The pale blue flame that first smoldered around Claude suddenly surged before completely enveloping him. The flames grew more intense by the moment and eventually flames covered his entire body instead of ashes.
Flames leaked from the gaps and cracks in his bone armor, making him appear to be the embodiment of fire itself. However, a skull could still be seen floating in the flames around his head. It seemed that this skull was indeed his core and his main weakness.
And, just like always, the semi-transparent Catherine clung to his back. Although Claude was engulfed in flames, I wondered if she felt no heat? Or maybe she was adjusted to not be affected by it? Or maybe it didn’t affect her at all? Strangely enough, such trivial thoughts occupied my mind at this crucial moment.
“Genjuro and the others, fall back. It’s Eiji and Karl’s turn now. Don’t overdo it you wo.”
“If I die, we’ll be down one shield, won’t we?”
“Grrrrrr!”
“Usaji and Moth-san, you too. Stay calm and steady please.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not the type to get heated by battle.”
“Of course. I aim to get through this with everyone alive.”
I wholeheartedly agreed with Moth-san’s last words. Claude was the strongest opponent we had faced so far, yet we had somehow managed to get him to use his “Ultimate Technique”. Unless there was some exception, making him use his trump card was a huge step. Let’s keep going like this!
With Eiji leading the charge, shield at the ready, he closed the distance to Claude. During this time, the latter enveloped his sword blade and the head of his halberd in flickering pale blue flames. Is this some kind of skill related to [Enchantment]?
“Booooooooo! Great Shield Bash!”
[Hmph!]
“Ah! Hot hot hot!”
Eiji fearlessly attacked with a martial technique related to the [Shield Mastery] skill, only for Claude to block with his sword, causing Eiji’s shield to rapidly heat up! How high could the temperature be?
It might be just an illusion on Eiji’s part to feel the heat inside a game, but there was no mistaking that the shield had been damaged. The shield was supposed to be resistant to magic, but the fact that those pale blue flames had penetrated it meant that they were no ordinary flames.
“It seems to pass through, but it still deals some damage.”
“It will tough on me with my bare hands, that’s for sure.”
Physical attacks seemed to have little effect as usual. Moreover, with his transformation from ash to flame, Claude had become the worst possible match for Moth-san, who fought with his claws and wings. For those like Moth-san and Shishu who relied on their own physical bodies to fight, such situations were especially difficult.
I increased our resistance to fire with magic, and Wool’s cries increased our general resistance to magic. And combined with Mikelo’s healing, the damage had not piled up significantly. Still, the potential for increased firepower from our opponent meant we couldn’t let our guard down.
“Gaoooooooooooooooooo!”
Karl, who also fought using his body, continued to fight while ignoring the scorching of his scales. His ability to push forward was due to his defensive skills like [Health Enhancement], [Defense Enhancement], [Dragon Scales,] and [Regeneration]. I told him not to push himself too hard though… should I scold him about this later?
However, Karl’s desire to push his limits allowed us to hold our own in a situation where it would have been difficult for Eiji alone to keep the enemy’s aggro. But this approach, which relied on Karl’s courage, was not sustainable in the long run. Besides, my magic power was dwindling after the long battle. I couldn’t support everyone indefinitely, and it seemed time to consider using our “Ultimate Techniques” or “Secret Arts” to end the battle.
“Brother, we’ll be ramping up the pace from now on. Be ready to use your ‘Ultimate Technique’ at any moment.”
“Heheh, that’s more like it!”
Jigoro responded with his usual cheerfulness. Despite everything, he was a man who loved to give his all in battle so perhaps that’s why he had so much pent-up anger.
Even as we spoke, Eiji and the others continued their fight. The mysterious depletion of their health continued and it was almost time for a switch. If that’s the case, let’s have them use their “Ultimate Techniques” before doing so.
“Let’s go, all three of you!”
“…. Alright then, I’ll start. [Dance of Blades: Mirage]!”
Usaji, who quickly understood my intention, was the first to use her “Ultimate Technique”. What began as leisurely movements gradually increased in speed until they were too fast for the naked eye to follow.
This “Ultimate Technique” involved a sword dance that varied in speed as she swung her curved blades, making it extremely difficult to predict due to its unique movements. The unpredictable blades started flickering like a mirage and beautifully breached Claude’s defenses before slicing through his armor and flesh. As expected, it had little effect on the flames, but the last stroke of the sword reached his skull.
[Nuah! Flash Blade Guard!]
“Not so fast! [True: Unyielding Shield]!”
The blow to the head seemed to be effective and it visibly reduced Claude’s health. When Claude tried to counterattack with his sword in that opening after Usaji’s “Ultimate Technique” ended, Eiji’s own “Ultimate Technique” intercepted it perfectly.
Its effect was overwhelming defensive power coupled with returning damage. Although it only activated against the first attack received after it was invoked, it provided an unshakable defense capable of withstanding even superior opponents’ blows while returning their attacks. When used at the right moment, it was a formidable “Ultimate Technique”.
The attack that Eiji intercepted was Claude’s martial technique aimed at Usaji. The sword was imbued with a pale blue flame, so it was easy to guess its power. The returning damage caused the flames surrounding Claude’s figure to flicker violently, and his stance was also thrown into disarray.
“Now’s my chance! [Crimson Wing Slash]!”
Seizing the opportunity, Moth-san unleashed his “Ultimate Technique”. His four wings turned a deep crimson color and started shining like metal. He then swooped down on Claude’s head like a cannonball.
Claude tried to knock the wing down with his halberd, but the trajectory of the attack twisted at the last moment, avoiding a direct hit. The shaft of the halberd grazed the edge of the wing, which prevented a fatal blow to the head. However, just like Usaji, Moth-san managed to inflict damage just by grazing his target.
[You’ll pay for this…!]
“Fall back, all three of you! Karl!”
Ignoring Claude’s strained voice, the three of them ran away as fast as they could. They sensed what Karl was about to do.
“GuooooaaAAAAAAAH!!!”
“Whooaaaaa?!”
“…If we’d been caught in that, we might’ve been vaporized.”
“Ah?! Eiji-kun!”
From high above, Karl unleashed the stored power of his [Dragon Breath]. A black torrent that was powerful enough to obliterate someone like me in an instant poured down on Claude with terrifying force and pressure.
Though the trio had fled in a hurry, the least agile of them, Eiji, couldn’t escape the blast’s reach and was blown toward us. He seemed ready to fall headfirst in a trajectory straight out of a gag manga, but thanks to Iris’ tendrils, Nenashi’s vines, and Mikelo’s timely intervention, he was spared serious damage.
“GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”
Karl’s [Dragon Breath] which was capable of blowing away the hefty Eiji with just its aftershock was met head-on by Claude, who fought back with every fiber of his being. He started swinging his sword and halberd with fervor and scattered the fearsome blast with the sheer force of his swings.
Between Karl, whose attack required full defense from a level 80+ enemy, and Claude, who managed to fend off such an attack even as he became increasingly worn down, it was hard to decide who to admire more.
“[Warhawk’s Brave Arrow]~~ssu!”
“Then, I’m goin’ in too! [Transcendent Clone]!”
“[Breaker Sonic Wave]~. Meeeh~”
“Not sure if it’d work, but… [Goddess’s Mischief]”
“I wish I had any combat-related ‘ultimate technique’…”
“Fighting isn’t really our main job, after all.”
However, none of us had the intention of going easy on our opponent just because of his impressive display. While Karl was busy with his [Dragon Breath], the rear guard launched their attacks one after the other.
Shio’s arrow whistled through the air like a jet, accompanied by white feather-like effects, while Seventh Armor summoned a more powerful clone of himself for a brief moment. Wool’s sonic waves shattered the armor and shook Claude’s body, while Mikelo invoked Lady Yifa’s blessing to randomly weaken the enemy.
Since Iris and Shiitake lacked combat “Ultimates Techniques”, they stuck to their usual tactic of throwing items, which, as Shiitake pointed out, was no problem at all given their indispensable contributions to their main job of production.
“Goooooooh…”
[Haa… Haa…]
“Why go to such lengths…”
After Karl’s [Dragon Breath] stopped, Claude was still standing on his legs, though battered and bruised. The flames had faded away from his body and the floating skull was so shattered that it was a miracle it still retained its original shape. Yet he stood firmly on his feet.
Despite the gruesome scene, his fighting spirit never wavered, even though he had no face to show any facial expressions. He never backed down or turned away, always trying to block everything. There were many times when it would have been wise to roll on the ground and take cover… What made him act like that?
Was it because it was a game? Programmed that way? While that might be true, the opponent was an AI with emotions no less real than those of a human. Wouldn’t it make sense for him to show fear or consider fleeing when faced with such overwhelming odds?
Instead, it felt more plausible to believe there was a reason he could never flee. It wasn’t just me who felt intimidated by his intense presence; Iris, who muttered to herself, and Jigoro, who wore an unusually serious expression, seemed to feel the same.
“Let’s go for it all at once! [Flying Thunder Strike]!”
“Finisher! [Heroic Ultimate Technique: Heaven-Piercing Earth-Shattering]!”
Despite this, we were not about to retreat Roja, crackling with lightning all over his body, soared through the air to attack, while Hanna unleashed a series of attacks with her halberd using the “Heroic Ultimate Technique” that could only be used by those who were recognized by many people as a hero.
After winning the pairs category in the first martial arts tournament, she was recognized as a hero not only by the players but also by the resident NPCs who watched the event. This recognition qualified her to acquire that ultimate technique.
“[Beast Possession]! Uoooooh!”
While Hana and the others attacked from above, Sei had been closing in with a low stance. He wasn’t mounted because he was using his new “Ultimate Technique” that merged his familiars with his gear.
The wolf Phil, fused with the armor and the fairy Tess, with the staff, which granted Sei the agility of a wolf and a weapon imbued with the light element. Cloaked in a wolf-like armor that emitted white phosphorescence, he swiftly closed the distance and swung his staff at the target’s head with an upward scoop.
Crack!
The halberd that intercepted Sei’s staff broke in half. It was a weapon that had continued to fend off our fierce attacks, but it seemed it could not withstand this last blow.
[Oooooooh!]
“O-Oh my!?”
“Guaaah!?”
“Damn! Missed the final blow!”
When Claude let out a roar akin to that of a beast, the intensity of the pale blue flames surged. Hanna and Roja hastily retreated, but the flames scorched Hana’s leg and Roja’s abdomen. While it wasn’t fatal, Hanna’s marker now displayed an icon indicating a missing limb. It would be difficult for her to fight even on horseback.
The attack, as desperate as it seemed, had considerable firepower. Only those who were immobilized or resistant to fire would not retreat from such an onslaught.
“[Asura’s Path]! Hahahahaha!”
It was Jigoro who charged towards the pale blue flames with his body emitting golden flames and lightning. The two flames collided, merged, and rose. Then they melted through the ceiling in an instant and went through it.
It was an “Ultimate Technique” that was perfect for Jigoro who desired battle. A few seconds after the two of them collided, the two-colored flames disappeared as if they had consumed each other.
After the clash, Jigoro leaped back towards us. Smoke was billowing from his entire body, so it seemed that his resistance was broken and he was damaged. In addition, his left arm had been severed from his upper arm. This was a serious injury that required Mikelo’s immediate attention.
Yet his reckless attack bore fruit. In his right hand, he clenched a sharp piece of metal. It was the broken tip of Claude’s sword. In the midst of the flames, he had managed to break Claude’s sword while sacrificing his left arm in the process.
“Hey, brother. The rest is up to you…”
“Mikelo! We need healing! Genjuro!”
“Leave it to me! [Ultimate Thrust]! Ooooooooooooooh!!”
With a fierce battle cry, Genjuro thrust the large spear he held with four arms forward. Thanks to the “Ultimate Technique” that increased speed and power when standing still, Genjuro thrust the spear at Claude’s head with a force that left no sound behind.
Claude tried to defend himself with his sword, but since Jigoro had broken it, his defense was a fraction of a second too late. Genjuro’s all-out thrust pierced right through Claude’s forehead.
[Noooooooooooooooooooo!!]
Victory was ours, or so everyone thought at that moment. Then Catherine who had just been smiling until now let out a sharp scream. Her scream turned into a shock wave that blew us away and slammed us against the wall behind us.
Leave a Reply