NOVEL NEXT Chapter 78
What would happen if an overwhelming powerhouse like Sena suddenly joined the battle? How would Irmela react?
The answer was simple. Of course, not in a good way.
Tsutsu—
[The trait ‘Sword Violet Barrier’ is going haywire.]
With dark energy swirling, Irmela launched a preemptive strike, reigniting the battle.
‘Is the trait going wild?’
Whoosh!!!
A sound erupted like something bursting.
“Oh. No way.”
Someone let out a sigh.
As I witnessed the immense energy radiating from Irmela, I understood why the system called it going haywire.
[Irmela casts ‘Tehelum’s Pillar.’]
“What’s that…?”
“Oh. That’s definitely not the tentacles we saw earlier, right?”
Was the barrier enhanced by this outburst?
That thing composed of the Evil God’s energy was far too significant to merely be called tentacles.
Right. Pillars. A massive black pillar covered in purple suckers was falling toward us.
“Always a disgusting presence from the Evil God. Well then, let’s see what this can do!”
Flap!
Sena, with a single step, billowed her outerwear and surged to the forefront.
What is she planning?
With a demeanor stripped of all ease, as if she was ready to get serious, she began to move slowly.
Drawing her sword from its sheath at her waist, she lifted it high.
Whoosh—
A fiery aura, almost like flames, began to blaze around Sena’s sword held high above her head.
You could instantly tell that the density of this energy was on a different level compared to Asan’s sword energy.
‘If this is the next level of sword energy… is it what they call sword enhancement? Or is it an Aura Blade?’
Seeing it made me think of the next step I should strive for in the future…
But whatever you call it, it was beyond the domain I could even dare to dream about right now.
[Sena casts ‘Advanced Sword Technique.’]
Boom—!
She forcefully stepped forward with her right foot.
“Gah!”
“What, what the heck?”
The atmosphere around us thickened all at once.
This was no simple metaphor.
Something invisible was suppressing us, causing involuntary gasps to escape.
“Gah!”
With a shout, the sword she grasped in both hands flashed with light.
With formidable energy, she swung down in a single motion.
Swish!
What I temporarily called sword enhancement, as it burst forth beyond the blade tip, cleanly sliced through the massive pillar’s body that was still at a distance.
Crack!!!
That was undoubtedly an attack that could simply be defined as ‘a downward slash’ in just four characters.
But was it really true that simplicity equals strength?
The result from that straightforward yet elegant trajectory was utterly devastating.
“Gyaaaak!!!”
Irmela howled as she bled black tears like Shurika did earlier.
Splurt!
One of her arms fell off, and blood gushed from the severed stump.
‘Why does she seem to enjoy inflicting pain on others as the servant of the Evil God, yet just cries in pain when she suffers herself? What a despicable creature.’
Sena, the Guild Leader of the Swordsmanship Guild.
Against Irmela, whom none of us could figure out,
She had managed not only to cleave that rampaging attack in half but also snatch away her left arm in one single strike.
“Guh, damn it… You think I’ll just take it lying down?!”
Creeeak!
“What the hell! So what if you cut off my arm! It’s just going to regenerate, isn’t it?!”
“What kind of evil being are you…?”
…No, wait!
Although bubbles were rising from the severed arm, and new flesh was sprouting, her energy was gradually weakening.
I had no idea which trait included a regeneration ability.
But what mattered was that whether it was magical power or vitality, something was being consumed!
“Don’t panic! That’s all powered by magic! Just watch closely! The black aura is overall becoming a bit lighter!”
“Shut up, you crumbs! Shurika! Finish them off and help me out! Killkillkill!!!”
[Irmela casts ‘Tehelum’s Pillar.’]
Crack.
Did she finally realize that no matter how strong she focused on one, Sena could just erase it in the blink of an eye?
The massive pillars falling from above this time split into hundreds of sharp tentacles.
‘And there are threads hidden in between them. Anyone hit is bound to get controlled again!’
The dozens of adventurers here were at least of mid-level. In other words, the weakest one just barely graduated from low level.
If even a few of them fell under Irmela’s control, chaos would erupt rapidly.
[Shurika casts ‘Spirit Fusion.’]
What?
…Oh no!
I just realized we weren’t facing a single enemy.
Boom!!!
“Gah!”
“Ugh, how could you make me slay a comrade… Shurika, please, get a grip—!”
While we were focused on this side, the members who had been holding Shurika at bay were utterly wrecked as well.
Even the monk who had long retired.
The twins whose bodies were charred and bubbling from being burned, the leader who was out of mana, and Asan, whose weapon had snapped in two and who had lost his arm along with the left sleeve that was burning away.
The only one still standing was the Mystic Wizard, who had been providing backup from afar.
In this slow-moving world, filled with the attacking tentacles and threads, my eyes darted over to Shurika.
‘That frail wizard can’t hold out alone.’
True to the name of ‘fusion,’ the Lion Spirit was merged with her, and she was blazing, her mane and ears radiating a sinister aura inherited from the Evil God.
Although tears still streamed down her face as if she was in agony,
Shurika now bore a grotesque form that could no longer be called human.
Damn, if they all break through, the next ones would be ordinary citizens and low-level adventurers. Lumia is even among them!
Just then, as I tried to evade Irmela’s assault and rush towards Shurika—
[Sena casts ‘Physical Slash.’]
“…Shaaah.”
Shwhip!
A brief release of breath.
A storm of sword strikes whipped through the air in front of me.
Slash, slash, slash, slash!!!—
In an instant, hundreds of slender tentacles lay in tatters.
Wielding her saber in a spinning arc, she swept them away like rays of light.
How fast was it? All I could tell was that she was slicing with high speed; most of her movements were hidden even within the chaos.
“Ha!”
After slashing through most flying tentacles, she didn’t stop there and gripped her sword once more.
[Sena casts ‘Unterhauch.’]
‘Unique Equipment!’
The first attack was so fast I couldn’t even notice it, yet Sena’s weapon appeared to be changing shape every time she executed a technique.
Swipe!
As she twisted her body a half turn, she brought down her Zweihänder engulfed in sword enhancement with a massive upward slash.
Whoosh!!
After that, she immediately dropped her lifted sword and continued the attack with a heavy diagonal slash.
Slash!!!
She then found her center balance and swept horizontally through the midpoint, clearing everything in her path and concluding the onslaught.
This devastating combo unfolded in a mere few seconds.
‘If speed is due to agility, then despite the different actions, the continuity is seamless and flows like water. Is this true swordsmanship?’
…What was I using in all those real-life situations?
Once again, there was a clear difference between established, highly refined techniques and my own.
“Aaah… does nothing work?!”
The trembling voice of Irmela echoed softly as she expressed her shock.
Having swiftly dealt with the hundreds of attacks that were spitting out like projectiles, it was no wonder she felt fear.
“Did you really think that would work?”
Clunk!
“How could you rely solely on this boring, simplistic, one-patterned attack and be so full of yourself? Did you think it was because of your sheer magic power?”
Sena glanced back at us and spoke softly.
“You all, standing around as though you’re helpless without any support… Honestly, get lost! I’ll finish this up quickly so go over there and stop the Spirit Mage. Go! Hurry!”
“Y-yes!”
“Everyone, move out!”
[Sena casts ‘Balestra.’]
Before her words could even finish, fierce winds blew.
Bang!!
With high-speed movement, she struck forward toward Irmela, her flail dancing like a whirlwind.
‘Sena’s words are right. While we’ve dodged or observed Irmela’s attacks multiple times, what the hell have we actually done? …Nothing.’
The Guild Leader of the Swordsmanship Guild.
Every one of her attacks exhibited no jest, causing everyone to stare blankly in awe.
‘Damn it, I admit it. Standing behind just trusting Sena to carry the weight while watching must have looked utterly foolish.’
Now is the time to get my act together.
The knights, barbarian, and even adventurers seemed to have come to the same realization, their expressions turning to one of embarrassment and they began to form up.
The knight at the forefront shouted.
“The opponent is a mid-to-high level Spirit Mage specializing in fire attributes. In a rampaging state consumed by the Evil God’s energy, her attack power may rival that of a high-level being! However, I doubt that state can last long!”
“Cut to the chase! What do you want to say to us?! Anyone with common sense can see that!”
The hot-tempered barbarian interjected, urging everyone to charge.
“Calm down and listen to me till the end! So, me included, the frontliners who specialize in defense will take turns using a wheel strategy to withstand the attacks while the damage dealers exploit openings! We must entirely shift this to a ground battle! Is there a priest here?”
“Other than me, they’re all on the other side! I can guess why you’re looking for a priest. With this many people, you will need to concentrate for a buff, so please don’t speak and wait!”
A long-haired man who referred to himself as a priest was running while focusing both hands together. Was he praying?
…
Snap!
“O shining God! Illuminate our way with your brilliant glory and grant us unwavering blessings to the conquering heroes!!”
[Glorious Blessing.]
[Thanks to the effect of Glorious Blessing, all abilities below B rank increase by two levels for three hours.]
‘Whoa! All abilities increased by two levels!’
“Ooooh! This buff’s level is incredible!”
“This sensation isn’t just one level; it’s like jumping to the next grade!”
“B-but! Now, I won’t be able to use saintly magic for a whole day! Someone needs to protect me!”
For a moment, I was stunned by the outrageous buff amount, but I wouldn’t be idle.
From my backpack, I pulled out my last Earth’s Resilience.
Right. Doping items are meant to be used at times like this. No holding back.
Pop!
I quickly popped the cap and downed it.
[You consumed Earth’s Resilience.]
[Strong resistance to jungle attacks is applied for 30 minutes.]
[Weak increase in defense is applied for 30 minutes.]
[Damage from all penetrating attacks is halved for 30 minutes.]
I firmly believed that Sena would overwhelmingly win.
Now, only Shurika remained as the enemy.
“Alright! Let’s go!!!”
With spirits lifted, we faced one last battle ahead of us.
…By the way, why is Chaos so quiet?