Chapter 840

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When you master the shadow sword, Soul Slash becomes an ability rather than a sword technique.

The ability to claim the life of an opponent whose will is weaker than the caster's. Even if the target possesses absolute strength surpassing the caster, they cannot prevent their soul from being severed.

And Temar was undoubtedly the person who came closest to mastering the shadow sword among mortals.

Murakan was well aware of this fact from the beginning and had been conscious of the Soul Slash throughout the entire battle.

He had witnessed firsthand how Elona Zipfel, who was clearly stronger than Temar, nearly died while facing the Soul Slash.

At that time, Elona Zipfel screamed and struggled against the power of the Soul Slash.

And now, Murakan was doing the same.

[Aaaaaa...!]

Murakan, who had not shown any signs of exhaustion or pushed back throughout the long battle, let out a scream of pain for the first time.

Every time Murakan screamed and twisted his body, something black like smoke emanated from him, and the blade of Barisada pulled that smoke towards it.

As the smoke touched the blade, Murakan felt the pain increase. Instinctively, he realized that Temar was severing his soul with the Soul Slash.

It wasn't physical pain.

It was the things he had tried hard to ignore, things he never wanted to remember again.

To the Murakan in the video, it was an event that happened not long ago, but to the current Murakan, it was events from a thousand years ago. Whether it was then or now, those were memories he would rather forget.

Temar was fully aware of this. He knew that if he wanted to defeat Murakan, he had to directly strike his soul with the Soul Slash.

Breaking his heart would be a matter to deal with later.

"It seems you still have emotions within you."

[Shut up...!]

"On which day are you facing now? The day you killed Dranax and his entire clan, the Kamalga? Or the day you ruthlessly murdered Vyollo who came to seek revenge against you?"

Clank...!

As they conversed, Temar involuntarily clenched his teeth. Thinking of those they had lost at the hands of Murakan, an uncontrollable rage surged within him.

However, he had to suppress his emotions to prevent falling into demonization. If he were to lose control of himself again, he would become the same monster as Murakan.

Moreover, now is the moment of revenge. If he were to let anger cloud his judgment, Temar feared he would never be able to face his fallen comrades, knights, and the people who believed in and relied on him.

Therefore, even though Temar had gained the upper hand in a single breath, he proceeded with the Soul Slash cautiously. As long as he avoided falling into demonization, he was confident that he could eventually kill Murakan, even if it took time.

As Temar had said, Murakan was facing the day he killed Dranax and Vyollo.

Dranax had begun using the name of Runcandel instead of Kamalga, but the members of Kamalga still considered Dranax their leader.

His brother, Kaiten Kamalga, the new patriarch, did not find it uncomfortable. On the contrary, he felt proud of his brother and Dranax also visited the southern regions of Huphester whenever he had time to relax with his family.

Kamalga had become one of the most important allied clans of Runcandel, and all its members, like Dranax, were eager to be on the front lines of the battlefield.

Murakan enjoyed mocking Dranax and Kamalga by calling them a bunch of idiots.

Until he made up his mind to kill both Dranax and Kamalga, Murakan had been very close to them.

"Murakan...! How could you do this? My older brother trusted you even more than he trusted me. If he had to choose between you and one of us Kamalgas, he would probably have chosen you... because it was for the sake of the world! And you, how could you... kill elder brother Dranax."

Tears welled up in Murakan's eyes.

But Temar's sword continued to inflict wounds on his soul. As the black smoke was repeatedly cut and dispersed like paper, Murakan found himself buried in painful memories that became clearer even when he closed his eyes.

[Dranax... what have I done to you.]

"Dranax... yes, he must have had enough reason to annoy you. But why did you annihilate Kamalga? You didn't even spare the children. What... what deep grudge did you hold against that idiot, Dranax? What wrongs did Kamalga's children commit?"

Vyollo, who had come seeking revenge, was unable to speak for a while, choked with emotion.

"You guys were close. You insulted each other and fought for real at times, but you never truly hated each other. At least that's what Dranax and others believed. They thought that someday when we are cornered and fighting against Zipfel, you will stay to the end to avenge us and honor our souls. Even if you couldn't seek revenge, you would survive to remember us..."

[Yes, Vyollo. I will remember everything. Now, rest.]

"No, forget about us. Even if we die, we cannot forget you. We don't want to be remembered by you. Even if we become ghosts, we will curse you, over and over again. The future that Soldelet wishes for will eventually meet a dark end, cursed and drenched in blood."

[Vyollo...! I had no choice; I truly had no choice!]

"I don't know what your so-called 'no choice' was, but it doesn't justify the things you have done. Even Zipfel would not have been so cruel."

Tears of blood flowed from Temar's eyes as he struggled to maintain the precarious balance between demonization and rationality.

"Now, is killing people just a mere pastime for you, Murakan? People say that wherever your wings pass, only ashes remain. They say you have no mercy even for children."

Frey Runcandel.

Even in the midst of her internal confusion, she did her best to save people. When those suffering begged for it, she would reluctantly ease their burdens, and on the battlefield, her gaze always fell on the weakest and most difficult to survive.

"No, maybe you were always that kind of being. Perhaps you were frustrated, concealing that vile nature all this time. But looking at us now... it's probably enough compensation for you. More than tormenting and trampling on the ones who gave you everything."

Frey had bestowed countless mercy and love upon the world. However, she had only loved one person as a woman, and that was Murakan.

She stood up to Murakan much more fiercely than Dranax and Vyollo, who had died before her.

She didn't end the fight in one go, but whenever she found herself in danger, she somehow managed to escape and look forward to the next opportunity. Some days, she gained enlightenment right before being killed and managed to survive.

But it didn't last long. Eventually, Frey met her death at Murakan's black chain.

"You have gone mad... due to Zipfel's manipulation of history."

Murakan, transformed into a human, sank to the ground and cried hoarsely. The Murakan of a thousand years ago and the current Murakan were both crying and suffering, which was all they could do.

Before anyone knew it, Temar had cut most of the black smoke between him and Murakan. Just a few more steps and he could pierce Murakan's heart.

Jin and the Ten Great Knights, despite being mere observers, were holding their breaths as if they were standing right next to them.

Based on what had been revealed so far, Murakan was clearly a traitor, and it was true that he had killed the Ten Great Knights. He was responsible for the annihilation of innocent people and for spreading fear throughout Huphester.

Yet, despite all that.

Jin and the Ten Great Knights found themselves silently cheering for the Murakan of a thousand years ago. They wished he wouldn't fall like this, and they hoped he wouldn't succumb to a long slumber after being stabbed by Temar.

They were certain that there must be some reason behind Murakan's actions. It might not be justifiable as Temar had pointed out, but they couldn't imagine Murakan doing those things for no reason at all.

All the shadow force that was forming the subspace was now concentrated in the Soul Slash.

As the darkness lifted, the landscape revealed a vast and desolate land resembling a gray desert, devoid of any sign of life.

"Murakan, I could also glimpse your memories through the sword. Dranax, Vyollo, Frey. My comrades, my friends, whom I couldn't even bid farewell to, whom I sent away in vain. The pain of losing them will not fade away, no matter how many times I strike you. The agony they went through will never be erased."

Thump...!

Barisada pierced Murakan's chest. Despite the transformation weakening his heart, it was still as strong as it had been in his true form.

Murakan showed no signs of pain or movement.

"Yes, I suppose so..."

"When I twist this sword, you will die. I can't inflict any more pain on you, and it's unjust to end it like this. I have one last question... Why did you do it?"

Temar's hand trembled as he held the sword. The pupil on his eye, marked with dried tears of blood, was vacant.

"What do you mean by the circumstances that were 'beyond your control'? Was it for the sake of a future a thousand years from now? Does this horrifying betrayal, massacre, have anything to do with it?"

"I know nothing about the future a thousand years from now... I have no knowledge of the world's truth that you discovered through the witch."

"Then why?"

"Why...?"

Murakan slowly raised his head and looked at Temar.

"Temar, do you know where we are right now?"

"This is the land where you will die."

"Temar... this place used to be called Idal. It was ruled by Padler, the land he loved more than his own life. It was his homeland, the kingdom of Idal..."

And you, Temar, turned Idal into this wasteland.

Murakan continued, grabbing the blade of Barisada with both hands.

"That's why I can't die here... Even though I want to die, even though I'm going mad with the desire to die. Temar, I'm sorry. Before you commit more terrible deeds, before you further break, before your enemies take advantage of you, I have to stop. Because I am your Guardian Dragon."

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