Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 279

Theo’s figure had become a mere blur, moving so quickly that it was nearly impossible to discern his form. His lungs burned, each breath straining against the pressure in his chest, but despite it all, a sense of exhilaration coursed through him.

Neck, abdomen, thigh.

A rapid sequence of three strikes.

His attacks came so fast that it seemed as if all three blows were delivered simultaneously. From the Second Apostle’s front, Theo’s relentless flurry of strikes was like a storm of death.

Thud-thud-thud-thud—

The thunderous resonance of the Triple Core reverberated in his ears, drowning out the sounds of the battlefield. Even though the Apostle seemed to be shouting curses at him, not a word was audible amidst the chaos.

“Just a bit more.”

Though holding Caliburn still strained his hands, the weight was starting to feel less burdensome. Slowly, he was adapting to the sword’s presence. Each strike became smoother and sharper than the last.

Shick!

The Apostle’s dark claws grazed Theo’s right cheek, leaving a thin line of blood. But Theo paid it no mind. Avoiding every injury wasn’t his goal. What mattered now was surrendering himself fully to this rhythm, to this sensation.

For the first time, he unleashed techniques he once would have hesitated to use, executing them with complete abandon.

“Damn you!” the Apostle snarled.

Though shallow, a long line of blood now ran down the Apostle’s chest where Theo’s sword had struck. But it wasn’t just the visible damage that mattered.

“I can see it.”

The Apostle’s movements were no longer inscrutable. Theo’s perception had sharpened to the point where every action seemed to break down into distinct, measurable increments.

“Is this foresight?”

The ability he had awakened during his fevered delirium was now fully emerging in battle against this overwhelming opponent. Each feint, every deceptive movement, was laid bare before his eyes.

Even the Apostle’s most ferocious assaults could now be dodged with the smallest motions, avoiding harm without needing to raise his sword.

“I told you,” Theo said, his voice calm yet cutting. “You’ll die a death worse than a dog or a mosquito.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, as sharp and unforgiving as the blade in his hands.

***

Theo's icy gaze swept over the Second Apostle, his sharp eyes dissecting the Apostle’s every move. An unidentifiable unease began to flicker across the Apostle's face, an expression of bewilderment blooming as if encountering something alien.

This wasn’t mere frustration from having his attacks read. What disturbed the Apostle was the eerie sensation that Theo wasn’t just predicting his movements—he was reacting as if he already knew them. It felt as if Theo was playing a game where he had seen the script in advance.

The Apostle knew what this feeling was, though it had been so long since he last experienced it that he had nearly forgotten.

Deep within the recesses of his mind, the forgotten emotion crawled forth, bringing with it a chill that raised the hair on his skin.

“Fear...? Am I feeling fear?”

Fear had been an extinct emotion for him. Ever since he devoted himself to the Holy Church of Light, such weakness had been eradicated, replaced by unwavering faith.

But now, there was no denying it. The sensation was unmistakable: raw, unfiltered fear.

“This cannot be!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Second Apostle roared, swinging his right arm in a wide arc and unleashing a storm of mana projectiles like a shotgun blast. Yet, even this was futile. Theo vanished before the attack could connect, only to reappear in the instant the explosions subsided, his blade slicing forward.

Ssshhh—

The Apostle barely avoided a fatal cut to his carotid artery, but the chilling sensation of the blade’s proximity left him unnerved.@@@@

“How can such a human exist?”

It felt as though he was trapped under the hand of a god, every thought and movement laid bare. Every action, every plan, seemed to be anticipated, leaving him drowning in a tide of humiliation.

“I must kill him before he becomes any stronger. I must be the one to do it!”

Theo’s growth was staggering—an exponential climb toward greatness. A man barely out of youth, yet already surpassing thresholds most would never approach.

The Apostle realized something chilling: this young man would one day become a disaster for the Holy Church of Light. Perhaps, he already was.

“Die!”

BOOM!

Massive torrents of water surged from both sides, crashing together with violent force. Theo and his companions leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the raging waves.

The Apostle twisted his hands, gesturing sharply toward the sky.

Krrraaaah—!

Between the surging waves, small volcanoes erupted in unison, creating a hellish landscape of fire and molten rock.

Whoooosh!

Columns of flame burst skyward, the raging inferno devouring everything in its path. Trees ignited instantly, their flames climbing higher with each passing moment. Smoke thickened, obscuring the heavens as the forest became a blazing purgatory.

As the darkness condensed, it coalesced into his right hand, taking the form of an enormous spear.

Crackle, crackle—

The spear shimmered with black sparks, the overwhelming energy threatening to break the fabric of reality itself.

Theo’s instincts screamed at him. Even without Foresight, he could sense the danger emanating from the spear.

“This is deadly. I can’t let this hit.”

The spear was infused with the entirety of the Apostle’s remaining life force, augmented further with layered magic circles that sparked along its surface. Its aura was so fierce that the mere act of standing in its presence was suffocating.

If struck directly, death was certain. Even evasion would likely result in catastrophic injury.

“There’s only one way to stop this.”

Theo stepped forward, his resolve unshaken. He recalled the lessons of his Enlightenment at the Gate of Ascension, grounding himself in the memories of his growth and struggles.

Tzzt, tzzt—

His body began to shift, assuming the traits of his draconic transformation. The Triple Core surged in perfect synchronization, powering his movements and his thoughts.

Theo gripped Caliburn tightly, pouring his mana into the sword, seeking to unify with its essence.

“Sword and wielder as one.”

It was a realm he had yet to fully achieve, but the battle had brought him closer than ever. The sword was no longer a mere tool—it was a companion, a partner.

DONG—

A resonant chime echoed in his mind as his mana fused seamlessly with Caliburn. A tingling sensation spread through his fingers, a mix of precision and devastation ready to be unleashed.

The storm of the Apostle’s energy clashed against Theo’s focused calm. The battlefield held its breath.

Then, the silence shattered.

Step, step, step—

A steady, unhurried set of footsteps echoed through the void, cutting through the tension like a knife. The sound was casual, almost mocking, as if its owner cared nothing for the apocalyptic clash about to unfold.

Theo’s gaze darted toward the source.

“Who is that?”

Emerging from the oppressive darkness was a figure, walking calmly as though taking a stroll through a park. The figure paid no heed to Theo or the Second Apostle, striding directly into the epicenter of their clash.

Fwoom—

As the figure stepped between them, the overwhelming tension dissipated. The spear’s violent energy calmed, and the darkness receded.

“!?”

The figure appeared human at first glance, but Theo quickly realized that wasn’t the case.

“I can’t read him at all.”

Chills ran down Theo’s spine. The lack of discernible presence was deeply unsettling. Even with his heightened perception, the figure was a complete enigma.

Nearby, the Second Apostle trembled uncontrollably, muttering under his breath.

“...The First Apostle...”

Theo’s eyes widened in shock. The First Apostle had entered the battlefield. What this meant for their fight—or their lives—was unclear, but one thing was certain: the balance of power had shifted dramatically.

“At least he doesn’t seem intent on killing us.”

Theo thought grimly. If the First Apostle had intended to kill, it would have already happened. His entry had been so seamless that neither Theo nor the Second Apostle had noticed until he was already there.

“But why is he here?”

The First Apostle, still silent, stood between Theo and the Second Apostle. His gaze roamed over the battlefield, as if evaluating the aftermath of the conflict.

It was as if he were a detached observer, a judge overseeing the chaos.

“Why is the Second Apostle so terrified?”

The once-proud Second Apostle cowered like a beaten dog, trembling under the First Apostle’s presence.

Theo felt an odd pang of frustration.

“If I could just strike now...”

The opportunity was tantalizing. But logically, Theo knew better. Engaging the First Apostle here would be suicidal. His aura was so subdued it was as if he didn’t exist, yet that very absence was what made him so terrifying.

Even Lodbrok’s voice echoed in Theo’s mind, cautioning restraint.

『Do not act recklessly. This is no opponent you can face right now.』

Theo clenched his teeth, his body trembling with the effort to hold back. He understood. Lodbrok was right. Even she, in all her might, was only observing.

Finally, the First Apostle spoke, his voice calm yet heavy with authority.

『What disgraceful behavior, Mangwoljae.』