Hoo-wung!
With the sound of a powerful slice echoing through the air, the Azure Dragon Halberd grazed past my neck. I turned my head to dodge it and swung my sword fiercely. Puh-ruhk! The blue protective talisman flickered and absorbed the shock of the blow.
Strong. Truly the illusion of a Master-class warrior. Though weakened to match the User’s level, that attack was terrifying.
It’s not a fast attack. If Melissa, Eleonora, and I are the type of Masters who prioritize agility, this warrior values a steady approach. Each strike is straightforward and concise. But heavy at the same time.
Flash!
The halberd was raised above my head, crashing down with all its might as if to slice me in half. Kaang! This I could block. However, some attacks came with an overwhelming force that could not be simply countered.
Notably, the thrust of that halberd infused with blue mana. I couldn’t face it head-on. I had to dodge or resist.
Kagaga-gak!
The halberd scraped against the ground, rising sharply from below. Clang! Once, clang! Twice. Twice it swung upward while I spun my body. My body jolted heavily but didn’t lift off the ground. I could block that too.
Regular patterns stop here.
But the problem was the eerie overall attacks that came in between those patterns.
Thud!
The moment the halberd’s handle struck the ground powerfully in the warrior’s hand.
Woo-wooong!
A blue concentric circle erupted around the point of impact, spreading rapidly throughout the combat area.
This attack appears in between standard patterns. As it looks, of course, I can’t block it. I need to use an invulnerability skill to evade.
Zzzt.
“Ugh.”
I frowned.
Despite resisting through my invulnerability skill, the blue mana that skimmed past me didn’t completely disappear; it clung to my body.
[Azure Dragon Sword Aura Level 1 (29 seconds)]
[Dealing 1000 damage per second]
The residual sword energy is causing continuous damage.
This. Is similar to Crow’s ‘Judgment’. It’s a pattern that counters invulnerability skills. Unlike Crow’s system-defying method, this one gave me a debuff by sticking to my body.
But it’s strange. Crow’s ‘Judgment’ had an undeniably massive area, but there were spots to dodge.
Yet this pattern, Azure Dragon Sword Aura, covers the entire combat area.
Even if you resist, a debuff applies.
There’s no gap to dodge.
Really?
Is there really no gap to dodge?
Woo-wooong!
Once again, a blue concentric circle exploded from the warrior’s halberd.
I faced it and quickly racked my brain.
This world, no, this game.
Basically, combat occurs along the X-axis as a base.
However, rare battles require using the Y-axis too.
Most recently, I experienced combat with the Elf Guards in the Elf Forest. At that time, the Elven Guards led by Palman attacked us from the trees above.
The ripple of the Azure Dragon Sword Aura starts from the ground and sweeps up to waist level.
So, it’s too simple.
Other users thought it was a game based on X-axis combat, so they couldn’t dodge.
But when the sword energy comes near my waist during actual combat?
I could either bend down or—
Taht!
Jump!
I could see the powerful Azure Dragon Sword Aura passing just beneath my soaring feet.
Seeing that made me smile.
“This is it.”
And with my body still suspended, I strongly brought my sword down toward the warrior’s head.
Kwahhhh!
Even knowing the counter to the Azure Dragon Sword Aura, combat with the Ancient Warrior didn’t come to an easy end.
Woo-woo, woo-woo, woo-wooong!
The warrior, gripping the halberd, started to blur and then swiftly moved in all directions. Three concentric circles created beneath the warrior’s feet swept across the entire combat area.
Taht, taht, tat-aht!
I quickly leaped into the air, maneuvering between the circles. I became a grasshopper. Continuously kicking off the ground, I pursued the moving warrior while scattering sword energy.
An unexpected chase ensued in the Tomb of the Sword.
I thought the halberd-wielding warrior was a straightforward type that charged at me, but the fighting style proved to be more complicated than expected.
Taht.
Hummm, hummm, hummm!
Suddenly, the halberd above the still warlike head spun rapidly.
“Ugh!”
My light body was swept forward by the gust created by the spinning halberd. At that moment, my balance faltered.
Baaang!
A blue wind of sword energy erupted around the warrior, spreading in all directions.
Taht.
Jump, and then back to evasion. In an instant, the warrior’s body grew larger in my view.
Charge pattern.
Kaang!
I raised my sword and blocked the charging warrior’s halberd.
Chuk.
A powerful pattern created a vast opening at the same time.
I lowered my posture and aimed for the temporarily stiffened warrior’s body.
Flash, flash, flash!
One Flash. Twice, thrice.
I used a cooldown reset twice, and my sword passed through the warrior’s body three times.
The warrior’s body bore three deep wounds on the neck, chest, and waist.
Woo-woo!
That body radiated a strong blue light before gracefully disappearing in a burst of light.
Thank goodness. After the head fell, it didn’t glare at me with just a head remaining.
That would have been truly terrifying.
I glanced back at the light shadow of the ‘Ancient Master’ and headed for the 10th floor.
[10th Floor of the Tomb of the Sword]
Ziiing.
The now-familiar scan system washed over me with the light from the top floor.
In a solo dungeon’s final floor, the system gathers user data and prepares the final boss corresponding to the appropriate class.
I heard that on the top floor, normal users fought fighters as fighters and fighters as fighters, but my avatar information felt a bit different. That ‘guy’ always showed up.
Woo-woo.
Light gathered in the center.
“Long time….”
My hand, which was ready to greet it warmly, froze.
Huh, she’s a bit taller.
The shape visible among the light was that of a tall woman with blue ponytail hair, not the short stature like mine.
I groaned.
“Ugh…”
This was unexpected.
From the past, an ally of the Hero Party.
My older sister who adored me, my swordsmanship mentor.
It’s Melissa-nee!
I sat down in front of the apparition, lost in thought for a moment.
Aren’t you happy to see me?
In fact, I was unbelievably happy. I wanted to burst into tears and run into her embrace right away. If not for Igrim, I surely would have done just that.
But now, what stands before me is not the real Melissa.
It’s her illusion.
The legacy she left behind for the future.
Thanks to Igrim, I’ve achieved enough mental growth to calmly reflect in front of the apparition of my comrade.
Will other users fight Melissa on the top floor too? Since I’m the only one who has reached the top floor so far, I cannot say. However, if it’s Melissa in her prime, she would undoubtedly be an impossible opponent for current users to surpass.
The Ancient Hero? A brutally beastly opponent that can crush with sheer mass, of course.
Master Melissa? If she only lacked the Holy Sword that could deal a huge blow to evil beings, she wouldn’t fall short of the Ancient Hero in terms of physical stature.
In fact, if just swordsmanship is considered, she may surpass him.
Suddenly.
I stood up straight.
Srrng.
And drew my sword.
“We don’t need words between us, do we?”
Even if the current Melissa does not recognize me, even if she is merely an illusion.
We can still communicate.
As long as we have each other’s swords.
Flash!
The blue light of Melissa and my silver light clashed in the highest tier of the Tomb of the Sword.
We began our “conversation.”
[Level ???]
[Ancient Swordsman ■■■]
[HP ??? / ???]
Kakakakang! Clang!
A blue light trace filled my vision as the dance of swords unfolded before me.
Melissa’s sword was beautiful. Fast, clean, and driven by purpose alone.
Blocking my opponent’s attacks, cutting through their body, aiming for their weaknesses. A weapon that moves with a clear intent is beautiful.
Kaang! Kagak!
Blocking Melissa’s sword plunging fiercely into my waist with my angled blade, I curved it to deflect. Continuing downward, my blade twirled with the apparition’s entire body and stabbed in at her opposite side. I turned my sword to block but felt a cold sweat fall.
And smiled.
This is enjoyable.
In a way, it’s a life-threatening battle, a conversation through swords. Her sword feels familiar. But that makes it even harder.
Woo-wooong!
Blue sword energy swirled around Melissa’s blade. Clearly, it swung with the intent to cut me.
Was it like this in the past? It didn’t carry a killing intent, but her sword was fierce enough to leave a mark on my body. Despite cherishing me like that, in our duels, she remained relentless. Did she trust in Saintess Elena’s excellent healing abilities? Of course, I had never actually been harmed in practice bouts with Melissa.
Then, it’s no different now.
Even if she doesn’t recognize me as just an illusion and even if I can’t run into her embrace.
Kaakang! Papapapaat!
Having swung my sword powerfully, I created distance from her. In an instant, a powerful slash and a torrent of blue sword energy surged toward me.
I too, took a stance toward the center of that fierce sword energy, swinging starshine.
Popopopf!
In the air erupted a tempest of slashes and clashes as swords met.
Despite being in a relentless battle, a smile curled on my lips.
I’m having fun.
I hope you’re enjoying this too, Sister Melissa.
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