Chapter 24

Chapter 24

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[Translator Kie]

[Proofreader Lucky]

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Rounds of exchanges continued in seconds.

Dominating the battlefield was not about reason but instinct. The chaos of swords and magic was so overwhelming that just tracking with the eyes was enough to make one dizzy. Each fighters body moved before their mind, focusing on thrusting, bending, and blocking. If dissected, it was a series of simple choices.

Hey, isnt this a bit much?

And in the midst of it all, not a single attack pierced through Patrick.

Of course, it didnt mean Patrick had the upper hand in the battle. Despite blocking all the attacks, Patrick was gradually being pushed back.

There was simply no room to find a chance for a counterattack. Attacks were relentless. Whenever there was a moment to find a gap, support attacks from the rear would rain down like a magical storm.

Swordsmanship was a continuous exchange of agreements, where attacks flowed into defenses and defenses immediately turned into attacks. Most of this flow was filled with defense. Even if Patrick occasionally found a gap and countered, the expeditionary force easily evaded the attacks. Patricks counterattacks were stiff and lacked the fluidity needed. At the level of the expeditionary force, there was no need to exert too much effort to dodge attacks.

At first, Patrick enjoyed some leisure, but gradually his words dwindled. After managing to create some distance, short swords with daggers from the left and rear targeted Patrick. Patrick quickly turned his sword, barely blocking the attacks. Although it was supposed to be perfect defense, one attack was missed, heading towards Patricks left shoulder.

Thunk!

A harsh impact echoed from Patricks right hand. The monks fist, which was aiming for Patricks shoulder, barely stopped when it reached Patricks right hand. The touching fists of Patrick and the monk trembled simultaneously.

At that moment, a sword traced a short path, heading towards the chest. This time, Patrick didnt block the attack but took it directly.

Patrick, after grabbing Tanabella and lifting it high, slammed it onto the ground. Tanabella, deeply embedded in the ground, unleashed a powerful shockwave. The expeditionary members, who were preparing for the next attack in an unprotected stance, momentarily lost their balance.

A sudden small opening.

Taking advantage of it, Patrick, who rushed towards the inspector, swung Tanabellas massive wing down onto the expeditionary members right hand. The monks right hand, severed cleanly as if a head was being cut off, fell to the ground. Patrick, who received the next blow without blocking it, grabbed Tanabella high and impaled the sword into the ground after hitting the inspector. Tanabella, deeply embedded, sent a resounding boom echoing through the cave. The expedition members, who were in a vulnerable position preparing for the next strike, swayed as their center was suddenly lost.

Patrick, who had been gradually pushed back, turned the tide of the battle with a well-timed maneuver.

Ha.

Rushing forward with all his might, Niphrim, after swinging Patrick away, let out a breath. Patrick, who immediately grabbed his sword and stood up, had a rather joyful expression. Admiration echoed through the cave walls, reverberating several times.

Impressive. Its amazing how much power can come from such a small frame.

Haha, this is what a Water Moon Knight looks like, amusing. Alright, I should do at least this much.

I feel this every time, but dealing with multiple opponents at once is indeed challenging. Its not like Im asking them to come out one by one, but maybe we started this the wrong way. It would have been much easier if we had taken out around three of them at the beginning.

Saying so, Patrick once again lifted Tanabella.

Well, anyway, it seems like Im going to win.

With only one arm severed, Patrick declared with a triumphant voice. He immediately leaped into the forefront of the expeditionary force. Breaking through the magical barrier that unfolded before him, he aimed his sword at the location of the monk. The monk, who was about to counter after dodging, suddenly realized something and hastily evaded. Another shockwave erupted as Tanabella struck the ground.

You have good judgment.

A mocking or praising remark slipped from Patricks lips.

Two spells flew towards Patrick. Just two. Patrick, bending his body to easily evade them, picked up a stone and threw it in the direction where the spells came from. With a loud thud, one of the mages fell backward. Seizing the opportunity amidst the chaotic front, Patrick immediately adjusted his stance and leaped towards the next target.

See, I told you Id win.

The tide of the battle naturally shifted.

After exchanging blows hundreds of times, Patrick found a gap. This gap created a change. It wasnt a gap formed by the inspectors, but rather a hole created by the absence of rear support firemagic support.

Hundreds of branches of magic shrapnel that were initially dividing were now merely pouring down in a few streams.

It got a little closer. With a bit more effort, he could reach her with outstretched arms.

And just before his arm touched Tanabella

Thunk.

A chilly sensation pierced through Patricks spine.

Patrick turned his neck. Right behind him, Niphrim, who had thrust a sword into Patricks back, met eyes with him.

Who said whos going to win?

Well, its my principle.

With a chilling madness in their eyes, they stared at each other

Niphrim pulled out the sword that pierced Patricks armor. Thunk. He stuck the sword into another area. Thunk. Pulled it out again and stuck it into a different area. Thunk. Again into another area. He thrust the sword dozens of times into Patricks body.

Until right before the buffs ended. After thrusting the sword consecutively numerous times, finally turning Niphrims armor into a spiders web, Niphrim breathed heavily. Patrick, now motionless, collapsed weakly on his knees. When Niphrim completely pulled out the sword that turned Patrick into a battered mess, Patrick knelt with no strength left. Holding the sword above Patricks head, Niphrim crossed a final powerful blow.

Like an executioner.

Die.

With a brief word, the last strike, meant to conclude the battle, was

Ha.

Empty.

Hahaha.

So anticlimactic.

Ah, that was fun. Really fun. I immersed myself in the acting this time.

His palm, now nothing but bones, meets an unexpected resistance.

Certainly, theres no way that skeleton is intact.

Im sorry. I didnt intend to joke from the beginning No, Ill stop lying. I did plan to joke from the beginning. Ive been so bored for these few years. Acting is fine, and I just wanted to experience a crisis. Thanks for playing along.

You.

It was all a joke from the beginning.

There was no time to retrieve the sword, take a defensive stance, or even respond a bit.

Before Niphrim could react momentarily, intense pain echoed in his abdomen. His mind became distant. The vision gradually darkened to black. Along with the darkening vision, the hearing slowly dulled. Only Patricks last words echoed endlessly in his head, like an endless dream.

How much time had passed? With pain searing through his body, Niphrim slowly opened his eyes.

A cold chill seemed to rise throughout his body, as if he were lying on a cold stone floor. Despite just regaining consciousness, the memories were vivid. The nightmarish last line still lingered in his mind, making it feel like an endless loop.

Oh, are you up?

Whispers of the nightmare echoed.

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[Translator Kie]

[Proofreader Lucky]

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