"That Art of your is pretty good." Jin praised Noah's sword technique.
"Good you say. This cursed technique is good." Noah looked at his sword, grasped it tightly, then looked back to Jin. "Then I will kill you with it."
[Battle Art: Blink]
'What!? That again!'
Without hesitation, Jin activated his spiritual awareness. In that moment, the world seemed to freeze around him. He could sense every being and object within the barrier down to the molecular level, perceiving the flow of blood, the movement of muscles, and the beating of hearts.
A true Sovereign could do even more. Once an Awakened reached level 100, they could effortlessly predict the future through their spiritual awareness. However, the barrier was suppressing Jin's abilities while amplifying Noah's. Still, for Jin, it was more than enough.
[Mystical Art: magic barrier]
In a flash, Noah teleported behind Jin, aiming for a surprise attack. However, Jin had already foreseen Noah's move through his heightened spiritual awareness. Anticipating the attack, Jin had not only prepared himself but had already cast a new barrier, far stronger and more resilient than the previous one. This barrier shimmered with an almost imperceptible energy, fortified by layers of concentrated power, designed to withstand even Noah's amplified strength. As Noah closed in, his momentum was abruptly halted by the invisible shield, leaving him momentarily stunned by Jin's level of preparedness.
[Battle Art: Empty Blade]
Noah's sword cleaved through the barrier with a sharp, crackling sound, its spiritual energy slicing through the reinforced layers Jin had conjured. With deadly precision, Noah thrust the blade into Jin' s back, aiming directly for his heart. The blade pierced through Jin's flesh, its cold edge embedding deep within his body.
For a brief moment, time seemed to slow as Jin's breath caught, pain radiating from the fatal wound. Noah's expression remained cold and calculating as he withdrew the sword, leaving a trail of spiritual energy in its wake. In the blink of an eye, Noah disappeared, teleporting back to his original position across the battlefield. His movements were so swift and fluid that it was as if he had never been there, leaving only the bloodstained sword as a reminder of the deadly strike he had just delivered.
'That was unexpected.'
"You can't heal naturally." Noah observed that Jin injuries were not healing, "Anyone who breakthrough their second limiter gain the ability of regeneration. Since you don't have it, you must be using an artefact to reach the Harmony state."
Noah's assumptions were almost correct. Jin didn't possess any level-up abilities, having skipped all those levels and ascended directly to level 100, making him the weakest Sovereign in history. However, what Noah failed to realize was that this wasn't Jin's true strength. His power went far beyond conventional levels, hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.
"Yes you are right. But that was the last time you broke my barriers."
"Let's see."
Noah took his stance, readying himself for the next strike. However, Jin remained motionless, standing calmly as if Noah's efforts were of no concern. His eyes held no trace of interest in Noah's attack, as though he found it beneath him to even react.
[Battle Art: Blink]
This time, Noah launched a frontal assault, delivering a high-speed slashing strike aimed directly at Jin.
[Mathematician: Barrier durability × ∞]
Noah's sword crashed against the barrier with all his might, expecting to shatter it as he had done before. However, this time the barrier didn't so much as dent. It remained completely unscathed, shimmering with a quiet but overwhelming power. Instead of yielding, the barrier reacted, unleashing a powerful shockwave that surged through Noah's sword and up his arm. The force of the rebound was so intense that Noah staggered backward, momentarily losing his footing. His grip tightened on the sword as he steadied himself, but the unexpected resistance left him momentarily stunned. The barrier wasn't just a defense anymore—it was fighting back.
"See that. Just like I said."
Noah showed no emotion, his face remaining stoic and focused. He relentlessly attacked from every direction, his strikes swift and precise. Yet, despite his efforts, the barrier remained untouched—not a single scratch appeared on its surface, no matter how fierce his assaults became.
"It no use. But it's also boaring."
Jin deactivated the barrier, and with a deliberate, fluid motion, he raised his right arm. From the palm of his hand, a sword began to take shape, crafted from shimmering spiritual energy. The sword materialized slowly, its blade radiating a mesmerizing, ethereal glow. The energy blade pulsed with a soft luminescence, casting flickering reflections across the surrounding area. As the sword fully formed, it crackled with an almost tangible power, reflecting Jin's intense focus and control over his spiritual prowess. The weapon, though composed of energy, exuded a formidable presence, ready for the confrontation to come.
"Since you like swordplay that much then lets play."
"What? Spiritual energy, are you not going to use Cosmic energy."
"I can. But what is the fun in that? You will die instantly. And I don't want that." Jin remembered something."Oh. Speaking of death I almost forgot."
[Mathematician: Numerical manipulation, Complete Regeneration]
With a swift flick of his wrist, Jin completely healed Roma, who had been whining in pain from his injuries. At the same time, Jin addressed his own wounds, mending them with equal efficiency.
'He didn't used any spiritual energy. Was that a skill, or maybe a unique skill. Something like Biological Manipulation.' Maya thought.
"What the hell!!!!"
Roma opened his eyes, astonished to find that all the pain had vanished. It was as if he had been granted a new body—there was no discomfort, not even the slightest trace of the previous agony. He felt rejuvenated, as though he had been restored to a state of complete well-being.
Without wasting any more time, Noah started his attack once again.
"So impatience. Very well than. Now I will fight you for real."
[Mathematician: Understanding of sword × 100k, reaction time × 100k, battle instinct × 100k, (strength, speed, durability)× 100k]
Noah lunged forward without any warning, thrusting his sword directly at Jin's throat. However, before the blade could reach him, Jin effortlessly halted it with just his index finger, pressing against the edge of the sword and stopping it dead in its tracks.
"Surprised. I told you it's begins now."
At that moment, Noah noticed a faint vibration on Jin's energy sword, which he held in his other hand. The speed of Jin's sword was imperceptible to Noah; it moved with such swiftness that the slashes it dealt were almost undetectable.
Noah instinctively jumped back, his body now covered in hundreds of sword slashes. Blood flowed freely from the numerous wounds, staining his clothing and pooling on the ground.
"I couldn't see his movements. I can usually react to attacks moving at the speed of light, but his speed clearly surpassed that."
Those below level 90 couldn't exceed the speed of light, as no physical object should be able to surpass it.
"What's wrong? Can't see my movements?"
Jin grinned.
Noah smiled slightly.
"You bastard, are you enjoying this." Jin was surprised to saw Noah smiled.
'What! I smile!' Noah never expected, that he had the ability to smiled any longer. 'No, my..I had....'
"Well, well. Since you like this so much I will be fighting with the same level as you now."
[Mathematician: Power Equal]
Jin's overwhelming power subsided. Decreasing rapidly, until it became same as Noah.
"What did you do? Your power decreased."
"I decided to fight in equal footing."
"What?"
Noah was confused, he couldn't understand Jin's ability. It was becoming more and more mysterious to him.
'How is he manipulating his own strength. Is he just hiding it. Or is it something else.'
He took the stand. Decided to think of it after he captured Jin. Beside as long as he captured Jin, the elder could determined his ability.
[Battle Art: Sword Flash]
Noah's sword began to be enveloped by his spiritual energy, a blue, liquid-like aura forming around it. With a powerful swing, he released a flash of energy that shot toward Jin at high speed. However, Jin dodged the attack with ease, effortlessly avoiding the oncoming blast.
They suddenly lunged at each other, vanishing from their spots in an instant and becoming completely invisible to Maya's level 48 eyes.
When they collided, they moved with astonishing speed, their swords flashing in rapid succession. Only brief glimpses of their blades were visible as they exchanged dozens of blows in mere seconds.
A powerful shockwave erupted from the point of impact, devastating the ground beneath them and expanding outward like a sphere.
'What!!! What is this feeling.'
Between their battle, Noah sensed a foreign felling inside him. Something he remembered but also forgotten.
The clash between them intensified, becoming more furious and destructive with each passing moment. Their combat reached a new level of chaos as they darted through the barrier, their movements leaving a trail of ruin in their wake. They were fully immersed in the battle, their focus entirely on each other as they exchanged rapid, devastating strikes. The ground trembled with every impact, and the air was filled with the sounds of clashing metal and the roar of unleashed energy. The scene was one of utter pandemonium, with both fighters pushing their limits, their struggle shaping the very fabric of the environment around them.
"Noah stop this!" Maya shouted.
"Incredible, I can't even see them anymore. But I can sence them from everywhere. They are moving so fast, that they are like everywhere at the same time." Roma was struggling to understand the situation.
Jin and Noah were immersed in the battle. Not able to care about anything else anymore.
Through the clashed, Noah started to sensed something, he never knew before.
'I can see him. Now I can only see him. I don't care about anything anymore. Just this fight is all I care now. Jin, it seems I can feel your soul.'
'Yes you can. And so do I.'
Noah closed his eyes, a genuine smile of happiness spreading across his face. He felt a deep sense of relief, the weight of his pain momentarily forgotten. His previously empty soul now held a small, fragile light, a glimmer of hope and renewal within.
"This filling! Hahaha...!!What is this!!?"
"You fool. This is the thrill of battle."
"Thrill of battle? Hahaha...."Noah erupted with uncontrollably laughter.
"What!! Noah is laughing." Maya's eyes widened.
"That bastard is still a human it seems." Roma smiled.
"Noah... promise me you will never forget to laugh." The words echoed softly in Noah's mind, a haunting reminder of a promise he once made. It was a voice from the past, belonging to his sister, whose memory had been a guiding light in his darkest moments. The promise was more than just a request; it was a vow to cherish joy despite the hardships he faced. As the voice resonated within him, Noah felt a wave of warmth and nostalgia, a stark contrast to the pain and emptiness he had endured. The memory of that promise rekindled a small, fragile light in his soul, reminding him of the hope and happiness he had vowed to preserve.
'Ha. Forgive me sister. It seems that I had forgotten the promised we made.'
Noah looked at his sword, 'So this is what he meant by a rival.'
Noah stood in silence, his gaze fixed on the barrier as he let his sword fall to the ground. "It seems you win," he said softly. As the words left his lips, multiple sword slashes suddenly appeared across his body. The injuries were severe, and he crumpled to the ground, his strength fading.
"Noah!!" Maya came running.
"Don't warry I didn't killed him."
Jin started walking towards unconscious Luke and picked him up.
"Noah was defeated." Roma sighed.
"You can't go past the barrier. It made by a highest tier artefact. It can't be broken. It's invincible." Maya warned Jin.
"Don't warry about that. Unfortunately there is nothing in this world that's important for me."
Jin walked calmly toward the barrier, his movements deliberate and measured. He extended a hand and touched it gently.
[Mathematician: Barrier durability × 0]
In an instant, the barrier, which had seemed invincible and impenetrable just moments before, began to fracture. Cracks appeared across its surface, spreading rapidly like a spiderweb. The once indestructible shield that had enveloped the entire area was now breaking apart, and within moments, it shattered with a resounding, glass-like crash that echoed through the space.
Maya's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw dropping as she watched the barrier crumble. "What?! Impossible!!!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment and frustration.
Roma, equally stunned, couldn't hide his irritation. "And those bastards sent us to capture this monster?" he complained, his tone reflecting both anger and disbelief at the overwhelming situation.
************************
While the battle raged on, a mysterious hooded figure watched intently from the top of a nearby building.
"Yes, there's no doubt about it. It's the young master," the figure murmured.
He moved his hand to his ear, activating a communication device with a subtle gesture. But to his surprised it didn't worked.
"What's wrong with this machines, maybe due to this barrier near me. It even blocking my telepathy. And now this device too."
"Actually I am the one blocking your telepathy."
A mysterious voice emanated from behind the hooded man. He tried to turn and look back, but before he could react, a firm hand grabbed his head, holding him in place.
"Now if you don't mind. Look at my eyes."
[Skill: Mind Dominate]
"Good boy. Forget everything you see here. I leave."
"Y-yes sir."
Saying this, the hooded man shifted slightly and then vanished into thin air, disappearing without a trace.
Standing at the top of the building, Albedo saw the barriers breaking down.
"Good grief. Even I would have struggled destroying it."
Albedo looked at Jin.
"Even though you are his father, I don't let you have him. King of Malevolence."