Reincarnation Of The Legendary Sword Saint-Chapter 39: Overreach

"You lowly human child," Valzaha sneered. "To dare speak to me that way. You truly believe yourself something special."

His eyes narrowed as his aura surged.

"I may not be at my peak, but make no mistake—I am still absolute to you. Even in this state, you cannot defeat me."

Valzaha let out a low, amused laugh, his gaze fixed on Rowan.

"I heard what the Fenrir said," he continued calmly. "I know what you did while you were asleep. You slaughtered the lesser demons. Used an enormous amount of power to do it. That’s why you’re like this now. Exhausted. Drained. Your body hasn’t recovered yet."

He stepped closer, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

"So don’t worry. I’m going to use this hand to cut off your neck... and this hand to rip out your heart," Valzaha said, laughing as he raised both hands.

Rowan didn’t flinch.

"You talk too much," he said quietly.

The air shifted.

In the next instant, Rowan vanished.

"...What?" Valzaha muttered, turning in confusion.

A voice whispered from behind him.

"Which hand did you say you’d use to rip out my heart?"

Valzaha’s eyes widened.

His arm hit the ground.

Blood sprayed as the severed limb tumbled across the dirt.

He staggered back, clutching the stump as dark energy erupted and regenerated the limb in seconds.

"How...?" Valzaha hissed, staring at Rowan in disbelief.

Rowan stood calmly, sword lowered, eyes cold.

"You mistake exhaustion for weakness," he said. "That’s your first mistake."

Rowan puffed, steadying himself as Valzaha approached. They moved sideways, circling each other, blades flashing.

I’m actually really exhausted after using Spirit Manifestation, Rowan thought. I’m not at full strength. I could end this fight anytime with a skill or technique, but some of them would either rip my body apart or knock me unconscious. I have no choice but to fight carefully. Today I nearly lost my parents—that won’t happen again. My mana is low. I’ll use my current strength... my Sword Man skill.

Rowan performed a backflip, landing lightly on the ground, eyes fixed on Valzaha. Valzaha charged, and the two of them clashed, pushing each other back. Rowan retreated slightly as Valzaha advanced.

Then Valzaha raised his hand and fired a destruction beam at Rowan. Swiftly, Rowan cut through it with his sword, and the beam vanished instantly. Again and again, Valzaha fired—each attack meeting the same fate.

"I’m looking down on you, but you managed to keep up with me at this speed," Valzaha said, increasing his pace, running sideways. Rowan mirrored his movements, matching him stride for stride.

They dashed forward, then stopped abruptly. Both raised their swords simultaneously, clashing with a metallic ring that echoed across the battlefield. Valzaha leapt into the air, launching a blast at Rowan, who dodged nimbly as it exploded on the ground below.

Rowan seized the moment, flying toward Valzaha at incredible speed. Mid-air, he slashed at Valzaha’s leg—it instantly regenerated. Valzaha retaliated with a strike aimed at Rowan’s head, but Rowan blocked, their eyes locking in silent challenge.

They descended slowly, landing with both feet planted firmly on the ground, swords crossed, the battlefield tense and charged with energy.

Valzaha rushed toward Rowan, dark energy coating his fist like armor. He swung without hesitation.

Rowan dodged, the strike grazing past his face. Valzaha followed instantly, launching another blow—this one wreathed in flame. Rowan twisted aside, then leapt upward, spinning midair and driving his knee into Valzaha’s jaw.

Valzaha skidded backward, boots scraping the ground. Before he could recover, Rowan rushed forward, blade flashing.

Valzaha blocked, but the impact forced him back several steps. His stance wavered.

He’s not using any techniques... Valzaha realized. No magic. No skills. Just raw physical power.

His eyes narrowed.

He’s not human.

Rowan pressed forward again. Their blades clashed violently, sparks bursting into the air.

Valzaha snarled and released his power. Dark energy erupted from his body, wrapping around him like armor.

He vanished—then reappeared behind Rowan, blade aimed for his neck.

Rowan reacted instantly, jumping and planting his foot against Valzaha’s sword, flipping backward to land cleanly.

"You’re mocking me," Valzaha growled.

Rowan didn’t answer.

They clashed again—steel screaming, the ground cracking beneath their feet.

He’s keeping up... Valzaha realized. No—he’s matching me.

Rowan’s blade slipped past his guard.

Valzaha twisted, but not fast enough.

The slash tore across his torso.

He staggered.

Then Rowan struck again.

A clean arc.

Valzaha’s arm flew free.

He screamed.

Dark energy surged from his body as he stumbled backward, clutching the wound. His regeneration activated—but slowly.

"What...?" he gasped. "Why isn’t it regenerating?!"

Rowan stepped forward, eyes cold.

"Because I cut it with intent," he said. "You can’t regenerate what I sever with will."

Valzaha backed away, panic creeping in.

"No... I still have power. I still—"

Rowan moved.

In an instant, he stood before him.

Steel pierced flesh.

Valzaha froze.

Blood spilled down his chest as Rowan’s blade drove through him.

"You’re strong," Rowan said calmly. "But strength without control is just noise."

Valzaha staggered, barely standing.

"You can’t kill me," he whispered. "I still have—"

Rowan raised his sword.

"Enough."

As the blade descended, dark symbols flared beneath Valzaha’s feet—an emergency spell activating.

Rowan narrowed his eyes.

"Mana exchange... a last resort."

Dark energy surged violently around them.

Then—

A burst of blue light erupted from Rowan, crashing into the dark surge.

Valzaha screamed.

"What is this?! My body—!"

His wounds regenerated wildly, flesh twisting, power spiraling out of control.

"This power..." he gasped. "It’s overwhelming...!"

Rowan stood firm, eyes glowing faintly.

"You wanted my power," he said coldly. "Now you have it."

"You’re still so confident," Valzaha snarled, his voice trembling. "Talking with such pride... even after losing most of your mana."

His body began to twitch violently as waves of blue energy poured into him, crawling across his skin like living fire.

"It’s... it’s entering me," he growled, teeth clenched. "This power—!"

He screamed as the energy surged deeper.

"Don’t be foolish," Valzaha spat, his voice shaking. "There is always a path to power like this.