“[Dragon Force] activate.”
My ultimate trump card had always been the [Dragon Force] skill. This skill was incredibly powerful, yet I had only used it once before due to its stringent conditions. I vividly recall how it obliterated the remaining health of the mountain king in a single blow.
“Indeed, this feels just like that time.”
The sensation of everything around me, except myself, moving incredibly slowly was the same as when I had activated it during my battle with the mountain king. Surely, my strength and agility had increased tremendously.
However, there were differences this time. One was that my rate of health recovery seemed slightly faster. This implied that the effective duration of the [Dragon Force] would be shorter. Well then, I should finish this quickly.
“Swap the staff, and… Shall we go?”
I switched my staff back to my favorite “Staff of Hourai” and prepared to engage in close combat with the angel. Let’s see how strong I have become.
“Wha, so fast!?”
It seemed like I was charging at the White Exusiai with astonishing speed. I say ‘seemed like’ because, from my perspective, my speed hadn’t changed. The feeling of moving swiftly while everyone else lags behind brought me a sense of superiority.
“Hmph! Nuooh… Ryaaah!”
After striking the angel’s exposed torso with my staff, I swiftly brought down my scythe. This alone left the White Exusiai barely clinging to life, though that didn’t seem to be enough to defeat it. So, with a quick turnaround, I slashed upwards with the scythe, delivering the final blow.
Indeed, it appears that I have become overwhelmingly powerful against an enemy of equal rank. Even though I’m not adept at close combat, the fact that I was overpowering a magic swordsman like the White Exusiai leaves no room for doubt.
[Wh-what is that!? How can someone like you use such a skill!? How did you!?]
“It’s because I’ve acquired this skill.”
[That’s not an answer! Come on, next! Next!]
I had no reason to go out of my way to politely explain things to her, nor did I have the time. The time limit is gradually drawing closer. Unlike you, I’m not one to carelessly spill the beans! …Probably.
Having defeated the second White Exusiai, it seemed I wouldn’t be forgiven easily. Earle, perhaps infuriated by her minions being easily defeated, summoned the next angel without her usual “divine effects”. Quite sloppy, I must say.
“Then, onto the next experiment. Star Magic Circle Activation, Dark Lance.”
The next experiment was, of course, to test the power of my magic spells. For a thorough comparison, I used the same dark lance spell I used earlier. This time, five even larger dark lances appeared, and I launched them all at the new White Exusiai.
“Uwaa… that’s overkill…” Seventh Armor muttered.
There were five large dark lances, and the angel also had the [Dark Weakness] skill, yet I myself was surprised at how easily the White Exusiai was defeated. Hey, hey, isn’t this a bit too powerful? Seventh Armor’s voice was tinged with more disbelief than admiration.
[B-Bastard!]
“Still coming? Then, onto the next experiment.”
I decided to conduct a third experiment. This time, I decided to use a part of me that hadn’t been present when I last activated the [Dragon Force] skill. That part was, of course…
“Is that… a tail…?”
As Moth-san just pointed out, it was indeed a tail. He was aware that I possessed a tail and had just seen me defeat an enemy with it. Yet we both shared a sense of astonishment.
Why was this? There were several reasons. The tail had become overall thicker and longer, with the bone protrusions, except for the tip, sharpening to resemble a collection of blades. The spike at the tip could now extend nearly twice its usual length and had spiraled like a narwhal’s horn. Altogether, it had transformed into a menacing and vicious appearance.
As I marveled at the tail’s transformation, the summoned White Exusiai rapidly closed the distance between us. I swung my tail to intercept it. The opponent was no slouch either and swung its swords to block the tail… but at that moment, both swords shattered into pieces.
[No way!]
“Ooh… this is beyond my expectations, but there’s no need to hold back.”
I then decisively thrust my tail at the White Exusiai, and with a swift motion, flung it towards a wall. This was no ordinary wall; I had strategically placed a [Trap Magic] spell there just before the battle with the first angel began.
The trap contained a magic bomb spell of the [Explosion Magic]. While [Explosion Magic] includes landmines that can be used as traps, these can only be installed on the ground. However, by employing [Trap Magic] I could set traps on walls and ceilings, which I had done in this instance. The trade-off, however, was a significant increase in magic power consumption, so it was necessary to use the skill carefully.
“…Huh?”
Even though the White Exusiai angel hit the wall, the [Trap Magic] spell I put inexplicably did not activate. What in the world is going on…?
Ah, I see. It must be because of the Arts Seal spell that negated the use of magic. It had previously undone my [Enchantment] and it seemed likely it could also disable [Trap Magic]. While I was slightly frustrated to have one of my strategies thwarted, it was more important to rejoice in the knowledge gained: when faced with the Arts Seal, [Trap Magic] would be nullified. After all, knowledge itself is a weapon.
“Then it’s no longer of use.”
I struck the White Exusiai again with my tail, this time aiming for its head. Whether it was a weak point was unclear, but common sense suggested that completely destroying the head would usually result in the creature’s death. Though, given that this was a game, such logic might not hold.
[This is not the end!]
“Summoning another one, huh!?”
Even though she knew her angels were outmatched, Earle still summoned another White Exusiai. Her aim was undoubtedly to run out the clock. She knew about my [Dragon Force] skill, and thus, she probably knew its deactivation conditions too: either my health recovering beyond ten percent or the lapse of the three-minute time limit.
Even with my dramatic power-up, once the time ended, I would be reduced to nothing more than a near-death skeleton. Meanwhile, Earle seemed to be summoning angels at an almost unlimited rate. Considering this, it might be that we were actually at a disadvantage.
“Seems like it’s about time. Let’s end this.”
As I fended off the sword strikes of the fifth White Exusiai with my scythe and tail, I was simultaneously preparing for my next move. If asked what I was preparing for, I would undoubtedly respond that it was to unleash the “Dragon’s Breath”; this was a mighty move that could only be used once while the [Dragon Force] skill was active. But before executing that plan, there was one crucial question I needed to ask the goddess.
“Tell me, ‘Goddess of Light and Order’, Earle, what would happen if this temple were to collapse?”
[Of course, if that happens, I won’t be able to summon angels anymore… wait, y-you! Don’t tell me?!]
I smirked behind my silver mask. Just as I had suspected. Listening closely to Earle’s words revealed a key insight: it was the presence of this temple that enabled her to summon angels in rapid succession. Yet, even a child could understand that, given how much she had disclosed.
And it seemed my conjecture was indeed accurate. It was almost impossible not to laugh. With this, not only would the battle end, but I would also achieve my original goal of destroying the temple. It was a perfect case of killing two birds with one stone!
[Wait! Stop…!]
“Here I go, Dragon’s Breath!”
The instant I activated Dragon’s Breath, something resembling a thick black flame burst forth from my mouth. I describe it as “something” because this flame seemed to be a collection of spirits or ghosts, each one bearing an expression of agony on their faces
Of course, it might have just been my imagination. However my appearance well suited grudges and miasmas, so it wouldn’t be strange for my dragon’s breath to have such an unusual appearance.
But let’s leave that aside. My dragon’s breath pierced through the White Exusiai, shattered the main doors of the temple, and continued straight towards the gates of the city of Illeves.
Oh no. There are many players there right now, and likely a large number of NPC soldiers as well. I have no qualms about killing them at this point, but it would seem rather excessive after all that I have done, and I might feel somewhat guilty.
Moreover, making a big hole might not cause the temple to collapse. So, while continuing to emit Dragon’s Breath, I turned my face upwards. This action started to gouge the temple from the doors up to the ceiling.
The dragon’s breath ceased as I looked upwards. Simultaneously, I felt my strength drain away. It seemed the effects of the [Dragon Force] had worn off.
“…I’m really starting to doubt if you’re truly just another player like the rest of us.”
“I agree with Seventh Armor. It’s hard to tell who’s the villain here… well, we’ve been the villains from the start… yes, it was getting hard to tell who the boss enemy was.”
“Fufufu… now that you’ve seen this, you absolutely have to join us, you know?”
Just as I returned to my usual state, Seventh Armor and Moth-san each landed on my shoulder and staff, respectively, and began to speak. While I could understand Seventh Armor’s point of view, for me, Moth-san’s words were nothing but a compliment.
“Ohh, it looks like it’s about to collapse.”
“And it seems she can’t summon any more angels.”
“Right. Before we escape…”
[The temple… my temple…]
I stood in front of the now dimly lit statue of Earle in the temple that was on the verge of collapsing. The statue emitted a much weaker light compared to before. I addressed Earle, who seemed to be in a state of shock.
“Goddess Earle, has this conveyed my sincerity to you? This is the result of making an enemy of monster players. And this is my declaration of war…”
[Unforgivable!]
What?
[I will never forgive you! You! I don’t know where you are, but when I find you, I’ll crush you completely! Remember th…]
Before Earle could finish her sentence, falling debris crushed the statue she inhabited. It seemed that I had been recognized as an enemy before I could even formally declare war.
I accomplished my original goal. All that was left was to escape. The temple was in a state as if it had been slashed from the inside by a black sword, and if we dawdled, we too would end up buried under the rubble.
“Well, shall we head back? This should be the end of the event.”
“Hold on a minute! Before that, let’s skin this angel! We’re sure to find some valuable items, definitely!”
“I agree with Seventh Armor. We’re not in a race against time, and I’d like some rewards other than just experience points.”
“…You two are really shrewd. Let’s hurry then.”
And so, the three of us stripped items from the remains of the angel and left the city of Illeves. The effect of the Arts Seal, which had sealed our spells and techniques, finally wore off, and we were able to use Base Teleport for a swift return.
Thus, the event in which I had participated alone among my guild members came to an end. I gained new companions, expanded my network, and even acquired various items. Indeed, it had been a rewarding event!
――――――――――
You have won the battle.
Race level increased. Gained 1 SP.
Job level increased. Gained 1 SP.
The level of [Enchantment] skill has increased.
Newly learned the “element enhancement” spell.
You have obtained the title “Angel Slayer”.
You have obtained the title “Earle’s Enemy”.
――――――――――
*************
TN: She’ll come around. lol
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