Chapter 168: The Festival of Swords (11)

“You all better cool me down a bit.”

A tide of monsters was rushing in. Ronan pulled at the hilt of his sword and waited for the monsters to approach within range as he gathered mana into his sword. The still immature core was building up energy, ready to explode.

‘As big as possible.’

In any battle, especially in a large-scale encounter, gaining control of the initiative was crucial. It made no difference whether the opponents were humans or monsters. As the vanguard of monsters approached within about twenty steps, Ronan rotated his body horizontally, unleashing a wide sword strike. Along the blade of Lamancha, a single crimson crescent shot out. The audience gasped as they witnessed the diameter of the sword energy reaching an impressive 2 meters.

“What’s the point of using such a small thing like that!”

“Disappointing. Was he only strong in one-on-one fights?”

In the face of the oncoming horde of monsters, Ronan’s sword energy seemed audacious and reckless. At most, it was expected to deal with two or three approaching head-on. Even the Giant Boar and Black Orcs at the front, instead of dodging, charged more aggressively. Ronan smirked at their approach.

“Dumbass.”

Suddenly, the crescent shape of the sword energy changed. The blade fragmented into hundreds of pieces, dispersing in a fan-shaped pattern. Each piece compressed mana to an extreme level, creating a lethal shrapnel. The sound of impacts echoed as the dispersed sword fragments pierced through the monsters’ bodies.

“Keuk!”

“Kwaik!”

A horde of Orcs and Boars writhed on the ground. Those unfortunate enough to be hit in the head or heart met their demise right on the spot. Although the surface area was small, it had strong penetrating power, causing fatal injuries at the point of contact.

The red droplets from the pierced creatures’ bodies, a mix of blood, muscle, and organs, spread widely, causing devastating damage to even the monsters on the sides. The onlookers expressed awe and admiration.

“Oh my god!”

“To use sword energy like that!”

It was the first time they had ever seen sword energy used in such a way. Ronan’s action proved effective, reducing the number of monsters by at least 30% in just one shot. The momentum of the approaching horde slowed down significantly. Ronan, satisfied with the outcome, wore a content smile. Aside from the significant mana consumption, it proved to be quite effective.

“Not bad at all.”

With this, it was proven that enemies within thirty paces could be dealt with using his sword energy. This was the result of Ronan’s efforts to catch up with geniuses like Navirose and Shullifen, despite being suppressed by a curse. Shooting the same sword energy once again, Ronan absentmindedly bit his lower lip.

‘But it still isn’t enough.’

However, what Ronan ultimately needed to face was a giant soaring in the sky. To pull down the bald-headed ones wielding spears and javelins above the clouds, he needed a much longer range. As Ronan concentrated once again, about to launch his third crescent moon, a Troll from the distant snowy wasteland soared through the air.

“Gwaaack!”

“What the hell?”

A massive creature, seemingly around 3 meters tall, appeared. Judging by its flailing limbs, it was still alive. Reacting instinctively, Ronan swung his sword. The sword energy that shot out like a projectile split the Troll’s waist in two. Blood exploded, showering over Ronan. As his vision cleared, a Twin-Headed Ogre roaring in the distance caught his eye.

“Kwaaak!”

“Gaaaaah!”

Anyone could tell that it was that bastard who had thrown it. The one who turned the Fox Knight into a Fox Carpet. It seemed to have sustained some injuries from the sword energy. Sensing the nearly depleted mana in the core, Ronan sighed.

“Just my luck.”

Now that things had turned out like this, he had to engage in melee. Of course, he had anticipated it, so there was no concern. Come to think of it, this was already his third time dealing with the Twin-Headed Ogre. Ronan curled his body. Bang! Strengthening his legs with the remaining mana, he leapt off the ground.

The action happened so quickly that the Ogre lost sight of Ronan. At that moment, when the two heads were searching for the missing opponent. A small shadow cast over the Ogre’s face.

“Kuek?”

“Gwok!”

The two heads lifted. Ronan, who had reached the top of his leap, was descending in a circle. Feeling an instinctive danger, the Ogre hastily raised its club in a defensive posture. However, it was futile. Lamancha, splitting the oak club like tofu, dug in between the two heads.

“Kugk?”

Swoosh! The crimson-stained blade sliced through the Ogre’s hide vertically. As Ronan landed on the ground, a gash opened up, and fresh blood spurted out. A landslide of entrails poured out like a torrent, covering the floor. It was good that the most troublesome one was disposed of in one go, but there was no time for self-congratulation. Ronan swiftly rolled his body to the side. Thud! Three spears, appearing to be around 2 meters long, flew and impaled the ground where he had just been. They were the javelins thrown by the Lizardmen positioned in the rear. Locking eyes with them, Ronan spat on the ground, chuckling.

“Reptile bastards.”

“Krikrik”

The Lizardmen, mouths agape, were making a clicking sound. Their apparent relief due to the distance was quite unsettling. Ronan silently drew his dagger, Ymir. Still, within the gaping jaws of the remaining Ogre, he threw it. The sound of the blade penetrating something faintly echoed. In a matter of seconds, a thunderous roar erupted.

“Kwaaaah!”

The attention of both the audience and monsters shifted towards them. Simultaneously, a gigantic Manticore let out a roar, leaping forward. In the right eye of the lion, whose tangled mane resembled bushes, a glinting dagger was deeply embedded. Seeing this, Ronan smirked.

“It’s time for the leader to step forward. Just playing around, thinking you’re the strongest, won’t help.”

It was the most powerful creature among those that could be picked in this test. The Manticore, struck by a bolt of lightning, began its frenzied rampage. The monster lion swung its claws and stinger-tipped tail recklessly, unleashing indiscriminate attacks in all directions. The Lizardmen who had thrown the spears at Ronan screamed as they attempted to flee, only to be impaled by the stinger. The sturdy bodies were quickly consumed by the venom, turning black in a matter of seconds.

Ronan, along with the Manticore, slaughtered the monsters. Each swing of the sword sent blood of various colors splattering across his face. He severed the arm of the Gnoll and crushed the Goblin’s skeleton attempting to stab him in the back with a kick. He skillfully evaded or deflected all the claws, fangs, and wicked spikes coming from every direction. Not a single one touched Ronan.

Eventually, some of the monsters grew tired and tried to flee. However, Ronan had no intention of letting the defeated enemies escape. Boom! With a swift movement, roots grew beneath his right foot, and as he rolled forward, the sparkling roots corrected the path of the fleeing monsters.

“Keuk! Be-beast!”

“Eeeek! Spare me!”

Monsters resembling human children begged for their lives, crying out, but Ronan’s sword had already passed through, splitting the air. Ronan, stepping on the fallen heads of the monsters, let out a low chuckle. The dizzying scent of blood pierced through his nostrils, reaching his brain. The sporadic screams of the dying monsters echoed.

Ronan enjoyed this sensation. At least, during the intoxication of blood, he could shut out everything else.

“Kwaaaaah!”

At that moment, a Manticore spotted Ronan and roared, spreading its wings. Unlike the one Varen had brought in the Beasts Festival, this one’s flying ability was not limited. Ronan muttered and switched his core. And the moment the flying Manticore reached the top of the arena, he activated the Aura copied from Terranil. Ymir, resonating with the core, emitted a bright white light. Kwaang! The powerful shockwave, centered around the sword, shattered the Manticore’s head into pieces.

Swoosh… Blood and brain matter showered the entire arena. It was incomparable to the troll previously. The Manticore, with half its head blown off, crashed down with a loud noise. A thunderous cheer erupted from the spectator seats.

“Waaaaah!”

“Kill them all!”

Now, no one cared about Ronan’s safety or actions. Primal excitement and ecstasy engulfed the arena. Overwhelming might, a carnage that transcended common sense, plunged the crowd into madness. The lips of the supervisor parted slightly.

“…Is he really human?”

Like a flame dancing in a pile of straw. Ronan was still carrying out the massacre. The sight of him wading through the red rain and swinging his sword gave the impression of him being diligent. It didn’t take long for all one hundred to be wiped out. After confirming that the surroundings had quietened down, Ronan lowered his sword.

“Haa.”

His narrowed field of view began to expand again. Covered in blood from head to toe, he resembled someone emerging from a river of blood in hell.

Ronan roughly wiped the blood off his face with his palm. As he raised his head, he noticed the group of Shullifen, Navirose, and Lynn with similar expressions. Without saying a word, he extended his index and middle fingers, signaling them to gather. The cheers from the arena were louder than when the Manticore’s head exploded.

****

The third test finally concluded in the late night, lasting longer than anticipated. The delay was due to Aran Parzan’s side having to bring in monsters to ensure that the remaining participants could undergo the test. Like others, the supervisor, lost in the bloodbath, was unaware of the shortage of monsters until just before the next round was set to begin.

Shullifen, who took the test after two more participants, also chose a hundred monsters, but there were no monsters left. He had to be content with chopping up 56 monsters with wind. Therefore, the priority selection voucher naturally went to Ronan.

When they returned to the base, only twenty successful participants were left. Among them were familiar faces such as Navirose, Lynn, and Russell. They headed to the restaurant as if they had made a promise. Those who had raised their glasses for a toast gathered around Ronan.

“You’re truly amazing! I knew you were strong, but I didn’t expect you to be this strong. It seems claiming to have defeated the Winter Witch wasn’t just bragging!”

“I couldn’t even tell who the monster was. What exactly is your identity?”

“There is a banquet at my family’s castle next week. I haven’t found a partner yet, so how about dancing with me? You won’t refuse, will you?”

They all expressed admiration and favor in their own ways. The nobles proposing recruitment offered even better conditions than before the third trial ended. Ronan responded with a subtle smile for most replies. It was a refusal in a way, but the main reason was simply that he was damn tired.

‘Damn it, it can’t go on like this.’

Although the excitement in his chest hadn’t faded, his body couldn’t bear the fatigue. He was about to say good night to the people when the door of the restaurant opened, and the owner, who had left a while ago, came in hesitantly. He looked at Ronan and spoke.

“Um, Sir Ronan…?”

“Hmm?”

Ronan turned his head. The owner’s face, which had always been red from roasting wild boars, was now pale like snow. Ronan raised an eyebrow.

“What’s wrong?”

“Outside… um… a guest has come to see you.”

“A guest?”

“Yes, yes. They said they had some business with you, so they insisted that you come out alone…”

The owner’s voice was trembling. He seemed like someone who had unexpectedly encountered a ghost while strolling through the forest.

“What the hell, who is it?”

“Well, um, you should go and see for yourself… I definitely conveyed the message!”

With a shout, the owner ran away and hid in the kitchen. Ronan frowned at the unexpected situation.

“What’s going on here…”

Since a guest had come to see him, he couldn’t ignore them. Leaving a brief message that he would be back, he left the restaurant. The people who were drunk gladly saw him off. Whoosh! A chilling wind blew as he opened the door. Other than the snowfield, the Milky Way, and the breathtaking scenery under the mountains, there was nothing else to see.

“What the, no one’s here.”

Ronan muttered in irritation. The owner, no matter how large his tavern was, wasn’t the type to play such mischievous pranks. Just as he was about to express his annoyance, a familiar voice echoed from behind.

“It’s been a while.”

For a moment, his heart sank. The voice was low and deep, like a mountain. Ronan turned around slowly. A giant shadow was perched on the roof of the restaurant. Its tail, flowing down from under the eaves, swayed like a fishing line. It wasn’t that difficult to deduce the identity of the shadow. Ronan, holding his breath, spoke.

“Zaifa.”

“Looking at your face, it seems you’ve been doing well. I’m a bit late due to some matters.”

Zaifa, who had been silently gazing at the sky, leaped down. Despite her massive size, there was no sound as she landed. Approaching with great strides she stopped right in front of Ronan.

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you.”

Ronan didn’t respond. It was impossible to read the emotions in that low and deep voice. The bright red eyes shining from above looked like ominous signs announcing disaster. Zaifa, looking down at Ronan in silence, finally opened her mouth.

“Follow me.”