Chapter 113: One-on-One Duel

In order to conserve my magic power, I deliberately summoned them without using the [Enchantment] skill. However, I still had a method to strengthen them.

“Undead Boost!”

“”””Clatter clatter clatter clatter!!””””

The skeletons I had summoned seemed to express their joy at being empowered by clattering their teeth. To some onlookers, this sight alone might be quite horrifying.

“Activate [Abyssal Aura] and [Eyes of Death and Chaos]. Go!”

Additionally, I released the [Abyssal Aura], which could induce various status ailments, and activated the [Eyes of Death and Chaos], which made my opponent more susceptible to abyssal magic. A dark mist-like substance emanated from my body, and red lights gleamed in my three eye sockets.

At the same time, I ordered the skeleton swordsmen to attack. Usuba’s level was probably not much different from mine. Therefore, the skeleton swordsman was like a small fry to him. Nevertheless, what if it was two against one, and with my support?

“”Clatter clatter clatter!””

“…Seems bad to touch it. Let’s go for some pricking attacks instead.”

Usuba dodged the strikes from the skeleton swordsmen and skillfully threw a knife in my direction. It had quite a speed, but it was deflected by the shield of the skeleton shield warrior that stood before me.

“Star Magic Circle Remote Activation, Thorn Whip!”

I activated the Thorns Whip, which wrapped around Usuba’s legs as he skillfully evaded the relentless attacks of the skeleton swordsmen. I didn’t have high expectations, though.

“How naive.”

“I thought as much. Now, Star Magic Circle Remote Activation, Black Thread.”

Usuba bent his body and swiftly cut through the thorns with the two daggers he had in his hands. However, I didn’t expect something like that to work. As my next move, I aimed to restrain him with my [Black Magic] skill which was my favorite.

“Fufufu… Magic won’t work on me, you know?”

“What!?”

To my surprise, Usuba sliced through the approaching black magical threads with his dagger. A blade that could cut through magic!? I never knew such a thing existed…

“As long as I have this, a mage can’t defeat me.”

“I wonder about that?… Back off! Star Magic Circle Activation, Spell Adjustment, Lava Shot!”

If he could cut through magic, I would just have to overwhelm him with a barrage. I instructed my minions to step back a bit and unleashed the Lava Shot spell toward Usuba.

“In that case, you just have to dodge, right?”

Even though five lava shots were fired at him, Usuba dodged them by moving between the gaps. He was just overconfident, though.

But thinking that only you could move with agility would be a big mistake. Do you think I haven’t had my fair share of battles with Jigoro and Genjuro, those two battle junkies?

“Hmph! Spell Adjustment, Acid Mist.”

“Guh!?”

I used the [Mist Magic] Acid Mist in a tight area that enveloped his head. Thank goodness for spell adjustments!

“Playing childish tricks…!?”

“self-destruct.”

His vision was obstructed for just a moment, but that moment was what I needed. I made my minions charge and then self-destruct. A multitude of bones were scattered around. I was safe, hiding behind the skeleton shield warriors, though. However, Usuba, who received it up close, was unlikely to emerge unscathed.

“…”

However, I didn’t defeat him; the attack didn’t possess that much power. Perhaps if some accident occurred like a bone getting stuck in his throat, it would be a different story, but he would be careful to protect his vital points.

“Fufu… fufufu! Impressive, indeed! To think you’d manage to injure me! Excluding my guild members, only a few have managed to… and you’re the first mage to do that!”

“That’s quite an honor. But, are you praising me or boasting?”

From my perspective, it sounded more like he was saying, “Me and my guild mates are strong.”

“Oh no, I genuinely admire you. It seems like this will be even more enjoyable than I expected… right?”

“Hm!?”

Usuba hurled the daggers he held in both hands. Instantly, the skeleton shield warriors quickly stepped in between. It was deflected by the shield… or not!? It actually pierced through!?

The weapons held by summoned creatures only possessed performance commensurate with their level. My [Summoning Magic] level was 29, meaning I could only summon creatures that had evolved in two stages from level 20 to 29. Consequently, their weapons were far inferior to my own equipment.

It seemed even the defense-focused skeleton shield warrior was inadequate. Indeed, it was a heavy burden to defend against attacks from opponents with levels over 40.

“Here’s where the real battle begins. Agility Boost, Dexterity Boost.”

“Is that [Enchantment Magic]?”

Before I knew it, my opponent was holding a black straight sword from tip to pommel. There were no decorative elements on the rustic blade, but it was clear that it had exceptional performance. What caught my attention more, though, was that he had demonstrated the use of magic.

To use magic, a catalyst such as a staff was required. More accurately, spells could be cast without it, but their power significantly diminished, and the magic power consumption increased substantially. So, if one wanted to use magic, a staff or a catalyst was almost mandatory.

However, Usuba had been significantly enhanced, with a faint phosphorescence radiating from his entire body. In other words, he must have possessed a catalyst other than a staff. Was it the sword, or perhaps a ring or necklace? It remained unclear, but I planned to find out if I emerged victorious.

“In that case, I shall play a few trump cards as well. Charge!”

“Clatter, Clatter!”

I swiftly ordered my last remaining minion to charge in and changed my equipment. I drew my beloved scythe and pulled out the “Dark Grimoire” from my Book Holder. This was also a magic catalyst like the staff, which allowed me to cast spells.

“Agility Boost, Agility Boost, Agility Boost, Dexterity Boost, Strength Boost.”

“You won’t turn into a wall of flesh or even a wall of bones, will you?”

“No, it’s more than enough. Dispel, and then spell adjustment, Magic Jammer!”

“!?”

My last minion’s shield was cleaved in two with a single strike, and he was shattered with a returning slash before he could even self-destruct. However, I hadn’t wasted a single moment of the time my minion had earned.

I strengthened myself with [Enchantment] while simultaneously dispelling Usuba’s enhancements with my [Curse] skill. There was no doubt that the successful execution was thanks to the [Eyes of Death and Chaos].

Then, I used the magic jammer spell to prevent him from casting those enhancements again. While the magic jammer spell could prevent the activation of magic, it couldn’t cancel what was already in effect. It was an extra step, and I had revealed one of my trump cards, the [Curse] skill, but it couldn’t be helped. I’d consider it a necessary expense.

Now, Usuba couldn’t enhance himself again or demonstrate new magic. I, too, was unable to use magic thanks to the magic jammer field, but that was fine. It was all part of the plan.

Thanks to [Alchemy], I became a different race from the regular high lich. My stats, including strength and agility, were considerably higher within a margin of error. If I pushed them to their limits, I could reach a level of stats suitable for a vanguard warrior.

“Let’s do this!”

“Ufufufufufu! You’re quite the fun one!”

I returned the “Dark Grimoire” to my Book Holder, gripped my scythe with both hands, and charged forward, recollecting about the sparring sessions with Jigoro and Genjuro. Since I had let go of the catalyst, I couldn’t maintain the magic jammer, but it wasn’t a significant issue since I extended its duration through spell adjustment.

“Hah! Take this! Ha!”

“Oh, this is unexpected…”

Usuba, who was engaged in a swordfight with me, seemed surprised by my agility. Well, I had undergone countless training sessions, enduring criticism time and time again. I’d be disheartened if I couldn’t move at least this much!

“…Oh? Is your vision shaking? Are you in a state of fear?”

Finally, it seemed to be taking effect. It was probably the influence of the [Abyssal Aura] skill. Thanks to the effect of the [Eyes of Death and Chaos], it appeared that I had successfully managed to induce the state of fear in my opponent.

“But, you see…”

“Guuh!”

“If it’s just this much, I can make adjustments.”

However, the enemy was no pushover; he was the boss of the strongest PK guild. Even though his vision was distorted by fear, he continued to swing his sword without hesitation. I couldn’t claim any advantage in this situation.

We had come to a standstill, clashing blades, but no matter how much I strengthed myself, I was a mage. Winning in a melee was fundamentally impossible. I could have poisoned him in the midst of the battle, but that was like a drop in the ocean. Even though I could manage, I couldn’t match his strength. Gradually, I found myself on the defensive, still parrying blows…

“Mighty Strike!”

“Argh!”

Finally, I left an opening for Usuba’s all-out strike. I took the blow head-on with the hilt of my scythe. He seemed to be using a martial technique, and even though the blow was fired from an impossible angle, it was quite heavy. I felt my body lift off the ground.

This was bad! If I continued like this, I would end up on the ground, and I was sure Usuba wouldn’t let me get back up.

“Flight!”

“Huh?”

Thanks to the effect of the “Moon’s Feather Robe” I floated in mid-air. I somehow managed to survive…

“Whoaah!”

Oh, that was close! Usuba, that guy, threw a knife without a word! I couldn’t remain as a sitting duck, so I landed quickly.

“Marvelous. Even though I’ve held back a bit, this is the first time someone has given me such a run for my money in a one-on-one battle!”

“Is that a compliment? But I know someone stronger than you.”

“Ho-ho? I’d love to meet this person, then!”

My taunting seemed to delight him even more. Well, battle junkies like him are hard to deal with, after all! If this drags on, I’ll need to play more of my cards… What should I do?

“Boss, time’s up.”

“Oh, it seems everyone has gathered. I was completely engrossed in the fight.”

The one who interrupted our battle was none other than Akane, the girl with the cat mask. It seemed she had gathered her comrades as per Usuba’s orders. Looking around, I saw a group of people dressed in black and wearing masks, similar to Usuba and Akane.

“Well, well, looks like we’re not the only ones who can take on the boss head-on.”

“Indeed.”

“And he’s a mage, isn’t he? Impressive.”

“That robe, doesn’t it look cool? Where did you get it? It looks like player-made though.”

“…”

The masked group, together with Usuba and Akane, seemed to consist of six individuals. They appeared to be a small guild like ours.

“Now then, Isam-san. You’ve put up a splendid fight with me until the time limit. So, let’s hear what you have to say.”

“I guess I passed, which is all that matters.”

“Ufufufufufu! You know, it’s almost as if I’ve been shown an answer worth two hundred points instead of a mere perfect score.”

Usuba sheathed his sword and elegantly bowed with a theatrical flourish.

“Allow me to guide you then. To the headquarters of our Persona guild.”

◆◇◆◇◆◇

AN: In truth, it was a match where both parties had concealed their trump cards. If Usuba had used his ultimate cards from the start, Isam would have been completely caught off guard and swiftly defeated.

On the other hand, Isam had the potential to overwhelm Usuba by using his tail, the extra pair of arms, and his hidden magic skill. This was why the battle became a close one.