Chapter 71: Wall (2)

Chapter 71: Wall (2)

Ever since I landed in the forest, the only things that felt solid when I hit them were mostly rocks. I've occasionally encountered creatures or monsters with sturdy bodies, but in those cases, it was more about thick hide rather than hardness. It wasn't steel-like solidity; rather they were frustratingly tough and thick. But I managed to deal with that.

Even after entering civilization, the same held true. I have bitten steel swords in half with my mouth and even demolished buildings.

But Lize's body that I punched? It looked like it was carved out of rock, but its durability exceeded that of stone.

If its tougher than my body, which carries the Steel King trait, that's saying something. Anyone else would have fractured their fists by now.

"Brother Sivar's body is quite solid, too. Normally, one's fist should be wrecked by now."

Lize seemed to sense that as well, showing a satisfied smile as she spoke. Her neatly aligned teeth were notably impressive.

In Saintess mode, it would have been an endlessly beautiful smile, but this was Martial Saintess mode. Just her smile alone gave off an oppressive aura.

Especially to me, it conjured up the image of a wall. A wall that remains unscathed no matter how much you hit it.

At this point, there was only one method left. I had to infuse magic. I could use the condensation technique I had learned previously.

I clenched my fist tight and began to condense mana. Although it had merged with the red mana, the feeling was enough.

As soon as I felt the mana was condensed in my fist, I punched towards Lizes abdomen.

Bang!!

It was a mana-enhanced attack since mere fists did nothing. This should have a good chance of working.

Even Hector was flummoxed by my punches, surely she couldn't be unfazed.

"The attack is spicier than before. Technically sound, and plenty of mana too. Very impressive."

?!

She was fine. I couldnt help but be astounded.

As I mentioned before, in the Soul World, her strength mainly showed when facing demons.

Normally, there's no occasion for her to exert force against someone who's not a demon, and Byzantine, her homeland, upholds neutrality, which keeps her away from war.

Plus, with the setup of being the hard counter to demons, she had a strange reputation. It was assumed she would struggle against a person.

Struggle? What struggle!

I realized this when I struck directly. It was all underestimated.

Her being a nemesis to demons has no meaning. Lizes body is just insanely solid.

Ratatatata!

I began throwing a flurry of punches in hopes of breaking through. Numerous fists jabbed into Lizes abdomen.

Such rapid attacks hardly occur unless the circumstances are just right. According to what Kara said, they are inefficient and consume a lot of energy.

Its better to use rapid strikes for the final blow or during critical moments. Otherwise, it's better to hit with all your might.

However, to break through Lize's solid, no more than steel-like durability, this was the only method.

Like whetting a blade on a grinding stone, I aimed to slowly chip away at her defenses.

Boom!

After a flurry, the last punch landed. My fist lodged squarely into her abdomen.

But all my effort seemed in vain; Lize didn't flinch. A leisurely smile still occupied her face.

"Is that all? As I've told you before, it's fine to use weapons."

With her trademark refreshing smile, Lize invited me to continue. I couldnt just stand by.

I shook off the numb feeling in my hands and reached out with my left hand. Then, in my mind, I called out the weapons name.

Playing with it in my spare time, it would emerge in my hand unless it was Hector or Kara.

Whoomph Thud!

At last, that familiar sensation filled my palm. Ragnarok flew into my grasp.

"Jeez, jeez, jeez I hope the house isn't a mess again."

From a distance, Rod clicked his tongue and grumbled. I could guess what he was worried about.

Ragnarok was supposed to be stored at home as a precaution. He was concerned whether the house was disheveled again because of this.

Originally, there was no need to use Ragnarok. But to inflict damage on Lize, I had no choice.

A monster crafted by the gods'

Extremes meet the weapon' created to battle demons was none other than Lize herself.

"Now, it's my turn. As stressed before, there will be no direct hits."

As I was backing away, Lize spoke up. Realizing my fighting spirit had been thoroughly broken, she took the initiative.

At this point, all I felt like doing was turning my back and fleeing. Running away is not a shameful thing.

Sometimes one must recognize their limits and run away. It's a mindset I picked up from living in the wild.

"Fury activates in the face of mortal peril. So watch closely, open your eyes wide."

Crunch!

But my thoughts were late. Lize clenched her right fist and moved towards me.

Just as I was about to turn my back in haste, her voice reached me first.

"This is the visceral death.'"

What filled my vision next were two things.

Boom!!!

Lize's thick fist rushing towards my face and

[Fury is activating!]

It was a vivid death.'

Time seemed to move sluggishly, and despite Fury activating, my consciousness remained clear.

Even as Lizes fist got inches from my face, I couldnt even blink.

My body was stiff, and my mind was blank.

Except for one thing, the sensation of death that seemed to desiccate all the blood in my body.

Tap-

""

""

Lize's fist touched lightly on the tip of my nose. A touch so feather-light, contrary to the crushing approach.

Just that contact nearly made my legs buckle. Somehow, I remained upright, but it felt like I would crumble at the slightest touch.

[Fury has been released!]

The system message filled my vision, but I didnt care. I couldn't, actually.

All I could see was Lize's fist why was it as big as my face?

"How do you feel, Brother Sivar?"

Behind her fist, Lize's voice came through. I realized then.

"What does it feel like to come back from the brink of death?"

Lize was unspeakably powerful.

As I stood speechless, she slowly retracted her fist.

As she did, the shadow cleared from my face, and light slowly returned.

"You can do it too. Humans inherently have beastly traits, so even with Fury, it should be no big deal."

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Was it the near-death experience that caused it? My heart started pounding wildly.

Amidst this, Lize extended her hand instead of her fist, proposing with a refreshing smile,

"You're human, Brother Sivar. So don't worry too much."

Surely this is Martial Saintess mode Lize.

"I will help you."

Why did she feel like a saintess? I couldnt fathom the reason.