Episode 195
The Secret Art of the Dragon Sword
First Form
Sun and Moon Slash
Unlike the second or third forms, which are designed for large beasts, the first form is a technique meant for human opponents.
Boom!
A single strike imbued with the secret art of the Dragon Sword aimed for Rex Thurn’s blind spot.
“Hmm.”
In an instant, Rex Thurn pulled his sword close to his chest.
Then, he swung his sword towards Zeke’s Dragon Sword technique.
Crash!
It was a simple, straightforward slash, devoid of any special technique.
Yet, the power behind it surpassed that of an ordinary strike.
Whoosh!
Zeke’s Sun and Moon Slash was effortlessly neutralized by Rex Thurn’s blow.
“Ugh!”
The force of the impact pushed Zeke backward.
Amazingly, Rex Thurn stood firm, unmoving, his sword held steady.
“Sigh…”
Without relying on skills or elemental swords, Zeke couldn’t fully unleash his potential, but he could still feel the vast gap between himself and Rex Thurn.
‘Is this the chasm between me and a Black Knight?’
A raw, overwhelming presence, different from Arthur Draker or Sword King Bernas.
Truly, the title of Battle King was fitting.
Zeke gripped his sword once more, ready to make a final gamble.
‘The Infinite Chain Technique of the Arc Paladin.’
He planned to exploit any opening in Rex Thurn’s defense with this technique.
As Zeke readied his sword again, Rex chuckled.
“You’ve got quite the competitive spirit for Arthur’s son! Must take after Laura!”
Rex Thurn assumed a stance, his heavy sword in hand.
“Zeke Draker! In honor of your bravery, I shall show you my true self!”
Rumble!
An invisible aura emanated from Rex Thurn’s body.
A power unique to Black Knights, different from any aura.
Rex’s invisible force concentrated on his sword.
Vroom!
Though unseen, Zeke could sense the overwhelming power in Rex’s sword, capable of shattering anything.
‘Just standing here is exhausting.’
A black barrier loomed before him, one he had to break through.
Zeke lunged forward, gripping Bahamut.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind propelled him, his body moving like a breeze.
Simultaneously, Zeke leaped into the air.
“Haaah!”
Dragon Slayer Technique, Dragon Sword Form
Chapter 3, Verse 2
Crescent Moon Slash
A crescent moon shot from Zeke’s sword towards Rex Thurn.
Then it happened.
Rumble!
Rex Thurn swung his sword, just as before, with a single strike.
Screech!
Rex’s blow not only shattered Zeke’s crescent moon but tore through the very fabric of space.
The resulting shockwave rippled outward.
Even standing nearby, Reina struggled to remain upright from the force of the wave.
“Ugh.”
Reina staggered, barely managing to steady herself against a wall.
She looked up, trying to spot Zeke, who had taken the brunt of the attack.
But Zeke was nowhere to be seen.
‘Where did he go?’
Whoosh!
Zeke had vanished, leaving only Bahamut flying through the air towards Rex Thurn.
Clang!
Rex Thurn deflected Bahamut with a swing of his sword.
At the same time, Zeke, who had been masking his presence with the spirit technique ‘Silver Will,’ appeared from Rex’s blind spot.
He initiated the Infinite Chain Technique, learned from Arataso, causing a resonant wave.
Vroom―
Zeke’s body resonated, sending shockwaves into Rex Thurn.
In that moment, Rex swung his sword, neutralizing the shockwaves Zeke emitted.
Zeke seized the opportunity, exploiting Rex Thurn’s momentary surprise.
Slash!
Zeke channeled the power of the resonant wave into a swift chop.
Thud!
His hand was blocked by the flat of the sword.
But it wasn’t over.
The Infinite Chain Technique was a relentless series of attacks.
Zeke moved with the grace of the Ishtar family’s secret arts, spinning and flipping in the air, showcasing a dazzling array of kicks and hand strikes.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each of Zeke’s resonant attacks was swift and deadly.
Yet Rex Thurn parried every one of Zeke’s strikes with his sword.
Amidst the exchange, Rex Thurn grinned.
“Impressive! But this won’t be enough!”
Whoosh!
Suddenly, it felt as if all the energy in the arena was being drawn into Rex’s sword.
Zeke felt as though time had stopped.
The 0.1 seconds he spent in mid-air, preparing his next move, stretched into eternity.
In that eternal moment, Zeke moved.
Rumble!
His technique targeted the ground, not Rex. Simultaneously, Bahamut, lying on the floor, rebounded towards Rex.
At that moment, Rex Thurn unleashed the compressed energy, swinging his sword.
Boom!
Like a dam bursting, a torrent of energy cascaded from Rex’s sword, engulfing Zeke.
Boom!
Zeke couldn’t withstand the force and was slammed into the arena wall.
Crash!
The energy Rex Thurn released was so potent that even Zeke, with his healing factor, found himself momentarily immobilized.
“Ugh!”
Zeke struggled to rise, his body trembling.
But Rex Thurn’s expression twisted as he looked at the fallen Zeke.
“You really are Arthur’s son.”
Amazingly, a tiny scratch marred Rex Thurn’s sleeve.
It was from Bahamut, which Zeke had kicked towards Rex just before being swept away by the energy.
Zeke had subtly altered the length of the blade, deceiving Rex’s senses at the critical moment.
A calculated move to exploit the Black Knight’s overconfidence.
All of Zeke’s previous dazzling attacks had been a setup for this single strike.
Zeke finally caught his breath and staggered to his feet.
“Master, I… I won.”
Rex Thurn looked at Zeke with a begrudging expression. Then he let out a huff.
“Tch. Feels like I’ve been tricked… but a promise is a promise.”
Rex Thurn pulled a potion from his coat and tossed it to Zeke.
“Drink it. It’s a special Rex brew.”
Though he would recover naturally over time, Zeke immediately downed the potion Rex Thurn had given him.
‘Oh?’
True to Rex’s word, the potion was remarkably effective.
Not only did it speed up his recovery, but it also filled him with an unusual vigor.
Zeke asked Rex Thurn, “This potion is incredible. What’s in it?”
“You’re as cheeky as Arthur. Well, since I made it myself, I suppose I can tell you. It’s a top-grade potion mixed with basilisk blood, devil bear gall, mandrake root, and other beneficial ingredients, all simmered together.”
”…”
Knowing the potion’s ingredients, Zeke felt a twinge of regret for drinking it.
Rex Thurn approached Zeke.
“Well, anyway. You’ve passed the test. Zeke Draker, I grant you the right to undertake the Trial of Struggle.”
“Thank you, Master.”
“Do you want to hear about your mother now?”
Rex Thurn was straightforward, but Zeke shook his head.
“I’ll hear it after I complete the Trial of Struggle.”
Rex Thurn nodded at Zeke’s words.
“Very well. When will you begin the trial?”
“I’ll start tomorrow.”
“Impatient like Laura, I see. Alright, I’ll inform the administrator.”
“Thank you.”
Rex Thurn glanced at Reina, who was watching Zeke with dazed eyes, drained of energy.
Seeing his cherished daughter so worn out pained him.
‘This will be a tough lesson for Reina too.’
Reina was a warrior, inheriting the fierce spirit of the Thurns. Rex didn’t offer her any consolation.
Sometimes, watching from afar and allowing growth was a father’s duty and privilege.
‘Reina, stay strong. Your father always believes in you.’
Rex swallowed his tears inwardly.
Just then, Zeke spoke up.
“Master, may I ask your opinion on my swordsmanship?”
Opportunities to face a Black Knight in combat were rare.
Zeke’s mentor, Duke Draker, had once been a Black Knight but had lost that status for reasons he never disclosed.
Though Duke loved to talk, he never spoke of why he lost his Black Knight status.
Zeke’s father, Arthur Draker, was not someone he could spar with, and even if he could, Arthur was not one to offer feedback.
Rex Thurn looked at Zeke with a curious expression.
“You’re either shameless or honest.”
“I’d like to hear your honest assessment, Master.”
Zeke had learned many skills, but his progress had stalled at the level of a Red Knight.
He needed a breakthrough to reach the level of a Black Knight.
Though he had held back during their duel, Rex Thurn, as a Black Knight, might have sensed what Zeke was missing.
Rex pondered for a moment before speaking to Zeke.
“Take a vacation.”
“What?”
Zeke was taken aback by Rex’s unexpected suggestion.
With his arms crossed, he exhaled sharply through his nose and said, “What’s the rush? You’re the same age as Reina, eighteen, almost nineteen. Relax a little.”
In that moment, Zeke recalled Kaishir’s voice. During his time at the sanctuary learning the elemental sword, Kaishir’s most frequent advice was exactly that.
“You idiot! Loosen up!”
Zeke thought he’d learned to relax after mastering the art of fluidity through the Water Field, but it seemed he hadn’t quite gotten there yet.
“Relaxing… No, I can’t get trapped in that thought. If I do, I’ll just build another wall for myself.”
Rex watched Zeke, who was deep in thought over a single comment, and remarked, “You definitely take after Laura more than Arthur.”
Rex then called for the attendants to show Zeke to his quarters. As Zeke was about to leave, Reina approached him.
“I may have lost this time… but next time will be different.”
With those words, Reina left the arena, clearly frustrated at not passing the family head’s test.
Zeke retired to the room prepared by the Turn family, rested for the night, and prepared for the Trial of Struggle the next day. When he stepped outside, a carriage was already waiting to take him to the trial.
As Zeke opened the carriage door and stepped inside, he was surprised to find Rex Turn sitting there, arms crossed and wearing a solemn expression.
“Master?”
“Sit down, Zeke Draker.”
The carriage set off with both Zeke and Rex Turn inside. Zeke couldn’t fathom why Rex was there.
‘Why is he here? Is he going to warn me? If that were the case, he could have been harsher yesterday. Or is he upset because Reina was disappointed?’
His mind was a whirl of thoughts. Then Rex Turn spoke.
“The Trial of Struggle won’t be as easy as you think. When you reach the first floor…”
To Zeke’s surprise, Rex was there to offer advice about the trial.
‘Unbelievable.’
Such kindness was unheard of in the calculating and cold Draker family.
‘I thought the Turn family was all about brute strength, but I was wrong.’
Throughout the carriage ride, Rex continued to share his insights. After listening for a while, Zeke realized something.
‘I think I’ve heard enough.’
Rex Turn was surprisingly talkative, repeating himself and veering off into tangents. Zeke even wondered if Rex was using some advanced rhetorical technique to confuse him. But then Rex would share another crucial piece of information, dispelling that notion.
‘Rex Turn… unlike Arthur Draker, he’s unpredictable.’
Before long, the carriage arrived at the Trial of Struggle.
Thud!
The Turn knights guarding the dungeon knelt before the carriage.
“Greetings, Master!”
Rex Turn and Zeke stepped out together. Moments ago, Rex seemed like a chatty giant, but now he appeared entirely different.
Rex Turn pointed and said to Zeke, “There lies the Trial of Struggle.”
Zeke looked where Rex indicated. Below a recessed cliff stood a sturdy iron door.
He bowed to Rex Turn and approached the door without hesitation.
‘In my past life, Reina reached the 50th floor. If I can do that, the Turn family will acknowledge me.’
Zeke planned to seamlessly integrate into the Turn family and search for clues about Tyr’s Shield.
Resolute, Zeke opened the door to the Trial of Struggle and stepped inside.
At that moment, a message appeared before his eyes.
[Trial of the War God Tyr. Detecting the ‘Inverted Tower.’]
‘What?’