Magic Bullet
Rohan's skill structure is changing.
With every step I take, it's evolving.
Back when Weakness Infliction was Level 1, there were things that were outright impossible. It required direct contact, and I could only inflict physical attribute weaknesses.
Once it hit Level 2, I could choose which attribute to inflict as a weakness. I'd broken free from the shackles of physical-only debuffs.
Even so, the reason I'd stubbornly stuck to physical weaknesses?
Simple.
I felt there was no advantage to fire, since I was clumsy with it compared to mana-enhanced strikes or slashes.
And now, climbing yet another stair—Weakness Infliction Level 3.
I've grown wings.
◇ Imparts one attribute as a weakness to the target.
◇ Attacking a target with a weakness inflicted has a certain probability of applying a debuff.
The description had simply changed from 'contacted target' to 'target.'
The debuff shed its 'minor' prefix, and the probability shifted from 'low chance' to 'certain probability.'
This is huge.
Based on the changes, I naturally absorbed the knowledge.
Maybe I was just remembering something I'd forgotten.
The sensation of firing skills and mana seeped into my consciousness.
I could probably do it barehanded, but I realized the weapon most harmonious with the skill was the pistol I already had.
The bullet becomes the medium carrying Weakness Infliction.
If inflicting a physical weakness ended there, I could expect it to pierce even tough foes.
But right now, I needed to apply something else.
Thinking back to what Omega and Hex had prepared targeting Juyeon— the weakness to inflict was fire.
No doubt. This choice was right a hundred times over.
"Ha... ."
Supported by Ichinose, I finished aiming.
Pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The bullet Rohan fired sliced through the air.
That bullet carried a power that warped affinities.
In truth, it was a power worthy of being called a magic bullet.
"Rot away!"
Omega's arm writhed. The dragon head gaped its maw wide!
The head-only dragon bellowed, condensing a massive amount of mana.
—Kaaaaah!!!
Dragon's breath invoking death and necrosis.
Juyeon instinctively sensed what attack was coming and gripped her sword tight.
Flames enveloped her body.
A turbid green vortex shot out violently.
Juyeon's greatsword flashed with fire, rejecting the decay.
Amid the rising green smoke like sea fog, flames traced a vivid cross, asserting their presence.
——Kwaaaang!!! The brilliant explosion swallowed and quelled the entire spreading breath.
"Uhahaha!!!"
Omega charged through the explosion, swinging his blade.
Clang! Claaang! Chaaeng!
Even simple sword strikes were vicious.
Occasional monster-assisted thrusts in between. Naturally, they couldn't be ignored.
Juyeon parried and countered, reviewing the battle so far in a flash.
Comparing to the past.
Near-perfect fire resistance. How?
Was the enemy enduring her flames simply from improved prowess? Or maybe due to massive doses of some mysterious drug?
No, there was a sense of incongruity somewhere.
Something's been done to his body.
It felt like trying to subdue a lava-dwelling monster with fire.
But abandoning fire wasn't an option.
It would impose too many restrictions.
Voluntarily constraining her power would let the stalemate tip easily to his side.
Kagagak!!!
Blades ground against each other, ringing with metallic shrieks.
In the moment of locked strength, that's when the most feints came.
"Kuhuhu, this is fun!"
"... ."
Mana flow, gaze, muscle twitches, foot positions.
Everything battle-related drew feints to hide the real attack.
A time when both thrashed to claim superiority.
"!?"
Amid it, Juyeon spotted them.
Even after Noah Frozenheart and Corin had left, Ichinose Yui and Rohan holding position.
Why haven't they fled...!
Juyeon was bewildered by Rohan aiming his pistol.
Harsh reality aside, there was zero chance Rohan's attack would harm Omega.
His courage against a terror incarnate was admirable, but she couldn't praise it.
If you lacked the talent to infuse projectiles with mana, a gun was meaningless.
Even a normal pistol lacked lethal power at that range.
As Juyeon sighed and faltered—
No way.
She sensed mana gathering in Rohan's pistol.
An unknown skill that disrupted harmony.
Juyeon had felt it directly in spars with Rohan, so she could distinguish it from afar.
...Can Rohan break this deadlock?
The near-prophetic instinct those at her level sometimes felt.
Juyeon judged she had to grasp the thread Rohan was weaving.
"Hut."
For the first time, Juyeon curled her lips before Omega.
But that smile twisted into clear mockery toward him.
Omega must have noticed Rohan gathering mana too.
Yet he ignored it.
"Can't you feel it? If you want to live, run now. My spawn aren't pushovers."
"Dabbling in politics now? You've learned to wag your tongue!"
"One who stops cannot follow new winds. Learn to lower your heaven-gazing neck."
"Shut up! Think that puny attack works on me! Focus on me!!!"
Bang!
It rang clearly.
Rohan's fired bullet flew, seeking change.
——Ting! It struck Omega but failed to pierce, dropping powerlessly.
"Pathetic fool... Hm!?"
Omega showed clear fluster at the incongruity spreading through his body.
He'd discerned an unknown change in his flesh.
"Told you. Run if you want to live."
Gripping her greatsword, Juyeon confirmed Ichinose Yui hoisting the slumping Rohan and fleeing desperately.
The battle resumed instantly.
A red slash hurtled toward Omega.
Both the attacker Juyeon and defender Omega instantly recognized the shifted situation.
The feel is different!
Not Juyeon's illusion. Omega was considerably rattled too.
Resistance still strong, but not airtight.
Downgraded to merely enduring.
Rohan's debuff can't last forever. It must have an end.
Missing this gap was unthinkable.
Juyeon judged so and ignited her flames to maximum output.
Instantly activates embers accumulated in the flesh.
Her red hair blazed brilliantly with golden light.
"Trying to end it ridiculously...!"
A blue orb floated above Omega's head.
A lifeform Hex made to counter Juyeon.
A mass endlessly producing only chill, following remaining instincts.
Freezes surrounding space with cracking cold, filling with frost.
Even user Omega was affected, so it couldn't be sustained long.
Damn brat...!
Omega vowed through frosty breath.
Juyeon of course—and that kid. Had to kill them somehow.
After settling this, he'd capture the brat no matter what.
If worst comes to worst... regardless of outcome, must survive and return.
Had to inform Hex and all of the guy's existence and skill.
"Distractions mid-battle? Your luck's too good."
Juyeon with greatsword charged.
Kaaang!
Downward greatsword strike.
Somehow blocked the slash, but enduring the gushing flames was tough.
As felt, the bullet had caused something wrong in his body.
"Kuhk...!"
"Die."
Juyeon ignored the encroaching chill, burning her body endlessly with flames.
Swinging her sword without pause.
Pouring all to seize the chance.
Crack!
And the born fissure.
Omega's tough skin tore, Juyeon's flames seeping in.
The scales tipped sharply.
"Kraaaak!!!"
Scorching pain infiltrating his whole body.
Omega couldn't endure, screaming. Past nightmares revived.
"I told you. This time, I won't let you escape."
Greatsword strike with waist-deep power.
Slices deep, severing Omega's arm.
Follow-up downward strike.
Aimed to bisect, but halted at splitting shoulder in his desperate struggle.
"Hahk! Hahk...!"
Clear terror in Omega's eyes as he widened distance.
Even so, pity? No.
Juyeon didn't halt attacks.
One step to close gap.
Greatsword roughly pierced Omega's abdomen.
Light flashed before Omega's eyes, both legs flying off.
Clean cuts and thrusts worthy of swordsmanship history followed.
Omega mouthed silently in agony, quietly channeling mana.
The blue orb in the air silently targeted Juyeon's back.
"Your desperation is premature. Should've endured longer."
As if anticipating, Juyeon evaded the ambush.
She didn't get excited or careless with momentum seized.
Just advanced step by calm step.
Finally.
A red flash grazed Omega's neck and the blue orb.
"Kuhuk...!"
In Abyss City, Omega—who'd drawn with Juyeon and fled—now met his end.
If Rohan saw, he'd rejoice yet feel complex at the off-script conclusion. A fitting end.