What Is the Purpose of Aura?

The Rider Who Calls Death (14) ── What exactly is the purpose of Aura? If someone were to ask that, those high-nosed, stiff-backed masters might ramble on about mysterious principles or profound enlightenment, but I saw it differently.

'Aura is ultimately just a buff that increases your attack power.'

Thinking back to my fight with Enlir makes it clear. The difference between Aura users and non-users shows most starkly when warriors clash head-on. Getting hit means death, and even blocking means death? The knights who first charged on horseback against musket fire probably had better odds than this. At least they won if they could close the distance.

Weapons are incredibly important to warriors. They say a master calligrapher doesn't blame his brush, but if you're betting your life and show up empty-handed, that's just stupid. In that sense, Aura—which grinds a weapon's durability to nothing—is fucking dangerous. Just as attack is the best defense, you have to meet Aura with Aura for the weapon to endure.

It was the same when fighting monsters beyond Mithril class. When you're up against bastards who can knead steel like dough, relying solely on your weapon's toughness feels too risky.

'But if you flip that thinking around, it means that as long as the weapon holds up, there's no need to obsess over Aura.'

Honestly, maintaining Aura has high upkeep costs. No matter how much mana you have, it's quite a burden. So even if it's not Aura, any buff that lets you block the opponent's attack and smash through their defense is fine.

I was attempting to prove that explosive three-stage logic in actual combat right now.

[Kuaaaaaaaaaaa──!!]

Reckless stomping came crashing down to crush my head. I calmly dodged. Even though the hooves carried enough power to kill me if they landed, there was no tremor in my heart. Strangely, throwing myself into a deadly situation seemed to calm my mind. It felt similar to the first time I successfully used Gerthur while beating Yerna.

I smoothly avoided the violent kicks, striking back with my spear at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠attacks that were hard to dodge.

─BOOM!

The collision between the half-man, half-horse and the hero from Earth! Given the impact that defied common sense, it should have strained the spear shaft, but my weapon didn't even creak. It was thanks to the green mana coating that took on the defensive power of Beast Regression.

'Tsk.'

I clicked my tongue in disappointment. The defense was reliable, but the attack power remained unchanged from before. The physical enhancement from Beast Regression didn't apply to the spear. Well, it was greedy to expect a magic that strengthens the human body to work on a spear too. It was fine. The increase in durability was enough.

I had been swinging weapons with brute force even before learning Gerthur. Savage strength contests were my specialty. And I also had my own cheap tricks to make up for lacking attack power.

─RUMBLE!!

When I coated the blade with Lightning Arrow, an electric current twice as thick as before sparked wildly. Violent lightning like I'd jammed the spear into a generator! I smiled in satisfaction.

I circulated the ancient god's mana through my body. Entrusting myself to the flow, I unleashed the fourth form of Gerthur's attack techniques.

─SWOOSH!!

I spun 360 degrees while swinging the spear. The lightning-emitting weapon electrocuted the Nuckelavee and shattered the knees of all four legs at once. It was a spinning attack that scattered the spear in all directions when surrounded by minions. As an extravagant move, it was a secret technique that demanded high skill proficiency and a massive amount of mana.

─CLUNK!

─THUD!!

The Suibhne sea-horse bastard couldn't even scream as the tingling current ran through it. With its knee cartilage crushed and legs buckled, the Nuckelavee collapsed like a person kicked in the back of the knees. I spewed steam and executed a series of backflips to avoid being crushed.

I had destroyed the legs. Even with the intermittent seawater gushing from the forest, it would take time to fully heal. Stella coated her greatsword with Aura and dashed toward the horse head.

─SLASH!!

The trembling muzzle spewed poisonous mist. It was just a last struggle. I aimed at the poison mist and spun my windmill.

KWAAAAH─!!

The steam whirlwind erupted! It had no killing power, but the steam launched on the principle of Absolute Celestial Domain was literally a small typhoon. The wind, incomparable to the horse head's lung capacity, blew the poison mist away.

When I created an opening, Stella leaped. She struck below the neck so the Nuckelavee's horse head couldn't dodge and swung her greatsword like a decapitating blade.

─SLASH!!

The Nuckelavee threw its head back as if hit by an uppercut and barely avoided decapitation. A blood spray gushed from the bisected uvula, but it might recover from that much. If I let it heal its legs, it would definitely run away.

──That was why I added a follow-up attack. While the half-man, half-horse was distracted by Stella, I had already jumped onto the back of its head.

"Like the half-horse it is──"

The humanoid upper body seemed to notice only then and tried to slap me with a giant palm, but it was already too late.

"──Crawl on the ground!!"

The steam erupting from the spear blade added propulsion like a rocket. It was a simple, brute swing. But the attack, loaded with every buff possible and trusting in the strengthened spear, was not to be taken lightly. The vivid sensation of digging into living flesh transmitted to my fingertips!

─SLICE!

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

─SPLAT!!

My spear pierced thick muscle, sliced blood vessels, crushed bone, and burst out the other side. The severed thick horse head emitted its final glow.

─THUD!

I dodged the sweeping palm, twisted my body, and landed on the head. Even this skull was larger than me. It was sufficient as a foothold.

'It's not dead yet.'

My eyes grew cold. The real Nuckelavee wouldn't die from merely severing the horse neck. Stella could no longer continue fighting. She must have used too much mana maintaining her Aura. So I had no choice but to finish it.

I cast a steam dash toward the giant's head.

I demonstrated three-dimensional mobility suitable for killing a giant. I kicked its throat, then used the recoil and my spear to land on the nape of its neck.

I poured mana into the lightning spear that sparked with electricity.

"I'll construct it for you!!"

I roared as I stabbed the lightning spear into a 100cm × 10cm space near the lower part of the nape. This would end it.

─RUMBLE!!

KWA-KWA-KWA-KWANG!!

The triggered lightning penetrated the Nuckelavee's spine. It was a maximum-firepower spell using the mana quantity that had doubled after defeating Enlir, spent like water.

─CRACKLECRACKLECRACKLE!!

Sparks erupted from the seven orifices on the skinless face. The fingers that tried to crush me stiffened like stone and stopped without reaching my body.

What was so special about a demon passed down as legend from ancient times? If we're talking grand titles, I had nothing to be ashamed of either. Having beaten even the thunder god of myth, a mere half-horse, half-human demon was nothing to fear.

Enduring the tingling splash damage traveling up my shoes, I grinned.

─BANG!

I exploded the compressed steam injection to pull out the spear. It was something I couldn't have dared without the defensive power of Beast Regression. I leaped using the recoil. Aiming the spear at the Nuckelavee's neck as if a bomb had exploded inside, I deployed the technique.

Mumu Yeok Yeok Mu (Martial Nothing, Power Nothing).

It spun round and round...

THUUUD...!!

The giant human face spun, met my eyes, then fell to the ground. I landed beside the collapsing body of the Nuckelavee, spear firmly gripped and coated in the mana of Beast Regression.

'It was easier than I thought.'

I muttered inwardly as I withdrew the mana from my spear, confirming that I had definitely beaten it. It seemed that as my skill improved, battles ended faster. It might sound obvious, but even against enemies stronger than or equal to me, the fights didn't drag on.

Thinking about it, it made sense. A truly outstanding master would have a finishing move that would definitely take down the opponent! It wasn't just one powerful strike, but included the flow leading up to landing that finishing move.

A fight where both sides look for the kill angle while holding a punch that would take half the health if it connects. That might be what a real master-level warrior's battle looks like.

"Did we... win?"

─THUMP.

It was the chief's words as she sat down as if all strength had left her. I was able to conserve more mana than expected because I had been leisurely spending time a bit away from the actual battlefield. In reality, even Stella, who had more stamina than me, looked exhausted.

"The fight's over. The Nuckelavee is burned to a crisp, even on the inside."

"Call the remaining people and give it a proper burial. If that thing gets thrown into the sea and revives, it'll be a big problem."

There was no chance of that happening, but still. I reached out to the chief, and she took my hand to stand up.

"...Thank you. Lord Norde, it's all thanks to you."

"Well, I did work pretty hard."

The Nuckelavee's attempt to cross fresh water and take down the commander was quite dangerous. If the kelpie hadn't run to the river, we wouldn't have made it here either, and there would have been more casualties. Luck was on our side. Of course, it's also true that I hardcore carried by working my ass off.

The chief smiled bashfully.

"Hehe. You're honest."

"It's one of my virtues."

When I answered coolly, the chief composed her expression.

"Our ancestors said that both good deeds and evil deeds must be followed by rewards and consequences. I'll think of a proper thanks, so please don't leave secretly, okay?"

"If you're giving me a gift and all, why would I refuse?"

I thought I'd gratefully accept. I was about to check where our party members were when I heard battle sounds from afar.

"...Miss Stella? What about the warriors under you?"

"Opposite direction. Must be your friends."

Fuck, is there still more left? I felt a bit uneasy and focused on the presences. It didn't seem too dangerous. It looked like the fake Nuckelavees that were still active had started fighting with our party members.

I quickly tried to run there but paused. The chief seemed to notice and said,

"Go ahead. I can't help, but I won't be a hindrance. It probably won't be a big deal, so don't worry."

"Yes. I'll be back. Let's talk about the reward when I return."

"What about our daughter."

"That... I'll pass."

I firmly declined and ran to where my wives were. The spear in my hand was once again coated with green mana. And that day, no more living half-man, half-horse remained in the Flusmirror Forest.

For two days after defeating the Nuckelavee, we stayed in the Ulster village. There were several reasons. First, I was curious how the talks with the Flusmirror village would go, and second, the reward they were giving us wasn't ready yet.

"Chirp chirp! (Sex!)"

And third, to talk with the forest animals and find out where in the forest the Bicorn's sanctuary was located.

─Flap flap.

I carried the spear on my shoulder and stroked the small bird sitting on my finger. This guy was quite old and quick, so it knew the forest geography well, and it actually helped with the exploration. Since we were staying in the village, we could investigate the forest.

Franc's sparrow golem wasn't suitable for this. It was fine for aerial reconnaissance, but navigating inside the forest consumed too much concentration avoiding trees and bushes. Our Franc still had a lot of room to grow.

I offered the caterpillar we got from the village in a bowl to the sparrow to eat. I didn't want to touch it with my hands.

"Chirp chirp tweet. (Then let's try again.)"

"Tweet! (Yes!)"

─Flap!

I sent off the sparrow with the rune on it. If I detected any unnatural movement in its path, there was a high chance a barrier hiding the Bicorn's sanctuary was there. If one flying straight suddenly made an O-shaped detour without my instruction, it must have been blocked by the barrier unconsciously.

Even the barrier of the divine beast's forest wasn't perfect. That's probably how the unicorn's sanctuary was discovered too.

─Rustle.

"What are you doing? Are you busy?"

Speak of the tiger and it appears. As I was sensing the rune's location, Unicorn Alice appeared.

"I was doing something for a bit. What brings you here?"

"The tattoo-covered girl called for you."

"...You mean the chief?"

"Hmph. Chief is chief. The tattoo wench with flowers ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in her head is enough."

Alice grumbled. She had been crying next to Heiromain while he was being treated, but now she seemed angry. Or perhaps that was natural. The operation plan was messed up and Heiromain almost died from a body slam (shotgun version), so being calm about it would be stranger. As for me, I had stuck my neck out willingly and didn't get hurt, so I was fine with it.

"They said the reward is ready, so come when you have time? Did I convey it properly?"

"Yeah."

I answered roughly and tried to focus on the bird drone, but Alice didn't leave my side. I blinked.

"Why?"

"Ah, no, it's just... thank you. For lifting my curse and for saving Jeanne. It's all because of you, right? But when Jeanne wakes up, it seems like there won't be a chance to thank you."

Alice hesitated before saying that.

"You were amazing, you know? Even the warriors of the sanctuary weren't that outstanding. Humans aren't to be underestimated. No, I don't mean that I underestimated you or anything."

"Hehe. Your skill at flattering others is still lacking. Practice more by doing it to your professor and refine it further."

"Ugh, I'm being sincere, you know?"

When I brushed it off, Alice pouted. How cute.

"Long-lived races may have advantages in training time, but ultimately there's a limit to individual growth."

Even the gods feel their limits and perform self-human sacrifice. In this other world, time invested in training and growth aren't directly proportional.

'It really is a talent-based ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠world.'

That was good news for me.

I raised my finger and coated it with the mana of Beast Regression.

─Bubble.

The green mana coating rose like foam. When I imbued it with magic, it blazed up as if setting fire to an oil droplet.

'The value I invested in this rune was worth it.'

I had used some of the mana gained from defeating Enlir to strengthen the Berkanan rune. A rune that had attained true enlightenment had complex uses. Especially the advantage that it could be tracked even from far away like that bird.

'Normally other runes would deactivate if they got too far.'

Because it's a rune that causes change, it shows maintenance power proportional to time regardless of distance. Which in turn means it's advantageous for tracking and such. Of course it wouldn't be as good as Franc, but increasing my hand options couldn't hurt. It would also help when applying bootleg Aura to the spear.

'──I can still grow stronger.'

I felt that realization. In this talent-superior other world, how much more could I, a short-lived species, grow? Even if I hit a wall, I needed to overcome it quickly. At least to protect my beloved wives.

─Chirp!

Sensing the rune's mana, I turned around. To become stronger in the future, it seemed I needed to plan more thoroughly than before.

"Let's go to the chief. It might be early, but I'll go ahead and wait."

"Huh? Weren't you doing something?"

"No, I just finished."

The remaining food in the bowl would come and eat by itself. I had confirmed that the rune's mana sent to the northwest of the forest was circling without being able to enter a certain area. There was a barrier there that couldn't be entered without the rune's mana. In other words, the Bicorn's barrier was in the northwest of that forest.

'Next, Veronica just needs to learn spatial teleportation magic.'

Then I'd be able to move more boldly to seize power with the world as my stage. I smiled with satisfaction. The groundwork for getting stronger was progressing steadily.