Vol. 13 - Ch. 776 - Preparation for Conquer Day #3 - Duel against Sword God 3

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Allen's right arm spun into the air and, with his sword still grasped on the hand's grip, rolled on the floor. It was cut clean from the elbow.

"W-What should we do...... Formar, hurry up and come with me to help Allen-sama!"

"Sophiarone-sama, Allen-dono has yet to give up."

Panicked at the sight of severed arm, Sophia urged Formar to somehow help him, her voice losing her composure. Formar stopped her. His gaze was looking straight at Allen's expression, and from it, he figured Allen still had the fight left in him. So, he mustn't intervene, and turned to calm down Sophia.

"Damn it. I didn't even realise the Sword God's attack..."

Dogora murmured his expression. It appeared he, too, couldn't capture when Sword God managed to lend her attack. 

«She's the higher god, and leader of armament gods. It's not a realm one can step into just because they want to.»

Fire God Freya reminded via Kagutsuchi. Her tone was as if she was surprised too, but it was an obvious outcome. 

Every single spectator swallowed nervously as they first-hand witnessed the profound strength of Sword God.

«And then, what's your next step will be. Hmm? Look, your friends are worried sick about you. Do you want to stop here?»

Sword God inquired leisurely, her shadow hanging over Allen, the Ascalon once again resting on her shoulder. 

"Come, now. This is barely a problem. If anything, I think I am assured now that I have the prospect of winning with your skill and speed."

«Heh. You believe you can be a challenge to me? A wise man should've known when to take their retreat, you know.»

For the first time, Allen managed to retort back. Had it pressed on her nerves, Martial Hall was immediately engulfed in an oppressive air. 

(Ah, crap. I only meant it as a taunt, but it doesn't seem like I can bring her to make any mistake. Heck, what's even my status doing? C'mon, I am relying on you. ...But I must admit. Sword god technique is definitely a hard nut to crack. I see... I see... Could it be, the essence of swordsmanship lies in getting slashed?)

Putting aside enraged Sword God, Allen picked up his right arm from the floor. The blood dripped from it, creating a bloody mess, as he brought it precisely in the alignment of the right elbow's root.

*squelch-Slither*

The enhanced recovery and blessing immediately took its effect, also recovering the strength he had lost due to Sword God's attack. In a few seconds, status finally began to run its course normally, allowing recovery of the injury. The arm re-attacked with such precision as if it had never been severed, 

Under the effect of many buffs, the swordsmanship skill has been pushed to level 9, though the endurance was barely 1/4th of original. 

Allen repeatedly opened and closed his right palm to affirm the effect of recovery. Once he was assured, he gave his hand a jerk to see sword muscles had been all correctly set up too. As he did so, his blood, sticking to cloth and hand itself, splattered in the surrounding.

(I see. It doesn't matter if it's sword art, or sword god technique, once trained to zenith, it is possible to bend laws of physics according to your talent. It's like rewriting the reality itself.)

Fortunately, Sword God didn't seem like she was going to confront already. Allen took this moment of respite to check on his recovery, and analyze just what he had missed that gave Sword God an opportunity to cut him.

First, she provoked him, gradually guiding the thoughts to sprout a seed of expectancy, like 'just you wait, I am going to show you by winning over.' She was clearly waiting for Allen to finish his preparation.

In the last challenge, he had been slashed from behind. It was like her slashes had a mind of its own, always coming at him from unexpected angles. Then, he was sure he had felt the presence approaching from behind, yet the slash came from the flank. Allen had nearly lost his head there.

The change in trajectory... it was like reality was being forcefully re-written. 

After analysing the two instances—of his last challenge, and current exchange, Allen was assured he had found out Sword God's trick. 

First of all, speaking from his earlier observation, he wasn't mistaken in believing his agility surpasses Sword God. Plus, his luck should be pretty high after borrowing it from Peromas. The buffs from his comrades, ultimately, had prevented this challenge from turning completely one-sided that he had fallen into last time. 

But, in contrast, it was evident he wasn't her match in the duel of sword. 

(So, even the level 9 possessed fusion skill isn't enough, huh. In that case, I need to adjust my pla—hmm?)

Allen quickly deduced that unlike Extra Mode, the higher gods had no cap on their skill growth. 

«Allen-dono, surrender. She's not someone a person can hope to challenge. I know, you've been trying to prepare all sorts of safeguard for your comrades, to make sure Merus's precious little sister is safe, but... you should know when to step back.»

Graham voice echoed in his mind, urging him to re-consider his stance.

"I know what I am doing is dangerous. But, tell me something, Graham. Had you ever abandoned any fight you knew you were no match for?"

«...I. I only salvation for them.»

The spirit beast Graham in his life was the bearer of sacred sword ability, and was once commander of royal guards under Tyrant Emperor Zerdias, now the Demon King.

When he was alive, the Tyrant Emperor had brought almost the entire central continent under his control, besetted by only one queen. She refused to serve under the tyranny, and was captured together with her entire family. They're sentenced to execution by goblins—in other words, they're to be tied, and thrown in the middle of a starved horde of goblins. 

Though, on the eve of execution, Graham backstepped the Tyrant Emperor, and fought until the end to save the royal family. However, he was overpowered and captured by the knights under him, and was executed along with his entire lineage remotely connecting to him.

"I can't stop just because it's impossible. It's a mere difference in skill level. Since I know how it works, there must be a way to break it. Tag with me for a bit more."

«......Understood.»

«Oh, come now. You really bored me with all that waiting. I have skipped lunch to wait for you, you know? Now, it's time to end this for good.»

"Indeed, I must apologise. I shall end this match quickly."

«Hmm? Next, it's going to be both of your arms, just so you know.»

"Only if I lose, isn't it?"

'Aww, you scared me silly, Allen-kun~,' Sword God taunted Allen, though later ignored it.

(Alright, I am better with my status. But Sword God is better with sword techniques. Then, there's only one answer to it.)

A plan formed inside Allen's mind that would confirm his victory. 

Allen held the sword at his right eye level, and Sword God, too, took her stance. Even without any words exchanged, the match began anew. 

Meanwhile, a cloud of uneasiness hung over Allen's friends as Sword God's warning rang throughout the Martial Hall. Allen's expression was a complete flip from them, brimming with confidence now that he had a plan. Clearly, he hadn't considered his defeat.

*Fwoosh*

Allen held his sword high, and then lunged forward, almost as if taking a leap, aiming for the Sword God.

«Oh my, so you are finally switching to offense?»

"Haa!"

(Status is the ironclad truth. I am going to tear through that trick!! You can not escape if I speed up, can you?!)

Momentarily, Allen's shillhoute disappeared from his position. The next he was once again in the perception of everyone, he had already appeared in the range of Sword God, his sword swinging downward. Sonic booms followed behind him belatedly. 

«Argh! Your agility... you damn, you're no longer human, do you!!?»

Sword God received first ever offense from Allen. Astonished by the force it carried, she unwittingly shouted out, and swiftly tanked that attack with her own sword. 

Allen hadn't bothered to stop even once before jumping at Sword God, which meant the downward slash carried his entire momentum generated from overwhelming status. As the two swords interacted, Allen further channeled his strength.

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

*Crack-Crack*

Under the weight of Allen's downward slash, further reinforced along with his shout, the floor beneath Sword God's feet grew fissures, destroying it. Gradually, Allen's sword inches closer toward Sword God's cheek alongside her sword.

«So, this is your plan, huh. A bruteforce approach to bind my hand using my sword technique.»

Sword God promptly deciphered the aim of Allen. It seemed apparent Allen, backed by his buffed status, had surpassed Sword God in might. By forcing her to defend, she was essentially kept away from using her forte. A bruteforce approach, truly. A wry smile spread on Sword God's face.

The two stuck in a deadlock, one exerting force, other trying to stand up against it. With due difference in status, Allen's sword tip closes up against Sword God's cheek. 

Spectating from the edge of the arena, Kurena suddenly felt something amiss. She had been following Sword God for several years now, overcoming one trial after another under her. She immediately caught that change.

"Get away, Allen!! The sword's going to turn transparent!!"

"What?"

«Hey now, disciple. We're having a fun duel here, so keep the spoilers for later, alright? Haa!»

Following Kurena's warning, the Sword God murmured something, but Allen couldn't make out what it was. 

The status was an all-rounder blessing. The agility not only reflects the speed of action, but also dynamic vision. In his current state, the world reflected in Allen's eyes was like a video playing in slo-mo. 

His gaze was locked into their swords, and then he captured new changes—gradually, the two swords were cutting into each other. 

Was it his sword being cut? No, it's impossible. It was the Ultimate Sword he had received from Earth God. True to its ability, it was said to be unbreakable regardless of the situation. Even a sword shouldn't be able to break it. 

He also didn't feel any feedback of such sort. 

(Strength seems inadequate from her end... Don't tell me she can use her sword god in this state?)

It was as if their swords were no longer materialistic items, turning into illusion as they passed through each other. 

In just short one second after Kurena's shout, Allen found an inkling of the situation. The Sword God had invoked her sword skill from their interlocked position. 

Physically, the two swords still stick to each other. But once swordsmanship was involved, Allen was no match. To Allen, it felt as if he was no longer pushing against a wall, but a thin curtain. And, just like that, each's sword cut through each other, unharmed. 

As soon as the opposite force went down, Allen inevitably lost his ground, and with hands sticking out, fell forward. 

«Now, you see! What did I tell you!»

Sword God then delivered an upward slash from beneath Allen's arms, as if scooping them together.

*Splatter*

"Allen!!"

"Allen-sama!"

Kurena and Sophia's cry rolled in the Martial Hall. In tune, Allen saw his arms rolling forward. 

Allen reeled back from shock. Sword God shot him a grin from her lowered position.

«Hn?

However—Sword God felt something so amiss about Allen's gaze that she couldn't help but utter her voice. 

Despite losing both of his arms, which should have marked his defeat, Allen shot her a glare with a relentless spirit smouldering in his eyes. 

Just as she was about to get up, she heard Allen's voice, "The distortion is no more. I guess this is the end of sword technique!!"

Before her eyes, Allen rolled onto the ground, grabbing the hilt of his fallen sword within his teeth, and jumped at Sword God.

«Tch! You're quite an insolent one, aren't you?! I am too late!»

It appeared he was just waiting for Sword God's skill to end, and as soon as there was a gap, he leapt onto it. 

Technically, Allen should be able to deliver the attack before Sword God could've put up any counterattack with his speed. Alas, he was barely in his form, and the sword, too, was held between his teeth. Sword God's desperate evasion saved her by paper breath. 

(Dwan it! She dawged it. I lost...)

After escaping from Allen's attack, Sword God held her sword tightly, and moved to deliver the final blow against Allen. 

She had no more doubt, she won. Just as she was assured of it, referee Kelvin's voice reached her.

«That's an attack! Winner - Allen-dono!»

«W-what in the world are you saying! Explain yourself, Kelvin!!»

(Ooh? Nice decision, referee.. ...Wait, is that... a hair? I see. So, she saved her skin, but lost by hair breath...)

Sword God immediately raised a bewildered voice against Kelvin's decision. 

*Thud*

With Sword God escaping, Allen once again fell forward, with several of Sword God's hair fluttering in his eyes.

T/N - If your preferred genre is dungeon x light-hearted story, try out LET ME SPEND MONEY, DAMMIT!