Chapter 98

098. Proof (4)

Clank, clank...

I gripped the Blood Sky Demon Sword, which was dripping with blood, and stared straight ahead.

In the wall made of broken mirrors, I could see Resilian, who was leaning against it, bleeding profusely.

The sword in his hand, which had been broken, had long since lost its sword flame.

Resilian glanced down at the wound of death etched on his chest and then burst into laughter, as if something was amusing.

"Hahaha... So this is the real flame of the sword..."

That was right.

Just now, I had miraculously entered the realm of sword flame and overwhelmed Resilian's sword.

I had split his sword in half and simultaneously slashed his chest.

It was a wound so severe that no one could survive, and Resilian seemed to be aware of this to some extent.

"..."

But Resilian neither clung to life nor raged at his defeat.

Instead, he laughed joyfully, as if he had learned something, and thanked me.

"Your inability to use the real sword flame was a great help to me. Thank you, adventurer."

At Resilian's words, I shook my head, looking incredulous.

"You have given me more help. If I hadn't grasped the true activation principle of sword qi, I wouldn't have been able to use the sword flame properly."

It was true.

I never imagined that sword qi was not just a technique resulting from the fusion of divine sword and mind.

The fusion of divine sword and mind was merely a matter of how much willpower one could exert to control mana.

By recognizing the sword as part of the body, one could infuse mana into the sword and then transmit willpower through the mana to form a blade that could cut through everything.

That was the activation principle of sword qi.

The sword flame was a decisive technique developed by interpreting this activation principle at a higher level, allowing one to break sword qi.

I understood why Namgung Hyuk had said that skills were mere imitations of martial arts.

When one reached a certain level, transmitting willpower through mana could even influence the laws of reality?

Such a deceptive technique could not be properly implemented as a skill, and its value was considerable.

However, during the process of understanding the sword flame, I couldn't help but feel a question.

One's willpower influencing mana and bending reality was sword qi.

At a higher level, maintaining sword qi with willpower and infusing the property of breaking sword qi into the mana was the sword flame.

"…Why didn't you use the proper sword flame until the end?"

But I couldn't understand why Resilian had used an incomplete sword flame.

He had taught me not only the true activation principle of sword qi but also the method to activate the sword flame.

Resilian had sufficient enlightenment and the willpower to use the sword flame like me.

But in the end, he never reached the level of true sword flame.

The flames flickering from the blade were weak and seemed about to go out at any moment.

It was as if he couldn't properly transmit his willpower to the mana...

"Could it be..."

"You seem to have noticed. I can't properly move mana with my willpower."

"What do you mean—"

"I am a congenital mana control failure."

"..."

"I wanted to become a royal knight by walking the path of the sword, but... I couldn't. Haha. I had the talent for the sword, but not for mana."

Resilian continued as if reminiscing about a past memory.

"I wanted to prove myself."

Words that I would have once ignored and cut off.

"I wanted to give a lesson to those who mocked me for my inability to control mana."

I stood silently, listening to his words calmly.

"So I prayed and howled. If anyone could give me the ability to control mana, I would become their loyal sword."

"...That's when the God of Proof gave me power."

"That's right. He allowed me to move mana through divine power. It was a minimal control, but it was enough."

"..."

"I could even manifest aura, and during the process of reaching the next level, I manifested the flame of the sword."

"But due to my lack of mana control ability, I couldn't properly use the sword flame."

At his words, I slowly closed my eyes and then opened them, speaking.

"...You were a better warrior than anyone I have ever seen."

It was sincere.

Among the challengers at the martial arts level, no one walked the path of true martial arts as much as he did.

Not in terms of skill, but in terms of character, he was a true warrior.

"That's a welcome sound to hear. Adventurer, you were also excellent."

Resilian smiled and said, as if squeezing out the words.

"You proved your martial arts and corrected your beliefs."

I wanted to say that he had only told me everything, but...

Resilian raised his hand as if to stop me from speaking.

"If you have proven your martial arts by defeating someone, do not regret it."

Gradually, the energy in Resilian's voice seemed to be fading, as if his soul was leaving.

"The path of martial arts is about carrying the karma of fallen warriors on your shoulders and moving forward."

His voice became as small as an ant's, and soon Resilian slowly closed his eyes.

"Win, win, and win again... Prove your path without regret..."

With those words, as if mumbling in a dream, Resilian no longer moved.

At the same time, a black aura rose from Resilian's body, and I finally realized.

「You have absorbed the spirit of the high priest 'Resilian'.」

「Your proficiency has increased by 14%.」

Now, the high priest Resilian was no longer alive.

「The unique ability 'Necromancy' has reached 100% proficiency.」

「The unique ability 'Necromancy' has advanced to the next level.」

Resilian had been a source of enlightenment and mental support whenever I wavered.

He told me that hesitation was a luxury on the path of proving one's martial arts and not to judge right and wrong.

It was inevitably sad that such a good person who gave me such enlightenment had died.

Even if this world was manifested by the Tower of Trials and had no impact on the real world, that fact didn't change.

It was because Resilian had given me enlightenment and taught me the path of martial arts.

Thus, it was natural to feel sadness, and the guilt seeping into my heart was a kind of inevitability.

But...

"..."

I didn't tremble or feel mental confusion.

I calmly accepted his death and gently laid his body on the floor, leaning against the wall.

After laying his body neatly and placing his sword beside him, I properly closed his half-open eyes.

Resilian lay there, dead, with a faint smile of satisfaction.

I looked at his body, briefly paid my respects, and then spoke the words I couldn't bring myself to say.

"As you said... I will win, win, and win again. I will prove my martial arts."

Currently, I have received so much from Resilian that it's hard to put a price on it.

Not only the belief of a martial artist but also the true principle of sword qi, which I understood through him.

Thus, I couldn't feel at ease unless I did this.

「The administrator 'Swordman Who Kills Gods' smiles faintly at your actions.」

「The administrator 'Hero of the Doomed World' observes your actions in silence.」

「The administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' recalls the past at your actions.」

「The administrator 'Iron-Blooded Monarch' senses the qualities of a ruler in your actions.」

I silently accepted the gazes of the administrators and left the room made of broken mirrors.

As I headed to the fourth gate, I could see the broken mirrors gradually transforming into a complete form.

It felt as if the mirrors were becoming whole, mirroring the changes I underwent as I passed through this gate.

「You have absorbed the spirit of the priest 'Johann' and permanently increased your stats.」

「You have absorbed the spirit of the priest 'Jane' and permanently increased your stats.」

「You have absorbed the spirit of the priest 'Resilian' and permanently increased your stats.」

I absorbed all the spirits at the end of the corridor, preparing for any possible situation.

These spirits were too valuable to be used just for a passive shield.

「Your Strength has increased by 8.」

「Your Agility has increased by 6.」

「Your Vitality has increased by 7.」

「Your Mana has increased by 8.」

「Your Endurance has increased by 9.」

Vitality surged through my body, and the pleasure of growth, which I hadn't felt recently, flooded in.

And...

「You have absorbed one of the skills possessed by the priest 'Resilian'.」

After a long time, the skill absorption activated, and a new skill was created.

「You have acquired the skill 'Indomitable Will (A-)'.」

I slightly moved my lips to open the status window.

『Han Sungyun』

『Aura – Dominator』

『Strength – 86』 『Vitality – 84』

『Agility – 85』 『Mana – 79』

『Endurance – 81』

『Unique Ability – Necromancy (B)』

『Unique Power – Skill Synthesis』

『Power – Clear Mind (C-), Sword Flame (A-), Steel Wings (C+), Iron-Blooded Sword (A-)』

『Skill – View Details』

Now, I confirmed once again that I was truly becoming a monster.

All my stats were heading towards the triple digits, and it wasn't far off.

I checked the new detailed effects of Necromancy, which had grown after absorbing Resilian's spirit.

Except for the skill level, the description below didn't change, but...

『Detailed Effect (6) - When absorbing the spirit of a stronger opponent, you can extract a power based on the judgment.』

The sixth detailed effect created by the advancement of Necromancy was a considerable ability.

The ability to extract a power when absorbing the spirit of a stronger opponent?

That fact alone was surprising, but the fact that this unique ability was still at the B level was even more promising.

'I wonder what abilities will come out if it grows more.'

I opened the skill window to check the description of the newly acquired 'Indomitable Will'.

『Skill – Indomitable Will (A-)』

『Proficiency – 27%』

『Description – A symbol of those who do not yield to despair and challenge the impossible until the end.』

『Basic Effect – When facing a stronger opponent, your physical abilities and concentration significantly increase.』

『Detailed Effect – When the skill is activated, it becomes easier to gain enlightenment, and your mental protection ability is greatly enhanced.』

It's a skill with abilities better than I imagined.

When facing a strong opponent, your physical abilities and concentration significantly increase?

For me, who always fights strong opponents, it was a skill like a ray of light.

Moreover, it even enhances the ability to gain enlightenment and greatly strengthens mental protection when activated.

'With the ability to assist growth, I will use it quite often.'

I felt satisfied and closed the status window.

Now that I had briefly confirmed what I had gained, it was time to move.

Creak—

I slowly opened the door leading to the fourth gate and could see the room made of mirrors.

Although there were still cracks in the mirrors, it was better than the room made of shattered glass where Resilian stood.

"Ah... Resilian is dead. This is unexpected."

The high priest in charge of the fourth gate was a small boy.

"Are you really just an ordinary adventurer challenging the trials...?"

The boy, who looked about ten years old, asked as if he couldn't believe it.

Without immediately answering, I first observed the boy, the guardian of the fourth gate.

The boy held small blades made of mirrors in both hands and wore a loose robe.

The atmosphere he exuded felt different, giving the impression of a real priest of the gods.

I looked at the boy for a moment and then said in a tired voice.

"I don't really want to talk. Please start the trial of the fourth gate."

The boy stared at me intently and then said with a cold smile.

"Is that so... Do you know? You're not in your right mind right now."

His tone was like that of a psychiatrist, and I responded indifferently.

"I know."

Despite my answer, the boy continued to advise me.

"Whatever Resilian, that martial arts-obsessed priest, said, you are gradually being consumed by the madness of martial arts."

Does he have the ability to see through my current state?

'Being consumed by the madness of martial arts...'

Perhaps the boy's words are the most appropriate description of my current state.

It was surprising, but I didn't pay much attention to his words.

"So what?"

"The madness of martial arts is not something an ordinary person can handle. Give up the trials and go outside to focus on resting and recuperating."

"Then what will change?"

"At least you won't die a miserable death here. Forget the idea that you can defeat me with only martial arts."

In other words, if I rely solely on my martial arts, he will kill me.

I immediately understood the hidden meaning and shook my head.

"It doesn't matter. It's best to start the trial of the fourth gate."

"...It's been a long time since I've seen someone as purely obsessed with martial arts as Resilian."

The boy said as if he was tired and then straightened his posture, introducing himself.

"I am Kaiyan, a prospective apostle serving the God of Proof."

A prospective apostle.

Just by looking, I could tell he was strong.

"Now, according to the law of proof, you must provide physical proof to me."

Kaiyan immediately announced the start of the fourth gate, his eyes shining brightly.

And—

"Come forth, adventurer who has entrusted your body to madness. Your body will end all proof here."

A small pair of wings sprouted from Kaiyan's back, exuding a sense of holiness.

Though these wings couldn't fly, the energy they emitted was immense.

The energy flowing through them was slightly different from mana, likely divine power.

'The wings are amplifying the energy.'

Just as I use mana circuits to enhance my body, he was doing something similar.

He was enhancing himself through the energy transmitted from the wings?

It seemed he possessed powerful abilities, as befitting someone who called himself a prospective apostle.

But.

「The power 'Sword Flame' is activated.」

「The skill 'Blessing of the Wind' is activated.」

「The skill 'Instant Acceleration' is activated.」

I wasn't just a genuine martial artist who had come this far with pure martial arts.

「You have encountered a strong opponent that is difficult for you to handle.」

「The skill 'Indomitable Will' is activated.」

Now, it's time to end this tiresome physical proof.