Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Duel (2)
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As expected, Maier Venice was no pushover.
He was, after all, a Hero candidate from a previous class.
He must have continued training even after graduating, so it was only natural he'd be strong.
Of course, that fact wasn't particularly important.
I, too, had trained relentlessly and joined the ranks of the strong.
You could say the difference was paper-thin.
The problem was that the paper was a bit thick, but I'd just have to tear it down piece by piece.
“You're better than I thought. But where did all that initial bravado go?”
“……”
As I fought defensively, probing his moves,
he never stopped his scornful taunts.
I had more than enough energy to retort,
but I didn't feel he was worth the effort, so I silently parried his attacks.
“How long do you think you can last?”
He was telling me to struggle while I still had the strength.
Yeah, not listening. I'm going to crush you at my own pace.
“It seems you're aiming for something. But it's nothing more than a futile struggle!”
An unusual surge of mana.
Maier had started using his techniques in earnest.
He enchanted his weapon with magic and unleashed a merciless barrage of Sword Ki.
There was no opening to escape.
Then I had no choice but to face it head-on.
Intermediate spirits seeped into Jace's exclusive weapon.
A massive shockwave erupted.
It wasn't a completely clean block, but I managed to defend well enough.
He seemed displeased that I was still standing.
He scowled in annoyance.
“That sword of yours saved you. Tsk, how annoying.”
What's the problem? What's wrong with having good gear?
Your weapon is an A-rank magic sword or better, isn't it?
Well, as he said, my weapon's performance was far superior.
I actively used that advantage, attempting counterattacks from time to time.
Mind's Eye, activate.
I matched the opponent's movements,
but Maier read my response and sharply pressed his attack.
The problem was that damn magic of his.
He cast Haste on himself, closing the distance a beat faster.
Even though I knew it was coming, I kept getting hit.
Wounds began to accumulate all over my body,
but I paid them no mind and focused my spirit.
Maier was the mild version.
The real spice would be Cedric, so I was glad to get a preview.
“What's with that look in your eyes? Do you still think you have a chance?”
“Why wouldn't I? In the end, I'll be the one laughing.”
“───!!”
He growled like a beast,
and as if he was done holding back, he unleashed his family's ultimate techniques.
I narrowly avoided fatal wounds, but the damage steadily accumulated.
The sharp sword wind tore through my uniform,
and crimson blood dripped from all over my body.
I had to admit it.
He was an opponent I couldn't beat by normal means.
I endured and endured.
My mana consumption was severe, but the same was true for him.
No, strictly speaking, I had the advantage.
My skills and traits allowed my mana to recover quickly.
By luring him into a battle of attrition, my chances of winning gradually increased.
Belatedly realizing something was wrong, Maier shouted fiercely.
“How are you still standing? Just what is it that makes you so desperate!”
“How can I simply overlook an unjust situation?”
“What?”
“As expected, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. In any case, I have no intention of surrendering. You picked the wrong opponent.”
“───!!”
His eyes widened as if he couldn't comprehend,
then he fiercely drew up his mana, as if to end it once and for all.
“Alright, let's see how long you can keep up that arrogant act.”
A chilling voice.
No more words were needed.
Dozens of exchanges occurred in the blink of an eye.
The slightest lapse in concentration would leave a hole in my body.
Before, I wouldn't have been able to keep up with that speed, but now was different.
Absolute Perfection.
Jace's exclusive skill shone.
Even when faced with countless crises, it always found the best possible move.
Still, I was only just holding on, and the shadow of defeat loomed ever larger.
As time passed, I was becoming a wreck.
With about thirty percent of my health and mana left, I gripped my sword tightly.
It was about time to use ‘that’.
The S-rank skill I received as a season pass reward.
Its activation conditions were quite strict,
and it was a problematic skill in many ways, but for this moment, it was perfect.
[Berserk]
[Drastically accelerates the flow of mana to maximize physical abilities]
[Lv 1/10 All stats increase by 30%. Duration: 10 minutes]
[Activation Condition: Can be activated at will when health drops below 30%]
[Penalty: Enters a state of exhaustion for one week. Combat stats decrease by 50%]
As you can see, it had many problems.
Above all, the penalty was far too severe.
It was a skill that couldn't be used on a battlefield with constant fighting.
When a commander of the Demon King's Army appeared,
it was meant to be used as a last resort when my comrades reached their limit.
Well, this was also a situation where I didn't need to think about the aftermath.
Without hesitation, I boldly activated Berserk.
[Due to the effect of the exclusive skill ‘Absolute Perfection’, the penalty is reduced by half]
[Due to the effect of the exclusive skill ‘Absolute Perfection’, the abnormal status ‘Madness’ is negated]
Originally, Berserk was a double-edged sword.
One would usually lose their reason and rampage like a berserker, but this body's perfection offset the side effects.
Even the penalty was drastically reduced.
It was mitigated far more than I expected. This changed things.
I might not use it often, but I could certainly use it from time to time.
In any case, thanks to the effects of Berserk, I became stronger than my opponent.
Normally, I'd still be at a disadvantage, but Maier had already used up a good deal of his strength.
Contempt for the Weak, on.
With this, my chances of victory skyrocketed.
It was a truly perfect skill combination.
Now, I'll end my turn.
If you have a trump card, hurry up and play it.
I watched Maier leisurely.
Did he notice the sudden surge in my aura?
He recoiled in shock, as if terrified, and took a step back.
“Th-this is… impossible!”
A piercing cry.
His shout was almost a scream.
I passed the turn to him, and all he does is deny reality.
Looks like he has no trump card. Then he'll just have to take a beating.
It's a shame, but the world of combat is a cruel one.
You've been bullying an innocent junior all this time, haven't you?
I'll pay you back… no, I'll pay you back with interest, and then some.
The duration of Berserk was very short,
but ten minutes was more than enough time to defeat him and even dig a nice grave.
My body felt much lighter.
My fighting spirit burned hot.
Perhaps because of Berserk, I was feeling incredibly HIGH.
“From now on, I won't spend a single second finishing you off.”
“───!!”
The line just slipped out.
At that, the color drained from Maier's face.
He reacted as if he had no idea what I meant, which seemed to frighten him even more.
A legendary line that will go down in history, blah, blah, blah…
I ignored the system window's message and immediately kicked off the ground.
There are no exceptions.
I will eliminate anything that stands in my way.
***
Everything was going according to plan.
The moment the duel was set, Maier smiled.
This was the first time he had met Jace.
He had no personal feelings for him, but the mere fact that he was the heir to the Crodain Family was enough to stir hatred.
And for good reason.
Everyone from the Crodain Family was insufferable.
They acted high and mighty, openly looking down on other families.
In reality, it was just their inferiority complex that created such a delusion,
but Maier accepted it as the absolute truth.
This was a rare opportunity.
He could afford to be a little rough.
‘He'll thank me for it.’
The heir to the Venice Family.
Cedric had shown his displeasure, but Maier was sure he was inwardly pleased.
He had done his own research.
Jace's existence was bound to provoke Cedric.
Looking at his record so far, he was practically a natural enemy.
It was as if his dantian had never been broken.
Not only was he regaining his strength at a phenomenal rate, but he also had many followers despite his reckless behavior.
At this rate, he would be a threat.
Soon, he would spread his wings so wide that there would be no chance to even touch him.
This duel was a gamble in many ways,
but on the premise of victory, there was far more to gain.
The stigma of bullying a weaker opponent would quickly fade.
With that mindset, Maier entered the duel.
Despite the fierce onslaught he unleashed, Jace held on surprisingly well.
He had expected him to be no ordinary A-rank, but he was showing more than that.
‘I see… so this is why Cedric is wary of him…’
Despite the clear gap in skill, he showed no fear of defeat.
Far from wavering, he simply met the attacks with perfect composure.
Well, it was just a futile struggle.
The difference between A-rank and S-rank was absolute. As time went on, his limits would be exposed.
“……”
He had been so sure, yet Jace refused to fall.
The fight should have been over by now, but for some reason, he kept holding on.
Suddenly, an ominous thought crossed his mind.
Surely, I won't be the one to tire out first, will I?
He had already used more than half of his mana.
It was a situation that couldn't help but breed a sense of crisis.
Of course, he wouldn't lose, but even a draw would be…
No, the very act of dragging this on was already a failure.
An A-rank fighting valiantly against an S-rank.
It was a picture that highlighted Jace's performance.
‘That would be a problem…’
He couldn't delay any longer. He had to end it now, even if it meant pushing himself.
Just as he steeled his resolve, Jace's aura suddenly changed.
The dignity of the strong.
He felt like an untouchable being.
It wasn't just a feeling.
The senses of an S-rank never lied.
‘He was hiding his strength all this time?’
Various speculations came to mind, but there was no way to confirm them at the moment.
All that mattered now was the fact that the roles of the strong and the weak had been reversed…
“From now on, I won't spend a single second finishing you off.”
“───!!”
An overwhelming spirit overflowed from his entire body.
The immense pressure was almost visible to the naked eye.
Maier swallowed hard.
Perhaps… had he picked a fight with someone he never should have touched?
He realized it too late.
The heir of the Crodain Family was on a completely different level…
It was too late for regrets.
Before he knew it, Jace's counterattack had begun in earnest.
He was still in a state of confusion,
but he couldn't just stand there and take it.
Maier instinctively deflected the opponent's attack.
“Kuhk…”
His very first move was read.
Far from parrying, he was caught off guard by a sharp, penetrating attack.
His speed had increased, to be sure,
but the power behind it was also unbearable.
He almost lost his grip on his sword.
A single exchange felt like it would tear his hand apart.
Maier gritted his teeth and drew upon all the strength he had been saving.
That was how extraordinary his opponent's aura was.
He felt that a single slip-up would be the end of him.
Was this what it felt like when one's life was on the line?
A creeping fear.
He tried to ignore the feeling, but as time passed, it was just one despair after another.
There were no openings.
He couldn't even think of attacking.
Like he was caught in a net, all he could do was flail.
Should he admit defeat?
He had already sustained numerous wounds, big and small. Maybe he should retreat now…
‘No, I absolutely cannot!’
Maier denied reality.
He was almost at his limit, but his opponent must be in the same state.
Just as he squeezed out the last of his mana for a final offensive,
Jace's Sword Ki filled the area and poured down from all directions.
“───!!”
It was like a massive tidal wave was crashing down.
There was no way to defend against such a natural disaster.
The pain of his body being torn to shreds.
The power was so unimaginable that he couldn't even scream.
A monster on a different level…
With that final thought, Maier lost consciousness.