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Chapter 86
2.
Before the Chasm of Despair existed, Sermarth was a remarkably peaceful town.
It seed almost absurd to believe a Demon King resided nearby; the atmosphere was far too serene.
The townsfolk strolled through the streets, each appearing genuinely happy.
The town was so peaceful that not a hint of worry seed to cloud their faces.
The Hero's party, observing this scene, understood that Helena was not an evil being.
However, they were bewildered that a town so close to her domain could exude such tranquility.
It was more peaceful than any town they had ever visited.
Their surprise was entirely understandable.
“This is truly a pleasant sight.”
“Wow… you're right. Even in the capital, it's rare to see people this happy. It's amazing.”
“…She may be known to the world as the Demon King, but she seems more like a transcendent ruler of unparalleled wisdom. Are we truly ant to fight her?”
“…A difficult dilemma.”
“Hmm.”
As the party exchanged similar sentints, Seonghyun’s curiosity only intensified.
Why would a party of heroes, who thought this way, be so determined to kill Helena?
What was the reason?
Lost in thought, he was suddenly interrupted.
Flan pointed at sothing as if he had witnessed sothing utterly unbelievable.
Where the Chasm of Despair was supposed to be—
Instead of the chasm—
“...Whoa.”
A colossal mountain stood in its place.
An overwhelmingly massive peak.
No, upon closer inspection, it was not a mountain at all.
It was an enormous black castle, so vast that one had to crane their neck just to glimpse its peak from the town.
Its sheer size radiated an oppressive presence, but—
Even more astonishing was—
“…Is it even possible to create a barrier of that scale?”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“Wow.”
No one had an answer to Flan’s remark.
They could only fall silent in awe.
Unlike the others, however, Seonghyun was shocked for a different reason.
They had extracted an entire fortress of that magnitude and placed it in another dinsion?
Should they even be going there at all?
As these thoughts raced through Seonghyun’s mind, Hindel gazed up at the structure and murmured,
“So that’s the Dark Fortress.”
“…Haa, even approaching it looks like a trendous challenge…”
“…May the gods bestow their blessings upon us.”
“…Difficult.”
With the exception of Hindel, the others seed to have lost a bit of their resolve.
Well, anyone would feel that way after witnessing such a formidable sight.
Seonghyun certainly did.
In fact, Seonghyun felt it even more keenly.
He knew what would happen to the Dark Fortress and the massive chasm that would later appear in its place.
However, there was no way to back out now.
Hindel, observing their subdued deanor, quietly suggested,
“First, it's quite late, so let's get rooms at the inn in town. We can rest and recover from our journey today.”
“I second that! Rest is essential! You can trust this Sage's advice.”
“I also agree. We've all been gradually wearing down on our way here, whether we realize it or not.”
“Agreed.”
“I'm in.”
Once Seonghyun added his agreent, they settled into a reasonably nice inn, though not the best in town.
As the sun was just beginning to set, they didn't bother preparing for bed yet.
It was just about dinnerti.
They each ordered food at the inn's restaurant and began their al.
Nutrition was a vital part of rest, after all.
However, Seonghyun felt a twinge of regret.
‘Hmm, is this really how the day will end?’
He had gone out for his lunch appointnt, but he still felt it was a sha to log off just like that.
It was definitely a waste to spend his first day in the past like this.
Perhaps he could explore the area?
Or gather so information?
As Seonghyun pondered these options, Hindel noticed his troubled expression and gave him a slightly worried look.
“Is sothing the matter?”
He must have asked because Seonghyun’s expression was quite troubled.
Seonghyun nodded in response to Hindel's concern, indicating that he was fine.
Because he genuinely was.
So, Seonghyun was honest.
There was no need to hide it.
“I was just a bit disappointed that I haven’t quite loosened up yet.”
“Ah! I see.”
“Ah-ha, Seonghyun joined us late, so he has more energy to spare.”
“I fully understand.”
“I agree.”
As the others nodded in agreent, Seonghyun saw an opportunity to speak up.
He'd suggest exploring the vicinity.
He was also curious about the monsters in the past.
A chance to monopolize monsters roaming the fields, away from other players.
How could he pass up such an opportunity?
He didn’t know how good the rewards would be.
At any rate, Seonghyun was about to suggest a quick hunt.
Just as he was about to ask for permission, Hindel made another suggestion.
“Then, how about a spar with ?”
“Pardon?”
A spar with the Hero?
A hunt for past monsters versus a spar with a past Hero.
The more valuable option was obvious.
Though not particularly combative by nature, how could he possibly refuse?
A spar with a Hero scaled to his current level.
This would serve as an excellent benchmark for Seonghyun.
There was absolutely no reason to decline.
‘This is a perfect opportunity to gauge my current abilities.’
Up until now, Seonghyun only had a vague understanding of his own strength.
He knew his videos were popular and that even his friends asked for his autograph, indicating a certain level of recognition.
He had even managed to breach the impregnable fortress of the past, but that victory was achieved with the aid of his summons.
He was curious to see how far he could go using only his own skills.
This was the perfect ti to utilize the mories and experiences of the nurous phantoms he had absorbed.
Aside from his summoning abilities, he didn't have many offensive magic skills, and he had learned just how crucial swordplay skills were during the encounter with the gatekeeper before entering this area.
Still, he wanted to test his personal capabilities.
‘A golden chance to go all out in a safe environnt.’
How many tis had Seonghyun truly gone all out?
Only the battle with Crescentra ca to mind.
And even then, it was with the support of his summons.
Pushing himself to his limit was an invaluable experience.
It would be a waste to pass up this opportunity.
It was also a chance to witness the power of Hero Hindel.
Having considered all these factors, Seonghyun nodded in agreent to the proposal.
“Excellent. Given that we don’t know what lies ahead, gauging each other’s strength beforehand is only natural.”
“Ah…! Thank you for accepting. I look forward to learning from you.”
“Hehe, a spar between the two of you… I’m looking forward to this!”
“…I will do my utmost to ensure neither of you sustains serious injuries.”
“…Intriguing.”
The news of the spar seed to excite everyone, and they all appeared eager.
Even Lyaden, who usually spoke in brief, two-word phrases, seed unusually enthusiastic.
With the group's excitent, they finished their als and rose from their seats.
Seizing the mont, they moved as if ready to spar imdiately.
They initially considered sparring in the town, but realizing the extent of their abilities, Seonghyun intervened.
It could potentially damage the town.
They found a spacious clearing a few kiloters away from the town and moved there.
The area was quite broad, and the ground was firm.
Hindel scanned the terrain, while Seonghyun examined his surroundings.
Then, Seonghyun glanced down at the ground beneath him and nodded in approval.
‘This will do for an all-out fight.’
Seeing the nurous system ssages that appeared on the ground, he nodded in satisfaction.
As Seonghyun seed ready, Hindel turned to him and asked, just to make sure.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, of course.”
Having confird their readiness, Hindel spoke to Flan.
“Then, Flan?”
“Aye, aye~”
Flan was to signal the start of the spar, and both of them prepared for combat.
The tension grew taut, and as it reached its peak,
Flan activated an alchemical device he had created.
He infused mana into sothing shaped like a trumpet.
A small explosion reverberated around them.
Poof!
With that signal, Hindel moved first.
He swiftly drew his sword and moved his feet with incredible speed.
His feet moved so quickly they were almost invisible, and as he pushed off the ground,
Hindel’s footprints were clearly left behind.
Hindel's speed was overwhelming.
Seonghyun could barely keep up with his eyes.
However, if he could morize the movents, he could at least respond to so extent.
Seonghyun drew the Apprentice Hero Hindel's sword, which he had already examined.
He had worried that Hindel, being from the past, might recognize the sword, but when he asked on the way here, Hindel only praised it as a fine sword without recognizing it.
As Seonghyun drew his sword, the other three, who were watching, were surprised.
“You’re drawing a sword against Hindel!?”
“…It seems you’re skilled in swordsmanship as well.”
“…Strong.”
While all three were surprised, they weren’t overly concerned.
They wouldn’t think Seonghyun, with his level of skill, would draw a sword without a reason.
Hindel thought the sa.
Hindel first infused his sword with sword aura.
A bluish sword aura enveloped the blade.
A light, like a halo, appeared, reminding Seonghyun of soone who used a crystal longsword, and he smiled faintly.
Hindel swung the halo-encased sword towards the smiling Seonghyun.
A faint tremor of the blade was heard, but the strike was so sharp that it sliced through the air almost silently.
Swish—!
The sword strike flashed, but Seonghyun extended his sword-wielding hand towards it, while simultaneously hiding his other hand behind his back, and swung his sword.
Then, the halo that had been enveloping Hindel’s sword disappeared as if by magic and enveloped Seonghyun’s sword, spreading toward Hindel.
Whoosh—!
The light enveloping the sword spread out like a raging wave, engulfing Hindel.
Amidst the fierce torrent of light, Hindel repeatedly swung his sword, cutting through the waves, and barely managed to dispel all of them.
Then, a teal spear flew towards him.
It was too late to dodge.
He had to deflect it with his sword.
Hindel instantly made this decision and swung his sword to deflect the teal spear.
However, the sharp teal spear passed through his sword like a phantom and pierced Hindel’s chest.
[Critical Hit!]
[The effect of 『One Strike!』 is activated!]
[Darkness damage is applied.]
[『Hero Hindel』 partially resists.]
[『Hero Hindel』 experiences 2 seconds of impaired vision and senses.]
Even Crescentra took 3 seconds despite resisting the darkness damage.
Was it because he was a Hero?
Seonghyun, appearing delighted, rushed towards the sense-impaired Hindel and swung his sword.
He unleashed a fluid swordsmanship based on the knight’s mories he had obtained from the crystal palace.
To maximize power, he first used footwork to add rotational force, delivering a far more powerful strike than usual, aiming to slash Hindel diagonally downward from the upper right.
However, as Seonghyun swung his sword, a bluish sword aura emanated from Hindel’s sword, and a thin barrier, like a shield, appeared, blocking Seonghyun’s attack.
Clang, clang, clang—!
He blocked it?
As expected of a Hero?
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