Chapter: 257
“How long are you going to stay quiet? At this rate, it’s no different from hitting a scarecrow.”
The skeleton’s voice dripped with venom, probably because of my provocation.
In my position, blocking the madly swinging sword over and over, it was naturally infuriating, but sadly, I couldn’t argue back.
Because that was the reality.
Even though a considerable amount of time had passed since the battle started, I was still just on the defensive.
There were two major issues.
“Where did the might from the trial disappear to? Was he a miracle granted by the god?”
One was that facing the skeleton, who had escaped the trial, was entirely different from breaking through it.
The scene of the trial hadn’t changed much from what I saw beyond the monitor.
It was just that the screen had become reality.
The opponent’s movements, habits, types of attacks, and schemes—all of them were just as I remembered.
Now, I had the ability to recreate the madness of the past. I just had to show the rotten water’s power.
However, the current scene didn’t resemble what I remembered.
I had faced the skeleton that escaped the trial several times. I remembered all of its patterns.
In the first few attempts, my knowledge yielded the correct results. If it weren’t for the skeleton’s incredible responses, I might have been able to decide the match.
But at some point, the story changed.
The skeleton began responding differently.
From what I knew to what I didn’t.
Thus, the knowledge of an experienced gamer was neutralized.
“What’s wrong? Have you been cornered so much that your once active tongue has stopped? That’s so childish.”
The next problem arose when my knowledge was countered, and I was put on the defensive.
There was simply no room to counterattack.
The strategy I usually adopted when facing an equal or stronger opponent was to endure and find an opening.
It’s true that my skills were growing rapidly, but it had only been a year.
There was simply not enough absolute experience, so if I sought a fair fight against a strong opponent, I would naturally find myself at a disadvantage.
That’s why I preferred to hide behind my shield, waiting for an opportunity to strike decisively when the moment arose.
Also, the Mesugaki Skill, which was both a blessing and a curse, specialized in creating openings for the opponent. The fighting style of a shield-bearer that Grandpa had taught me was just like that. So I had stuck to this strategy until now.
In fact, this strategy has never failed me.
If I could endure the attack of my opponent, then through them, I could create an opening, and I would find my way to victory in the end.
However, this battle was different from any other.
Was it impossible to endure the opponent’s attack?
Not at all.
The skeleton, believing itself to be Garad, was originally powered by Charon’s magic, just like the other skeletons.
However, Charon’s power disappeared when the trial ended. Now, what moved the skeleton was not Charon’s magic but the Evil God’s Energy.
And while the Evil God’s Energy had not fully resurrected yet, it was surely inferior to Charon’s magic. The powers dwelling within the skeleton now were on a level incomparable to when it had been in charge of the trial.
It was not just that.
The skeleton was resisting the Evil God’s Energy. The fact that it could speak rationally, and that it wasn’t gunning for my life, made this clear.
It had two constraints upon it.
Its power was significantly weaker than when it was lurking at the end of the dungeon.
So, I could endure.
My shield could handle it. Ankir could easily block the skeleton’s sword.
Was the provocation not working?
Not at all.
The ability of the Mesugaki Skill was absolute.
Every time the provoking words were uttered, the rattling jaw of the skeleton…
The intensifying sword strikes…
The hands that lacked even a muscle but were visibly exerting strength…
The ecstasy welling up inside me…
All proved that the provocation was effectively landing.
So, the strategy that had brought me countless victories until now was working perfectly.
The longer the exchange continued, the greater the frustration in my heart grew.
“…Ugh♡ Why are you making me open my mouth when I’m struggling to endure the nasty smell of the skeleton?♡ Do you want to see me throw up?♡ I thought you were a pervert, but you’re really a disgusting kind of pervert♡ You weren’t thinking of licking the floor later, were you?♡”
“…Tsk.”
Responding to the opponent’s provocation, I wondered.
What was the problem?
Why couldn’t I find an opening?
Was I not being given a chance?
Was I trying too hard to move safely?
If my opponent was stronger than I was, should I take some risks?
As those questions filled my mind, I distinctly saw the path of Garad’s sword.
If it’s that…
If it’s that sword…
I could definitely deflect it.
I acted faster than I thought, moving my shield like I was possessed.
TING! The clear sensation of parrying flowed through the shield.
It was a chance.
An opening.
Finally, this moment had arrived.
Unconsciously, I stepped forward with my left foot, assessing the situation.
The sword, which had bounced back, was already returned to Garad.
The stance was the same. As if preparing for everything just like before.
The exhilaration in my mood cooled in an instant.
I wasn’t dealing with a crisis.
I was about to swallow the bait creeping into my mouth.
Before I could conclude that thought, the Iron Wall warned me of danger.
As it ordered, I hurriedly raised my shield.
But the shield I hastily lifted while preparing for the attack was slow and insufficient.
If I carried on like this and deflected the attack, my balance would crumble, exposing me directly to the opponent’s attack.
I had to continue defending in an unstable position.
…But doing that would surely lead to my collapse.
So what was I to do?
What popped into my mind, racing like it was about to burn out, was something I learned while training in the Allen family.
Sometimes, it’s better to let myself fly gracefully rather than awkwardly blocking.
So, I deliberately leaped backward, deflecting the skeleton’s sword.
My light body, floating in the air, was easily pushed aside by the skeleton’s strength, and when I spun in the air and regained my stance, the distance between the skeleton and me was quite far.
I succeeded in resetting the situation, which should have become disadvantageous.
“I thought you were only good at hiding, but you run away well too. Are you a rat in a sewer?”
“Sorry~♡ I thought the dog bone stuck in the sewer was lonely, so I tried to approach, but the smell was just too disgusting~♡ Please understand♡ I’m just a small, cute noble girl♡ I’m different from you living in the sewer♡”
“…That damn tongue of yours.”
As I poked at my opponent, I checked the situation.
What I could feel first was how overwhelmingly superior my opponent was to me.
The skill built over a long time. The logic created from numerous battles. It was perfectly crushing me.
If the Evil God hadn’t weakened when taking over the dungeon.
And if that skeleton hadn’t been holding back its strength resisting the Evil God’s Energy.
Could I have held out against that skeleton at all?
The answer to the question I posed to myself soon returned.
No.
I probably wouldn’t have lasted a minute before being wrecked.
And soon, fear would creep up my spine, seizing my mind.
All I could do would be to wrap my head and plead for my life while sobbing.
That’s how big the difference was.
That much difference.
As I pondered that fact, laughter escaped me.
Even a weakened fake is this strong; how powerful must a real hero be?
I had felt it when Grandpa performed his miracles before, but the road is long. Too far.
As I thought about it, I gripped the handle of my shield again.
[Why are you so eager to win?]
Before I knew it, Grandpa, who had been silent, spoke up.
[You just need to hold out until your knight arrives, right?]
‘That’s true, but…’
What I needed to do now wasn’t winning against the skeleton. It was to endure.
Once Luca joined with his sword, he would take care of the weakened skeleton for me if I could just hold out until then.
[If you know that, why rush forward? Do you think you can win?]
‘No. I’m not that deluded.’
[Then why? Why are you pushing forward? Perhaps...]
‘Because I want to land at least one blow with my own hands.’
Grandpa. You might not know, but I wasted a whole month because of that skeleton.
Do you know how much stress I endured during that time?
I mean, I had a hole in my head from stress?!
After countless efforts, I succeeded in overcoming the trial, but that helplessness still remains vividly in my memory.
And now, the feelings I’ve experienced since starting this duel against that skeleton were similar.
Helplessness. Frustration. Impatience. Irritation. Anger.
If I just waited until Luca arrived, this feeling would not erase.
Stuck at a score of 0 wins and 1 loss.
Without even getting a chance to turn this score around, I’d have to forever dwell on this defeat.
I didn’t want that.
Absolutely didn’t want that.
If I saw that skeleton winning and strutting off, I felt like I would collapse from sheer anger!
So I had to strike at least once.
To achieve a mental victory.
To yell, “You can’t do anything, can you?”
<…Kuhaha! Hahaha!>
Hearing my words, Grandpa fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter as he had never done before.
What’s with that? Grandpa, I’m being dead serious right now! This isn’t a time to laugh!
[Good! I love it! You're so perfectly like a young lady!]
‘What on earth are you talking about?’
[Originally, I was watching to see if Garad would do various things with his hand, but my mind has changed.]
Oh. The change of heart is nice and all.
But does something strange sneak in between?
Earlier, was my staying able to hold out due to skill, or because that skeleton just happened to show mercy, appearing to be an appropriate dog bone toy?
[Oh yes. Let’s give that guy a humiliating lesson.]
As I listened to Grandpa’s words, I readied myself.
Though the fight had gone on for quite some time, my body was still in perfect condition.
So I believed that if any opportunity arose, I would be able to land a blow, but to think this whole time has been due to the enemy’s mercy…
Hah. Seriously, that’s embarrassing.
And.
Really.
Really.
I’m not joking—it’s truly infuriating.
[First of all, your strategy wasn’t wrong.]
‘Really? But…’
[I understand. You must have felt helpless. You must have felt frustrated. You may have wondered if your movements were right.]
And indeed.
It was frustrating.
It was powerless.
As time passed, my thoughts multiplied.
As if he were reading my mind, Grandpa continued to speak in an overly confident tone.
[But do not doubt it. Your strategy is correct. I, Ruel, will testify to that.]
‘…Then what’s the problem?’
Despite countless attempts to attack and failing each time.
If it worked when my knowledge from the game kicked in, that’s different, but afterward, I couldn’t even provide a threat at all!
[You’ll get the answer to that during the fight. Get ready.]
‘I’m always ready, you know.’
[As expected. I’m glad my teachings bore fruit.]
Grandpa praised me, chuckling with a hint of amusement.
[Now, young lady. Round 2. Let’s smash that arrogant playboy’s face.]
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