It was a match where the Devil could have won.
No, it was a match he almost won.
The technique of the Black Dragon exceeded every aspect of Leo in an instant, landing effective hits with surprise attacks.
Moreover, the damage previously inflicted on the Devil was somewhat recovered through the Black Dragon’s inherent ability called ‘Dark Rebirth.’
Had it been someone other than Leo, the Devil would have surely won…
But…
There’s no way to escape the difference.
Because the opponent is Leo.
Overflowing with talent, Leo entered the Spirit Ascension state and became one with the Light Spirit amidst the tense situation.
The moment he became a spiritual being, his understanding and utilization of mana skyrocketed, allowing him to break free from the limitations of his physical body and recover some of the damage.
However, he was still in a terrible state.
The Black Dragon’s martial arts are like a parasite to its user, but the opponent also suffers that much damage in return.
Even though he managed to pull off Spirit Ascension, he had neither the energy to create the Sword of Light nor enough mana to spare.
And yet, Leo unleashed enough power to slice through the Devil, who was cloaked in the Black Dragon’s strength.
How?
─Amazing. Seriously.
Aside from the existing 1% of his strength, the weapon I provided, the Holy Staff.
Leo gripped the staff like a sword and slashed at the Devil.
Unable to create light, he used a tiny fraction of the Holy Power as the Sword of Light.
It was truly an area that could only be described as talent.
[Wow]
[Leo! Leo! Leo! Leo!]
[Hey, you guys awake? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Were you expecting this?]
[Ah ㅋㅋ the odds are looking sweet ㅋㅋㅋ]
[Go Leo ㅋㅋ]
[This is a definite win ㅋㅋ]
[Wow, but that was really scary ㄹㅇ]
[The Devil did well]
[The Devil got this centipede]
[But seriously, if Leo and the Devil are at this level…]
[ㄹㅇㅋㅋ]
The people were rejoicing yet also wrapped in confusion.
The once-certain champion Leo almost got eliminated.
The Devil, who was supposed to fall in the quarterfinals, momentarily overpowered Leo.
From now on, it really became uncertain who would win.
With both Leo and the Devil battling so fiercely, the remaining fighters are all of a similar caliber.
Paaah…
A pure white Holy Power enveloped the exhausted Leo, rapidly restoring his body.
Before long, Leo, having regained his strength, jumped back up, blinking his eyes.
─Now, let’s pick the contestants for Round 2.
■
Round 2 is a match between Redberry and Black.
This match resembles the previous round closely.
Redberry is a fire-wielding Mage with considerable talent and skill, but as a Ranker, she hovers around the top 100.
However, a ranker who is “around the top 100 in rankings.”
In contrast, Black is a high-ranked “Magic Sword Master” with talent and skill that don’t lag behind, sitting at “rank 8.”
By ranking alone, Leo and Devil are almost equal, but…
[This is…]
[Is it level play?]
[It’s Black, right?]
[Black?]
[Definitely Black, yup.]
[Could be a surprise, you know? Level might win.]
[All in on Redberry’s fortune~~]
[Ah haha, can’t resist the underdog.]
[Level’s the king, gotta say!]
[Cheering for Redberry’s victory!]
67.3% to 32.7%.
Unlike the previous round, where the outcome was severe, this time quite a few people chose the relative underdog, Redberry.
A staggering 32.7% of people.
Of course, many still chose Black, but after the shock of the last round, there might be some who are thinking,
‘Could Redberry actually win?’
─Then, please prepare.
“Got it.”
“Understood.”
The two took their places, each holding a greatsword and a staff.
Once again, the pure white Holy Power took them away.
Crisp.
“Grassland?”
“So, it is the grassland.”
The two faced each other in a vast, sunlit plain.
[Not bad facing each other, right?]
[Pretty standard setup.]
[Aren’t there any moonlit terrains?]
[Black’s invincible under the moon, come on!]
Long-range mage and mid-range greatsword master.
Neither had much disadvantage in such open terrain, favored for their roles.
So, it boiled down to pure skill difference only.
─We’ll begin in 5 seconds.
They each positioned themselves and prepared their techniques.
Redberry set up a fire Magic Circle.
Black summoned a pure white Sword Saint with dark energy.
Finally, after 5 seconds…
“Go…”
“Rise up.”
Before Black could even move, the flames ensnared him.
It was a barrage of fire, as if predetermined from the start.
“?!”
Caught off guard by the fierce assault, Black swung his greatsword, slicing through the stems of the fire blooms.
Whoosh!
However, not all the flames were cut; they left behind echoes that hindered Black’s movement.
Seizing the opportunity given by the flames’ restraint…
Boom!!!
The fire barrage completely incinerated Black.
“…Done.”
Without a chance to resurrect, completely.
[Huh?]
[Is that it?]
[?]
[What just happened? Black, what was that?]
[???????]
[Why so puzzled?]
[It’s the underdog’s victory! The underdog’s victory! The underdog’s victory!]
[Hey, favorites! Are you awake? Hey, favorites! Are you awake? Hey, favorites! Are you awake?]
[That’s a lie!]
[Is it rigged?]
[Rigged!]
[Come on, don’t lie.]
[I believed in Redberry, damn it~ I believed in Redberry, damn it~ I believed in Redberry, damn it~ I believed in Redberry, damn it~]
“Redberry, I believed in you, damn it! Redberry, I believed in you, damn it!”
[Hahaha!]
“Redberry truly is a mastermind, right? Burn, baby, burn! Hahahaha!”
“Here comes the holy warrior! Hahaha!”
“Quick, slice like Leo!”
[?]
─Oh my.
“I won!!”
Boom.
─Round 2, Redberry wins.
It’s the underdog’s victory.
■
─I told you, the usual abilities don’t matter.
I’ve mentioned it over and over.
All the physical abilities, blessings, powers, skills, equipment, and so on that I’ve enjoyed so far.
Everything was sealed, and the only thing unlocked was 1% of each person’s job skills.
But through the deepening understanding of mana I learned over time, I could unlock what was sealed.
─In the end, it’s a battle where the one with higher understanding wins.
Everyone is equal.
With equality, the tanky defense boasted by the Magic Sword Master doesn’t matter here.
Of course, they’ll be sturdier than Redberry, being a mage.
That’s just unavoidable due to job differences.
However, compared to the outside world, it’s as soft as tofu.
Given that warriors are inherently close or mid-range fighters, they are bound to be vulnerable to the mages’ specialty bind attacks leading to insane damage.
Even Black, though a warrior, is a ‘Magic’ Sword Master, so his defense was weaker than that of a typical warrior or tanker.
─I’ve seen Black fight in his usual style of taking a hit to give a hit. Is that it?
Giving a little to gain a lot.
It’s one of Black’s fighting styles; a selfish exchange made possible by numerous abilities.
But not now.
Above all, Redberry’s understanding of mana was far superior.
That’s why he couldn’t break free from Redberry’s bind in one go.
If his mana manipulation was similar or superior to Redberry’s, the outcome would have been different.
Talent can’t be overlooked.
[Wow…]
[Black, take off your ranker badge, seriously.]
[Black’s level, wow! Hahaha!]
[Oh ho!]
[How is a Ranked 8 player getting hit by a bind and a burst combo without a care?]
[Why use a hidden job? Hahaha! A regular job is already OP!]
[Indeed, mages are OP…]
[Mages are just broken, hahaha!]
[I didn’t know mage-OP-ism applied to rankers as well, hahaha!]
[Ah, the points are sweet~]
[The underdog is way too strong! Hahaha!]
[Holy warrior fans are doomed! Hahahaha!]
[I love leveling up!]
[Don’t cross the line, chat!]
[Don’t curse; it’s just Black’s fault, why so serious?]
[Hahaha!]
[Bl-lack! Hahaha!]
[You’re the worst!]
─Um…
It’s not like Black did that poorly.
To give him some credit, the difference was just in understanding mana; Black’s response was flawless.
It was just a difference in understanding; Black’s response was perfect.
In a same-spec situation, the hidden class of Magic Sword Master had enough attack power and strength to break the Mage’s binds.
Looking at Black’s movements, he must have used Blade Dancing on Redberry, who became temporarily vulnerable after countering the technique and casting magic.
Redberry would have either retreated to prepare her next spell or gotten knocked down as it was.
Of course, the loss was due to differences, which is why he couldn’t counter.
─ It can’t be helped. Please don’t say too much to Mr. Black. I told you, this fight isn’t just decided by raw abilities.
In the end, didn’t Leo also awaken to catch the Devil when pushed to his limits?
If Leo had even a slight lack of understanding of mana, he might have lost like Black did now.
[So it was Black’s item power, haha]
─ It’s hard to call it item power. Ultimately, if your skills aren’t up to par, you can never climb the rankings, right?
No matter how much money the wealthy throw around, they might enter the top 1000, but it’s simple why they can’t break into the top 100.
‘Because they lack skills.’
Even if you have great abilities, good weapons, and fine classes, if your skills aren’t good, they become nearly useless.
─ By the way. Anyway, Miss Redberry did well. She seems to have grown more than before.
Redberry smiles brightly at my words.
By the third lesson, I thought she just had talent, but now she seems to have some shining potential.
At this level, won’t she soon climb higher in the rankings?
─ Once again, I emphasize that this is ultimately a battle of how well you understand my lectures. The previous ones aren’t important…
“…cough. Um. Lady Lily.”
Before I knew it, Black, who had received treatment, looks up at the sky.
He seems like he has a lot to say.
“Originally, in rank battles, you win and lose. You don’t have to shield me too much—”
─ No. We need to mention this.
That way, Black won’t fall into unnecessary self-doubt.
Maybe because I’ve seen many students get gloomy after losing battles, it doesn’t feel like it’s someone else’s problem.
I’ve been there too.
─ Black’s loss is purely a matter of experience and understanding, so please don’t undervalue or criticize his skills too harshly…
“……”
[Stop shielding, Lily]
[Hahahahahaha]
[Seriously, is she shielding? Haha]
[In any case, isn’t just hitting enough?]
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
