Chapter 165
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Falling Flowers (3)
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We'd cleared the path, but I had no intention of charging inside without any preparation.
"Bianca, take the front."
In terms of physical ability, she was the strongest among us.
Meaning she could react faster than anyone to any unexpected threats.
"Saintess in the middle."
Protecting the healer was basic protocol.
And positioning her in the center meant she could respond immediately no matter if injuries came from the front or rear.
"I'll bring up the rear."
Bianca and Lilith's abilities were specialized, so it made sense for me—with my magic and versatile unique skill—to cover the back and adapt to any situation.
Once we'd checked our positions, we each loosened up in our own ways and stepped beyond the wall.
"Alright, let's move in."
Wind Blade
A low-grade monster resembling a bat was sliced apart mid-flight by the wind blade.
Unlike what I'd feared, no traps or dangerous beasts appeared.
Just low-grade critters like that bat pup.
But the tension of not knowing what might lunge from the dark shadows gnawed at our stamina and nerves...
...until Bianca's words put an end to it.
"Dead end."
I followed and confirmed it for myself—a dead end, just as she said.
"..."
With a massive door standing at its terminus.
The door was made of some unknown metal, without even a handle.
"Teacher, I sense demonic energy beyond the door."
I nodded.
Even without the saintess pointing it out, the thick waves of demonic energy wafting through were unmistakable.
"Guess we have to open it."
Bianca placed her hands on both doors and pushed with all her might.
"...Nngh!!"
But the firmly sealed door refused to budge.
"Hah... hah... this thing's heavy..."
"Together. I'll take the right side."
I stepped forward, activated Body Reinforcement, and shoved both hands against the door.
Kreeee—
As Bianca and I pushed in unison, the door ground open slowly with an eerie metallic screech.
"...What the hell is that."
Through the widening gap, Bianca squinted, glaring inside at something she'd spotted.
...And it stared right back at her.
"Bianca, look away!!"
The moment I spotted its crimson glowing eyes, I shouted—but it was too late.
"...Ugh... uaa... aa... n-no...!!"
Bianca, who'd met its gaze head-on, clutched her head and collapsed in place.
'...Of all the damn luck!'
I'd anticipated a fake boss from past runs, but the dice had rolled the absolute worst outcome.
I'd played Academy's Tamer countless times, but I'd only encountered that thing as a fake boss twice.
And both times...
'It wrecked me completely...'
As I clenched my fist, the creature rose, spear in hand.
A knight clad head to toe in red armor, eyes blazing scarlet.
The embodiment of corruption—born from a human body greedily devouring monstrous power, gorging on demonic energy time and again.
'...Death Knight.'
Pure combat prowess placed it in the top tiers of high-grade monsters.
And this one even wielded corrupting power—not full "Revived Corruption," but enough to amplify negative emotions.
I bit my lip, stepping between Bianca and the Death Knight.
Sure, I'd lost to it before, but that was old data.
With my current specs, I could handle it somehow.
'But...'
That assumed facing it alone. If Bianca rampaged here, we were done.
'...Calming Bianca comes first—before the Death Knight.'
Judgment made, I shouted to Lilith.
"Saintess, defense please—hold it off!"
"Yes! Got it!"
On cue, the Death Knight charged, spear gripped tight.
Boom—!
A translucent barrier halted its thrust.
"Nngh!!"
Lilith had deployed her final unique ability: defense.
Healing, purification, defense.
Lilith's innate powers.
Any one would mark her as elite talent—but she had all three.
"T-Teacher!! I... Lilith... can't... hold... much... longer!!"
Lilith squeezed her eyes shut as she spoke. I nodded.
"...N-no... don't... Eugene... don't... aban...don me..."
"Bianca!"
Bianca trembled violently, clinging to me.
At least she still recognized me—that meant it wasn't the worst stage yet.
"...Eu... Eugene... Eugene... don't go... don't leave me... I... I was wrong."
"Bianca! Don't let the nightmare swallow you."
"...You... you're... going to... aban...don me."
I grabbed her chin, kissed her roughly, and plunged my tongue in, licking every corner like savoring her completely.
"...Mmmph... smooch... mmmph..."
I kept at it until we were breathless, and life slowly returned to Bianca's eyes.
"...Hah... Eugene..."
"Remember this, Bianca. No matter what, I'll never abandon you."
"...Yeah..."
Her wits returning, Bianca flushed red.
Normally, I'd drag her straight to bed—but the situation was dire.
"Bianca, you okay now?"
"...Yeah."
"Good. I want more, but we're busy. Rest here."
As I stood, Bianca grabbed my wrist.
"...Bianca?"
"I'll do it."
"Don't push yourself."
"Not pushing. I can really do this."
Her eyes held only truth.
"...Hah... Fine. But pull back the second it feels like too much."
"Yeah. Got it."
Bianca rose, rolled her neck, and strode forward.
Bang—! Bang—! Bang—!
Meanwhile, cracks began spiderwebbing across the barrier under the Death Knight's frenzy.
"...So that fucking illusion was your doing, huh."
Bianca ground her teeth, glaring at the Death Knight.
"T-Teacher! Can't... hold... any... more...!"
"...No need. Drop the barrier."
"...For... real?!"
Shatter—!
The barrier vanished in a burst, and Bianca kicked off the ground.
"You're dead!"
Her purple hair whipping as she leaped, mana cloaked her form.
The Death Knight thrust its spear precisely—but Bianca blasted mana to pivot midair, diving into its guard.
Closing in, it discarded the spear for its sword, but Bianca anticipated, slapping the flat away.
"Doesn't work! You fucking bastard!!"
Boom—!
Her fist slammed dead-center into its chest.
A normal foe would've died instantly, caved in the shape of her knuckles—but it was undead.
The Death Knight, feeling no pain, pressed the attack.
Thud—!
Balancing on one foot, Bianca twisted paper-thin past the blade.
Boom—!
Using the spin, her heel smashed the Death Knight's head.
Its helm flew off, revealing a corpse-head blazing red.
"Ugly piece of shit."
Was it her words or the exposed face?
Enraged, the Death Knight roared and lunged—but Bianca, fist cocked and waiting, drove it home with pinpoint accuracy.
Its red armor shattered; it staggered back.
"Where you running, you shit?!"
Another punch rocketed out.
Bang—!
The ruined armor could no longer block.
"..."
The Death Knight stared at the gaping hole in its chest, then slowly knelt.
"Hmph, trash talking big."
As it crumbled to dust, only black demonic energy remained.
Bianca smirked smugly, just like at first sight.
"How was that?"
"...Brilliant."
I meant every word.
The Bianca I knew couldn't have overwhelmed a Death Knight like that.
At least, not the one who'd fought me.
But this Bianca toyed with it like a child.
It showed how much she'd honed herself over the past year.
"Hmph, obviously! Who do you think I am?"
"Great work, Bianca. Take a breather."
"Yeah. Got it."
I stroked her head, then eyed the demonic energy.
"Saintess, purify that for us."
"Right away, Teacher!"
Lilith scampered over and channeled purification.
'Meanwhile, I've got...'
While she handled cleanup, I pressed deeper, searching for our original goal: the host.
'...Not here?'
But no matter where I looked, no sign of it.
"...Where the hell is it."
"Teacher! Purification done!"
"Good work. Now help me search for the host..."
Chill—
Suddenly, every hair stood on end, my heart flooding with terror.
'That thing' descending from the ceiling radiated demonic energy so savage and refined, the Death Knight paled in comparison.
"...You..."
Despair hit the instant I recognized it.
And the hesitation it bred.
It didn't miss the opening.
Boom—!
By the time I snapped to, its sword was swinging at me.
'Can't dodge...'
The moment it slashed, I sensed death.
No method I had could escape that arc.
"...Eu... gene...!"
Then, Bianca's small hand shoved me with all her might...
And she stood in my place.
"...Bianca!"
Just before its blade cleaved her, Bianca smiled.
A satisfied smile, like she'd fulfilled her duty.
It swung.
...Hot blood sprayed my cheek.