One-Eyed Monster

The creature lumbered along like a clumsy bear, seeming heavy, but once its paw struck you, you would realize it ran not too slowly, but rather, faster than you.

Although this illusion seemed strange, that was precisely the nature of real combat. At that point, you couldn’t distinguish whether you were running or walking...

Despite your mind being a chaotic mess, you would instinctively respond in times of crisis, reacting faster in proportion to the imminent danger. However, such dangers were often accompanied by tense rhythms. The Freak in front of them did not seem like a threat at all. It was slow and heavy, and aside from the corrosive liquid dripping from its body, it posed no perceptible danger.

Both Milo and Kevin were seasoned fighters, well-versed in various situations. Despite the Freak not launching any attacks yet, its influence was already apparent. It had completely diverted their attention—a classic misdirection tactic!

Hence, they couldn’t afford to let their guards down for a moment. They needed to stay alert and be ready for any unexpected attacks that might come at any time.

Kevin could sense Milo’s previous attack, whether it was exploratory or feigned. At least, the result was clear: the Freak possessed a despicable Corrosive Ability...

For a swordsman, Corrosive Ability could be tricky or cumbersome.

Whether the adversary was tricky or cumbersome depended on his sword.

If his sword was swift, even an opponent with a powerful Corrosive Ability would be at a disadvantage in terms of speed. Before a swift blade, any corrosive power would be split in two, and the blade would, at most, be corroded on one edge. However, if the blade was slow or dull, the situation would be entirely different. Before you could even brandish it, the blade would be completely engulfed by the corrosive power, leaving only the hilt in your hand...

However, Kevin’s blade was neither slow nor dull, but to describe it as swift wouldn’t do justice to Kevin either.

He was the sword, and the sword was him, the two having fused into one entity.

He existed as long as the sword did, and died if the sword did.

This was once my principle...

If it weren’t for those bastards at the Alchemy Workshop, I might still have stuck to my principle. But now, none of that exists.

All my swords, which I had once held in high regard, have vanished. Those rare weapons from across the continent, that I considered treasures, have all disappeared right before my eyes.

Whether it was the Obsidian Knife or the Black Iron Knife, everything is gone, no longer existing. I can vaguely remember their names, but I can’t recall their details.

Unlike Xiso, I don’t indulge in the past. The past is the past, full of regrets and sorrow, but it’s all behind me; I have to move on.

Hold onto grudges, but also look ahead.

I won’t wallow in the past; those swords are gone. Those bastards from the Alchemy Workshop melted them into my body, turning me thoroughly into a monster.

Now, I have truly become one with the sword.

A brief pause had actually dredged up so much, making Kevin suddenly sentimental. But he knew this wasn’t a good time for such emotions; right now, he needed to be a sword.

The Freak, slow in movement, had given him this opportunity. Cutting was in his nature. As long as he caught the right moment to strike, he would certainly deliver a heavy blow to this Freak.

All Can Be Cut! Everything can be split!

Muttering this mantra, Kevin’s hands had already turned into black blades. He was going to get close to the Freak and deliver a fatal strike.

WHOOSH—

Kevin’s speed could no longer be tracked by the naked eye. Compared to the sluggish Freak, Kevin was as fast as lightning.

The old Kevin could skillfully separate mutton bones from the meat with a pair of sharp blades in an instant. His sword skills had reached an unparalleled level.

Now, his sword had become one with his body, making his movements even more elusive.

Swift—this was one of the secrets to Kevin’s swordsmanship.

Moving like a flash of lightning, he was darting around the Freak at incredible speed, too fast to be tracked by the eye.

Wizard Reed could sense a familiar Spirit Power circling around the Freak, but he couldn’t make out who it was, moving at such a remarkable speed that it vanished from his sensory range almost immediately.

Milo also sensed this peculiar power. He felt exhilarated. This is the power of the Blue Blood League Guard, the prowess of the Sword God after the Alchemy Workshop’s modification!

The detestable Freak continued its sluggish movements, seemingly unaffected by anything.

However, that was not the case. After circling in front of the Freak for a bit, Kevin retreated to a hidden corner. Close-combat Soldiers like them had to remain hidden most of the time, only emerging to attack when necessary. A large creature like this Freak, fully exposed in the open space, was nothing but an easy target.

The Freak continued its slow, methodical advance; even Wizard Reed found himself thinking that the Freak’s pre-attack ritual was dragging on for too long...

In the brief pause, both Wizard Reed and Milo were baffled, clueless about what had just transpired. Had Kevin’s blade really not affected the Freak at all? Was this Freak just so thick-skinned and tough-fleshed that it feared neither sword nor blade? Or perhaps the corrosive aura emanating from the Freak was too strong, completely corroding and melting Kevin’s blades instantly?

Two, three, four! Only Kevin knew what would happen next; he was silently counting in his heart, knowing that after a few more beats, the Freak would emit an unusual cry...

The first will be a yell, a roar born from unbearable pain...

As expected, the Freak paused for a moment, then, WAAAH— a gut-wrenching scream erupted from its patchwork chest, an utterly horrifying sound.

Four, five, six, seven, eight, every cut blossoms.

Kevin seemed to be relishing everything. He kept his eyes closed, but he knew exactly what was going to happen to the Freak.

ERRR UUUHHH WAAAH— The Freak sounded as if it had suffered a devastating blow, its screams growing ever more pitiful.

Kevin’s blade was extraordinarily swift!

But this Freak really is a bit slow on the uptake...