Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Chapter 3. Flag Tournament
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Judah raised his head. His senses, sharpened in anticipation of battle, detected something falling from the ceiling. He yanked the stubborn Sara tightly into his arms and wrapped mana around his bastard sword.
Shadow Sword 3rd Form - Single Point.
No sooner had black mana swirled around him, forming a mana lance, than the ceiling crumbled, revealing a gargoyle within. It thrust its sharply sculpted hand toward Judah and Sara.
*I'm faster!*
Gargoyles averaged level 54, a significant gap, but Judah thrust his mana lance upward without fear. Even a light stab from this mana lance guaranteed high penetration. The shards enhanced his stats, correcting his movements, strength, and stance.
-Kyaak!
Boom!
*Tough one.*
It was made of minerals, after all. His hand tingled like he'd been shocked. Wincing, he released the mana before the lance's full weight engaged, pulling the embedded sword free and retreating. The gargoyle flailed its hand but landed and charged at Judah without dying. He swung his sword again, but the girl in his arms got in the way.
"Excuse me."
No time for hesitation. Judah twisted his body slightly and tossed the girl behind him. She yelped in surprise, tumbling to the ground before regaining balance. Judah immediately wrapped mana around his bastard sword and brought it down.
*Sliced...? No!*
But at the clash of the gargoyle's hand and sword, the blade failed to cut its skin and bounced off. Impossible. A quick glance revealed a notch in the blade. Judah's eyes widened at the extraordinary defense.
-Die, human!
Facing the right hand thrusting at his heart, Judah spread his left hand. A red glow surged from his palm, forming a dagger. Gripping Altemia, he stomped the ground with his right foot and swung.
The moment he gripped Altemia, its stats applied, speeding his movements and boosting his strength. In that instant, faster than the gargoyle's hand could reach, he slashed through the air. The mineral wrist severed cleanly. Before the gargoyle could scream, Judah slashed several more times. Its body fell apart like cut ham, crashing pathetically under his kick. But there was no time to breathe.
Gargoyles burst through the ceiling and floor, revealing their menacing forms. Judah frowned, activating buffs like Limit Break, Demon Eye Awakening, and Shadow Deployment. He grabbed the hem of Sara's clothes—she was still sprawled on the floor, dazed and sluggish—and dragged her back to Jeanne's side.
"Ugh, let go, let me go!"
"Then get up already. Unless you want to die."
Even in this chaos, Sara acted petulant. Judah read the messages in his vision with exasperation.
[Genevieve de Lava has temporarily joined as a companion.]
[Sara de Lava has temporarily joined as a companion.]
[Level up.]
Just one kill for a level up? Checking the percentage as gargoyles charged, Judah dashed forward and ambushed one.
The bastard sword in his right hand was normally his main weapon, but with Altemia in hand, it was merely a distraction. As the mana-wrapped bastard sword slashed down from above, the gargoyle crossed its arms to block. Judah twisted the blade's path through empty air, then deeply gashed the bewildered gargoyle with Altemia.
He'd heard gargoyles' mana cores were in their right chest, so he targeted there. It worked—the body collapsed.
The experience from that one kill was massive. Divided among companions, solo it would have been enough for a level up.
Gargoyles averaged levels 40s to 50s. Plentiful experience made sense. He didn't know why demons targeted Count Genevieve, but this was an opportunity. Over fifty gargoyles visible—killing them all could net at least ten levels.
As he moved to intercept the next lunging at Jeanne, dozens of ice spears flew like rain. The magic-resistant gargoyles were helplessly pierced and shattered by the sudden barrage from behind.
"You filthy pests dare...!"
The count's magic, who'd been watching. Even with shards, his mana reserves were immense. Meeting Judah's eyes as if entrusting Sara to him in case of emergency, the count turned, stepped on the railing, and leaped into the air.
Soaring, Count Genevieve swept his hand through the air. Flames formed spears where it passed, wreathed in scorching heat that shimmered the atmosphere.
-Hand over the shard, human.
The gargoyle repeated the same line. The count scoffed. He hated their presumption.
"Repeating yourself isn't pretty. Don't you know you have plenty? If you want it, take it by force."
Dozens of flame spears shot like arrows from before him. Unlike the indoor ones, these gargoyles dodged nimbly. Not a single hit. As they flapped wings mockingly, the count clapped.
"Impressive agility. But how will you handle a flawless bombardment from above?"
With his words, hundreds of magic circles in the sky unleashed pillars of fire. No gaps to dodge, as he said. Spectacular. Gargoyles hit directly writhed in flames before melting. Dozens vanished in an instant.
-Human!
One gargoyle emerged from the inferno, form intact.
"Oh? The leader's different, eh? But who said you could approach me?"
Magic circles appeared around the thrusting, sculpted hand, flashing with impending flames. But before they erupted, the gargoyle exploded from within, scattering shards and dust like a grenade. The count, head reacting first to activate defense magic, emerged unscathed.
"...Self-destruct?"
Why would a charging foe suddenly blow up?
Puzzled, as he lowered his defense and summoned wind, a voluptuous beauty pierced the dust toward him. He reflexively tried magic but faltered at the impossibility—especially her humanity. Mistake. She nestled perfectly into his arms.
The explosion's dust and stench vanished, replaced by floral fragrance and euphoria. Tension melted unknowingly. But her words spiked it skyward.
"Hehe, not self-destruct. I made it explode."
A beat-late answer. Before he could react, she bound him. Smooth, elastic thighs coiled his waist; arms embraced his neck. Rubbing her ample breasts, she kissed him—his magic halted instantly.
*Body... won't move?*
Mind clear, body unresponsive. Arousal surged; heart pounded wildly. Vision blurred.
"Hehehe. Come now, Count. Even if you were a woman, it wouldn't matter. No one resists my charm."
Impossible. Unbelievable. Her hand reached for his ringed right hand—he couldn't act. Mana wouldn't obey. Dread hit as she neared the shard.
"I'll take the ring."
Smiling as she touched it, a black-haired boy with red-glowing eyes emerged through dust and smoke.
"Can't let you take that."
Asmodeus flinched at his words but smiled, redirecting her hand toward Judah. The height from ground to sky was vast. How did a mere boy reach here? What could he do?
"Don't know you, but brave to save the count. Come here."
Mana extended from her palm, enveloping him warmly. Exposed to her power, any man became a slave. Rare resistors worked only when she lowered her power. Now, full force through this vessel to seduce the count—no man could resist. Lips curving softly, she reached for his throat—then her expression hardened rapidly.
"!"
She clearly saw his sword swing. Mana-wrapped bastard sword arced toward her atop the count.
Slash!
Regrettably, her body misted like fog, vanishing from the count and reappearing farther in the air. Only then did the immobile count speak.
"Judah!"
"Count, I trusted you and flew up here. If I fall, I'm dead."
True to his word, after swinging at Asmodeus, Judah plummeted. The count urgently buoyed him with mana. Asmodeus, startled her power failed at distance, furrowed her brow at the name.
"Judah...?"