F-ranker Sword Saint: My Soulbound Sword is Secretly SSS-tier!-Chapter 365: Continuum Barrier
Durandal found the current situation somewhat difficult to accept.
However, after a few more tests, some with far more shocking results than the first one, he could only accept that his fellow Noravian’s simple and seemingly stupid method had worked.
Elara was even more pleased that Daru was correct than Daru himself was.
She made sure to rub everything thoroughly right on the half-jerk’s face, chirping infuriating remarks here and there.
Durandal had erupted once, failing to contain his emotions and greatly pleasing the petty princess.
Nonetheless, winning the race remained their priority, so they still discussed things properly, if only out of duty between the two SSS-rankers.
Durandal’s brain — slightly twisted by bone-deep elitism engraved in him since his youth — was at least developed enough for him not to throw a tantrum and throw the race out the window.
The three came up with quite a few theories, most of which were formed in the princess’s elite mind, with a few from the half-jerk.
Daru’s knowledge of the space was far too little for him to participate in such discussions.
He noted to himself to study the elements once he returned
...if he could return...
Only, no matter how many theories they had, in the end, the Hissing was the main limiting factor.
His thoughts drifting in this direction, a sudden idea dawned upon Daru.
"Maybe something happens to the space during the Hissing?" He blurted in a murmur.
Aside from that one time he hid inside the hollow of a sap-spewing tree, he had never attempted to watch the Hissing again.
This time, Durandal didn’t react in an unpleasant way, seemingly falling deep in thought.
Elara, too, flashing him a wink, a wide smile, and a thumbs up before getting lost in her own ponderment.
What Daru suggested was very possible, as it would explain why they suddenly would be "pushed away" from the Verdant Nucleus.
This idea, however, only made the two SSS-rankers more uneasy. Sylvares wielded space, after all.
It was almost certain that he had a far better grasp of what was happening than they were.
In fact, there was even a good chance that the Veshari was already utilizing his sword’s abilities to tear through whatever this strange obstruction was.
"Tch!" Elara clicked her tongue, not realizing that she was biting hard on her thumb in frustration as her thoughts steered in that direction.
They would lose at this rate.
What vexed her was the fact that their enemy’s extremely rare element turned out to be the perfect fit for this event, giving the Vesharis — the race they were initially worried of the least — a massive advantage, and in more than one way.
Sylvares was also very deadly in battle, after all, and Peter was the perfect example of how fearsome he was.
’There must be something...’
Daru noticed that both his comrades were straining their minds, a bit guilty that he couldn’t contribute more.
"Well, for starters, how about we observe the Hissing first? Maybe you two will find hints after witnessing it for yourselves?" he suggested.
Durandal flashed him an irritated look.
"And how do you suggest we do that?"
Elara’s face brightened at the conversation topic, and her worries were washed away temporarily at another chance to humble the half-jerk.
’Would it even be a stretch to call him a jerk at this point?’ she sneered to herself, then cleared her throat, "Ahem," stealing the honors from Daru.
She was certain that she wouldn’t be satisfied with how her inexperienced...acquaintance? friend? Would respond.
"Relax a bit, will you? Look, your hairline is retreating slightly." Elara opened.
She was outright lying just to sneak in whatever humbling words she could.
"Just because you don’t have a method doesn’t mean our brave bru– err, handsome over here doesn’t, too."
Durandal’s eyes narrowed, ignoring the first remark.
He was not only confident of his abilities but also of his looks. He didn’t believe the petty princess’s comment about his hairline one bit.
Instead, the SSS-ranker turned to his fellow Noravian:
"You...have seen this Hissing?" Durandal asked, doubtful that the S-ranker was that reckless...or courageous.
After all, opening the lids of the burrows was nothing short of throwing away one’s life in exchange for mystical knowledge.
Daru nodded plainly.
He then proceeded to explain how he did it and what the Hissing was. Beside him, the princess preened as though she was the one who thought of the method.
Durandal nodded in understanding and proceeded to sleep.
It was clear that he wasn’t about to sound impressed.
Meanwhile, Elara only sneered, then proceeded to drift off, too.
They woke an hour and a half later, proceeding to resume their journey to the Verdant Nucleus. They’ve already sacrificed a bit of distance in exchange for knowledge. They must catch up to the Vesharis in what little way they can.
Soon, the Hissing was upon them again, and this time, the three selected their own trees to occupy.
The trunks of these seemingly dead ones in this level of Yggdrasil weren’t as thick as the ones below.
Daru opted not to sleep this time around, nor did Durandal.
They both watched as the divine tree exhaled dark aquamarine death plumes...and witnessed with their own eyes how the distant image of the Verdant Nucleus distorted, seemingly sliding closer, and closer...and closer still towards them.
Around half an hour later, its silhouette was so close to them that it felt like they would be able to make the journey in one trip.
Then, it began sliding back. Further, and further, and further away to its original, oddly unreachable location.
A smile made its way even to the half-jerk’s face.
After such a close look, it became clear to the two what it was that they were dealing with.
They had come across it at least twice in the official reports their fathers shared with them, offering a glimpse into what unfolds during real, high-risk, top-tier guild operations.
A Continuum Barrier.
The new problem now was that they weren’t equipped to deal with it.
Based on what they saw, it was clear that the space within that barrier was being greatly distorted as the world relieved itself.
As for what exactly was going on, it was hard to see, as the gray sap wasn’t being too cooperative in its transparency.
All they knew was that they could reach the Verdant Nucleus in a single trip...provided that they moved during the Hissing.
Oddly enough, it was Daru who instantly thought of a solution.
