Chapter 72: Sword Addict!

[Detecting Otherworldly Demon]

[Mission: Exterminate the Otherworldly Demon]

[Rewards: Title: Earth’s Protector, System Authority +5%, One Blind Box, Apocalypse Codex (Partial)]

Looking at the information on the system panel, Ethan was shocked.

In his previous life, he had never heard anything about the system giving out missions.

Why was it different now? Could it be that there was something unique about that monster?

Thinking of this, Ethan gave the signal to attack, stepping down from the sky.

"Interesting! Interesting!"

"Although not a Lord-level monster, this is quite unexpected."

Activating his Mana Sight, Ethan’s eyebrows rose.

Different from the usual monsters in the apocalypse, he couldn’t sense or see any mana core inside it.

Instead, its whole body seemed to be held together by some sort of foreign energy, an energy completely distinct from the mana mages and Awakeners used.

Not only that, but Ethan could sense that whether in terms of energy reserves or physical attributes, the monster in front of him was far weaker than his current self.

"Hey, monster, I hear you have human intelligence."

"In that case, I have a few questions for you," Ethan said, his hand slightly raised.

"Unless you want to suffer, I advise you to be honest."

"Who are you? Why do you want to attack us?"

"And what world are you from?!"

Recalling the designation Otherworldly Demon, Ethan decided to press for answers.

However, Lucian, hearing him speak, was utterly stunned.

"Impossible! How the hell do you know?!"

"Damn system! What kind of world is this?!"

Ignoring both Ethan and the silhouettes hovering above him, he began to curse wildly.

At this moment, he realized he had been completely set up by this damn system of his.

’Damn it! I have to run away!’

Not caring about the system’s threats of obliteration, Lucian decided to escape.

He had clearly already lost; there was no reason for him to stay and fight.

Unfortunately, Ethan didn’t plan to let him run.

"Now, now, now... we can’t have you trying to escape."

"You still have to pay for what you did to my clan members."

"Those guards you killed, each one of their lives is far more valuable than yours," said Ethan.

Snap!

Snapping his fingers, Ethan activated his Advanced Illusion spell, instantly transporting Lucian and the squad of veterans he had chosen to confront him into a massive illusory arena.

"Let’s do it like this: you see, because of you, I had no choice but to hastily form this Mage Legion,"

"stunting their potential and tying their growth route to me."

"In that case, why don’t you make yourself useful and let them practice their abilities?"

"If you can beat even three out of ten of them, I’ll let you leave. How about that?"

Seated at the head of the arena, Ethan had ten veterans, including his grandfather, standing beside him.

Seeing that Lucian was much weaker than he had anticipated, he decided to test their combat progress.

’Damn! What the hell is this?! Teleportation?!’

’But then again... it doesn’t matter. Although I might not be strong enough to take out that white-haired monster, that group of old men should be fine!’

Looking up at the top of the arena, Lucian growled in Ethan’s direction.

"Alright! I agree! However, don’t blame me if any of your people die!"

"Also, I hope someone as noble as the Smiths can keep their word!"

Raising his beak, Lucian recalled the information the system had given him.

Hopefully, for such a powerful family, their pride wouldn’t allow them to go back on their word.

At the same time, he was desperately screaming at his system in his mind.

’System! Are you there?!’

’Do something! If you don’t, your host is going to get killed!’

Unfortunately, the system too was currently at a total loss.

[Host, this System does not understand what is going on. The apocalypse should have only just started!]

[This level of strength makes no sense! And why can all these people fly?!]

At this moment, both Lucian and the system were thoroughly stumped, having no idea how the world had progressed to this point.

They could only try their absolute best to win three games and escape.

Luckily, it seemed Ethan had no intention of going against his oath.

"Alright. I, Ethan Smith, the current Patriarch of the Smith family, swear on the family name to let you go if you win three matches as per the rules."

Taking a brief pause, Ethan then gestured toward the arena floor.

"Now, time for your first fight."

"Mr. Kenjiro Sato, I’ll leave it to you!"

Hearing this, an old man beside him wearing a black kimono bowed deeply before leaping down from the top of the arena.

"Leave it to this old man, Patriarch."

As he spoke, a flash of pure bloodlust flickered within his eyes.

...........

Kenjiro Sato, a living legend who, in a world dominated by guns and heavy explosives, had devoted his entire life to the way of the sword.

Ever since he was a child, he had been obsessed with samurai, swordsmen, and their legendary tales.

How two swordsmen would duel atop a mountain peak beneath the moonlight, showcasing what true beauty was.

In all his sixty-five years of life, he had spent every single day dedicated to mastering the blade.

And just as he thought there was no further path forward, his old friend’s grandson had suddenly opened the gates for him—

a path called Mana.

"Hello, monster. Since you can speak human tongue, tell this old man your name."

"This old man’s name is Kenjiro Sato, an old fool obsessed with swords in a world of guns,"

said Kenjiro, bowing slightly.

"Haha! Old man, although I don’t like beating up the elderly, you leave me no choice!"

"My name is Lucian, the King of Monsters!"

"Now, old man, die for me!"

Declaring his name, Lucian wasted no time launching his attack. Although he didn’t know how strong this old man was, he had no desire to find out.

Stretching out his giant bear paw, he punched forward, intending to end the duel in a single strike.

However, Kenjiro simply stood his ground, his eyes closed and his empty hands posed in a sword-drawing stance.

"Now then, Monster King Lucian..."

"Let this old man ask you one question," he paused.

"What is a sword?"