Chapter 372
“…Truly impressive.”
Idrinne murmured beside him, clearly admiring.
Idrinne was a genius herself, and just observing her was a great help. This would become invaluable nourishment for her growth in the future.
“…Of course, that doesn’t mean I trust you,” she added coolly, still casting a frosty gaze at the Silver Snow Demon Lord.
Strangely, Idrinne had been hostile toward the Silver Snow Demon Lord ever since her first appearance.
But it wasn’t important enough to dwell on, so Chris focused on the Silver Snow Demon Lord’s sword.
This time, it’s the Devil Storm Sword.
Though the name sounded childish and the sword itself seemed flashy but hollow, in the hands of the Silver Snow Demon Lord, it transformed completely.
It was as if a tempest summoned by a demon had erupted.
Idrinne, watching this spectacle, drew inspiration from the Silver Snow Demon Lord’s ultimate sword form and the sword’s intent.
Chris, however, saw it differently.
He too gleaned insight from the sword’s intent, but his focus was elsewhere.
I need to understand the trajectory of the life contained within that sword.
A sword carries the life of its wielder.
The way a third-rate swordsmanship, once mere bluster, was reborn into such a refined blade symbolized the path the Silver Snow Demon Lord had walked.
Within that gap, Chris sought clues to her power—the power of the Fighting King.
They say the Silver Snow Demon Lord simply grew stronger through battle, but that’s not true. The Fighting King is a realm of power.
There were many heroes who had fought all their lives, just like her.
But none had grown as strong as the Silver Snow Demon Lord.
It’s true that you can grow stronger through combat, but there’s a limit to that.
And yet, the Silver Snow Demon Lord’s talent wasn’t exceptional.
Sure, she had talent, but not as outstanding as Evan or Idrinne.
Still, she had reached a sublime level.
Thanks to the Fighting King.
She evolved that power through desperate struggle to survive.
If you don’t grow stronger, you die.
The power of the Fighting King was born from the frantic fight to survive at the brink of death.
That’s why it can’t be learned artificially.
But Chris had to obtain it somehow.
Not just to defeat Drenne.
In truth, there’s no need to use this method to bring down Drenne.
He knew it was impossible from the start. There was no need to enter the one-on-one duel for the lordship.
As Idrinne said, it might be better to devise a strategy, create a favorable situation, and eliminate him.
Still, Chris insisted on this life-or-death duel.
Because he had a purpose.
I have to reach the 9-Star Realm through this duel.
It was almost unbelievable.
He was going to step into the 9-Star Realm already?
During a duel?
No matter who I am, reaching the 9-Star Realm this soon is impossible.
Even for Chris, it would take at least a year.
Though that was already an absurd pace, it couldn’t be helped.
The moment the Four Kings’ Castle falls, the uprising of the Mystic Demons will begin. To face them, I must at least reach the 9-Star Realm.
There was only one way.
He planned to obtain the power of the Fighting King and use the duel with Drenne as the trigger to reach the 9-Star Realm.
He knew.
It was a reckless idea.
First, it was questionable whether he could even obtain the power of the Fighting King.
Unlike other powers, the Fighting King was born from the Silver Snow Demon Lord’s desperate struggle.
Trying to artificially learn it might be nonsense.
Even if I miraculously master the Fighting King, I have to survive the duel with Drenne.
It was a gamble with slim odds that had to be won repeatedly.
Still.
I can do it. No, I will.
Chris’s eyes darkened.
The sword the Silver Snow Demon Lord wielded, its intent, its trajectory, the path she had carved with her life—all of it piled up steadily in his mind.
Time passed.
The day of the duel arrived.
Though there was still time, a chilling atmosphere had already settled over the arena.
Most of those gathered early were minions of the Death Demon Clan.
The Curse Demon Clan was all but wiped out.
“Today will finally be the end of that arrogant bastard.”
“Yeah, I can’t wait to see the lord turn him into a living undead.”
They spoke with grim determination.
No one doubted Drenne’s victory.
It was natural.
“No matter how great he is, it’s useless. The lord has already achieved his Ascension.”
“Could it be the lord has stepped into the realm of the Soma King?”
“Didn’t he say he hasn’t fully reached the 9-Star Realm yet?”
“Still, just stepping into it means it’s over. That bastard has no chance.”
What Chris and his group feared was happening.
Even if he hadn’t fully become a Soma King, Chris had no chance.
“The lord will soon reach the full Demon Lord realm. I’m looking forward to it.”
“As soon as he emerges from seclusion, it’ll be time to wipe out those Dark Alliance scum again.”
The Four Kings’ Lord had not yet completed his Ascension and had not appeared.
Though recent losses had been heavy, if even the Four Kings’ Lord were reborn as a Demon Lord, the Four Kings’ Castle would wield power surpassing its former glory.
“Is he not here yet?”
The arena fell silent.
Drenne had appeared.
Everyone swallowed hard.
His aura was completely different from before, as if confirming the rumors of his Ascension.
It was like a storm coiled, ready to burst.
“He’s late.”
At Drenne’s mutter, the minions murmured.
It was time, but Christian had yet to show.
“How dare he be so rude!!”
“Bring him here immediately!!”
“Enough.”
Drenne raised a hand.
“Whether late or early, his fate to meet death won’t change. Let’s wait.”
His calm voice was unwavering.
If it had been before, he would have lost his temper, but with his deepened realm, his mind had grown steady.
This isn’t good.
Idrinne, who had secretly come early to the arena suspecting some trick from the Death Demon Clan, frowned.
Drenne’s Ascension was exceeding all expectations.
Worse still,
Christian hasn’t achieved Ascension.
An unexpected revelation.
The week hadn’t been wasted.
He had gained much by observing the Silver Snow Demon Lord’s Ascension.
But he had failed to obtain the power of the Fighting King—the most important thing.
No, to be precise, it’s not a failure.
In the midst of mastering the Fighting King, Christian had said something crazy.
-This power doesn’t seem to suit me constitutionally.
-…What?
-I’ve never really felt the brink of death. It’s too ‘hungry’ a method; I don’t like it.
Then he said this.
-I got the inspiration, so I’ll try to improve it.
The problem was, this was only two days ago.
Until Idrinne left, Chris hadn’t gotten what he wanted.
What if Christian loses the duel?
Idrinne’s gaze turned icy.
I’ll ambush Drenne and cut his throat.
A sacred duel?
For the sake of his dearest friend, she didn’t care about that. Even if it meant her own death.
At that moment, a commotion stirred outside.
“It’s Mahwi!!”
Christian appeared.
Idrinne exhaled in relief, seeing no trace of fear on his face, and sent a message spell.
-So, you did achieve Ascension?
-No, I didn’t. Not yet.
-…What did you say?
-There just wasn’t enough time.
Idrinne’s jaw dropped.
Then came an even more absurd statement.
-It’s fine. I can adapt it somehow.
Christian smiled slyly as he looked at Drenne standing in the arena.
-I have just the right sacrifice.
It was time to use Drenne to reach the 9-Star Realm.
Finally, the two faced each other.
“You’ve grown stronger in the meantime. It’s only been a week.”
Drenne looked at Christian with admiration.
But it wasn’t a wary expression.
It was the calm confidence of a strong man looking down on the weak.
“What about you? How does it feel to have stepped into the 9-Star Realm?”
“I haven’t fully stepped in yet. I’ve only barely touched it.”
Drenne drew his corrupted holy sword.
A murky, malevolent aura rippled from it.
“Still, it should be more than enough to cut you down.”
Flash!
Drenne swung his sword.
Though it seemed a light stroke, a chilling dread settled.
The power of death!
An attack that forcibly brings death beyond the laws of nature.
It was similar to the Death Knight Lord’s domain skill, “Veil of Life and Death,” but with a difference.
The Death Knight Lord had to unleash his domain and exert full power to use the death power, but Drenne manifested it with a mere light stroke.
The level of power is far higher.
Usually, such death powers require the attack to land to take effect, but Drenne’s power had no such limitation.
Even if the sword was blocked or dodged, death still loomed.
This is broken.
Chris clicked his tongue and unleashed his own domain.
Under the protection of a domain that ruled the entire world, he barely blocked the shadow of death.
But Drenne’s assault was only just beginning.
Flash!
Drenne’s new form vanished and reappeared right before Chris.
“I heard you defeated the Ghost Sword King with a sword. Now, try taking my blade.”
Drenne was a spirit knight who specialized in swords—a rarity among the spirit mages.
Her swordsmanship was nothing short of masterful, reaching the level of a true grandmaster.
‘No, at this rate, she might even rival the Ghostblade King. Could it be because of the recent power she gained?’
From all directions, eerie swords struck like vengeful souls made manifest, their forms elusive and chilling.
Each blade carried the power of death itself.
Christian barely managed to fend off the shadows of death by unleashing his domain of control, struggling to keep up with the relentless assault.
And Drenne hadn’t even activated her own domain yet—he was already on the back foot.
‘She’s not letting her guard down for a second.’
Drenne’s reluctance to reveal her domain wasn’t out of disrespect.
On the contrary.
She was wary of Christian, unwilling to recklessly unleash her full power too soon.
She was determined to cut off his lifeline.
As an enemy, she was the worst possible opponent.
What made her even more dangerous was that swordsmanship wasn’t her only strength.
Drenne was also highly skilled in spirit magic and necromancy.
Killing Field.
Requiem.
Soul Reaper’s Scythe.
In an instant, she unleashed all three spirit spells.
Each was a miraculous-level incantation, transforming the ground beneath Christian into a land of death, while a horrifying cursed requiem echoed through the air.
Just as his mind reeled from the overwhelming assault, a ghostly figure wept tears of blood, materializing in midair and swinging a massive scythe.
Whoosh!
The moment it struck, death was absolute—an unstoppable spell.
At the same time, Drenne’s sword danced with dazzling grace, weaving a deadly ballet of steel.