"That art of yours is impressive," Jin remarked, his eyes fixed on Noah's swordplay with genuine admiration.
"Impressive, you say? This cursed technique?" Noah's gaze dropped to his blade. He tightened his grip around the hilt, then raised his eyes to meet Jin's. "Then I'll kill you with it."
[Battle Art: Blink]
"What!? That again!" The voice frowned.
Without delay, Jin activated his spiritual awareness. In that instant, the world around him seemed to freeze. Every being and object within the barrier became painfully clear to him, down to the molecular level. He could feel the flow of blood, observe the tension in muscles, and hear the rhythm of hearts beating.
A true Saint could do even more. At that level, an Awakened could effortlessly glimpse into the immediate future using spiritual awareness. However, this barrier was suppressing Jin's abilities while simultaneously amplifying Noah's. Even so, for Jin, it was more than sufficient.
[Mystic Bettle Art: Blink]
In a blink, Noah teleported behind Jin, attempting a surprise attack. But Jin had already foreseen the move. His enhanced awareness had mapped Noah's intentions before he even acted. Anticipating the strike, Jin had already constructed a new barrier—far stronger, more resilient, and shimmering with a faint, ethereal light. Layers of dense spiritual energy coiled through it, crafted to endure even Noah's empowered blows.
As Noah closed the distance, his momentum was abruptly halted by the invisible wall. The impact stunned him for a split second, surprised by the level of resistance he faced.
[Battle Art: Empty Blade]
Noah's sword erupted with power, slicing through the barrier in a burst of crackling energy. Its spiritual edge sheared through the reinforced defenses, and with ruthless precision, Noah drove the blade into Jin's back, aiming straight for his heart. The cold steel pierced flesh, embedding itself deep within.
Time slowed for a heartbeat. Jin's breath caught, pain blooming outward from the wound. Noah's expression remained stoic and composed as he yanked the blade free, leaving behind a shimmering trail of spiritual energy. Then, in a flash, he vanished—reappearing at his original position across the battlefield. His movements were so swift, so seamless, it was as if he'd never been there at all. Only the bloodied sword in his hand testified to the deadly blow he had delivered.
"That was unexpected." The voice panicked.
"You're not healing," Noah observed coolly, eyes narrowing as he studied Jin. "Anyone who breaks through their second limiter gains regeneration. Since you don't have it… you must be using an artifact to maintain the Half Harmony state."
Noah's deduction wasn't far off. Jin lacked any traditional level-up abilities. He had skipped all intermediary growth and ascended directly to this state, in a way earning the title of the weakest Saint in history. Yet what Noah failed to grasp was that Jin's true strength lay hidden—buried beneath the surface, untouched and dormant, waiting for release.
"You're right," Jin replied calmly. "But that was the last time you'll ever break through my barriers."
"Let's find out." Noah lowered his stance, bracing for another strike.
But Jin didn't move. He stood tall and composed, as if Noah's preparations were beneath his notice. His gaze was serene—cold, detached, and utterly uninterested in whatever attack was to come.
[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 slammed against the barrier with full force, expecting it to shatter like before. But this time, it didn't even crack. The barrier remained perfectly intact, radiating an overwhelming, silent power. Instead of absorbing the strike, it retaliated—releasing a powerful shockwave that surged through Noah's sword and into his arm.
The backlash was so fierce that Noah stumbled, his footing lost for a moment. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on the weapon and steadied himself, though the barrier's resistance had clearly caught him off guard. It was no longer just a shield—it was an unbeatable fortress.
"HEHEHE..." The voice laughed.
"See that? Just like I said," Jin said calmly.
Noah's expression didn't change. His face remained stoic, sharp eyes focused. Without pause, he resumed his assault, launching strikes from every direction. His movements were relentless and calculated, his blade a blur of precision and speed. But no matter how many times he struck, the barrier remained unscathed. Not a mark. Not even a tremor.
"It's no use. And frankly, it's boring," The voice said with a sigh.
Jin agreed to the voice.
He deactivated the barrier. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he raised his right arm. From his open palm, a sword began to form—crafted entirely from shimmering spiritual energy.
[Spirit Art: Spirit Blade]
It materialized gradually, the blade glowing with a mesmerizing, translucent light. The pulsing energy cast flickering reflections across the ground, each ripple a testament to the power contained within.
When the sword fully formed, it crackled with concentrated force. Though intangible, it radiated the weight of a real weapon—refined, balanced, and deadly.
"Since you're so fond of swordplay," Jin said with a cool smile, "then let's play."
"What? Spiritual energy? You're not using Saint's energy?" Noah asked, his eyes narrowing.
"I could," Jin replied, his voice calm and laced with amusement. "But where's the fun in that? You'd die instantly. And I don't want that—not yet." He paused, as if remembering something. "Oh, speaking of death, I almost forgot..."
[Mathematician: Numerical Manipulation, Complete Regeneration]
With a flick of his wrist, Jin completely healed Roma, who had still been writhing from his injuries. In the same breath, he addressed his own wounds, restoring his body with equal precision.
'He didn't use any spiritual energy. Was that a skill? Maybe a unique ability... Or something like Biological Manipulation,' Maya speculated, wide-eyed.
"What the hell!!?" Roma gasped, eyes flying open.
The pain was gone. Completely. Not even a trace of discomfort remained. It felt as if he'd been given a new body, one without fatigue, injuries, or limitations. He was whole—rejuvenated in every way.
Noah didn't waste another moment. He charged forward once more.
"So impatient," the voice murmured. "Very well, then. Now... We'll fight you for real."
[Mathematician: Sword Understanding × 100k, Reaction Time × 100k, Battle Instinct × 100k, (Strength, Speed, Durability) × 100k]
Noah lunged without warning, thrusting his sword straight at Jin's throat.
But before the blade could even graze him, Jin calmly raised his index finger. With effortless grace, he stopped the sword in its tracks, pressing his finger lightly against the blade's edge.
"Surprised?" Jin said, smiling. "I told you—it begins now."
In that moment, Noah noticed a subtle tremor on the energy sword in Jin's other hand. The blade vibrated so fast it was nearly invisible. Then came the attack—so fast, so fluid, that Noah couldn't see it happen.
Instinct took over. He leapt back, only to find his body already covered in dozens—no, hundreds—of deep slashes. Blood poured from his wounds, drenching his clothes and soaking the earth beneath him.
'I couldn't see him move...' he thought, stunned. 'I can usually react to attacks at light speed... but this—this was faster.'
Below Half Spiritual beings, no being could surpass the speed of light. It was supposed to be impossible. But that was not the case with Jin. At that time he was one. A Semi–Spiritual being.
"What's wrong? Can't see my movements?" Jin asked, grinning.
Noah smiled slightly.
"You bastard, are you enjoying this?" The voice was surprised to see Noah smile.
"You are smiling?" Jin said.
'What! I smiled?' Noah hadn't expected it—hadn't believed he even could anymore. 'No, I... I did...'
"Well, well. Since he like this so much, Why don't we fight at his level now." The voice suggested.
[Mathematician: Power Equal]
Jin's overwhelming energy began to subside, diminishing rapidly until it matched Noah's exactly.
"What did you do? Your power just dropped."
"I chose to fight on equal footing."
"What?"
Noah was baffled. Jin's abilities were becoming more mysterious with every moment.
'How is he manipulating his own strength? Is he hiding it—or is this something entirely different?'
He pushed the questions aside. What mattered now was capturing Jin. Once they had him, the elders could decipher his abilities.
[Battle Art: Sword Flash]
Noah's blade was enveloped in a vibrant, blue spiritual aura—liquid-like energy surging and dancing along its edge. With a single, powerful swing, he unleashed a flash of energy that shot toward Jin at immense speed.
But Jin dodged effortlessly, slipping past the attack with casual ease.
In an instant, they lunged at each other, vanishing from their spots so quickly that even Maya, with her level of perception, could no longer see them.
They clashed with breathtaking velocity, swords flashing in rapid, almost invisible movements. Dozens of blows were exchanged in the blink of an eye.
Then came a massive shockwave—exploding from the point of impact—tearing through the ground and expanding in every direction like a concussive sphere.
'What... what is this feeling?'
Amid the chaos, Noah sensed something strange within him. A feeling both familiar and forgotten.
The battle intensified, their pace growing wilder and more destructive. They moved through the barrier's field like blurs of chaos, leaving ruin behind with every blow.
Completely immersed, they focused only on each other, their blades clashing, their energies roaring. The world around them trembled—the earth cracked, and the air screamed under the pressure of their power.
"Noah, stop this!" Maya screamed.
"Incredible... I can't even see them anymore," Roma said breathlessly. "But I can sense them—everywhere. They're moving so fast it's like they're in every direction at once..."
Jin and Noah didn't hear. Locked in their battle, nothing else existed for them now.
Through the clash, something stirred in Noah. A realization—an awakening.
'I can see him. I can finally see him. I don't care about anything else. Only this fight… it's like I can feel your soul.'
"Yes, you can," the voice responded within. 'And so do I."
Noah closed his eyes. A genuine smile formed on his face—not one of mockery or pain, but happiness. A wave of relief passed through him, lightening the burden he had carried for so long. A soft, fragile light ignited within his soul.
"This feeling! Hahaha…! What is this!!?"
"You fool. This is the thrill of battle." The voice laughed.
"Thrill of battle? Hahaha..." Noah burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"What?! Noah is laughing!" Maya's eyes widened in disbelief.
"That bastard… he's still human after all," Roma murmured with a small smile.
"Noah… promise me you'll never forget how to laugh."
The words echoed gently in Noah's mind. A voice from the past—his sister's voice. A soft, cherished memory, her promise a ray of light during his darkest times.
It wasn't just a memory. It was a vow—to remember joy even when the world was cruel. That voice wrapped around his heart, stirring warmth, nostalgia… and sorrow.
"Ha... forgive me, sister. I think I forgot the promise we made."
Noah looked at his sword.
'So this is what he meant by a rival...'
He stood still, eyes fixed on the barrier. Then, with a soft sound, his sword dropped to the ground.
"It seems... you win," he whispered.
The moment those words left his lips, deep sword slashes manifested across his body. The damage was overwhelming. He collapsed, strength fading rapidly.
"Noah!!" Maya rushed forward.
"Don't worry—I didn't kill him," Jin said coolly.
He walked calmly to where Luke lay unconscious and picked him up.
"Noah was defeated," Roma sighed.
"You can't pass through that barrier," Maya warned. "It's made from a highest-tier Art. It's unbreakable. Invincible."
"Don't worry about that," Jin replied. "There's nothing in this world important to me anyway."
He stepped toward the barrier, his motion unhurried, deliberate. Reaching out, he gently touched the shimmering wall.
[Mathematician: Barrier Durability × 0]
Instantly, the so-called unbreakable barrier began to fracture. Cracks splintered across its surface like lightning through glass.
Then it shattered—exploding in a sharp, crystalline crash that echoed across the battlefield.
Maya stared, stunned. "What?! Impossible!!" she gasped.
Roma's face twisted in disbelief.
"And they sent us to capture this monster?" he growled.
***
Meanwhile, far above, a hooded figure observed the chaos from a nearby rooftop.
"Yes… there's no doubt. It's the young master," the figure murmured.
He reached up to his ear, activating a communication artefact with a subtle flick. But nothing happened.
"What's wrong with this thing? Is it the barrier? It's even blocking telepathy. And now this damn device too..."
"Actually, I'm the one blocking your telepathy."
A cold voice echoed behind him.
He tried to turn, but a hand clamped down on his head, stopping him mid-motion.
"Now, if you don't mind... look into my eyes."
[Skill: Mind Dominate]
"Good boy. Forget everything you saw here. And leaving now."
"Y-yes, sir..."
With that, the hooded man shimmered and vanished without a trace.
High atop the building, Albedo stood silently, watching the broken remnants of the barrier fall like glittering dust.
"Good grief... he actually destroyed that."
He turned to gaze at Jin.
"Even if you are his father... I won't let you have him. King of Malevolence."