Isaac inhaled deeply.
His senses were sharpening.
He adjusted immediately, shifting into a rhythm of attack and defense.
Blue lines guided his strikes. Red lines dictated his blocks.
But then something strange happened.
Some blue lines blinked out. Red lines shifted unpredictably.
Isaac narrowed his eyes.
’He can see them too... makes sense. He was a Sword God once. He must know this technique.’
The realization only made Isaac grip his sword tighter. He couldn’t hold back. Not here. Not now.
Yet as he pressed forward, another grim realization came.
’What the hell is this? My stats are higher. Why is his sword still faster?’
The Sword God’s body was slower, that much Isaac could tell.
But his sword.... it was impossibly quick.
It was a blur that outpaced Isaac despite everything. Combined with his endless variations of sword forms, the monster matched him step for step.
"Dammit," Isaac muttered under his breath. "My boost won’t last forever."
That was when a voice cut through the clashing steel.
"Isaac!"
Emily’s voice.
His head snapped toward her. Frost crawled across the ground, racing up the Sword God’s legs. It was her sword’s inherent skill.
The ice latched onto the boss monster, slowing his advance.
"Emily, get back!" Isaac shouted.
But she ignored him. She was already flying forward, sword in hand, charging directly at the towering monster.
’Why is she fighting in close combat? She’s a summoner!’ Isaac’s thoughts raced. ’Her stats are too low. She’ll be killed— No, I won’t let that happen!’
He blurred forward.
"Emily, get away—"
His words cut off when her blade clashed against the Sword God’s.
For a moment, Isaac froze.
"Huh?"
His eyes widened.
It wasn’t one-sided.
It was an even clash.
Emily stood her ground. Her smaller frame trembled, but her sword holding against the weight of the Sword God’s swing.
Steel met steel again, and sparks rained.
"Impossible," Isaac muttered. ’How is she standing against him? Her stats are nowhere near his...’
There was no time to puzzle it out. He moved to help her, only for her voice to snap at him.
"I’ll hold him back!"
"Emily, I can handle him—"
"I know!" she shouted, her eyes burning. "I trust you! So find a way to defeat him! I’ll buy time for you!"
For a moment, their gazes locked.
She smiled at him. A small, beautiful smile, one filled with determination that seemed to say she would overcome her fear.
Isaac clenched his fist. His chest tightened.
She wasn’t trying to kill the monster.
He had her father’s face, and she couldn’t bring herself to swing with intent to kill.
All she did was defend.
But even then, she still stepped forward.
She still chose to fight.
’She’s risking her life just to give me a chance.’
Isaac forced himself to breathe, calming his racing thoughts. He needed to use this chance she had brought him.
’How is she able to stand against him?’
Her sword moved strangely. It was able to match the speed of the boss’s sword, even though her stats were lower.
’The boss monster’s sword was moving in a similar way against me.’
’Even though my stats were higher, it’s sword was able to match my sword’s speed.’
Emily’s sword rhythm mirrored the Incarnation of Sword God’s sword.
Isaac’s eyes narrowed.
’It’s the same. She’s moving just like him.’
It clicked for him.
’A technique. Something her father must’ve taught her before.’
That would explain why her swings could match, even if only barely. She had the knowledge of the technique the Incarnation of Sword God was using.
But another thought interrupted him.
’Wait... Emily wasn’t awakened when she was alive. She wouldn’t have been able to practice properly. She could’ve known the theory of the technique, but not the execution.’
Then why could she do it now, so fluidly, as if she had trained for years?
The answer came to him in a rush.
’She had the theory. And I gave her the SSS-rank Innate Swordsmanship understanding.’
’That’s both theory and talent.’
’With them combined... she might be using the technique for the first time now, but it’s perfect already.’
Isaac’s eyes widened.
’Wait...’
His heart pounded as the inspiration struck.
’I can share things like SSS-rank Innate Swordsmanship, and SSS-rank Innate Marksmanship.’
’So, can I share the technique Emily is currently using?’
He decided to give it a try.
’System, share the sword technique Emily is using!’
[Illusive Sword Technique gained.]
A flood of information crashed into his mind. The movements, the principles, the flow. It all became his in an instant.
His body tingled with energy, ready to put it into practice.
Isaac exhaled, feeling his sword arm lighten as if it had shed invisible weights.
He dashed forward.
"Emily, it’s done!" he called.
She turned to look at him, surprise flashing in her eyes.
The Incarnation of Sword God also paused, sensing the change. His head tilted. His expression twisted as if he finally felt true danger.
Then he moved.
The monster swung.
Isaac swung too.
Steel screamed.
And then—
The Sword God’s head flew from his shoulders.
The battlefield went silent.
The body staggered once, then collapsed heavily to the ground. Dust rose in a slow wave, and for a heartbeat, no one moved.
Emily’s sword slipped from her fingers, clattering against the stone.
Her knees buckled, but she stayed upright, staring blankly at the fallen figure.
Isaac walked forward, his breathing heavy but steady. He didn’t lower his weapon until the body dissolved into motes of fading light.
Only then did he turn to her.
"Emily," he said quietly.
Her lips trembled. "He... that was..."
Isaac reached her before the words broke her. He caught her by the shoulders and pulled her into his arms.
"It wasn’t him," Isaac said firmly. "You know that."
Her body shook against him. She didn’t answer, but her fists clenched tightly into his shirt.
He tightened his embrace. "It wasn’t your father. It was just a monster wearing his face. Don’t forget that."
Her voice came out raw, almost broken. "...But it spoke... hic, it spoke Isaac...."
Isaac shut his eyes for a moment, then placed his hand on the back of her head. "That was still a monster Emily. It was designed to do that."
She shuddered, tears slipping silently down her face.
The trial around them began to dissolve, the Netherworld fading into fragments of light.
A message appeared before Isaac’s eyes.
[Boss monster, Incarnation of Sword God, is dead.]
[Death Trial cleared.]
[Rewards pending.]
But Isaac didn’t look at them.
He kept holding Emily close. Her body trembled against his chest.
The battlefield was gone, replaced by an endless emptiness that stretched in every direction.
Only the smooth, transparent tile beneath their feet gave them something to stand on.
Emily’s shoulders shook as she buried her face against him.
He didn’t try to make her stop.
She had held herself together in the fight, but the moment the danger ended, everything spilled out.
He let out a quiet breath and rested his chin lightly against her hair.
"It’s over," he said, though the words felt small compared to the storm she was holding inside.
Emily didn’t answer.
Her hands clutched his shirt like she was afraid letting go would make the world shatter again.
Then, without warning, the emptiness around them shifted.
Two vague shapes began to take form in the distance.
They were faint at first, like smoke taking shape, then slowly sharpened into the outline of human figures.
"Emily."
The voice carried clearly across the void. It wasn’t Isaac’s voice.
She froze. Her whole body went rigid in his arms. For a second, she refused to look.
Her breath came faster, and her grip on Isaac’s shirt tightened until her knuckles turned pale.
Isaac gently rubbed her back and whispered, "Go, talk to them."
She shook her head quickly.
"No... it can’t be them." Her words were muffled, shaky. "It’s just another trick."
"I don’t think so," Isaac said quietly. His eyes stayed on the two figures walking closer. They were clearer now, and there was no mistaking who they were. "Emily. It’s your parents."
Her head jerked up at that.
She stared at him, eyes wide and wet, then turned toward the approaching figures.
The moment she saw them, her knees almost gave out.
"Mom... Dad..."
The word cracked as it left her mouth.
She stepped forward, hesitantly at first, then quicker, until she broke into a run. Isaac didn’t move. He stayed where he was, watching.
Emily reached them and stopped just short of throwing herself at them, as though afraid they might vanish.
Her mother knelt, smiling softly, and held out her arms.
"Emily."
That was all it took. Emily collapsed against her, sobbing harder than before, clinging like she was a little girl again.
Her father’s expression was calm, but his eyes carried a weight Isaac couldn’t miss.
The same man who had once been called the Sword God, standing here as something more than a memory.
Isaac stayed away, giving them the moment they deserved.
Still, he could hear every word.
Emily’s mother stroked her hair gently. "You’ve grown so much," she whispered.
Emily shook her head. "I thought I’d never see you again. I thought... hic"
Her father put a hand on her shoulder. His voice was deep, steady. "You’ve done well, Emily. Good job. You’ve made us proud."
She turned to him, tears streaming down her face. "Dad... I— I’m sorry about what I did. You must hate me but—"
"Silly girl, why would we hate you?" Her mother spoke gently.