Chapter 146: All-Out War (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146: All-Out War (4)
"Why so surprised? Is it really that shocking to find out this isn't the place anchoring the Blood Wayport's spell formula?"
The Blood Wayport—a gate connecting dimensions.
Everyone assumed the magic stone sustaining the grand magic circle was located here, but in truth, it was somewhere else entirely.
The ever-cautious Michael had removed the magic stone beforehand, preparing for any worst-case scenario.
Without telling a soul, he had hidden it deep within the 7th floor.
However...
Jinhyuk had already seen right through this top-secret information, which even Bertion and Ophelia knew nothing about.
"I... I cannot believe this. How could you possibly know the location of the magic stone?!"
"When you fight enough petty schemers, you can easily read their plays."
Those types usually take the most conservative, extremely safe routes.
All to prevent any potential variables beforehand.
That was why Jinhyuk had planned his strategy from the very beginning under the premise that the magic stone wouldn't be here.
"Stop bluffing! There is no way you know the exact location of the magic stone. Never, absolutely never!"
A bluff, huh...
Well, from his perspective, wouldn't everything look like a bluff?
To someone like him, any human who was even a step ahead of him would just look like an arrogant blowhard full of hot air.
"If that's the case, don't you find it a bit strange?"
"What is it this time?"
"I went through all the trouble of contacting the Frostblade Tribe, so why hasn't a single one of them shown their face here?"
There wasn't a single presence to be felt in the vicinity.
Nor was there any sign of the trolls approaching the island.
Only then did the smirk vanish from Michael's face.
He realized the situation had gone off-course far more than he had anticipated.
"You... had no intention of bringing them here?"
"Caracal is pretty strong, but not enough to turn the tide against you and the Hungry Ghosts."
Of course, if I had brought the entire tribe, we might have dealt some damage.
But the outcome wouldn't have changed.
Above all, I didn't win over the Frostblade Tribe just to use them as disposable shields.
I sent them to where the magic stone is.
More precisely, to gather warriors strong enough to destroy the golems guarding the magic stone...
...that's why I approached them.
"You calculated all of that...? That's impossible..."
His voice trembled faintly.
Michael's composure was visibly beginning to crumble.
The flawless, impenetrable front he had shown at first was gone, replaced by cracks that were starting to show one by one.
At that exact moment.
Now.
Jinhyuk activated 'Gluttony's Eye'.
[The target's 'Mana Barrier' is shaking violently!]
[The Luck Stat and Adaptive Stat have been activated!]
[Lv. 8 'Gluttony's Eye' sees through the target!]
[Michael, ????]
Age: ??? years old
Level: ???
Strength: ??? / Agility: ??? / Stamina: ??? / Magic Power: ???
Unique Ability: 'Blood Vassal'
Skills: Lv. ?? 'Moon-Shrouding Claw', Lv. ?? 'Mana Barrier', Lv. ?? 'Mana Drain'...
...The target possesses too many skills, so they are displayed in a collapsed state.
[Copy Condition: Michael is a hound of the Decasus Family and a high-ranking vampire who serves as one of the Black Wings. He is a peak-tier creature normally encountered only on the upper floors of the Tower. If you can simply survive the battle against this vampire, you will be able to copy one of his skills.]
Because Michael's mind was shaken, Jinhyuk was able to view at least a portion of his status window.
And the copy condition required mere survival.
Now, he finally had a fighting chance.
The difficulty was still absurd, but it wasn't impossible.
Overcoming a formidable foe with an overwhelming gap in power...
...was something he had already done countless times before.
"The magic circle will shatter before long."
And...
"You're about to get beaten to a pulp."
With those words, Jinhyuk kicked off the snow and lunged forward.
* * *
The distance closed in an instant.
The Twin Dragon Sword and Fang moved simultaneously.
Crash!
A massive scar gouged into the ground where the attack swept through.
Just as expected.
The synergy of combining 'Demon Soul Sword' and 'Grave of Swords' boasted power beyond imagination.
"Damn it. Relying on nothing but brute strength...!"
Michael retreated, his face twisted in disgust.
"You don't get it. Brute strength is always the strongest."
The essence of the Demon Soul Sword lay in the Hegemonic Path.
It wasn't flashy enough to make eyes pop, nor was it textbook, but it boasted a ruthless offensive power that completely crushed any form of technique.
Crackle!
Streams of Sword Aura erupted from the two blades.
The black aura completely enveloped the blades, surging nearly a meter high.
A power of a different caliber.
Wielding Sword Aura so freely was no easy feat, even for someone like Michael.
Jinhyuk accelerated.
Clang!
Clash!
Boom! Boom!
Brilliant sparks flew every time their blades clashed.
Face, neck, heart, solar plexus.
Every single strike targeted a lethal vital point.
Thus, a single moment of carelessness or a minor mistake would result in instant death.
There was no time to blink.
No room to even draw a breath.
He could only anticipate danger through his hyper-alert senses and the countless battles of his past.
Faster.
Just a little faster...
Jinhyuk gripped Fang in a reverse hold and swung the Twin Dragon Sword in a wide arc.
As if expecting it, Michael angled his rapier defensively.
Screeech!
The deflection of the trajectory was inevitable.
But this wasn't the end.
Using an off-beat tempo, Jinhyuk slipped in a second strike.
Fang instantly slid up the angled blade of the rapier.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Once, twice, and then three times.
"This is...!"
Michael frantically tried to move his rapier, but he was a step too late.
Spinning like a pinwheel, Fang swept across Michael's neck.
However...
Damn it.
Despite landing the blow, Jinhyuk's expression was grim.
It wasn't a direct hit.
...Too shallow.
The sensation transmitted to his hand wasn't the slicing of bone, but merely the peeling of a few layers of skin.
It was absurd, but in that split second, Michael had tilted his head back to dodge the brunt of the attack.
What a monster.
Jinhyuk thought his own reaction speed was second to none, but this guy was no pushover either.
"..."
Red droplets of blood pattered onto the snow.
Michael slowly raised his hand.
He wiped the wound on his neck.
What stained his fingers was unmistakably blood.
"My, my... you continue to surprise me. To think a mere human who hasn't even been chosen yet could wound me."
Now looking half-resigned, Michael wore a bitter smile.
"I think I understand a little now why Alice chose you."
Indeed. With this level of strength, it was only natural to be confident.
Even among vampires, there probably weren't many who could defeat Jinhyuk in a one-on-one fight.
Even if that opponent was a member of the clan head's direct guard, the 'Black Wings'...
However...
"Do not grow arrogant as if you have already won, though. I may have to push myself, but I have not shown all my cards yet either."
Michael's voice sank low.
At the same time, the aura radiating from his body turned incomparably colder than before.
[Michael uses Lv. ?? 'Moon-Shrouding Claw'!]
Michael's hands stained black.
Rumble!
His slender, pale fingers had transformed into beastly claws.
The smoldering, blazing black flames looked far more menacing than when he held his rapier.
Is he finally getting serious?
Jinhyuk swallowed hard.
Tingle! Tingle! Tingle!
A sharp, tingling pressure pressed against his skin.
He's definitely on another level now that he's serious.
No matter how much Alice's magic power was restricted and how she lacked her favorite relics, a True Ancestor was still a True Ancestor.
It meant she could sweep away almost any enemy.
In fact, hadn't the Hungry Ghosts been annihilated, unable to withstand even a single blow from her?
Yet, the fact that Michael had fought and defeated Alice single-handedly meant he was a monster of an entirely different scale.
He was likely stronger than any enemy Jinhyuk had faced so far.
But he was a mountain that had to be crossed anyway.
Besides...
The longer this drags on, the more disadvantaged I'll be.
Michael didn't know that Jinhyuk had absorbed the essence to temporarily boost his magic power, but once the time limit expired, the gap between them would widen uncontrollably.
In other words...
To settle this, he had to force Michael to expend all of his magic power, even the portion reserved for recovery.
Only then could he deliver a fatal blow and finish him off for good.
Whether aware of Jinhyuk's thoughts or not, Michael extended his claws with a confident expression.
"As a sign of recognizing you as an enemy, I have brought out something fitting."
"You look like a total wild beast. You called me brute-brained, but it looks like you're the most primitive one here."
"I admit it lacks elegance. But what can I do? Wearing clothes that do not fit makes keeping up with you far too exhausting."
"Hearing that from such a hooooonorable noble makes me feel absolutely flattered."
Watching Jinhyuk continue to sneer, Michael tilted his head slightly.
He stared intently at Jinhyuk, as if sizing him up.
More precisely, he seemed to be staring at Jinhyuk's lips...
"Hmm. Yes, it would be best to rip that mouth off. It is beyond annoying; it has become unbearable."
A sudden chill.
Goosebumps broke out.
Whoosh!
Jinhyuk quickly ducked his head.
In a split second that was practically simultaneous.
The beastly claws tore through the empty air.
"Your reaction speed is top-notch as well."
"Keep your mouth shut when you fight. You might bite your tongue."
Lowering his stance, Jinhyuk gripped Fang tightly.
From below...
...to above.
The dagger thrust upward like lightning.
But then...
Michael caught Fang barehanded with his right hand.
"First, that's one dealt with."
Jinhyuk's arm trembled.
He was no match in grip strength. Despite having 'Giant's Grasp' active, Michael's strength was far superior.
Clash!
Jinhyuk launched a counterattack with the Twin Dragon Sword in his other hand, but that too was caught.
Crackle!
Sword Aura and Dark Aura clashed, eating away at each other's magic power.
The corners of Michael's mouth curled upward.
"With this, both of your toys have been taken. What will you do now? Your only means of attack are completely blocked."
This was dangerous.
If things continued like this...
His hesitation didn't last long.
Abandoning both the Twin Dragon Sword and Fang, Jinhyuk summoned his subspace inventory.
Emerging from the shimmering space was...
...another relic crafted from the Spirit Beast Pentagris.
The 'Molar'.
While Michael's hands were occupied holding Fang and the Twin Dragon Sword, a brief opening presented itself.
It was a split second, lasting less than a single second, but...
...that was more than enough.
For a veteran, a one-second opening was practically an eternity.
"I don't know why you're under such a delusion..."
A brilliant flash of light gathered on the tautly drawn bowstring.
"...but I'm also confident in mid-to-long-range combat without a sword."
[Lv. 7 'Daylight' has been activated!]
[Lv. 3 'Crimson Magic Bullet' has been activated!]
As the skills activated, his vision was dyed pure white.