Chapter 220: Strange Words

Noah stood firm, his body trembling as the last of Roderick’s radiant spell dissolved into the air.

The cavern was a wreck of molten stone and glowing fissures, the heat rolling off the walls in waves.

His breath came heavy and ragged, each inhale stinging his throat from the sheer density of mana that still lingered.

He could feel the backlash in every nerve. Devour had taken everything from him just to survive that attack.

Across from him, Roderick straightened from his stance, his sword glowing faintly in the aftermath.

For a moment, the only sound between them was the slow dripping of molten rock and their heavy breathing.

Then the captain gave a low, appreciative chuckle.

“Well done,” Roderick said, his voice echoing softly through the cavern.

“I haven’t met someone who could withstand that spell. Not since…” He trailed off, as if recalling something distant.

“Even among the Royal Guard, few would have survived it. Only the higher Arch Demons ever managed that much resistance against it.”

Noah stared at the man. “You’re comparing me to an Arch Demon now?”

Roderick smiled beneath his helm. “Maybe.”

His tone hardened, however, as he began to circle. “I didn’t intend to use my Skills here. But I guess you’ve forced my hand.”

Before Noah could react, Roderick blurred. One instant he was standing there, and the next…

Boom!

Noah’s body lurched violently as something slammed into his gut.

The impact launched him off his feet, the air exploding from his lungs.

He barely had time to register the pain before another hit connected, this one to his side.

It was quickly followed by another to his ribs.

Each blow was punishing, and delivered with frightening speed.

In midair, Roderick appeared again, his armored fist slamming into Noah’s chest, sending him spiraling higher before another blow hammered him back down.

Noah coughed blood, twisting as he fell.

Null Stride.

He vanished, reappearing several paces away on the cavern floor, skidding backward on his heels.

His body screamed in protest. He clutched his chest, his breathing shallow and erratic.

Pain flared under his palm. He had two, maybe three ribs broken.

He straightened slowly, forcing himself upright.

Roderick landed with a resounding clang in the center of the cavern, sword leveled, his aura calm but imposing.

“You’re still standing,” he noted. “Good.”

Noah wiped blood from his lips, chuckling hoarsely. “You hit like a mountain.”

“Then yield,” Roderick said.

Noah tilted his head slightly, a frown on his face. “If you had the chance to gain power, true power, power that could give you an advantage over everyone else… would you let it go?”

The captain’s brow furrowed beneath his helm. The question caught him off guard. His sword lowered slightly.

“No,” he admitted after a pause. “No soldier would. Not if it meant saving lives, or ending wars faster.”

“Then why stop me?” Noah asked.

“Because I don’t know what kind of man you are.”

Noah gave a soft, bitter laugh. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Roderick’s tone softened, curiosity bleeding through his discipline. “Then explain it. Why do you seek power like this?”

Noah raised his gaze, the faint light catching in his orange eyes. “Because someone has to cleanse the darkness of this world,” he said quietly. “And no one else seems willing to do it.”

Roderick was silent for a moment, studying him. Then he exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. “Maybe I don’t understand your ideals,” he said, gripping his sword again. “But fists don’t lie.”

He spread his stance. “Show me your conviction, boy. Attack me.”

Noah didn’t hesitate. His body blurred forward, mana gathering in his palm.

Void Bolt.

The compressed purple sphere screamed through the air towards the captain.

Roderick twisted aside, the bolt passing over his shoulder and detonating against the wall behind him. The stone shattered, raining dust.

The captain appeared behind Noah almost instantly, blade whistling down.

But Noah was already moving. He dropped low, spinning on one knee, and his leg lashed out, sweeping Roderick’s feet out from under him.

The man’s balance was shaken for the first time.

Noah didn’t waste the opening. He launched a Void Bolt point-blank, slamming it into Roderick’s chest.

The explosion tore through the floor, throwing debris everywhere. The entire cavern shook from the blast.

Noah stepped back, shielding his face from the cloud of dust and smoke. When the air cleared…

Roderick was gone.

There was a shift in the air behind him, and his instincts flared.

Noah twisted, barely dodging the downward swing of Roderick’s sword.

The blade carved a trench through the stone floor, missing him by inches.

Noah’s shadows lashed out from the ground, reaching for the man’s legs, but the captain was already reacting.

His body glowing faintly gold as he invoked a spell.

“Purging Light!”

A wave of radiant energy burst outward from him, blowing the shadows apart in a shockwave.

But that left him open for a fraction of a second.

Noah seized it.

Pillar of Judgement!

The beam of golden flame screamed down from above, engulfing Roderick in searing brilliance.

The captain raised his sword, forming a radiant barrier around himself just in time, the two lights colliding violently.

He blocked the beam, just as Noah appeared through the smoke, fist cocked back.

The punch connected squarely with Roderick’s faceplate. The sound echoed like thunder, sending the man staggering back a step.

Noah grinned through the pain in his knuckles, until Roderick’s gauntleted hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.

In one smooth motion, the captain twisted his arm behind him, forcing Noah down to one knee.

The pressure was immense. His joints screamed as his muscles were locked in place.

For a moment, Noah thought his arm would snap. Then Roderick released him.

Noah leapt back immediately, rubbing his shoulder, his expression wary. “What was that?”

Roderick laughed, a genuine, hearty laugh. “You’ve got spirit, I’ll give you that.”

Noah frowned, confused. “You’re… letting me go?”

The captain sheathed his sword, nodding once. “I can see it now. The resolve in your strikes. You’re not fighting for selfish reasons. You’re fighting like a man carrying the weight of something heavy.”

He walked closer, stopping just short of arm’s length. “Your fists told me that. You’ve got conviction. Maybe not one I agree with, but it’s yours.”

Noah said nothing, still breathing hard, uncertain if this was another trick.

Roderick turned his back to him, his voice calm. “I’m not your enemy tonight. The world needs men who fight with that kind of purpose.”

“Go on. Finish what you came here to do. Whatever that is.”

Noah stared at the man’s back. “You’re… serious?”

“I am,” Roderick said simply. “But know that the next time we meet, I won’t be so merciful.”

A faint smile appeared on Noah’s face. “I wouldn’t expect you to be.”

The captain began walking towards the tunnel he had entered from, his figure framed by the dim glow of the moss.

“Take my advice, boy. Power like yours burns fast. Make sure it doesn’t consume you.”

He stopped at the mouth of the tunnel, glancing back over his shoulder. “Farewell, stranger. May you survive what waits deeper in.”

And with that, he vanished into the tunnel, his footsteps echoing faintly before fading completely.

For a long moment, Noah stood there in silence. His body hurt, but his spirit burned bright.

He looked towards the far tunnel, the next step deeper into the monolith, and smiled faintly.

“Guess that’s my cue.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep