Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Purifier (2)
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◎ Lower Recovery Potion x2
[ Item: Consumable ]
[ Price: 1,000pt ] x2
[ Can recover light injuries. ]
[ Remaining Points: 0pt ]
[ !Warning! ]
[ ‘Purifier’ boss battle in progress. Recovery is slowed due to the demonic energy emitted by the opponent. ]
Damn, for a low-grade potion, it's ridiculously expensive.
Sure, in the Sera world, potions are rare as hell. But during a boss fight, having such lackluster effects is just crossing the line.
Even after scraping together every last point to buy them, all I got was a slight easing of the pain from my twisted joints.
Still, right now, even that's desperately needed.
“...”
I grit my teeth and dodge the attack hurtling toward me.
In the Sera world, 'chapter bosses' all share one thing: unique traits.
They're loaded with utilities you never see on regular enemies.
And that's exactly why the Marquis Rivback is called the Purifier.
-!
The demonic energy spewed by Marquis Rivback collides with the protective barrier around Elnor's body, letting out a horrific screech as it's repelled.
A shield made from an adult's remains. It was the same one that protected me and Elnor from the train landslide earlier.
〚Outrageous!〛
But the barrier that shrugged off even massive boulders like it was nothing shatters completely under Marquis Rivback's next attack, scattering shards everywhere.
Yeah, that's this guy's ability.
No matter if it's defense or offense, it erases part of the original performance.
Just like purifying it.
“...Ah, for fuck's sake.”
Even so, this is a bit much.
No way that barrier should break so easily. It must have been enhanced by his demonization, boosting its original power.
[ Crisis detected. ]
[ Judged as a direct threat to life. ]
[ Skill: Desperate Situation applied at EX rank. ]
[ !Warning! ]
[ Opponent's unique skill ‘Purify’ detected. ]
[ Skill: Desperate Situation downgraded to C rank. ]
Take this moment, for example.
EX-rank boost versus C-rank is like the difference between someone who could one-shot the future hero and a regular guy who just works out.
Worlds apart!
I scream internally and roll to the side. For my battered body, the motion's so violent it nearly brings up bile.
[ Proficiency of Trait: Breathing Technique – Bucheo has increased! ]
The only reason I'm holding on is thanks to the trait I got from Elnor recently. Without it, I couldn't even dream of moving like this.
My hackles rise as a black beam pierces right where I was.
Just a casual shot, yet it explodes like a missile, carving out a massive crater.
And this is basically the guy's basic attack.
‘Is the difficulty seriously screwing around...!’
Even as that thought flashes, I bark out precise instructions.
“Elnor, left!”
While he's focused on me, Elnor slips into the opening.
Her sword tip gleams sharp. It's a strike from the woman whose talent even Eliya—called heaven-touched—described as a wall.
And even with that razor timing.
〚Ha!〛
It gets blocked like it's nothing.
Just from Marquis Rivback lightly exhaling demonic energy, the shockwave sends Elnor flying back to roll beside me.
She doesn't look much better off.
The future final boss is on the defensive.
Covered in dust and dirt. Her carefully chosen dress is soaked in blood from wounds all over.
An image unimaginable for the woman always impeccably perfect in the original story.
Glancing at my watch, it's barely been a minute since the fight started.
In that time, we're already on the verge of exhausting everything.
Against a Marquis Rivback who's toying with us without even getting serious.
‘My strategy's on point.’
As Elnor grabs me and dives away from the follow-up attack, I think it over amid the dizziness.
Timing's right. Method's right. Every chance to hit him matches the timings and paths I remember.
But.
The method's correct, but we lack the 'capacity' to execute it.
A demon's body is a monster that crushes rocks and flies through the air. Even beasts with regressed intellect and all stats poured into physicals can't compare.
And even if wounded, it regenerates instantly from the essence's demonic energy.
“...”
This is bad. The situation's the worst.
This fight needs both me and Elnor. I can't land direct hits because of his nullification, and Elnor doesn't know how to 'fight' him.
I know all his patterns and attacks. Without my directions, defeating him would be impossible.
〚Come fight me, you filthy cockroaches! Stop running!〛
Marquis Rivback shouts and charges, but we'll keep dodging for now.
‘First priority: Lure him out of the barrier.’
If we fight there and blind demonic energy breaks it, we're screwed.
If I were him, I'd prioritize smashing the barrier over any interference. But this guy's a bundle of vanity and arrogance.
He'll prioritize stylish revenge on me and Elnor, who cornered him moments ago.
Plus, the essence's demonic influence amplifies that tendency.
He's ditched his usual pretentious speech for enraged casual talk. Demonization's clouding his rational judgment.
Compared to his normal die-hard gentleman act.
What does that mean?
He's perfect bait for a trap.
“...We need to lure him inside the academy.”
I whisper it to Elnor, who's carrying me like luggage.
Thanks to the Full Moon Festival and the emergency inside, Elpante's outskirts are deserted.
Deans and the chancellor are all focused inward. No backup, but it also means I don't have to worry about collateral in the city core—I can do whatever.
That's where my plan's aimed.
With that in mind, we repeat the routine.
Take some hits, give ground, buy time.
Drag him in, land that one big hit as planned.
We're barely hanging on with our lacking specs.
Same as before.
Dodge his attacks on me, flank with Elnor for a stab, then evasion to minimize damage—
〚...By the way.〛
Mid-clash, those words slip out.
A chill crawls up my spine—something's wrong.
Not his earlier rage-filled roar, but the calm voice he uses when rational.
This bastard.
He's been pretending to be lured this whole time.
〚Do I look like an idiot to you? Think I wouldn't notice such an obvious ploy?〛
Marquis Rivback's chest heaves. The darkness inside surges.
As if the demonic energy he's been spraying was just scraps while gathering the real thing.
Seeing it, an unprecedented chill freezes me—the strongest crisis sense of my life.
Just like I hid my aim and dueled him.
He's been hiding something and countering me!
〚Figures. People like you scheme endlessly if left alone.〛
Then, from his chest.
Even in the evening dusk, a sticky darkness impossible to miss sprays out, repelling even the faintest light.
[ Time to end this for good. ]
Next.
That surging 'curtain of darkness' slams down on me.
[ Soul Linker activated. ]
[ Mana supplied. ]
[ Skill: Asceticism used. ]
[ Skill: Guardian Shield used. ]
That's the last thing I remember.
●
Regaining consciousness, the first sensation is.
Agony like my body's being torn apart.
“...!”
I open my mouth, but no scream escapes.
Pain like electrodes jammed straight into my skull. My whole body convulses involuntarily.
“...Cough...!”
I hack up blood-flecked phlegm and survey my body.
Left arm completely crushed.
Lower body, upper body—scraped, torn, burst. Ugly chunks of rock, glass shards, and branches embedded grotesquely everywhere.
Body in tatters.
How the hell am I alive?
The kind of injury that makes you wonder.
“...”
I force myself up anyway.
“...Ah, fuck...!”
Vision floods red.
Body trembles uncontrollably.
Nerves spark from a sensation I've never felt in my life.
“...”
I flop back down, gasping.
No way I can move like this.
“...Fuck.”
Muttering curses, I prop myself with my one intact right arm.
First, drag the Ultrim from the edge of my vision with it.
If I hadn't generated the shield with this at the last second, I'd be dead.
Demonic energy's especially weak to divinity. Good matchup let it reduce damage beyond original specs.
“...You're kidding, right?”
Amid it, a ridiculous sight catches my eye, drawing a hollow laugh.
The academy's academic building isn't far.
Considering where Elnor and I faced off against Marquis Rivback, that hit sent me flying hundreds of meters.
Seriously, surviving that one shot's a miracle.
〚You withstood that?〛
But the voice right nearby says my luck's not that good.
Twisting painfully, I see Marquis Rivback strolling toward me.
Clear sneer on his demon-mutated body.
〚Tougher than expected. The Forerunner would approve.〛
He extends a hand toward my face.
〚Looks like you've burned all your cards this time.〛
Demonic energy gathers in his palm.
〚Honestly, you were impressive. Bragging to friends in hell should earn some respect.〛
“...”
No escape.
Downgraded Desperate Situation can't tank it. Even at EX, my body's too wrecked to move.
But one thing left.
-!
-!!!
A sword slices air, slamming into Marquis Rivback's nape.
Fierce enough to cleave steel, but it barely penetrates his body before bouncing off.
The shallow wound regenerates instantly.
But it cancels the attack headed my way.
〚...Persistent pair, aren't you? Perfect match.〛
As he grumbles, Elnor—who struck—recovers her sword and darts to me.
“Are you oka—”
She starts to speak but clamps her mouth shut at my state.
Deep sorrow crosses her face.
“...We're both a mess, huh.”
I force a smile to deflect.
Not as bad as me, but Elnor's body has no intact spots.
Cracked ribs and arm. Horrific gashes on legs, crudely bandaged by tearing her dress to keep moving. A through-and-through wound from waist to back.
Can't continue fighting—standing's a struggle.
That she moves at all is sheer superhuman will, nothing more or less.
Yet she's worrying about me.
When her own nose is barely above water.
“...”
She stares silently, then removes her necklace and tosses it to me.
I snatch it with my right arm; a new window pops up.
[ ‘Necklace of Vitality’ equipped. ]
[ Durability and stamina slightly increased. ]
“Should help you stay upright a bit. Get moving.”
“...Pardon?”
“Didn't you say lure him inside the academy? He kept saying he'd keep me alive for his 'plans.' No immediate kill.”
“...”
“Go to the target spot first. It's close; I'll buy time.”
“...Elnor.”
“I trust you. To the end.”
Lost for words, I stare; she smiles.
The shy smile from when we clasped hands at the Full Moon Festival's start.
“...I've only received until now. Time to give back once.”
“...”
I've never done anything to deserve such thanks from her.
Just flailing to survive.
Yet she...
〚Strategy meeting over?〛
Marquis Rivback, smirking mockingly, uncrosses his arms.
Attitude of total victory—do whatever.
Arrogant vanity incarnate, but right this time. Elnor and I are basically neutralized.
But Elnor ignores him, steps in front of me to face him.
“One question, Marquis Rivback.”
〚What?〛
“How well-matched do you think this man and I are?”
〚...Pardon?〛
“Important, so answer straight.”
Marquis Rivback stares blankly, then laughs incredulously.
〚Stubbornly? A match made in heaven. Survive this, start a household.〛
“Good answer. Might go easy on you.”
Elnor chuckles, raises her sword; demonic energy surges from Marquis Rivback.
“Dawood, go!”
No more words possible.
Me staying's just baggage.
I turn from Elnor, hobble toward the academy building.
“...Hah, huff...”
Pathetic stamina, plus indescribable injuries.
Each step feels like a red-hot poker through my body. Vision flickers; legs buckle against my will.
Grit teeth, endure.
Someone's bearing worse pain right now.
Crawl using the wall. Want to rest, but fear I'll never rise again—force forward.
After minutes of crawling.
Finally, I see it.
The academy's outer wall.
“...”
Made it.
Grab the wall, barely stand. No guards due to city chaos. No help.
Limping to the entrance, entering.
-!!
A body slams into the side wall.
“...”
Elnor.
Beyond 'wrecked'—unrecognizable without the tattered dress.
〚Gave me trouble. Broke all limbs, still crawled to grab my ankle. 'Stubborn' doesn't cover it.〛
“...”
〚So, what's your next plan? More aces up your sleeve?〛
Marquis Rivback kneels before me—immobile—and meets my eyes.
Still sneering.
I glance at Elnor.
Our eyes meet; she, barely breathing shallowly, turns painfully.
Eyes saying sorry.
‘...No.’
You did great.
Couldn't have reached here otherwise.
〚Nothing else?〛
“...”
〚Pathetic.〛
Marquis Rivback reaches out.
Demonic energy gathers.
“...!”
Elnor embedded in the wall writhes futilely. Pointless—she's at her limit breathing.
-!
A black beam pierces my chest.
My death's sealed.
Faint cry from Elnor's lips.
〚Came all this way, hoped for a hidden card... Nothing.〛
Words filter through fading vision.
“...”
But a smile tugs my lips.
No cards? Bullshit.
“...Hey.”
Body crumbling, I glare with all my might.
“I win.”
The moment he stepped inside the academy.
My plan kicks off.
〚...Pardon?〛
Marquis Rivback's baffled voice echoes distantly.
Beyond flickering vision, something 'coalesces' around Elnor's screaming form.
And.
[ Skill: Fatal Charm activated. ]
In my ebbing consciousness, that window appears.
Yeah. Nice to meet you.
Honestly hated meeting like this, but gotta say hi given the circumstances.
[ Such messages accompany it. ]
The world fades to gray.
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