Hidden Dungeon (4)
Hidden Dungeon (4)
Redin and Seria left.
Heather wanted to follow them, but even he knew it wouldn't help.
"Because I am weak..."
He took up the sword to become a swordsman.
But he had no talent as a swordsman.
‘I have no talent.’
‘Find another way.’
'Is this guy going to be a problem if he sticks with us?'
Heck, even the instructors told him to look elsewhere because he wasn't good with a sword.
Pff.
The silence has been broken.
"I knew exactly what they were talking about."
He'd felt it in his heart since childhood. While his other siblings were gifted and thriving, he was stuck in the same place.
'Don't be discouraged. Keep your shoulders up. No matter what anyone says, it won't change the fact that you're the first son of House Forbirne'
Her mother's words that she'd spoken out of habit.
As the second guardian family of the Crane Kingdom and the eldest son of the famed swordmaster Forbirne, he couldn't imagine hanging up the sword.
So he trained every day.
He carried his sword with him at all times, and he trained with it throughout the day, including his early morning exercises. He put in double and triple the effort of others.
But as time went on, the gap in skill widened significantly.
Despite having the blood of a famous swordmaster in his veins.
A child with no talent for the sword.
At a time of great frustration and despair, he turned to alcohol and accidentally met a wizard.
‘How about learning magic?’
'Magic..? I heard it's not something just anyone can learn.'
'Why don't you try it for fun?'
He learned a few spells from him.
It was incredibly easy.
Like breathing, everything he was doing was vividly pictured in his mind, and the mana moved as he wished.
It was enjoyable.
He was overjoyed, realizing that he was not without talent, and he went to his father to show him off.
‘Father, look at this!’
The magic he performed in front of his father.
When he saw it, his expression was cold.
'Pathetic.'
'What?'
'The child of a renowned swordsman, abandoning the art of swordsmanship for the pursuit of magic. You are a disgrace to the family.'
'F-Father?'
'Get out of here!'
Everything he'd built as a swordsman has seemed dishonored. The magic he'd briefly learned. If only it hadn't gotten him cast out of the family.
He detested the magic that had taken everything away from him.
He felt so pathetic for allowing himself to be tempted for a moment.
After that, he drifted until he came to Burning Hell and met Redin
'Don't give up. You can do it.'
Redin has always encouraged him.
Whenever he felt emotionally drained and mentally fragile, he was always there to guide him back.
"Pathetic.."
There was nothing he could do as his friend fought to the death.
"If I had trained in magic... would I have been able to help?"
With a bitter smile, he grabbed the straps of the backpack and stood up. Nothing would change with regret.
Just as he turned to leave.
Rumbles!
The floor shook as Heather lost his balance and fell to the ground. The contents of the backpack spilled out.
"Huh?"
There was a spellbook written in runes.
His hand reached forward as if possessed by something.
"Magic..."
He opened the book and read the contents, and suddenly it all clicked. It was like a light switch went off in his head.
"I can do it..."
He balled his fists.
"Hold on a second."
Redin.
I'll help you this time.
* * *
In the game, it only took a few mouse clicks.
The boss monster would collapse on its own.
But now that it had become a reality, that was impossible.
"Redin!"
Seria's shout jolted him into action.
As he ran forward, he channeled mana into his sword. Kicking the ground, he leaped and struck the gargoyle in the shoulder.
Kagagagang!
It wasn't really designed to slash.
Noticing the gargoyle's eyes on him, He pulled back. When he saw the demonic energy gathering in its mouth, he prepared to dodge.
Swiiisssh!
A long beam of light swept across the wall.
Kagagagang!
He got close to the gargoyle with a flurry of slashes. He spun around, grabbed the gargoyle by the back, and stared straight ahead.
Beyond the gargoyle, the temple collapsed.
The ceiling caved in as the last pillar broke. Dodging the falling stones from above, he and Seria distanced themselves from the gargoyle.
*Crash!* Crash!
The gargoyle vanished among the rubble.
After taking a moment to catch her breath, Seria spoke.
"You're not dead, are you?"
"Uh."
"I only have enough energy for one or two moves, what are you going to do?"
He'd completely filled the blue gauge with attacks in between, but hadn't yet filled the red gauge.
Now he must come to a decision.
If Heather hasn't managed to awaken his talent, he'll have to copy it and learn the magic himself.
Although the count is wasted.
It's only meaningful if he survives.
"Can you buy me a few minutes?"
"How long."
"Ten minutes."
"Is there anything you can do?"
"Last resort."
"You've got a plan. Okay."
Seria stepped forward, clutching her dagger tightly, and just as he was about to turn away, he felt a powerful surge of mana.
Where Heather was.
"It looks like you've finally awakened.."
"What?"
"Let's get ready to wrap this up."
Redin could see Heather's figure at the end of the hallway, still intact. His gait was different, more confident than before.
There was a different air about him, a renewed sense of drive.
More than anything, it was the look of confidence on his face. The corners of his mouth lifted as he looked at Heather, and he waved as if he'd seen me.
"Redin!"
Heather rushed over and gasped.
"You said you needed magic earlier, right? I can use magic."
Then Seria made a blank face.
"Magic? Suddenly? What nonsense is this?"
"Explanation later. The boss is moving."
Rumbles!
The pile of rubble began to move.
"Prepare the most powerful magic you can use now."
"Okay."
"How long do you think it will take?"
"Three minutes."
"Alright, me and Seria will stall, and when you're done, we'll set the gargoyle up."
Heather took a stance and immediately entered the spell casting stance.
"'Seria, you guard Heather. I'll get its attention."
"Got it."
Seria snapped to focus and assumed a battle ready posture.
A gargoyle emerged from the rubble, stalling for time as it shifted under his gaze.
"I'm ready!"
At Heather's shout, he pulled away.
"Ice blaster!"
The ice flower from earlier appears in front of Heather's hand.¹ The difference is that the ice flower in Heather's hand is significantly larger.
Crack!
The ice flower shattered into tens of thousands of icy blades. The blades soon became a white gust of wind that rushed toward the gargoyle.
Kaaaah!
A shivering coldness swept through the air.
The gargoyle's body froze, and the red gauge on its chest instantly filled up.
This was the talent of a magical genius.
"Ugh!"
Redin turned his head to see a blue-faced Heather gasping for air. He was clearly overexerting himself with his untrained body.
"'Seria, take Heather away from here."
"Why? Don't we have it all under control?"
"No. We're just getting started."
Boom!
A crack appeared in the column of ice surrounding the gargoyle. Soon the pillar shattered, sending shards of ice flying.
"Roooooaaaarrr!"
The energy around the roaring gargoyle changed dramatically. Red energy began to crackle around it, and its eyes turned black.
Phase 2.
The creature's armor and magic defense are reduced by less than half, but its power increases and its movements become faster.
"Hurry up!"
"You're tired, too!"
"I have a plan, so get out of here!"
Seria scooped up Heather and fell back, he drew his sword and plunged into the gargoyle's chest.
Now it was a battle of strength.
Whoever could bring the other down first.
Rumbles!
A mana charged strike struck the gargoyle.
It was visible that the attack that hadn't even left a trace before was now working.
A sword wound on the gargoyle's body.
Looking at it, the corners of his mouth lifted.
As Seria said, he doesn't have much strength left in his body. The constant stalling for time had exhausted his physical stamina.
Ha!
He drew in all the mana he had left in his body.
The mana he sent to his sword flared to life. He spun and powered the blade, aiming for the gargoyle's neck.
At that moment.
The gargoyle responded quickly.
It reached out, and its stone hand transformed into a sword. Red energy radiated down its arm.
Bang!
Two forces clashed.
But it was him who was pushed back.
Not only was he outmatched in pure strength, but its mana was too strong. Slightly loosening the grip on his sword.
"Tsk!"
The power of the gargoyle's blade was transferred to him. His body flew through the air and crashed into the ground somewhere.
Roar!
The aftermath of the strong impact spread throughout his body.
"Cough!"
Blood flowed out of his mouth.
'Shit.'
'That hurt like hell.'
He feels like every bone in his body is broken. He can't remember the last time he felt this much pain.
This isn't so bad.
"ROOOOOOOAAARR!"
Redin stirred slowly, hearing the roar of an excited gargoyle. What it doesn't know is that he deliberately attacked on purpose.
[Blazing Soul (EX) is activated.]
Blue fire rose from his heart.
The power of the phoenix spread through his body, healing his wounds and restoring his health and mana for the first time.
It doesn't end there.
For the next ten minutes, he can unleash 3x the power of his current strength.
*Pat!* Pat!
Dusting himself off, he swung his sword lightly. There was no time to waste. Channeling his mana, he ran forward.
Using a flurry of slashes, he quickly got close.
Bang!
The gargoyle's arm flew out.
In the slowing time that followed, he swung his sword frantically. He poured his recovered mana and health into the attack.
Storm slash.
A storm erupted from his sword.
The surrounding area was devastated, along with the gargoyle.
*Whirl!* Whooooooosshhhh!
* * *
Special Task Force 7th Division Base
Leader Daylon opened his mouth to speak, looking at Vice Captain Riena in front of him.
"What do you mean, Redin's dead."
"I think he fell into Terry's trap while out on a mission with Harris."
" Did he see him die?"
Riena shook her head.
"He didn't see it, but the magic bomb blew up the old town, and even if you'd been in there, you wouldn't have made it out alive."
"It's been a while since I saw something I liked......."
Daylon gave a bittersweet smile.
The loss of his comrades so long ago had kept him relatively calm, but that didn't mean he was emotionless.
"I'm going to get revenge on this guy."
"Terry the poison toad."
"I'll cut his throat myself..."
Daylon trailed off, glancing away. Riena also turned her gaze to the movement beyond the door.
Creak!
The door opened to reveal Redin.
His face was clean, free of scars, but his clothes were tattered and ragged.
Riena sprang to her feet.
"No way!"
"What, you're alive?"
Redin saluted, looking at the open-mouthed Riena and the smirking Daylon.
"Special Unit 7th Division Redin, I'm back from a mission."
"Well done."
Daylon returned the salute.
"And I didn't mean to hear it, Terry the Poison Toad. Can I take my revenge into my own hands?"
** ** **
TL/N:
1. Heather Forbine has the talents of [Genius Wizard (S)], [Fast Casting (S)], [Great Attributes (S)] which made him able to cast the Ice Blaster(Ice Flower) in his hand, compared to the mage in Vex group which summoned the Ice Blaster via ground after a lengthy time casting the spell.