Chapter 411
Episode 120: Why Hiran? (5)
The masked assailant said nothing. It was impossible to guess what expression lay behind the concealed face.
“…I thought you were finally making a sound decision by attacking Dante Hiran. But you’re just complicating things, Jin Runcandel.”
The reason the assailant called Dante’s kidnapping a “sound decision” was simple: it benefited Runcandel.
Hiran was the second strongest sword faction after Runcandel and a core force within Bimont, one of the four great powers.
So, if Hiran fell, it would deal a severe blow to Bimont.
Among the four powers, Runcandel and Ziphl were clearly at odds.
Bimont and Kinzello’s enmity was less defined.
However, Bimont had long maintained close ties with Ziphl, even if not a full alliance. If forced to choose between Runcandel and Ziphl, Bimont was more likely to side with Ziphl.
“You’re the one making things complicated. I’m trying to bring Hiran over as my ally, and you’re throwing a wrench into it at the last minute?”
Swish! A black blade slashed toward the assailant’s face. He raised his sword vertically to block, but the oppressive force was unsettling enough that he avoided a full-on clash.
‘Judging by his words, he’s definitely the Black Knight.’
Jin was certain.
Whether this man was the Black Knight or another warrior didn’t matter much. Either way, he was acting to benefit Runcandel, and his skill level was clearly on par with the Black Knight.
“If you understand, then get lost, Joshua’s lapdog.”
Each time Jin swung his sword, a sharp trail of spiritual energy and azure light followed.
Unlike the first exchange, the assailant no longer met Jin’s blade directly but instead dodged the attacks with ease.
There were very few warriors in the world who could so cleanly evade Jin’s deliberate strikes.
But even fewer could maintain such composure and distance indefinitely.
At first glance, the assailant seemed relaxed, but Jin noticed his evasion radius shrinking with each attack.
‘Got it.’
Jin smiled inwardly as he studied the assailant’s sword.
It was an ordinary steel blade—that was why the assailant avoided mixing swords. He could easily dodge Jin’s attacks, but he wasn’t evading to gain the upper hand; he was biding his time to strike decisively.
‘If he’d brought his usual sword or a famous blade, it would have been undeniable proof.’
Though ordinary by Jin’s standards, any blacksmith would praise the sword’s quality.
But this plain steel blade was no match for Bradamante.
One of the legendary masterpieces forged by the divine blacksmith Picon Minche.
Many believed that warriors who had attained enlightenment—those so strong that weapon quality didn’t matter—found no meaning in famed swords.
But that was a naive misconception by those who’d never truly wielded a blade.
If two warriors had equal strength, the one with the better weapon would naturally win.
That’s why Siron wielded the peerless Barisada, Ron had Rashid, and Thalaris carried Manbing. The same went for all the great warriors.
Even a well-forged steel sword could break if wielded by someone with transcendent power.
‘His steel sword’s durability is already at its limit, having blocked my blade and fought Hiran’s knights.’
If the weapon broke mid-fight—
Even the Black Knight couldn’t face Jin barehanded. And though it was unfortunate for Dante, it was fortunate for Jin.
Thanks to the Sun technique of the Royal Sword filling the arena moments ago, all the swords scattered among the corpses on the ground were shattered.
If the assailant’s sword broke now, he wouldn’t be able to pick up another weapon.
Jin grinned.
“Worrying so openly about your weapon? How amusing, Black Knight.”
He increased his speed.
Once again, he spread a veil of spiritual energy, weaving through it to unleash a relentless barrage of sword qi. The heavy, oppressive energy pressed down on the assailant.
The assailant could no longer just dodge; he parried some of the sword qi.
But struggling to block attacks left him no room to fully unleash his own power. Meanwhile, Jin remained relaxed, pouring out his sword qi effortlessly.
‘The only weapon he can take is Dante’s sword.’
Jin positioned himself, mindful of the fallen Dante. If the Black Knight managed to seize Dante’s sword, the tide of battle would surely turn.
“Should’ve brought a spare weapon or two.”
Clang!
The assailant suddenly closed the distance and blocked Jin’s strike, producing a deafening clang.
Amid the noise, Jin felt the distinct vibration of metal cracking. Even wrapped in aura, it was impossible to hide.
“Oh? Were you planning to use other knights’ swords as a backup?”
The blades of the Spirit Sword Scissors extended behind the assailant’s back. He barely ducked to avoid them, but couldn’t fully evade the follow-up vertical slash.
A drop of blood splattered.
Bradamante’s tip grazed his shoulder. The wound wasn’t deep, but landing the first effective hit was crucial.
“Retreat. Your mission has failed.”
“I don’t think so.”
The assailant shrugged.
“Do you really think Hiran will side with Runcandel just because of friendship with Dante?”
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“I didn’t expect you to be so naive.”
“That naivety will bring about the union of my Runcandel and Hiran. A value your master and the rotten Runcandel of today lack.”
“You’re impossible to reason with.”
“We don’t need to be.”
Bang! Crack!
This time, the noise wasn’t from Jin and the assailant’s duel.
Outside, the battle between Ron and Beract was intensifying. Even from this distance, their powerful auras were palpable.
The entire castle trembled with unstable vibrations.
“Finish what you started.”
Spirit Sword Style One: Soul Slash.
A long, silent sword qi, like a shadow, slashed across the assailant’s front.
It was Jin’s signature move, a declaration that he would cut through anything.
The strike finally snapped the assailant’s sword in two, sending it clattering to the ground.
Clang!
But the assailant didn’t look surprised.
From his sleeve, something sharp emerged.
‘Claws!?’
A weapon few used, symbolizing the McLoran family of Gilly’s homeland.
Could this Black Knight be from McLoran?
Just then, the assailant’s claws shot forward like arrows, closing in on Jin.
‘So the claws were his true weapon…!’
Jin was relieved he hadn’t faced a more formidable blade.
But the claws were the assailant’s real weapon—clearly forged from ancient eternal steel. Jin could no longer claim weapon superiority.
“Quite the knack for surprises, aren’t you?”
Clang, screech!
The clash of claws and blade produced an unpleasant grinding sound.
The assailant’s new weapon brought a completely different fighting style.
‘At first, I had a dangerous instinct about him, but he didn’t seem that formidable. I thought it was just the weapon.’
Each time the claws moved, three sword qi shot out. The two claws moved dozens of times per second, unleashing a dazzling storm of sword qi.
If Jin hadn’t activated his spiritual armor, he would have suffered minor cuts all over.
“Weren’t you supposed to keep your identity hidden? Using such a recognizable weapon.”
“As long as there are no witnesses, it doesn’t matter.”
“I’m your only witness.”
“Exactly. That means I have to eliminate you.”
“I don’t like such grim jokes. Killing me now would be a huge loss for Runcandel.”
The assailant didn’t answer, instead lunging with his claws.
Jin had faced claw-wielding warriors only a handful of times—mostly during sparring sessions after Gilly’s seal was lifted.
I’m definitely stronger than Gilly, but this feels tricky.
Claws are nothing like swords, my lord. If wielded by amateurs, they’re no threat. But a skilled user? During battle, your sword won’t move as you wish.
That was Gilly’s advice during their light sparring.
Jin found it hard to control his sword as the claws restricted its movement, wedged between the two blades.
He blocked with his left hand while launching close-range attacks with his right.
Even with Multa’s rune activated, each time the claws brushed his face, a chill ran down his spine.
‘This is serious.’
He tried a few counterattacks while being pushed back, but couldn’t break the assailant’s momentum.
‘Using Flame of Karma or the Sovereign’s Reign Sword is too risky with Dante in danger.’
He needed to create distance first.
Though his spiritual armor protected him, prolonged close combat would eventually cause fatal injuries.
But the assailant stubbornly stuck close, even as Jin retreated with footwork.
Jin unleashed consecutive Soul Slashes, but the claws wouldn’t break like the steel sword.
Still, the assailant’s relentless assault eventually slowed.
Thanks to that, Jin managed to put about ten steps between them and planned to maintain that distance as the fight continued.
Without superior swordsmanship to the assailant, there was very little he could do in close combat.
Whip!
At that moment, the attacker spun around and changed targets.
‘Dante!’
From the start, the attacker’s real target had been Dante. He had deliberately lured Jin to create distance, then planned to grab Dante—the true prize—and escape.
Jin and the attacker lunged toward Dante at the same time.
With about ten steps between them, the attacker reached Dante first.
The attacker’s gleaming claw aimed for the back of Dante’s neck, as if it didn’t matter whether he kidnapped him or killed him outright.
Just as the claw was about to pierce Dante’s throat, Jin threw Bradamante, blocking the claw’s path, and simultaneously drew Sigmund.
But because he had thrown his sword so recklessly, his stance faltered. The attacker took advantage, redirecting the claw back toward Jin.
Crack!
The claw pierced Jin’s spirit-infused armor, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.