Kas Palrug (2)
Mano run.
It's a term for playing content without equipping any weapons, despite the name suggesting otherwise.
Games are fundamentally designed around using weapons, so this playstyle is basically proof of being a hardcore veteran.
Going beyond just casually enjoying content, it's a form of self-imposed restriction play that gained fame under the name "mano run."
Even among fans of the Dropout Hero series, there were no shortage of voices clamoring for well-known challenge contents like this.
Unfortunately for them, the Dropout Hero series didn't have this challenge.
There were several reasons why mano runs were impossible in the Dropout Hero series.
The biggest was the limitations of the equipment system.
In the Dropout Hero series, characters were hardcoded not to unequip gear, so you couldn't go bare-handed—swapping was only for other equipment.
The ultimate challenge Dropout Hero players could manage was subjugating the Demon King with default weapons, and even that required maxing out the protagonist and all party members to meet the bare minimum conditions.
The game was brutally difficult from the start.
Especially in vanilla state, subjugating the Demon King required the Demon God, who dealt fixed damage proportional to HP regardless of defense. Without recruiting her, endless retries awaited players.
No wonder the series' endgame was called "recruiting the Demon God."
The Dropout Hero series I knew was utterly unforgiving to such challenges.
In truth, users demanding mano runs didn't seriously expect it—they were just protesting for new content.
Yeah, that's how it was.
That's how it should have been...
'A mano run boss of all things──!'
I couldn't tell if it appeared in 3 or a paid DLC, but it was clearly prepared for mano runs.
And for good reason...
...Magic and aura alike didn't work on it at all!
"Hahaha...!"
Afterward, my aura-clad fist collided with its leg, sending my body floating upward from the recoil.
Controlling my soaring form, I adjusted in midair and stomped its tail. It roared in fury and charged.
'Aura's indeed ineffective.'
It was a firsthand lesson that the 90% damage reduction wasn't exaggerated.
Continuing with aura would just drain my stamina while it absorbed and healed from it.
"What a pain in every way."
But data collection was complete.
"Time to get serious."
I'd mapped all its patterns.
No matter how strong, it was just a beast—patterns weren't complex.
No bluffing or mind games like against humans.
Still, I'd gathered data on weaknesses, anatomy, and pattern variety.
'And that last attack confirmed them all.'
The only variable was its HP.
Ignore damage reduction.
Physical specs don't matter.
"From now on, it's a pure endurance match, monster."
Good thing I didn't need aura.
After chaining fights with the Four Heavenly Kings, my reserves were low.
Output wasn't enough to pierce its traits reliably.
'At full strength, maybe.'
But with Arthur injured, gambling was risky.
It was the natural enemy of all fairies, after all.
At that moment, it blocked Gawain's sword with its body and leaped into the air.
"Dodge, no limits!"
"I'm fine."
A pattern I'd seen before.
Ignoring Kay's warning, I kicked off midair and dove into its leaping form.
Blue flames covered its body, scorching me in real-time, but I ignored it.
'My regen outpaces it anyway!'
True to its durability, its attacks were on the weaker side.
Especially the DoT flames—my natural healing shrugged them off. Closing in was easy.
"Hup...!"
Manga Style, Beast King Fist!
My bare hand pierced its hide, unleashing a shockwave. A pained screech erupted from its maw.
"Everyone, pin its legs!"
"Got it!"
The Round Table knights grabbed the writhing beast, and powerful shockwaves hammered its body.
"Keep holding!"
In a damage race, momentum was key.
"Hah...!"
Its hide pierced, shockwaves burrowing inside. It screamed, then whipped its two tails in rapid strikes.
Fancy arcs, but beastly instincts made them predictable.
Once read, dodging was trivial.
'Left, right, low, step back half, high!'
"Incredible!"
"Dodging every attack perfectly!"
Gasps rose as I evaded paper-thin margins.
No time for that.
"Keep attacking! Don't give it a breather!"
The plan's core: Sustain my DPS window.
Round Table pins legs; I deal damage.
Others could DPS too, but risk was too high in its range.
'Better use them for control, me for pure damage.'
Plus, split aggro was dangerous—especially with Arthur joining.
Minimize variables.
I glanced at Arthur drawing Excalibur, gathering starlight, then charged the beast.
"Hup...!"
Unauraed fist burrowed deep; unable to withstand, it plummeted from the sky.
A massive boom and dust cloud followed. I pierced through to it.
Techniques flashed in my mind; one emerged.
"Manga Style, Beast King Fist!"
Full-power emission from clashing fists unleashed a shockwave into its gut.
For the first time, Kas Palrug vomited blood.
'Defense-ignoring attacks work.'
But barely—max output Beast King Fist only drew blood. Even ignores had heavy mitigation.
"Ngh...!"
"Grah!"
"Kyaa!"
Dazed from the shock, it shook off the knights and gaped wide toward me.
Dark purple gathered in its maw, forming a massive orb.
"...!"
'AoE pattern!'
Sensing the wide-range nuke, I lunged and kicked its jaw.
"Tch...!?"
But its head didn't budge. Instead, it fired a beam at point-blank me.
A mocking glance flashed; purple light filled my vision.
How long was I under?
Victorious, it roared skyward—then a familiar hand entered its view.
The hand pierced the beam, grabbing its tail. Its eyes trembled in shock.
"Not as bad as..."
Yeon Je-seong emerged from the beam, sculpted body gleaming, approaching.
"...the damage."
He slammed the tail full-force, smashing Kas Palrug into the ground.
Flinching from the full-body ache, Kas Palrug swallowed lingering blue flames. Its white fur ignited instantly.
"Phase 2 at last."
A voice laced with odd anticipation reached its ears, enraging it. The flame-cat-like form charged Yeon Je-seong.
Confident kick met an effortless grab.
"Hmm."
Stunned wide eyes met his casual tone. It bared fangs.
"Wonder if phase 2 allows mano runs too."
Muttering nonsense, Yeon Je-seong faced its gaping maw—then pain wracked it, forcing a scream.
"This...!"
Agony in its mouth curled it up, rolling. Yeon Je-seong's voice followed.
"No resistance... inside the mouth?"
'Standard strat: Attack from within...?'
One hand gripping a massive fang, his voice shook with realization; eyes quivered.
Recovering, Kas Palrug swept knights aside and lunged.
Seeing dazed Yeon Je-seong with fang, hope flickered. It roared—then he slowly raised a fist.
"Nah. Your strat is bare hands."
The true standard.
The only way.
Internals weak?
'Dunno about that.'
Only brute force!
No alternatives allowed.
Reality-denying, he crushed the fang, aura swirling on his fist.
Dense enough to warp space, it slammed the charging gut. Blue flames greedily devoured navy aura.
Mocking cackle furrowed his brow. He poured more aura, murmuring.
"Let's see how long you last."
Ominous cracks from flame-fist clash widened its eyes. Flames receding, pupils shook violently.
"Come on, more, keep enduring!"
Sensing doom from merciless combos, it gathered light again.
But full-power beam vanished into sudden golden light. Kas Palrug looked dumbfounded.
A clear voice rang from afar.
"I won't let you interfere with him."
Golden stardust scattered; star-eyed queen raised her holy sword.
"Begone now."
Golden light soared, engulfing Kas Palrug.
Grinding teeth at timely-retreating Yeon Je-seong, it endured the impact silently.
Beam swept remaining flames; bloodied Kas Palrug staggered out.
"Mm... Still standing after that?"
Full-power strike left it gravely wounded but alive; Arthur groaned.
But Yeon Je-seong closed in instantly.
Before it reacted, he resumed rush below it.
"Not over yet."
"What's wrong? Fight harder!"
You're the monumental mano boss!
Mad fervor cowed it into whimpering pleas.
Protective flames stripped by starlight, tough hide bruised black-and-blue, blood pouring.
"Hang in there a bit longer!"
Now cheering, Yeon Je-seong chained combos. Its head swung toward battlefield corpses.
Life hanging by thread.
Survival instinct whispered: Devour corpses.
Fairies—pure mana lumps—were its food, remnants included.
Instinct over reason; it bolted, bulldozing knights.
Yeon Je-seong and Round Table endured, but it persistently swept the field.
Half-mad from instinct, it barreled through blockers, devouring bodies.
"I-it's eating its kin...!"
"Stop it now...!"
But transformation accelerated.
"Tch, couldn't block."
Yeon Je-seong clicked tongue at its breakthrough power.
Fully feral, ignoring damage, it gorged—then black demonic energy erupted, racing the field.
Thick aura enveloped; it morphed into a jet-black beast.
"...Phase 3."
Yeon Je-seong murmured.
Black reverse pupils glared; it howled skyward.
"Careful!"
"That aura's ominous!"
"Battle stations, everyone!"
Overwhelming malice from it tensed Arthur, Round Table—even Yeon Je-seong raised fists.
Jinglang─
"Hm?"
Jinglang─
"This is..."
Jinglang─
Clear bell tolls brought refreshing clarity. Arthur looked puzzled.
Kas Palrug showed wariness.
Yeon Je-seong's eyes flickered nonstop.
How long?
"Ahh, O God..."
A woman appeared behind Arthur, hands clasped in prayer.
Turning, Arthur's eyes widened in welcome.
"You..."
"Save this sinful beast."
Praying softly, she passed Arthur toward Kas Palrug.
"Purify the wicked demons."
White veil framed platinum hair swaying, drawing gazes.
"Forgive the lambs slain unjustly."
Brilliant halo pierced night sky, settling above her.
Gold-silver light enveloped warmly.
Jinglang─
Bell on cross chimed with steps.
One, two, three.
Steady rhythm lit the night; she halted before wary Kas Palrug.
Smiling gently at the man blocking her.
"We meet again."
"...Yeah."
Obvious discomfort despite blank face; she chuckled softly, then eyed the black beast.
It lunged with fierce aura.
"Halt."
Yeon Je-seong casually kicked it back.
She raised her cross; it blazed, planting into earth.
"May the Goddess look upon us."
Radiant explosion centered on cross illuminated Rischel.
Beam-bound Kas Palrug incinerated to ash instantly.
Arms wide before cross, she proclaimed.
"I declare this a holy sanctuary."
White energy healed cracked earth.
Gaping wounds closed, faults realigned; grass sprouted.
"...Ah."
"...My god."
Miraculous sight stunned all.
"Ugh..."
"Ughh..."
Silent fallen groaned, rising.
"Huh, me...?"
"I was surely..."
Awakened stared at hale bodies, bewildered.
Onlookers gaped in disbelief.
"Wh-what...?"
"Wait, Your Majesty! Who is she...?"
"You all know."
"Impossible. We don't..."
"Only one on this continent works such miracles."
Knight eyes widened at their lord's words, staring at woman chatting amiably with Yeon Je-seong.
"N-no way...!"
"Th-then she's...!"
"Yes."
Arthur's gaze shifted.
"...A member of the Seven Powers like me. The de facto leader of the Rosaria Holy Empire."
The Holy God Venus.