NOVPUB
Chapter 43: The Mighty King Of Knights
The Silver Knight’s strike didn’t land. Daniel caught Calderias’s wrist with a proper guard, twisted smoothly, and slipped his sword under the armor.
His sword pierced the weak point between the armor plates with surgical precision. It wasn’t fast or flashy— But it was effective.
Without hesitation, the Silver Knight fell. His lifeless body hit the ground with a metallic thud.
"Victor of the match... human." The Golden Knight overseer, floating in the air, stared at Daniel with a thoughtful look.
He looked down, deeply.
A human... learning in the middle of battle? Not just adapting—learning. In all his life, he had never seen such a thing. How could he stay this calm?
Daniel took a deep breath. Sweat dripped from his temple, but his gaze was calm.
He replayed the fight with Calderias in his head. Even in such a short clash, he’d learned a lot.
Swordplay isn’t just about slashing. The direction of force matters more than raw speed. Controlling distance and attack angles is key in close combat.
He smiled slightly. This was the opportunity he’d been talking about. He could learn how to fight really well—but unfortunately, there was no time to rest.
From beside the throne, one of the Golden Knights stepped into the arena. He carried a long spear with a broad blade in his right hand. His steps were firm and heavy.
"This is the Golden Knight, Argaron. Spear master," the overseer announced his name.
Daniel adjusted the grip on his sword. He was a bit glad his opponent used something other than a sword.
Couldn’t this be a good chance to learn how to fight swords against other weapons? Though he’d have to figure out what to do and what not to do himself.
Argaron attacked without warning. His spear lunged toward Daniel’s chest like a snake.
Daniel spun to the side. This time, he focused on the spear’s movement path and the blind spots in its attack.
"Sword vs. spear... the spear has range advantage, but it slows down at close range. I need to use short, precise cuts, not heavy swings."
Argaron didn’t back off.
[ Golden Pierce ]
The tip of his spear became coated with golden energy and launched at Daniel with even more power.
Daniel dropped to one knee and deflected the spear’s path with a quick strike.
He felt his body control improve. Without hesitation, he charged at the Golden Knight.
He didn’t want to give him the chance to use another skill. Thinking it would take time to use it again, he rushed in.
But his calculation was wrong.
[ Storm Coil ]
Argaron’s spear floated in the air and spun around him, creating a pressure field that blocked Daniel from getting close.
Daniel leapt back. But at the same moment, the floating spear shot at him. Daniel deflected it with his sword, but right then the Golden Knight punched him in the jaw, sending him flying.
"Ugh, damn... that hurt," Daniel spat out a mouthful of blood and slowly stood up.
"I see... so a weapons master can fight barehanded too, huh?" He just realized the trick Argaron had pulled.
Daniel lowered his sword. But this time, instead of a physical attack, energy started flowing into it.
[ Light of Destruction ]
Normally, this skill came from his eyes. But Daniel had an idea.
He watched how Argaron moved the spear—how he aligned his body with the angle of each strike.
"If I can channel the light energy through the sword blade, I could turn a regular slash into a devastating one."
The Golden Knight suddenly felt danger and activated his skill right away. The spear returned to his hand—just in case.
[ Golden Lancefall ]
In the air, golden spears appeared and rained down on Daniel.
Daniel gripped his sword with both hands and focused all the Light of Destruction energy into the blade’s edge.
He managed to feel the destructive light energy flow, used his body as a medium, and transferred it into the sword. The blade began to glow along its edge.
With a swift step forward, Daniel swung his sword.
[ Slash of Destruction ]
A narrow but concentrated golden slash shot forward like a crescent of light.
It shredded through the rain of golden spears and struck Argaron in the chest without pause.
His armor couldn’t withstand it. It shattered completely, like a small explosion had gone off. Argaron, eyes wide in confusion, collapsed to the ground.
Dead.
[ Ding... You have successfully learned a new skill. ]
[ Congratulations on creating a new skill. ]
[ Name: Slash of Destruction ]
[ Rank: S ]
[ Description: A destructive strike that borrows the power of the Law of Destruction to obliterate its target. ]
"Oh? I can actually do that?" Daniel stared curiously at the floating system panels. He hadn’t expected something like this to work.
But wasn’t this great? He looked at Argaron and offered a small prayer of thanks.
—Too bad you couldn’t get any EXP from these guys.
The Golden Knight overseer looked down. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
And in the royal box, the Knight King watched Daniel with a pure smile and shining eyes.
This human... was beyond expectations.
Daniel slowly lowered his sword. He closed the notifications and quickly replayed the battle in his head. Then, his eyes met the Golden Knight who had served as the overseer.
A heavy silence filled the arena. Argaron’s lifeless body slowly faded away.
"Victor of the match... human," the overseer spoke again, floating in the sky.
"You may now speak with the Knight King." His gaze was serious, but filled with doubt.
Daniel walked toward the royal throne, kneeled before the king, struck his chest with a fist, and respectfully stepped aside.
For several seconds, no one dared to breathe.
Until a voice—old, yet full of power—filled the Colosseum.
"Human... in all my years, no human has ever caught my attention like this. Learning in the middle of a death match... that is worthy of recognition." The Knight King’s eyes, calm but deadly like a flame, stared at Daniel.
"For that reason, I’ll grant you a request. Whatever it may be."
Daniel smiled faintly. His eyes locked boldly with the king’s.
"This humble human... wants to turn the Knight King and all his knights... into his slaves." Daniel said with a calm smile. 𝓃ℴ𝓋𝓹𝓊𝓫.𝒸𝓸𝓂
Everything stopped for a moment. And then--A crushing, deadly aura exploded from the Golden Knights.
The Colosseum walls cracked. The killing intent was so thick, even the air shook.
"You human... don’t get cocky. Say one more word and we’ll execute you right here." The Golden Knight overseer stepped forward again. This time, his voice was dangerously serious.
"If you think you can... then try." Daniel shrugged without a care.
At that moment, a pool of black and red blood appeared under his feet. It boiled like sludge.
And from it, three figures slowly emerged: Vorak, Fool, and Greed—the Fallens
"We have seen the Lord," Daniel nodded as the three Fallens stood silently behind him.
The Golden Knights hesitated for a moment. They didn’t expect such power... from a human. But their rage only grew.
Weapons raised. Spears and swords ready to strike.
Until the Knight King started laughing.
A deep, heavy laugh. So powerful it shook the Colosseum pillars.
With a wave of his hand, the Golden Knights’ murderous intent vanished. They stepped back immediately.
But their eyes stayed locked on Daniel.
The Knight King slowly stood.
With each step he took, the ground cracked beneath him.
He reached Daniel—his body huge, like a living wall.
Daniel looked like nothing more than a child in front of him.
"Human... do you have the power... to back up those words?" His voice made Daniel’s bones tremble.
