novelraw Chapter 163 : Chapter 163
Chapter 163 : Chapter 163
Chapter 163 - Before the Dawn Breaks (3)
It was certainly enjoyable to wound a hateful opponent, but I did not get drunk on that enjoyment and forget my original purpose.
Kwaang-!!!
After driving in 『Fortress Kill』, I immediately withdrew my sword after only three attacks.
It was to quickly leave this place after giving him just enough damage to prevent him from moving any further.
'……Grændal should be recovering his stance and rushing over soon.'
Although I had a few seconds of grace because I had broken his movement and run to the opposite side, it was only a few seconds.
If I got swept up in emotion and became bogged down in this situation, I didn't know when I would be caught.
And in the first place, the condition of my arm was no longer such that I could swing a sword.
I hurriedly checked the remaining time of 『Moment of Decisive Battle』.
[ Remaining Time : 52.17 ]
Hah.
‘Not even 10 seconds have passed?’
I felt like letting out a dry laugh at the fact that not much time had passed compared to the mental energy I had consumed, but there wasn't even time for that.
I'm leaving this place.
Before the re-positioned Grændal catches up.
Before Akmandar takes that opportunity to cast his spirit arts again.
I had also thought about checking the position of Grændal, who was the most likely of the two to rush at me first, but I didn't.
What's the point of checking the position now?
What's the use if it's already too late, even if I know the position?
Therefore.
Tadadak-!
I ran. I just ran without looking back.
From the abyss-like darkness, and from the pain, that would be chasing me from behind.
***
The situation had truly unfolded in an instant, but the shock that Grændal received from the contents of the incident was beyond words.
Yes, it was shocking.
The greenhorn-like kid had accurately broken through his swordsmanship in an instant, as if he had become a different person.
Yes. Even that could be barely understood by labeling it as a survival instinct.
However, what followed was truly beyond comprehension.
The spirit arts of that powerful spiritmancer were used against him.
The man in the sturdy armor was fatally wounded.
Even though each of them was a powerhouse comparable to a top-tier Master Knight.
What was even more shocking was that the entire process took less than 10 seconds.
A battle that was close to a one-sided slaughter.
In other words.
“……A complete defeat.”
A complete defeat.
It was a complete defeat.
There was no other way to describe the result.
He had inflicted physical damage, but that too was probably part of his calculations.
It seemed as if he had used his body in a delicate and exquisite way, just enough to make an escape possible.
This was no longer in the realm of what a person could think of.
In that situation, Grændal tried to somehow accomplish his original purpose, but by the time he readjusted his stance, the target had already disappeared far away.
He thought about pursuing, but…… it would probably be a futile effort. It would have been worth a try if it were close range, but he was already far away.
Contrasting with his upper body, which was exquisitely rendered combat-incapable only after deflecting the sharp swordsmanship, parrying the powerful spirit arts, and inflicting a fatal blow on the iron-walled body, his legs still seemed to have strength left.
He was slightly faster, but if he chased, he probably wouldn't be able to catch him. That was his calculation, and it was true.
“…….”
Grændal slowly surveyed the battlefield again.
“How absurd.”
The spiritmancer, Akmandar, who had received a bit of damage from having his own spirit arts returned to him, was muttering so.
“Keoheuk, keoheuk……!”
The old man in armor, Salvatio, was groaning with a dagger stuck in his moving fortress-like armor in a bizarre way.
And from that scenery…… Grændal might have had a glimpse of such a future.
-Today's incident may be the harbinger of the doom that will come to us.
It was an infinitely profane and ominous, yet a premonition that seemed destined to come true someday.
***
I ran, and ran again.
I just ran through the pitch-black night, where even light could not reach properly.
How much further do I have to run to get back to the hall?
Are they chasing me from behind?
The Exchange Meeting must be almost over, right?
Various thoughts crossed my mind. How long had it been since I had such a variety of thoughts?
Considering that until just before, I had only been thinking about getting stronger and surviving, it was quite funny.
But not a single laugh escaped, and there were several reasons for that.
Drip.
It's not that I didn't receive a very fatal blow from Akmandar's spirit arrow, but I didn't block them all, so there were holes in several places on my body.
I felt a bone-chillingly cold wind, and I also felt the fresh blood flowing through the gaps.
I pressed the hole of the wound with the hand opposite to the one holding the sword.
I don't know if it's effective. It seems like too much blood is leaking out, can I stop it?
Bbaddeuk-
The muscles all over my body were also already ruptured and a wreck. To the point where it was difficult to even hold the sword.
'……I'm sleepy.'
My eyes are closing. Having repeated death so many times, I knew.
That I shouldn't stop here, close my eyes, or try to sleep.
That if I did, I might not be able to see this place again, which I had barely reached after overcoming all that pain.
Therefore, I continued to run.
How much time had passed?
I couldn't even tell if someone was running behind me.
Discriminating what was in front of me was also already dependent on the realm of sensation rather than perception.
And as even that sensation began to fade gradually.
A light came into view.
Running a distance that was not absolutely far, but infinitely far.
I was finally able to return.
The shining building in front of me was proof of that.
The first place I entered was a warehouse, which was a given. The place my feet touched was the reverse of the path I started from.
Passing through the long passage of the warehouse, I go up the stairs while clutching my wound.
Thump, thump.
At a noticeably slower speed than when I was running on flat ground, but I go up without resting.
Passing the bent landing and going up the stairs again, a door comes into view.
A door carved out of very stylish marble, a door that couldn't be more welcome.
♪♫-.
Music can be heard from beyond the door.
Relieved that the Exchange Meeting was still going on beyond, with a hand from which all strength had leaked out…….
“……Ha.”
I opened the door.
Creak.
♪♫-
What I heard was the sound of music.
But I couldn't stop. I walked further forward.
I've arrived, but how much further do I have to go?
Who do I have to go to?
Even such judgments were not properly made, so I just walked forward.
Thump.
What I see are people's faces.
Astonished, or surprised expressions.
With every step I took, I could feel the gazes of the people being fixed on me.
Having received countless gazes until now, I could feel that part better than anyone else.
Thump.
-Kyaaak!!
-Wh…… what on earth is this!!
Screams.
It was probably a scream let out after seeing my wretched state.
The atmosphere must have suddenly turned into a funeral home, and the surroundings must have become a mess.
It was a situation where someone who was on the verge of death had suddenly crashed a party they were enjoying.
It was certainly apologetic to have disturbed such a fun party, but I couldn't stop my steps now.
Thump.
‘Ah.’
This is really the limit now.
My vision is blurring.
Even the strength to support my body is slipping away.
Stagger-
Thud.
In the end, my body, unable to endure, collapsed.
Well.
It's quite commendable that I've come this far.
I didn't think I would die. Now that I've reached this far, someone will do something.
Maybe I just wanted to think that.
Just as I was realizing that I could not go any further…….
“……What on earth is this. You.”
Such a voice was heard.
A voice that seemed to be filled with sorrow, or on the verge of tears.
It was a familiar voice.
A voice tinged with that casualness and kindness.
Because the owner and I had a pretty close relationship.
“What is this, really…….”
I slowly raised my head from my collapsed, prostrate position.
A stylish but not overly flashy navy dress, golden eyes, black bobbed hair, an expression trying hard to hold back tears.
Such things came into view. And those elements were enough to identify who was in front of me.
What should I say? I didn't have enough energy left to say much.
Sorry for making you worry all the time?
Sorry for showing you such a state?
Don't blame yourself for sending me?
There were many things I wanted to say, but there was only one answer.
“……I'm back now.”
It was such a selfish remark.
I had a mountain of things to be sorry for to her, but what took precedence over that was the feeling of relief.
The moment I saw Yuna's face, I thought, I've finally returned to my daily life.
That's all it was.
Just that.
“……Haha.”
I also added a laugh at the end of my words.
Was it to reassure her, or was it because I was reassured?
I don't know.
Poof.
I felt a soft sensation, as if someone was hugging me.
‘You got all dolled up, what are you doing hugging me? I must be covered in blood right now.’
Such a thought came to mind. Although I couldn't say it directly due to my lack of energy.
“……I can see, I know…….”
A voice that was indistinguishable from a sob is heard.
No, it's getting farther and farther away.
It's dark.
Now, only darkness remained in my vision.
It was so dark. If I were to compare it to a time of day, yes. Maybe before dawn. So, just before the dawn breaks?
It was dyed pitch black and I couldn't see anything. Nevertheless, unlike before, my heart was at ease.
The reason, well.
‘Is morning coming soon.’
It was from that thought.
No matter how dark the night, I knew that the dawn would soon break, so I was not afraid.
If you ask 'Why do you think so?', I had nothing to say.
My reason was already separated from my mind, and because of that, all that was left in me were senses and subconscious.
I just vaguely thought so.
And a short while later.
[ System : [ Episode 7. Stopping the Declaration of War ] - Clear! ]
[ System : 『Overcoming Ten Thousand Deaths』 has reached a checkpoint! ]
Such text appeared clearly in my completely blackened vision.
The notification is late. I thought so, but well. I'll let it slide since it's welcome.
Then shall I rest a little now.