Chapter 548: Sword Genius (side: Volk)
The distance between me and Howgrey shortens. I grip the longsword in my hand strongly.
At a glance, Howgrey seems unguarded. Compared to the long blade of my [Destruction God Doldia], the short reach of his sword should be unreliable. He’s taken no preparations whatsoever for dealing with my blade. Normally speaking, I should be able to cut through him from this position by capitalising on my reach and physical strength.
However… I cannot help but see the entire area surrounding him as a danger area. The moment I step in, his sword will come flying in a way that I will be unable to react. My instincts are telling me so.
In battle, there are two types of attacks: those that can be reacted to once seen, and those that can’t. It’s better to avoid the former once seen. For the latter, it’s necessary to prepare in advance and work around it so as to not receive the attack in the first place.
Within the widely known styles of swordsmanship, there are techniques devoted to maintaining an unassailable form against attacks that cannot be reacted to. Of course, those techniques are ineffective against opponents whose movements can compensate for even that. ‘Which style has the least weaknesses’ is a topic often brought up in swordsman circles as well, yet the clashes of swords that often break out and end while leaving that question unanswered form the underpinnings of the swordsman community.
Against attacks that cannot be reacted to, they must be dealt with by reading the movements of the attacker. That’s how it is.
And, Howgrey is terrifyingly sharp at reading those movements. Naturally, I won’t get through his defence by relying on my strength. It’s evident that my attacks will be seen through and avoided, even if I aim solely for attacks that he should be unable to react to.
As we exchange swords, I have no choice but to try and force him into patterns that allow me to corner him. Of course, there’s a high chance that he’ll get past using inexplicable movements even if I go to great lengths to chase him down, but if I don’t take things that far at the very least, it won’t be much of a fight. If I don’t use reasoning and logic, my blade won’t reach Howgrey.
“[Shockwave]!”