Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 134 - : LAMENTING SWORD

The monotonic voice belonged to a sword that looked no different from other swords, yet it commanded an urge to worship it. Its blades felt dangerous to all who saw it—their primal instincts warned them of the sword's sharpness.

The sword levitated in the sky, drawing attention from everyone.

It soon transformed into a man, with long dark hair and samurai-like clothes—like a swordmaster detached from the world and focused solely on the way of the sword.

"Who are you? Are you the one who manifested this realm?" Commander Joshua asked, his mind finally clinging to a more reasonable explanation for the majestic will manifesting before him.

[You can say that, but I'm not human or any race you know. I'm not living but sentient. I am that which has existed for epochs, birthed from the moment a two-edged blade was first used. Now, no need for chit-chat. I'm offended that you dared act arrogantly before my host because of some measly manifested will.]

SWORD wasn't playing. He felt insulted that a weak being would disrespect his host like that.

Concepts were sentient and prideful beings, and the more universal the concept, the more sentient and arrogant it became. SWORD was one of the most arrogant and prideful concepts among them, with only a rare few capable of forcing it to lower its head—or even be recognized by it. The human before him had not earned a single ounce of his praise.

[Off you go now!] SWORD commanded. A sword from a tree moved remotely, not physically controlled, and shot toward Commander Joshua with speed too fast for the human eye to follow—let alone react to.

The blade halted just an inch from Joshua's chest. Any deeper, and it would have pierced his heart.

"What do you think you are doing?" Brian asked SWORD, slightly annoyed and offended. If he had been a second later in stopping the sword with his mind, Commander Joshua would have suffered critical damage.

[I'm killing your enemy. What does it look like I'm doing?] SWORD retorted, annoyed that Brian had interfered with his strike and prevented the arrogant human's death.

"He is my teacher! You can't kill him!" Brian roared, unwilling to back down.

[Fair enough. He can kill you, but you can't. Grow up. I'm sure such naive thoughts have cost your friends dearly—if you even have true friends.]

"That's—" Brian couldn't finish. SWORD's words hit him deeply. Instinctively, he turned to look at Stagnant Water, his anger dissolving into the wind.

[I see. It already has. You know, for someone with so much gift and potential, you let your naive thoughts bring you down. For any wielder of the sword, those who raise a weapon against them are enemies—no matter their past relationship. It's a kill-or-be-killed moment. Sparing your enemy isn't an act of kindness; it's foolishness and stupidity born of naivety. Wake up! What placed you in this position in the first place? Your naive, kind heart informing the Smoke of the enemy's plans. And now he wants to persuade you to work for the empire? Ha! How laughable. This empire that has committed so many atrocities. The man before you isn't a saint. The sword in his hands is screaming to me! Lamenting the ruthlessness and cruelty of its master. Stop being a child. If you would just listen to the sword in his hands, you would know—he doesn't deserve to live!] SWORD scolded Brian harshly.

Listen to the lamentation of the sword?

Brian was not the only one shocked by SWORD's words. Everyone was—but no one reacted as negatively as Commander Joshua. His face turned ashen.

Brian frowned, disturbed by SWORD's words. He closed his eyes, trying to reestablish the connection he once felt during his unity state with the sword. Commander Joshua, seeing this, tried to escape—or attack—anything to stop Brian from succeeding. He didn't even know why. Maybe it was the fear of his student seeing him differently. Maybe it was shame. Regardless, he halted every plan he had. He was completely trapped by hundreds of swords. Move even an inch, and he knew he'd be impaled.

[Move an inch more, and I'll ensure you turn into a porcupine,] SWORD warned, his tone filled with imperial authority—as if an emperor were commanding a mere peasant.

Commander Joshua stayed put, resigned to his fate. Deep down, he prayed his student would fail in whatever he was trying to do.

Brian focused, clearing his thoughts.

Then, it happened again.

He could feel every sword around him.

Focusing more deeply, he began to feel their emotions—their colors. His eyes were closed, yet his perception allowed him to see the colors of every sword as if they were visible to the naked eye.

All swords that originated from his will were white—holy and clean. Elizabeth's sword was blue, but still held that holy and shining glow. Stagnant Water's sword was grey, mostly white rather than black, and lacked any hollow glow.

When he reached his teacher's sword, Brian was stunned.

The vision before him filled him with disbelief.

The sword was reddish-black, shrouded in a malevolent aura. He could feel it—the anguish of the sword. The torment of a tool that hated its actions but had no choice but to obey the will of its master.

Focusing deeper, he could hear it.

The persistent sobbing of Commander Joshua's sword—like a child crying over the loss of its mother. The sword wept without restraint.

Brian was shocked—but mostly disappointed.

His astral self left his body, entering the astral world of swords. He walked closer to the blade, drawn by its anguish, determined to uncover the source of its torment.

Brian stood before the sword. Its malevolent aura tried to push him away, overwhelming him—but like a mother soothing her child, Brian pressed forward. Calm and undeterred, the darkness could not make him yield.

Commander Joshua stared at the unmoving Brian, his brows furrowed in displeasure, though a hint of worry flickered beneath it. A part of him wanted Brian to fail—but he knew it was working. The low, pulsating vibration coming from his sword confirmed it beyond doubt.

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