I’m the Madman of This Family

Chapter 334. It Was Winter (10)

Every victory and defeat has its reasons, big or small. It could be because one was superior in every aspect, or simply due to a difference in condition.

But that’s the thinking of ordinary people. The “strong ones” think of only one thing: the reason they must win.

Keter was like that. He had created his own reason for why he must win.

Through Henya, he prepared a trap and a decisive plan, even mastering a technique that could bring a divine being to death.

On the other hand, Eslow also had his own reason for why he must win. Decades of experience and techniques accumulated over a lifespan dozens of times longer than a human’s mere 100 years. And a demi-god’s body and senses.

The two clashed.

As a result, Keter killed Eslow.

But Eslow revived. Instantly, on the spot.

Was this within Keter’s expectations? It didn’t matter. Even if he had expected it, Keter’s body was no longer in a condition to continue fighting.

Blood flowed from his neck, which had been half-severed and then healed. If he moved too vigorously, the sutured wound might tear open immediately.

Only one arm remained. The bleeding had stopped, but for an archer, losing one arm wasn’t just a 50% loss in combat power—it was more like 90%.

His body was a mess, and his internal organs were in even worse shape. It was only due to Keter’s numerous resistances, a result of “survival of the fittest,” that he was still standing. Any ordinary Transcendent Being would have turned to dust by now.

There were no intact bones or organs left. The fact that he was still alive was a miracle.

‘It should be like that…’

Eslow, who had recovered more than half of his body, stroked his chin.

Although he had fallen into a trap and couldn’t fully utilize his divine power, he had still been defeated by Keter and experienced death. That was an undeniable fact.

But that was then, and this is now.

‘That guy is a walking corpse.’

To the eyes of a Transcendent Being, Keter’s condition was clear. Even if left alone, he would surely die within ten minutes.

Yet, Keter wore a confident expression, as if this situation wasn’t over, or as if he had foreseen even this.

‘Is it just bravado…?’

Until now, Eslow hadn’t paid much attention to traps. Traps, tricks—he had broken through them all head-on. No trap or trick had ever troubled Eslow before.

-Traps are the last resort of the weak.

That belief of Eslow’s had been shattered. Having fallen into a trap and experienced death, he naturally became more cautious.

‘What is he scheming now…?’

Keter’s authority, “Reverse.”

At first glance, it seemed like a lesser ability compared to Eslow’s.

‘Swapping arrows and positions can’t be an authority.’

Of course, there were many possibilities—how far it could reach, whether there were restrictions on movement, and so on—but for now, that ability wasn’t dangerous.

‘A sneak attack using Baeklin like before isn’t possible either.’

It was only because the arrow was Baeklin that he was slow to react. If it had been any other arrow, he would have reacted sooner.

Moreover, Baeklin was now destroyed. It was only natural, having been used as a medium for such explosive power. Even if Baeklin were used again, he wouldn’t fall for it, and without Baeklin, there was no chance of being caught twice.

‘Ain is also completely depleted. Whatever remains will be used to maintain his body.’

Two, three… even after hundreds of thoughts, the conclusion was the same.

‘There is no hope for Keter.’

Even after thousands of thoughts, it was the same. All he had to do was walk over and cut Keter’s throat. If getting close was bothersome, he could just send a sword aura or shoot an arrow from where he stood.

The only reason Eslow didn’t do so was because of that bothersome feeling.

‘Why is he still smiling?’

Not knowing what阴谋 might be behind Keter’s smile, Eslow couldn’t act recklessly.

*

Keter, smiling leisurely.

Eslow thought there must be a reason for Keter’s composure and hesitated to move, but the truth was—

‘My nose itches. I’m going crazy wanting to scratch it.’

Keter was on the verge of madness from not being able to scratch his nose.

‘If I scratch my nose here, he’ll attack immediately.’

It wasn’t because scratching his nose would leave him open. It was the “stupid atmosphere” that the act itself would create.

Right now, Keter was doing his best to pretend “something is up.” This shallow trick could only work because of Eslow’s accumulated experiences of being tricked before.

‘As the old saying goes, a bow is most threatening when it’s drawn.’

To put it metaphorically, Keter was currently aiming an arrow at Eslow. It felt like, “Move, and I’ll shoot!”

But this time, it was truly just bravado. If Eslow realized this and attacked, it would be a bit troublesome.

That didn’t mean Keter hadn’t anticipated this situation. Two days ago, Maknun came to him and asked:

“Brother! I looked into it, and demi-gods are often immortal. Especially Eslow, who has a master-servant contract with Lilian, a full god. The chances of him having an immortal body are even higher. Do you have a countermeasure for that?”

“I do, but I don’t want to use it here.”

“Then what will you do? The only ways to kill an immortal are divine-grade weapons, specific authorities, or sealing.”

“Sealing sounds good.”

“Who’s going to do the sealing?”

“I’ll call someone.”

“Who?”

“Someone strong enough to seal Eslow.”

“Are you close?”

“Maybe?”

“Sigh. I’ll look into it too.”

And so, just yesterday, he went to inform the “strong one.” He told them to come and seal Eslow after he had half-killed him.

‘The signal must have been delivered.’

The explosion of “Milky Way-Goodnight” was that signal. A massive explosion visible from anywhere in the world.

Of course, the other party had never said they would come, nor did they owe Keter any favors. But Keter was confident. They would definitely come.

‘Are they taking a dump or something?’

Every second was precious. No matter how cautious Eslow was, he wouldn’t just stand still for more than ten minutes.

‘If they’re late, I’ll just have to buy more time.’

What had he been running around for until now? It wasn’t just for fun.

He still had cards to play. If he could save them, he would, but if he had to use them, he would do so without hesitation.

As Keter and Eslow stood in silence, facing each other.

Keter made the first move.

“Huh?!”

Startled, he looked to the side.

Eslow was a Transcendent Being. Even without eyes, a 500-meter radius was his domain. He could sense even a grain of sand. So, even if someone suddenly appeared, there was no need to turn his head.

His senses told him no one had come. But Keter’s expression was too vivid. It was the expression of someone who had seen an unexpected figure. A “who are you?” expression.

Eslow’s senses said “no one is there,” but his curiosity got the better of him.

‘What did he see to be so startled?’

Eventually, Eslow’s head turned as well.

But as expected, there was nothing where Keter had looked.

-Or so Eslow thought, the moment he realized. A barrage of mana arrows rained down from the sky.

“Huh.”

Eslow, baffled, created a shield and deflected or dodged all the mana arrows falling from the sky.

“You’re the best at petty tricks.”

With just a nod, Keter had deceived the eyes of a demi-god, and with the mana arrows, he had deceived Eslow’s senses. Keter had already disappeared.

“He could control the earth’s power.”

Eslow didn’t know Keter possessed the Five Elements Divine Artifact, Toban, but he had witnessed Keter manipulating the ground during battle.

He concluded that Keter had burrowed into the ground like a mole.

Of course, even without such speculation, a strong one like Eslow could sense his opponent’s location through “ki sense.” And he did so, but—

“He’s taking advantage of his weakened state.”

There were dozens of ki signatures underground. It was clearly a trick.

If Keter had been in perfect condition, it would have been impossible to deceive his ki sense.

But now, he was infinitely weakened. That made it easier to hide his ki.

“……”

Eslow pondered for a moment, then glanced at Henya.

‘My goal isn’t Keter, but Henya.’

Leaving Henya aside to fight Keter was a matter of pride as a martial artist, and because Keter was a worthy opponent.

But his true goal was Henya and Lyze. Killing Keter was secondary.

Originally, he could have killed Keter and then taken Henya, but the situation had changed.

‘I admit it, Keter. You’re not an easy one to kill.’

Pride. Often, it’s worth less than a single coin.

But for some, it’s a value equal to life itself. Especially for Transcendent Beings, whose pride is worth millions of gold—yet, in this moment, Eslow bent his pride. He avoided fighting Keter and chose to take Henya instead.

‘Keter. I’ll kill you next.’

Believing that the current Keter couldn’t possibly stop him, Eslow acted immediately.

Eslow rushed toward Henya. The distance between them was 50 meters. For him, it was just one leap away.

Henya wasn’t idle either. She swung the intangible sword she was holding to counter.

Clang!

But the intangible sword was deflected by Eslow’s shield, leaving it utterly futile.

Henya had already assumed her attack wouldn’t work on Eslow. That’s why her sword trembled, and its power was significantly reduced.

Eslow thought:

‘I’ll make a weapon here and now.’

Eslow reached out his hand. Toward Henya’s face. The finest weapon he had honed over the past 100 years was about to be born in this very moment.

Thud!

Keter’s hand emerged from the ground and grabbed Eslow’s ankle, pulling him down.

Even now, Keter’s strength, maintaining the 6th stage of Heavenly Power, was something even a demi-god couldn’t ignore.

Eslow immediately flipped his body to avoid falling flat, and as he landed, he tried to grab Keter’s arm.

But Eslow’s hand swiped through the air. Keter, who had been hiding underground, pointed into the distance.

“Huh? Over there!”

Eslow couldn’t help but laugh. Wasn’t this the same trick he had fallen for before?

He didn’t even bother to react. Henya was right there. Just a reach away.

Eslow reached out his hand. Toward Henya’s face.

But for some reason.

‘What is she looking at?’

Henya’s gaze had also turned.

Her eyes were filled with hope.

Why? The moment Eslow felt this doubt.

Slash.

Eslow’s left arm was cleanly severed.

Only after it was cut did Eslow realize he had been slashed. Only then did he understand. Keter hadn’t been lying. Someone had indeed arrived. And it was someone Eslow knew very well.

A wooden hilt.

A thin, black blade bearing the marks of time.

Eyes sunk deep into their sockets.

A middle-aged man dressed in rough cloth, like a farmer.

“Dayal…!”

The Lord of the East, Dayal, who cuts the heavens.

With his appearance, Eslow’s expression twisted in an instant.

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