Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Eternal Winner
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Isolde.
She's strong. No need to elaborate.
Especially since she possesses that ability called Twin Ops, the only character in the original story who can grow into a true 【Magic Swordsman】.
So, Sylphia's stats aren't bad by any means.
For example, Sylphia has 18 Strength. She's an impressive character whose average stat hovers right around 18.
But Isolde has 19 Strength and 19 Magic Power.
What that means is she's the only one who can enter the hidden map of Act 12—the one you need top-tier characters stacked two deep for—with 【Dual Attributes】.
Is she an upgrade over Aila? Not quite; they feel different. Aila's a magic-focused brawler, while Isolde is a genuine magic swordsman.
And the terror of that magic swordsman? No one knows it better than Sylphia, her fellow fourth-year.
"You've sparred with Isolde Cruel before, right?"
"Of course. She's strong. Isolde..."
"How many swords did she summon?"
"It was the Ruby Magic Sword."
"You put up a good fight."
"...Really?"
"Topaz. Sapphire. Emerald. Ruby. The Four Gem Swords of Crimson Jade. The mere fact that you saw her up to that point means your skills are top-notch."
"...Tch. Flattery won't get you anywhere."
"It's not flattery. Just stating the obvious."
"......Thanks."
Regular players call Isolde's combat style "phases."
She pulls out a Jewel Sword, shatters it, and draws the next one from the remains.
Once she's broken all seven, she becomes the Seven Imperial Jewel Sword—and that's straight-up broken.
That said, if you max out any of the heroine characters, they all pull their weight as top-tier. Even the one everyone called trash ended up viable once leveled.
Of course, shattering them eats into Isolde's Magic Power just as much, so on her route, Magic Power recovery items are essential—potions, accessories that aid natural regen, skills, whatever.
Anyway.
"Simple story. We settle it with my first sword."
"...Ha. You think anyone doesn't know that? Isolde Cruel gets stronger every time she switches swords, so you end it before she does. But you think she'll just let you?"
"Hear me out to the end. Who said anything about a quick finish? It's the exact opposite."
"The exact opposite?"
I slowly and meticulously explained to Sylphia how I'd beaten Isolde in the Act 2 mock battle.
Sylphia listened, her eyes widening in disbelief. Like she'd heard ravings from a madman.
She covered her face with both hands, exhaling deeply to purge the negative emotions.
"You're insane. Completely insane."
"No other way. Or come up with your own alternative."
"......None. There isn't. I'd lose my mind. Nothing comes up. It's the craziest... but most perfect method. Lowly and cheap... but the only way to win."
Sylphia stopped hesitating and met my eyes.
Good resolve in those eyes.
After Sylphia left, I sat down and covered my face with both hands.
Why? Only one reason.
Stamina 3. A whopping Stamina 3.
I'd finally obtained it.
"...The qualification to reach the heavens. No... the qualification to become the heavens myself. Mark my words. Ahh... right now, I am 【the strongest】."
Before, I'd wept. When I got the convenience store. When I headed to the Eastern Forest. When I made candy and vowed to stand atop the world.
If only I hit Stamina 3. That's what I'd said.
2 and 3 are different. How? The things you can do are different.
"Let's try it... Can I? No, I have to."
Hoo.
Honestly? No confidence. But with that one extra Stamina point, maybe I can pull it off.
There's this trick called 【BackCan】.
Short for Backstep Cancel. It's a skill used by mid-level players all the way to the pros.
Backstep is a basic provided skill. It lets you escape an enemy's attack range, costing 2 Stamina.
Obviously, it doesn't dodge targeted spells—just physical attacks, once.
But if you input a normal attack right as you hit a specific motion during the backstep, the 【Backstep】 gets 【Canceled】 into a 【Normal Attack】.
Stamina cost refunds, and it chains into the normal—a buggy playstyle we call BackCan.
So, what's the benefit?
It racks up 【Backstep counts】.
You get credit for using Stamina without actual net loss.
Spam infinite BackCans for Stamina grinding and Backstep proficiency.
Thinking about hitting those weekly Stamina gains through grinding sends chills down my spine.
Before, one Backstep would've killed me. Now? I have 1 left.
Insane. A mad method. How strong can I get?
Of course, I know the risks.
Fail the cancel, left with 1 Stamina? As a pro, I won't. 90% success.
Then fatigue from reality. Mid-level spirit blessing handles that. Backstep's a step, so a thousand a day? Easy.
BackCan. Blessing. Infinite Stamina grind!
I'll stand in the heavens!
Perfect. I threw my body back, felt the Stamina drain sharper than usual, then thrust my fist out. Backstep cancel chained, Stamina refilled.
Did it. Perfect BackCan. My 90%+ grind complete!
And.
"My arm's numb..."
I realized this body can't even do normal attacks!
"......"
Oh.
Normals aren't walking, so no blessing, and they cost Stamina!
Forgot that!
...Cold sweat down my back in an instant.
Wait.
So if that failed just now?
Backstep costs 2 Stamina,
Cancel fails, no recovery,
Normal drains more,
90% success means... 10% chance of near-death?
I just flirted with a 10% death chance?
"Risking life on this?"
What the hell. Give me my BackCan back.
Truly a trash game!
That dirty cheat didn't work. Can't allow a bug like this? We've been through over 2,000 hours together, partner.
But regardless, I had steady exercise I could do.
"Huff... Hngh."
I could finally do five push-ups.
System-wise, Thousand-Step Walk lets Lapis Lajulie bear the Stamina cost, so it doesn't count as a Stamina expenditure.
Eh. The arbitrary judgments are part of D/Z SAGA's charm.
No choice. Gotta do proper push-ups.
With +1 Stamina, ten a day should be doable.
Low Stamina now? Fine.
The moment I abandon self-training is the end. Trust the future. Hot-blooded 36.5°C heat guy Young-jin!
"Five... Six, seven....... Eight!"
Arms about to snap. Ten push-ups. Too high a wall? Settle?
No.
No one's ever told me to give up.
I... will do it.
Nine. Grab the breaking arms, lift the body. Down again. Won't rise.
But, but still...!
"Ten......!"
Did it.
Reached a realm I'd never touch in my life.
"...Ha. Haha. Did you see... See that."
The world shakes.
Hearing the system's message, I closed my eyes briefly to steady my shaking vision.
And with that, consciousness faded.
I felt a soft texture under my head as I opened my eyes. Before my blurry vision focused, my ears caught a voice first.
A voice thick with moisture, choked with sobs. A sadness utterly unfit for her.
"Senior? Are you okay?"
"Milmyu, huh. I'm fine."
"Yeah... You have no idea how worried I was."
"I see. Sorry about that."
"Why on earth..."
"Did some exercise."
"Exercise?"
"Yeah."
"Why all of a sudden...?"
"Sylphia Evergreen Grove joined the team, and as a side effect, my Stamina went up. That's why..."
"That's not—why would you even exercise, Senior? We're here to help you."
"Hmph. Nonsense."
"Huh?"
"You helping me doesn't mean I can slack off."
As I tried to lift my head to sit up, a hand pressed down firmly.
"Trying to get up here."
"No. You're a patient—absolute bed rest."
"...Gonna stop me?"
"Yes."
"You've grown."
"Chicks become birds eventually."
"Ha. Grown a lot. Peep."
"And... please. Just this once."
"......Hah."
This is tricky.
Say it like that, and I got no comeback.
We sat in silence for a bit.
Didn't know what to say. What to bring up.
Hm. My fault for not preparing for post-collapse. Purely on me. No words for Milmyu.
"Come to think of it, why're you here? Isn't today a day off?"
"...Ah. It's been so long since I saw you, Senior, so I thought I'd drop by..."
"Didn't we meet a couple days ago?"
"It's been two days."
"......"
That's 'so long'?
"A-hem. Anyway. You're really okay, right?"
"Yes."
"For real? Really?"
"Really, truly fine."
Milmyu kept asking, over and over. Guilty conscience, so I answered steadily.
"What are you all doing with someone right in front of you...?"
A bewildered voice rode in on a breeze.
"Sylphia Evergreen Grove? Why are you here?"
"Why am I here? It's not. Lapis Lajulie diagnosed your body. Good grief. Milmyu's crying, you're collapsed. Know how much trouble you've caused?"
"......Wind spirits read flows naturally."
"Lapis Lajulie checked your blood circulation and Magic Power—no issues. That's when Milmyu calmed down."
"Lady Sylphia. You don't have to say that..."
"Don't worry such a kind-hearted junior. Sheesh. Is overwork a curse in the Loengrin blood?"
Sylphia said it smoothly, but it hit a nerve.
Come to think, Eve's an overwork pro too.
Does Loengrin blood demand it?
Anyway, good. Sylphia's no slouch in first aid or diagnosis—judged it exhaustion.
That's why Milmyu settled.
"My thanks."
"Hmph... Just know it."
"So, what's up? Why'd you come?"
"Ah. Right, something big happened. Hm... If you're tired today, we can talk tomorrow."
"No, now's fine. Mind's clearer than I thought."
"I see. Anyway... Hoo. I tried sparring Isolde like you advised, but that grade-obsessed maniac refused."
"Reason?"
Sylphia clenched her fist tight.
"Fourth-year second semester... no grades reflected."
"Ah."
"Plus, she declared grad school—so free from grades. Wolfram. What do I do? No chance to fight at all..."
Sylphia clenched harder, starting to tear up.
Eh. Not no way.
"Year-top isn't just what the report card says."
"...Meaning?"
"If everyone sees you as the winner, that's it."
"But no chance to fight..."
She still hasn't caught on.
"Not getting it? Autumn Grand Festival. Pick Isolde for the public demo duel. Crush her overwhelmingly, and you're the eternal victor."
"..........Ah!"
"After that, if she won't fight, you're still eternal winner. Like how I beat Rudika. 100% win rate against her Talent 22. Eternal Winner. Got it?"
"You're a genius. Devilish idea...!"
Sylphia's hands trembled.
"Senior. That's what you were thinking...?"
Milmyu's gaze chilled.
No, what.
A little?