The Holy Sword, a twist.

With Yoon Si-woo’s small muttering, his body was enveloped in pitch-black light.

And the moment I saw Yoon Si-woo wrapped in magic with the witch’s power, Lucy’s warning I had heard a while ago replayed in my head.

“If you use your power thoughtlessly like just now, you will die.”

Using the witch’s power would lead to Yoon Si-woo’s death.

Yet here was Yoon Si-woo, about to utilize that power right before my eyes.

That situation sent me into a panic.

What in the world is that guy thinking…?! Has he forgotten that using that would mean he could die…?!

Embarrassment and fear chased away all rationality in my mind, leaving only the thought that I had to stop Yoon Si-woo, who was trying to use the witch’s power right now.

So, I shook my head frantically and grabbed Yoon Si-woo, shouting.

“No, Yoon Si-woo…! If you use the witch’s power, you…!”

“I know.”

But unlike me, who was scared at the thought he might die, Yoon Si-woo showed no signs of fear despite being the one involved.

“But I don’t think I can face them without using it.”

Instead, the stern expression on his face revealed an undeniable rage.

Yoon Si-woo’s gaze, filled with clear hostility, was unwavering as it targeted Beatrice and the massive demonic beast.

In those fierce eyes, I worried that perhaps Yoon Si-woo had lost his reason due to anger.

“Still, I will be careful not to let what you worry about happen, Scarlet.”

Yoon Si-woo told me not to worry.

“Trust me and wait a little.”

His voice was so gentle that I couldn’t believe he was upset.

“I’ll be back.”

Yoon Si-woo carefully removed my hand that had held him tightly.

I felt his hand brushing away the tears flowing down my cheek.

And in the next moment,

“… Yoon Si-woo.”

Yoon Si-woo charged toward the massive beast.

*

“I can’t stop him. Even though I said to avoid relying on my power if possible…”

Lucy grumbled.

It was evident that borrowing her power was dangerous for him, which made Yoon Si-woo smile wryly at her words.

However, just like he said to Scarlet, he couldn’t ignore using the witch’s power.

“Lucy, you saw it. It’s a powerful enemy that can’t be handled without it.”

“So, you asked me for my power.”

Lucy, acknowledging the fact that the enemy was indeed strong, had willingly lent her strength.

There were too many signs to consider that the opponent was formidable.

Firstly, both Scarlet and Ari, who were significantly strong, were helplessly at the mercy of the wrathful beast.

Secondly, the attack using the radiant Holy Sword, which wouldn’t lose to any great magic, failed to deliver any damage to the enemy whatsoever.

And most importantly,

“… It’s electrifying.”

“Yes, it possesses an extraordinary vigor. I’ve never seen a being with this level of power in my entire life.”

This aura.

Just standing across from it made every hair on my body stand on end, indicating that the adversary was more formidable than anyone I had ever encountered.

The problem was that there were two opponents radiating such an aura.

A massive silhouette of an unknown beast obscured by smoke and a girl with striking violet hair, presumed to be a witch.

It was clear they were both strong foes, so Yoon Si-woo tightened his grip on the sword.

At that moment, Lucy murmured.

“Si-woo, are you not afraid? This battle might cost you your life if things go wrong. Strategically retreating would not be a bad choice.”

When asked about retreating, Yoon Si-woo shook his head without hesitation.

“Lucy, I won’t run away. I made a pact with you to become stronger than anyone else.”

“… Heh, that’s right.”

Lucy’s tone was satisfied, as if pleased with his response.

“But your true intention is different, isn’t it?”

“… You understand me too well, Lucy. Exactly.”

However, as she continued, Yoon Si-woo also chuckled softly.

In reality, his true reasoning was…

“I simply cannot forgive those who made Scarlet cry.”

“Hahaha, indeed, you are an incorrigible man. But that’s what makes you likable.”

Lucy burst into laughter at his honest reply.

And then her voice followed without a hint of laughter.

“However, to achieve that, you must prepare yourself. The enemy will not be easy as you imagine.”

“I know.”

Yoon Si-woo wiped the smile off his face.

Until this moment, he concluded his brief conversation as he dashed toward the enemy.

Right after, Yoon Si-woo’s sword shot toward the enemy in front of him.

“Hraaaah!”

His target was the massive beast aiming to stomp on the downed Ari.

It might be ironic to throw himself to protect the murderer of his parents, but in this moment, he swung the sword to defend.

And the moment the sword collided with the foot of the giant beast,

“Guh…?!”

Yoon Si-woo felt an unexpected recoil and was flung back along with the sword.

“What is this…?!”

A sword that was supposed to cut through everything had been repelled.

His mind momentarily clouded with confusion at the unforeseen situation, when Scarlett’s exclamation reached him.

“Yoon Si-woo, be careful…! That monster’s ability is the power to reject interference…! Not only do attacks not work, but anything that touches it gets erased…!”

“The power to reject interference…?”

Hearing those words, which served as both a warning and advice, Yoon Si-woo’s mind became increasingly muddled.

The power to reject interference?

Not only do attacks fail to affect it, but it erases anything that comes into contact with it. What ridiculous ability could that be?

If that’s true, that monster is nothing short of invulnerable.

“Calm down, Si-woo.”

Just as he was flustered, Lucy’s voice sounded.

“Don’t be overly flustered. In a sense, it’s a power of a similar kind to mine. The power to cut through anything, the ability to reject any interference; both are abilities that twist the rules.”

Her voice was calm.

As if there were no need for agitation.

“But undoubtedly, it is a remarkable ability. To block all attacks and erase everything that touches it. It is like an invulnerable shield, while simultaneously acting like an invincible spear.”

With that insensible demeanor, Yoon Si-woo regained his composure.

If she is so unperturbed, then she must have a solution for that ability.

“… What should I do to counter such an ability, Lucy?”

So, Yoon Si-woo asked Lucy that question.

“What can you do? Well, aside from cutting, what else is there?”

“Huh…?”

However, Yoon Si-woo became baffled again at Lucy’s excessively simple response.

“No, but you saw that the attack was deflected just now…!”

“The situations then and now are different.”

But Lucy calmly replied to the flustered Yoon Si-woo.

“Just now, you swung your sword without knowing, but now you are aware that the enemy possesses such a power, aren’t you?”

And with her advice, Yoon Si-woo’s eyes widened.

The difference between knowing and not knowing was significant in wielding a sword.

Then Lucy asked Yoon Si-woo, who had his eyes wide open, now closing them slowly.

“Why, do you think you can’t cut it?”

Yoon Si-woo did not answer.

However, Lucy chuckled softly at Yoon Si-woo, who was quietly closing his eyes.

“The enemy’s form is transparent. They must have used their ability to reject visibility.”

Enlightenment often arrives suddenly.

“Not a sound can be heard as that behemoth moves. They likely used their powers to block sound as well.”

And continuing her guidance for the disciple grasping this insight, her mentor spoke up.

“What a versatile ability. In contrast, look at us.”

The opposite of sudden enlightenment is gradual improvement.

Gradual improvement focuses on achieving enlightenment step by step.

But what the swordsman needs to grasp sudden enlightenment.

Such enlightenment is not something that comes suddenly, but found in the sword they have wielded until now.

Thus, the mentor asks to remind the disciple.

“Si-woo, what ability do I possess?”

“The ability to cut anything.”

“Then, Si-woo, what can you, the swordsman, do?”

“Cut. Only that.”

“Right. Compared to an opponent that can do many things, we can only do that one thing.”

But what is the problem?

“Instead, that one thing, we can do better than anyone else.”

There’s a skill honed to excel at that singular task.

There’s a capability to maximize the value of that singular skill.

That alone is enough, the disciple newly realizes this and opens his eyes.

And to the newly enlightened disciple, the mentor asks.

“Si-woo, do you now know what you must do?”

At that question, the disciple silently raised his sword.

Thousands, ten thousands, hundreds of millions, or perhaps even more.

The repetitive motion perfected for the sole purpose is once again executed for that one objective.

The monster clad with an invulnerable shield and invincible spear did not even glance at the sword being swung toward it.

It thought the earlier repelled attack posed no threat whatsoever.

However, the mentor, who had taught the disciple that one thing, smiled and said.

“Yes. That’s it, Si-woo.”

Having poured everything for that one purpose.

“If there’s an invulnerability in front of you, simply cut through the invulnerability.”

There’s nothing in this world that you cannot cut.

And thus, the finely honed sword—

–■■■■■■■?!!!

Imprinted a deep scar on the invulnerable beast.