There Is No World For ■■

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…Ya killin’ aura is rather extraordinary, eh?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

That was something the Holy Sword said the first time they met. Looking back, it was sort of a warning, but back then, Yeomyeong hadn’t really paid heed to it.

In fact, he took it for granted.After all, the martial arts he had learned were meant to kill. It would have been even stranger if he only had a faint Killing Aura.Even after that, he heard similar comments in Manchuria and at the academy, but didn’t pay much attention.After all, all the enemies he had faced till date always preferred the sword over dialogue. Hence, he wielded his sword as if murder and violence were cure-all.He killed. And if he didn’t kill, he would at least maim.He didn’t find it odd. He simply considered it to be a natural change that came with possessing great power.And this tendency worsened after he stole and learned Mara’s martial arts.Was it due to the influence of the so-called demonic art? He couldn’t be sure, but one thing was certain.As his martial arts became faster and stronger, he became even more merciless towards his enemies.He never thought this would become a major problem and it hadn’t even been a problem until just a few days ago.However, he finally realized that something was truly wrong with himself after Corvus’ explanation moments ago.…Why was I trying to kill Ado?For daring to insult Seti? Sure, making him lose an arm might be justified, but it wasn’t a crime deserving of death.He knew. Yeomyeong knew, but… he still decided to kill Ado and acted on it.From the steps to steal Ado’s sword, to severing his arm to incapacitate him, and then immediately aiming for his neck with a sword technique.Everything was far from a normal emotional reaction.Yeomyeong had gone after Ado’s life with the same calmness and coldness he showed when facing the terrorists.Why?It was better to kill an enemy first and clear up any misunderstandings afterwards, but… that was only if the opponent was an enemy.Ado was merely a rude person who could be found anywhere, not enough to be classified as an enemy and warrant such actions.He would not gain anything by killing him, nor was there any threat in leaving him alive—just that.Yet Yeomyeong tried to kill someone like that with all his strength in front of none other than the principal and Corvus.All of it was his own doing, but he himself was unable to make sense of any of it.Looking back, this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened either.For example, the time he spanked the Saintess’ buttocks.It was an act that could have easily been seen as sacrilege, but he laid a hand on the Saintess’ body without the slightest hesitation.It was fortunate that the Saintess had let it slide… but that act was far more serious than his attempt to kill Ado.According to Corvus, it was certain that something in his mind was broken.The only fortunate thing in this entire ordeal was that he didn’t have to find the solution by himself.There was a person, no, Beastfolk, who had the solution… standing right in front of him.With that thought in mind, Yeomyeong looked up at the leaping Corvus.…You said to release the Killing Aura.The massive crow Beastfolk, cloaked in mana, was plummeting towards him.Yeomyeong tightened his grip on the sword with the intent to pour out all his Killing Aura.

* * *Thud!

Feeling the heavy impact rising up her toes, Corvus was certain that she had sent Yeomyeong flying.However, the next moment, she burst out laughing after realizing that her certainty was mistaken.Yeomyeong was still in the same spot. The ground had caved in, and dust had risen, but that was all.He had endured the complete impact of the enormous Beastfolk head-on.Seeing the sword somewhat tilted, Corvus couldn’t help but admire how he seemingly offset the shock with his Sword Aura.“It seems that you have more practical experience than I expected.”Instead of answering, Yeomyeong swung his sword through the air. The mana rippled along the blade.A blend of various sword techniques he had stolen mixed with the basic technique of the Surging Wave technique.As the sword, honed by slaying hundreds of Shepherds, was unleashed, Corvus clashed with it directly.!!!Mana clashed with mana, causing the air to scream.The sword’s blade trembled as it met the feathered fist, causing his grip to sting.Though it was just one clash, Yeomyeong was able to confirm his opponent’s level.She was a master; one comparable to a dragon.“It is truly a formidable sword.”Corvus commented briefly before swinging her free hand.As Yeomyeong retreated using the Flying Kick technique, the violent mana-filled fist came down at the spot where Yeomyeong had been standing just moments ago.BOOM!The ground cracked, spewing dust. The trees in the vicinity shivered, and leaves scattered.“And nimble too.”Before the green leaves could even touch the ground, Corvus once again rushed in at a speed unexpected from someone her size.And the moment Corvus extended her fist, Yeomyeong’s sword flashed. A simplified Sword Aura that utilized Mara’s Palm Blast.Pu-hak!Blood splattered. Yeomyeong frowned at the long gash on Corvus’s shoulder.She took that with just her body?That was as far as his thoughts went. Before he realized it, Corvus’ fist had closed the distance and struck his body.The punch, different in movement and mana quality from the first, was truly fearsome.BOOM!Corvus’ fist exploded as it made contact with Yeomyeong’s solar plexus. Though he gritted his teeth and tried to endure it, he was inevitably lifted off the ground and thrown in the air.“Keugh!”Rolling across the floor, Yeomyeong clutched his chest and quickly got back to his feet. As expected, Corvus was charging at him again.Yeomyeong prepared to unleash his Sword Aura again but stopped when he saw Corvus’ shoulder start to regenerate.So, that was why she simply took the hit with the Sword Aura—she was also relying on regeneration.If that was the case, firing simplified Sword Aura from a distance would simply be a waste of mana.Having made up his mind, Yeomyeong immediately tightened the grip on his sword and charged at Corvus.Although he was holding a sword, the gap between the two people was not that different due to the fundamental size difference between them.The moment Corvus’ fist and Yeomyeong’s sword entered the range, the moment they were reflected in each other’s eyes, both of them exploded their mana in a surprise attack—the Surging Wave technique and Corvus’ fist.And the victor of the first clash was Yeomyeong.Puhat!The sword, infused with swirling mana, narrowly sliced past Corvus’ hands.Although the sword was meant to gain the upper hand in a slugfest, there was no trace of surprise on Corvus’ face.After all, that was not the only weapon she possessed.Corvus fought while using parts of her body that humans couldn’t.Her sharp talons and a beak typical of birds.Unlike fists, these parts, which could tear flesh with just a graze, went after Yeomyeong’s body with threatening precision.Yeomyeong twisted his sword to block the talons and dodged the beak aiming for his neck.It was unfair for Yeomyeong, who had only a single sword.He desperately wished for his shotgun and grenades, but there was no point in thinking about weapons that weren’t available.Yeomyeong gritted his teeth and used Blood Flow Acceleration.His heart raced as mana surged through his entire body, noticeably increasing the sword’s speed as he overwhelmed the pace of Corvus’s beak, talons, and fists coming at him.“Oh! You have skills other than martial arts!”Corvus, who was using her entire body as a weapon, suddenly expressed admiration.Does she still have some breathing room? Yeomyeong frowned and focused on his sword.For a while, the sword, beak, talons, and fists tangled relentlessly, targeting each other’s bodies.At some point, red blood and black feathers began to fly all over.Talons piercing his thighs, sword slicing through her fingers, blood bursting, feathers scattering.A complete slugfest with minimal defense, solely relying on their Regeneration abilities.And amidst that slugfest, the first to retreat was none other than Corvus.“I can’t believe this. You not only challenged a Beastfolk in Regeneration ability but even won! Could it be that your mother is not human?”Said Corvus as she retreated with a long gash across her chest.Yeomyeong stepped forward and replied.“…I’m an orphan; I don’t even know my parents’ faces.”Hearing this, Corvus chuckled and responded with her talons.“It seems that I had a slip of the tongue. I hope you understand with a generous heart.”Clang!The sound of talons clashing with the sword resounded, but the fight didn’t resume.Corvus had used the momentum of the sword to retreat.And instead of charging again, Yeomyeong spat out the blood in his mouth and said.“…Is this the end? Or are you planning to take a break?”Corvus, now at a considerable distance, waved her hand and replied.“No, no. It just feels like the outcome of this match won’t be determined if I only rely on martial arts.”“…”“Your level has surpassed my expectations. Honestly, I feel like applauding you. To be that strong at your age… I might have even felt a bit envious if you weren’t the Saintess’ partner!”Though the praise was a bit sudden, Yeomyeong didn’t feel particularly moved. After all, the purpose of this fight wasn’t to receive compliments.“So, should I be taking more hits?”“Unfortunately, it seems that you’re still lacking. This is entirely my fault, so I’ll apologize like this.”“…”Seeing Corvus bow her head, Yeomyeong took a deep breath and grasped his sword.And the moment he charged at her again, Corvus’ mana suddenly changed. To be precise, the mana accumulating inside her body began to flow outwards.It was a different kind of mana circulation from martial arts that strengthened the body with mana, and now it encompassed the surrounding mana.“Do you know why the word ‘crossroads’ is part of my alias?”Yeomyeong recalled Corvus’ alias as mentioned by Moryne—the Seeker of Crossroads.“It’s because I’m simultaneously walking two of the three paths permitted to Superhumans.”As if to prove those words, the mana flowing out of Corvus arranged itself in the air.“…A Mage?”“Correct. I’m both a martial artist and a Mage. If were to you ask which one is my main profession, I’d say it’s Mage.”“…”Yeomyeong frowned as he saw ice spikes blooming around Corvus. It reminded him of the dragons he encountered in Manchuria.“Well then, though it’s embarrassing, let’s move to the second round.”