“What do you mean ‘made’? I just touched up the swordsmanship a bit.”
Limon replied nonchalantly, as if wondering why such a minor thing was causing a fuss.
However, Lee Cheon-gi could not accept it.
“In what world is this just ‘touching it up a bit’?”
“What’s the matter? If you’ve been stealing my swordsmanship, you should be able to do at least this much.”
It was an absurd statement.
Because he had acquired the Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword through [Skill Acquisition], Lee Cheon-gi knew better than anyone.
Limon’s modifications weren’t simple improvisations or minor fixes to a few forms.
It was a vicious counter—a fundamental reinterpretation of the Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword, calculated to sever the opponent’s neck the moment they rushed in, certain of victory!
The level of completion was so high that even Lee Cheon-gi would have nearly died several times if not for [Pre-cognition].
That was why Lee Cheon-gi could say with certainty.
It was something absolutely impossible for him.
Even if he spent the rest of his life focused solely on improving swordsmanship, he wouldn’t be able to create even a single counter-form.
The Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword was that perfect of a technique.
“If you have time to talk, focus on your swordplay. Don’t go spouting bullshit later about how you were caught off guard.”
But the man who had improved that perfect swordsmanship dozens of times in the blink of an eye, Limon, didn’t even bat an eyelid.
As if telling him to steal it if he could, he simply continued his relentless assault on Lee Cheon-gi.
Clang, clang, clang!
“Ugh…!”
In the end, Lee Cheon-gi had no choice but to use [Skill Acquisition] while parrying Limon’s blade.
No matter how quickly the swordsmanship would be countered, he had no other way to handle Limon’s techniques, which were being newly created at a terrifying speed, without stealing and using them.
[[Skill Acquisition: Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword Version 4.3 acquired…]]
[[Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword Version 7.1…, 11.5…, 19.8…]]
[[System Error, Error Number xi111a0044…]]
Clang!
Clang!
Sh-sh-sh-ring!
It was a truly bizarre battle.
They were using the same swordsmanship, but its core was constantly changing.
With a cleanliness that shattered insight, a brilliance that overwhelmed monotony, a ferocity that cut through complexity, and a swiftness that outran sluggishness.
Not a moment of respite was allowed.
It was the same swordsmanship… No, because it was the same swordsmanship, the side that fell behind was destined to be destroyed.
Therefore, it was not a duel, but a struggle.
One side creating swordsmanship.
The other side stealing it.
A struggle of pure skill so horrific it was nauseating, where they endlessly repeated the cycle of outrunning and chasing from opposite directions.
Flash!
Normally speaking, this was a confrontation that shouldn’t even be possible.
Both creating a new technique and stealing it to learn were tasks that would normally take a massive amount of time, even years.
The fact that such a fight was even possible was proof of just how broken Limon’s skill and Lee Cheon-gi’s [Skill Acquisition] truly were.
And it was clear who had the advantage.
Stealing is much easier than creating.
Using skills is far more efficient than not using them.
It was an obvious fact that required no doubt.
However, at this very moment, as the fight progressed, it was Lee Cheon-gi who was being pushed into a corner.
Clang!
‘I’ve reached my limit.’
Lee Cheon-gi thought as he swung his sword with sweat-soaked hands, parrying Limon’s blade.
He realized it was impossible to keep up anymore.
At first, he had been certain of his superiority.
Unlike himself, who only needed to use skills, Limon had to invent new swordsmanship every moment.
Moreover, it had to be something that could overwhelm all the techniques stolen up to that point.
Since Limon was only human, there had to be a limit.
He believed that if he just held out, Limon would eventually collapse on his own.
But the system messages repeatedly popping up before his eyes showed him how vain that hope was.
[[Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword Version 93.7…, 102.3…, 142.1]]
[[System Error, Error Number xi111a0044…]]
[[System Error, System Error…]]
Like a game that spams patches just to squeeze money out of its users even when there’s nothing to update, the version numbers were skyrocketing.
Adding to that were the error messages occupying most of his vision and the rapidly growing pressure.
All of this meant only one thing.
‘It’s getting faster!’
Far from collapsing, Limon was gaining momentum as the struggle continued!
The speed had increased so much that using [Skill Acquisition] was now practically meaningless.
To activate [Skill Acquisition], one had to meet a minimum experience requirement during combat, but Limon was creating a new style before that experience could even accumulate.
The opponent was rushing ahead like a runaway train, while he was stagnating.
There was no way to hold out any longer.
“…I have no choice.”
That was why Lee Cheon-gi gave up the struggle.
However, that did not mean he was admitting defeat.
“From now on, I will fight you in earnest.”
“What’s with that ‘hiding my true power’ bullshit? Don’t tell me you’ve been taking it easy on me until now?”
“No, it means I am willing to set aside my pride if it means defeating you.”
Limon mocked him, asking what kind of nonsense he was talking about after falling so pathetically behind in their clash of skill.
But Lee Cheon-gi was not shaken.
He simply spoke in a low voice, his face as cold as when they first met.
“Emergency Evasion.”
Limon’s eyebrows twitched.
Just as he was about to slash Lee Cheon-gi with his sword, the man’s body instantaneously vanished and then reappeared.
But that was only the beginning.
“Technique Improvement, Instant Acceleration, Weapon Reinforcement, Giant’s Strength.”
His swordsmanship became sharper.
The speed of his blade increased.
A bright radiance seeped into his precious sword.
The muscles beneath his armor expanded as if they would burst.
After reinforcing himself with all sorts of skills, he swung his sword down like a thunderbolt.
“Ultimate Strike.”
Boom!!!
The sword contained power on a different dimension from before, as if it could crush a mountain.
Limon, who had redirected the blow to the ground with a cleverly angled blade, asked quietly.
“What kind of trickery is this?”
“I told you I would fight in earnest.”
“Since you can’t beat me with swordsmanship alone, you’re going to use every skill you have?”
“It is because you are worthy of such an effort.”
To Lee Cheon-gi, this was the highest praise.
It was a statement acknowledging Limon as an expert on par with himself.
In this age of Iron where Sovereigns were absolute, it was a great honor that one could boast about for generations.
“…”
“I’ve said it several times, but…”
Limon wasn’t happy at all.
He merely spat back in a strangely lethargic, sunken voice.
“Why don’t you save that kind of bullshit for after you’ve actually beaten me, you arrogant prick?”
“If that is what you wish, I shall do so.”
He did not hold back.
As declared, he used his skills without reservation.
Through [Half-Clone], he summoned a duplicate that couldn’t use skills but possessed 80% of his stats.
He revitalized his exhausted body with [Stamina Recovery].
He surrounded himself with a barrier that reflected damage using [Reflective Armor].
He added extra hits to his sword with [Shadow Blade].
In addition, he used [Pre-cognition], [Berserk], [Cold Mind], [Iron Man], [Third Hand], and more.
While reinforced by countless skills, he unleashed a fierce onslaught with his sword.
Clang, clang! Clang, clang, clang, clang!
Two bodies instead of one.
Greatly enhanced stats.
Various special abilities and additional effects.
Lee Cheon-gi’s attack, layered with numerous skills, was a disaster in human form.
It was an overwhelming force that seemed ready to ruthlessly annihilate anything in its path, making his previous defensive state unimaginable.
It was only natural.
He was originally the Infinite Sovereign.
The ruler who commanded infinite skills.
Until now, he had fought only with swordsmanship because of his pride and his desire to acquire as many techniques as possible.
Combining and using numerous skills like this was his original fighting style and the way he exerted his true power as a Sovereign.
‘This time, it’s finally the end.’
Was it because of his exceptional swordsmanship?
Limon was holding his ground against the massive onslaught with nothing but a single sword.
It was a truly admirable sight.
But Lee Cheon-gi was certain.
Ultimately, it was only a matter of time.
‘Limon Asphelther, you made a mistake.’
No matter how sharp its teeth, an ant cannot take down an elephant.
No matter how brilliant Limon’s swordsmanship was, he could not be a match for him when he was fighting seriously.
From the start, there was an overwhelming difference in their stats.
Especially now.
‘I should never have given you the chance to acquire my swordsmanship in the first place.’
If it were before he had acquired the Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword, Limon might have had a chance.
But not anymore.
Even if he couldn’t keep up halfway through, Lee Cheon-gi had become frighteningly strong just by repeatedly acquiring the Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword until then.
The stat bonuses alone were several times over.
When considering the increase in technical skill as well, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say he was more than twice as strong as he was before the fight with Limon began.
Furthermore, how could Limon, who had been in a neck-and-neck fight since before he acquired the Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword, possibly defeat him now…?
‘Wait… Neck-and-neck?’
At that moment, a chilling sensation ran down Lee Cheon-gi’s spine.
‘From the beginning until now… always?’
Lee Cheon-gi felt a sense of incongruity.
When he used only skills, before he acquired the Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword, and during the struggle of creating and stealing…
He and Limon had constantly been in a razor-thin battle.
Until now, he hadn’t thought it strange.
After all, he was the one who hadn’t been going all out, and he had intentionally induced close combat to acquire the Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword.
But what about after he acquired the Demon-Slaying Dragon Sword?
Was he holding back then, when he was busy just trying to keep up with Limon’s swordsmanship?
That was impossible.
While his stats were skyrocketing as he stole the techniques, he didn’t have the luxury to control his power against Limon, who was creating swordsmanship like a madman.
Despite that, the balance between him and Limon had never been broken.
‘How is such a thing possible?’
From the start, it was nearly impossible for such a life-and-death struggle—where the slightest mistake meant instant death—to continue like this.
There were only two possible ways.
Either their skills were miraculously equal, or one side was intentionally matching the other’s level.
Therefore, Lee Cheon-gi had thought that once he showed his true power, he could instantly shatter this balance.
He believed he was the one who had created this equilibrium.
But… what if that was a delusion?
What if he hadn’t been the one leading this situation from the start?
“What’s wrong?”
The moment he heard that flat voice and looked at Limon.
Lee Cheon-gi realized for the first time.
“Didn’t you say you’d fight in earnest?”
Limon had been getting excited, swearing, and mocking him throughout the fight.
But contrary to that passionate behavior, the truth was that his golden eyes had never wavered once, remaining coldly sunken.
“Then you should show your real skill. How long are you going to keep up this scouting phase?”
And one more thing.
Even though Lee Cheon-gi’s entire body had long been soaked in sweat, not a single drop was flowing down the face of Limon, who had been fighting him in such a close match.
“Or else.”
Lee Cheon-gi’s face stiffened.
Looking at him, Limon wore a chilling smile.
“Should I show mine first?”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.