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Chapter 15.1: ??? ??? ?? ????????? (??)
Chapter 15.1: ??? ??? ?? ????????? (??)
Chapter 15.1: ??? ??? ?? ????????? (??)
Karamaf drew his weapon, a drab, dark-colored longsword without any decoration. It seemed too plain for a knight of Karamaf’s stature.
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??? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?????????? ?? ????????????? ????’? ?????? ?? ???? ???????”
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????’? ?? ??????? ?? ???????? ???? ????, ?????? ??????’? ??? ????????? ???? ?? ???? ????????????? ???????
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?. . .??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ? ??????? ????, ????’? ??? ??????, ??? ???? ???????????, ??? ??????? ?????? ??????? ? ??????.”
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Ordinary swordsmanship didn’t mean instant death for someone unfamiliar with the technique.
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Swordsmanship is ultimately about how one wields the sword in combat. It’s about how to stab, slash, and parry. It’s not about suddenly unleashing an unthinkable move. A master of one technique could somewhat counter an unfamiliar one.
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However, the technique’s vision was different.
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If you don’t know them, you’re at a disadvantage!
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They’re skills that defy conventional wisdom, leaving first-timers vulnerable. Knowing even one or two of these could mean the difference between life and death in a split second.
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??????????? ?? ????? ?????????, ??’? ???????????? ?? ? ?????????? ??????. ???? ??? ???????? ????? ??????? ????? ???, ???? ????’?? ???????? ?? ???? ?????????????. ???? ????????? ?? ? ??? ?????????.”
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Fitting for an assassin, Kaegal’s swordsmanship specialized in ending the fight with a first strike. This was fortunate for Johan.
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‘??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ? ????????? ??????.’
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One step further.
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Karamaf raised his longsword, immediately creating an overwhelming pressure. It seemed ready to respond instantly in any direction.
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???? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ????. ??? ??????? ??? ?????, ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?????. ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ???, ? ????-??????? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ? ????????????.”
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????? ?? ? ???’? ????? ?????
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??????’? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???????????. ?? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????? ????. ???? ????! ??????????, ????’?? ???? ?? ???.”
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‘???. ??? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????????.’
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Contrary to Kaegal’s words, that’s exactly what he was doing.
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Karamaf’s plate armor felt like a fortress. The only seemingly vulnerable spots were the helmet’s slit and the neck, but Karamaf, being no fool, would defend these well.
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???????
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Johan gripped the longsword tightly, feeling it scream in his grasp.
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‘?????? ?? ????? ??????.’
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One step further.
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Johan completed his calculation and his step.
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It was time to strike.
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A technique called <??????’? ??????> from the guild unfolded beneath Johan’s feet. It was a unique gait that seemed to glide over the ground.
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Karamaf’s eyes widened at the sight of a technique usually used by assassins, wondering how a knight’s son could use it.
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But that was all. Karamaf was too experienced to be surprised by this. He immediately prepared to counter Johan as he closed the distance, ready to strike at any moment.
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Then, Johan vanished. He accelerated again in an explosive movement that genuinely shocked Karamaf.
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‘? ??????!’
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It’s said that a first-class swordsman senses their defeat before it happens. The trained mind and senses make the judgment before the blade even touches the body. That’s what Karamaf was experiencing now.
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For him to lose track of his opponent in a duel between swordsmen was unbelievable.
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‘??? ?? ???? ?? ? ??????? ???? ? ???????. . .!’
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Though defeated in the bout, Karamaf did not panic. This wasn’t a duel under equal conditions. It was a fight where lives were at stake.
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From the beginning, Johan couldn’t win against Karamaf, no matter how many times he probed his weaknesses.
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As long as this armor remains intact.
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Karamaf only needed one hit to win, but for Johan, a win was impossible without striking several times to penetrate vital spots. The fight was so uneven it could hardly be called a fight. Karamaf never thought he would lose.
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‘? ????? ???’?? ? ???????. ??, ???? ???? ??? ??? ???????? ??? ???, ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ????. ?? ?????? ??? ????, ??? ???’? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???????????.’
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Karamaf guarded his neck and face, waiting for Johan’s attack. It didn’t matter where Johan struck. The moment he did, his feet would be stopped, and Karamaf’s counterattack would begin.
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??????!
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There was a heavy sound of air being sliced. Johan swung his sword with tremendous force, aiming for the side. He was attempting a horizontal slash. Karamaf scoffed at Johan.
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Trying to cut plate armor with a longsword. Such a foolish act, not even a fool would attempt. His lack of proper knightly training was his downfall here. Once his meaningless sword strike ended, his neck would be severed.
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‘????????.’
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Then there was a sound.
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It was the sound of Karamaf’s armor being ripped apart.