Trash of the Count's Family Book 2: Chapter 369: Strongest Under the Heavens (7)
Previously on Trash of the Count's Family...
<Strongest Under the Heavens (7)>
In the early morning hours.
While the Lan Kingdom buzzed with excitement over the list of roughly 300 initial qualifiers…
“Mm.”
Choi Han gazed at the quest displayed in the window before him.
[1. Please locate the hero to replace the disgraced former hero Gisk and hand over the Sun Sword!]
The same held true for Alberu Crossman, positioned opposite him.
“…….”
===================
– Chain sub quest 1 [Obtain the swordsman's approval who aided the former hero in achieving enlightenment!]===================
Cale, observing the scene, began speaking with a disgruntled expression.
"What are you doing right now?”
Alberu glanced at Cale, who shared his blonde hair and blue eyes, and reached out his hand.
Crack!
A surge of electricity sparked.
“…….”
Yet the Sun Sword repelled Alberu.
Alberu signaled Choi Han with his eyes.
"Try passing it to Cale Henituse.”
“…Yes, your highness.”
Choi Han passed the sword to Cale.
"What about this thing?”
Cale took the sword effortlessly.
He let out a snort at this absurd situation that had unfolded since morning.
“Okay, here you go.”
Each time the Sun Sword was offered to Alberu…
Crack!
Electricity crackled, and the sword rejected him once more.
The Heavenly Demon, rigidly leaning against a pillar, made a casual remark.
“Five times.”
By now, Alberu had faced rejection five times.
“Choi Han.”
Cale was aware of both their quests.
“I believe his highness can only claim this sword after earning your approval.”
Alberu turned to Choi Han and flashed an elegant smile.
“Choi Han, have you not been approving of me?”
“!”
Choi Han jolted and responded promptly.
“I approve of you, your highness!”
It was genuine.
He placed his trust in Alberu, depended on him, and occasionally felt deep respect.
Choi Han expressed his thoughts with utmost sincerity.
“I guess you only approve of him as the crown prince.”
Alberu’s refined smile grew even more radiant in response to the Heavenly Demon's words.
“I guess you don’t approve of my level of strength.”
Choi Han tensed at that statement.
"That is not the case, your highness.”
Still, Choi Han replied earnestly, his face rigid.
“You are strong enough, your highness.”
He truly believed it.
“Strong enough you say-”
Alberu grinned in a peculiar way.
He often mentioned taking Choi Han as his master, yet they lacked a true mentor-apprentice bond.
Nevertheless, having spent considerable time with Choi Han nearby, Alberu understood him deeply.
“Choi Han.”
Choi Han never yielded when it came to power.
“Do you think I am capable of fighting against a wanderer?”
This prompted Alberu to inquire about a key adversary at this moment.
“…….”
Choi Han remained silent.
‘Anyone with basic courtesy would affirm that I could battle them.’
But Choi Han refrained from such flattery.
Instead, he pondered solely on shielding Alberu should the need arise.
“Oh dear, I don’t like this.”
Shh.
Alberu drew the spear from his back.
It wasn’t Taerang, but the familiar white spear he’d wielded since the game’s start.
Swoooosh.
Alberu twirled the lengthy spear effortlessly before aiming it at Choi Han.
"My dear instructor-nim.”
He beamed while addressing Choi Han.
“How about a spar with your disciple?”
Though his tone brimmed with playfulness, Choi Han discerned the fire in Alberu’s eyes.
It was fury.
“…….”
After a moment, Choi Han exhaled deeply and spoke.
“10 minutes.”
His response was solemn.
“Your highness, employ every tactic at your disposal. If you withstand me for ten minutes, I will trust you.”
Smile.
Alberu’s lips curved upward.
Undeterred, Choi Han pressed on with his conditions.
“I will trust you not merely as someone guarding my rear, but as a comrade whose back I can entrust during battle.”
Ten minutes of pure defense, no offense. Survive that, and I’ll regard you as a true ally in combat.
Alberu paused briefly after Choi Han’s declaration.
“I always feel this, but…”
His smile softened somewhat.
“You guys are truly disrespectful.”
Choi Han offered an uneasy smile but held Alberu’s stare firmly.
‘Bring it on.’
Choi Han’s defiant gaze eased Alberu’s irritation.
He recognized anew that Choi Han engaged him on equal terms.
“Hold on, why am I being dragged into this? Why are you suddenly calling me disrespectful? I’ve just been quietly standing here?”
Choi Han, Alberu, and the Heavenly Demon… none acknowledged Cale’s indignant protest.
* * *
And now…
“As expected, my instructor’s test is not easy.”
The spear tip in Alberu Crossman's grip trembled slightly.
“Mm. I cannot do this carelessly.”
Choi Han smiled awkwardly, sword lowered, yet…
He resembled a honed edge ready to strike.
“Okay. Do it properly!”
Alberu grinned leisurely as he spoke, but…
“…….”
His grip on the spear tightened.
‘Spear arts, magic…’
Choi Han permitted any and all techniques, yet…
Alberu resolved to rely solely on his spear.
‘Ha.’
Still, a single clash with Choi Han’s sword revealed a truth.
‘I was arrogant.’
His arrogance had blinded him.
‘He’s grown even stronger.’
He recalled sensing Choi Han’s prowess before, in their clash with the White Star.
Aware that time had passed, he expected growth.
‘But this surpasses expectations.’
Choi Han had advanced tremendously.
‘He hasn’t even unleashed his aura yet.’
Sword master Choi Han.
No aura enveloped his blade at present.
Yet he effortlessly countered the aura smoke from Alberu’s spear.
‘…I grew too complacent.’
Indeed. Complacency had set in deeply.
Far too deeply.
Alberu’s lips twitched upward.
Across three worlds…
Choi Han, alongside Cale, traversing those realms-
‘They mentioned a new path.’
Eruhaben had praised Choi Han’s power as remarkable.
Alberu had noted it, but dismissed its depth.
‘How foolish.’
Alberu identified an inner sentiment.
‘You’ve slackened.’
With the King absent and the Roan Kingdom vulnerable, yet Alberu’s hold remained solid.
Hunters, gods, foes abound, but…
‘I deemed it manageable.’
Hence his ease.
No, a tension in his chest eased further.
‘Ha. Just a little?’
It was substantial.
‘How foolish.’
Alberu Crossman, you are truly foolish.
‘And thrilled.’
Navigating the quest amid Ahn Roh Man’s suspicion was entertaining in this fresh world.
That could explain…
“Ha-”
No.
This wasn’t the moment for excuses.
‘When has my life ever been simple?’
How had complacency crept in?
Had peace softened him excessively?
He vanquished the White Star, rose as the Roan Kingdom’s sun, solidified his base.
Still, he trained relentlessly and fulfilled obligations.
He assumed no alteration in himself.
He convinced himself complacency hadn’t taken root.
“I am coming, your highness.”
Choi Han lifted his sword.
Alberu adjusted his stance.
‘No. I have changed.’
The original Alberu Crossman…
Facing a greater threat…
In peril of battling a god to safeguard himself and his realm…
Would have toiled harder, to the point of bleeding.
He would have existed more fiercely.
Rather than relishing the game, he’d have burned with rivalry and dread as he endured!
Not like this!
Oooooo-
A brilliant white and gold glow enveloped Alberu.
Smile.
Choi Han grinned.
“…….”
Alberu’s smile faded.
Choi Han voiced his thought.
“This is finally like the real you, your highness.”
‘This insolent instructor of mine.’
Alberu had no chance to retort.
Tap.
As Choi Han lightly stepped forward…
“!”
He closed in on Alberu instantly.
Alberu swung his spear without delay.
The spear’s advantage lay in its reach.
He couldn’t permit Choi Han into close range.
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!
A deafening blast, surpassing prior ones, resounded.
Crackle! Crack!
Sparks danced along the white spear.
It was Alberu's mana.
Ooooooooo—
Choi Han’s sword finally howled as dark aura erupted.
Baaaaang! Baaaaang!
Blasts echoed relentlessly.
The expansive training ground fractured in numerous spots.
“Ho!”
Pao Seo Tae, head of the Dark Pulse alliance, observed while surveying the area. Chills raced through him.
Yet neither Choi Han nor Alberu glanced aside.
Baaaaang!
Alberu's spear tip deflected Choi Han’s sword.
Baaaaang!
The sword arced back toward the spear.
Alberu parried once more.
“Hoooo.”
The Heavenly Demon chuckled then.
Baaaaaang–!
A distinct sound rang out this time.
Chhh-
Alberu slid backward, halting just at the training ground’s boundary.
He held his spear like a barrier, shielding his chest.
“Haaaaaaaaa. Haaaa.”
Breathing raggedly, his eyes locked solely on Choi Han.
“Ha!”
Choi Han laughed.
Following that…
Baaaaang! Baaaaang! Bang! Bang!
Explosions persisted.
Golden light burst around Choi Han, fueling the detonations.
– Human, the greatest defense really is launching an attack first!
Cale disregarded Raon and focused on the training ground.
Tap.
Alberu advanced.
‘As expected.’
The crown prince wouldn’t merely defend passively.
Baaaaang! Baaaaang! Bang!
Amid unending blasts…
Chhh.
The crown prince retrieved magic stones from his pocket and hurled them skyward.
He intended to utilize all resources.
Crack.
The stones shattered.
Vast mana converged above the training ground, and Alberu ceased holding back.
Rumble-
A thunder-like roar boomed…
Toward Choi Han, obscured in the explosion’s chaos…
Baaaaaang-
Lightning bolts began crashing down.
‘That's not enough!’
But Alberu sensed it.
This fell short.
Dozens of blasts…
Countless lightning strikes had targeted Choi Han, yet…
‘Choi Han is surely unharmed.’
It drove Alberu to rush into the storm’s heart, the obscured epicenter.
Swoooosh.
He then hoisted his spear.
‘Thrust relentlessly.’
He’d assault without vulnerability.
‘I will unleash every strike within my power.’
Because-
‘Choi Han won’t allow me harm.’
Alberu battled with full commitment.
Beyond mere physical might.
He even factored in Choi Han's loyalty, his sentiments toward him.
Thus, Alberu raged unbound.
‘10 minutes.’
Survival for ten minutes wasn’t his aim.
He yearned to overpower Choi Han at any cost.
With that resolve, he surged toward Choi Han.
‘I can injure Choi Han.’
Even that crossed his mind.
Alberu invested utterly.
Crack!
Baaaaang-
Sparks and detonations…
Choi Han remained invisible amid them.
Still, the white spear thrust forward.
“Hoooo.”
The spear technique revealed extensive practice.
His martial insight was impressive.
The wielder’s conviction shone through.
It held martial prowess sufficient to astonish the Heavenly Demon.
Alberu excelled in spear arts as in magic.
Moreover-
Ooooooooo—
Crack, crack.
Aura smoke and mana…
The white spear gleamed like a sunbeam as they merged.
“…….”
Pao Seo Tae watched, lips pressed tight.
This duel exceeded his anticipation-
‘No.’
This figure’s gaze mirrored a battlefield commander’s.
The current event was a compact warzone.
Alberu neared the explosion’s core.
Oooooo-
Mana churned.
The potent mana responded to Alberu.
Ooooooooo—
Not a sword master’s caliber, but the aura smoke from a top-tier knight’s spear wouldn’t fade readily.
That smoke enveloped his spear firmly.
Oooooo-
Even so, mana flowed to Alberu's form.
It amassed continuously.
Alberu drew it ceaselessly.
‘This is my utmost!’
His peak effort.
As Alberu’s spear tip aimed at Choi Han…
Shaaaaaaa-
The mana tip dispersed the explosive dust.
The storm’s interior gradually revealed itself.
“!”
Alberu’s pupils dilated.
‘…Darkness-!’
In the heart of white and gold explosion…
Amid thunderbolt-churned dust…
Darkness dominated the tempest’s center.
‘No.’
Not mere darkness.
Too many twinkling specks to deem it so.
‘Night.’
No.
‘Choi Han.
Yes, this embodies Choi Han.’
Choi Han, eyes shut, now opened them.
A yong appeared above Choi Han.
As if the yong’s eyes had awakened.
The translucent black yong, coiled before, began to stir.
Choi Han’s sword traced a line.
The black aura cloaking Choi Han entirely…
Raw yet comforting, unyielding to all.
‘Ah.’
Alberu grasped it then.
This was the ‘aura domain’ he’d heard of.
Choi Han’s achievement.
He comprehended Choi Han's earlier words.
He saw why defense, not offense, was advised.
Present Alberu couldn’t breach Choi Han.
Few strikes would pierce such a robust aura domain.
Instead, prior to impact-
‘Yeah. Just like that.’
Choi Han stepped ahead.
With his advance, with his sword’s extension in the blast storm…
A route formed.
Reminiscent of their battle against the Blood Demon’s blue aura.
Choi Han forged his path anew.
As ever.
Thus he progressed.
‘Fuck!’
Alberu clenched his lips.
He grimaced.
His usual grace replaced by irritation.
The white spear, swung with all his might…
A black-light-wreathed sword neared Alberu.
‘Fuck!
I lost.’
Alberu shut his eyes.
Choi Han’s sword swung unceasingly.
White spear met black sword.
Baaaaaaaaaang-!
A mightier tremor scattered all explosive debris.
Plop.
The training ground’s exterior cracked, inner residence pillars quivered.
“…He lost.”
As Pao Seo Tae muttered to mask his tremors…
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-
A gentle wind cleared the view gradually.
“Do you really think so?”
The Heavenly Demon noted the time and smirked curiously.
Pao Seo Tae started to reply but froze.
“!”
His eyes widened.
“Cough.”
Alberu coughed.
He lifted his gaze slowly.
Craaaaaaack-
The white spear snapped.
In the final clash of white spear and black sword…
Alberu discarded the white spear.
Choi Han hadn’t anticipated that.
Thus, he shattered the spear but missed Alberu behind it.
Though he followed with a swing at unarmed Alberu…
Baaaaang—!
And though it gouged the training ground deeply…
‘I was too late.’
Choi Han's black sword failed to touch Alberu.
“…….”
Choi Han regarded Alberu.
Alberu had rolled aside to evade the black sword.
His form curled protectively.
Mana-formed white armor encased him.
Over five shield layers reinforced it.
Alberu withstood a full-force black sword strike, albeit rushed.
He shattered all of t