Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Subjugation Squad (2)
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What I wanted Gideon and Krat to do was simple.
I’d side with whichever of them racked up more achievements in this subjugation of the magical beasts plaguing the Chester County.
“...”
Honestly, when you think about it, it’s incredibly dangerous.
The origins of the magical beasts scattered across the Empire remain a mystery, but one thing’s for sure: they always live in packs.
That’s why regular subjugations are massive events. If you take out just one, the whole hive comes swarming like you’ve poked a hornet’s nest, so everyone gears up thoroughly.
By standard magical beast classifications, about three small ones equal the combat power of a regular knight.
Eliya once shredded more than double that number solo, but she’s a special case.
During a subjugation, dozens—sometimes hundreds—of those beasts pour out, so you can imagine the risk.
That said.
Even with those risks, things change when you’ve got two guys who aren’t even human.
-!!!
A wolf-like magical beast shatters against Krat’s fist.
I’ve already seen dozens go down like that. These things barely take damage from ordinary spears or swords—hell, you can’t even pierce their hides properly. Yet this guy’s popping them barehanded like balloons.
Even Eliya, who once fought six to the death, watches with a dazed expression. In just minutes, over twenty have crossed to the afterlife.
So what about Gideon’s side?
“Hmm.”
A short exhale, and Gideon grips his sword hilt, drawing it.
A flash too fast for the eye to follow. The sword sweeps the air, instantly carving through the surrounding beasts.
A light motion, but every vital point on every beast in its path is precisely severed.
Where Krat’s brute-forcing and smashing whatever’s in reach, this is machine-like precision and accuracy.
At this rate, it’s not even a subjugation. It’s just mowing the lawn, ripping out weeds—pure labor, shredding anything in sight.
Caliban doubted if I could control guys like these, but here’s the clear answer.
No need to control them.
They’re so strong, you just let them loose and they handle everything.
“...Those are the Empire’s top two warriors...”
“...”
Eliya groans in admiration at the sight, and Elnor nods in silent agreement.
Unlike Eliya, she harbors bad feelings toward her father, so she won’t say it outright, but she can’t deny it.
Their prowess is on another level entirely.
“...”
But hey.
[ Target ‘Elnor’s ‘Tristan-style Swordsmanship’ proficiency is increasing! ]
[ Target ‘Eliya’s ‘Combat Persistence’ proficiency is increasing! ]
It’s not like I dragged these two here for nothing, even with those monsters around.
These girls are talent incarnate too, in their own monstrous way.
Just watching real combat from superiors lets them absorb everything in real time.
‘By the end of this subjugation...’
Elnor and Eliya’s traits will show visible growth.
Then I can inherit them straight via my gift.
Killing two birds with one stone.
And while these monsters duke it out, what am I doing?
“Oh, this one’s still kicking.”
Picking up the beasts flung nearby.
The ones on the brink of death but still breathing, yeah.
“...”
It looks pathetic, sure, but it’s necessary work.
I hold up the amulet to a beast about to expire, and its body dissolves into light particles, swirling around me.
[System Message]
[ You’ve obtained a medium corresponding to the ‘stroke’ of ‘Alchemy.’ ]
[ You can now engrave a pattern on your body with this medium. Alchemical formations produce different effects based on their shape. ]
Yeah, that’s it.
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The catch with alchemy is that it requires living creatures as mediums, which is trickier than it sounds.
System-wise, for a creature to serve as a medium, one of two conditions must be met.
Its ‘consent,’ or it’s on the verge of death.
No willing creatures around me—nor do I want any—and I lack the skill to nail that dying-but-not-dead sweet spot.
So this subjugation is pretty much my one shot at activating alchemy.
“Is this right?”
[Yep. Good medium picked. Beasts are highly efficient.]
Vulcasus replied from inside the soul linker.
I’ve gathered about five now. Enough for basic pattern engraving.
[Normally, alchemy burdens the enchanter’s body. You can tell from my old state.]
A wry tone followed.
[Once engraved, it can’t be removed, so you’d usually choose very carefully... but.]
“But?”
[I’ve got a few recommended formations. Try one—my masterpieces.]
“...”
[You’re with the world’s top alchemist right now. Trust me once.]
Vulcasus boasted proudly.
Fair point. Who else knows this stuff better?
‘...Alright then.’
I’ll bite.
Following his instructions, I draw strokes on my arm, completing the formation.
Not many strokes, so no massive undead armies or elite beast summons like he pulled off.
Still, alchemy’s the strongest single spell around. Hope it’s something good...
[System Message]
[ You’ve acquired ‘Alchemy: Seal’! ]
[ The ability has been added to your skill tab! ]
“...”
I go silent reading the description.
I hoped for something good.
“Isn’t this just a 5-stroke...?”
[It’ll get stronger later. No worries.]
I chuckle dryly at Vulcasus’s ‘did good, right?’ tone.
He did good.
Too good, even—it’s ridiculous.
‘Let’s test it.’
Gotta try new toys.
Scanning around, I spot the perfect target.
Even Gideon and Krat, who’ve been clearing the field with sword and fist, squint and pause.
“...A bastard like that in this backwater?”
Krat mutters at the massive wolf sprouting grotesque spikes.
Judging by size, a mid-tier beast. Probably the local boss.
Even these guys, who’ve one-shot everything else, hesitate.
As I’ve said before, mid-tiers come with special abilities.
‘That color’s packed full.’
I grimace bitterly.
Mutant danger levels show in body color, and this one’s red.
Top danger for its rank. Max three specials, likely.
And for Sera players, a nightmare combo.
“...[Adaptive Skin], [Refraction]. And [Super Regeneration]. Headache.”
Gideon sighs agreement with Krat.
Adaptive Skin: gains massive resistance to any weapon that touches it.
Refraction: reflects damage taken outright.
Super Regeneration: constantly heals wounds.
In short.
You need a one-shot to kill an unkillable tank, but the attacker eats the full reflection.
Three nasty mutations stacking at once. No wonder it stands tall while others get swept.
“There’s a simple fix, though.”
Krat grins.
“...There is?”
Worthy of ruling the Empire’s harshest north. Even this hellish combo has a solution...
“Beat it till it dies.”
“...Reflected damage?”
“Tank it with grit.”
“...”
“Who dies first. I’ve never lost.”
That’s why you’re still alive, you lunatic.
Caliban, Krat...
What’s wrong with these holy knights’ heads?
“...I’ll handle it. No need to burn energy on this when the real threat hasn’t shown.”
The core of this subjugation is tomorrow’s homunculus sisters tackling the ‘Devil’s Fragment’-fused beast.
No need to go all-out here.
Sighing deeply, I step forward. The whole squad’s eyes widen.
“You? How?”
“I got it. You’ve been sucking honey; time to pay up.”
Stretching as I speak, Krat chuckles dryly.
“...If you’re volunteering for the hard part, I won’t stop you, but you sure? Mess up, you die.”
Even he’s warning me—it’s that nasty.
I feel Elnor’s icy stare.
‘Planning to get hurt again?’ her eyes say.
“...”
I shoot her a ‘relax’ look.
No, really—not getting hurt this time.
No worries.
“...Even I’d struggle solo. Let me-”
“Gideon.”
I eye his slightly trembling hand as he speaks.
Wasn’t shaking pre-fight, but now it’s obvious.
He startles, hiding it behind his back.
“...I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
“I know you’re not.”
“...”
The mania in Tristan blood isn’t cured by slicing small beasts.
It demands ‘living people’ to vent—brutal stuff.
Elnor gets regular steam from me, but he’s not in a position to kill easily, and he’s been stuck in the boonies training on my orders, no outlet.
Add combat fueling the urge?
A miracle he’s holding sanity.
“...”
But I can’t fix it now.
Shouldn’t.
It’d make things worse.
At least till this subjugation ends, this precarious state is best.
“Step back.”
I charge the giant wolf.
It spots me instantly.
[ Crisis detected. ]
[ Judged as direct life threat. ]
[ Applying ‘Skill: Desperate Situation’ at EX rank. ]
[ Activating ‘Skill: Swordsman’s Focus’! ]
[ Reaction speed and precision increased! ]
A beastly roar, front paw lunging.
Insanely fast. Without Swordsman’s Focus, I wouldn’t even track it.
Slower than Liru, my fastest human foe, but slack off and you’re hit.
‘Strong, for sure!’
Even ignoring specials, mid-tier physicals are threatening.
Especially mutants stacked like this—stronger than average.
But my specs are skill-boosted to the moon. I can react.
Claws graze my chest, splattering a few drops of blood.
“Hup.”
Next swing—I parry with my sword.
Clang—the paw deflects, blue energy from its body cracks along my blade like frost.
Sliced it a bit, but [Super Regeneration] heals it fast.
Can’t read the beast’s face, but it looks smug.
[System Message]
[ Contact with beast’s ‘Adaptive Skin’! ]
[ That weapon’s power reduced by 90% against target beast! ]
‘Gotcha.’
Selfish as hell.
Blocking once seals a weapon. Rare mutation or not, overkill. No wonder Sera vets rage at these.
“You idiot! Don’t use your weapon like that! That sword’s useless now!”
Krat yells in frustration from behind.
“Bail! Fighting more’s a waste...!”
He shuts up mid-sentence.
I’m already charging again.
No, really—I said I got it solo. Never planned to kill with this.
It’s bait to lower guard.
-...?
Beast looks confused. Human lost weapon, charging barehanded? Natural.
But mockery fills its eyes, raising paw for the kill. Full power, ignoring defense.
Figures I’ve got no attack left.
But.
[ Using ‘Alchemy: Seal’! ]
[ Silencing target! ]
Arm formation glows.
A massive matching one forms under the wolf.
Its colored aura.
‘Washes away.’
-...!
Wolf’s eyes bulge. Instinct screams danger—protectors gone.
Too late.
[ Trait: Heter – Gale Within the Wind ] [ Rank: Basic ]
[ Parry enemy attack at precise timing to return significant damage to foe. ]
Sword lost attack power, but Tristan-derived ‘techniques’ work fine.
Paw rebounds—its full force rebounds.
Energy from full-power swing for the kill? Massive.
Too thick hide splits deep at chest—organs nearly visible.
And there.
[ Using ‘Skill: Stigma.’ ]
Generate holy barrier ‘inside’ the wound. Skin gap widens wildly.
No offense, but tough as hell—perfect for this. Veteran Sera trick.
Before its agony scream, thrust into heart through the gap.
-...!
-...
That does it.
Light fades from its eyes. It staggers, crashes down.
“...”
“...”
Everyone gapes at the crumpling body.
No one speaks till the thud.
“...Hey, saint. That 5 seconds?”
“4.7.”
Krat and Gideon exchange dazed words.
“What—the hell? How? What’d you do, teacher?!”
Eliya blurts in shock.
I get it.
Lost my mind first time too.
[Skill Info]
[ Alchemy: Seal ] [ 5 strokes ]
[ Restricts target’s skill use for a duration. ]
[ Duration: 0.3 seconds. ]
Simple debuff.
But that power?
Broken.
Insanely.
Vulcasus wasn’t kidding about stronger later.
‘Good call keeping him as a spirit.’
I smirk at the amulet on my wrist.
Final boss vibes don’t fade.
Eyeing the fallen beast.
More loot here.
‘Prime material, obviously.’
Beast corpses are top-tier gear mats. Rarer mutants? Jackpot.
Approaching gleefully, I overhear the arch-nobles.
“...More I watch, more useful he seems. Combat sense sharp. Gotta try that shield wound trick.”
“Shut it, barbarian. I bonded first.”
“Brat. Sharing wear it out?”
“Wears out. Scram.”
“...”
Funny thought.
Gideon gets childish around Krat.
Rivalry thing?
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