CHAPTER 270: SWORD AURA

Daniel stared at the scorpion. It was his first time seeing this type of Corruption Beast, and it intrigued him.

"So many species of Corruption Beasts exist... just how much has the Corruption Aura managed to completely consume? Where do these species even come from?" he muttered to himself.

There were no records or evidence showing where Corruption Beasts originated. At first, there were theories claiming they were native species of the Celestial Domain, creatures overtaken by the Corruption Aura.

However, after exploring and scouting the Celestial Domain, it became clear that most Corruption Beast species had no connection to that realm.

So where did all this diversity come from? Could there be another world entirely?

After all, he already knew of three worlds: the current one he lived in, the Celestial Domain, and his previous life’s world.

So who was to say there weren’t other worlds out there—worlds that the Corruption Aura had already consumed? Just thinking about it made Daniel’s body shiver.

How powerful is the Corruption Aura if it’s capable of devouring entire worlds? Where does it come from, and what’s its source? He didn’t believe something like the Corruption Aura could just appear out of nowhere.

The scorpion’s metallic chittering suddenly grew loud.

"Guess now isn’t the time to think."

The Winged Phantom Scorpion suddenly activated [Wings of the Green Storm], its wings vibrating rapidly to create a storm of green, ash-filled corruption energy. The arena was engulfed in the storm, Daniel’s vision blurred, and the stench of corruption burned his lungs.

"Green? This is the first time I’ve seen this color." Daniel laughed, spinning as he channeled Death Energy into The Heavens Honor, slicing through the storm.

He didn’t forget to keep the Death Tablet active, using the battle to deepen his comprehension of the Law of Death while fighting.

The black aura around his blade glowed like a dark shield against the green energy. He lunged toward the scorpion’s body, but the creature countered with [Shadow Metal Armor].

Its metallic exoskeleton glimmered with a dark, polished sheen, repelling Daniel’s strike and sending a wave of dark energy back at him.

The wave slammed into his chest, knocking him back a few steps, but not enough to harm or injure him.

"Nice armor, but that’s enough!" With a quick burst, he darted toward the scorpion’s tail, aiming The Heavens Honor at the diamond-like stinger. The scorpion retaliated with [Diamond Corruption Sting].

Its tail shot forward like a bolt of lightning, the diamond tip glowing with venomous green light. Daniel dodged with a side-step, but the edge of the stinger grazed his thigh.

He ignored it, channeling more Death Energy into his blade. With a swift maneuver, he slid beneath the scorpion’s body and drove The Heavens Honor into its armored underbelly.

The metallic shell cracked, Death Energy pouring through the creature’s body like a dark tide. The scorpion tried to summon another storm with its wings, but Daniel ended it with a final strike, shattering the diamond stinger. The shards scattered in the air before the creature collapsed with a metallic crash, dissolving into magical light.

---

[Your comprehension of the Law of Death has increased by 0.5%.]

[Congratulations! Your comprehension of Swordsmanship has reached a new level.]

[You have acquired Sword Aura.]

[Name: Sword Aura]

[Type: Aura]

[Rank: Beginner]

[Description: A unique aura exclusive to master swordsmen. Using this aura makes your strikes more precise, destructive, and powerful.]

"Sword Aura?" Daniel’s eyes lit up with excitement. Of course, he’d heard of Sword Aura.

It was a unique and highly sought-after type of aura, one only Awakened with sword-related classes could achieve.

Acquiring Sword Aura essentially turned someone into a true sword master, making them highly respected and influential among swordsmen.

But Daniel hadn’t expected to obtain it—after all, his class had nothing to do with swordsmanship.

"This is an unexpected bonus." With this aura, his power would increase significantly yet again, especially since, despite the simple description, it was incredibly effective in use.

If what he’d heard about Sword Aura was true, its value couldn’t be described with simple words. This was a massive leap in strength for him.

"If I managed to unlock Sword Aura, then I should be able to obtain Advanced Sword Aura, Grand Sword Aura, and Supreme Sword Aura as well," he muttered, his eyes gleaming again.

If he continued progressing down the path of swordsmanship at this pace, it wouldn’t take long before he could upgrade the level of his aura.

"Well, next one," Daniel said lazily.

"He won... that easily? How’s that even possible?"

"Even Lady Lana and Young Master Simon didn’t beat it that easily, right?"

"Of course not! I saw both of them fight that scorpion myself—they each came out seriously wounded."

"So how is this guy completely fine?"

"Could he be cheating?"

While they whispered in disbelief, Simon was just as baffled. He remembered clearly how much effort it had taken him to bring that beast down.

So how did this guy kill it as if it were nothing but an insect?

Simon glanced at Daniel’s rank again—it had risen yet again. Now Daniel was sitting at Rank 90. At this rate, he’d easily enter the top ten.

He might even actually take Simon’s spot.

"I can’t let that happen." A cold glint flickered in his eyes.

The only one whose expression remained calm was Lana. She had personally fought Daniel before and knew his strength. Seeing him kill that scorpion so easily didn’t surprise her.

In fact, she would’ve been more surprised if he’d struggled.

At that moment, the scorpion’s body vanished, and the holographic fragments reassembled, forming Daniel’s next opponent.

A colossal serpent rose, its body made of translucent, shimmering blue crystals that refracted the light like a radiant prism, scattering shades of blue and silver across the glass walls.

It was over fifteen meters long, and its crystalline scales chimed like glass bells with every movement, creating a haunting yet majestic symphony. Its eyes glowed like two scarlet rubies, and its tail, like a crystalline whip, slashed through the air with every swing.

As it slithered, its massive body scraped the ground, radiating an aura of cold, deadly energy, like a creature born from the depths of an enchanted ice cavern.

"A Crystal Serpent? And now this one? Why am I not even surprised anymore?"

"Right? This guy’s so strong, I’m not even shocked it showed up for him."

"Just imagine if he actually manages to beat this thing easily too."

"That can’t be possible, right? I mean, this one’s different from the others. The Crystal Serpent is a peak Rank B! Even Lady Lana and Young Master Simon couldn’t defeat it when they were Rank B."