I’m Here to End This Fight

Chapter 3 Molting (3)

After finishing the scuffle with Dutch’s gang.

Yuri left the territory and entered a secluded forest path nearby.

He confirmed there was no one around and urgently hunched over.

“Cough-.”

He quickly covered his mouth with his hand as a cough burst out.

Red blood seeped through his pale fingers.

It was clearly a serious amount of blood.

However, Yuri wiped the bloodstained lips nonchalantly.

“Ah… damn pig.”

Yuri cursed Dutch with an irritated look and then collapsed, overcome by a splitting headache.

“Guh!”

In extreme pain, he hurriedly pulled a pouch from his chest.

Yuri quickly chewed and swallowed an herbal medicine he took from the leather pouch.

He breathed heavily, waiting for the medicine to take effect.

“Hoo, hoo.”

Even though the herb had strong pain-relieving properties, the headache did not subside easily.

Feeling the sticky blood on his palm, his face twisted even more.

‘Damn it!’

The ‘Black Plague’ that annihilated the Pauli Family and related individuals.

The terrifying monster that appeared suddenly and took many lives disappeared without a trace at some point.

Some said the Black Plague had been exterminated, while others claimed it had moved elsewhere.

But the truth was different.

‘I shouldn’t have used it.’

Eight years ago, when he rampaged like a mad beast.

What stopped Yuri, who was feared as the Black Plague, was not a subjugation force but himself.

To be precise, it was his wrecked physical condition.

‘Just dipping my toes in this caused this much trouble…’

He first became aware of the ‘curse’ around the age of eight.

It was when he suddenly vomited blood and fainted just as his bloody revenge was nearing its end.

After several repetitions of similar incidents, Yuri realized.

‘The power I thought came without a price… was actually a curse that consumed my lifespan.’

Yuri’s current body was like a bomb with a burning fuse.

The fuse burned even when he stayed still.

Moreover, the more he used his power, the faster the fuse burned.

‘How much of my fuse is left now?’

When the burning fuse completely burned out and the bomb finally exploded, would he die?

Or would the black monster devour him?

Either way, it was clear that would be the end of ‘Yuri Holland.’

‘I need to find a way to break this curse.’

Eight years ago, the fierce anger and murderous intent had subsided into a survival instinct.

Yuri wandered the world like a stray dog, suppressing his power and curse as much as possible, searching for a way to control it.

But he couldn’t even discover the true identity of the ‘black monster,’ let alone the cause of his body’s deterioration.

The more he searched, the more his desire to live turned into an obsession.

Now, at the mere age of fifteen.

He knew his end was approaching as a terminal case, but he didn’t know when that end would be.

An uncertain future where he might live for another ten years or not wake up the next morning.

Each day was precious yet painful for Yuri.

Tired of such a life, he stayed in the Irons territory for half a year to rest.

But.

“…It’s about time to leave this place.”

Yuri felt it was time to move on again.

If he stayed any longer, he would want to settle down.

“Hoo…”

As the headache subsided somewhat, Yuri stood up and walked towards his hideout.

And in the darkness.

Rustle-.

The eyes watching Yuri enter the forest blinked and then disappeared.

* * *

The next morning.

Yuri was in the Irons territory.

He blinked at the hustle and bustle he could clearly feel in the air.

‘Quite a crowd gathered.’

From the castle gate to the village square.

The wide, well-maintained main road was packed with people from the territory.

The reason for their gathering was singular.

To see the ones they had been waiting for the past three months.

And it was also why Yuri had come into the territory.

‘The Black Sword Corps.’

There was no one on the continent who didn’t know the name of the Black Sword Corps.

The Sword Master’s personal guard.

The strongest military group on land.

Guardians of the Cradle, and so on.

However, despite their renowned fame, encountering them was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Even Yuri, who had roamed the continent for a long time, had never seen them.

‘Even if I leave Irons, it wouldn’t be bad to see the Black Sword Corps while I have the chance.’

Otherwise, when would he get another chance to see the Black Sword Corps?

At that moment, Yuri’s gaze turned towards the castle gate.

Thud-

Far off, the castle gate was slowly being raised.

Soon murmurs erupted from all around.

“Wow, they’re here!”

“Are they really here?”

People craned their necks towards the gate.

Boom-

Finally, the castle gate opened fully.

Beyond the open gate, they appeared.

Black uniforms adorned with golden threads.

Black cloaks draped over their shoulders.

Five men dressed in black uniforms, fitting the name of the Black Sword Corps, entered the territory on brown horses.

Clip-clop-

“Waaaah!”

“It’s the Black Sword Corps!”

“Guardians of the Cradle!”

The long-awaited appearance of the Black Sword Corps.

As the mounted Black Sword Corps passed by, the people of the territory cheered.

Yuri also watched the Black Sword Corps.

What struck him first was their sharp aura.

And as he met the eyes of the Black Sword Corps, a cold sweat ran down Yuri’s back.

‘Those bastards…’

Did the cheering crowd realize?

What kind of gaze the Black Sword Corps directed at them?

Perhaps Yuri was the only one in this place who noticed.

‘They don’t see people as people.’

The Black Sword Corps looked at people as if they were mere obstacles in their way.

As if they could be removed whenever necessary.

‘Disgusting eyes.’

Recalling memories from eight years ago due to the gaze of the Black Sword Corps, Yuri’s expression hardened.

* * *

In a neatly maintained training ground.

A boy was sweating as he swung a double-handed sword.

Dark blonde hair and green eyes.

Distinctive features and a rather cold impression.

The boy with striking looks was fully immersed in his training.

Hum-

With a heavy whoosh, the longsword slashed down vertically.

A sword so heavy that ordinary people would struggle to lift it traced an exact path without an inch of deviation.

‘Clear your mind and focus on the tip of the sword.’

The blonde boy, Gunther.

With remarkable concentration, he focused on the sword’s tip.

As his mind concentrated on the sword, its aura grew stronger.

And then, at a certain moment.

——-!

The whooshing sound that had been echoing ceased.

The speed of the sword’s descent was unchanged.

When the sound completely vanished.

“Ha!”

Gunther let out a short breath.

A faint cutting sound emerged.

Sseuk-

About 0.5 seconds later, a sound of a completely different magnitude burst out.

Paaaah- bang!

Rough winds surged from where Gunther stood.

The strong gusts ruffled Gunther’s hair and cooled his flowing sweat.

“Hoo…”

Finally, Gunther stopped swinging his sword and steadied his breathing.

The heat rising from his body cleared his mind.

As he finished the process of heating his body and calming his mind.

“Are you done?”

Hearing the deep voice from behind, Gunther sheathed his sword and turned around.

“You’ve come?”

Standing where Gunther’s gaze fell was a middle-aged man with a deep impression as profound as his voice.

This was a training ground exclusively for the head of the family and his immediate family.

And there weren’t many who the young heir of Irons would bow his head to.

It was Ashiraf, the Lord of Irons.

Seeing his son drenched in sweat, Ashiraf asked.

“How is your body?”

“It’s good.”

Despite being father and son, their atmosphere was as rigid as could be.

It was more like the relationship between a military superior and subordinate than a father and son.

Moreover, since both were not talkative, the atmosphere felt even stiffer.

Father and son stared at each other.

In the midst of the silence, Ashiraf spoke unusually long words.

“You will pass the Cradle’s test with ease. But that merely places you at the starting line of the competition… What’s so important about standing at the starting line? What I expect from you is much more than that.”

“…”

“For the past 50 years, the Cradle has produced numerous strong individuals. It’s no exaggeration to say the continent is shaped by those from the Cradle, and no one knows this better than those who have experienced the Cradle.”

This was the wisdom of Ashiraf, who revitalized Irons after going through the Cradle.

Gunther listened intently to his father’s words.

“Those who have been through the Cradle keep pushing their successors into it… making the Cradle a microcosm of world power.”

Ashiraf’s eyes sparkled as he looked at his son.

“So reach the pinnacle of the Cradle. You, Gunther Irons, my heir!”

“…”

“Prove you are the best. The five years you spend proving yourself at the Cradle will lead to fifty years of prosperity for Irons.”

In the Cradle, which was a microcosm of the continent’s power structure.

Ashiraf was asking his son to reach the summit among the top geniuses from each faction.

This was undoubtedly a tremendous burden.

But Ashiraf knew well.

That his son would not be shaken by something like this.

“I will do so.”

Gunther replied stiffly without a change in expression.

Ashiraf faintly smiled at his son’s answer.

As if he knew he would answer this way.

At that moment.

Waaaah-.

Cheers from outside wiped the smile off Ashiraf’s face.

“It seems the supporting actors have arrived on the stage prepared for today.”

The best stage prepared for today.

The star of the stage to elevate Irons’ prestige was his son, no matter what anyone said.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Ashiraf and Gunther.

The main players of today’s stage began to walk towards the stage.

* * *

The cheers that began at the castle gate followed the Black Sword Corps to the square.

In the central square, a wide space specially prepared for today, soldiers formed a human wall.

People blocked by the soldiers shouted in frustration.

“Hey, this is too far! How are we supposed to see anything from here?”

“Let us get a bit closer!”

“This is already risky enough. Just watch from here instead of risking a stab wound by getting closer.”

“Damn it…”

“It’s the Lord’s order. If you approach any further, you’ll spend tonight in jail.”

“Ugh…”

The people who were stopped by the soldiers grumbled but backed off at the mention of the Lord’s order.

The square was packed with people.

Some gave up getting closer and climbed nearby trees or roofs to get a better view.

Their eyes were fixed on the Black Sword Corps, who had dismounted in the center of the square.

Even though they had become a spectacle for many people, the Black Sword Corps showed no particular reaction.

They just stood their ground.

How much time had passed like this?

Thud-

With a grand drum sound, a group of people appeared from the path leading to the Lord’s castle.

“It’s the Lord!”

“Lord Gunther!”

People cheered for the Lord and today’s star, Gunther, who stood beside him.

Finally.

Step, step-

The two groups met in the center of the square.

As the Lord of the territory, Ashiraf greeted them.

“You’ve had a long journey.”

“…”

Despite the Lord’s welcome, the Black Sword Corps did not respond.

They only gave indifferent stares.

The attendants’ eyebrows twitched at their rudeness.

However, knowing what the Black Sword Corps were, the Lord took no offense.

At that moment, one of the Black Sword Corps stepped forward.

“The recommender, Ashiraf Irons of the 29th Cradle class, present your Dragon Plaque.”

An indifferent tone.

As soon as he finished speaking, an attendant behind Ashiraf brought a luxurious wooden tray.

Inside lay a golden plaque engraved with a dragon.

Known as the Dragon Plaque, it was both an admission certificate and a diploma for those from the Cradle.

It also served as a recommendation letter that could be used only once in a lifetime.

After verifying and collecting the Dragon Plaque, the Black Sword Corps member shouted again.

“The one who will take the test, step forward.”

With those words, Gunther, clad in armor, stepped forward.

“Gunther Irons, eldest son of Irons. I wish to take the Cradle’s test.”

Even at the age of fifteen, his disciplined demeanor pleased not only the attendants but also the spectators.

The voice of the Black Sword Corps continued.

“From now on, under the laws set by the Great Sword Master, with the presence of five members of the Black Sword Eight, the qualification test for the Cradle begins!”

The Black Sword Corps’ voice, carried by mana, spread throughout the square.

Gunther stepped forward.

He raised his sword to face level, aligning the blade straight ahead.

A ritual performed by knights before engaging in combat.

Meanwhile, one of the Black Sword Corps also stepped forward.

The youngest-looking among them.

Screeng-

The sword he drew was a straight, single-edged blade.

A weapon commonly used by warriors.

As the two faced off in the center of the square, the spectators swallowed nervously and focused.

“It’s starting.”

“Lord Gunther, do your best!”

Amidst the tense and excited gazes, the Black Sword Corps member who drew his sword spoke.

“The test ends with one exchange. Come at me when you’re ready.”

One exchange.

A situation where the test’s result would be determined by a single clash.

In other words, Gunther had to put all his strength into one strike.

‘The opponent is a Black Sword Corps member.’

Although his exact rank was unknown, he was at least a certified first-dan or higher.

Being merely an uncertified first-rank, Gunther couldn’t possibly match him.

‘My utmost effort.’

Resolving himself, Gunther took a breath.

Inhale-

With the first breath, the magic body technique he had honed for ten years began to stretch.

Inhale-

The next breath invigorated his muscles, and the mana in the air flowed into Gunther’s own mana.

Then, the mass of mana he had accumulated since birth began to stir.

‘Mana is like firewood accumulated in the body.’

As a spark ignited the dry wood, preheated heat radiated from his body.

And.

‘Breath is the wind that fans the mana’s flames!’

Huff!

With a short breath, Gunther’s body exploded with energy.

‘Thus, I become the king of the sky!’

Bang-

As his steel boots struck the ground, the earth dented, propelling Gunther forward.

Boom!

An explosive movement.

To the ordinary eye, it seemed as if Gunther’s form had vanished.

Reaching the Black Sword Corps member with strong leaps, Gunther gripped his longsword with both hands and swung.

Swish-

Approximately 500 years ago.

Inspired by the thunderous Griffin King, the founder of Irons created the magic body technique and swordsmanship.

Among them, three white lightning bolts, resembling griffin claws, flew towards the Black Sword Corps member’s neck.

It looked like the human body would be torn apart by the claws at any moment.

The faces of the attendants who witnessed this showed astonishment.

‘Three claws!’

‘To think he could already manifest three claws!’

At the highest level of mastery, a total of five claws would be revealed.

Considering Gunther’s age of fifteen, manifesting three claws was an impressive feat.

‘Perfect.’

Gunther’s eyes sparkled as he revealed three claws.

The power generated by pushing off the ground.

The skill’s precision that captured that power.

It wasn’t the strongest attack, but it was the best strike he could deliver.

Gunther had no doubt this would yield results.

As the three claws aimed for the Black Sword Corps member’s heart.

Swoosh-

A streak of light curved like a snake, slipping between the three claws.

Clang-

At the same time, a strange noise resounded, and Gunther’s body was thrown back.

Skid-

Gunther, who had slid back three meters, knelt on the ground and lowered his gaze to the lightened weight of his sword.

“…?!”

Seeing the broken sword, Gunther’s eyes shook.

‘So… easily?’

He had expected his attack to be blocked, but he hadn’t anticipated his sword breaking.

Since a knight’s sword symbolized their belief and oath, Gunther was deeply shaken.

“What, what just happened?”

“Is it over? It just flashed and ended.”

“It looks like Lord Gunther lost… what does that mean for the test?”

“Don’t jinx it!”

“Be quiet! Let’s hear what they say!”

While people murmured about the result, the Black Sword Corps member who faced Gunther sheathed his sword.

Clink-

As the sound of sheathing echoed, it signaled the Black Sword Corps to sequentially speak.

“Standard, upper.”

“Standard, top.”

“Standard, upper.”

“Standard, top.”

“Standard, top.”

Two upper standards and three top standards.

Summarizing the evaluations, the leader of the Black Sword Eight concluded.

“Overall standard, top. Pass.”

With those words, the leader tossed the Dragon Plaque to Gunther.

Not the golden Dragon Plaque he had collected, but a platinum one.

Engraved on the back was the number 50.

It signified Gunther becoming the 50th class of the Cradle.

As Gunther received the Dragon Plaque, a moment of silence fell.

Then, after a few seconds.

Waaaaah-

People erupted into cheers they had been holding back.

They didn’t understand the significance of the exchange that took place.

But they felt immense pride knowing the heir of the great lord had passed the Cradle’s test.

Amidst the pouring cheers, Ashiraf stood beside his son.

A reproachful tone flowed from his mouth.

“The one you faced was a low-ranking member of the Black Sword Corps. Yet, your sword broke.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Strive harder.”

“I will.”

As Ashiraf turned away, seeing his son bow deeply, one of the attendants approached and whispered with a smiling face.

“Don’t be too disheartened.”

“But… my sword broke.”

“Even the lowest-ranking member of the Black Sword Corps is at least a certified third-dan.”

“…Are you saying a mere member is that strong?”

“Would they be called the strongest military group on land for no reason? If such a skilled person broke your sword, it means your attack was so great he failed to control his strength. The Lord knows this well, but… he scolded you just to hide his embarrassment, so don’t worry too much.”

“Adolf, return to your position.”

“Eek!”

The attendant whispering to Gunther shrank back at Ashiraf’s reprimand.

However, he didn’t forget to wink at Gunther.

And just as Adolf said, Ashiraf was inwardly satisfied.

‘Excellent.’

When he entered the Cradle, his rank was upper.

But his son received the highest rank, the Platinum Dragon Plaque.

As a father, how could he not be pleased?

With a slight smile, Ashiraf spoke to the Black Sword Corps.

“It must have been a long journey, so I’ve prepared a feast. Enjoy to your heart’s content and rest.”

Despite Ashiraf’s offer, the leader of the Black Sword Corps replied curtly.

“The mission is complete, so we will return now. Someone from the Cradle will come later to explain the details of the admission.”

With that, the leader led his members towards their horses without hesitation.

From their arrival to the end of the test, barely ten minutes had passed.

The efforts put into welcoming them seemed almost futile.

But no one could stop the departing Black Sword Corps.

They could only watch them leave with regretful eyes.

At that moment.

A rough voice from the crowd halted the Black Sword Corps.

“Since you’ve come this far, handle one more task before you go.”