The Damn Family Is Back Again

209 – 209. The Wrathful Ones (9)

-Crash!

“Argh!”

Every nerve is on edge from the heavy first strike.

Somehow, I managed to channel mana into my weapon and release it… but a piece of my shoulder’s clothing was left tattered, unable to fully dodge.

And the situation behind is even worse.

“…”

Sword energy branched into three paths.

The ground was torn as if scraped by an excavator due to the sword energy.

Cold sweat flowed naturally.

“…This isn’t just talk; it seems serious.”

It’s a relief I dodged it; had it hit me head-on, I couldn’t guarantee I’d still be standing with such force.

Was that statement about fighting with the resolve to die or else dying a warning too?

“Damn it. At first, I thought it was just a threat.”

Only now do I come to my senses.

What I see before my eyes is not the lance of someone making a mere threat.

▶You must achieve over 80% completion in the fight against Talphon.◀

▶If you fail, the player will die.◀

[Talphon]

[Lv. ???]

[HP: ■■■■■■■■■■]

This UI, including the level and HP, was the window representing the enemy entity.

After taking a deep breath, I steadied my stance and breathing, then racked my brain.

The last condition to bring Talphon in as an agent for Chatren.

It was a condition I had never seen in the game, nor had I ever anticipated something like this.

Ordinarily, one might dismiss it as a mere sparring match.

But was it really just a sparring match?

No.

I can assert with certainty that it was not.

All the information had already been given to me.

Not only the status window that appeared when he first revealed himself, but I also felt his spirit, ready to face me.

An unimaginable energy pressed down on my entire body.

The air, heavy with pressure, vibrated with Talphon’s mana, compressing against my skin.

Just as the system message had displayed that window to me, what he was emitting was closer to a killing intent than a mere fighting spirit.

And finally.

A completion window showing 0% currently floated before me.

“Indeed. Tests or duels were never the point.”

Only now does my judgment align correctly.

When has this game ever been easy?

This could be an obstacle or trigger created to block the player.

In that case, I must dismantle it myself to avoid a bad ending.

-Clang!

“…!”

I will not die here, not ever.

***

After deflecting the first strike, his eyes, once filled with panic, clear up, and just as he’s about to launch a second attack, the first clash comes together properly.

Boldly, Karsein moves to fight, burrowing into the opponent’s embrace.

“Are you finally ready to fight for real?”

I know that Karsein is a different breed from the weak empire citizens who faint under the heavy pressure of my spirit.

Just standing on both legs, sword in hand, proves that catching the Scorpion King was no fluke.

From noble mtl dot come

But this is not enough.

-Crack!

“…!”

The two swords, once crossed at an angle, now aim to align straight. It’s because of the added force in Talphon’s sword.

Karsein notices, but the swords already clashed have fallen.

Talphon’s sword thrusts forward with terrifying speed.

The blade aims precisely for Karsein’s throat.

Swoosh!

“Hmm?!”

A step late, but he immediately twists his body to retreat.

“But if you think you’ve escaped with that, you’re mistaken.”

Talphon releases one hand from his sword.

And with the now empty hand, mana descends with full force.

-Boom!!

A loud noise follows, and a cloud of dust rises from the ground.

The cratered earth speaks. A direct hit would leave one unable to stand.

Yet, Talphon’s hand felt no impact.

“…Swift. You slipped through just like that.”

Brushing off his hand, only leaving behind fragments of shattered stone, Talphon rose again.

Karsein had stopped about four steps away, carefully catching his breath.

It wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Though taken aback by the straightforward force, he didn’t confront it head-on but instead retreated, using the momentum to sidestep.

The sword was flung away, a mishap, but even that was to prepare for the next attack, lowering his center of gravity.

He had withdrawn his body at the precise moment before a direct hit.

‘Intriguing. Was it all calculated?’

A worthy opponent has appeared after so long.

Talphon smiled inwardly with satisfaction.

But this alone was not enough to satisfy him.

The smile was brief.

Talphon gripped his sword again and asked,

“Why choose to dodge without using mana?”

“…”

“The gap in our strength isn’t that wide. You could have blocked and fought back.”

Karsein, who had been silent, replied in a faint voice,

“Originally, even the smallest thing I have must be conserved.”

“Hmm?”

Conserve?

What does that mean? Does he need to conserve his strength here?

But Karsein did not answer further.

Instead, he took up a stance never seen before, edges honed sharp.

‘…This is not the empire’s swordsmanship.’

No family, no matter how extensive, had such a peculiar stance.

And conversely, searching through the western regions or other kingdoms, such a stance did not exist. It was not even the lost swordsmanship of the vanished kingdom of Wederos.

In that state, Karsein swung his sword like a hummingbird.

-Clang! Clang!

Still, no mana was carried with it.

It’s not that the impact is heavy. Just…

-Clang! Clang! Thud!

A few combinations in and the feel comes to me.

“…Annoying.”

Even if it’s a shallow attack, the rapid strikes and agile body leading a series of attacks have a knack for ensnaring one in a counteraction.

If I just keep blocking like this, I might really find myself in an annoying situation. If I don’t want to lose embarrassingly without putting up a fight, I have to strike back.

-Swish! Thwack!

I fend off a hefty blow, and this time, the recoil is used against me as a kick flies toward my side. Had I not blocked with my arm… it would have been quite a heavy hit.

However, it was that attack that finally made Talphon catch the scent.

The smell that instinctively furrows one’s brow, Talphon immediately thrusts his sword into the ground, sending him flying with a shockwave.

“What is this. This unpleasant smell.”

Karsein is not only excellent with mana but also with basic physical skills. It seems he has built a solid body and accumulated experience, so much so that he wouldn’t fall behind even if he were to choose to fight among the Lillpeton tribes.

But this smell carries an intense chill.

It’s a scent that starts with measured attacks and continues with a tightrope walk of precariousness. It’s almost like the smell of someone cornered.

Why does such a smell come from Karsein, who is clearly on the offensive?

I’ve met an enjoyable opponent after a while, but there’s no leisure to enjoy it.

To find out the source of this contradictory behavior, Talphon charges at Karsein with all his might.

Dust clouds rise again and again. The ground cracks and crumbles, and shattered rocks scatter as debris in all directions.

“You’ve managed to deflect well, but this time, you won’t be able to avoid it.”

If you don’t use mana, you’ll be caught in a perfect counteraction.

Now show it. Karsein. Your mana!

Just as Talphon’s blade was about to split Karsein’s left shoulder in two and sever his arm,

Karsein’s mana finally imbued the sword.

Acknowledging it as right, Talphon collides with the sword head-on, creating an afterglow.

And then…

“This is… what in the world…”

Talphon is dyed in horror at the scent.

***

Mana is something all humans possess, even if they are unaware of it. And just as no two humans are completely alike, mana also has its unique properties.

The reason is quite simple.

Mana embodies the essence of life and memories.

No two lives are identical, though they may be similar or closely aligned.

Memories follow suit. Even shared experiences can be remembered differently.

Mana distinguishes individuals for this very reason. It contains a myriad of information—personality, values, beliefs—making it unique to each person.

Yet, the most significant element within mana is human emotion.

The strongest emotions one has felt shape a part of who they are, leaving the most intense memories etched in their mind. Thus, it’s no exaggeration to say that emotions largely compose mana.

Lilpeton possesses an exceptional sense of smell, capable of detecting even the subtlest odors, but most remarkable is his ability to scent mana—specifically, the smell of intense emotions.

However.

An inconceivable odor emanates from Karsein’s mana.

It is unmistakably the scent of a life steeped in solitude and suffering.

The sharp tang of blood, the fullness of saltiness. A strange, almost nauseating mix of scents, including the fullness of some fruit. And that sourness… could it be the smell of digestive juices?

Exclusion from the group. Isolation within another. The scent, heavy with false accusations, is all too familiar to the Talphon tribe of Lilpeton.

He carries a background as cold as if he had entered the abyss of ice.

It’s clear that he has been tormented from a young age.

Yes, that much is understandable.

A life filled with loneliness and pain. Misery, too, must have been present in his life.

But why is there no scent of emotion in response to this?

With such loneliness and pain, surely other emotions should follow.

For instance, the longing not to be lonely, or the relief of not wanting to be in pain.

But chillingly, Karsein seems devoid of such feelings.

Have his emotions vanished entirely?

Impossible!

Humans inherently live with emotions.

It cannot be.

Yet… the scent of mana, laden with solitude and pain, was all there was.

Even as I crossed swords with him repeatedly, channeling mana into my body to confront him head-on, there was nothing else there.

Is this your scent?

Is this the fragment of your life, the piece of your memory?

Are you living a life so dulled that you can’t even properly feel pain and loneliness?

Ominous, indeed.

It felt as though he was being devoured by something, an ominous sensation creeping in.

“…!”

-Swish.

Even as he sensed the aura of mana, the battle raged on.

Karsein continued to parry Talphon’s strikes, at times faltering under the threatening assaults.

Yet, he couldn’t seem to launch a counterattack, as if all this were part of a grand scheme.

Caught off-guard during a sword clash, Talphon was finally pushed back by the last attack.

Before he knew it, Karsein’s blade rested upon Talphon’s neck.

“Is this the end?”

Sweating profusely, his body weary, he asked.

“…Yes. I admit defeat.”

It was a clear defeat, no room for argument.

Talphon, who had never lost to an imperial before, faced his first defeat at the hands of Karsein.

But there was no joy, no surge of competitive spirit, no handshake of acknowledgment. No, it was not even considered.

“You seem worthy to follow. No, we must now follow you. Because of my defeat.”

However.

“Just one thing I ask. Karsein. Why does it not affect you?”

It’s true that mana carries such information, but the specifics of what happened can’t be known.

Only the person involved can be asked.

Why, after enduring such dreadful events, does it seem to leave no mark?

Yet, Karsein suddenly collapsed right there.

“…”

Was the answer never to be heard?

No. Perhaps he never intended to answer in the first place.

“Karsein! Don’t tell me, you’re seriously hurt…!”

Harnie rushed over, her expression fraught with fear.

“It’s alright. Just collapsed from exhaustion. A bit of rest should do the trick.”

“…Is that so.”

“Don’t look at me like that. After all, we had to confirm if this guy truly is a survivor from the Kingdom of Wederos.”

“The Kingdom of Wederos…?”

“Let’s talk about that later. For now, let’s move him to the bedroom.”

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

There’s no doubt that Karsein is a survivor of the Waderos Kingdom. The swordsmanship he exhibited, using mana in earnest, was unmistakably the Waderos Kingdom’s style of magic swordsmanship.

Anyone from the west would not be able to deny Karsein’s connection to the Waderos Kingdom.

However, there’s one thing that bothers me.

‘It’s strange that he’s not aware of it himself.’

If he’s a survivor of the Waderos Kingdom, he should know best about any ties with the Bagramd Ducal Family. Yet, there was no hint of it from Karsein.

That’s not all. Fighting against Karsein, I felt that even if it was Waderos Kingdom-style swordsmanship, there were oddly many differences.

The movement control as if measured with a protractor and ruler, the calculated movements through the distortion of recoil and balance. Such things are, in fact, more about physicality and martial arts than mana, making it difficult to call it Waderos Kingdom-style swordsmanship.

Facing Karsein, it seems he has only learned to utilize mana based on completed swordsmanship.

‘Either way, the answer won’t come out, so I’ll have to meet with Pollux soon.’

Still, there’s no disagreement that he’s the man I’ll have to follow in the future.

All the great misunderstandings have been resolved. The grudges of the past must be left in the past. Karsein could really be of great help to the cornered Lilpeton.

If such a person were to rule a domain… That domain will surely leap forward magnificently, just like Rusmayer.

‘Shatren is said to be blessed land. It really is.’

I don’t know what the problem is, but having such a lord is undoubtedly a stroke of luck.

What needs to be helped will have to be carefully examined once we arrive there together.

-Ding!

▶Current achievement is 92%.◀

▶All conditions have been cleared. Talphon is registered as the third agent.◀

▶Due to exceeding the achievement, Talphon’s affinity has increased by the excess amount!◀

[ Current Value: 28% ]

▶Conditions have been met for the ＜Rage of Lilpeton＞ trigger to activate.◀

▶Talphon and the Lilpeton tribesmen will come to realize the true state of the Shatren domain.◀