I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Chapter 44 The Arm of the Sword Demon

Two days later.

Kraush was indulging in the peculiar practice of doing push-ups with just his left arm.

Sweat poured from him like raina result of concentrating aura into his solitary limb.

But that wasnt all.

Kraush was also simultaneously using Extreme Blood Purge Poison.

The two forces amassed in a single arm were causing turmoil.

Hence, each push-up Kraush performed was incredibly slow.

Huff, huff.

Along with his quiet breaths, Kraush slowly extended his arm.

Then, he collapsed onto the ground.

Im going to die.

It was an honest assessment.

The reason he was engaged in such an exercise was nothing other than the technique of One Sword.

One Sword was a martial art that focused everything into a single blade.

And Kraush intended to apply the secret technique of One Sword to the demonic fusion technique of a sword demon.

To achieve this, he had to concentrate aura and Extreme Blood Purge Poison into a single point.

Fortunately, since he had only one arm left, he was using it for training.

This is tough.

Of course, there were no significant results.

He hadnt expected overnight success, and he wasnt naturally talented in this discipline.

It was almost a miracle that I could create the Extinguished Flame Purge.

No matter what he attempted, it seemed the reality of being a fool wasnt changing significantly.

But at least I discovered the blind spot of the Extinguished Flame Purge.

The Extinguished Flame Purge was a technique that burned the world-eroding power of Ignis within, forcibly breaking the bodys limits.

The downside, due to its nature, was that it elevated the bodys temperature too much.

It could unleash immense firepower, but once the effect of the Extinguished Flame Purge ended, immediate retirement would follow.

This was bound to be a significant vulnerability in any case.

So Kraush pondered.

If one could control the bodys heat after using the Extinguished Flame Purge, the retirement and duration could be extended.

This insight helped him to identify his next target to master.

Moon Yin Limbthe individual who was born with a body soaked in the yin energy of the moon.

Lord Kraush.

During this moment, Kraush lifted his head at the sound of his name being called.

There stood Bianca, looking at him with a towel in hand.

If you lie in the snow like that, youll catch a cold.

Im taking a short rest because its tough.

Still.

Bianca knelt gently in the snow.

Then, she carefully wrapped Kraushs face with her hands and used the towel to wipe it clean.

The soft towel seemed to have been warmed up as it held a comforting heat.

Just stay still.

The problem was that Bianca, who was wiping his face, was so clumsy that she hardly did a proper job.

Still, Kraush was moved by her effort and lay still.

How are things with the family?

They havent done anything since then.

Could it be thanks to the showdown with Meliocan?

Since then, he hadnt given Bianca any orders.

But sister seems a bit strange.

Kraush fell silent upon hearing these words.

The relationship between Jenica and Bianca was deeply strained.

Before and after his regression, it was the same.

She either avoids me or just walks away when she sees me. Before, she used to torment me or just glare at me.

Biancas eyebrows furrowed slightly, signifying her discomfort toward Jenica.

Any progress in the relationship between Jenica and Bianca was a far-off story.

Especially since it began after Jenica decided to hide Bianca.

This meant their issues would remain unresolved unless something significant happened.

If you dont like it, just tell her to her face that you dont want to see her.

Bianca looked at Kraush as she held the towel.

When you start feeling emotions, you tend to hide your true feelings. Learning to be frank from the start might be good.

After all, there would be many things to hide in the future.

If anything bothers you, just tell me. Ill make sure whatever you want happens in a big way.

Whether that be revenge or anything else.

As Kraush said this, Bianca fiddled with the towel in her fingers.

Will you really do what I want?

If its within my power.

I dont think youll be able to.

Was she thinking of asking to have Hardenhartz erased?

Bianca said no more.

It seemed her wishes were considerably large.

[While Ive been struggling, you seem to be enjoying yourself.]

At that instant, Kraush lifted his head as he heard a voice he hadnt heard for two days.

There was a crow, leisurely soaring through the sky.

Crim!

[Crimson Garden, if you please.]

Chastising him once more, Crimson Garden descended slowly from the sky.

She looked at Kraush and Bianca.

[Did you have a ceremony or something while I was away? The affection seems different.]

We didnt do much.

[Blinded by love, theres no coming back, you know? The term womanizing hero is baloney. Most die early indulging in their lusts.]

Kraush felt a sense of absurdity.

Maybe for the future Bianca that would be called an exceptional beauty, but currently, she was more akin to a child not yet matured.

Recently, hed noticed his own second growth spurt starting, with an increase in height.

But Bianca was still very much a child.

Now that I think about it, Bianca didnt grow much after all.

She was always at least a head shorter than Kraush, given his height.

Crimson Garden snickered and said, How about we castrate you now? Then you wont fall into lust.

Kraush simply scratched his ear canal, blatantly ignoring Crimson Gardens words.

[Tsk tsk, you stubborn one. This is advice. Advice I say. Even if you dont desire a woman, they will be drawn to the path you aim for.]

At her words, he couldnt help but think of Arthur.

So thats why women flocked around him.

Ill pass on that.

Knowing the strife between women over Arthur from behind the scenes, Kraushs expression tightened.

The last thing he wanted was to be involved in such affairs.

Then Kraush turned to look at Bianca.

Come to think of it, unlike Arthur, didnt he have a fiance?

Then the solution was simple.

Bianca, shall we get married?

The engagement was unlikely to be broken now, anyway.

If they had the wedding ceremony sooner, women would have no reason to flock towards him.

Hearing Kraushs words, Bianca blinked.

For a moment, she seemed not to understand what he said.

Her eyeballs rolled.

Then, she twitched and looked at Kraush.

Her expression was impassive, though her eyes were unusually busy, and she soon closed them.

Bianca said quietly with trembling eyelids.

Stop teasing.

It was not his intention, but since she took it that way, Kraush added nothing more.

[Are you an idiot?]

And Kraush received an immediate scolding from Crimson Garden.

Never mind the nonsense. So, the arm

This was the real issue at hand.

At Kraushs question, Crimson Garden spread her wings.

[Follow me. We cant do this in a place with prying eyes.]

Kraush agreed with this.

Thus, he stood up.

Bianca, I will be back shortly.

Are you going with Crim?

Yeah, to fix the arm issue.

Bianca looked up at Crimson Garden, who was flying in the sky.

Crim isnt an ordinary child, right?

Bianca had spent much time with Kraush.

In Biancas presence, Kraush had conversed with Crimson Garden several times.

He didnt hide anything because there was a limit to what he could disguise in front of her in the first place.

Bianca didnt seem to mind much either.

Well, we have a complicated relationship.

Because it was a contract relationship.

From Biancas point of view, Kraush must have seemed extremely mysterious.

Suddenly becoming strong one day, changing his behavior another, conversing with a crow, and all such peculiar happenings surrounded him.

Yet, Bianca had not raised any questions regarding this.

Initially, it was out of disinterest, but now she believed there was no need to question the path Kraush was on.

Bianca simply wanted to stay by his side.

Dont come back injured.

Since Kraush often came back hurt, she said so, to which he replied reassuringly.

Im fixing the arm. How could I get injured?

Knowing you, Lord Kraush

Considering his past actions, Kraush thought about it but decided not to comment further.

Kraush acknowledged her concern and stood up to leave.

As he walked away, Kraush came across Jenica, who was loitering on the other side.

Jenica winced and averted her gaze, while Kraush continued his stride.

However, as Kraush passed by Jenica, his steps came to a halt.

Jenica.

Jenicas shoulders reacted.

Kraush spoke to her without even turning his gaze toward her.

If you regard someone as an enemy, that person becomes your enemy in the same way.

It was a very basic principle of the world.

And now, Jenica, who had just turned sixteen, would slowly begin to learn this fact.

The acts you committed in the past dont disappear just because youve changed now. Thats why people try to live righteously from the start.

Even if one regressed, it did not vanish.

Because everything one did existed within ones own heart.

So listen carefully to what Im about to warn you.

An icy chill inhabited Kraushs eyes.

He wanted to beat her up on behalf of Bianca, but after all, he was an outsider.

Besides, as much as it seemed, Jenica was Biancas older sister.

It was a concern between Jenica and Bianca, and Kraush had no intention of intervening.

If you apologize to Bianca out of your own selfishness to feel relieved, never do it.

That would not be to benefit Bianca but a selfish act of self-interest.

These rotten human relationships rarely resolve cleanly as the tales sung by bards proclaim.

Most of them are filthy, repulsive, and end with discomfort, peppered with ones own selfishness.

Thats why the first step is essential.

Once the first button is wrongly fastened, no matter how neatly the rest are secured, the garment becomes a mess.

And once buttoned, no matter what one does, it becomes entangled with the cloth, impossible to undo.

If you ever think to use the excuse of youth for receiving a pardon

Kraush softly warned the stiff Jenica.

Forget about ever seeing Bianca again. Ill take her with me, and thatll be the end of it.

He would take Bianca to a place where Jenica could not haunt her, for that was his responsibility in taking her under his wing.

Leaving those words behind, Kraush departed, and Jenica crumpled to the floor.

Facing the reality that past actions never truly vanish, she simply hung her head in silence.

***

In one of the thick forests of Hardenhartz.

It was a secluded spot amid heavy snowfall.

Kraush stopped in front of a large tree.

As Crimson Garden landed on his shoulder, Kraush knocked on the tree.

Ebelasque.

Upon his call, a hollow began to form within the tree.

A creaking wooden door opened to reveal a woman with dark skin and black hair, dressed as a maid.

The woman, donning an unconventional black rabbit-ear headband, respectfully bowed upon seeing Kraush.

Lord Kraush, please come in. My master has been awaiting you.

Her name was No. 8.

One of the bodies of Ebelasque.

No. 8 promptly guided Kraush inside.

Beyond the extent of the hallway, which did not feel at all like the interior of a tree, she stopped in front of a particular room.

This room was a spitting image of the one where he first encountered Ebelasque.

With a knock from No. 8, a voice from inside invited them to enter.

Upon opening the door, a multitude of books came into view amid a cluttered space.

Walking into the mess that resembled a pigsty, Kraush commented.

A pigsty?

At Kraushs blunt assessment, Ebelasque, writhing under a blanket, pouted her lips.

I, I arranged everything here with a purpose! Its not a pigsty. Youre speaking harshly.

The harsh part is the mind that arranges things like this. But more importantly, preparation is

As Kraush questioned her, Ebelasque arose.

She appeared to have eaten something earlier, as the crumbs of a cookie stubbornly clung to her generous bosom, but Kraush preferred to ignore them.

I took it from Crimson Garden; its all set and ready.

Following her further inside, they came upon a small altar accompanied by a magic circle.

Atop the lit candles on the altar lay an arm scarred and alone.

It was none other than the arm of the Sword Demon.

Crimson Garden had fetched it, as per Kraushs request.

Are you going to attach it now?

Yeah, would you give me a hand?

Well need to connect the nerves. Its going to hurt quite a bit. If you cant stand it, Ill knock you out.

As she raised her hand, No. 8 approached with a hammer.

Was she plotting to kill him?

Its fine. Just do it.

Are you sure? You know I take no responsibility, right? If youre in pain, dont hold me accountable; I wont stop no matter how you beg.

Imagining Kraush weeping and begging her, Ebelasque immediately flashed a smug grin.

Kraush disregarded her and began unwrapping the bandages from his arm.

Ebelasque also stopped conversing and advanced towards the altar.

Attach the severed end to my arm.

She was the expert in this area.

Kraush followed her instructions and attached his arm to the Sword Demons.

It seemed Crimson Garden knew exactly how much of his arm was severed because, fortunately, the length was perfect.

However, the size differed significantly as the arm belonged to a much older Sword Demon than Kraush.

Ebelasque would surely smooth out this discrepancy expertly.

Suddenly, iron surged upwards from the altar, securing his arm in place.

Apparently, Ebelasque had prepared this in advance.

Here, bite on this.

Handing him a piece of cloth, it seemed intended to prevent him from biting down on his tongue in pain.

Kraush obediently took the fabric in his mouth, while No. 8 wrapped her hands around his shoulder, likely to prevent any involuntary movements.

Lets begin then.

The following instant, Ebelasque placed her hand on the Sword Demons arm.

Through her touch, the palish-blue hue of the Sword Demons arm shifted to redness akin to blood.

Crumpled fingers straightened out, and vitality surged.

Miraculously, the arm began conforming to Kraushs size.

Soon after, Ebelasque laid her hand on Kraushs severed limb.

At that moment, Kraush felt as if the partly regenerated skin of his arm was viciously tearing away.

Concurrently, the crushed bones seemed to grow through flesh and muscle.

Kraush bit down on the fabric hard.

The pain was so intense that cold sweat ran in streams.

Though he was accustomed to pain due to a curse, this discomfort was particularly troublesome.

Ebelasque glanced at him as if to check if she should render him unconscious now, but Kraush merely gestured with his eyes for her to continue.

Stubborn one, its on you then.

Ebelasque shouted as she began to connect Kraushs and the Sword Demons nerves.

Crisp and sizzling!

At that moment, Kraush felt as if sparks were flying before his eyes.

A staggering shockwave rippled through him, causing the fabric to tumble from his mouth.

The cloth, stained with blood, attested to the intensity of his bite.

Yet, gradually, the pain subsided.

And you didnt pass out from that?

As Kraush gasped for air, Ebelasque addressed him with a pale gaze.

But he had his reasons for not succumbing to unconsciousness.

Unfasten it.

As he requested, the iron came clattering off from the altar.

Kraush slowly lifted his arm.

The Sword Demons arm followed suit, indicating a successful jointure.

He clenched and unclenched his fist, noting fluid motion and proper sensation.

Now onto the next step.

Kraush began feeding aura into the arm without delay.

The Sword Demons arm devoured his aura ravenously as if possessed.

What came next was the real issue.

The muscles in the Sword Demons arm writhed uncontrollably.

To anyone witnessing, the bulging veins and muscle activity would have seemed grotesque.

But Kraush, watching intently, modulated his aura.

After a few seconds, the muscles settled and the surging blood vessels calmed.

Relieved, Kraush let out a sigh.

The Extreme Blood Purge Poison had safely settled in the Sword Demons arm.

Kraush had averted unconsciousness intentionally for this reason.

Had his arm been attached while he was out, the accumulated Extreme Blood Purge Poison would have likely gone rampant without his will.

He didnt wish to lose his dearly earned arm.

A scent of relief emanated from Ebelasque, who was observing from the side.

Is it done?

Meanwhile, Crimson Garden posed the question.

Hearing her query, Kraush shook his right arm with a smirk.

Yeah, it feels completely like my arm.

Then you must test it out. Youll need to get accustomed to your fusion technique.

Kraush welcomed this suggestion.

Ebelasque, is there a sparring room or training area around here?

Im not a servant, you know.

Well, isnt there an ancient text called Pact of Struggle that you desire? I have it in my possession.

Sister!

She referred to Crimson Garden as sister and turned to No. 8.

No. 8, please guide him.

Yes, my Lady, I will take you to our training area.

It was time to put the Sword Demons arm to use.