LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 284.1
Chapter 284.1. Genius
The battle between Amano Sakimori and Oda Nobuhiro was visible even from the rooftop of a distant building. After all, with abandoned buildings exploding, collapsing, and spreading dust clouds, houses were being crushed, and shops were falling apart.
Amid the falling rubble of the tilted abandoned building, two humans were unbelievably using the debris as stepping stones, moving at high speed while fighting.
Flames roared, winds sliced through the air, and lightning struck. The vibrations shattered rubble into fine sand, and a jet-black serpent hungrily swallowed the dust cloud.
While everyone else was fleeing to avoid being caught up in the bizarre phenomena, two girls stood on the rusted railing of a rooftop on a distant abandoned building, observing the scene.
It was unclear what emotions filled the eyes of the fox-eared, tail-wagging girl. Sadness? Resignation? Disdain? Or something else entirely?
“Should we stop them-nya?”
The cat-eared, tail-wagging girl standing beside her, also watching the battle, asked. Shaking her head, she conveyed that she had no intention of intervening.
“It’s not something I can stop. Sakimori isn’t someone that soft, is he?”
“You’re right, Yoko. For the sake of an example, anyone who dares to target someone from the Amatsugahara Corporation must be dealt with-nya.”
Fuuma Karin, the cat-girl, spoke dispassionately, devoid of emotion, to which the fox-girl Oda Yoko silently agreed.
The Amatsugahara Corporation had risen from the ruins. Envy and hatred against it were endless. If their subordinates were easily killed here, they’d be seen as weak, and future attacks would grow, worsening the damage. Those who recklessly made a move had to be eliminated.
“It’s ironic to be identified as a formidable figure who never shows their face… even if it’s my father.”
She muttered with a wry smile. It was clear her father was operating behind the scenes. The lack of clues was suspicious. Without telling Yoko, he had moved in complete secrecy.
Karin had uncovered the truth. She discovered the involvement of Tobi Kato and used Sakimori’s familiar, Kaikanjutsu, to investigate the surroundings. Once identified, the trail was faint but sufficient for Sakimori.
“That’s why Sakimori is so angry-nya. He won’t show mercy to enemies who launch bazookas, even at children.”
Listening to Karin’s words, Yoko continued to watch the battle.
“My father was a combat genius. Because of his genius, he abandoned personal strength and turned to covert maneuvers. But in the end, he’ll die with a blade in hand. He’ll likely be satisfied with that.”
Turning on her heel, Yoko began walking away. Seeing this, Karin narrowed her eyes.
“You’re not staying to watch the end-nya?”
“The outcome is clear. The moment he failed to escape, my father lost. I need to consolidate the Oda family assets.”
Without looking back, Yoko spoke resolutely.
“My father died of illness. That man over there is a stranger, someone unrelated to the Oda family.”
This was Amano Sakimori’s mercy. An unknown man would die, with no connection to the Oda family, and their assets would remain untouched. It was a generous reward for an unnamed scarf.
Well then. Karin sighed lightly as she watched Yoko leave, turning her attention back to the battle.
“Being a genius isn’t something I’d want-nya. If Oda Nobuhiro had struggled and fought like Sakimori, covered in mud and spitting blood, maybe things would’ve been different.”
She couldn’t understand the feelings of someone who claimed to see the end simply because they gained strength too easily. Karin wasn’t a genius either.
The only thing she knew was that geniuses couldn’t surpass the diligent.
“No, Sakimori is insane-nya. He’s a different breed from those who work hard.”
The battle grew fiercer. Buildings and houses vanished as the destruction spread, and Karin smirked wryly.
The man who cautiously yet boldly decided whether to kill or spare the first girl he met. A sly and ruthless man. His true nature was undoubtedly…
“A madman entranced by dungeons-nya. A human-turned-outcast, captivated by battle.”
With her long experience, Karin described Sakimori, her tail swaying gently.
In the dust clouds, Sakimori rode the falling debris, muttering tiredly.
“That guy’s strong. Probably the strongest in the inner town.”
[Indeed, he’s impressive. It’s surprising someone like him was hiding.]
Sakimori waved his hand lazily, activating magic. He aimed at Nobuhiro, who was also using the rubble as footholds.
[Dark Mine]
Countless palm-sized black spheres materialized, flying into the air to restrict Nobuhiro’s movements. When they touched falling debris, they emitted a black light, turning the rubble into sand in an instant.
The Sword Saint remained calm, imbuing his blade with mana as he observed.
[Sunlit Sword Wind]
The blade shone as if carrying the light of the sun, slicing through the [Dark Mine] and dispersing it. Despite Sakimori surpassing him in level and magic, Nobuhiro’s strikes neutralized the dark magic effortlessly.
[How is he breaking my magic so easily? It’s been a while since I’ve faced such an opponent.]
[He’s using techniques like [Mind’s Eye] to read your moves and [Decapitation Strike] for critical hits. These are troublesome [Sword Saint] abilities.]
[But strong skills always have weaknesses, right? And decapitation for critical hits—how unfair.]
[It’s not meant to be used this way. Normally, it’s for taking down large monsters. This method feels like a loophole—it reminds me of someone.]
Dungeon-given skills always have some weakness.
[He can’t wield weapons other than swords or use magic. While that should make him easier to deal with, he’s covering his weaknesses with magic tools. A formidable foe, undoubtedly. His combat sense screams ‘genius’.]
Listening to Shizuku’s analysis, Sakimori eyed Nobuhiro. Strong enough to fight him was proof of surpassing human limits.
[Inferno Serpent]
With a roar, flames erupted from Sakimori’s hand, incinerating debris as they coiled into a serpent form, attacking Nobuhiro.
If darkness couldn’t defeat him, fire would be next. As expected, it was troublesome.
[Frozen Blade]
As anticipated, Nobuhiro switched his blade’s attribute, enveloping it in an icy breath to slice through the flaming serpent with ease. The air froze white, and the flames glittered like snow before vanishing.
[Even magic swords are part of the Sword Saint’s techniques. It almost seems like there’s no downside.]