Chapter 171: Divine Swordsmanship (1/2)

Arthur disappeared beyond the smoke that rose from somewhere and filled the dome. Yurirl could only hear a vague sound of his words before they disappeared too.

Yurirl wanted to call out for Arthur but he had more important things to do. He took off the Limiter and felt his strength return to his control. He stretched his arms as he looked around for Arthur's friend, Emma.

”Really, how do you want me to find her in this smoke?” Yurirl frowned as he tried to slash the smoke. The smoke cleared for a few meters but it returned to obstruct him in an instant.

'I guess I have no choice.' Yurirl closed his eyes as he activated his ability. His body glowed in ethereal white as he felt connected to the world. In a matter of seconds, he was able to find Emma.

However, he also felt something peculiar. This was the only time he used his ability after he came to the Runes Apprentices Cup. He found that his Divine Sense was being obstructed by something.

He looked toward the direction Arthur disappeared to with a frown. He could feel a powerful presence there. His ability was craving this presence and Yurirl felt that it was a part of his own body.

He usually felt this way toward powerful awakeners, but that was only the case for the Empyrean-rank. Did a powerhouse leave their castle and come to their rescue? Unlikely.

Yurirl felt the presence to be familiar as if this part of the world had intensified until it became a giant sun. However, he made a promise to Arthur to help Emma.

He dashed across the fog and reached her in an instant. An Ender was eyeing her and her partner, Tin Rasan. They sensed Yurirl's arrival and turned to look at him.

”Yurirl, have you seen Arthur?” This was Emma's first question, earning a smile from Yurirl. He wondered if this was what it felt like to have real friends.

”Yes, he asked me to protect you.”

”You shouldn't have agreed, I don't need protection.” Emma frowned and took out a card from her storage artifact. Light glowed as a giant ethereal eagle was summoned. ”I'm capable on my own.”

”… Against those?” Yurirl pointed at the Ender coming their way. A hooded person that had giant black scythes protruding from his back. Under the hood was a disfigured face.

”He's at the peak of the rei-rank at most.” Emma gestured with her hand and the eagle screeched before diving toward the hooded person.

The scythe and the talon clashed against each other as mana destroyed the surrounding. The eagle's talon wavered as it started cracking and fragmenting. The eagle screeched before flying away.

”I guess you have never met a Nether being.” Yurirl smiled.

”Are they a monster?” Emma asked with terror. ”He looks human, I don't understand.”

”He's a human, but he's also a monster. That's why humans are the ones you need to look out for because they can be both.”

Yurirl slashed once with his transcalent sword and light beams traveled in the air and clashed with the Ender. He walked unhurriedly toward the fallen human.

”Unless you have a high-grade artifact, Enders are invincible. I've met them once with my master in a fissure. They're lowly humans that have sold their souls to the darkness, hence the name Nether Beings.”

The Ender started merging with its host as it transformed into a fully black creature. It screeched like rusted metals as if the vocal cords were being ripped apart.

”Let me teach you this,” Yurirl continued as he blocked the ender's scythe. His body started glowing white as the world caved under his sword. ”Never judge them based on their host. They have a different name; Mana-eaters.”

The black substance started pooling out of the Ender as the arena began corroding. The Ender began attacking as Yurirl began deflecting the attacks and attacking the medium itself. He knew that these creatures couldn't manifest for long.

As the battle stretched on, the Ender descended fully as several arms sprouted from its back and headed toward Yurirl like tentacles.

”Divine Swordsmanship Art.” Yurirl closed his eyes as he muttered. His sword was held straight in front of him. ”Thirteenth Move.” He opened his eyes and they were radiating holy white light. The world was shaking as Yurirl disappeared from his spot like a ghost.

”Heavens,” Tin's hand was shaking as a weary grin overtook her face. ”I don't know who's the monster here.”

Yurirl reappeared behind the Ender. The world stood still before it started breaking apart. The arena broke apart as the Ender was slashed apart a thousand times. Space was broken as it grew unstable and air pressure pushed everyone back.

”Truly a wretched condemned being.” Yurirl looked with sorrow at the Ender trying to regenerate. Black fluids pooled together as they gathered and scattered.