The standard size for modern true swords is a blade length of 73 cm and a hilt of 27 cm.
However, the sword I used had a slightly longer blade.
The owner of the first sword I ever used was Master, and because Master was particularly large in stature.
Back then, I was tall enough to handle it comfortably.
I even went so far as to procure one that felt similar.
The sword I obtained back then is still stored in a corner of my room.
But now my body has become incredibly small.
When I picked up something similar, the sword looked unusually big in comparison.
The size of my palms is different from my athlete days.
The weight feels quite different from what I was used to, and my enhanced body differs in strength conditions.
So, it might feel somewhat unfamiliar.
Yet, the moment I gripped the hilt, it felt like all my senses returned.
The corridor for duels. I awaken in a long hallway.
The air coming through the respirator felt unusually cool.
I saw my body below.
‘Is this also a lingering attachment?’
Though I wasn’t particularly aware of it,
the equipment I had stored resembled the unique black uniform of Kendo.
Compared to the original uniform, it was slightly more revealing and had a softer texture, but that’s about it at a glance.
The light-footed feeling while walking wasn’t different from before.
Thanks to the flat terrain, it even felt like being in the dojo.
Yes. Just this once, fortune favored me.
A place where I could swing the sword without complicated thoughts.
It was the best battlefield I could ask for in my current state.
I move forward slowly.
There was no need to rush.
The opponent’s steed was fast enough.
Once the enemy’s figure was clear, I drew my sword.
The low moan of the blade. A heavier weight than usual due to the dagger I usually carried.
Breathing out to empty my lungs – I deflected the first attack.
“Hmm…”
That attack, which had once felt so heavy, now felt light.
Reusing the impact, I pierced the horse’s heart.
I immediately withdrew the sword and took the mist stance, targeting Cerberus’ unprepared waist.
A sharp metallic sound rang out.
It looked like they blocked it, but it was irrelevant.
I surged forward while pulling the sword inward.
I twisted the blade and stabbed the thigh, taking an exact one and a half steps.
Cerberus’ counterattack missed my body.
It was precisely the distance of a single knuckle.
“Could you… possibly…”
“Shut up. I’m trying to concentrate.”
I don’t need any noise.
The only sounds that should reach my ears are my breathing and the enemy’s movements.
The edges of the armor clinking together.
The subtle friction from the chainmail’s links.
The difference in breathing when a person harbors intent.
In this heightened state of awareness – I reached the conclusion without going through the process.
‘The distance I must maintain is exactly half a step. The opponent is aiming for the lower right side, around the ankle.’
I pierced the shield with the tip of the sword.
The sharp blade cut through the air, leaving a pale, lingering trail.
The arm recoiled from the impact.
It looked almost like a frightened herbivore.
I turned the blade and stabbed inside the shield, scratching the breastplate, and then withdrew.
Cerberus turned their body and aimed for a counterattack.
There was no need to respond.
Even if they twist their body now, they won’t reach me at this distance and angle.
I casually swung the blade sideways to shake off the blood.
As time passed and I drove the sword into the ground, the surging magic power dispersed weakly.
[The opponent’s magic power has been severed, triggering the ‘Cut (抉)’ effect… ]
It’s annoying.
I deleted all the irritating system messages.
I just want to clash weapons.
So I decided to do just that.
I recklessly pressed into the space between the sword and the shield.
To the opponent, it’s a long range.
I kept the distance of one step and one sword while endlessly engaging weapons.
The exhilaration rising from my stomach made it feel like my mind was melting.
It feels like I could do anything right now.
No, is it actually possible?
I deflected the rain of black blades descending from the sky.
It only looks like a lot, but if I don’t move recklessly, only a few will reach me.
It’s fundamentally not much different from deflecting a few stabs.
‘Is this guy really that slow?’
The moment I thought that, I could no longer laugh.
Ah, this isn’t good.
It already feels like bugs are crawling all over my body.
My neck itches.
From the tips of my toes, an unpleasant sticky sensation seemed to crawl upward.
It’s an illusion of being covered by a very sticky mucus.
Even though I know in my head that it’s my delusion of victimization,
It’s been quite a while since my reason and emotions started to play separately.
The fortunate thing is – even as my mind is breaking this way,
My body continues the optimal battle without pause.
“Unbelievable… !”
“Didn’t I say shut up? My words don’t seem like words anymore.”
My body moved automatically at the sight of the oncoming sword at the edge of my vision.
Deflected the blade, targeted the wrist, slit the side, stabbed the shoulder, then backed away.
During this, a dirty, unpleasant sensation covered my instep.
From the instep to the calf. From the calf to the thigh.
Then, it covered my stomach and chest and reached my head in an instant.
‘I’m hungry.’
Damn, I’m so hungry.
I should’ve eaten heartily this morning.
I should’ve said I would when mom told me to eat more.
Dinner… the family was supposed to have it together.
I liked meat.
I like fatty pork more than beef.
I enjoy roasting kimchi in the greasy pork fat and eating it together, occasionally eating a few spoons of doenjang stew. That’s my taste.
Personally, I dislike wraps. Especially when lettuce has a bitter taste.
I don’t understand why everyone likes wrap vegetables so much.
Every time I go to a meat restaurant, they bring things like lettuce, perilla leaves, and place them next to me, but I’ve never finished them.
Then mom would criticize me by hitting my back…
She can’t do that anymore now, can she?
My mom, crumpled in a car accident, was crushed all over her body while protecting me from the massive iron colliding with immense force.
A voice kept ringing in my head.
I love you, my son.
I love you, my son.
I love you, my son.
Me too, I love you too, mom.
I had to say it.
There’s no one left to hear it now.
“Ooh… Ugh.”
A wave of nausea rose from my body.
When I came to my senses, my sword was piercing Cerberus’ stomach.
The giant knight collapsed weakly, with bright red marks clearly drawn on both arms.
It’s a severance judgment. It looks like I’ve already cut him off.
I vaguely remember clashing swords a few times.
My neck itches terribly again.
It’s the limit of my patience. I couldn’t endure it any longer.
I scratched it with my nails as if tearing the skin.
I’m grateful for the 70% pain sensitivity at this moment.
Because the pain suppresses the itch.
In the real world, it would have left scars on my body, wouldn’t it?
I shouldn’t disconnect from the console until I calm down.
As I tried to strike Cerberus’ neck to finish the match, the boy looked at me with a face full of anger.
“You didn’t concentrate on me at all, did you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Bring out the swordsman again in the last match. Absolutely.”
“Sure.”
—
《 Is… is this possible? 》
《 Ah, it’s overwhelming. I can’t explain it any other way. 》
《 The highlight video is ready. Please review the video, then meet us at the analysis desk. 》
The voice clearly showed confusion.
Even the seasoned commentators were silent for a moment, which was uncommon.
It was such a shocking result.
In the video, Cerberus didn’t land a single effective hit on Gawol.
Every attack was either blocked before it even started or couldn’t surpass that one blade.
The shield that seemed impossible to penetrate was always a step slower.
When blocking the skill ‘Gripping Hands,’ Gawol didn’t even have the field of view properly secured.
For just a moment, the red eyes glanced at the place where the magic power concentrated.
– Is this going to be five games?
– If you can do this, why didn’t you use the swordsman until now?
– Does only I think Gawol seems mentally unstable?
– Scratching the neck was a bit savage;
– The concept might be excessive ㅋㅋ
As always, the chat window’s atmosphere was playful.
However, the professionals or those involved who watched the match couldn’t hide their dismay.
Cerberus has been a barrier for many.
Even in this Arena, he ended Traveler’s journey and faded Luche’s brilliance.
European League rookies often pointed to the moment they first bowed to Cerberus as the time they acknowledged their own limitations.
While Cerberus hasn’t participated in this Arena, the pro scene of Infinity Black is fundamentally team-based.
There is no lack of recognized athletes like Cerberus.
But players with such massive presence aren’t common.
Such a towering wall collapsed so helplessly.
There would probably be plenty of excuses to find if we looked.
But wasn’t he the kind of man who didn’t need to make excuses?
《This athlete has an exceptional understanding of swords. Looking at the combat metrics, they actually had the upper hand in practically all exchanges.》
《This scene is symbolic, don’t you think? Look, even before Cerberus uses the skill, the sword is already moving. 》
《That’s why the attack was blocked before it even properly started. The analysis is incredibly complex due to the mix of reactions and predictions. 》
In the midst of the rapidly changing atmosphere,
time still flowed, and the final match began.
