Chapter 368: Chapter 368: Elemental Breathing

The moment I stepped into the village, the sight that greeted me was pure carnage. Knights in gleaming armor, their swords stained with fresh blood, cut down defenseless villagers like livestock. The streets were filled with the dying and the dead, their cries mixing with the crackling of burning houses.

These knights weren’t just soldiers following orders—they were butchers, showing no mercy to men, women, or even children.

A smirk formed on my lips.

“Perfect test subjects.”

Demiurge and Solution stepped out of the portal behind me, their eyes scanning the battlefield with cold detachment.

“What shall we do, my lord?” Demiurge asked, adjusting his glasses.

I cracked my knuckles. “You two stay back and watch. I’m using this as a training session.”

Solution didn’t say anything.

I unsheathe my katana. The blade gleamed under the flames dancing in the air. Taking a deep breath, I activated my Elemental Breathing, feeling the strange energy surge through my body.

One of the knights finally noticed me, turning from a cowering villager with a cruel sneer. “Who the hell are you?”

I smiled, stepping forward. “Your worst nightmare.”

The knight scoffed and charged at me, raising his sword for a downward swing.

I inhaled deeply, my body flooding with heat.

First Form: Flaming Torrent.

The moment I swung my blade forward, a blazing stream of fire erupted, engulfing the knight entirely. He barely had time to scream before the flames consumed him, his armor glowing red-hot before his body crumbled into ashes.

The surrounding knights froze, staring in horror.

“What the hell—?!”

I grinned. “Come on, don’t stop now. You were having fun slaughtering the weak, right? Let’s see how you handle someone who fights back.”

With a battle cry, three knights rushed me at once. One swung high, another aimed for my midsection, and the third tried to stab from behind.

I exhaled slowly, stepping forward at the last moment.

Fourth Form: Thunderclap Flash.

A burst of yellow lightning crackled around me as I vanished from their sight. In the next instant, I was already behind them, my sword dripping with blood.

For a moment, none of them reacted. Then—

SHINK!

Their bodies split apart, blood spraying into the air as they collapsed in unison.

The remaining knights hesitated, realizing this was no ordinary battle.

I tilted my head. “Still think this is a fair fight?”

One knight let out a roar and lunged at me, swinging his sword wildly. I barely even needed to dodge. Compared to demons and high-level monsters, these guys were nothing but fodder.

I stepped to the side, my katana slashing through the gap in his armor. The moment his body hit the ground, the last few knights broke.

“C-Crap, he’s a monster!”

“Run! Get out of here!”

The knights turned and tried to flee.

I sighed. “And here I was, just getting warmed up.”

I swung my sword once, sending a wave of fire toward them. They screamed as the flames caught their retreating figures, reducing them to cinders.

The village, once filled with the sounds of slaughter, fell into an eerie silence. The only thing left was the crackling of burning houses and the soft murmurs of the villagers who had survived.

I flicked my blade, shaking off the blood, before turning toward them. They were huddled together, staring at me in a mix of awe and fear.

I sighed. “Relax. If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead.”

One of the older men stepped forward cautiously. “W-Who are you?”

I sheathed my katana, rolling my shoulders. “Does it matter?”

Another villager, a woman clutching a child to her chest, hesitated before speaking. “Are you… a mercenary?”

I thought about it for a moment. It wasn’t an outright lie, and it would make things simpler.

“Yeah,” I said casually. “Something like that.”

The villagers exchanged glances, whispering amongst themselves.

One of them—a middle-aged man who seemed to be some sort of leader—stepped forward and bowed deeply. “You saved us… We cannot thank you enough.”

I smirked. “Oh, don’t get the wrong idea.” I crossed my arms, tilting my head slightly. “I don’t do this kind of work for free.”

Their expressions shifted. Some looked uneasy, while others looked relieved—if I was expecting payment, it meant I wasn’t just some unknown force looking to kill them next.

The village leader swallowed hard. “We… We do not have much, but if there is anything we can offer, we will do our best to repay you.”

I tapped my chin, pretending to think. “We’ll discuss that later. For now, let’s deal with the fires before your village burns to the ground.”

The villagers quickly nodded, scrambling to put out the flames.

Demiurge and Solution, who had been watching the whole time, approached from behind me.

“A mercenary, my lord?” Demiurge asked, adjusting his glasses.

I smirked. “It keeps things simple, don’t you think?”

Solution giggled. “How amusing… I wonder what kind of ’payment’ you will ask for?”

I chuckled, watching as the villagers frantically worked to save their homes.

“Let’s see what they have to offer first.”

~~~

Elemental Breathing: Ten Forms

First Form: Flaming Torrent

Element: Fire

A powerful, forward thrust that engulfs the enemy in flames. Inspired by Flame Breathing’s raw power and intensity.

Visual Effect: A blazing stream of fire erupts from the blade.

Second Form: Waterfall Slash

Element: Water

A vertical slash that mimics a cascading waterfall, delivering a heavy and precise strike. Inspired by Water Breathing’s fluidity and grace.

Visual Effect: A glowing blue arc of water energy crashes down on the enemy.

Third Form: Gale Force

Element: Wind

A rapid, spinning slash that creates a whirlwind of cutting wind blades. Inspired by Wind Breathing’s speed and range.

Visual Effect: A swirling vortex of greenish-white wind energy surrounds the user.

Fourth Form: Thunderclap Flash

Element: Thunder

A blindingly fast dash followed by a devastating slash. Inspired by Thunder Breathing’s explosive speed.

Visual Effect: A burst of yellow lightning as the user moves and strikes.

Fifth Form: Stone Shatter

Element: Stone

A heavy, downward strike that mimics the crushing force of a boulder. Inspired by Stone Breathing’s raw strength.

Visual Effect: A massive, glowing rock formation crashes into the enemy.

Sixth Form: Mist Veil

Element: Mist

The user creates a dense mist to obscure their movements and confuse the enemy. Inspired by Mist Breathing’s elusive techniques.

Visual Effect: A thick, white mist envelops the battlefield.

Seventh Form: Love’s Embrace

Element: Love

A series of whip-like slashes that twist and curve unpredictably. Inspired by Love Breathing’s flexibility and grace.

Visual Effect: Pink, ribbon-like energy arcs through the air.

Eighth Form: Serpent’s Coil

Element: Serpent

A twisting, coiling strike that wraps around the enemy, making it difficult to evade. Inspired by Serpent Breathing’s deceptive movements.

Visual Effect: A glowing, purple serpentine energy coils around the enemy.

Ninth Form: Insect Swarm

Element: Insect

A flurry of rapid, precise strikes that overwhelm the enemy. Inspired by Insect Breathing’s speed and precision.

Visual Effect: A swarm of glowing, green insect-like energy attacks the enemy.

Tenth Form: Sonic Boom

Element: Sound

A powerful, shockwave-inducing slash that deafens and disorients the enemy. Inspired by Sound Breathing’s explosive techniques.

Visual Effect: A visible shockwave of sound energy radiates from the blade.

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