The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth C.134: The Minotaur’s Dungeon (5)

“Everyone, to your positions!” Greys shouted as he instinctively sensed that Karyl’s provocation had just signaled the start of a battle. However, Beikan and Kinu had already taken their battle stances.

Greys, wielding his Mana Blade, positioned himself in front of Viola.

“Stay close to me, Princess. Don’t leave my side!”

Viola nodded, clearly tense.

This is it.. I can finally see it for real.

Viola, despite her fear, was determined not to miss a moment of Karyl’s fight. He had already displayed overwhelming strength by killing the Minotaur and taming the labyrinth monsters, but Viola expected a lot more than that from him.

Although she knew it was ridiculous, she still thought that Karyl’s previous displays of power were still within the realm of the explainable. Viola wanted to see something beyond common sense, a kind of power that transcended all boundaries.

She had a vague feeling that Karyl would show her something so incredible that not even the five Sword Masters could show.

Show me what you can do, Karyl.

Perhaps this was a naive fantasy born from her ignorance about swords. After all, she was expecting a fourteen-year-old boy to surpass the realm of a Sword Master.

I’m leaving the fate of Fenria in your hands!

Viola wasn’t a queen, not even the first in line for the throne, so some would consider her thoughts presumptuous. Nonetheless, witnessing Karyl’s achievements so far, Viola made a choice.

Maybe he can change things.

She harbored the hope that Karyl would be the one to lift Fenria from its dishonorable status as a perennial weak nation.

Gulp―

Her eyes twitched as she gazed at Karyl.

Boom!!

Karyl’s sword flashed through the darkness as it slashed through Minos’ throne. At the same time, Kinu Mukari’s arrow flew toward the enemy, seeking his heart.

“Hisssss!!”

The giant snake coiled around Minos's waist opened its massive maw to intercept the arrow before it could pierce Minos’ chest.

“Ssss...!!”

But as soon as the arrow touched the snake’s mouth, it started to smoke as if on fire, no doubt because its tip had been mixed with Clear Distilled Water.

“HISSS...!”

The snake writhed in agony.

“Just as Master predicted,” Beikan remarked.

“Yup.” Kinu nodded in agreement.

The Clear Distilled Water obtained from Abyssal Rock was not only hard and sharp but also highly conductive to mana, making it incredibly rare. In addition to that, it had another unique perk.

While it had little effect on the usual monsters that emerged on the continent, it was as lethal as poison to the monsters that dwelled in dungeons. That was why the Free Army had managed to conquer so many dungeons in the south with such incredible speed.

“Kinu, Beikan. That one’s yours,” Karyl said as he glanced at the coiling snake. The arrow was still embedded in its left lip.

“It’s an honor,” Kinu replied as he lifted his bow in the traditional manner of the Flying Bow tribe.

Beikan drew his one-handed axe and charged.

Although they possessed excelled weapons, Greys couldn’t fathom how these barbarians could stand against such a monster without any mana. His Mana Blade quivered as if reflecting his emotions.

Shing—!!

Minos swung his massive hammer with all his might, unleashing a dark Mana Blade from its head that shot straight at Karyl.

Karyl stopped in his tracks and twisted his right foot sideways to pivot and change direction. He then zigzagged to dodge the Mana Blade, predicting its trajectory faster than the hammer’s wielder.

Everything is going as expected. It’s the same pattern as before.

Karyl was one step ahead, dodging Minos’ attacks as if he had rehearsed this.

It feels like Pharel was a training ground for battling monsters.

The monsters out there in the real world almost felt insignificant compared to the numerous Tarak and various other creatures he had slain in Pharel.

Karyl wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry as he realized that being trapped in that hellish tower for what had felt like an eternity proved useful now. He shook off these thoughts and focused on beheading the monster in front of him.

[Grrr...!!]

Minos was startled when Karyl closed the gap between them in an instant, as if teleporting right before him.

Colorless Air Sword, Fourth Stance.

After leaping onto Minos’ shoulder, Karyl crossed his arms, raised his blades, and spun with incredible speed.

Ssssh...! Slash!

His two blades cleaved through Minos’ flesh, and as Karyl sprang up again, he aimed for Minos’ crown.

Five Sword Steps, Second Stance: Unicorn Posture.

Clang–!

Minos quickly raised his arm to protect his head. With a sharp metallic clang, Karyl thrust his sword in Minos’s forearm. At that moment, a thick black smoke started rising from the wound.

This is...

Karyl grimaced slightly at the familiar sensation.

No matter how many times I feel it, it’s always revolting.

It was the distinctive scent of Tarak. Since his return, this was only the second time he felt it, the first one being at the Gray Training Ground.

Seeing the essence of Tarak seeping from Minos' body confirmed once again that the dungeons were connected to Pharel.

“Ugh...!”

“Ghh?!”

The smoke, thick and oppressive like dark moss, spread throughout the lair, making it even harder for the others to breathe. They staggered under the increasing pressure.

Is he not afraid of death...?

But Karyl, as if willing to sacrifice his life, thrust his sword deeper into Minos’ arm. Watching his fierce confrontation with the monster, Viola unwittingly found herself cheering for Karyl, much like a lady chosen by a knight at a ceremony.

[Die, all of you!!]

Minos swung his arm fiercely, flinging Karyl into the air along with the Freezing Talon.

Now.

Even Minos’ counterattack seemed to be part of Karyl’s plan as he effortlessly twisted his body mid-air.

Boom...!!

With a burst of sound from under his feet, Karyl drew the Freezing Talon toward himself.

Swoosh...!! Swoosh...!!

He then shot diagonally like a bullet, aiming precisely for Minos' neck. He gripped the Freezing Talon tightly as Arcane Mana enveloped it, mingling with red flames.

Crunch—!!

Then it happened.

“?!”

The Freezing Talon wavered, shaking as if it were about to fly from Karyl’s grasp.

[ROAAARR!!]

Seizing the moment, Minos swung his hammer with all his might, smashing Karyl into the ground.

“Ka-Karyl!” Viola screamed in shock.

“Agh–! Cough!”

[When I first met you, I told you not to use my power in that damned sword!]

A voice echoed in his mind, but Karyl chuckled softly, finding it absurd.

Nonsense. You expect me not to resort to mana in a situation like this?

Since Allen Javius returned to his slumber, there had been no voice in his head, but this familiar one left Karyl with mixed feelings.

You could speak all this time? I thought you were dormant, Ramine.

Whoosh—!!

A burst of flames erupted from the Ein Trigger embedded in Karyl's hand, and a small, swirling fireball began to orbit rapidly around him.

[Infusing my power into such a sword is the worst possible match.]

I know that, but there's no better sword than this one. I almost died because of you, damn Spirit King.

[Watch your mouth. Do you know how unpleasant it is to be inside a sword imbued with the power of Ethereal? That sword still carries her scent.]

Ethereal...? Are you talking about the Spirit King of Water?

Karyl tilted his head slightly at Ramine’s mention of Ethereal, known as the Queen of Tides.

[You’ve been using it without even knowing that?]

You’re saying the Freezing Talon contains the power of a Spirit King?

[Of course. Many artifacts created by Blader contain our power, not just that sword.]

At that moment, Karyl remembered something Allen Javius had once told him.

The Five Legendary Weapons crafted by Blader.

These five masterpieces, created by a coalition of dwarves, elves, and the Assembly of Seven Elders, were already famous without needing explanation.

Now, he understood why only five such weapons existed.

I thought it was simply because of their elements, but it’s more than that. Five Spirit Kings, five weapons.

The Chakram of Fire, Flame Punishment.

The Staff of Wind, Infinite Breath.

The Magic Sword of Water, Freezing Talon.

Karyl had learned about those three legendary weapons in his previous life. Although no one had managed to find the other two, they were probably still out there on the continent.

Ramine, that means the weapon containing your power is the Flame Punishment.

[That’s right.]

I need to go get it.

Karyl was relieved to know that the relic containing Ramine’s power was a weapon he already knew about. He remembered where it was sealed and who had it.

[No need to go search for it.]

Why not?

The flames flickered as if snickering at Karyl’s response.

[You already have a weapon, don’t you?]

What?

[You already have a weapon with my power, the Ein Trigger, embedded in you. If you couldn’t handle it properly, I wouldn’t have let it get absorbed into you.]

As Ramine finished speaking, the flame in Karyl’s hand burned even more brightly.

[You can use my power without relying on a weapon. Why waste time on an inferior weapon when you have me? Unless you have multiple arms like a Naga.]

Karyl nodded in agreement.

You’re right. It’s better to use a weapon with a different element. So I’ll keep using the Freezing Talon based on what you said.

[...How is this the conclusion you came to?]

Mocking the Blazing King was sheer madness, and yet Karyl laughed softly at the Spirit King’s slightly irritated tone.

What if I mix Arcane Mana with your flames?

[It doesn’t matter. In fact, it’s perfect. Your mana is based on draconic power. Plus, the dragon heart you consumed is from Riseria, the Flame Dragon, isn’t it?]

Karyl nodded.

[It’s a good match. Just don’t use it with that accursed sword...]

Whoosh...! Crackle!

At that moment, Agnel’s blade was engulfed in lightning and fire, burning fiercely with a purple intensity. The blade extended like the Freezing Talon, turning into a glowing violet sword fueled by flames.

Clear Distilled Water was an ideal mineral for conducting mana, and the combination of Arcane Mana and Ramine’s flames exceeded Karyl’s expectations.

[This much is nothing,] Ramine remarked in a satisfied tone.

Sizzle―!!

Crackle―!!

Amazingly, Agnel’s blade was burning away the Tarak essence wafting from Minos’ body, emitting a pungent smell.

[Roar...]

For the first time, Minos growled like a frightened beast.

That’s the power I used against the Gray Orcs...

Greys was mesmerized by the sight of Karyl holding a sword of red flames in one hand and a sword of ice in the other. His gleaming eyes betrayed his admiration.

Step... Step... Step...

Karyl walked toward Minos. Unlike before, Minos’ arm seemed to tremble slightly on the hammer’s handle.

[And by the way, you should get your facts straight. Did you say you almost died because of me?]

As Ramine’s flames were being absorbed into Karyl’s hand, Agnel’s blade glowed even brighter.

[You...] the Blazing King whispered softly. [You could kill that little runt without even using mana.]