SWNOVELXO Chapter 361
Chapter 362. What You See Is All There Is (5)
Sometimes it’s like that.
There are times when a conversation with the body is more effective than one with words.
When mercenaries came to Sephira, Keter persuaded them with a conversation of the body, and it worked well.
What’s contained in his punches isn’t the intent to kill his opponent. It’s not the desire to win.
The strong don’t argue about “reason.” They don’t argue about “logic.” For the strong, power itself is reason and logic.
Logical arguments are the fighting style of the weak or scholars.
I am stronger than you. Therefore, you should follow my words. This is the persuasion method among the strong.
In the process, opponents may die, but Keter thinks:
Killing is easy. And if he chooses the easy path, can he truly be called strong? Being strong and being good at killing are distinctly different. Keter valued that distinction greatly.
“Kuuuuuh!”
A Flame Dog Tribe member caught between Keter’s legs, choking. A Birang Tribe member grabbed by the back of the head. A Sword Wing Tribe member relentlessly pummeled in the chest.
The Tahlon Tribe, a snake-human hybrid, lashed at Keter’s body with a whip-like tail. His tail carried the sharpness of a famous sword, capable of easily tearing through tough hide.
Though Keter’s skin wasn’t torn, blood splattered everywhere.
Whipping is one of the most painful attacks for humans. Yet, Keter didn’t let out a single groan, continuing the fight.
Unlike the human mercenaries, the demi-humans had incredible endurance and stubbornness, making it hard to bring the fight to a quick end. Moreover, these weren’t just any demi-humans. Each one was a Transcendent Being. This wasn’t a fight that would end in a day or two.
A week… a month, half a year. If they weren’t fighting to kill each other, Transcendent Beings could fight forever.
The conditions were unfavorable for Keter. He had to protect Sephira. He had plans to go to Ruquer, where the answers to everything lay. Since the purpose of his life wasn’t to fight, fighting was merely a means to an end.
Gradually, Keter began to feel fear. If the fight ended inconclusively, negotiations would become even more deadlocked. But if he continued fighting, he would run out of time.
Fear is both a feeling and an emotion.
And feelings and emotions govern the body.
Just as you want to eat when you’re hungry, or take off clothes when you’re hot, fear stirs the heart and emotions, compelling the body to act.
That’s why everyone who becomes a Transcendent Being discards their emotions. Without emotions, there’s no fear. You’re not swayed by emotions.
But Keter is different.
He chose to live as a human. Even if he called himself a monster.
Then, what is a human? Keter defined it easily.
To feel sorrow and joy. And to be free.
That’s why Keter willingly accepts even fear.
“Let’s go all the way! Let’s see who wins!”
Keter’s voice isn’t confident. It’s trembling with fear.
But because of that, his opponents are afraid. Afraid, yet they don’t back down. This fight will continue until one side is completely defeated.
And no one knows who will emerge victorious at the end of the fight. Whether it will be Keter or the demi-humans here.
But Transcendent Beings dislike such gambles. For them, who can always “win” if they choose to, risking life on uncertain victory and defeat is foolish.
Twitch.
The demi-humans here had vaguely thought that Keter was a strong one. And that he was a Pioneer.
For the strong, another strong one is just an opponent to fight and defeat.
But now they realized.
Keter isn’t strong.
Keter is insane.
He’s not an opponent you can defeat by fighting.
Crack.
Even as bones broke and flesh tore, the five demi-humans who had fought to the end all stepped back.
They no longer wanted to fight. They conveyed their will through action. They would yield.
But Keter—
“You want to rest? Not me.”
Wham!
He follows the retreating ones with punches. Kicks. Grabbing their legs.
“It’s not over yet!”
The demi-humans felt it strongly. Keter’s fear. It was more intense than before.
Shiver.
That’s why they were afraid. Afraid of Keter, who seemed on the verge of madness yet continued to fight.
Stalling for time isn’t just dangerous for Keter. It’s dangerous for them too. They had released the fog of Ruquer to lure Keter in.
Honestly, they didn’t think it would take this long. They thought a peaceful agreement would be reached.
Because Keter’s spouse, Inara, was here. The demi-humans gathered here were all remarkable individuals.
In terms of combat power, they were at least 7-star level. In terms of skill, they were legendary blacksmiths surpassing masters. There was even an Elf who remembered thousands of years of history.
Of course, the Empire was far stronger and more threatening, but with the power of Ruquer’s fog, they could hide even from the Empire’s eyes.
It should have been a sufficient deal. There was no need for such a desperate fight.
But Keter threw punches.
“Let’s stop now.”
Even as the Tahlon Tribe, half-human, half-snake, tried to speak in human language—
Wham! Wham!
Keter grabbed the Tahlon Tribe’s tail and slammed it left and right.
“This guy’s insane!”
The Flame Dog Tribe’s nails glowed with Ain. It was Ain Soph. Until now, they had fought without using their special powers. That had been the unspoken rule.
But Keter, who wouldn’t end the fight, angered the Flame Dog Tribe, and they filled their nails with Ain, intending to kill.
Thud!
The Flame Dog Tribe’s claws smoothly pierced Keter’s skin. Even his tough, resilient muscles were torn through, reaching his soft innards.
Thump.
Keter grabbed the Flame Dog Tribe’s wrist. Then, the wrist was severed. The hand buried in Keter’s body turned into blood and flesh, returning to what it had destroyed.
Hesitation.
The Flame Dog Tribe stepped back, clutching their severed wrist. Keter licked the blood that had dripped from his mouth.
“Do you guys know the word ‘shame’?”
For the first time, Keter asked a question instead of attacking.
The demi-humans looked at each other, asking if they knew, but none of them understood the meaning of the word.
They used the same language as humans. But they only needed the words necessary for communication, not deep, meaningful words. That’s what Keter disliked.
“This is our land. To protect this land, countless people have died, bled, and are still training to do so. Right? You guys should know too. Training is hell. It’s not fun. It’s hard and painful. Even though basking in warm sunlight and taking a nap feels much better, we strive to become stronger. Why?”
Keter raised his clenched fist above his head.
“Because it’s our home. Because it’s where the people we love are. Because we don’t want to die. Even though we know we might die in just one fight, we endure the pain and hardship! But what about you guys?”
“We just……”
“What have I done wrong to you? Do we have some grudge? Why are you trying to impose your misfortune on us? I know. You guys had no choice. Living beings never commit suicide. They strive to live until the end. I’m not blaming you for that. But at least you’re not mute insects or plants. You have eyes to see and mouths to speak. So at least, you should know shame.”
“…….”
“Until now, you’ve solved everything with strength. Because that worked on your opponents. But not me. I don’t care how strong or great you are. It just annoys me. You guys, trying to cling to our Sephira, acting like accepting us would be good for you too, strutting around like you own the place when you have nothing!”
Whoosh!
A haze rose from Keter’s hands. It was similar to the Ain created by the Flame Dog Tribe, but different.
Ain Soph. A beautiful light, but it carried the power to kill anything in this world, concentrated in Keter’s hands.
“Sephira isn’t a place that accepts just anyone. It only accepts those who know their place. The only thing we can give to others is death.”
The demi-humans couldn’t respond. They felt it too strongly. Keter’s fear. And his resolve.
Keter is afraid. Afraid of fighting everyone here.
But he’s clearly stating it. Surrender, or leave.
Or there’s the option to fight—
Even the Flame Dog Tribe, who hate humans, don’t want to fight. They didn’t come here to die. They came to live. No one wants to risk their life in a fight.
“…….”
“…….”
Keter was kind. He gave them time to think. But not much time.
He extended his palm, folding his ring finger. It took five seconds for his index finger to fold after that.
Five seconds per finger.
By the time his middle finger folded, the demi-humans knelt.
There was nothing to think about. They were fugitives. Wanderers. No matter how strong they were, they couldn’t stand against the Empire, which was far stronger.
If Sephira wouldn’t accept them, they planned to use the fog of Ruquer as a last resort to swallow the Empire.
But they didn’t want to do that. Not all humans were guilty.
Those here were ones who wanted to live alongside humans. Humans who just wanted to revive their tribes. They hadn’t become strong for meaningless slaughter.
Even Inara, who had been watching, and Puga of the Tian-ox Tribe, who had regained his senses, knelt before Keter.
A posture of submission. Sitting at the table to negotiate symbolizes equality. They acknowledged that they and Sephira were not equal.
Swish.
Keter approached them. He released Ain Soph. It was an unspoken sign of satisfaction.
But the demi-humans felt it. No, they didn’t need to feel it—it was clear from his expression.
Keter still looked displeased.
The Flame Dog Tribe gritted their teeth.
‘Is kneeling not enough?’
The Flame Dog Tribe recalled unpleasant memories.
Their tribe had submitted to the Emperor. That’s why they survived, but they lived a humiliating life.
Because they looked like dogs, they had to act like dogs. Licking feet, lying down, wagging tails. If someone pointed and said “kill,” they had to bite and kill. They had to breed like beasts to produce offspring.
‘Keter. If you’re going to treat us like beasts, just like the Empire—’
Just as the Flame Dog Tribe was about to rise from their knees.
“Really, it’s exhausting to explain everything one by one. You act like humans but know nothing.”
“……?”
“I’ll tell you. Kneeling and submitting isn’t what I want. Come on, stand up. And follow me.”
Keter personally helped each demi-human to their feet and stood before them.
“Put your arms at your sides. Then bow your head and look at the ground.”
Keter demonstrated the posture himself. He looked at the demi-humans as if urging them to try. The demi-humans, bewildered, followed the posture.
Keter smiled contentedly and said.
“In that posture, you say this: Please. Help me.”
“……!”
A request for help. Even the demi-humans understood the meaning.
“Is that… enough?”
Puga of the Tian-ox Tribe asked, disbelieving.
Keter shook his head.
“Of course not. Since we helped you, you should help us too. Not with words, but with actions.”
“Not with words, but with actions……”
“So, what do you want to do?”
Do you want to be master and servant, or comrades who help each other?
There was no need to think.
“Please. Help us.”
Puga spoke on behalf of the demi-humans, and Keter smiled and replied.
“No.”