What the hell is that thing?
No, before that, why did it become an enemy?
It wasn’t because I was angry that the same kin had betrayed me twice.
Even among monsters, there were often cases where they fought for their own rank.
But the reason that the horned-mask kin fought against me, even though they didn’t know my epithet, was because I realized it was to protect humans, who must be subjugated and controlled.
“Traitor! You betraying bastard!”
The Sword Monster let out a furious roar.
I had heard about it over my shoulder.
There were monsters among us who, having forgotten their species’ “mission,” just filled their own selfish desires by teaming up with humans.
Pathetic.
How could monsters, superior to humans in every aspect except numbers, bow down to them?
But compared to that bastard in front of me, this ‘traitor’ might as well seem like an angel.
“A monster! You’re saving humans for no reason?!”
“Grarr…”
“Be ashamed of yourself! And if you want to restore any lost honor, then kill yourself!”
Monsters who teamed up with humans at least had some kind of goal.
But this one was just a ‘heretic.’
A monster who forgot its mission, and worse, a piece of trash standing against me.
And cutting down such a traitor was the very basic use of a sword.
The Sword Monster threw the short-bladed wakizashi from his waist in front of the betraying kin.
And he spoke.
“If you are truly a monster like me, then kill yourself here.”
He gave the opportunity to take his own life, to at least preserve some honor.
But of course…
Crack.
“This bastard…”
The Sword Monster’s kindness was stomped underfoot and shattered.
Because the horned-mask monster was ‘human.’
“Graaaaaaaaaah!”
“You trash who can’t even speak… rejecting my kindness like this.”
Foolish.
Stupid.
And at the same time, arrogant.
How can he act so confidently just because a small attack succeeded when I was off guard?
Thud thud.
Look at how he’s rushing in.
Like a moth to a flame, running forward with nothing but brute strength and no skill.
“I’ll show you… just how much strength alone means.”
The Sword Monster took a stance as if mocking that obvious move.
And at the same time, he became a flash.
“This is the essence of technique.”
Wolf’s Breath.
A secret technique.
Eighth Form – Strict Father’s Mercy…
Crack.
“Ugh?!”
But the ferocious Sword Monster, faced with the traitor’s punch rather than his bloodstains.
“Grah…!”
“Hehehe…”
It was a mindless punch with no technique.
His movements were so crude.
A beginner… no, not even that, just someone who had never learned.
And yet, how was this possible?
“Wolf’s Breath, Third Form – Cherish and Treasure.”
Even if it’s trapped in a swirling, cutting strike that can slice anything it touches.
Crack.
“Ugh?!”
He simply rushed forward again and threw another punch.
“Wolf’s Breath, Sixth Form – Seeking the Flower, Bee and Butterfly!”
A piercing thrust that puts all power into one point.
Even while taking a laser-like strike that pierced the heart, he kept charging forward.
Of course, he was only pushed back for a moment.
There were no wounds on his body.
Crack.
“Ugh?!”
This doesn’t make sense…
It doesn’t make sense!
“Wolf’s Breath, Seventh Form – The Sin of the Remaining Peach!!”
I am the Sword Monster.
Once a ruler of this land, the “Emperor.”
Now, I have even learned the swordsmanship of the one who once defeated me.
Yes, I am the strong ruler over the weak.
I am not destined to be beaten by such trash fighting like an animal.
But what is this situation?
Who are you to keep knocking me down like this?
“Die! Die already!”
The sword strikes from the Sword Monster transformed into the shape of wolves.
And they began to circle around the horned-mask monster.
These were strikes with ‘intelligence.’
A technique that flew like a guided missile, its target determined by the user’s skill,
it could even split a mountain and strike only at the enemy.
‘This technique is also the swordsmanship that once cornered me.’
Think about it.
A strike that chases after its target.
Who could not fall when first seeing it?
When trying to dodge, the strikes would turn back and tear apart the body.
Even the hardest rock will crack if it’s repeatedly hit in one spot.
‘I’ll admit your sturdy body.’
But that’s it. It’s over now. ‘Technique’ will surpass everything.
“Hunt.”
At the master’s command, the wolf-like strikes began to attack one by one.
Just as expected, the horned-mask monster’s body was hit, and each strike began to shake the earth and explode.
But this wasn’t the end.
“Wolf’s Breath, Fifth Form.”
“3222.”
“One.”
“Eighth Form – Strict Father’s Mercy.”
You won’t die just yet.
So this time, I’ll give you my best, most powerful strike to your neck.
With that determination, the sword once again enveloped him in a flash of light, and the Sword Monster, now a black wolf, rushed out in an instant.
“It’s over!!”
Having taken significant damage from the continuous sword strikes, he moved toward the traitor’s neck.
Ching.
Finally, he landed the greatest strike.
‘I’ve won…!’
The King, who had now successfully taken down the traitor, landed safely behind him.
He had once been caught off guard by the enemy’s overwhelming physicality, but who was he?
Convinced of his victory, the Sword Monster laughed loudly, thinking he was right once again.
“Didn’t I tell you? That technique surpasses everything! Hahahahaha!!”
He had regained his former glory…
No, he thought he had gained an even greater glory and laughed broadly.
A few seconds later.
Splat.
“…Huh?”
The traitor had been dealt with, and the sword was about to be sheathed.
“My sword… broke?”
I am the Sword Monster.
But my sword, which could be said to symbolize me, broke?
This… can’t be happening.
It felt like my very existence was being denied.
Moreover, there was something even more shocking.
“Grarr…”
“Wh… what?!”
Despite taking direct hits to the neck from the countless sword strikes, the horned-mask monster stood in the same place, unscathed, as if nothing had happened.
“Don’t joke with me…”
“Don’t joke with me!!”
The technique I just used was the ‘best’ technique.
A limit I might never reach again in my lifetime.
It was the fastest and most powerful draw I had ever made, surpassing even my own limits.
And yet… you’re fine?
Even the throat—
One of the most vulnerable spots for any living being.
I struck that place directly, and yet, why are you still unharmed?
This was strange.
In this unbelievable situation, I had to draw a new sword.
Chilled.
For the first time, I felt a sensation I had never experienced before.
An emotion I hadn’t even felt when facing the first head of the Okami family, who had defeated me.
Cold sweat dripped down my forehead, and my body trembled even though it wasn’t cold.
My breath grew unnecessarily loud, and my feet moved backward of their own accord, against my will.
“What is this?”
What is this?
I realized this was something I had seen before.
Yes, I had often caused this reaction in others.
Humans, upon seeing me, would behave in the same way and flee.
Finally, I understood.
Fear.
Or perhaps terror.
“Am I… the Emperor, trembling in fear?”
Dying in battle was an honorable act.
Even when I lost to the first head of the Okami family, I had hoped for a future battle. I was never afraid.
But why now, of all times, does this human-like instinct awaken?
The reason was simple.
What I had done was not some noble act like fighting.
Fighting is defined by clashing with similar opponents.
But did I fight like that with the traitor before me?
No, perhaps that would have been better.
It was a simple logic.
A battle between a baby and a champion fighter.
Who would even consider this a fight?
This was not a fight.
Yes, no matter how many eggs are thrown at a rock, they won’t even leave a scratch.
What I had experienced until now was nothing but ‘abuse’ by an overwhelming force.
“I… I’ve become stronger than the first head of the Okami family.”
“Grarr…”
“If it weren’t for you, this city would have been mine again!”
There was no mistake in that statement.
In the original story, it was because of the resurrected Sword Monster that the city of D was erased from the map.
Hoshino was a pitiful princess who couldn’t protect her family, her clan, or the citizens of the city.
Of course, that was no longer the case.
Stomp stomp.
“Damn it, who the hell are you?!”
The Sword Monster, who had lost his reason, charged toward Kang Janghoon, holding his sword with both hands.
In response, Kang Janghoon clenched his fists tighter than ever.
Crack crack.
Hoshino, who had almost regretted his very existence because of this, felt an overwhelming rage rise when he thought of that child, still crying while hugging his mother.
“If it weren’t for guns… I’d still be the strongest…?!”
“Graaaaaaaaaah!!”
The sword that wouldn’t even pierce his body, he simply let it be, landing a furious punch straight to the monster’s face.
Boom.
Immediately after.
The shockwave from the punch obliterated the Sword Monster without a trace.
At the same time, a gust of wind rose high into the sky, forming dark clouds, which then dropped raindrops onto the burning domain.