Extra in a Romance Fantasy

168 – Sword Master (8)

“…What’s with those eyes?”

Seeing Wade’s transparent gaze fixed upon him, the Sword Master’s expression twisted.

“What the hell is this…!”

It was a shout bordering on a roar.

This was a stark contrast to the demeanor the Sword Master had shown until now.

He simply could not comprehend it.

How had Wade survived his attack unscathed?

Moreover, how had he not even sustained a wound?

One thing was certain: something had happened.

Wade had certainly committed some act.

However, the swordsman could neither see nor feel what it was.

In that moment, the swordsman momentarily lost his composure.

So much so that he raised his voice, albeit rarely.

“…No.”

But soon, the swordsman’s tone calmed.

“…That doesn’t matter.”

Returning to his usual voice, the swordsman continued.

“Right, whatever happened doesn’t matter. In the end, it’s just a matter of killing you.”

Thus, the swordsman regained his tranquility.

He adjusted his grip on the sword.

And then.

Swish—

In the next moment, he had reached Wade.

“Right. This will be the end of it all.”

With an expression and gaze colder than ice, the swordsman declared the conclusion.

At last, the sword in his hand swung.

Despite the heavy metal sword being swung, not a sound escaped.

That was because the swordsman’s blade had even severed sound itself.

A sword so sharp it seemed to cut through not just sound, but space itself.

A single strike of extreme swiftness and extreme sharpness that no warrior of the continent could react to.

In terms of scale, it might appear to be a lesser attack than the storm the swordsman had previously unleashed, but that was a misconception.

Of course, if one were to judge solely by destructive power, it could be deemed lacking.

However, in the aspect of cutting something, this was far more suitable than the storm.

A blade that excluded all unnecessary elements, focusing entirely on cleaving the opponent before him.

A supreme strike imbued with the realization and skill of a warrior who had reached an ethereal realm.

No warrior on the continent could stand against that sword, and it seemed that the incredibly sharp blade would effortlessly slice through Wade standing right before him.

Yet.

Swoosh—

His sword cleaved through the air.

“……!!”

The swordsman’s eyes widened to an unimaginable degree.

It was due to an event that should not have been possible.

When a master swordsman reaches a certain level, the likelihood of making a mistake while wielding their sword is almost nonexistent.

Let alone if that person is a swordsman of his caliber; one could assert that it is absolutely impossible.

Yet, his sword had missed Wade.

The swordsman could not comprehend this phenomenon at all.

However.

That did not mean the swordsman stopped.

He was not merely someone with a high level of skill.

He had lived for many years and had accumulated countless experiences befitting that life.

Among those experiences were incidents that had even flustered the greatest swordsmen in the world.

The swordsman who had emerged from countless such experiences was not the type to halt his sword simply because he was surprised.

Swish!

The swordsman’s sword moved once more.

Adjusting its trajectory, it charged again toward Wade.

But.

Swish!

No matter how many times the sword moved.

Swish!

No matter how many times he swung it.

Swish!

The outcome remained unchanged.

Perhaps realizing that this was not the way to proceed, the swordsman’s sword transformed.

From a fierce, swift blade to an infinitely heavy one.

Yet, it did not reach Wade.

Then, the swordsman’s sword transformed again.

From an infinitely heavy blade to an extraordinarily dazzling sword that attempted changes dozens of times in an instant.

However, that too did not reach Wade.

After that, the swordsman’s sword changed several more times.

With a wildness reminiscent of a beast, a sword that was as solid and rigid as an iron wall.

Yet, in the end, the result was the same.

No sword could ever reach Wade.

“…What is it?”

At that moment, the swordsman finally spoke.

“What the hell… what the hell is this…!!”

An agitated voice burst forth from his lips.

A state of agitation and disarray that was unimaginable for the usually composed swordsman.

However.

Wade, facing him, wore an expression that was, in stark contrast, utterly serene.

With an untroubled gaze, he looked at the swordsman and finally spoke.

“You probably won’t understand.”

And he continued.

“What has happened, you will likely never comprehend.”

In a calm tone, Wade asserted that the swordsman would be unable to grasp the situation.

“…What?”

Twitch, the swordsman’s eyebrows twitched.

“Impertinent…!!”

The swordsman’s face contorted in rage.

“…Fine. I will surely tear you apart.”

With a visage that could evoke the image of a malevolent spirit, the swordsman spat the words toward Wade.

Indeed, what was the problem if the sword could not reach?

If the sword could not directly strike, if it could not cleave the opponent, then one could simply choose another method.

“If I blow you away with the very space, there’s no chance of missing.”

To blow away space.

It was a statement far too arrogant and presumptuous for a mere martial artist to utter, or for any human to dare speak. But if it was the swordsman saying it, the story was different.

For one who had devoted countless years to martial arts, who had finally stepped into a transcendent realm and glimpsed the extraordinary world, it was not arrogant at all.

And then.

Vroom─!!

The swordsman’s sword began to vibrate once more.

It felt similar to the time the Sword Master had stirred a storm, yet in reality, it was entirely different.

The intensity, the depth, the level of the vibrations were all distinct.

It was due to the sheer amount of power contained within.

The Sword Master was channeling all his strength into his blade.

Magical energy, will, and soul.

Everything that constituted the warrior known as the Sword Master.

Every moment of his life, every experience he had accumulated since birth, was encapsulated in that single sword.

Thus, not an exaggeration, but truly a power capable of shattering the world was contained within his blade.

And then.

Swoosh—

The sword, imbued with that power, began to move.

The force contained within the sword was so terrifying that the space it passed through was literally being carved away.

Simply by passing through, merely by tracing its trajectory, it gnawed at and whittled down the space.

It was a strike imbued with a power that could only be described as transcendent.

A single blow that seemed capable of breaking not just space, but the very world itself.

However.

“……”

Even as such a strike rushed toward him, Wade’s expression remained utterly calm.

There was not a trace of anxiety, nor despair, on his face.

As he gazed at the Sword Master’s blade with that composed expression, Wade finally showed movement.

With a natural motion, he lifted his sword and swung it directly forward.

No, to say he swung it would be an understatement; it was a slow and feeble motion.

It was a sword strike so weak it seemed as if he had given up on everything.

Seeing that sword, the Sword Master was certain of his victory.

After all, there was no sense of momentum emanating from that blade.

Neither destructive magical energy nor powerful will could be felt from Wade’s sword.

Thus, the Sword Master had no doubt about his impending victory.

In the next moment, he was convinced that his sword would erase Wade from this world along with the space around them.

But.

The outcome had strayed far from his expectations.

Swish—

“…Huh?”

A dazed voice slipped from the swordsman’s lips.

It was because something utterly absurd had occurred.

For some reason, his sword had somehow broken.

The magical power and intent that seemed capable of carving through space and shattering the world had also vanished, as if it had been erased.

“What…?”

The swordsman stared blankly at his broken sword, lost in thought.

He seemed unable to comprehend what had transpired.

It was then.

“Actually, you must have an inkling by now, don’t you?”

Wade’s voice flew toward him.

“What has happened.”

With unwavering eyes, Wade continued.

“Why your attack doesn’t work on me.”

“……!!”

The swordsman gasped sharply.

At the same time, his expression twisted.

It was because Wade’s words were not wrong.

The swordsman did not fully grasp what had happened.

However, he had a rough idea.

Why his sword could not reach Wade.

Why his sword had broken.

The answer.

“Simply, it’s because my level surpasses yours.”

Wade stated calmly.

In truth, he had suspected it long ago.

Though he fell short of Wade, he too possessed innate talent and was a martial artist who had touched the heavens.

There was no way he wouldn’t realize the cause of this situation.

—

It was just that he didn’t want to admit it.

He simply didn’t want to acknowledge it.

And so, he was just refusing to accept it.

And that was.

“…It can’t be true!!”

Even now, as Wade spoke the answer.

“You… you’ve surpassed me…? That’s impossible…!!”

With eyes blazing, the swordsman shouted.

“I am the strongest…! I was born to be the strongest…!!”

Gone was his usual calm demeanor; the swordsman screamed as if the sky would tear apart.

It was because he couldn’t accept it.

It was because he didn’t want to accept it.

The reality that he could not defeat Wade.

The reality that he was not the strongest.

“Right…! Something is wrong! There must be something wrong…!!”

Even as the situation became clear, the swordsman refused to accept reality.

And that swordsman.

“…….”

Wade quietly watched with calm eyes.

Then, suddenly.

He turned and began to walk away.

“Where are you going…!”

Seeing this, the swordsman shouted.

“The fight isn’t over yet! It’s not over…!!”

He shouted with all his might, trying to stop Wade.

But no matter how much he called, Wade did not halt his steps.

“You…!!”

Seeing this, the swordsman gripped the hilt of his broken sword tightly.

And then he began to summon his magic and will once more.

With the intent to strike that arrogant back.

—

In that state, in such a defenseless condition, an attack would surely land.

Though the sword was broken, that was of no importance.

It could simply be filled with sword energy.

With that thought, he summoned his strength once more.

And, he attempted to swing his sword directly at Wade’s back.

However.

For some reason, his body wouldn’t move.

No matter how hard he tried, his body did not obey his will.

Feeling puzzled by this fact, the swordsman suddenly looked down at himself.

And then, he realized.

He had been wounded without him even noticing.

“…Huh?”

A dazed sound escaped his lips.

And right after that, he lost his balance and fell to the ground.

His body was devoid of strength.

He simply couldn’t rise.

It was just a single wound, yet strangely, he couldn’t move.

As if something beyond the body had been cut.

Strength was draining from his entire being.

“…S-stop, dance…!!”

Even in that situation, the swordsman did not cease his shouting.

He desperately tried to grab Wade.

“Not yet…! I’m not done yet…!!”

With a voice filled with desperation, he continued to scream.

Could it be that his voice finally reached him?

Suddenly—

At last, Wade halted his steps.

Then, he turned his head to look at the swordsman.

Seeing that sight, a faint color returned to the swordsman’s face.

However.

“Didn’t they say I was born with the fate to become the strongest?”

“……! Yes! I was born with the fate to become the strongest of humanity—”

That glow of confidence had to vanish immediately.

“You were dreaming a foolish dream.”

“…What?”

Wade’s words continued, directed at the grim-faced swordsman.

“You are not the strongest. No, you are not even worthy of discussing that position.”

“……!!”

“It is time for you to wake up from this empty dream.”

“You…!!”

The swordsman gritted his teeth and shouted, but Wade no longer listened to his voice.

He simply turned his head again and resumed the steps he had paused.

“Stop…! I said stop…!!”

No matter how much the swordsman yelled, Wade did not look back at him again.

“I am…! I am the strongest…!!”

The swordsman continued to shout at Wade’s back.

He believed he was destined to become the strongest, born to be the strongest.

So, those words were nothing but worthless nonsense.

The swordsman truly thought so.

But.

If that were really the case.

What on earth was this situation?

Why was he lying powerless on the ground like this?

That question sank into his world like rain falling on a drought-stricken land.

And it began to shake his world from its roots.

“I… am…”

Perhaps, it was he who had been struggling all along.

Maybe he had been dreaming a foolish dream without even properly understanding his own worth.

Perhaps he had been trapped in the ugly struggle of believing he was destined to be the strongest, out of fear of acknowledging that someone greater than himself existed.

Fearful of losing the top position, he had confined himself in that delusion.

—

Perhaps, like the words left by that man, he had been dreaming a futile dream.

Such thoughts shook his world more than ever before.

Feeling his world, everything he had built, crumble, Dreyer finally awoke from the dream.

At the same time, he finally faced the truth he had long been avoiding.

The time he had walked, his life, flashed before his eyes.

And within those scenes, Dreyer could find himself struggling grotesquely.

“I, am…”

In the dark, thick gray and despair where not a single ray of light penetrated.

Eventually, his breath began to calm.

Thus, on the desolate field where nothing remained.

The life of the man who had dreamed an unworthy dream met a pitiful end.