C641
Padler brandished his sword instead of replying.
Along with the sword, a blue thunder surged from behind him like a storm.
It was as if a sea of lightning spread from Padler out of nowhere.
Kaio quickly shot a series of arrows to counter the rushing blue thunder.
The space, tinged with chaos, was illuminated by the intermingled blue energies.
"Looking at you again, it seems you're not a descendant but his ghost. Were you called Padler Runcandel?".
[I no longer use that name]
The GodSlayer's arrow pierced through a blue thunder and aimed at the charging Padler.
Kaio calmly distanced himself, while Jin plunged into the fray to intercept Padler in his pursuit.The sword standing in Silus's way was Sigmund, not Bradamante.
After switching swords, Jin's entire body filled with lightning energy.
Aura-based lightning energy, mana-based blue thunder.
Though the lightning emitted by the three individuals was entirely different, they appeared exactly the same.
"I don't know why you became a ghost, but your murderous intent runs deep. Although my memories of Temar aren't complete, he seemed to hold you in high regard."
[I've also forgotten many things. However, I didn't hear members of the Tribe of Legends talk much. Why do you need a long chat? You just have to face my weapon].
Quick and precise.
If you could summarize Padler's sword in two words, those would be it.
The only downside to his swordsmanship reaching the realm of transcendence was its destructive power, but even that was surpassed with the addition of the blue thunder.
Kaio fought at mid-range, while Jin fought up close.
Therefore, both Jin and Padler fought with Kaio in mind.
Padler was convinced he had to defeat Kaio to aim at Jin, while Jin believed Kaio had to remain unharmed for what would come next.
And the battle with Padler wasn't the last.
'I have to finish it before Kaio tires.'
'I have to quickly kill that Legend called Kaio so I can face Jin.'
They didn't need to check each other's strength.
All three were exerting all their might from the beginning.
The ground and sky screamed each time swords, arrows, and lightning clashed, as if they were turned upside down.
As if the sun rose over the rotten sea, the rays of the three tore through the chaos in the Garden of Swords.
If this sight wasn't a battle between the ancestor from a thousand years ago and the current descendant... but resembled a bright light that purified the Family.
It couldn't have been better.
The inevitable reality scratched at Jin's insides.
That fact made Jin suffer even more than the blue thunder stabbing through his entire body.
As Padler was a person from a thousand years ago, Jin had never felt a true connection with him.
He had only glimpsed some of his records as an observer.
Still, it felt as if he was cutting down an intimate friend with whom he had been very close until yesterday, with whom he had a deep connection.
[Argh!]
Padler didn't feel such pain.
It was true he had no personal feelings toward Jin before they crossed swords.
However, he didn't see Jin as a distant descendant in the first place but as a manifestation of Temar, the Runcandel of those days.
You also lose everything.
Padler's dark eyes said it all.
"Brother Jin!"
Blood spurted from Jin's neck.
The Rune of Mtulta is now completely broken and has no function.
Even if it were fine, it would have no meaning against one of the ancient ten great knights.
The wound wasn't deep.
But if it had been a little deeper, it would have led straight to death.
It was only at that moment, as he watched the drops of blood scatter through the air, that Jin realized the unnecessary emotions dwelling within him during the fight.
Sympathy, pity, guilt, or complex emotions hard to articulate. Padler wasn't an opponent one could face with such feelings.
It's not just about doing your best, but having the tenacity to finish him off.
Jin knew it better than anyone.
Jin's body transcended the human limit, but not his mind.
Whether Padler's words were true or not, there's no doubt he gave his all for the ancient Runcandel.
But, as Padler said, the camaraderie they once shared couldn't replace their total loss.
He can't defend him, whose heart that once protected the Family has turned into a ghost.
Jin can understand this situation as much as he wants under normal circumstances.
But now, Jin faced Padler as the next patriarch of Runcandel.
Regardless of the reasons, harboring somber feelings toward someone intent on destroying the clan was unacceptable.
"There's one last thing I want to ask, Padler-nim. Do you have any intention of stopping now?"
[None at all.]
"Then I will eliminate you not as a descendant of Temar, but as a member of the current Runcandel."
Jin closed his eyes for a moment.
In that fleeting instant his eyelids shut, the feeling directed toward Padler shut as well.
Before he opened his eyes again, Padler was unleashing the magical sword he had created.
Ultimate Shadow Sword Technique, Secret Sword Technique of Runcandel - Thunder of Retribution - Padler Runcandel
A magical sword secret technique paired with the Hellfire of Empress Llama Sarah Runcandel.
At a glance, Jin and Kaio could think of the sword that was the basis of this technique.
The Hellfire and Thunder of Retribution were finally completed after Temar taught the ten great knights how to use the Sword of Legends.
Kaio's eyes hardened.
"So you too have spent your life chasing the shadow of the Absolute."
Kaio had also dedicated his life to reaching that sword.
To resemble the Sword of the God of Battle.
"But that's a realm that can never be reached unless it's the original."
Against the Thunder of Retribution, Kaio unleashed the tenth mystic technique of the battle king, 'tsunami.'
The lightning that started with Padler and Kaio took such an identical form that it could be called the same technique.
The process of those who want to rise to the top will eventually give birth to similar results.
"Do you mean you're the original member of the Tribe of Legends?"
"No. I simply wish to pay my respects. To acknowledge that someone who was never a member of the Legends is fighting in the same way as I am."
If there was a difference between Kaio and Padler, it was the "body."
The lightning energy symbolizing the Tribe of Legends needed a body that could handle it.
Just as a blessed body is needed to use Runcandel's Final Movements.
"But can you withstand it? With that defenseless human body of yours?"
That's why Padler's old comrades called him a weakling.
His sword was covering up his inherent flaws with his life as collateral.
"I've already died once anyway; you keep saying useless things."
Kaio smiled.
Unlike Jin, he harbored no special feelings towards Padler.
He simply took satisfaction in having a strong opponent in front of him, fighting for his brother.
The tsunami and Thunder of Retribution overlapped.
Jin kept preventing Padler from closing the distance with Kaio.
It was about increasing strength while enduring until Padler's energy was fully consumed.
From then on, Padler began pressing Jin instead of Kaio, and Kaio seemed to be covering Jin with all his might.
As a result, wounds were forming on Kaio's body.
If they had maintained the same combined formation as before, Padler would have been the one to start suffering significant injuries.
'It's not efficient.'
At first glance, that seemed it. Padler couldn't help but speculate. There must be a reason for this inefficient offensive attack.
It probably has to do with the energy currently shining in Jin's illuminated heart.
Of course, even that was overwhelmingly vast power.
But for now, it was just that.
As Kaio hinted, Padler never thought that this power could be sublimated to the "original."
Because Jin wasn't a Genesis Knight.
It was unlikely that Jin could display the pinnacle realm that not even he had ever stepped into, the realm that only Temar had reached a thousand years ago.
However, by the time the tsunami and Thunder of Retribution reached their climax, Kaio said confidently:
"Brother Jin, show your ghostly ancestor now."
The original peak sword.
Kaio continued with his words, and the energy from Jin's illuminated heart began to explode in all directions.
Sword of the God of Battle, Tenth Movement.
Sword of the Reign of the King of Legends - Unleashed
In an instant, the tsunami and Thunder of Retribution stopped moving; it was as if the fighting beasts faltered at the sight of a greater beast.
Jin didn't stop there; he opened the next form, Sword of the God of Battle, Tenth Movement, Second form, Sword of the Reign of the King of Legends - War.
Sigmund had a strong will to annihilate those who opposed the plutonian tribe.
Kaio breathed proudly, and Padler briefly looked at Jin with a stiff body.
Now he saw Jin's own Temar, and soon realized it was just an illusion.
The man in front of him wasn't Temar or a member of the ancient Runcandel.
It was Jin Runcandel. Not someone from a thousand years ago like him, but a shining Runcandel living right now.
'But... nothing changes.'
Padler didn't feel moved or frightened by the vision.
Nothing changes; the determination to eliminate him and witness Runcandel's downfall didn't waver in the slightest.
The clouds that had gathered according to Jin's will covered Ram, which oppressed the sky.
Rosa, the Prophet, and the main factions attacking Hufester were able to witness that spectacle.
"Even if my body and soul cannot remain in the abyss of heaven and hell, even if my name and all that I have lost are erased from this world once more."
The light from the Thunder of Retribution, which began to fluctuate again, spread even brighter.
The renewed Thunder of Retribution transcended all the swords Padler had used during his lifetime.
"I won't let you save Runcandel."
Suddenly, a faint memory surfaced in Padler's mind.
It seemed like a long time ago, he had spoken similar words to what he had just said.
-Even if my body and mind, and those I love, ultimately vanish completely from this world. Even if all that remains in the end is despair and nightmares. I will protect Runcandel with you.
For some reason, what Padler said at that time spread like a distant echo inside Jin.
However, Jin didn't stop the sword.
Tears welled up in Jin's eyes, soaked with lightning energy, and Padler's eyes filled with infinite emptiness.
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