Descendant of Sloth
Chapter 52: Esther vs gyosu

Chapter 52: Esther vs gyosu

"That could be said the same for you, Esther," Gyosu said, his voice calm but laced with subtle provocation. His dark eyes studied me with a depth that was unsettling, as if he was analyzing every part in my composure.

I didn’t respond immediately, merely standing straight and meeting his gaze with my own.

"Still adapting to this new world, aren’t you?" he continued, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Maybe," I replied casually, shrugging off the weight of his words.

Gyosu’s eyes flicked to his clenched fist as he tightened it. A soft white glow began to radiate from his hand, the light wrapping around his fingers like a second skin.

"Don’t worry," he said, his tone suddenly lighter, almost nostalgic. "After defeating the Demon Lord with you, I haven’t used my strength much either. It’s been centuries for me as well."

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but I didn’t miss the determination in his eyes.

"But you can’t change the fact that....you’re an old man now," I remarked quietly, my words cutting through the stillness like a blade.

The wind swept through the forest, rustling the leaves and gently swaying our hair. The moment hung in silence, a stillness so fragile it felt like the world held its breath.

"That’s exactly why," Gyosu murmured, his voice softer now, tinged with an emotion I couldn’t quite understand. His eyes filled with sadness flickering briefly before being swallowed by unwavering resolve. "I must do it before I perish."

There was something in the way he said it—an edge of finality that unsettled me. My mind raced to piece together his intentions, but before I could ask or react, his expression hardened.

With a sharp turn of his head, his hair began to stiffen and lengthen, transforming into deadly spikes. The transition was instantaneous, and the next moment, they shot toward me like arrows.

I leapt to the side instinctively, my body moving faster than his hairs. The attack missed, striking the ground where I had stood, but it wasn’t over. His hair twisted mid-air, bending unnaturally as it redirected toward me with relentless precision.

I dashed away, weaving between the trees as the sharpened hairs pursued me. Each one carried the force of a blade, slicing through trees, rock and the ground as I dodged and deflected. My dagger was a moving in my hand, blocking where I could and deflecting when necessary.

But they kept coming, each strand moving as if it had a mind of its own, controlled entirely by Gyosu’s will. The forest around us took the scars of the assault—trees split in half, leaves scattered, and the earth torn apart.

Despite the chaos, I kept moving, my steps light and calculated, evading his strikes with a calm focus.

Gyosu’s determination burned like a flame, and I could feel his gaze fixed on me even as his attacks continued. Whatever his reasons, it was clear—he wasn’t holding back.

Meanwhile, Serina sat beside Hina, her focus split between the chaotic battle ahead and the fragile girl resting against her lap. The clash of power between me and Gyosu sent ripples through the air, shaking the ground with each blow. Hina woke up weakly, her face tired with pain as she let out a strained groan.

"E-Esther..." Hina’s voice was faint, yet desperate.

Serina immediately turned her attention to her. "Hina, are you okay?" she asked, her tone filled with concern.

"I... I must help him..." Hina whispered, her trembling hands struggling to push herself up. Her body, however, gave out, and she collapsed back onto Serina’s lap.

"Stop it! You’re in no condition to fight. Just relax here," Serina said firmly, placing her hands on Hina’s shoulders to steady her.

Hina gasped, her breath shallow, but her resolve unshaken. "I... I can... and I must..." she said, her body shaking slightly before finally surrendering to exhaustion. Her head lolled back against Serina’s chest as her movements stopped.

Serina adjusted her, gently propping her up against a nearby tree. "Stop being so stubborn. He can handle this—"

*THUD!*

The earth beneath them trembled violently as a deafening crash echoed through the forest. Serina froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening in alarm. Dust and debris clouded the air, and the force of the impact sent leaves and broken branches cascading around them.

Both Serina and Hina turned instinctively toward the source of the sound. Their faces paled at the sight.

On top of a heap of shattered rocks and broken trees lay my battered body, my dagger still clutched tightly in my hand. Blood seeped from my lips as my chest rose and fell heavily.

Far away, Gyosu stood tall and menacing, his hand still outstretched and radiating with a bright, malevolent white aura. His narrowed eyes bore into me, his glare cold and unrelenting as he threw me with a devastating force.

"Esther!" Serina’s voice broke the silence, panic filling her tone as she leapt to her feet.

"Esther..." Hina’s voice cracked, trembling with both fear and sorrow as tears welled in her eyes.

*Cough*

I coughed violently, blood dripping down my chin. My breath became little shallow as I try ri collect oxygen in my lungs. It was hard to breathe. I didn’t feel this sensation in ages.

*Step... Step...*

Gyosu’s footsteps reverberated through the ground as he approached, each step deliberate and filled with purpose. His long white hair flowed like snakes behind him, the tips hardening into razor-sharp points as he closed the distance. He stopped a few feet away, towering over my body.

"You fought well, but give up now." Gyosu said, his voice as cold. "I know you can’t be defeated so easily but it’s just a waste of time to endlessly do this...and before you adapt I like to kill you."

Gyosu stretched his arms towarsd me and the white aura started charging around him. I didn’t reply just laid there listening to his words, waiting for something...

Serina moved gracefully, her body flowing like water as she spun on her toes, the hem of her dress fluttering in the air. She stretched her arms toward Gyosu, her movements elegant and commanding, as she called out softly, "Aura Glow..."

A wave of shimmering blue energy radiated from her fingertips, surrounding Gyosu in a vibrant glow. For a moment, it seemed as though her power had consumed him. But then, his hair, sharp like spikes, shifted, moving as if rejecting the aura. The blue light rippled and dissolved, dispersing into nothingness.

"Impossible..." Serina whispered, her voice trembling. She pulled back her hand, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her strength—her most refined ability—had no effect.

Gyosu remained unmoved, his gaze unyielding. He didn’t even spare Serina a glance. His focus was fixed solely on me, the intensity in his eyes cutting through the tension like a blade.

Serina clenched her fists, her heart pounding as she watched helplessly. Beside her, Hina gasped, her eyes glued to the scene despite the pain wracking her body. Both women could do nothing but stare in horror as the battle seemed to reach its tipping point.

"Gyosu..why are you doing this?" I finally asked. "Why are you wiping out your own race.."