Episode 146
Zeke read the demonic language translated by the system.
[We are separate, yet we are one. We are separate, yet we are one.]
As the eerie chant continued, branches and roots began to sprout from the bodies of the green warriors.
“What is this?”
The branches and roots emerging from the warriors started to intertwine.
The mass of wood gradually took the shape of a colossal warrior.
Five warriors merged into one, forming the arms, legs, and torso of the wooden giant.
Rumble!
The massive wooden warrior rose to its feet.
“What on earth is that?”
Branches at the top of the wooden warrior, resembling a head, moved and spoke to Zeke.
[I am Arataso, the one who serves the noble ‘Wish of the Clear Green.’]
Zeke realized that the green warriors had summoned a servant of the Clear Green Wish.
“So much for honor. They summon a servant the moment they feel they’re losing.”
The idea of demons prattling about honor was absurd from the start.
Zeke addressed Arataso.
“I was in an honorable duel with the five warriors who summoned you. It’s quite disconcerting to have an outsider interfere. Would you allow me to finish my duel with them?”
Arataso shook his head.
[The servants of the Clear Green Wish are separate, yet one. The five of them are as one with me, so the honorable duel continues with me.]
It was a ridiculous argument, but considering the opponent was a demon’s servant, it wasn’t surprising.
“People say humans learned sophistry and lies from demons. Experiencing it firsthand is infuriating.”
Deciding further conversation would only aggravate him, Zeke aimed Bahamut at Arataso.
Whether it was five green warriors or one demon, he figured hitting them hard enough would yield results.
Arataso stretched his massive form, observing Zeke.
Then, he drove the wooden sword he held into the ground.
Crash!
Roots imbued with green energy began to spread across the ground.
Zeke stepped back to avoid the encroaching roots.
“What is this?”
A low hum resonated from the ground where the roots spread.
Simultaneously, sparks flew from Hershion.
A message window appeared before Zeke.
[You are affected by the barrier magic cast by the demon.]
[System functions are restricted within the barrier.]
[You cannot use powers or skills within the barrier.]
[The barrier increases stamina consumption.]
“A demon’s barrier?”
This was a completely different combat style from any demon Zeke had encountered before.
Arataso rose, leaving the sword embedded in the ground.
A new sword grew from his hand.
He raised it toward Zeke.
[Raise your sword, mortal knight! Prove your valor with honor!]
Arataso’s grand words were at odds with his sudden barrier.
With the system, powers, and skills malfunctioning, Zeke couldn’t use Hershion, Agamemnon’s mask, or light magic.
“This is a mess.”
Zeke aimed Bahamut at Arataso.
“Honor, my foot. I’ll have you crawling on the ground.”
A hum resonated as Zeke’s sword was enveloped in aura.
Assuming a dragon-slaying stance, Zeke charged at Arataso.
Slash!
Zeke’s strike flew toward Arataso.
Boom!
Arataso’s wooden shield deflected Zeke’s attack effortlessly.
Only splinters flew, leaving Arataso unscathed.
Zeke’s wrist throbbed from the impact.
“It felt like hitting solid metal.”
Arataso charged at Zeke, shield in hand.
Crash!
The massive shield swung toward Zeke.
“Haah!”
Zeke deftly absorbed the attack with a water barrier.
Whoosh!
Arataso, unable to control his weight, stumbled sideways.
Zeke seized the opportunity.
“Absolute Will!”
With all his might, Zeke slashed at Arataso’s shield.
Slash!
To his surprise, the shield split in half and fell to the ground.
Arataso’s eyes changed upon witnessing this.
[You’re no ordinary human.]
Rumble!
Green light flared from his eyes.
New wood sprouted, forming a larger, sturdier shield.
Simultaneously, a green aura emanated from Arataso’s sword, subtly different from before.
“Is a demon using aura?”
Zeke’s sword also flared with an aura blade.
“Haah!”
Zeke’s sword clashed with Arataso’s.
Crackle!
Blue aura blades and green aura collided, sparking and cracking the ground.
Their swords clashed dozens of times.
Arataso laughed maniacally.
[Human knight! Swing your sword more! Cry out! Your despair and fear will fuel my power!]
Arataso’s strikes were heavy and sharp.
“Ugh!”
Zeke swung Bahamut tirelessly.
Even with his limitless stamina, a prolonged battle would eventually wear him down.
He could lose consciousness mid-fight if he wasn’t careful.
Zeke retreated, blocking Arataso’s sword.
Crash!
Arataso’s relentless assault continued.
Zeke used swift wind techniques to deflect Arataso’s strikes.
But he was gradually overpowered.
Crash!
Zeke was slammed into a wall by Arataso’s attack.
“Huff, huff.”
Zeke felt his strength depleting faster than usual due to the barrier.
He gripped his sword and stood again.
Arataso pointed his sword at Zeke.
[You’re skilled for a human. But you’re far from a match for me, Arataso, leader of thousands of demonic warriors.]
Instead of arguing, Zeke caught his breath and calmly raised his sword again.
He summoned an aura blade and charged at Arataso.
Crash!
Despite his dragon-slaying techniques, his attacks were deflected by Arataso’s shield.
“Huff, huff.”
Zeke, feeling heavy, kept his stance low, sword ready.
Then, suddenly—
Crackle!
Sparks erupted from the ground.
Arataso was taken aback.
[What is this?]
Zeke’s aura blade had unearthed the roots beneath the ground.
Arataso shouted at Zeke.
[You dare to dismantle my barrier!]
By the time he realized, it was too late.
Zeke unleashed a dragon’s claw at Arataso’s embedded wooden sword.
Crack!
The weakened sword shattered, and the barrier dissipated.
[System functions restored.]
Clatter!
Zeke re-equipped Hershion and Agamemnon’s mask.
“Hammer of Light!”
Zeke immediately cast light magic at Arataso.
Boom!
He couldn’t allow Arataso to create another barrier.
Zeke had already prepared a holy fire skill to escape its influence if another barrier formed.
The battle with Arataso taught him a harsh lesson about fighting demons.
Rumble!
As the dust settled, Arataso, battered and stripped of bark by the light magic, emerged.
His green eyes glowed as he spoke to Zeke.
[Human! I am impressed by your courage. I, Arataso, will also give my all to uphold my master’s honor!]
Arataso’s body began to transform, his lower half becoming horse-like, resembling a centaur. One arm became a shield, the other a spear.
Arataso pawed the ground like a real horse.
Zeke summoned the Blade of Purification.
Golden aura, imbued with purifying power, enveloped Bahamut, causing Arataso to rear back in surprise.
[Horrifying! My clear green soul, bestowed by my master, fears contamination by that filthy light! Is this not a warrior’s trial from my master? Cry out! Wail! Today, I, Arataso, shall forge a new epic of warrior’s glory!]
Ignoring Arataso’s grandiose declarations, Zeke quietly assumed a dragon-slaying stance.
Hum!
Golden aura radiated from Zeke’s entire body.
Simultaneously, a deep green light emanated from Arataso.
Rumble!
The green light, like an aura blade, infused Arataso’s spear.
Already long, the spear seemed even more formidable with the green energy.
Arataso charged at Zeke first, spear in hand.
Thud, thud, thud!
The ground trembled as Arataso thrust his spear forward.
Whoosh!
A swirling vortex of green light shot towards Zeke.
Zeke, unfazed, wielded Bahamut, the sword imbued with the power of purification, and unleashed his dragon-slaying technique.
Dragon Slayer Technique: True Dragon Sword Art
Chapter 4, Verse 2
Full Moon Slash
A massive full moon cleaved through the green vortex, striking Arataso directly.
Boom!
The golden aura-imbued full moon sliced through Arataso’s body.
“Ugh!”
Caught off guard by the unexpected force of the attack, Arataso staggered back. The purifying power of the strike prevented his demonic body from healing. His wooden form was nearly split in half, a long gash running from his shoulder to his side, with green smoke rising from the wound.
“You insolent human…”
Gone was the confident demeanor, replaced by Arataso’s snarling voice.
Zeke didn’t let up, hurling a mace of light at Arataso.
Crash!
The powerful light mace descended upon Arataso’s head.
Thud!
Arataso blocked it with his shield, but Zeke seized the moment to unleash a fiery assault, engulfing Arataso in blue flames.
Fwoosh!
A massive spear of fire pierced Arataso’s body.
“Argh!”
The pure elemental fire consumed Arataso’s demonic form. In a desperate move, he severed the burning parts and regenerated a new body. The discarded pieces lay lifeless, drained of vitality, like a mummified green warrior.
With a voice now filled with rage, Arataso shouted, “For my master’s honor! I’ll sever your head and offer it to the altar!”
Thud, thud, thud!
Arataso charged at Zeke again, spear poised for attack.
Whoosh!
His spearwork was nothing short of extraordinary, attacking Zeke with unpredictable movements.
Whoosh!
The spear seemed to stab, then slash sideways, only to thrust forward again, extending unexpectedly.
“What an unpredictable spear technique.”
It was unlike any human spear technique Zeke had encountered. He realized that fighting demons required thinking beyond human logic.
Crash!
The spear struck Zeke from an unexpected angle, hitting his back.
“Ugh!”
Without Hershion, the attack might have been fatal. Zeke tried to adapt to Arataso’s erratic spear techniques, learning through the battle.
Then, green mist began to rise from Arataso’s body.
“It seems the summoners’ life force is nearly depleted.”
Zeke saw an opening as he deflected Arataso’s spear. He quickly pulled out a chain with his left hand, wrapping it around Arataso’s legs.
Thud!
With his legs bound, Arataso lost his balance and fell. He abandoned his lower body, reforming his upper body into a new, smaller form, now resembling a barbarian.
“For a mere human to push me, a servant of the ‘Clear Green Wish,’ this far… Impressive.”
Arataso regained his composure, conjuring a shield and sword, and pointed them at Zeke.
“Before I return to the demon realm, I’ll devour your soul and condemn you to eternal torment!”