Chapter 50
The hot and heavy pain, the metallic scent of blood, and the sensation of organs spilling out were impossible to get used to.
"Kehuk, kheup...!"
Verdandi let out a single cry as she created distance. She was clutching her abdomen with her other hand. Her expression was contorted with pain.
Seeing how badly she was hurt from her distorted face, the organizers tried to stop the match, but...
"Not yet...!"
Verdandi stopped the referee who was about to signal. She felt it was too regrettable to give up here.
Just one more win was needed.
If she could do that, she would be able to give her master the medicine, and catch up to Bi Wol who was leading alone.
"But, your wound..."
"I haven't fallen yet...! This level of injury, it doesn't even tickle!"
Verdandi smiled smugly, but she couldn't hide the trembling of one eye from the pain.
In a situation where everyone could see she was being stubborn, Sieghart swung his sword again at Verdandi who was barely standing, gasping for breath.
What Sieghart had been ordered by Bing Seolhwa was to kill Verdandi. Additionally, to instill a desire for revenge in Bing Yeon.
However,
In fact, Sieghart had deliberately avoided aiming for her neck and stabbed her abdomen, slightly missing vital points. His desire to kill her had disappeared as they conversed.
It was a strike that exquisitely avoided her organs, to the point where there wouldn't even be a scar if treated immediately.
"You're going to keep fighting, I see."
"Of course...!"
This much would allow him to make a plausible excuse. He could say he tried to kill her but she refused to give up the match, so he had no choice.
It was the best judgment for Sieghart who didn't want to kill her, but ironically, it became the worst move that stimulated Verdandi's competitive spirit.
Chang─!
Verdandi was demonstrating the first form of the Six Harmonies Sword Technique, the Plum Blossom Heaven Slash. Despite being stabbed in the abdomen and continuously bleeding.
"I have a reason why I must wield this sword!"
An action that could be called obstinacy. The obsession that she must defeat the opponent before her was driving Verdandi.
"That's a good statement. But..."
Sieghart momentarily stopped his movement, seeing her determination. His fingers gripping the sword were filled with strength, causing him to pause for a moment.
He too had picked up a sword to protect his family.
To cut this miserable world where the weak are robbed by the strong.
He had stained his hands with blood for the first time while hearing desperate pleas for mercy, and walked a path of no return.
"...That's something only those with power can say."
Sieghart continued to attack Verdandi while avoiding fatal wounds. He tried to subdue her by grazing her skin or attempting to strike pressure points with the sword handle, but...
"No! Even without power, one can pick up a sword! One can protect precious people!"
Verdandi's attacks gained more power with each wound she received. She kept getting up and charging at her opponent even after being knocked down.
It was like the movement of a warrior fallen into madness. Seeing this, Sieghart almost thought she might really be crazy as he had heard.
However,
"A hero... must be like this!"
Verdandi's eyes were filled with ecstasy.
The joy of being cheered on by numerous spectators, the hope of being able to cure her master if she won this match, the exhilaration of finally being able to act as a hero - all these emotions were mixed together.
To the point where she couldn't feel the pain, she was enjoying this fight more than anyone else right now.
"The one who will defeat the Demon King... Indeed, you won't just give up easily."
Sieghart judged that he could no longer go easy on her after seeing her desperate struggle. Her arm that had been grazed by his blade had nearly been cut off.
The shattering sword that could carve plum blossom patterns even on rocks. After barely deflecting the Plum Blossom Body Break, he realized that the balance of power that had been in his favor was now broken.
If this continued, he would lose. If that happened, his family held hostage might be harmed.
"Then I too shall give it my all."
Catching his breath again, Sieghart once more reached out his hand to create a sword. If this turned into a war of attrition, it would be advantageous for him.
No matter how superhuman Verdandi might be, she couldn't continue fighting with a wound in her stomach. If she fell even once, it would probably be judged as her defeat.
"You're already too late...!"
As if noticing this fact, Verdandi struck and knocked away the sword Sieghart was grasping. The condition for him to create a sword was to grab the target with an empty hand.
If she could properly aim for that timing, she could create an opening.
Changgrang─!
With the sound of metal hitting the floor, the wind sword Sieghart had created slipped from his hand.
"Huh, you got me there."
Sieghart was genuinely impressed. Originally, martial arts is something anyone can learn, but it's difficult to reach a high level.
Innate sense, experience, talent - these are what separate life and death in crucial moments. Even natural prodigies can lose their lives with one mistake.
The girl before him was showing growth as they exchanged blows.
"You, it doesn't seem like you've been learning the sword under your master for very long, right?"
"Yes, that's correct!"
Verdandi's way of handling the sword was simple, to the point of seeming clumsy and inadequate. It felt like she had just started learning the sword for the first time.
At first, she had been so full of openings that he could aim for her abdomen just by throwing in some irregular moves, but...
"...They've raised a monster."
Now, Verdandi was showing that she had completely internalized the essence of the Six Harmonies Sword Technique.
Light like scattered flower petals, yet stubborn and heavy like tree roots, her sword strikes were piercing into Sieghart.
'Just a little more...!'
Verdandi thought as she swung her sword without even breathing. Her remaining stamina was less than her opponent's. If she lost consciousness and collapsed now, she would immediately be defeated.
She just needed to chip away a bit more. She could see Sieghart's defense gradually wavering.
Her opponent was a blind man.
Even with superhuman senses, it was difficult to anticipate and avoid attacks aimed at blind spots in an instant.
'If I can just do a little more, I can win...!'
Verdandi sensed victory as she saw Sieghart starting to bleed little by little. The momentum was gradually shifting in her favor.
Having allowed both the first form of the Six Harmonies Sword Technique, the Plum Blossom Heaven Slash, and the second form, the Plum Blossom Earth Push.
Sieghart's right arm had nearly been cut off, and blood was flowing from a wound on his cheek.
However,
"...I'm not someone who hasn't learned swordsmanship elsewhere either."
Suddenly, the air changed and killing intent began to be felt. A cold and sharp energy like a honed blade.
"The sword technique of flowing time, Reversal."
After reciting something, Sieghart lightly deflected Verdandi's incoming sword. He was acting as if he truly knew where the sword strikes were coming from.
Seeing this, Verdandi felt puzzled. Until just now, he had been showing signs of not being able to adapt to her increased speed.
Could a person change so much just from one sword technique?
Verdandi even began to suspect if she was facing a different person, but...
"...Did you, turn back time?"
Suddenly, she recalled what her master Bing Yeon had told her before. That when Sieghart reached his peak, he could even fold time and space to use as a sword.
"Yes, it's still just a meager skill... but I experienced and blocked the sword strikes you just made."
Sieghart nodded and readily revealed the secret to Verdandi.
Despite having such power, he was convinced that he couldn't defeat the Outer God Shub-Niggurath.
"And this is the spatial sword technique that cuts the opponent, Segmentation."
"Uuuuuugh...!!!"
Chwaaak─!
With one swing of Sieghart's sword, Verdandi's arm was cut off helplessly. Even if it could be fixed later with healing magic, her defeat was certain in this state.
The place where her right arm had been, now continuously dripping blood. With the limb she needed to swing her sword gone, Verdandi felt despair for the first time.
"Do you want to continue? If we fight any more, I won't be able to guarantee your life."
How on earth could she win?
How could she close the gap with her opponent?
"I can't fall yet...! I can still fight...!"
Verdandi cried out with a voice filled with anguish. The audience was in an uproar as she tried to swing her sword with her still-intact left arm.
"It seems the winner has been decided. Sieghart..."
Seeing such a desperate sight, the person acting as the tournament referee was about to side with Sieghart, but...
"......?!"
Everyone present held their breath at the sight of a light like a living sun enveloping Verdandi.
"Not yet...! Look at my arm! It's reattached!"
The Holy Armor that protects the hero.
This legendary armor only revealed itself when its master's life was in danger.
"So the condition for the Holy Armor to appear was indeed for Verdandi to be at the crossroads of life and death."
I sighed deeply as I looked at the arena.
Originally, the condition for the Holy Armor to appear was something I had left as a background setting that didn't properly appear in the work.
Like with Bi Wol, I had deliberately not told Verdandi the conditions for the Holy Armor, in case this too would be the same.
She was the type of person who would willingly throw herself into danger for victory if she knew the Holy Armor would only appear when her life was in danger.
"Master, doesn't this mean Sister Verdandi now has a chance to win!"
Bi Wol had somehow clung to my arm and was watching the match together. When Verdandi's arm had been cut off just now, she had even let out a scream without realizing it.
"I'm not sure. Even with the Holy Armor, her opponent is still formidable."
I turned my gaze to Verdandi, recalling once again how strong Sieghart was in the original work.
A blind swordsman who could even fold time and space to use as a sword.
"...Can Verdandi really do it?"
To defeat him, one would need to bring at least a Demon King level opponent.