Chapter 216
Episode 70. Bitter Ties (Part 2)

Joshua looked momentarily taken aback. His eyes trembled ever so slightly as he stared at Jin.

But it was only for a brief moment before a cruel smile curled at the corner of Joshua’s lips.

“I’m the one who wants to ask, youngest brother. What on earth brings a trainee like you to this island? I can’t say I understand it at all.”

As Joshua spoke, Jin studied him carefully, trying to piece together the situation. Why had Joshua suddenly come to this island? Was he alone? How should Jin respond? Questions flooded his mind, but he had to sort them out quickly.

He didn’t lure me here with a trap. If it were a trap, he would have made sure I never crossed paths with Kuzan or Berris.

Joshua must have sent his subordinates to this island for some reason and was nearby. He must have come after sensing the lightning and spiritual energy that blanketed the island—and then ran into Jin.

With that conclusion, Jin naturally scanned his surroundings.

There was no one accompanying Joshua. Beyond him, the only vessel visible on the sea was a small rowboat.

“Well, it’s good to see you. There’s so much I’ve wanted to say to you.”

Jin snorted and shrugged.

“We’re hardly on friendly terms to be exchanging pleasantries, are we?”

“What?”

“After everything that’s happened, there’s no need for pretenses. Just as you know my secrets, I know all about the despicable things you’ve done to me…”

A heavy silence fell between them.

They locked eyes, neither flinching. Then Joshua chuckled softly and shook his head.

“You’re quite bitter. I can understand that, but it’s hardly the right attitude. If you act like this, I’ll have no choice but to punish you.”

“Did you get the message I left in the Kiddard Hall’s laboratory?”

You won’t die so easily—Jin Grey.

After killing Kiddard Hall, Jin had carved that message into the lab wall with his sword. When Jin mentioned it, Joshua nodded.

“An impressive message. Every news outlet covered that incident, but no one ever figured out that Jin Grey was you.”

“You should have killed me then. When I was in the Cradle of the Storm Fortress, when you cursed me—you should have ended me right there.”

Swish…!

Jin slowly drew his sword, Bradamante.

“You wouldn’t have had to suffer today if you had.”

Jin had made up his mind to kill Joshua.

No subordinates, no witnesses. No need to worry about anyone’s reaction or second-guess the situation. This was the perfect opportunity to kill him and walk away unscathed.

A head-on fight might be hopeless, but luckily I still have enough spiritual energy.

This desolate island in the Cheongsae Archipelago would become Joshua’s grave today.

“Heh… What a ridiculous story. You’ve always been like this, youngest brother. I remember your childish provocations the moment you arrived at the Garden of Swords, taunting all your brothers.”

“Why didn’t you bring some knights? Like when you welcomed Luna. Traveling alone isn’t your style. I always thought you needed knights and elders around you to feel safe.”

The smile vanished from Joshua’s face.

Jin, on the other hand, smiled as he cloaked his blade in spiritual energy.

“This power. You must have been living under the illusion that you spared me because you coveted it. Otherwise, why would you have left me alive when your curse failed? Am I wrong?”

Joshua’s gaze locked onto the black blade of Bradamante. As if mesmerized by its dark sheen, a fierce longing burned in his eyes.

“That should have been my power from the start.”

He shook his head bitterly.

“You’re delusional. If you want it, take it. You haven’t drawn your sword yet—are you afraid to fight me? Draw your weapon, Joshua Runcandel. Let’s settle this.”

Joshua sighed, his face flushed.

Though he had only shown a cruel side to Jin so far, he was the eldest son of the Runcandel family, a second-rank knight, and a nine-star warrior.

Being dismissed by a trainee youngest brother was simply unthinkable.

“You’re mistaken, youngest brother. The power of Solderet is indeed tempting. But do you really think you can face me already? Even Merry isn’t this arrogant.”

Swish. Joshua drew his sword. Its silver blade, wrapped in a faint aura, contrasted sharply with Bradamante’s dark steel.

Silver Sword Sran. Not the one his mother bestowed.

Joshua’s treasured blade was the Black Sword Kainer. Known as the second finest sword in Runcandel after Barisada, its dark blade symbolized the family’s legacy.

Joshua’s reputation as the next head of the family owed much to Kainer. It was widely believed that a future head wielded Kainer before claiming Barisada.

Of course, whether he used Kainer or Sran, Joshua’s skill remained fundamentally the same.

“Or do you have some trick up your sleeve? Whatever the case, it doesn’t matter. I’ll teach you a lesson. After today, you’ll never hold a sword again.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Joshua’s blade was already inches from Jin’s face. The distance between them, nearly ten steps moments ago, had vanished.

He probably didn’t intend to provoke me with knowledge of my past life, but I almost lost my cool.

In his previous life, this was reality.

Had Jin reacted emotionally to Joshua’s last words, he might have been too slow. Fortunately, he regained his composure just before the fight began and easily dodged Joshua’s thrust.

But he didn’t just dodge.

Slash!

The silver blade of Sran grazed Jin’s cheek.

It wasn’t just an evasion—Jin had pushed into Joshua’s space. That was unexpected. Joshua had assumed Jin would create distance after dodging.

He had underestimated the youngest brother’s skill.

Spirit Sword Technique One: Soul Slash.

As soon as Jin closed the gap, he unleashed his spirit sword.

He already knows all my power, so hiding anything would only complicate things.

Same with the Flash Cannon and Tess.

The only potential wildcard was Sigmund, but after the battle with Julian, Jin’s spiritual energy was nearly depleted.

Swish!

Bradamante rose sharply, carving a dark, precise arc through the air.

To Joshua’s surprise, he parried horizontally, twisting the Soul Slash aside. He even inserted the counter-move between recovering from the thrust and the next attack.

Joshua’s sword moved only a couple of finger-widths sideways.

Clang!

The sound of the blades clashing was explosive, far beyond what such a small movement should produce.

Jin gritted his teeth and steadied his stance.

A nine-star warrior of Runcandel was on a different level from other martial artists. Just as Jin possessed the blessed body of Runcandel, so did Joshua.

“So this is the spirit sword technique. Not bad.”

Jin had no time to respond.

So a knight is a knight.

Even considering his exhaustion from the fight with Julian, Jin could feel the gap between their levels in a single exchange.

Though overshadowed by the monstrous Luna Runcandel, Joshua was still among the top warriors of the knights.

“Did you think I resorted to tricks and kept others close because I lacked skill? Because I could never be an absolute warrior like your eldest sister?”

Clang! Clang! Crack!

Light and shadow intertwined with every clash of their swords.

“Not at all! If I wanted, I could have caught up to your eldest sister long ago. But youngest brother, do you know what lies beyond your experience? What dangers lurk above?”

Suddenly, Joshua pushed Jin away and pointed skyward.

“Even with Father here, why do you think Runcandel hasn’t surpassed Ziphl? Why do you think Father is disappointed in me but hasn’t cast me out? Because even if I don’t satisfy him, I’m the one who watches the enemies more closely than anyone else in the Garden of Swords.”

Jin said nothing, catching his breath.

My body isn’t keeping up as well as I thought…

Joshua had always been a tough opponent for Jin.

Now, utterly drained from the all-night battle, it was nearly impossible for Jin to hold his own.

Roar!

Shuri bellowed and stood beside Jin, realizing his master was facing an unbeatable foe.

Joshua’s gaze shifted toward the fallen Murakan.

“It’s fine, Shuri. Protect Murakan.”

Jin gently pushed Shuri aside.

“How touching. You wouldn’t really use that defenseless Black Dragon as a hostage against me, would you?”

“Based on what you’ve shown so far, I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t take that Black Dragon’s life before this fight ends. Nor your beast’s.”

“You’re showing an uncharacteristic calm. Most who’ve been so relaxed in front of me have met miserable ends. You’d do well to remember that, Joshua.”

“Ah, now I get it. You, the youngest, are certain I can’t kill you… because if I did, I wouldn’t be able to steal your contract. That’s why you’re acting so insolent.”

Joshua’s words—“I’ll steal your contract”—came straight from his mouth.

So he really does know there’s a way to transfer contracts. Just like Zipple and Kinzello.

But unlike Zipple or Kinzello, it didn’t seem he had a surefire method yet. If he did, he would have tracked me down and snatched my contract by now.

“I’ll give you credit for figuring that out. But it changes nothing. Today, you’ll become someone who can never wield a sword again—and for a Runcandel, that’s a punishment worse than death.”

He meant to cripple me, imprison me, and only kill me once he’d secured Solderet’s contract.

Crunch!

Jin clenched his teeth.

“Do you understand your situation now? If you surrender, I’ll make it quick and not too painful. Or you can try to run. That’s probably your best bet.”

“Insolent, huh? Right you are, Joshua Runcandel. I was certain you couldn’t kill me.”

Jin gathered his spiritual energy once more.

Slowly, he swung his sword through the air.

“But that doesn’t mean you can keep me alive because of the contract. It’s because my allies are on their way.”

“Haha. The entire Seongdo Archipelago is under lockdown. Even if your allies are dragons, they can’t get through right now. Tough luck.”

A sly smile spread across Jin’s face.

“What now? Not a dragon, huh?”

A special technique of the spirit sword.

Black Summoning.

Jin swung Bradamante through the air to unleash it.