The sky and the earth are silent.
Even the moonlight, stained red by the auras of the transcendents standing at the pinnacle of humanity, seemed distorted.
Two swordsmen who had crossed paths decades ago met eyes, unraveling the willpower they had built over the years.
The red radiance emanating from Glenn Zieghart embodied the will to protect the present. It drew a thunderous image of an indomitable tree that would not bend under any external pressure.
On the other hand, the will of the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, swirling in darkness, was simple. It was a desire burning like a flame. It fluctuated with greed to enjoy blood and battle and to acquire higher swordsmanship.
As the waves of willpower surged from the feet of the two transcendents and collided at the center of the moonlight, the atmosphere rippled, and a tremendous wave soared.
Piaaaaang!
As if that was the signal for the beginning, the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance moved. He drew his black sword from his position, extending a fierce slash that seemed to tear the space apart.
Sharp, fast, fierce, and light. It was a transcendent swordsmanship that captured the essence of ten thousand swords in an instant.
Glenn also did not move from his position. He stood with the Heavenly Tremor sword raised at mid-level, accepting the incoming dark slash.
Paaaang!
The slash fired by the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance melted like spring snow in front of the Heavenly Tremor.
Unlike the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's swordsmanship, Glenn's was solid, slow, flexible, and heavy. It was a brilliant move that used the essence of swordsmanship in reverse.
Even though the swords of the transcendents clashed once, not a slight shock was seen on the thin ice lake. It meant that their aura control had reached the heavens.
Chiiiiing!
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance launched the second strike. This time, it was with his perfectly harmonized body. Moving as if riding the shadows, he scraped the black sword upward from below.
The simple upward slash contained countless essences of martial arts, revealing the true meaning of ten thousand swords. The added vigor at the end shook the heavens and the earth.
Pajijijik!
As if it couldn't be blocked lightly like the first strike, Glenn stepped his left foot forward and pulled the Heavenly Tremor inward.
The thunderous energy sparked from the sword, spreading across the blade, creating a red radiance.
Kugugugugu!
Glenn suppressed the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's slash with sheer force, as if not interested in conversing through swords.
"Don't be so boring."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance lifted the corners of his mouth, swinging his shoulders. He released the thunderous energy contained in Glenn's slash into the air and stabbed down from the upper level.
This time, black flames wrapped around the blade as if not willing to lose in power.
Glenn's aura remained empty. With a cold gaze, like when looking down on the world from the throne in the audience chamber, he raised the thunderous energy of the Heavenly Tremor. The red thunder spreading from the sword overwhelmed the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's slash.
Kuwaaaaaang!
A massive explosion that seemed to shatter the night sky erupted, and a storm of aura raged.
However, Glenn and the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's clothes did not shake at all. Their aura was perfectly controlled internally and externally.
"As expected, you're amazing."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance smiled as if he had expected it, releasing the hand holding the sword. The black sword naturally floated up, burning its body in dark flames.
"Since the warm-up is over, let's start properly."
"...."
Glenn did not respond, raising the Heavenly Tremor. Though his posture was the same as at the beginning, a chilling killing intent rose from his red eyes.
[Stop it!]
As the two transcendents were about to move again, a massive wave of willpower surged from the sky. The Dragon Lord, who had been chasing the demon king, shouted from the air to halt the battle.
[If you clash in a situation already disturbed by the demon king, the balance of the continent will be disrupted!]
"Before I cut off your heads, you should stay quiet."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance ignored the Dragon Lord's words and flicked his finger. Hundreds of black sword blades spread, filling the sky and earth.
It wasn't just a simple increase in numbers. The countless black swords all displayed different essences and swordsmanship, rushing towards Glenn's heart and neck.
It was one of the ultimate techniques of the Dark Night Sword God.
None of the hundreds of blades were fake. Each one was a transcendent slash imbued with the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's willpower.
Pajijijijik!
Glenn raised the Heavenly Tremor high. Red thunder exploded like a storm above the blade piercing the sky.
Azure Sky Sword Three-Step.
Red Lotus Heavenly Net.
The thunderous energy spreading like a net from the blade covered the heavens and the earth.
As Glenn had shown Raon, his Azure Sky Sword was dark and grand. It was a force that seemed to overwhelm everything.
Kuwaaaaaang!
A tremendous shockwave erupted as the Red Lotus Heavenly Net, spreading thunderous energy like moonlight, collided with the infinite blades of the Dark Night Sword God, which covered the sky and earth.
The waves of thunderous energy sometimes erased the blades, and the sharp blades sometimes tore through the net of lightning.
An endless wave of terrifying aura continued, creating spider-web-like cracks at the center of the frozen lake.
Paaaaang!
A giant tidal wave rose on the cracked ice. In the explosion where waves collided, Glenn and the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance poured their slashes at each other. The divine presence befitted their titles as the Lightning God and the Dark Night Sword God.
"A new swordsmanship? I'd like to see more!"
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance fired his black sword, asking to see a little more.
"I told you, I don't intend to drag this out."
Glenn wet the surface of the lake with the Heavenly Tremor. A small wave spread like a painting of a child throwing a pebble with graceful water movement.
The quiet sword wave continued, extending and becoming a blade of water that tore the space.
Kyaaaaaang!
The blade made of water and the black sword collided, and the intense aftermath of power opened a blue hole in the sky.
Step.
Glenn stepped on the air with the Supreme Harmony Steps. His willpower-transmitted steps transcended space, moving his body.
Heavenly Sword Three Form.
The blade of thunderous energy drew a solemn line along with the light. A transcendent slash that silenced the enemy cut the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's neck.
"Finally, the Heavenly Sword Three Form!"
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance twisted his lips, revealing the black sword as the space melted. The sword strike, which seemed to transcend even swordsmanship, blocked the Heavenly Sword Three Form's light.
Chung!
The black sword's flames absorbed the thunderous energy carried by the Heavenly Tremor, significantly dampening its power.
The following black sword's consecutive strikes. The sword strike that extended with an impossible form for a human fell toward Glenn's neck.
Glenn twisted the wrist holding the Heavenly Tremor. The Heavenly Tremor, soaring like an inverted lightning strike, deflected the black sword and cut the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's shoulder.
Piiiik!
The aura shield enveloped in willpower shattered, and blood flowed from the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's long robe.
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance did not panic. As if the injury was also part of his plan, he immediately thought of a counterattack.
The black sword spread like a kaleidoscope, creating a menacing energy. It was an unavoidable, mandatory defensive strike.
Knowing that he couldn't retreat, Glenn raised the Heavenly Tremor on the spot. The blade that had pointed upward fell, transcending the gap.
Chung!
The ten black swords aiming for the vital points shattered and scattered.
Glenn did not miss the gap where the black swords were bounced off. He refined the thunderous energy with strong willpower and pierced the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's heart.
Piaaaak!
Blood spurted from the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's waist. Although the target was the left chest, he twisted his body in that brief moment and even launched a counterattack. He was indeed someone who could not be underestimated.
The black sword, wrapped in flames of malice, shot forward. It was a sword strike that aimed to suppress with force.
Glenn stretched his right foot forward. Lowering his center of gravity, he raised the Heavenly Tremor. Red thunder roared above the blade, rising as if to divide the moonlight.
Kuwaaaaaang!
Black flames and red lightning roared as if trying to devour each other, drawing a bizarre shape in the air.
Amid the spreading remnants of aura, Glenn and the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance thrust their swords at each other.
Chung!
The Heavenly Tremor and the black sword interlocked like gears, producing fierce sparks.
Chiiing!
Glenn twisted his ankle and wrist simultaneously, deflecting the center of the black sword and aiming for the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's neck.
However, the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, as if reading that move, leaned back his left upper body and erected a thick sword barrier with the black sword.
Kyaaaaang!
The collision of swords produced a fierce shockwave, but the two transcendents did not move an inch.
Instead, they moved forward, drawing their swords at each other's throats.
Glenn revealed the essence of swordsmanship, as if returning to his childhood, where he did not rely on powerful aura but displayed the ultimate mastery of swordsmanship.
Glenn's sword cut through the chest of the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, and the black sword pierced Glenn's shoulder. It was a spectacle of swordsmanship at a point-blank range, with relentless strikes pouring down without a moment's respite.
It was a contest where they seemed to perfectly understand each other's swordsmanship. Glenn and the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance both had mastered ten thousand swords, making this possible.
Kwaaaaaaang!
As the close combat between Glenn and the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance prolonged, thunder and flames coiled like snakes, eventually causing a massive explosion.
A tremendous storm of light spread from the center of the lake, flipping the frozen ground.
Glenn and the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance descended onto the snow-covered ground, wet with water.
"As expected of the Destructive King of the North."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance lifted the corners of his mouth in a long smile. His face was filled with delight, as if a flame of joy was burning his flesh.
"...."
On the other hand, Glenn's gaze was dry and desolate. He lowered the Heavenly Tremor, looking as if he simply wanted to end this fight.
"But…."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance flicked his finger, and the black sword floated above his head, igniting a solemn flame.
Burning and burning until it turned to ash, it flickered in a gray hue, distorting the space.
"If that's all you've got, this will be your end."
With his quiet murmur, the black sword advanced. It wasn't fast or slow, nor did it have a small ripple.
But the essence contained in the sword was the ultimate technique of the Dark Night Sword God, the culmination of his will and martial arts, the Transcendent Sword of Destruction.
It was a power he hadn't revealed even when facing the demon king. The ultimate sword, built up by a practitioner of ten thousand swords, rushed towards Glenn's soul.
Wooooooong!
Glenn raised his sword. The orb of thunderous energy that erupted from the blade split the frozen sky, summoning a crimson dawn.
"Sword Domain."
The resolute cry of the swordsman standing in the heavens twisted the flow of the world.
"Unblemished Perfection."
The black blade of the Heavenly Tremor, with red radiance and burning thunder, transformed into a radiant sword. It was not a significant change. But the truth lay in the swordsman, not the sword.
The ultimate swordsman, Glenn Zieghart, becoming one with his sword was the true essence of Unblemished Perfection.
Fast, strong, flexible, light, slow, heavy, straight, sharp, containing illusions, spirited, and firm.
Glenn also burned the essence of ten thousand swords he had built up until now as fuel, raising the Thunder Sword.
Like the divine robe worn by a heavenly deity, an impeccable perfection with no gaps adorned his sword.
"Human Thunder."
With Glenn's low voice, the Thunder Sword caused a gentle ripple. The sword strike, drawn like a crescent moon, melted the will and essence contained in the Transcendent Sword of Destruction of the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance.
"Finally, seeing it again! Unblemished Perfection!"
With the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's cry, his sword changed. His aura, seeping into the will and essence, exploded in a black radiance. The ultimate technique following the Transcendent Sword of Destruction was the Ultimate Sword Technique of Eternal Radiance.
"Earth Splitter."
With Glenn's voice, the Thunder Sword unfolded its wings along the horizon. The Ultimate Sword Technique of Eternal Radiance, which intended to tear space, lost its light and fell.
Kuuuuung.
The sound was not loud, but a strange distortion occurred between the swords, tearing away half of the lake.
"It's not over yet!"
With the cry of the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, the black sword advanced. His entire will mixed, burning in a light darker than night.
As if time and space had stopped, the presence of the black sword was the only thing that existed in the world. The final technique of the Dark Night Sword God was the Radiant Flame of Annihilation.
"No, it's the end."
Even in front of that absolute sword, Glenn's gaze did not waver.
"Heavenly Sword."
Gripping the Thunder Sword with both hands, he raised it high. The divine blade, slicing down, split the Radiant Flame of Annihilation.
As the white sword strike was about to erase the black sword, it was then.
"I said, it's not over yet."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance appeared behind the black sword. From his outstretched hand, a colorless radiance extended.
Kugugugugu!
It was different from the bloody energy of the Leader of the White Blood Religion. It was devoid of any color, yet it sprouted a sacred aura more majestic than anything. An invincible sword that could cut through anything, the embodiment of the Formless Sword.
The Formless Sword's wave, stronger than the Radiant Flame of Annihilation executed with the black sword, split the space vertically.
"That's…."
"It's a secret technique I prepared for you."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's Formless Sword was not merely a manifestation of simple power. It did not hinder the Radiant Flame of Annihilation, cleverly exploiting the gaps. He was even utilizing the essence of dual swordsmanship.
In the transcendent realm where even sound could not reach, the swords containing each other's ultimate collided.
Kugugugugu!
Glenn bit his dry lips. The incoming force was strong. If it were just the Radiant Flame of Annihilation, the Heavenly Sword could have cut through it, but the second blade prepared by the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance was not easy to cut.
Pajijijijik!
The Radiant Flame of Annihilation and the Formless Sword meshed like gears, pushing the Heavenly Sword back.
"You've grown weak, Glenn Zieghart."
A sneer escaped from the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's lips.
"You weren't like this before."
He continued, pressing the two swords fiercely.
"When did the Destructive King of the North start thinking about subordinates and grandchildren! It's unlike you to flee without ending the fight!"
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance ground his teeth as if disappointed, drawing the two swords diagonally down.
"It was much better when you only had revenge and domination in your soul!"
He glared with his red eyes, saying he didn't need a weakened Destructive King of the North.
"Don't tarnish your past and die here!"
With the explosion of his will and emotions, the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's sword strike grew heavier. The blade of the Thunder Sword trembled as if about to break, and the Heavenly Sword could not advance.
"Weakened…."
Glenn twisted his lips, feeling the weight as if the sky was pressing down on his shoulders.
"To you, it may seem that way."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance's words were correct. When he first clashed with the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, he was filled only with the will for revenge against his subordinates and the desire to grow his family.
In the past, even if Raon and the Light Wind division had died, he would have fought the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance to the end on the spot without caring.
But if asked whether that was a weakness, he would shake his head.
It wasn't about the strength or weakness of power; his will had changed.
After gaining enlightenment, he gave up revenge and domination, harboring the will to protect Sylvia, Raon, and the family.
He intended to carry that heart for life, but somehow he ended up receiving more from the children he intended to protect.
Eating meals together, teaching, and awkwardly chatting. Experiencing new happiness as he took on the role he had given up as a father and grandfather.
That is not a weakness.
"This is the end. My worthy adversary."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance concluded, simultaneously slashing the two swords. The Radiant Flame of Annihilation and the Formless Sword drew their respective circles, achieving the ultimate harmony. The black flame that seemed to erase everything engulfed the world.
"I…."
Glenn quietly lifted his eyelids. A red thunder flashed over his eyes, which seemed burnt out.
Amidst the cracks filled with happiness and joy, the time spent with Raon welled up. The human emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure filled the cracks that had only been filled with rage, elevating his soul to a higher dimension.
"Until I pass everything on to that child, I will never die."
The blade of lightning extended once more. It was neither Human Thunder, Earth Splitter, nor Heavenly Sword.
Like the moment when the sky opened, the martial arts Glenn Zieghart had built up throughout his life became one sword, raising a sacred radiance.