That Bastard

As Helmen finished his words, a sudden burst of aggressive energy surged from the shadows, speeding toward the previously empty space at the center of the stage.But before the attack could strike—A single hand swept through the air.A loud crack echoed.The energy vanished completely.Smoke curled around the space, thick and slow. The air trembled. From within that dense fog, a figure began to materialize. First, two hands emerged—skeletal and wrapped in black, with the faint shimmer of cracked seals tattooed across the skin. Then, a cloaked body followed. His robes were torn in many places, with jagged black spikes protruding from the shoulders and hem. The fabric dragged across the floor like ink in water.His face was completely concealed beneath a dark, metallic mask—covered in sharp spikes that twisted in every direction. It was as if pain and chaos had taken shape.He raised his gaze toward Helmen. Then, in a harsh, gravel-filled voice that grated like rusted blades, he said:“So… General Helmen is here.”Helmen clenched his jaw tightly, the veins around his temple twitching with suppressed fury. His voice came out like a growl, low and restrained.“You Slaves… have that much nerve? You dare show yourself in my presence?”The masked figure laughed—a hollow, mocking sound that vibrated through the bones of everyone present.“What do you think of yourself, General?” he said coldly. “You only survived that night because Elder Juvika happened to be nearby. Or else… you know what Master Gukif would have done to you.”His laugh rang out again, sharper this time.Helmen didn’t respond. His body vanished in an instant, consumed by a swirl of energy.And then—BOOM!A terrifying force crashed into the space where the masked figure stood. The very air collapsed under the pressure. The stage trembled.But the masked figure didn’t fall.He stood, unmoved, amidst the fading smoke. His voice remained calm, but laced with scorn.“Helmen… Do you really think something as weak as that could kill me?”Before he could finish, an ice spear suddenly tore through the air toward his chest. It shimmered under the lights—lethal and precise.Jinnia had attacked.She stood tall, her gaze unwavering.She would not allow anyone to bring such disrespect to their gathering.The masked man—Havnim—chuckled darkly.“So… you’re going to fight me as well?”Around them, the other sect leaders began preparing to intervene. Their spiritual energy rose in silent warning.But then—Havnim suddenly raised his arm and laughed again, this time with an almost frenzied edge. Dozens of paper talismans flew from his sleeves like birds from a cage. At the same time, dark flags burst from his robes and scattered across the entire stadium.In the blink of an eye, powerful formation lines flared to life.A massive barrier enveloped the stands—sealing off the audience and all the other elders and leaders. Now, only those on the central stage remained.Trapped.Jinnia and Helmen attacked simultaneously. Their strikes cut through the smoke with elemental force—ice, flame, and wind colliding toward Havnim from every side.But he was fast.He dodged all of it, vanishing into shadow. His cloak fluttered as he twisted through the attacks, his feet barely touching the ground.He was trying to escape.On the other side, Elder Shuna and Bulma moved immediately, their focus no longer on the battle. They stood before Rubika, forming a protective wall. Other elders joined them, surrounding the glowing energy cocoon in which Rubika lay unconscious.They understood now—why Sheo had insisted she be the one to take the trial. Rubika could very well be the successor of the Moon Grace.And right now… she was undergoing the most critical stage.Receiving the essence and knowledge of the Moon Goddess herself.Each elder silently vowed:Even if we must give our lives… she must not be disturbed.Rubika’s body remained motionless, suspended within a pale cocoon of moonlight and flowing silver strands of energy.Ahanka looked toward Chiara with urgency.“Stay alert,” she said, voice firm. “I’ll go help them.”Without waiting for a response, she leapt forward—her body tearing through the air as she joined the battlefield.Havnim clicked his tongue. He knew now.He had no chance of winning.But he also knew something else.If he chose to run… they couldn’t stop him.And unfortunately, they knew that too.Havnim began chanting rapidly. Flames burst around him, coiling and spiraling into a massive spell. Then, with a vicious flick of his hand, a wide wall of flame surged toward Jinnia.He spun.Dozens—no, hundreds—of black metallic needles erupted from his cloak and rushed toward Ahanka like a storm.He turned his gaze next toward Helmen, who was already mid-air—charging like a beast unleashed, eyes burning with wrath.Havnim scowled.“How annoying…” he muttered.Then, he spoke a forbidden incantation:“Secret Art: Fake Willow.”A dark sphere of energy condensed instantly—dense, violent, and twisted. It shot toward Helmen like a comet.Havnim gave a twisted smile.“That should buy me enough time to escape.”His feet pushed off, and he flew north—his form flickering.But the injuries were catching up.He was bleeding from several places. His robes were torn. His energy unstable.As he thought he had finally escaped, a sudden crack echoed in the sky.BOOM!A bolt of lightning fell directly from above and struck his body with pinpoint precision.He cried out, his limbs twisting mid-air as he crashed into the corner of the stadium.Smoke rose from his back.Blood dripped from his mouth.He looked up, furious.“WHO THE HELL DID THAT!?” he roared.Then he saw him.Sheo stood not far away, holding an ordinary-looking sword. His posture was calm, but his eyes were resolute.Havnim’s rage peaked.“You bastard… you’ll DIE today!”He raised both arms.A full barrage of needles rained down toward Sheo like a black monsoon.Sheo exhaled slowly.Then—he moved.He activated All Presence, expanded Space Heart, and coordinated it with the 9 Path Movement Technique.His body weaved through the air like a ghost, dancing through the needles without even grazing his robe.The crowd—those trapped behind the barrier—watched in stunned silence.Sheo was fighting Havnim… alone.Sheo gritted his teeth as he dodged another incoming spell. Sweat formed along his brow.“If this keeps up…” he thought, “…I’ll die before anyone gets here.”Then, without hesitation, he let go.He released the energy he had been holding back all this time.BOOM!His aura flared. The ground shook beneath him.His cultivation broke through—He became a Half-Saint.He had planned to keep it hidden… at least until the festival ended. But now, he had no choice.His speed increased. His swordsmanship sharpened.Havnim growled.“Why won’t you DIE already, you fuckin’… cockroach!?”Sheo calmed his breathing.The surroundings grew quiet.A light mist fell over the stage.Stars shimmered into existence—thousands of twinkling lights above, forming a beautiful, still nightscape.His body blurred.He appeared in front of Havnim in an instant, sword raised, ready to deliver a powerful slash.But—SHIKK!He felt it.A massive needle had appeared behind him.“Idiot.” Havnim’s voice came cold. “You should always watch your back when fighting.”Sheo prepared to use 9 Path again—But then, a brilliant white light tore through the air.It pierced the needle—and the space around it—cleanly.Havnim’s eyes widened in disbelief.“What!?”He turned his head—And saw her.Chiara stood not far away, her sword still humming with energy. Her cold gaze was fixed directly on him.Sheo moved.His blade swept horizontally with maximum force, and Havnim’s body flew across the stage. The strike didn’t kill him—but it wounded him .He couldn’t dodge the next ones.A massive ice shard slammed into his side.Then—A compressed wind sphere smashed into his back, pinning him down.Sheo had bought enough time.Ahanka and Jinnia had successfully nullified his defenses.Before Havnim could even lift his head—BOOM!!!A monstrous pressure descended from the sky in the form of a flaming fist.It crashed into him with godlike weight.The ground cracked.His body—Destroyed.Helmen stepped beside the smoldering hole, his expression calm.He looked at Sheo and nodded.“Good work, kid.”Then he turned to the far side of the stage, where Chiara stood silently.“You too.”Sheo asked, breathing heavily:“Did we… kill him?”Helmen shook his head.“No. That was just a blood clone. It had almost the same power as the real Havnim—but he’d never risk showing up in person. He came only to test us. Still…” he added, “…killing this clone will hurt his true body. He’ll need at least two to three months to recover.”Far away, near a hidden waterfall, a man opened his eyes and coughed up blood.“Bastard Helmen… you’ll pay for this…”Back in the stadium, Sheo sat down slowly and took out ten energy pills. He consumed them one by one, trying to stabilize the chaos in his body.The barrier was brought down.The formation broken.The crowd was safe.Jinnia stepped forward, bowing slightly.“It was our honor to have you attend our festival. We apologize for the disturbance. The festival night has ended. Please rest well.”The audience slowly began to leave.Only the sect leaders, Xenic Moon elders, Sheo, and Chiara remained.Jinnia looked toward Sheo, her expression softening.He exhaled deeply and began explaining everything—from how he found Rubika , to her completion of the Moon Grace trial, and why he believed she was the true successor.Jinnia shook her head gently and looked at the glowing cocoon nearby. A soft smile touched her lips.“Finally…” she whispered, “…our land will have another cultivator whose talent and heart are comparable to our goddess.”Then her gaze moved back to Sheo.So many questions burned within her… but she stayed silent.She would wait for the right moment.The elders then carried Rubika’s cocoon to the most secure, energy-rich chamber within the Xenic Moon Sect—ensuring her safety as she continued to inherit the legacy of the Moon Goddess.The hall had returned to silence.After the dust settled from the earlier events, Sheo was summoned into a quiet, sealed room deep within the central hall of the orphanage. It wasn’t a place where meetings were usually held—only used when the matter was considered confidential or serious.Sheo stepped in carefully. Inside, he saw three elders seated already—Jinnia, Shuna, and Bulma. Each of them wore a composed expression, but Sheo could sense something different in their eyes. They were studying him, their gazes curious, cautious, almost unreadable.Beside them stood Elisa and Luzi. Elisa gave a small nod of acknowledgment, calm as always. Luzi, on the other hand, was clearly holding back laughter, one hand covering her mouth as her shoulders trembled slightly.Sheo scanned each face, then exhaled quietly, accepting that he’d have to explain something. He stepped forward and began sharing his version of the events.He spoke about the journey, their encounter with traps, and the dungeon's depth. However, he deliberately avoided certain things—the moment he met Dreamy, the white fox pup born from a divine beast, and the mysterious room hidden in Parth’s dungeon where strange phenomena occurred. He also did not reveal how he defeated Rell and Kanif. Some truths were better left untold. Perhaps not forever—but not now.The elders didn’t press him. Somehow, they seemed to understand. Their silence gave him the space to choose what to reveal.Then, Jinnia leaned forward. Her tone was neutral, but the question she asked was one that had been lingering in everyone’s mind."How did you manage to awaken your energy?" she asked slowly. "As far as I remember, when Shuna first took you to the medical division, the doctors said your energy couldn’t be awakened. They were certain of it."Sheo fell silent for a moment, then let out a breath. "My energy wasn’t the problem," he said. "It was my energy paths. They were damaged—too unstable to handle even my own energy. That’s why I couldn’t circulate it."Jinnia raised her eyebrows slightly. That wasn’t a common diagnosis. She asked the next logical question. "Then how did you heal them?"Sheo paused again, then chose his words carefully. "My teacher helped me."That response caught everyone's attention. Shuna smiled slightly, while Jinnia leaned back, quietly thinking. If even Shuna—one of the most skilled cultivators and craftsmen in their region—hadn’t noticed such damage, then whoever this teacher was, their skill must be extraordinary."So… who is your teacher?" Jinnia asked after a brief silence.It was a valid question. Though Shuna had guided and supported Sheo, he had never formally accepted a master. That was partially Sheo’s own choice. He didn’t want to make Shuna shoulder any more pressure or criticism than she already did. She had once been hailed as a genius, a pillar of the village. Now, she was seen as a craftsman more than a warrior. Sheo didn’t want to drag her name into speculation.He gave a respectful nod before replying, "My apologies, Leader Jinnia. I cannot reveal that. My teacher does not wish to involve themselves in political or institutional matters. They prefer to wander and study the world in their own way."Jinnia gave him a long look, eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t pursue it. "I see," she said at last.Inwardly, Sheo exhaled, relieved. Nailed it, he thought.After that, Jinnia’s expression softened slightly. She turned to Bulma. “Take Luzi and Elisa outside,” she said.Once the room was cleared, Jinnia returned her focus to Sheo.“In four days, the selection exam for the Knight Soul Magic Academy will begin,” she informed him. “This year’s selection is different. Much stricter. Their core council has changed, and the number of candidates being accepted has dropped significantly.”Sheo listened closely.“There are two phases,” she continued. “The first is the regional exam—only the most promising cultivators are shortlisted and taken to the capital. Then they’re trained for one and a half years before the final selection.”She leaned forward.“As per the current reports, sixty participants will be competing this time. But only six will be selected.”Sheo's eyes sharpened slightly. He didn’t speak, but he was processing each word carefully.Jinnia gave a knowing look. “After your performance… people will be watching you. You’ll be a target. Prepare well.”Sheo nodded slowly. Then, he spoke up again, this time with a question he’d been holding back for some time.“If I clear the first round… can I choose to train on my own during those 1.5 years and appear directly for the final selection later?”The question caught both Jinnia and Shuna off guard. Their expressions turned serious.Jinnia tapped her fingers on the table thoughtfully. “It’s not impossible,” she finally said. “But… you’ll need to prove yourself worthy of that kind of freedom. They won’t allow just anyone to skip the structured training.”“I understand,” Sheo said, nodding again.The conversation moved on for a bit, covering smaller matters, until Sheo asked about Rubika.“She’s fine,” Jinnia replied. “But what she’s attempting… is difficult. Gaining the wisdom of the Moon Goddess is no simple matter. But if she succeeds—her future will outshine everyone’s. A direct disciple of the Moon Goddess could bring back the glory our land once knew.”Sheo took that in silently. After a respectful bow, he left the room.After leaving the hall, Sheo didn’t return to his quarters. Instead, he went straight to the mountain clearing—his usual training ground. The sky above was clear, wind brushing softly through the trees. He sat down, closed his eyes, and began meditating, slowly gathering the scattered energy within him.His energy had recently stabilized at the Half-Saint level, and yet, as he opened his eyes and looked at his hands, he couldn’t help but sigh."I really only made it to Half-Saint after all this time. I must be truly untalented..."He didn’t realize that, had anyone heard him say that, they might have thought he was mocking them. What took him mere months had taken others years—decades, even.Then, Sheo reached into his storage ring and took out a transparent blue paper. Parth had given it to him, instructing him to guard it well. With everything that had happened, Sheo had almost forgotten about it.There was no title on the paper. Just a string of symbols and notes. As he began to read, he quickly realized this was an unfinished technique. A highly ambitious one.The concept was simple in theory—control any number of swords through mental and spatial link. The numbers could start from two, three… up to thousands or more. But in practice, the challenge was immense. Every sword had a different trajectory. Even the slightest disturbance in space could cause the entire sequence to collapse.One possible solution, noted in the margin, was to use Sword Mind to control them. Parth had mentioned that in his notes. But according to him, even a practitioner at the Trizenic level had failed to master it. Only someone who had reached Triloknath-level Sword Mind could hope to complete the technique.Sheo stared at the paper, realizing he was nowhere near capable of even modifying it. He needed hundreds—thousands—of simulations to make progress.He stood up and practiced with his sword. His skills had noticeably sharpened. He was confident now—he could take on fighters like Rell and Kanif head-on, even without using Dreamy or surprise tactics.Next, he took out another scroll—the one he had purchased at the auction house. It was sealed with a strange gray lock, something only a specific type of energy could open.Sheo stared at it. “Here goes nothing,” he muttered, channeling his energy into the seal.After a few seconds, the lock cracked, then crumbled.As the paper unfurled, a name appeared:Battle Armour Gene Art: Lightning Destroyer ArmourHis heart raced. This was one of the rarest kinds of techniques. Even the most basic version of a Battle Armour technique could boost a cultivator’s strength tenfold. But as Sheo began to read through it, his excitement quickly faded into frustration.The technique was incomplete.Again.Sheo rubbed his temples. “Why do I always get incomplete techniques…”Still, there was one useful part: a segment called Destroyer Wing. If mastered, it would grant the user immense aerial speed—flight, even. Flight was normally reserved for cultivators at the Emperor Core 2 level or for those lucky enough to possess a flight technique—rarer than even Battle Armour arts.To activate Destroyer Wing, however, he would need to craft hollow energy wings using the essence of a powerful flying beast. Sheo wasn’t ready to settle for any ordinary creature. He set it aside. That, too, would wait.Just like that, three days passed.Tomorrow would be the selection test.Another turning point in Sheo’s life was about to arrive.