131. martial arts contest (4)

“Did you shed blood?”

The corner of Javier Franco’s mouth rises even more grotesquely. There was something akin to intense heat in his eyes, as if he couldn’t control his excitement at the sight of blood. Like a madman, Javier let out a hearty laugh and slowly moved towards Dennis.

“What is that about?”

Dennis casually rubbed his cheek, wiping the blood away. In contrast to Javier, who had become dusty and scattered, Dennis was fine except for cuts.

“You, too, should know. What does that mean?”

His voice was still hoarse, but Javier was somehow different from before. The eyes looking down at Dennis were those of a child who can’t control his joy in front of a toy. Like a scarecrow, his skinny limbs limped and moved his body forward. The aura that flowed from the sword held at the end of that arm was sticky and ominous, like rotten water in a gutter.

“Now, tell them to look closely.”

Javier creaked and turned his head to the crowd. At the end of that mad gaze, he was accurately capturing Arsene Bern. According to Beck’s orders. I’m going to slaughter this guy mercilessly here, and then take Arsene Bern’s life. Javier chuckled and let out a laugh. It was always a pleasure to carry out the count’s orders.

“Yes, I will keep an eye on it. The way you look miserably.”

Dennis casually pointed his sword at him. Unlike Javier’s aura, Dennis’s aura was tinged with a bright azure color. Dennis burned the aura even more brightly, as if to erase the aura of that ominous aura. Javier muttered in a low voice as he looked at the sword with eyes wet with joy.

“Blood, blood. bloody.”

And, Javier’s new model and Dennis’ new model disappeared at the same time. The movement of the two knights, who had aura, accelerated dramatically and began to create the remnants of the sword at a great speed.

Kang-! Kang-! bang-!

Unlike the time when he swung the sword without emitting an aura, intense metallic sound came out. The bluish sword pressed against the sword that shimmered in a sticky, dark green color. Dennis was lowering his sword blade from above, and Javier was pushing his sword up from below with the same madness.

visor-!

There was the sound of sharp sword blades brushing against each other. Dennis spurs through the air and leaps once more, then grabs Javier’s back. Javier, who was staggering as his center of gravity shifted in an instant, easily blocked Dennis’ attack as if he had eyes behind his back.

Dennis looked at Javier’s arm, which had been bent at an odd angle and blocked the slash, and the sword in that arm. Javier turned to look at Dennis and smiled again.

“Didn’t I tell you?”

Dennis’ expression contorted. As the auras battled against each other, Javier’s dull dark green aura began to erode Dennis’ azure aura like ink dissolved in water. As Dennis endured by injecting some more mana, Baek Joong Se was maintained.

“You cannot beat me.”

Javier pushed back Dennis’ sword with all his strength. Where did that skinny body come from, Dennis had no choice but to be pushed away as Javier pushed him away. Javier, who had regained his balance, ran forward without even adjusting his stance. Dennis let out a quiet voice as if he didn’t like the situation, but blocked Javier’s sword attack.

“Weared… ”

Dennis twisted his sword. Javier’s grotesque face was visible under the colliding and distorting aura. Dennis inevitably grinds his teeth and shouts.

“After winning, rob it as much as you want… !”

Dennis’s arm grew stronger. This time, it was Javier’s turn to be pushed back. Dennis, however, obediently did not let Javier be pushed back when he showed signs of being pushed away. At the same time as gaining the upper hand, control of the situation returned to Dennis.

Took.

Dennis closed the distance to Javier. Then, Dennis’ sword strike with all his might collided over Javier’s slanted sword body.

Zeng-!

There was an explosion as if hundreds of mirrors were being shattered at once. For the second time in the duel, Javier bounced and rolled on the floor. Dennis chased the rolling Javier. Even in the dust, Javier reacted slowly to Dennis’ attacks with an odd sense of balance.

bang-! bang-!

Dennis’s continuation bursts out. Javier, who had been consistent with the offensive so far, seemed to be in a hurry to block the attack when Dennis’ explosive attack began. While blocking the sword, the mixed blows accumulated on Javier’s body. The expression still maintained a grotesque smile, but the body, in complete opposite of the face, began to become disfigured.

When Dennis launched a one-sided attack, the audience erupted in cheers at the same time.

“right! That’s what I mean by pushing!”

“Damn it, did you mean I wasn’t good enough against him?”

A shadow fell over Maxim and Charlotte’s expressions in the crowd’s words of joy and sorrow. Even at this moment, Dennis was pushing Javier, but Javier was blocking all the attacks that would be the decisive blow in the game. Charlotte’s expression grew more and more nervous, and finally she couldn’t hold it in and opened her mouth.

“It’s a big deal.”

Christine looked back at them with a puzzled look on her face. Dennis was overpowering right now, but I couldn’t understand why Maxim and Charlotte looked so dark.

“What is it?”

“When you catch the offensive. I have to finish it now. Even if it means pouring out all your auras.”

Charlotte replied in a firm voice. Maxim nodded beside him.

“There is no guarantee that we will be able to catch an offensive like that next time. To be precise, that Javier Franco wouldn’t tolerate that.”

A brighter aura rose from Dennis’ sword, and a heavier and ominous aura emanated from Javier’s sword as well.

“If we don’t break it now, there will be no next time.”

Maxim muttered. The eyes looking at the direction of the game were shaking with anxiety. The conversation they had must be something Dennis knew better than anyone else.

visor-!

Aura and Aura clashed again. There was still enough mana left. It could have been pushed even harder. Javier Franco was still defending his attacks well. The blows were accumulating, but the damage was not enough to decide the outcome. Javier’s expression, visible beneath the occasional flash of aura fire, was still smiling.

Don’t be impatient.

Dennis thought to himself. The initiative of the contest is now in one’s own hands. Driven by this momentum, the game had to be decided, but Javier seldom showed any gaps. If yes, even stronger. It had to be forced into submission by force. Dennis poured more mana.

Tung-! Tung-!

Javier’s defense, which was like a solid shield, gradually began to crack. The aura created by generously pouring mana was not completely blockable even if it was blocked with a defensive sword force. Javier tried to shake off Dennis’ sword to turn the situation around, but Dennis, as if deciding the match, pushed Javier at the risk of getting hurt. And, that rage-like series of attacks finally bore fruit.

Ugh.

Dennis’ kick completely took Javier off balance. Javier’s twig-like body floated in the air. Dennis gripped the sword with both hands and lowered it straight to Javier, who was floating in the air.

Peeing-

Aura, steel, and winter wind intersect and draw a new tail. The crowd cheered louder and louder as if they knew that it was time to finally decide the direction of the match. Azure mana exploded out of the arena.

bang-!!

A thick layer of dust rose. A long trail was left on the floor of the arena where Javier Franco had fallen. The audience roared with cheers, but soon began to hum.

“Is it over? Javier, you jingled well at blocking it.”

“Referee!! What are you doing without watching the match!!”

Dennis gasped and looked at the end of the dust. At the last moment, the moment I lowered my sword, I didn’t feel like I had decided the match. He attacked with the intention of breaking the sword, but his own blow was unable to break the sword. I should have finished it, but I couldn’t. His sword was too straight to face an opponent who was not upright. Through the dust, Javier’s figure is visible.

“Kick, kick kick.”

Javier was clearly laughing. The wind lifted the dust, revealing a face more terrifying than ever before. Her body is covered in wounds from Dennis’ attack. Blood was flowing from his head, and his aura was weakened. but did not fall The fight isn’t over yet. Javier shuffled his way back to Dennis.

“It was dangerous. It was really, really dangerous.”

Javier said as he moved. Its mouth was wide open, like a shark’s mouth. Javier was dragging the tip of his sword on the floor. The aura that crawled out was leaving a thin scar on the floor of the arena.

“Certainly, it should have been finished.”

The spectators were shaken by the grotesque appearance as if a dead person had been forcibly brought back to life. Javier raised his sword. Dennis took the jockeying ceremony again, unable to hide his dejected expression. While pushing Javier, there were wounds all over his body. Dennis was becoming a wreck similar to the knights Javier dealt with.

“So, is it my turn now?”

Saying that, Javier raised his sword and aimed it at Dennis. Dennis let out a laugh and looked at the point of Javier’s knife. The attack failed. Javier Franco won’t be beaten the same way again. What’s next? Maybe, maybe not. But I couldn’t stop here. That eccentric knight couldn’t be sent to the semifinals to meet Arsene.

move.

Javier leaped. Dennis blocked Javier’s attack with a slower reaction than before. Noticing the slow reaction, Javier laughed and fired his sword again. One more wound appeared on Dennis’ body. As fresh blood splattered, Javier’s eyes grew excited.

“You’ve slowed down.”

“F*ck you.”

Dennis responded with a curse at Javier’s ridicule and swung his sword. Aura weakens. Mana, which was sufficient, began to run out gradually as it invested in the previous offensive.

Kang-!

Javier’s sword collided with Dennis’s. The azure aura could no longer overwhelm that cloudy aura. As if Javier was not tired, he moved faster. Each time Javier’s arms went numb and crossed the air, the wounds on Dennis’ body increased one by one. Even the audience who were cheering for Javier couldn’t spit out that fervent cheer now.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just give up?”

Javier’s laughter escaped with a choked squeak, as if someone was choking him. Dennis gasped and deflected Javier’s sword. Dennis’ sword deflected Javier’s sword once, and Javier grazed Dennis twice.

“Do you think I’ll just let you go?”

Dennis gritted his teeth and confronted him. The mana circulating through the body at a tremendous speed was making the senses dull, but it did not make it possible to ignore the accumulated damage to the body. Breathing should not be difficult. Dennis whipped himself, his eyes wide open. At Dennis’ reply, Javier opened his mouth again and smiled.

“Then thank you for me.”

The sound of swords repelling and fabric being sheared continued. Everyone in the audience was feeling a certain uneasiness. The fact that if Dennis didn’t surrender like this, this scene would continue, the feeling that the sword that was slowly cutting away his life could continue to hack Dennis.

“Isn’t this dangerous?”

“It looks like the match has come to an end, but maybe it’s because Dennis didn’t withdraw.”

“Man, how can you withdraw in front of so many people watching, even in the quarterfinals?”

The eyes of the spectators turned to the referee watching the match from afar. The referee just watched what was happening with his mouth shut. Even if Dennis’ wounds increased, even if the blood pouring on the floor of the arena increased, he didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping the match.

“no use.”

Javier said, stabbing Dennis on the shoulder. He must have noticed that Dennis’ gaze stayed on the referee for a moment and then fell.

“The referee will not stop this match.”

Dennis breathed heavily. The bleeding wasn’t serious yet. The blood leaking from all over the body was uncomfortable, but it was okay. could still fight Javier looked at Dennis, who still had the fighting spirit in his eyes, as if he was truly amazed.

“Yeah, that’s great. I was also worried that the referee would stop the match.”

Dennis said with difficulty. Do not let go of the power in your hand.

“You’re saying there’s still a chance to knock you out.”

The corner of Javier’s mouth rose at Dennis’s words. Then he started swinging his sword even faster. The swords of the two knights, who had now lost their aura, continued to collide. As Javier deflected Dennis’ attack, Javier’s mouth opened.

“Well, it’s going to hurt a little now.”

hooked

Dennis stiffened his face at the sensation of it penetrating his left shoulder. Javier’s skewer-like sword had pierced Dennis’ shoulder blade and was sticking out the other side. Blood gushed and poured out. Before Dennis could react, Javier drew his sword, ready to pierce Dennis again.

“I’m going to stab you now.”

The spectators were buzzing. The accumulated scars on Dennis’ body never looked light. I heard Charlotte grinding her teeth. Maxim watched the continuing match with dead eyes.

Javier’s sword grazed Dennis’ body again. Dennis’ blood increased. This time, he stabs his leg, then cuts through his chest again. Dennis was still facing Javier’s sword without giving up. The referee just watched the game without saying anything. It was clear that Dennis’ life would be in danger if left as it was, but the referee seemed unwilling to take any action.

“That fool… ! What are you doing without giving up? Is pride important now?”

Charlotte’s hands were shaking. Dennis doesn’t give up the game. But on the other hand, she could understand Dennis’ feelings. I understood the knight’s attitude of not wanting to give up, and I understood that he was concerned about Arsene, who might face Javier next. It’s something you don’t want to send. He probably didn’t want to send a knight who wielded such a cruel and unpleasant sword as Arsene’s semifinal match.

“… I mean, trust your juniors at least once.”

Maxim was gripping Baekah so tightly that his hands were stained white. As if responding to the owner’s feelings, Baek-a was also ringing a low sword.

Win.

Become a royal knight again as Maxim Appart, not as Arsene Bern.

The king’s order passed through Maxim’s head. It was an order to keep in mind nothing but winning this martial arts tournament. That way everything will be recovered, Maxim had no doubts.

Can everything come back to normal?

Christine’s question pierced my ears again. Christine’s face was contemplative as she watched the game from the sidelines. Maxim answered Christine’s question that it wasn’t so, but that he could right the wrong.

Match, be sure to win.

This time, he recalls what he had told Theodora. The person you should save before anyone else. The tangled and tangled thread must be unraveled. The touch of my cheeks brushed unconsciously in the forge, the platinum hair that made a rustling sound as I brushed it past my eyes.

What do you want to do?

hope for salvation

Finally, I remember what Naira told Maxim himself. At that time, he answered like this.

By saving someone, I want to be saved.

I.

The spectators were silent, not knowing what was going to happen next.

“I think this is going to be a big deal.”

“Why doesn’t Dennis abstain?”

Maxim looked at Javier, who slowly, slowly approached Dennis like a shadow. Maxim clearly felt that Javier’s momentum had changed from before. that would kill Here, Dennis Amber. So, another self asks if you will just watch someone die right in front of your eyes this time too.

Would Theodora be happy if she just watched this scene to save herself?

no.

If it were her, she would be angry again. will despise After getting angry like that, I blame myself again, and the thread between us will become more twisted. But if you can save her anyway.

F*ck.

Maxim blocked all thoughts and words from coming up. When did you think that way and reach the ending you wanted?

Then why hesitate, another self said. Maxim squeezed Baek-ah. I never wanted to regret losing someone again. therefore.

“Arsene?”

Charlotte’s voice came from the side. Maxim got up from his seat and pulled out Baek-ah and was holding it. In line with the beating of her heart, she heard the sound of crying. Charlotte jumped up from her seat.

“What are you trying to do now… .”

“Can you tell me that you’re sorry later?”

Maxim grabbed Baek-ah. It’s faster than jumping down directly. Baek Ah was crying louder than ever, as if she was ready.

yes.

Maxim concentrated his mana. The target is the empty space between the two. Mana circulates through Maxim’s body at high speed. Maxim raised his right hand.

—

hooked

I hear the sound of metal digging into my flesh again. This time, Dennis’ foot was pierced by Javier’s knife. Dennis lost his balance and fell to the floor. Dennis’ eyes brightened for a moment. Aiming at the moment Javier’s sword was fixed like that, Dennis tried to start a counterattack, but Javier quickly drew his sword and kicked Dennis back.

puck.

Dennis flew backwards, rolling on the arena floor like a weak wooden doll. He tried to pull himself up by force, but all he could do was slam his sword into the ground and barely hold on. Javier faced Dennis, who was looking at him with undying fighting spirit.

Pretending to play with it more, it fatally wounds it. Following the Count’s orders, she naturally took her life.

The time was slowly approaching. Javier gripped his sword firmly.

Dennis was glaring at Javier approaching him. There was no more strength in the body. This guy’s stubbornness was constantly urging his body that he could still win, but his body wouldn’t listen. The referee watched Javier’s movements with tense eyes, rather than stopping the match even though Dennis was completely relaxed and stretched out.

Dennis looked at Charlotte, Christine, and Arsene, who were sitting in the audience behind him. have to endure If you give your body a little more time to recover mana. Dennis tried to ignore the shadow of death that was drawing ever closer.

Javier shrugged his shoulders as if he couldn’t understand Dennis’ movement and fighting spirit, then gripped the sword in reverse. After taking his life slowly, all you have to do is exit the tournament as per the rules.

“I told you, you… .”

What?

Javier stopped talking strangely. Dennis was looking behind him with a shocked expression.

“what… .”

Before Javier could finish his words, a meteor fell across the winter sky.

bang-!!

Dust rose again, and Javier staggered back, squinting his eyes, then opening them wide in astonishment.

The sword, as black as the night sky, was stuck on the floor of the gymnasium as if blocking Javier’s way.