cold snort suddenly echoed. A series of energy blades burst forth, slicing the charging warriors into pieces.

”Ahh!!”

”Ahh! My leg!”

”Argh!”

Cries of pain echoed as a few surviving warriors screamed. Their bloodcurdling screams sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

”How dare you maggots disrespect the results of the duel?!” Galanar bellowed, brandishing his great sword with tremendous force.

Each strike he released left deep stretches of fissures on the land.

The loyal retainers of Namgung Ri fell one after another. They couldn’t even get near Caecus as Galanar blocked their path.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In just a few minutes, more than half of the strongest warriors of House Namgung perished under his relentless attacks.

The remaining half fearfully knelt, throwing their weapons in surrender.

Namgung Ri’s wife and children shivered in fright. They panicked as their impending death crept.

”Don’t kill me! I will faithfully serve His Majesty and Her Majesty! I will be their loyal vassal!” One of Namgung Ri’s sons shouted, his voice trembling.

Galanar sneered upon hearing this. ”To think a proud warrior like Namgung Ri would have a coward of a son! He must be cursing in hell right now.”

With a signal of his hand, he commanded the warriors of House Silversword in a cold voice. ”Kill them all! Don’t leave anyone alive!”

The warriors who had already surrendered were frightened by his words.

”Please show mercy! Don’t kill me! Ahh!!”

”I don’t want to fight! Don’t ki-”

Galanar watched the warriors of House Silversword slaughter the remaining enemies.