The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 158

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 158 60. Where Am I? Who Are You? (3)

 

It couldn’t be helped.

 

This wasn’t just any being, but the patron deity who had protected the human realm since ancient times beyond recorded history. Such an existence had made a bold declaration. You will absolutely never be able to defeat this opponent.

 

Yet as soon as those words ended, Lumian had proven that statement wrong. And with just three sword strikes at that.

 

It was a situation where the atmosphere couldn’t help but become strange.

 

“Huh, huuuuuh…”

 

Whoooosh…

 

Unable to bear the heavy atmosphere in the arena, the sparring partner in Bumer’s form scattered into smoke.

 

It seemed it wasn’t a living being after all. Lumian asked Allia a question.

 

“Respected Lady Allia. That fellow, was it a being you created?”

 

“Uh, huh? Ah, that’s right. It’s a combat puppet I made. You didn’t kill it so you don’t need to worry.”

 

“I see.”

 

“B-But more than that! Come to think of it, I think I made a mistake. I made it wrong. I created that fellow to match your level from when you were traveling in Rhodesia, so it was somewhat lacking. To pressure the current you, I’ll need to bring out a stronger opponent. Right, Armion?”

 

“Yes. My great and noble master, Lady Allia.”

 

“Right. You can fight more, can’t you? This time I’ll bring a proper opponent. Hyaaah!”

 

Goddess Allia let out a battle cry.

 

Then with a pop! sound, smoke billowed up in clouds. And from within it, a naked Bumer Simpson appeared.

 

Lumian frowned as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

 

Fortunately, the uncomfortable moment didn’t last long. Boomer 2, whose clothes sprouted from his skin belatedly, picked up the sword that had fallen to the ground.

 

And approaching Lumian, he shouted loudly.

 

“Come at me!”

 

“…I should fight this one?”

 

“Right. This time it really won’t be easy.”

 

“But why do you keep copying my friends’ appearances?”

 

“Isn’t that more familiar? Should I make it look like a demon for realism?”

 

“It doesn’t matter… I’ll just go with this one.”

 

Having finished speaking, Lumian turned his gaze toward Boomer 2.

 

The aura was certainly extraordinary. He could feel power much stronger than Boomer 1.

 

But he didn’t think he would lose.

 

His usual self might be uncertain, but his current self was invincible.

 

He felt like he could win even if the Demon King came with entire units.

 

Whiiiiiing-!

 

Kiiiiing-!

 

Aura Swords manifested simultaneously. The massive pillars of light were instantly compressed.

 

Immediately after, both figures collided in the center as if they had teleported.

 

Kwaaaang!

 

It was the start of the second sparring match.

 

* * *

 

Kwaang!

 

Kwaang!

 

Kwaaaang!

 

In the blink of an eye, thunderous sounds echoed in succession.

 

Sounds too loud to believe they came from sword clashing against sword. But if you knew who was sparring, it was perfectly understandable.

 

One side was a being advancing to an unprecedented level in human realm history, and the other was a combat puppet directly summoned by Goddess Allia.

 

It meant they were literally playing in the clouds, far above even the rulers of the demon realm.

 

Kwaaaaaaang!

 

“Kugh!”

 

A groan flowed from Lumian’s mouth as their swords met.

 

It couldn’t be helped. The opponent’s strength was too great.

 

With each victory, the goddess summoned increasingly stronger combat puppets. The current one, Boomer 4, boasted specs incomparable to the 1st.

 

It was faster than him, stronger than him.

 

Lumian had to desperately swing his sword just to block the opponent’s pouring sword strikes.

 

Clang! Clang! Kwaang! Clang!

 

His wrists ached. Blood was already seeping from his grip. At least it was comforting that the magic sword was of good quality. At least the weapon wouldn’t be destroyed.

 

But at this rate, defeat was certain. He was barely managing to block the attacks, but damage continued to accumulate. Meanwhile, the opponent was pressuring him emotionlessly with the same appearance as at the start.

 

However, Lumian was confident.

 

No, it might not be confidence. In any case, he wasn’t worried.

 

Eventually an opportunity would come. Though there were differences in specs, from Boomer 1 to 4, they all had similar combat experience and battle awareness.

 

Their level of grasping the flow was different from his. Their ability to handle variables was different.

 

The moment he steeled his mind, the opponent’s sword came slashing down diagonally.

 

Kwaaaang!

 

“Kheuk!”

 

A crack appeared. Lumian’s stance, weakened in strength, slightly crumbled.

 

Boomer 4 didn’t miss that gap and used the recoil to swing his sword. As the sword swept toward the opposite side, Lumian hastily took a defensive stance. Kwagwang! His stance crumbled even more severely.

 

Three times, four times, five times – with each sword swing, Lumian’s form staggered, and on the sixth time, he completely lost his center and showed signs of falling to the left.

 

The moment of conclusion. Boomer 4’s movements became large. Intense light burst from the blade of the sword raised high.

 

That’s when it happened. Lumian’s form, which seemed about to fall bottom-first toward the ground, stopped firmly in midair.

 

“Huh?”

 

Thwooong!

 

No, it wasn’t midair. What supported Lumian was a translucent aura barrier.

 

The energy flowing from his body had formed a wall. Thanks to this, he could not only avoid falling but also seize the timing for a counterattack.

 

Lumian, who forcefully kicked off the wall, charged into Boomer 4’s embrace. His strong shoulder struck the abdomen hard.

 

“Kkeuk!”

 

Boomer 4 didn’t resist the force. Though not without damage, it wasn’t significant. Rather than engage in messy close combat with disrupted stance, it was better to fly far away and regroup.

 

But that was only his own thinking. Lumian had no intention of giving another chance.

 

A red aura orb formed at his feet and exploded.

 

Using this as propulsion, Lumian charged toward Boomer 4 again at terrifying speed.

 

Kiiiiiing-!

 

Shweeeeek!

 

Slash!

 

The aura sword, heated red-hot as if it could melt even space itself, was swung upward from lower left to upper right.

 

The opponent couldn’t block it. Boomer 4, wearing a helpless expression, let out a “huuuuh” groan before disappearing into smoke.

 

Clatter!

 

Only the crude greatsword remained forlornly on the ground.

 

Unable to overcome inertia, Lumian rolled on the ground and sprawled out spread-eagle.

 

And looking toward Goddess Allia who was watching him, he said.

 

“Haa, haa. Whew. The next sparring match, could we take a short break first?”

 

“…”

 

“It seems, doing them consecutively is, heok, a bit difficult…”

 

Allia didn’t answer.

 

Instead, she stared intently at Lumian.

 

The emotion of surprise was clearly revealed on her face without concealment.

 

‘He definitely wasn’t this strong.’

 

Being a patron deity doesn’t mean one can grasp the entire human realm.

 

Especially these days when the demon realm’s schemes had become vicious. Due to the demonic energy spread throughout the human realm, it was difficult to hear people’s voices unless they were prayers from priests.

 

However, even in such circumstances, she had been consistently watching Lumian Calard. Since the situation was urgent, she intended to immediately bring him to the divine realm for training the moment he became qualified.

 

That was right.

 

She had definitely grasped 99 percent of Lumian’s abilities.

 

She was certain of that, and yet…

 

‘Did he awaken due to anger? Did he achieve tremendous growth immediately upon ascending to the divine realm?’

 

That seemed to be correct.

 

It wasn’t impossible either. Since ancient times, there had been countless heroes who transcended their limits in moments of crisis, moments of desperation, and moments of rage.

 

Even he himself had experienced such moments before. Though it was so long ago that he could barely remember it.

 

‘But still… even so.’

 

The catalyst for his awakening was far too impure.

 

To break through his limits because he was dragged into training without ever having sex. To awaken his dormant potential.

 

What kind of bastard does that?

 

‘No. Calm down. It’s possible.’

 

Allia slowly closed her eyes.

 

And took a deep breath. Peace instantly came to her mind, and she began to understand Lumian’s psychology.

 

It must have been very difficult for him.

 

While being pointed at by countless people, accumulating resentment and grievances for decades, he must have been waiting only for the moment to make history.

 

Wasn’t being dragged here similar to being taken to a deserted island right before that moment?

 

She had been thoughtless. Self-reproach followed as she realized that her anxiety over the ominous atmosphere in the Demon Realm had made her fail to consider the hero’s feelings.

 

Having finished her thoughts, she opened her eyes.

 

To Lumian, who had already stood up and was practicing his aura cultivation, she sent a mental message.

 

– I’m sorry, Lumian Calard. For dragging you here without permission. I should have at least explained the situation.

 

“…”

 

– But it can’t be helped. The fact that you can’t leave this place remains unchanged. Not until you reach the level you desire.

 

“I understand.”

 

Lumian, who had quickly finished his cultivation, stood up from his position.

 

He looked at Archangel Armion, then turned his gaze back to Allia.

 

He bowed his head and said.

 

“I apologize for showing such an unseemly side of myself. I think I was quite flustered by finding myself in an unexpected situation.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“I’ve recognized that this is an unavoidable situation. That there’s no one else but me to protect the Human Realm. And that Lady Allia’s help is absolutely essential for me to break my limits and become stronger.”

 

Lumian slightly bowed his head. Allia watched him.

 

Though she couldn’t see his eyes, the windows to his soul, she could guess his state. His tightly clenched fists were trembling slightly.

 

However, such confusion didn’t last long.

 

When he raised his head again, his eyes were no longer wavering.

 

That wasn’t all.

 

His appearance, armed with abundant will and solid mental strength, reminded them of a true hero. Smiles finally appeared on Allia and Armion’s faces.

 

The Patron Deity showed a benevolent expression.

 

An extremely rare sight.

 

While Archangel Armion was startled, words of encouragement flowed from her lips.

 

“Let’s finish this within 3 years.”

 

“I’ll complete it within 2 years.”

 

“Yes. Good. Take the cultivation stance again. Let’s start with the aura of earth.”

 

“You mean the aura of the world?”

 

“That’s right. The mountain ranges sprouting within your body, the landmasses between them, the vitality and various beings that have bloomed upon them. You need to refine them more perfectly.”

 

“By any chance, will you also teach me about human aura?”

 

“Let’s do that later. First, we need to solidify the foundation. If you rashly try to move to the next stage, you’ll have problems.”

 

Lumian nodded. It was the right thing to say.

 

Though it was slightly absurd to call the world’s aura ‘basic,’ when he thought about it, it wasn’t strange at all.

 

The being right before his eyes was the one who had driven those vicious demons to the Underworld and was suppressing the terrifying Demon God from running rampant.

 

‘When I think about it, there’s no greater opportunity than this. What human could receive direct teachings from the Patron Deity?’

 

Not seeing Tania for several years was deeply regrettable, but this was an tremendous opportunity.

 

While he was having such thoughts, Allia’s stern command fell.

 

“Hey you. Don’t have idle thoughts and concentrate, concentrate.”

 

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

 

“Tsk. Just in case, don’t worry about your girlfriend.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“You don’t need to have bad thoughts like her feelings for you cooling off or her hooking up with some other guy. You can trust her.”

 

“I never doubted her.”

 

“Then that’s fortunate. Ah, come to think of it, I didn’t tell you this.”

 

Allia, who showed a somehow sinister smile, continued.

 

“When your training is finished and you go down to the Human Realm, a great gift will be waiting for you.”

 

“A gift? May I ask what kind?”

 

“That wouldn’t be fun. Anyway, it’s a gift you’ll definitely be satisfied with, so train hard. Don’t let your mind wander elsewhere.”

 

“…I understand.”

 

What could it be?

 

Though it was even harder to concentrate because of Allia’s cryptic words, he was soon able to immerse himself in the world of aura. Having cultivated for decades, there was no way he couldn’t focus in such a situation.

 

The Patron Deity, who had been watching him, looked toward Armion. She, who received the gaze, also let out a faint smile.

 

Shortly after, Allia returned to a solemn expression and began her instruction.

 

Thus, half a year passed.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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