Chapter 80

In the legend, Lugh has several magical possessions. One of them being a spear which he frequently uses in a battle. There is one more magical possession Lugh usually uses besides the spear. It was a sling stone.

It might be unusual for a warrior like Lugh to use a sling stone in battle. But it is true. Lugh always brings his sling stone to every battle he participates in. In the famous portrait of Lugh by Ingrid 'GrayWolf' Houwers, Lugh was holding a spear on his right hand and a sling-shot on his left hand.

Information about how Lugh's sling stone looks like isn't much. Most of them merely describe it as one of his magical possessions and look just like a normal sling stone. And right now, Lugh himself materializes the legendary sling stone in front of my eyes.

The sling stone has a golden projectile pocket and a blue string. Lugh placed the massive concentrated energy ball to the projectile pocket and looking at me with an arrogant expression.

"Feel honored, Usurper! You can taste the ultimate technique of mine." Lugh smirked and arrogantly said.

While it might be small, I am certain the destruction the ball caused will be massive. Even though Musashi and the gang were protected by my barrier, the people outside weren't. And the destruction will affect this city.

But weirdly, in this kind of situation, I feel serene. Looking at the dangerous energy ball, I feel like I can cut it easily without affecting the city. More like, I feel invincible. Like absolutely nothing can defeat me at this moment.

Without answering, I opened death perception eyes and taunted Lugh with a smirk. Lines of death certainly exists inside that small ball. However, the number of lines contained inside that small ball was way too much.

The usual me definitely able to cut those lines albeit with many swings of two Katana. But only at this moment, I feel like one cut is all I need.

As if her intuition made her feel the dangerousness of that energy ball, Musashi worriedly looking at me with her hand performing a praying gesture.

"YOU!!! Very well, die alongside your friends! Take this!" Looking at my taunting smirk, Lugh enraged and threw the massive energy with his sling stone using all his power.

"IZUMI!" Musashi shouted desperately.

"It's fine." I serenely said with a gentle smile.

As the ball advancing its way towards me, suddenly the world seems stopped, and a scene flashed in my mind just like at that time when I fought with Doni.

The place was the same as before in ancient Japan. A boy was imitating the sword arts of a man who seems to be an instructor in a Dojo. The Dojo teaches Ganryu Style swords arts. Even though his imitation of the instructor was good, the boy's Ganryu style was very normal.

However, without the instructor knows, the boy was, in fact, a genius in swords arts. If he wanted, the boy can defeat every student in the dojo even with the style he isn't suited to.

All of that was changed when another boy named Sasaki Kojiro entered the Dojo. Kojiro was very talented and even dubbed as a genius by everyone in the Dojo. He was very suited to Ganryu Style that made him became the heaven child for Dojo's master.

The boy and Kojiro's personalities are different. While the boy was quite carefree, Kojiro is what people call a diligent student. But even with that difference, the two got along very well and in the end became a best friend.

One day, Kojiro suggested the boy leave the dojo because Ganryu Style wasn't suited for him. The boy has the same idea and was about to leave the Dojo. But after Kojiro entered, the boy feels it won't be good to abandon his only friend alone.

After some persuasion from Kojiro, the boy decided to leave the dojo. The boy said one day he will duel him for the strongest swordsman title. Thus, with a determined expression, the boy went on a journey.

Years passed, the boy was now a man. Fight after fight, hurdle after hurdle he passed. He was called The wondering swordsmen, Miyamoto Musashi. At that time, Musashi was a very well-known swordsman in Japan with his unique style that he made, Niten Ichi-Ryu.

Musashi also one of the two candidates to receive the title Strongest Swordsman in Japan. Musashi, who knew who was the other candidate smiled as they have been the best friends. In this manner, he decided to visit his friend and asked him for a duel.

Turn out Kojiro also eagerly asked him for a duel. And after three hours of swords clash, Musashi came out as a victor. Even though it should be the first time Kojiro lose to someone, he smiled peacefully while laying his body on the ground.

After the duel, Musashi and Kojiro drink with each other while talking about his journey. Musashi told Kojiro about a concept he almost attains in the way of swords and the ultimate pinnacle of technique within that concept.

"Let's duel again one day and demonstrate to me that concept of yours. In exchange, I will show you the finished technique of mine." Kojiro smilingly said.

"Aa, I'm looking forward to that day."

Times passed, Musashi who was dubbed as the strongest swordsman in Japan history heard a rumor about his friend who became a demon who kills many people. Musashi, who didn't believe it went to find his friend to see it with his own eyes.

The thing he meets at that time wasn't his friend anymore. His face might be that of Kojiro, but the aura of darkness surrounded it and his eyes changed to red.

They fought for half a day. Musashi was about to lose because Kojiro used what ancient people called evil arts by covering his Katana with darkness. In a pinch, Musashi attained it. The concept that confirmed his position as the strongest swordsman in Japan history, or maybe in the world.

The fight continues for another half a day. They fight equally this time and none of then able to defeat each other until Kojiro suddenly regained his sanity.

"Musashi... Let's exchange one last technique. I will show you the technique I perfected while you show me the technique with that concept of yours." Kojiro said with a sad smile as if he already knew the man name Kojiro will be no more.

Musashi nodded understandingly with a sorrowful expression. He put one of his Katana to the sheath and held his other Katana in front of his chest with his body slightly face the right side and his head looking straight. It's called, 'In no Kamae'

The illusions of four-armed Ashura appeared in front of him as he takes a deep breath and resolved himself to unleash the ultimate technique to kill his best friend. With tears flowing from his eyes, Musashi shouted.

"I shall carry my anger to cut down evil. This sword is my path to nothingness. ISHANA DAITENSHOU!"

As Musashi swings his sword, the Ashura behind him also swings the swords in its four hands together with him.

"Thank you, my friend." Kojiro smilingly said as he falls to the ground with blood sprouting from his body.

"Farewell, my friend..." Musashi sorrowfully said as he also falls to the ground and unconscious because of exhaustion.

The scene ended and the ball continues speeding toward me. I calmly assumed 'In' stance with Mikazuki Munechika after sheathing Kashuu Kiyomitsu.

An Ashura with six hands holding swords appeared behind me. I infused my Katana with massive divine energy and shouted.

"ISHANA DAITENSHOU!"

*Silence* *Boom* *Wooooosh*

After silence, turbulent wind and explosions occurred in the air as the ball of energy cut in half before disappeared to nothing.

"WHAT?!" Lugh shouted with a shocked expression.

Without answering I unsheath Kashuu Kiyomitshu then teleported behind him and used the eleventh technique of Niten Ichi-Ryu, Seijaku. The head and body of Lugh fallen to the ground as I sheath back my Katana.

"ARRRRRGGGG! I WILL REMEMBER THIS, USURPER!" Lugh shouted as his body gradually became particles of light and gone from the world.

As there is no need for race change, I didn't fall unconscious this time as I feel an authority entered my body. But I feel like I'm going to meet Pandora in my dream tonight.

[Quest completed]

"Izumi! Are you okay?!" Musashi runs to my side and worriedly said. Then she touched all over my body to examine for wounds.

"I'm fine, thanks for worrying." I gently caressed her head and said.

"Fuuu... Even though I believe you when that ball appeared, I have a feeling it would be bad. There is no way I'm not worried!" Musashi sighed relievedly and said.

"Hehe, I'm sorry if I made you worried. But there is good news." I smilingly said.

"*Sigh* Fine, I forgive you. What is the good news?" Musashi curiously asked.

"I have attained a state of nothingness. So, maybe I can help you with that." I said.

"I know. The last technique you used is the last technique right? Because I never saw it before." Musashi nodded and said.

"Yes, as expected of you. Anyway, I'm looking forward to our spar tomorrow." I said.

"Although it was certain you are stronger than me, I won't be defeated that easily!" Musashi said with a smile.

"Nn! Let's talk with our swords. Oh?" I nodded with a smile then suddenly the presence inside the cave awakened likely because of my fight with Lugh.

"What happens?" Musashi asked concernedly after looking at my surprised expression.

"The presence inside the cave just awakened. Hmmm, although I don't feel any malice from it right now, you should wait here, Musashi." I said while looking at the cave.

"No! I will be with you this time. Besides, you didn't sense any malice right?" Musashi firmly said.

"Okay then. Let's go." I nodded with a smile and said.

"Nn!"