Chapter 72: A new Hakuto
—SWISH!
With a swift slash of his diamond blade, cloaked in the fire of the Sacred Flame, Hakuto cleaves straight through the body of a towering monster.
The creature stands over ten meters tall, resembling a massive red-furred gorilla, with black spikes jutting from its back and huge, sharp claws.
Its body is partially decayed—patches of fur missing, exposed muscles and bones visible in several places.
The creature’s carcass, sliced vertically in half, turns to ash before it even finishes falling onto the packed dirt of the massive training arena where the fight is taking place.
Hakuto stands at the center of the arena, his body covered from neck to feet in the diamond armor that, just three months ago, he could only manifest on his upper half. In his hands, a diamond sword different from the one he used before.
The blade is now straight, thicker and longer than before—he’s reshaped it to match his new combat style. It’s something between a regular sword and a large two-handed greatsword.
Yet Hakuto wields it with such finesse that it looks like he’s holding a light dagger.
«These kinds of opponents were fine a month ago. Don’t you have anything better?» Hakuto asks, raising his eyes toward the stands.
Only two people are seated there, observing his training.
The first is Chris Kendrow, younger brother of Alexia Kendrow, the Crystalbearer Shin entrusted him to—the one who holds the crystal of Thural, the Relentless Storm.