Chapter 82: My Swords Carry A Weight Too Heavy For You To Bear

Matt floated back with a curious expression as his eyes locked onto the one who had blocked his attack. Kai stood there, killing intent visible in his gaze. The two swordsmen recognized each other's strength and power instantly.

Kai's attention then shifted to Adan, who was kneeling on the ground, coughing up blood with a pale complexion. "Why do I always find you in such a pathetic state?" Kai asked with a warmer expression.

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Adan grinned weakly, staring up at him.

"From the first day we met, I saved you from Elijah and Julia. Then the second time, you were begging for a pill from Julia, and now this. Three times. It's starting to feel like I'm your knight in shining armor," Kai joked.

Adan laughed painfully, "HAHAHAHAHA! Now that you mention it, you've always been there, huh?"

His eyes shifted to Stella, who seemed unharmed, and he smiled weakly. "I really hate being weak... and a coward."

Kai patted his head. "Bro, don't think too much about it. We've got your back. Where you fall short, we're there for you, and where we fall short, you'll be there. That's how it works."

'You guys are too kind,' Adan thought before passing out. Kai's face darkened as shadows enveloped him. A mask materialized over his face, his eyes turning a piercing yellow. His power surged from merely Advanced tier to King tier in an instant.

"Tank, take Stella and Adan back to the ship," Kai's hollow voice commanded. Tank, who wasn't far off, quickly gathered the two and fled.

Tank glanced back, recalling just how terrifying his masters could be. Despite their demeanor, it was easy to forget their sheer power. Kai unsheathed his two swords and stared Matt down. "I am Kai, the man destined to be the greatest swordsman. Consider it an honor to die by my blades."

"HAHAHAHAHA! Is that so?" Matt's lazy expression vanished as he realized he had found a real opponent—another swordsman.

Power erupted from both sides, the ground cracking beneath them as they disappeared and clashed at the center, sending a massive shockwave that obliterated everything within fifty meters. Tank ran, not wanting to be anywhere near the battle.

Their technique was flawless. Kai could sense it—this was someone who could help him reach the next realm. He had known for weeks that he was close, and now, facing a swordsman of this caliber, excitement coursed through him.

TING! TING! TING!

Kai leaped back, sending two crescent-shaped arcs of energy toward Matt using his twin katanas. Matt blocked them, slashing through the air, though the force pushed him back slightly, a smile creeping across his face.

Their swords danced fiercely, but with precision. Crescent arcs of energy flew in every direction, leaving deep gashes in the ground. Every clash between their weapons wrought destruction across the battlefield.

"Two Sword Style: Crossing Wave!" Kai whirled his swords, unleashing a barrage of energy waves toward Matt. Matt dodged, blocked, and deflected the attacks as both moved at incredible speeds, pushing the limits of their rank.

"One Sword Style: Water Snake!" Matt closed the distance, slashing toward Kai. A serpent made of water formed from his blade and rushed forward. Kai braced himself for impact, and it came.

BBBOOOOMMM!

The pressurized water exploded, sending Kai flying. He used his swords to regain his footing, but Matt was relentless. Appearing above Kai, he used another technique—"One Sword Style: Snake Strike." His sword was still sheathed as he charged, the air around him growing cold with a blue aura.

Kai responded instantly. "Two Sword Style: Dark Twister!" He spun, darkness swirling around him as Matt's water-covered sword came crashing down.

BBBBBOOOOMMMM!

Blue energy clashed with swirling darkness, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Trees were torn apart, and the ground shattered, cracks spreading for meters in every direction.

Matt sent another crescent-shaped arc, carving deep into the earth as it shot toward Kai. Crossing his swords, Kai deflected it, though he was pushed back once again. "So you're finally taking this seriously."

Matt's footsteps echoed as Kai caught his breath. Inwardly, Matt was already preparing his next move. "One Sword Style: Water Domain." Kai felt his surroundings shift.

The ground beneath him turned to stagnant water. This wasn't an illusion—it was Matt's domain, his power made manifest.

Sensing the danger, Kai wielded both swords. "Two Sword Style: Dark Dragon Roar!" He slashed forward, his movements seemingly impossible as his blades whirled through the air. But Matt remained calm, speaking his final move aloud. "Ultimate Slash."

The two swordsmen moved simultaneously, slashing past each other. For a moment, they stood still, backs turned.

But only one had been cut.

Blood splattered from Kai's chest, and his mask crumbled as he fell to the ground, coughing up blood. Before he could even hit the dirt, another explosion of energy surged through him, tearing his insides apart.

"I win, future greatest swordsman," Matt said with a grin. Though their fight had seemed evenly matched, it was far from the truth. Unlike Levi, who wanted Elijah to grow stronger, Matt wanted Kai dead.

Matt had started to worry as Kai improved with every strike. He was creeping closer to the realm of mastery, his control over his body and mana increasing rapidly. Letting the battle drag on would only favor Kai, so Matt decided to end it before it became too troublesome.

As Matt began to walk away, he suddenly froze. A voice rang out behind him.

"Your sword... it has no weight."

Matt's eyes widened as he felt the unique aura surrounding Kai. 'Impossible... he can't have reached that level so soon.'

"My swords carry a weight too heavy for you to bear," Kai said, rising to his feet and picking up his twin blades.

"Shall we continue?" Kai asked, a fierce determination burning in his eyes.