C1032
Martha transformed into a yellow flash, diving directly into the arms of the 9th Apostle.
'The opponent is stronger than me.'
She had to fight with all her strength from the beginning. Gathering all the Titan Aura flowing in her energy center, she unleashed a sword attack imbued with earth energy like a lightning bolt.
"You're ready to fight, I see."
The 9th Apostle didn't back down even as he saw Martha's sword attacks fall upon him as if trying to sink a sailing ship.
"Now I understand why your blood smells so sweet!"
He struck Martha's sword attack with his fist wrapped in white blood energy. The impact resonated loudly!
When Martha's sword attack, enveloped in Titan Aura, collided with the 9th Apostle's fist, also imbued with white blood energy, the ship's deck swayed as if it were going to crumble.
Martha took five steps back to dissipate the shock of the clash with the 9th Apostle, frowning.
'He really is stronger than me.'
Unlike her, who had taken five steps back, the 9th Apostle was only pushed back three steps.
Even taking into account the differences between a swordsman and a fist fighter, that meant there was more than a step difference in their martial prowess.
'High-Rank Grandmaster or perhaps...?'
No, it didn't matter either way. Whether she was a Mid-Rank Grandmaster and her opponent a High-Rank or even a Superior-Rank, her only option was to kill him.
"You're much stronger than I heard."
The 9th Apostle smiled as he tossed the woman he had been holding in his left arm behind him.
"I'm excited! How ecstatic will I feel when I drink your blood!"
He clenched both fists, igniting flames of blood energy as if he was about to properly begin.
"Your protruding mouth stinks. Could you shut up?"
Martha scoffed, gesturing with her hand for the 9th Apostle to shut his mouth.
'This guy is more monster than he looks.'
Although he was smiling on the outside, he didn't feel good on the inside. As if the impact had reached his core when he clashed with the 9th Apostle, he felt a sharp pain in his heart.
'Still, I must keep fighting.'
Her target wasn't this pig, but the leader of the Blood Religion, a first-tier Transcendent. No matter how much stronger her opponent was, she couldn't take a step back.
Martha lunged to the left side of the 9th Apostle, swinging her heavy sword horizontally along the horizon.
The blade shone intensely!
This was the technique of the Crushing Ocean Sword taught directly by Denier. The blade imbued with the mysteries of the crushing path fell towards the 9th Apostle's neck.
"You really are a crazy woman!"
The 9th Apostle showed his yellow teeth as if he was surprised by Martha's terrifying sword, throwing his fist. His blow also contained the will to pulverize his opponent, a powerful fist technique.
As the crushing sword and the powerful fist clashed repeatedly, waves of aura spread in all directions. Countless sparks erupted in the sky and the sea, creating a spectacle like fireworks. However, the ship's deck, as if made of a mineral harder than steel, didn't crack or break.
"I'll turn you into well-minced meat!"
Martha's eyes shone fiercely as she employed the killing technique of the Crushing Ocean Sword towards the 9th Apostle's heart.
"Is that something a swordsman of the Five Kings should be saying?"
The 9th Apostle shouted that it wasn't the right line for her, abruptly extending his fist wrapped in white flames.
Martha gritted her teeth as she saw the 9th Apostle's fist technique pushing towards her with pure force.
'It's disgustingly heavy.'
I feel like my own sword is attacking me.
The 9th Apostle used the same fighting style as her, overwhelming the enemy with force, speed, and weight, making it feel like fighting against a mirror.
'But why does it feel like only I'm taking damage?'
Even when defending, the crushing sword and the powerful fist techniques should inflict great shock on the opponent's body and mind.
But unlike her, who felt like she was about to suffer internal injuries with her insides aching, the 9th Apostle didn't seem to feel any pain at all.
'It's true that he's stronger than me, but he's not a Transcendent.'
It didn't make sense that the 9th Apostle, who wasn't even a Transcendent, wasn't receiving even the slightest impact from her crushing sword.
'I need to figure out what he's doing.'
Martha spun to the right, thrusting her sword towards the 9th Apostle's undulating abdomen.
"Hmph!"
The 9th Apostle snorted, raising his fist to strike the sword that had been forcefully thrust.
Martha spun her sword the moment the 9th Apostle extended his fist, aiming for his shoulder instead.
Since this was the first attack that wasn't aimed at the front, the 9th Apostle couldn't defend properly and was pushed back after receiving a great impact on his shoulder.
"Have you decided that frontal attacks won't work anymore?"
The 9th Apostle snorted as if he found her pathetic.
"..."
Martha ignored the 9th Apostle's mockery and focused on the white energy emanating from his shoulder.
'That energy is...'
She turned her gaze to the blood magic engraved throughout the deck.
"You..."
Martha frowned as she saw the 9th Apostle's shoulder instantly heal.
"You've been using blood magic in our fight."
It seemed the 9th Apostle had been using the blood magic imbued in this deck to erase the impact and wounds transmitted internally.
"You're very perceptive."
The 9th Apostle nodded, smiling faintly.
"That's right. The magic engraved on this deck can absorb blood and blood energy. Where there is absorption, there is naturally also release."
As he raised his hand, the deck shone white, emitting a large amount of blood energy.
"I eliminated the impact and pain transmitted by your sword attacks with the stored blood energy."
The 9th Apostle smiled as if he was impressed that she had noticed, wiggling his fingers.
"If I were to receive your attacks head-on like you, I wouldn't have any bones or flesh left."
He raised an eyebrow as if asking if she still intended to keep fighting.
"Eh..."
Martha exhaled briefly and took a step back.
'I need to get off this ship.'
The 9th Apostle was already stronger than her, and if he used such tricks, her chances of winning would drastically decrease.
It seemed better to fight after getting down to the port.
"There's no point running away from here."
The 9th Apostle shook his head calmly as if reading her thoughts.
"The blood magic is clustered with this barrier."
He twisted his lips, saying that the blood magic had spread throughout this port enveloped in white fog.
'It's... not a lie.'
Martha bit the inside of her cheek as she looked at the smiling 9th Apostle.
'Even now, waves of blood energy are sweeping through the port.'
Seeing the waves of blood energy created using this sailing ship dragging the entire city, the 9th Apostle's words definitely weren't a lie.
'Besides...'
Fighting there could endanger the people.
The impact of her battle with the 9th Apostle, a clash between the crushing sword and the powerful fist technique, was beyond imagination. If they weren't careful, not only the swordsmen of the Natchal Division, but also the civilians could be caught in it.
"I never thought of running away."
Martha muttered so as not to talk nonsense as she pointed her sword at the 9th Apostle.
"I need to destroy not only you, but also this ship!"
She raised her head, shouting for him to come and attack her again.
"You're putting on airs that don't suit you. Well, prey that doesn't resist isn't fun anyway."
The 9th Apostle laughed as he brought his two fists together.
"From now on, I'll crush you with all my strength."
Flames of blood energy twice as large as before ignited on his fists.
The 9th Apostle launched forward like a projectile. He violently twisted his shoulder and dropped his right fist.
"Do you think your protruding belly will stop my sword?"
Martha raised her extreme technique of the Crushing Ocean Sword towards the 9th Apostle who was charging like a wild boar.
The impact resonated loudly!
The moment the 9th Apostle's fist and her sword collided, unbearable pain surged through her arms and legs. She deliberately retreated to dissipate the shock that was building up in her body.
'The words that he would use all his strength from now on weren't a lie.'
She felt an impact twice as strong as before from the 9th Apostle's fist technique. Her insides churned as if she had already suffered internal injuries.
"We're not done yet!"
The 9th Apostle rushed to her right side, unleashing a heavy fist technique as if he wasn't giving her time to rest. Despite his enormous weight, his movements were as light as a feather.
Martha swallowed the blood that was rising in her throat and continuously deployed the forms of the Crushing Ocean Sword to block the 9th Apostle's fist techniques.
'So I've finally suffered internal injuries.'
It was natural that even Titan Aura would be penetrated after blocking numerous fists that could shake the heavens and earth. It was quite incredible that she had only now suffered internal injuries. A deep booming sound resonated!
Martha gritted her teeth as she endured the 9th Apostle's fist with her sword, which seemed like it would crush her head.
'When will Raon come?'
He should be nearby, so it shouldn't be long... Raon was in a place not too far from this port where she was. The signal had been sent, so it shouldn't be long before he arrived.
The 9th Apostle didn't miss the moment she was thinking about Raon and snapped his fingers to strike her abdomen.
"Kuhuk!"
Martha grabbed her stomach, which felt like it was going to burst, and let out a groan mixed with the smell of blood.
"I can see your concentration is fading!"
The 9th Apostle smiled coldly and launched his fist, burning with blood energy, from below upwards.
Although she tried to defend herself somehow, the Titan Aura imbued in her sword shattered and she was thrown back, hitting her back against the railing of the deck. The pain was severe, as if her bones had broken.
"Ugh..."
Martha barely managed to get up, but her hand holding the sword trembled due to the pain transmitted throughout her body.
"Where did your proud attitude go? Why are you hunched over like that?"
The 9th Apostle tilted his head as if asking if she was done already.
"Judging by your expression, you seem to be waiting for Raon Zieghart?"
He twisted his lips, saying it was obvious she was thinking about something else.
"Stop talking nonsense."
Martha bit her lips and gritted her teeth.
"Unfortunately, this situation will end before he arrives."
The 9th Apostle shook his head, saying she wouldn't have the chance to see Raon. It seemed he had a way to get out of this place without using the sea route.
"Now die."
He fired a fist technique burning with blood energy even larger than before, as if he wanted to finish it.
"Haah..."
Martha exhaled heavily as she saw the fist of blood energy approaching her.
'Waiting for Raon to come?'
Since when did I think I was going to lose?
She had clearly started the fight determined to kill the 9th Apostle with her own hands.
But after realizing that she was outmatched in martial prowess and magical preparation, she started fighting more passively than before. It was natural to be pushed back when fighting with the idea that she couldn't win against her opponent.
"You're a stupid woman!"
Martha slapped herself on the cheek and brought her sword towards the 9th Apostle's fist.
The sound of metal clashing resonated repeatedly!
Her sword, which had been pushed back consistently since the beginning of the battle, emitted a deep yellow light and pushed back the 9th Apostle's blood energy.
"If I can't kill this bastard, I'll never achieve my revenge!"
Martha shouted as she pressed the 9th Apostle's fist with her sword held with both hands.
'Burn it all.'
Burn your anger and your soul!
If she couldn't defeat the 9th Apostle, who wasn't even a Transcendent, rescuing her mother from the leader of the Blood Religion would be a distant dream.
She moved forward, swearing to die fighting here if she couldn't win.
"What...?"
The 9th Apostle's eyes widened in surprise as he saw Martha's will pushing his fist while she spat blood.
"You're an even more dangerous woman than you appear!"
He took a step back for the first time, seeming to feel something ominous in Martha's unwavering gaze.
"I shouldn't give you any more time."
The 9th Apostle extended the blood energy that had been concentrated in his fists throughout his body.
"I'll erase all traces of you and Zieghart's subjects!"
He launched forward enveloped in flames of blood energy, stomping on the deck as if he wanted to destroy it. It seemed like a huge projectile was heading towards her. A booming rumble resonated!
Martha let out a short sigh as she saw the 9th Apostle approaching her in an instant.
'Raon told me to embrace my emotions.'
Raon had advised her to focus not only on swordsmanship and aura, but also on emotions and willpower after awakening from her state of enlightenment. She didn't fully understand his words at the time, but now she seemed to understand.
'I need to burn my willpower and my soul.'
The oath she had made from the moment she wielded the sword. She awakened her soul burning with anger by turning her promise to destroy the Blood Religion and save her mother into willpower. A deep booming sound resonated!
Martha squared her shoulders and dropped her sword imbued with conviction towards the 9th Apostle who was charging.
Crushing Ocean Sword Technique. Untouchable Crushing Heaven. Martha's sword blade ignited with a deep, profound glow as her willpower for revenge burned upon her. The sound of metal clashing resonated repeatedly!
The ultimate swordsmanship that embodies force, speed, weight, and the crushing path collided with the 9th Apostle's body enveloped in extreme heaviness and hardness.
Sssss!
As the 9th Apostle's blood energy and Martha's sword clashed head-on, a terrifying shockwave spread not only through the ship, but throughout the entire port.
A booming explosion resonated!
***
"He's over there!"
Lawaine pointed towards the port filled with white fog. It didn't seem particularly strange given the storm raging in the surrounding sea.
'Now I see it clearly.'
Raon snorted as he looked at the port filled with fog.
'It's artificial energy.'
Although the white fog seemed natural, it was emitting a very subtle distorted energy. Even he could barely feel it, so others probably just thought it was fog settling.
- It smells like disgusting blood.
Wrath frowned as he scanned the fog.
- It must be the work of those bloodsuckers.
He clicked his tongue, saying it was clearly the work of the Blood Religion. The Blade of Requiem also resonated more intensely than before, as if it felt the smell of blood that Wrath mentioned.
'That's right.'
Raon nodded as he gripped the vibrant Blade of Requiem.
'Well, only those blood demons would do something like this.'
There are many villains who kill people, but only the Blood Religion would kidnap and take away more than half. He had suspected it when he heard that there were no corpses at all, and it seems his suspicions were correct: it was, in fact, the work of the blood demons.
"Everyone prepare for battle. We'll enter immediately... Hm?"
Raon frowned as he told Dorian and the swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace to prepare to fight immediately.
'That guy was here too.'
The face of a blue wolf floated on the sea next to the port.
'It's quite different from before.'
Instead of the pure energy of the sea it had shown before, the Blue Wolf now emitted a sinister energy full of malice. It no longer felt like a spirit, but like a monster.
'Was it really a demonic beast raised by the Blood Religion?'
Seeing the wolf's glassy eyes, it didn't seem to be in its right mind. However, there was no time to deal with that wolf now. He needed to save the people of the port first.
"The, the ship won't enter!"
Lawaine frowned, saying that the ship wouldn't move towards the port because of the barrier.
"Please wait a moment. First, we need to break the barrier..."
Just as he was about to call the mage sailor, a massive surge of mana erupted from within the barrier. Boom! Given the feel of the Titan Aura, it seemed Martha was desperately fighting a blood demon from the Blood Religion.
"We don't have time to wait. I'll open it."
Raon stepped forward in the air, standing before the fog barrier. He imbued Heavenly Drive with the heat of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and dropped an extreme Crimson Slash. A golden flash enveloped in flames connected heaven and earth, shattering the fog barrier that filled the space between them. The barrier shattered with a loud boom!
The Blood Religion's barrier shattered into thousands of pieces, slowly revealing the appearance of the port.
The first thing that caught his eye was, naturally, the sea in front of the port. A huge sailing ship was half destroyed and sinking, and on the split deck lay a middle-aged man with his flesh torn from his shoulder to his waist.
Martha pointed her sword at the middle-aged man's neck, who was coughing up blood, even as she swayed as if she were about to fall.
'Did Martha defeat that guy?'
Even dying, the energy of the man who seemed to be an Apostle overwhelmed Martha. It was hard to understand how Martha had defeated such a monster.
"It's thanks to you."
Martha smiled painfully as she looked over here, as if reading his thoughts.
"And this is just the beginning."
Despite having overcome a grueling battle, she clenched her blood-soaked fist, burning with an intense fighting spirit.
"Of my revenge!"
-
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