Chapter 145 It'S No Wonder You'Re Surprised
――[Rapid Flash]
In an instant, the distance between us was closed, and Black Radiance was wrapped in aura, striking Logan with a slash.
"――Die, you idiotttt!!"
"Oooooaaa!!"
Logan, also wrapped in aura, deflected the attack with his sword and counterattacked in an instant. He received my slash with his sword, dodged, and counterattacked again.
Neither of us dodged.
With our feet firmly planted, we swung our swords swiftly, each trying to cut down the other. The sound of clashing metal was absent, replaced by the explosive sound of aura, like thunder, which continued to echo.
This intense exchange lasted only a few seconds.
However, it was enough to reveal Logan's incredible skill.
(――My [Aura Blade] is being worn down!?)
With each slash, the aura covering the sword blade was being chipped away. Despite trying to deflect the enemy's slash with [Aura Blade], it was proving to be insufficient. The aura covering the sword blade had to be thickened to compensate, but...
(Ugh!! If this continues, I'll be at a disadvantage!?)
Gradually, the number of attacks decreased, and defense became the focus.
Originally, the plan was to deflect the enemy's slash with [Aura Blade] and counterattack during the opening, but that was not possible in the current situation. The difference in physical ability was starting to take its toll.
However, the reason behind hid ability to wear down [Aura Blade] soon became apparent.
(Is it the Sword Saint skill!?)
I'd think that, as a Sword Saint, he'd use Sword Saint Skills, but no way.
When we're exploring with the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫, he uses techniques that he has never shown anyone, skills that he couldn't even use before.
After all, the aura covering his sword is not [Aura Blade] or [Parry].
Originally, it's a layered aura blade meant to cut through Dragon Scale. In other words, it's like he's constantly wrapping his sword with [Flying Dragon Sever].
Even if the top layer gets deflected by [Aura Blade], it's as if only that part was cut off, and it vanishes like a peeled onion skin flying away. Immediately, the next blade appears. By continuously doing this, he's able to withstand my [Aura Blade]'s deflection and try to cut through my aura.
(What a clever imitation!!)
It's not as easy as it sounds.
The layered aura blade isn't a sustainable form, and if one tries to maintain it for a long time, the repulsive force between the layers will cause it to self-destruct. Controlling and manipulating it isn't simple, so the "skill" Logan is using now is probably one that doesn't exist in Sword Saint Jobs.
That means he must have modified [Flying Dragon Sever] or a similar skill to create this sword technique.
Originally, this sword technique would be completely unnecessary against humans. Humans are so fragile compared to dragons, so it's more efficient to just use [Aura Blade] to slash them, in terms of magical energy consumption, activation speed, and duration.
I suppose he thought this up to take down dragons... but thinking it was created to kill me is probably just my ego talking, right?
No matter what...
(If this continues, I'll be in a tough spot! So...)
In the intense back-and-forth battle, the moment I blocked his strike, I forced the [Aura Blade]'s aura to change into [Blast Blade].
Boom! The aura exploded between our swords, and we exchanged blows.
"――!!"
"It's no use!!"
But Logan, with his high physical abilities, quickly counterattacked.
I didn't have time to take advantage of the opening created by the explosion, and I barely managed to block Logan's counterattack.
However, in the brief moment between our attacks, I rearranged the aura's structure and blocked Logan's sword.
Imitation Sword Saint Technique [Flying Dragon Sever] variation - [Dragon Slash: Envelop]
CLANK!! (sound effect)
Sparks flew intensely between our blades.
"Phew?!"
"The control over the aura is...?!"
Logan's face contorted in shock.
If the same sword technique clashes, the one with higher mastery will win. And that mastery is none other than the control over the aura.
I blocked and countered Logan's sword.
"――I'm the stronger one!!"
My arm, which had been holding the sword, swung upward with great force, disrupting Logan's stance.
With his defense down, I swung my sword horizontally at his exposed body.
"Gah?!"
Logan, still off-balance, jumped backward, avoiding my attack by a few meters.
But then, the aura blade――[Heavy Flying Blade]――flew towards him.
"This won't work!! It won't be effective!!"
As Logan landed, he slashed at it with his sword.
"――Is that so?"
"!?"
But at that instant, the aura swords surrounded him from all directions.
My unique sword technique――Flying Control Sword, Blast Blade――combined technique [Explosion Blast Flying Slash]
Ten aura swords simultaneously pointed their blades at Logan and took flight.
He had just landed and swung his sword, and there was no time to dodge. Even if he tried to block with his sword or dodge, he couldn't defend against the aura swords coming at him from all directions.
"――Die."
The aura swords were about to pierce his entire body――just before that,
"Shii!!"
He swung his sword horizontally.
The overflowing aura followed the trajectory of his sword, instantly transforming into countless blades that swirled around him.
"!?"
The aura swords and countless blades clashed, producing a series of explosive sounds that resonated through the air, causing the windows of the surrounding buildings to shatter one after another from the shockwaves.
Even in the midst of all that, I didn't take my eyes off the center of the explosion.
Eventually, the explosive aura dissipated, and Logan reappeared on the other side.
"My skills are the only ones being copied, which isn't fair.... So, I'll copy your technique too."
――Unscathed.
Logan's smiling face was unscathed.
"You're a shameless thief who copies people's techniques...!!"
What he used just now was the [Continous Blade].
Among the sword techniques I developed, this one has a relatively high difficulty level. Even Fiona, who just recently managed to replicate it, can't activate it instantly like Logan can.
Anyway, Logan gave a wry smile, saying "Hey, hey" to me, who was complaining about people using my techniques without permission.
"That's rich coming from you, isn't it? You're the one who immediately copied my [Dragon Slash]!"
[Dragon Slash]... I guess it's a variation of the [Flying Dragon Sever] technique.
It's kind of a habit to imitate names, so I'll use a different one.
"Well, that's fine, I suppose... By the way, Aaron,"
Logan said, interrupting his words to swing his sword.
Sword Saint Skill――[Flying Dragon Sever]
"!?"
I swiftly swung my sword to counter the incoming blade.
Imitation Sword Saint Technique――[Flying Dragon Sever]
I used [Flying Dragon Sever] to counter [Flying Dragon Sever].
But his attack didn't end with just one strike. He rapidly fired off multiple [Flying Dragon Sever]s in succession.
I countered each one, but...
"――!? Tsk!!"
Logan kept changing the trajectory of his [Flying Dragon Sever] attacks.
I thought it was getting troublesome, but I managed to counter all of them perfectly.
"Hmm, as expected..."
Logan finally stopped attacking and whispered quietly.
"What's your problem...?!!"
I questioned him, my anger mixed with annoyance.
"No way, Aaron, I think you're not taking this seriously. That's why I tried to test you."
"......"
"Thinking back, you were weird from the start. If it were the usual you, you would've charged in with a fierce attack and wouldn't have stopped moving. You're more of a mobile fighter who excels at long-range attacks with high power, right?"
"......"
What Logan said is half true.
It's true that my usual fighting style is to move quickly and strike with long-range attacks. But it's not because I'm good at it, it's because I have to do it that way.
As a 'Beginner Swordman' Job, my physical abilities are lower compared to other combat Jobs. I usually make up for it by using my aura, but if I were to engage in close combat with an opponent who's evenly matched, I'd be at a disadvantage due to my physical abilities.
Usually, I can create an opening by using [Aura Blade] to deflect my opponent's attacks, but... it's annoying that I can't do that against Logan.
"Aaron, didn't you just neutralize an attack that wasn't even aimed at you? That means you were worried about the collateral damage to the surroundings. So, you thought that if you used high-powered long-range attacks, they might hit the refugees, and instead, you decided to take me down with close combat... right?"
"......"
"I'm sorry. This is something I should've been more careful about. It seems like we're avoiding this area, but there are still many refugees around us. If we were to fight seriously, we might end up destroying the buildings and killing the refugees on the other side of the street."
I burst out laughing at those words. I laugh with a smirk on my face, like a villain who looks down on the weak. I laugh loudly.
"Hah! What are you misunderstanding? Do you think I care about other people's lives? I just wanted to punch your annoying face straight on!"
"Liar."
Logan replied instantly.
He instantly replied and started saying something disgusting!!
"Aaron, for the past few months, there hasn't been a single day when I haven't thought about you."
"....Haah!?"
"Even when you disappeared from Necronia, I was still investigating you and your group's activities..."
"Haahhhh!?"
"It's no wonder you're surprised. But it's the truth."
"I'm not surprised!! I'm screaming because it's disgusting!!"
What is this guy saying?! Is he out of his mind?!
My whole body is covered in goosebumps!!
I try to suppress the memories that I had sealed away, but they're about to resurface like the contents of a book. It can't be true that the contents of that book were real, can it?!
Logan continues, inflicting massive mental damage on me.
"That's rude to say it's disgusting. ...But, well, I suppose there are few people who understand you as well as I do."
"What do you know about me?!"
Seriously, stop it!!
"I know various things. How you fight, what you're good at, your personality... and so on."
This guy is dangerous...!! Not just because he was involved with the Stampede's mastermind, but he's just plain dangerous...!!
"Anyway, according to my understanding... you can't use your full power while ordinary people are being held hostage, right?"
"Hah!!"
I burst out laughing from the bottom of my heart.
"Try it! I'll cut you down together with the hostage!!"
It's true that my good nature is well-known in Necronia, but I'm sick of being misunderstood as a saint who helps anyone.
But, he――Logan――nodded with a "yeah" for some reason.
"But, can you really abandon those refugees who are fleeing from the Stampede?"
He took a wide stance, lowering his hips and gripping his sword deeply.
Just a few moments ago...
"――!?"
Suddenly, a magical energy reaction erupted in one corner of the square.
When I looked, someone wearing a deep hooded robe had teleported in.
A mage from the [Four Great Families of the Seals]. An enemy?
No, now's not the time to be distracted from Logan.
That's what I thought, but a familiar voice reached my ears.
"――Mr. Logan!!"
"!?"
My attention wavered.
Seizing that brief moment, Logan poured an enormous amount of magical energy into his aura and infused it into the sword at his waist.
There was no time to interrupt the activation of his technique.
HUMMMMMMM!!
"――[Flying Dragon Sever]... Overskill, [Dragon Slayer Slash]... Aaron."
Another discordant sound I was familiar with. Logan announced, backed by the sorrowful cry of the sword resonating with his aura.
"If you don't defend, there will definitely be many casualties!"
And then, the sword was swung.
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