Chapter 468: Welcome Back
Shin found himself leaping into the air. He sprang off the top of the wall, into the bright sky, flying over an enormous distance in a single leap while drawing his sword.
As his leap reached its crescendo, he muttered, "Kageyama Sword Arts, Form One, Dark Raven."
Shin twisted his body in the air as he descended. A black aura like speckled smoke oozed off his sword and shrouded his entire body, forming the visage of an enormous raven of darkness -as he descended on the sea.
His collision with the surface of the sea caused a mighty uproar and explosion. The impact sent waves crashing outward, a violent surge that swallowed the surrounding sea.
Shin emerged from the chaos, standing atop the water's surface, the dark aura still swirling around him like a protective shroud.
He scanned around with heightened senses. The part he had landed on wasn't the exact place Northern was located, but he still had eyes on him, so he knew the path to his son.
However, he seemed to have attracted the attention of several monsters, as more now swam to him with furious speed.
Shin frowned furiously, tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword.
He could feel the raw energy crackling in the air, the impatience and anger coursing through him.
With a swift motion, he dashed forward, his dark essence forming an aura around him, flickering like a dying flame before reigniting.
As he approached the first monster, he leaped again, this time slicing downward with precise fury. "Form Two, Distortion."
A burst of speed propelled him through the air, and he became a blur, a streak of darkness that cut through the water's surface.
The monster reared back, but it was too late.
Shin's sword met its flesh, and a shockwave erupted, sending splinters of scales flying.
The creature roared in agony, thrashing as it plunged back into the depths.
But there was no time to revel in his victory.
From the depths, more monsters emerged-smaller but swarming like a cloud of locusts, their teeth bared and eyes ablaze with fury.
Shin gritted his teeth. At a time like this, only one thought settled in his mind: 'Northern.'
And focusing on that single thought fueled his resolve with adrenaline.
He spun, a whirlwind of dark energy and ferocity, his sword carving through the air.
Each strike summoned shadows that danced around him, striking down the approaching horde.
"Form Three, Night Hawk."
A flurry of raven-like silhouettes shot from his blade, each one piercing through the monsters, leaving trails of darkness in their wake.
The sea churned with the chaos of battle, the cries of the creatures echoing against the sky.
With each slash, each swing of his sword, Shin smartly carved the path towards his son, mercilessly destroying the monsters with intense focus, revealing all his cards.
He was fighting with a different intensity than he usually would. The air that surrounded him was stern and grim.
Soon, a squad of protectors began to reach the seashore.
Some of them paused and stared in awe as they watched Shin singlehandedly cleave a storm of monsters while in the water.
The water was at his knee level, which should even slow his movement to a reasonable extent.
However, Shin did not look bothered or slowed.
Perhaps he was slowed, which was why it was possible for them to see his ominously beautiful sword art.
One of them had even said, "I have never seen him so... serious."
"He's amazing!"
Shin had been known during his first and now second service on the border as an extremely jovial person.
While the squad captains felt there was a secretive air around him, the notion was always dismissed most of the time because he was really too stupid.
Which was why seeing him now had several soldiers stuck in a fog of their own minds, wondering, 'Is this really Shin?'
A large scaled reptile surged toward Shin, its massive form slicing through the water with terrifying speed.
As it reached, it unleashed a deafening roar that echoed across the sea, sending a palpable shiver through the air.
Its enormous maw opened wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth glistening like sharpened obsidian, poised to engulf him whole.
They all froze in fear while Shin's instincts had immediately kicked in.
He could see the monstrous jaws descending, a shadow eclipsing the sun. Time seemed to slow as he calculated his next move.
"Form Four, Abyssal Strike!" he shouted, channeling his energy into his blade.
The dark aura surrounding him intensified, swirling like a storm as he prepared to meet the monster's onslaught.
As it lunged, Shin pivoted on his heel, the water splashing as he dodged to the side with a grace that belied his size.
He felt the rush of water as the monster's jaws snapped shut mere inches from him, the force creating a tidal wave that crashed around him.
Seizing the moment, he spun back toward the beast, his sword glinting with dark energy.
With a powerful leap, he launched himself off the surface of the water, aiming directly for the monster's exposed back.
"Raven's Embrace!"
He descended like a meteor, his blade aimed for the thick, armored scales.
The moment his sword connected, a shockwave rippled through the air, and the monster
howled in pain, its body writhing beneath him.
But it was relentless. It thrashed wildly, trying to throw him off.
Giant fins whipped through the water, creating whirlpools that threatened to drag him under.
Shin gritted his teeth, anchoring himself with sheer willpower.
With a surge of determination, he unleashed a series of rapid strikes, each blow resonating
with dark essence.
The monster recoiled, its scales cracking under the relentless assault.
While the others watched him doggedly deal with the monster, such battle strength,
composure, and intelligence-his skills spoke for him.
This was definitely no battle amateur! Shin was obviously a legend!
Shin let out a guttural roar, channeling all his power into one final attack.
He rose high into the air, the dark aura coalescing around him, forming a massive raven that
mirrored his movements.
"Dark Raven's Fury!"
He descended with blinding speed, the raven's form striking at the heart of the monster.
The impact sent a shockwave rippling across the sea and the shore-the protectors had to shield themselves from the waves of the sea and intense breeze as the creature let out a final, agonized roar before sinking back beneath the waves, defeated.
As silence fell over the battlefield, Shin landed gracefully on the water, breathing heavily.
He turned to continue on the path of the water but suddenly noticed through the eyes of the
raven that the boy fighting in the water was gone.
'Damn it! I was too focused, I didn't see...' He gritted his teeth in pain.
He tried controlling the raven to search around but suddenly froze.
Heartbeats later, trembling, Shin turned to his back, towards the shore of the sea.
Three meters away from him, a white-haired boy with sparkling, beautiful blue eyes was
walking towards him with a pale smile.
"Fath-"
Northern did not get to complete the word before Shin rushed forward and pulled him into his
warm embrace-despite the cold air.
He clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, a tear dropping from his left eye.
"I'm back, Dad..."
Shin hugged even tighter, pressing his lips as he lingered for more than a moment, after
which he responded with a trembling voice.
"Welcome back."
*
*
*
[A/N]
With this, I have come to the end of volume two and will immediately start volume threw.
I honestly need to thank you guys. I was able to reach yet another milestone because of you
all. I promise not to disappoint your expectations as the story goes forward. Thank you for always voting for me. And please keep voting for me.
If you have not started voting power stones and golden tickets, its never too late to start
because your golden tickets and power stones is how this book gets more exposure chances.
Thank you. I love you guys. No home.