Sword Art Online Volume 16 – Alicization Exploding Chapter 18 – War of the Underworld 48 Covering that distance in time was not viable with the physical ability of a low ranking knight. However, Dakira dashed on as a blurred streak of light and jumped before Fanatio, intercepting the iron hammer roaring down with a two-handed greatsword. The resultant noise, shaking the earth, flared out alongside a flash tinged with red. Though Dakira’s greatsword was far sharper than the guards’ weapons could hope to be, it could not compare to the high ranking knights’ divine instruments in terms of priority. On the other hand, Sigrosig’s iron hammer had its priority raised to a terrible level through the «power of incarnation from bloodthirst» streaming into it. The skirmish collapsed in a mere half-second and numerous cracks ran through the greatsword’s blade. It took another instant before the sword shattered into fleeting shafts of light. Dakira threw the handle away at once and intercepted the falling humongous iron hammer with bare hands. Multiple dull noises echoing throughout the body. Both arms breaking in numerous places from the wrist to the upper arm. Vision hurling into whiteness from pain. Fresh blood spurting from between armor joints, staining the helmet’s surface. “Ku… hh… oooh!!” With teeth clenched, Dakira molded the scream struggling to escape into strength and caught the iron hammer, beyond those two hands’ capacity to support, from below with that helmet. The steel crossed mask shattered without resistance and unpleasant noises could be heard coming from Dakira’s neck, back, and two knees. The pain surging throughout as scorching flames dipped everything visible into a deep crimson. However, the lower ranking knight, Dakira Synthesis Twenty-two, did not fall.