[The Sunless Sword Art First Form: Everlasting Darkness]
The Abyssal energy sorounded him and it spread throughout the sky making the sun disappear in darkness.
Just like its name "Sunless", there was no sun, only deep spreading darkness.
This had never happened when he used the Sunless Sword Art in his past life. But now, with the Abyssal energy, the sword strike was reinforced, making the sword art feel almost godly.
The Soulborne looked at Aether's energy, and its eyes were wide in shock. For a brief moment, it seemed he had recognized his mana.
"Lord Ashborne" The Soulborne addressed Aether by a name he had never heard before, not even in his past life.
But as Aether had already unleashed his sword technique, he couldn't possibly ask what the Soulborne meant by it.
"Ahh.. Almighty Ashborne." The agitated and prideful Soulborne slowly closed its eyes, as if accepting its end.
It was truly an unexpected response.
Kra! Boom
Aether struck from the sky, and a surge of Abyssal energy crashed down on the Soulborne.
A massive torrent of dark energy poured from his sword into the earth, carving a deep hole into the ground.
"Ah"
" Ekk"
"Aaaa"
Everyone present was thrown back by the force of the shockwave.
Thwoooom
But the Left Guardian stood still. He couldn't understand how a Sword Master realm swordsman could display Unrestrained realm destruction.
And Aether had come here seeking the opportunity to enter the secret vault and attempt to claim the cursed sword.
"Could he be?" The Left Guardian wondered if Aether was the destined one his family had been waiting for.
Just then, the dark sword strike began to fade, and the sky started to clear.
The sword Aether had used turned to dust, as it was falling to the ground. It could not withstand the overwhelming Abyssal energy.
Everyone was terrified by Aether's sword art. Thalia von Ravenfall was also dumbfounded.
how could someone his age wield such power?
Then, Aether's half-unconscious body fell to the ground.
Thud.
The Left Guardian rushed to him. The warriors from Ravenfall, along with Thalia, also moved in to check his condition.
The Iron Fang Squad approached as well. They were mesmerized by his sword strike and felt an unexpected sense of belonging toward Aether.
Shhhfff
The area where Aether had fallen was still covered in dust and fog, remnants of his sword strike lingering in the air.
After the Left Guardian, Thalia was the first to reach Aether.
But what she saw made her eyes widen.
Aether's hair had turned red for a moment, but now it was back to normal. And he was breathing heavily in pain.
Both of his arms were dark, as if the blood had clotted inside them. His arms were no longer usable. they looked more like lifeless, rotting limbs.
Seeing this, Thalia froze for a moment.
Then Aether spoke in a cracking voice.
"Block anyone from coming here."
He gave the order to the Left Guardian to stop everyone who was rushing toward him. He didn't want anyone to see what he was about to do.
The Left Guardian, thinking Aether didn't want to show his weakened state, quickly moved and stood Infront of the approaching crowd.
He then shouted and ordered the Iron Fang squad. "Don't let anyone come closer!"
At his order, the Iron Fang squad stood guard and blocked anyone from approaching, including members of the Ravenfall family.
"Our lady is in there!" Noah Bean shouted.
"Your lady is safe. But if you take another step, we might kill her." The Iron Fang squad captain pointed his sword at him and spoke in a cold voice.
Noah Bean clicked his tongue. The Noctvain family was known for being ruthless and evil. Thus, they wouldn't hesitate to actually harm Lady Thalia.
" It's okay. We have to trust each other." Thalia's maid said.
At her words, Noah clicked his tongue again, knowing she didn't knew how badly they had been humiliated by those people at the inn.
Still, the Left Guardian was incredibly strong. If he truly wanted to harm their lady, no one here could stop him.
Meanwhile, in the foggy area, Aether, the Left Guardian, and Thalia were present.
Thalia had entered before Aether could order the Left Guardian to stop her, so he didn't try to force her out. After all, what he was about to do would be noticed by her, even if she didn't witness it directly. because she had already seen the condition of his hands.
"We should take you to a physician quickly, young lord." the Left Guardian said in concern.
"No need. Just cut off my hands." Aether replied.
"Whaat?" The Left Guardian's eyes widened in shock.
"My hands are beyond a physician's help. So cut them off."
"But young lord... how could I possibly do that to you?"
"Damn it. You're useless." Aether muttered, gritting his teeth.
He was in unbearable pain. Both of his arms were paralyzed...no, crushed, as if a mountain had fallen on them.
Unable to endure it any longer, and knowing the fog would clear at any moment, he acted quickly.
He pressed both hands against the ground, then placed his legs on top of them.
"What are you doing, young lo..."
Before the Left Guardian could finish, Aether suddenly pulled his body backward.
Shrrraaakkk! Rrrippp!
A sickening sound echoed as the crushed hands beneath his legs tore off.
Dark, clotted blood gushed out like a fountain.
Thalia's eyes widened in horror. She stood frozen, unable to move, terrified by what she had just witnessed.
From the beginning, she had felt nothing, not even pity. After all, he had humiliated her miserably. The only reason she helped him was to strike back at the hooded men's organization.
But watching him tear off his own hands, so brutally, so mercilessly sent a cold shiver down her spine.
Only one word echoed in her mind
'he's a true monster.'
Meanwhile, the Left Guardian shouted, panic and fear in his voice.
"Young lord!"
There had to be someone in the empire who could heal his hands. And if not, they could travel to another continent, seek out ancient arts, forbidden magic, anything. He was the heir, the future of Noctvain.
So why?
Why would he tear off his own hands?
Ding'
[ Activating Super Regeneration]