Chapter 133

Chapter 133. The Legacy of the Iron Fist (2)

What exactly does the term “genius” refer to?

Someone who masters a technique in one go that others would need to repeat a thousand or ten thousand times?

Someone who can solve complex equations at a glance?

Of course, those would fall under the category of “genius.”

“But.”

That is ultimately a realm that can be reached with enough time and effort.

If one can master a technique by repeating it a thousand or ten thousand times.

If even the most complex equations can be solved by breaking them down one by one.

Is the difference between a genius and an ordinary person merely a matter of time?

“No.”

I know.

Because I have poured more time into it than anyone else.

Because I have exerted more effort than anyone else.

No matter how much an ordinary person struggles, they cannot even reach the feet of a true genius.

And right before my eyes, that “genius” was swinging a blazing sword.

“Sun Sword 7th Form, Variant Technique: Halo-Chain.”

Rings of light formed in the air, connecting to create chains of light.

The chains of light, swirling along the trajectory, densely covered the entire surrounding space.

It was as if a golden palace made of light had been created in the air.

The dazzling brilliance sent a shiver down my spine.

‘What is that?’

It was a technique even Yuren from my past life had never shown.

Even I, who could confidently say I had a mastery of the “Sun Sword” that was second to none, had never been able to link halos together to create chains of light like that.

‘And she’s doing it while controlling the color of her aura?’

Yuren… no, Yurina’s original aura color is a cold, silvery moonlight.

However, when she takes on Yuren’s form, she changes her aura color to gold by controlling her magic power, a task that was no small feat.

‘And yet, she’s performing such intricate swordsmanship in that state.’

It’s like threading a needle while wearing thick gloves.

Of course, Yurina has been changing her aura color since she was very young, so it has become as natural as breathing.

But even so, controlling the color of her aura while performing such breathtaking techniques is not something just anyone can do.

Yes, literally.

‘It’s impossible unless you’re a genius.’

I clenched my fist as I watched Yuren fiercely press the Guardian.

Yes, this is it.

The astonishing genius that no ordinary person can ever hope to match, no matter how hard they struggle.

It was the very image of the “Last Light,” Yuren Helios, that I knew.

‘No, perhaps even more than that.’

The swordsmanship Yurina is showing now is something even Yuren from my past life had never used.

In other words, her genius has already bloomed beyond the level of her past life.

‘And.’

My gaze shifted past Yurina to Berald, Iris, and Camila.

Though not as much as Yurina, their growth was also blindingly impressive.

“Hyahhhh!”

Berald charged toward the Guardian bound by chains of light.

Berald swung his massive fist, as big as a pot lid, toward the Guardian.

[Target behavior pattern analyzed.]

[Analysis result: Warrior specialized in hand-to-hand combat.]

[Response difficulty – Medium.]

“A warrior? What do you mean by that?”

Berald grinned and suddenly pulled back his fist, then raised his leg high and stomped the ground with great force.

“Earth Quake!”

Kwoooong!

With a powerful shock, the ground beneath the Guardian caved in.

As the Guardian lost its balance and staggered, Berald pulled his leg back as if preparing to kick a ball.

Berald Martial Arts.

Thunder Kick.

Kwaaaaang!

The kick, swung with terrifying speed, struck the Guardian’s knee.

The knee bent at a grotesque angle, and the Guardian collapsed to the ground.

“See! Who wouldn’t call that a proper mage?”

Berald laughed heartily as he looked down at the fallen Guardian.

Zzzzt.

Sparks flew around the Guardian’s body.

[Ma…gic?]

[Target language pattern undecipherable.]

[Critical damage detected in lower body.]

“Hyahhh!”

Camila rushed toward the Guardian, whose movement was now completely restricted.

“Hyah!”

She swung her claymore, wrapped in pure white aura, with both hands.

Kaaang!

The Guardian raised its arm to block her sword.

[Target behavior pattern analyzed.]

[Analysis result: Warrior specializing in two-handed swords. Attack patterns are straightforward and honest.]

[Response difficulty – Low.]

“Tch…”

Camila frowned as she heard the voice coming from the Guardian.

Again.

Once more, her sword was described as “honest.”

“Candidate Camila’s sword is too honest. It would be good to learn some more techniques.”

Professor Elisha’s words during the final evaluation came to mind.

‘…Techniques.’

It’s not like she hasn’t tried.

To incorporate techniques into her sword and perform flashy swordsmanship.

‘But.’

Every time she tried, she remembered the scene she witnessed as a child.

During the knight selection exam.

The sword of Johann Basil, the current 4th-ranked hero, “Sword of the Holy Kingdom,” right before her eyes.

‘Sir Johann’s sword was honest too.’

A sword that was honest and upright, without any techniques.

The young girl trembled with awe as she watched his sword.

She thought she wanted to become a hero with an upright sword like Sir Johann someday.

But.

‘Is it… out of my reach?’

Camila bit her lip and adjusted her grip on the sword.

When she tried to swing her sword with “techniques,” as Professor Elisha had advised.

“There’s no need to force techniques into it.”

A soft voice reached her ears.

“Just swing your sword the way you want to. The way you feel like doing it.”

“…Hmph.”

Camila snorted as she turned to look at me.

“What do you know about me to say something like that?”

“Well, I don’t know much. It’s only been a few months since we’ve known each other.”

In truth, I didn’t know much about her.

In my past life, she had been caught up in the schemes of the Grand Archbishop of Dreaming and lost her life.

“Even so…”

“But I do know one thing.”

I continued, looking at Camila.

“There’s no one in the Holy Kingdom right now who can inherit the title of ‘Sword of the Holy Kingdom’ except you.”

In my past life, after Johann Basil’s death, no hero had inherited the title of “Sword of the Holy Kingdom.”

“So. Swing the sword you want to.”

“……”

Camila’s eyes wavered slightly.

“Hmph. You sure know how to talk.”

She turned her body with a faint smile.

“Saintess! Please grant me your blessing!”

“Got it!”

A pure white light flowed into her body, filling her with vitality.

She poured the overflowing vitality into her sword.

“Hyahhhh!”

She swung her sword once more.

Like the sword she had seen in her youth.

A sword that was infinitely honest and upright.

[Target behavior detected.]

[Counterattack protocol activated━]

Kwaddeuk!

Camila’s sword split the Guardian’s head in two.

Sparks flew from the split head, and the Guardian’s movements completely stopped.

“Haah, haah.”

“Phew. Moving around all day is tiring.”

“Ugh… I agree.”

“Everyone, come over here. I’ll cast a spell to help you recover from fatigue.”

Seeing that the Guardian’s movements had completely stopped, the party members collapsed to the ground as if lying down.

I looked at them and nodded with satisfaction.

‘At first, I was worried that bringing them to such a high-level ruin was too much for their current level.’

Perhaps the whip (?) had worked.

After initially being completely overwhelmed by the Guardian, the party members had shown noticeable improvement.

‘Everyone here is a genius who will leave a significant mark on history.’

In fact, their genius had bloomed to an astonishing degree compared to their past lives.

‘When their blooming genius is combined with the right experience.’

They show growth speeds that are beyond reason.

“Good job, everyone.”

I approached the party members and handed them a chilled water bottle.

“Thanks. I’ll drink it well… Ah.”

Yuren, who was about to take the water bottle, seemed to have no strength in his hands and dropped it.

I quickly caught the falling bottle.

“Sorry. My hands are weak…”

“I’ll feed you, so tilt your head back.”

“…Feed me?”

“Yeah. You don’t have the energy to drink it yourself, do you?”

“Ahem… Okay.”

Yuren swallowed hard and tilted his head back slightly.

I supported his head with my hand and slowly tilted the bottle.

Drip, drip, drip.

The water from the bottle fell into Yuren’s mouth.

“Gulp, gulp.”

“Feeling better?”

“Me too! Feed me too!”

Iris, who had been watching from the side, raised her hand with sparkling eyes.

“Huh? Iris, you’re a non-combat type, so you’re fine…”

“Are you saying that healers don’t have the right to drink water because they didn’t directly participate in combat?”

“…Sorry.”

There’s an old saying that parties that neglect support classes don’t last long.

“Hehe. Then feed me quickly.”

Iris quickly approached me and opened her mouth, “Ah.”

I stifled a laugh and fed water to Iris, who looked like a baby bird with her mouth open.

“Ah. This is… Dale’s holy water…”

“No.”

What are you talking about, Saintess?

“Brother. Feed me some water too. I can’t move a single finger.”

“Oh? Really?”

I flipped the bottle toward Berald’s head.

“Kuhuk! Pfft!”

Berald, drenched in the pouring water, rubbed his face with his hands and quickly sat up.

“You’re moving just fine.”

“Ugh. Aren’t you being too harsh on me?”

Berald pouted.

I chuckled and approached the fallen Guardian.

Inside the shattered Guardian was a magic stone glowing with a radiant light.

“This makes the third one.”

Not all Guardians carry magic stones, but compared to monsters, the probability of obtaining one is significantly higher.

‘This should be enough for the offering.’

I nodded with satisfaction as I looked at the three high-grade magic stones in my pocket.

“Then, since we’ve finished exploring the ruins, shall we head back?”

It had already been about a week since we started exploring the ruins.

The party members were getting tired from the continuous battles, so it was about time to head back.

“Hehe! When we get back, I’ll throw a barbecue party at my place!”

Perhaps it was because he was energized by the thought of soon being able to cure his father’s illness.

Berald stood up with a lively expression.

“Let’s see, was the path this way?”

“It’s the other way, man.”

“Huh? Brother. Look over there.”

Berald, who had been running in the wrong direction, suddenly stopped.

“Isn’t there something like a path over there?”

Where Berald pointed, there was a hidden path cleverly concealed between the walls of the ruins.

‘Ah, that place.’

I had found it once in my past life.

‘It looks like a hidden place, but if you follow the path, there’s nothing there.’

Recalling that memory, I moved toward the hidden path Berald had pointed out.

Following the path led to a wide cavern.

And inside…

“Look. There’s nothing… huh?”

A gauntlet emitting an extraordinary aura floated in mid-air.

“What’s this?”

Why is it here?