Chapter 155: Sylvia Mervis Winterbane
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 155: Sylvia Mervis Winterbane
A slender sword (細劍), also known as a rapier.
It was a weapon specialized for thrusting rather than slashing or swinging, and I had never seen anyone use one in a real fight before.
Well, until now.
Swish!
It didn't even make a sound as it cut through the air.
With a momentary glint, my opponent's thrust pierced my mask and grazed my cheek. If my senses hadn't been honed to their peak from the previous battle, I wouldn't have been able to dodge even that.
Sharp and fast.
The very definition of swiftness.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of thrusts flew at me, aiming to run me through. Her movements were so refined, there wasn't a single wasted motion.
If I let my guard down for even a second, I'd be turned into a pincushion.
I didn't have the time to say anything, let alone activate a barrier.
It was even difficult to use ‘Thought Acceleration’. I had used it repeatedly in the last fight, and my mental energy was severely depleted.
Not even a minute had passed, but I had no idea how many times we had exchanged blows.
What was clear was that I was slowly being pushed back. Not only was I completely caught in her pace, but the nature of this fight was entirely different from any I had experienced before.
The terror of a rapier wreathed in Sword Qi wasn't just in its swift thrusts.
‘What the hell…?!’
I forced myself to find an invisible opening and counterattacked, but she skillfully avoided a direct contest of strength. She deflected my strike with her cross-guard, twisting it slightly, then used the angle of her blade to divert the path of my attack.
It was only natural not to engage in a power struggle against a straight sword with a rapier, but the more our blades crossed, the more I felt like I was sinking into a swamp.
That wasn't all. She would change the direction of her attack mid-swing or stop altogether, trying to bait me into making a mistake.
I was literally being outmatched in the fundamentals.
I finally understood why my master had said that a lifetime of practicing the basics would never be enough.
“You’re lasting quite a while for a piece of trash working for slave traders.”
“I told you, I’m here to rescue the elves!”
I shouted in frustration, but she seemed to turn a deaf ear.
“...Trying to get out of this with a lie not even a newborn would believe.”
“Crazy bitch!”
I let a curse fly, which only seemed to piss her off more as her attacks grew fiercer.
She readjusted her stance, her eyes gleaming with killing intent as she glared at me.
“Just you wait. I will personally pierce that mouth of yours.”
I casually responded by flipping her the middle finger.
Her short temper created an opening. Thanks to that, I was able to deploy a barrier.
But if I stayed on the defensive like this, I had no chance of winning.
Formless Vajra Art. Formless Electric Body.
The diamond qi coursing through my meridians enveloped my entire body. Using Formless Step and Extreme Speed, I should be able to move faster than that damn elf.
CRASH! I shot forward, a streak of light in the dark dungeon.
The narrow corridor restricted my movements, but the same was true for her.
Besides, in my current condition, I felt I could use Boundless at least one more time to create an opening.
But to use Boundless, my opponent had to be within a certain range, and I needed a moment to spread the diamond qi in all directions.
The enemies I had faced before had given me such openings. Against the elder of the Heavenly Demonic Cult, it was possible because he had let his guard down completely.
But not this woman.
‘Where is the opening…!’
BANG, BANG!!
I kicked off the corridor walls, moving at a speed just shy of uncontrollable, yet I couldn't land a single effective hit, let alone find an opening.
It was as if she could see exactly where I would kick off, where I would move, and how I would swing my sword.
I didn't want to admit it, but as a swordsman, her skill was a cut above mine—no, two cuts above.
It didn't take long for me to calculate that I couldn't win like this.
My chances would improve, at least slightly, if I could get back to the auction hall to fight.
But turning my back to flee in this situation was tantamount to offering my neck to be slit.
If I stopped my assault now, that same barrage of deadly thrusts would instantly fly at me.
‘…Just have to hold on as long as I can.’
I began using magic, adjusting the power, direction, and number of spells.
Of course, I couldn't kill her, so I mainly aimed for her arms, legs, and joints. If I could reduce her mobility even a little, I might be able to subdue her.
[Magic Bolt]
About twenty magic circles appeared in the air, and from them, clumps of magic power shot out like sniper rounds.
“...A mage.”
Just before the Magic Bolts hit, the elf muttered briefly and vanished.
It wasn't stealth.
She was just moving at an incredible speed.
I had reduced the power of the Magic Bolts to maximize their speed, but they didn't even come close to hitting her, only chasing her afterimage.
Her movements, accelerating upon acceleration, were impossible to follow with the naked eye.
Crack! The tip of her sword, coming from an unrecognized blind spot, pierced my barrier.
If the barrier hadn't been there, my brain would have been skewered along with my mask.
“Tough, are you? A 3rd-circle… no, a 4th-circle mage?”
The elf, looking genuinely surprised for the first time, quickly composed herself and vanished from my sight again.
I instinctively reinforced my barrier. The next moment, a tremendous impact crashed against it.
KRRRRR-!!
Sparks flew as the elf's rapier scraped against my barrier. A killing intent, honed as sharp as a sword, pierced through the barrier and washed over me.
If I hadn't strengthened the barrier just then, it would have been shattered to pieces.
The elf's speed far surpassed my expectations, and I was certain of it now. Continuing to fight in this narrow corridor was insane.
I unleashed as many Magic Bolts as the dungeon could withstand.
BOOM, KABOOM!! I waited for the moment the meteor-like Magic Bolts descended upon the elf, then sprinted for the stairs with all my might.
But in that instant, something far beyond mere killing intent rushed toward me.
Goosebumps erupted all over my skin, an unpleasant sensation that set my instincts on edge.
“I believe I told you.”
This was my survival instinct screaming.
A brilliant light pierced through the dozens of Magic Bolts and illuminated the dungeon.
[Thought Acceleration]
My head throbbed with a migraine, but not using it wasn't an option.
In the extremely slowed perception of time, I twisted my body with all my strength.
And then time resumed its normal flow.
“That I would pierce your mouth.”
───────A flash of light grazed past my head, stretching out as if to reach the very end of the dungeon.
Dodging it by sight? Impossible.
Blocking it with a barrier was also out of the question.
Because that was Aura.
Her sword hadn't gotten longer. It was a long-range thrust, a literal projection of condensed Aura fired at extremely high speed.
Fortunately, it seemed she couldn't use it in rapid succession. The elf glaring at me clicked her tongue lightly.
I seized the opportunity and scrambled up the stairs in one go.
On the wrecked stage, I threw off my cracked mask. My vision cleared up instantly.
I gathered my thoughts and prepared my magic. The plan was to bombard the elf with spells the moment she came up and blast away her protective aura first.
Using 4th-circle magic that required power control would just be a waste of magic power. I prepared to chant, focusing on lightning magic, which had relatively little collateral damage.
The tension made me swallow dryly without realizing it.
Swish. Just as I was about to wipe my sweaty palm, something shot out from the stairs.
I didn't hesitate and immediately unleashed my spell.
[Lightning Spear]
Five spears of lightning, which I had created with all my power during the fight with the minotaur, tore through the air.
KRRRRRUMBLE!! The lightning spears exploded on impact with the elf, scattering electricity everywhere.
Just as I thought that would be enough to break through her protective aura and do some real damage, something flew out from the thick, settling smoke.
Swish!
“Guhk?!”
The thing that pierced my shoulder was none other than the elf's long-range thrust that had nearly claimed my life moments ago.
Only then did I notice the hole in my barrier, the exact size of the tip of her rapier.
“...The more I see, the more surprising you are. A mage who can move like a decent knight, and one who can wield rare lightning magic at that.”
The elf emerged from the smoke, walking leisurely, completely unscathed.
There was no sign that she had used her protective aura to block the magic.
Woosh. A light swing of her sword dispersed the smoke. Only then did I understand what had happened.
“...That’s a fucking dirty move.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
As I scowled, the elf curled her lips into a smirk.
The five lightning spears had hit their mark. Just not the elf.
A corpse, looking like it had been fried by lightning, lay sprawled near the stairs.
“The corpse of the dungeon warden. I assume you two were acquainted.”
Of course we weren't.
But we were far past the point of resolving this with words.
Now that blood had been drawn, I had no intention of going easy on her just because she was a pretty woman.
Beep. At that moment, a small alarm sounded, and dozens of small magic circles appeared at the elf's feet.
[Flame Mine]
[Shock Mine]
These were 3rd-circle landmine-type explosion spells that automatically detonated upon detecting a life signature nearby.
“?!!”
Could her protective aura block dozens of explosions and electric shocks all at once?
The greatsword user I fought earlier could block my magic repeatedly because he had drawn upon his innate true qi. A normal protective aura is stronger against physical attacks imbued with magic power than against pure magic.
KABOOOOOOOM!!!
“Kyaaaaaaahk?!!”
The elf tried to hastily retreat at the magical reaction, but she was a step too late and got caught in the explosion.
In that time, I applied pressure to my wound to stop the bleeding.
Fortunately, even though it was an attack from an Aura, it was a thrust, so the wound wasn't large and the bleeding was minimal.
THUD! The stage shook violently, and the smoke from the explosion scattered in all directions.
The elf standing in the center was a complete mess, the word "disheveled" fitting her perfectly.
Her hair was a mess, and through the rips and tears in her clothes, her pale white skin was visible.
“How dare you, a mere human…!!”
Her eyes, gleaming with killing intent, locked onto me.
From her stance with one foot forward and the flow of magic power spreading around her, the vibration from before seemed to be a stomp she had performed.
A brief standoff between me and the elf ensued.
We glared at each other, raising our magic power.
Of course, I was in worse shape. My magic and mental energy were considerably drained, and I had a hole in my shoulder.
The elf, on the other hand, was perfectly fine without a single burn. She must have suffered some internal damage when her protective aura broke, though.
But that didn't mean I was at a complete disadvantage.
This wasn't a cramped corridor like the dungeon.
Of course, being underground still imposed some limitations, but here, where I could use magic, I had no intention of going down easily.
Even if it meant bringing the ceiling down.
“I stand corrected. I’ll pierce your throat instead of your mouth.”
“I never thought I’d get an elf slave. Just you wait. I’ll have you calling me ‘Master’ in no time.”
BOOM!
As our magic powers collided, the hall shook as if an earthquake had struck.
Small bits of debris fell from the ceiling.
BOOM!!
And the hall shook once more.
“...?”
“...?”
A look of confusion appeared on both my face and the elf's.
The vibration was too strong for a clash that wasn't even a direct impact.
The entire hall was shaking, enough to make me wonder if it was a real earthquake.
BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!!
“Shit!”
With the continuous tremors, large, rock-like chunks of debris began to fall from the ceiling.
If the ceiling really collapsed, I wouldn't have the luxury of dealing with the elf in front of me.
There were still elves in the dungeon I hadn't rescued.
‘…I have no choice but to push myself and blast through the ceiling.’
The auction hall was about two floors underground. If I poured all my remaining magic power into a series of 4th-circle spells, it might be possible.
I pushed my magic power to its limit and began chanting.
Using Thought Acceleration would allow for high-speed chanting, but right now, quantity was more important than speed.
I couldn't afford to expend more mental energy on Thought Acceleration.
Even if it was on the verge of collapse, I had to cast at least three 4th-circle spells.
C-crack—
But cracks were already spreading across the ceiling, looking like it could give way at any moment.
There was absolutely not enough time.
At this rate, not only the elves in the dungeon but all the other slaves would be buried alive.
I was truly out of options.
Even if I passed out after casting the spells, I had to force myself to use Thought Acceleration.
Just as I clutched my throbbing head and was about to use the skill.
KRA-BOOOOOOOOM!!!
With a tremendous roar, a hole was blown through the ceiling.
I turned my head, wondering if the elf had done it, but she was just staring blankly at the ceiling, so that didn't seem to be the case.
I could see the night sky through the hole.
It was clearly not a natural phenomenon. If the previous battle had been the cause, the entire ceiling should have collapsed.
Why did it just end with a hole?
“...-woo!!”
As my mind filled with unanswered questions, I heard a familiar voice from somewhere.
Focusing magic power into my eyes, I saw someone falling through the hole.
“...No way.”
They say you should never say never. Rippling blonde hair shimmered under the night sky.
“Hyun-woo!!”
“Iris?!”
Iris, who was supposed to be sleeping at the inn, was falling without a parachute.
For a moment, I felt as if I'd been hit on the back of the head, but there was no time to stand around dumbfounded.
I rushed to catch her.
But as she got closer to the ground, Iris's rate of descent slowed noticeably. Only then did I notice the unnatural wind blowing.
It was the wind spirit contracted to Iris.
After landing safely as if she were a feather, Iris ran straight to me.
“How could you just go off on your own! It’s dangerous!”
I had opened my arms, expecting her to jump into them.
But Iris, with a furious expression, was busy smacking my back.
Smack! Smack! Her hand stung quite a bit.
“...Ouch.”
“It’s supposed to hurt!”
Honestly, it didn't hurt physically. But my heart ached from her slaps.
“No, I was just trying to save those elves…”
“If that was the case, you should have brought me with you!”
I had come alone because I thought the sealing devices would be dangerous for her, but seeing as she just blew a hole in the ceiling, it probably wouldn't have been a big issue if she had come along.
However, she looked quite pale, as if she had overexerted herself.
“Really, when I saw your letter, I was so worried… huh?”
Iris, who had been actively leaving her handprints on my back, suddenly fell silent and stared at her palm with an anxious look.
“Th-this is…”
“...Ah.”
I turned my head to see what was wrong and saw her palm, drenched in my blood.
“H-Hyun-woo, are you hurt…?”
I thought I had stopped the bleeding, but it seemed the wound from the Aura hadn't closed up properly.
“It’s nothing, just bleeding a little…”
I pulled Iris, who looked like she was about to burst into tears, into a hug and was wondering what excuse I could make so she wouldn't worry, when—
“Y-Your Majesty the Queen…?”
“Hm?”
A delicate, trembling voice came from the stage.
My and Iris's gazes turned toward it.
“...Sylvia?”
“Your Majesty!!”
The elf, with a radiant smile that made it hard to believe she was the same person who had been trying to kill me moments ago, ran towards us, her white hair fluttering behind her.