Chapter 610: Look, I'm a Sword Saint Too!
Matthew's voice echoed repeatedly through the narrow corridor.
Hess stared at Matthew's chest, noticing the blood had stopped spurting—his eyes flashed with disbelief.
He slowly twisted his sword hilt and raised the nearly two-meter-long gleaming greatsword, lunging at Matthew.
Hess never wasted words—his sword was his language, and sword aura his voice.
Whoosh!
Hess moved with incredible speed, leaving only a blur in the air.
Just from this alone, his agility must've reached 35—peak Legendary tier.
Faced with the overhead strike, Matthew didn't try to block. He sidestepped at lightning speed, hugging the steel wall.
Vrrrm!
Hess didn't follow up on Matthew—instead, he slashed straight at where Matthew had just stood.
Surging sword aura roared as it sliced the air.
The steel corridor, tough enough to resist Flaming Sun Explosions, was instantly cleaved open by the invisible force.
It was terrifying!
Pressed to the wall, Matthew didn't glance at the damage. Instead, he swung his blade at his empty left flank.
Clang!
Sparks exploded midair as the greatsword suddenly appeared.
His sharp Ghost Blade had been notched.
The violent sword aura surged toward Matthew like a tidal wave.
Boom!
Thunder Shield flared with rippling light, draining a significant portion of Thunder Power.
Thankfully, the shield absorbed the direct hit, deflecting the force to either side.
The shockwave etched torn scars into the iron wall beside Matthew.
Thunder Power drained, but Matthew remained calm. Watching Hess retreat to dissipate the momentum, he shouted:
"Is that all you've got?"
Feeling a sting in his wrist, Hess narrowed his eyes.
"His heart was pierced and shredded—how is he still fighting?"
"False Flame should be burning the wound constantly. Even if he had heart regeneration magic, it wouldn't work."
"Did he use a time-type spell?"
"He reacts incredibly fast. His melee experience is vast..."
"His strength is immense... and that armor is clearly extraordinary..."
"Arcanists are always troublesome!"
Slowly turning his sword, he trailed streaks of light through the air.
Just as Hess was about to test again, Matthew lunged, raising the Ghost Blade high and slashing fiercely.
Feeling the violent wind rushing at him, Hess raised his sword to meet it.
Matthew's slash connected—but it hit nothing.
Instead, a strong threat burst from the air to his right.
This was the signature technique of the Cole Elf Sword Saints—Light-Shadow Clone Slash!
It allowed them to swap between real body and shadow clone at any moment.
When you think it's a clone and drop your guard—
A sharp sword and unstoppable aura will instantly take your life.
And when you focus all defenses on the visible body—
You'll be skewered just like Matthew was earlier upon entering the Mage Tower.
Even if you guess correctly and spot the real one—
That killing blow can't be blocked easily!
Worse still, Light-Shadow Clone Slash wasn't a high-cost skill—it was a passive.
A Legendary feat's passive ability!
It wasn't free—but its cost was minimal!
Matthew clenched his fist and kept slashing, shattering Hess's clone.
Arcing lightning burst from his breastplate.
Like snakes, it shot through the air!
"Can't win with just blades? That's what magic is for!"
Zap!
The crackling lightning struck Hess midair.
His dense battle aura formed armor-like protection, barely absorbing the attack.
He retaliated, swinging his glowing greatsword at Matthew's head.
Battle Aura Armor!
A skill only Legendary melee classes had—it offered unmatched defense and tenacity.
It withstood most physical and magical attacks while maintaining combat flow.
"As expected, the Cole Elf Shadow Council doesn't hold back—every move is lethal!"
Matthew grew even warier of the well-resourced, powerful Cole Elves.
But he wasn't panicking. Calmly, he gave a command:
"Cast Spell—Ring of Fire Resistance!"
A spreading ring of fire burst from Thunder Armor's gauntlet, blasting Hess backward.
Fire Resistance Ring was a caster favorite!
Not only did it deal solid damage—it forced Strength checks that agile or assassin-type foes couldn't dodge.
Though it only drained a bit of Hess's battle aura, it disrupted his assault.
Hess's eyes showed a glint of coldness—he remained incredibly patient.
Unfazed, he kept attacking around Matthew.
Light-Shadow Clone Slash cost little and yielded great return without revealing other cards. That's why Hess loved it.
Even better—it wore down the opponent's defenses over time.
It piled on immense mental pressure.
Matthew remained patient, using his superior strength, diverse spells, and Thunder Armor to trade blows with Hess.
When it came to drawn-out fights, Matthew had talent from two lifetimes!
Outside, Eternal Life Church members grew uneasy watching Hess tangle with Matthew.
Even the Hive Tyrant under Hakkar's control couldn't win a prolonged fight with him.
Seeing Hess steadily attacking now gave them déjà vu—and dread.
Their fear quickly took root. They ordered Hakkar to press deeper into the Mage Tower!
Hakkar roared in rage, tearing apart construct after construct.
He could clearly sense the cult's "malice."
If they could control his avatar now, they might aim to control his true body next!
The chance was slim—but Hakkar had pride. He wouldn't risk it!
Losing and falling into slumber again wasn't the issue. He would awaken eventually.
But being enslaved by Eternal Life Church? He'd rather die!
Hakkar respected human strength. He knew their terrifying potential—and wouldn't underestimate it.
Yet now, he had no choice but to burn his energy wildly and rush his transformation.
Even if he secretly poured all his power into regeneration—
The tower couldn't withstand his strength much longer.
Annie glanced back—the whispers grew loud.
Her green-leaf necklace glowed brilliantly. Only after a moment did she recover.
Still, she confirmed the seal remained intact. Relieved, she looked to the doomsday device.
If the Hive Tyrant reached the outer gate—she would activate it without hesitation.
Hakkar's avatar was already this terrifying.
The tower's traps and spells that could kill Legends were useless on him.
If his true body broke free, the entire Eastern Province would face devastation.
Annie wasn't driven by self-sacrifice—but by duty—as Arcanist, Professional, Netheril Lord, and City Master.
The Netheril Empire had its faults—but it always taught nobles their duty to defend their land and people.
After all, Grand Arcanists and Councilors needed cannon fodder to fight for them.
Boom!
After a hard clash, Matthew stood firm, watching the panting Hess flick his blade clean. Calmly, he said:
"You can't stop me—not if that's all you've got."
His tone was level and composed. Though Thunder Armor was battered and his mana nearly gone, he radiated confidence.
Hess didn't seem angry. He just swung his blade again, as if nothing was said.
Aside from Light-Shadow Clone Slash, he hadn't used any other technique.
Matthew was exhausted—victory was nearly his. Why rush it?
Matthew looked at his Ghost Blade with a hint of regret. Clicking his tongue, he said:
"Come on then. Show me what else you've got."
But Hess didn't change tactics. He kept slashing methodically at the Ghost Blade.
If he broke it, Matthew would have to rely on weaker defenses—and would collapse quickly.
Matthew responded as before, slashing at the oncoming Sword Saint.
The fake Hess shattered before him—while a real attack came from the right.
The glowing greatsword struck Matthew's raised arm.
Hess pushed his sword aura to the max!
Slash!
The sharp aura pierced cleanly—then shimmered and shattered.
"An illusion?"
"Impossible!"
Hess remembered clearly—he'd hit Matthew's real body!
But now, Matthew's true form appeared deeper in the corridor.
Smiling, he waved at the horrified Sword Saint—and ducked away.
Hess dashed after him—only to run headlong into a sparking package.
Magic explosive!
Lit and ready!
A fiery blast erupted—destruction radiated outward.
Hess retreated in panic as the corridor collapsed in a deafening boom.
After a while—
When the dust finally settled, Hess emerged from a glowing magical barrier, coughing lightly.
Wiping blood from his lips, he surveyed the wreckage with fury, eyes locked on the darkness ahead—and gave chase.
Pushed by the shockwave, Matthew surged forward.
He clearly felt Thunder Armor syncing better with his body—there was room for growth.
Despite its destructive force, the explosion's lack of piercing or focused damage posed no threat to him.
Still, he felt a bit regretful.
That trick would only work once—next time, he'd need something new.
But it had served its purpose—Hess would now be even more interested.
He wanted Matthew dead—Matthew felt the same.
Hess was a grave threat—and there were surely more like him in the Cole Elf Kingdom.
So, if he had the chance—he'd take one out!
Why not try?
What if he succeeded?
Rumble!
A loud blast echoed from deep within the corridor.
Sprinting full speed, Matthew again felt Hakkar's eerie corruption.
Luckily, he'd saved mana and Thunder Power to resist it.
Dealing with this physical corruption was the next problem for him and Bay Territory!
Mental resistance alone wouldn't cut it!
Seeing Matthew arrive, the Blood God Hakkar, previously despairing, suddenly roared.
He bulked up and abandoned the last few golems—charging Matthew instead.
With Hess chasing from behind and Hakkar in front, it looked like Matthew was trapped.
But calmly, just like before, he raised his battered Ghost Blade and slashed at Hakkar!