Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Sticky black blood adorned the sky.

"Aaagh!!"

Bineus began to fall with a scream filled with pain.

Thud!!

A small cloud of dust rose from the forest.

'I did it.'

I looked at the pocket watch in my hand. An artifact given to me by Caron.

[Silver Flash: A]

Attack Power: 1

Cooldown: 5 turns

Shoots a condensed beam of mana as a streak of light.

The target hit by the light falls into a stunned state for 0.1 seconds.

A high-quality artifact modified to use minimal mana.

It sacrifices attack power to gain reduced mana consumption and quick casting effects.

It has been transformed into a pocket watch shape by someone's hands.

Silver Flash. This was my secret weapon.

An artifact that allows for action even after use.

Thanks to it, I was able to succeed in a significant attack.

Huh? How did I manage to hit with my terribly slow [Sky Splitter]?

There are three reasons for this.

First, the temporary stun effect of Silver Flash.

Second, the backlash from the forced cancellation of Bineus's [Demon Magic], causing his mana to backfire.

Third, just in case, I also used the [Eye Opening] skill.

The chance that Bineus might be momentarily startled by the ominous gaze, even if just for 0.001 seconds, was golden time for me.

'The result, as you can see, worked out well.'

It went according to plan.

Tearing off one of his wings was luck, but now Bineus has lost his mobility.

'Now I just need to repeat this process.'

When 4 flames are lit, use Silver Flash to prevent [Demon Magic] from activating and immediately follow up with an offensive skill.

Then, Bineus will scream and fall again.

'I was lucky.'

Bineus's [Demon Magic] is essentially a casting skill that requires 5 turns.

And the cooldown of Silver Flash is 5 turns.

They match perfectly. That's why I said it was lucky.

'Since I used it first, the cooldown will finish first.'

Bineus's [Demon Magic] was as good as sealed.

'There's one big problem left for later... But that's a problem for another time.'

Now is the time to focus on the problem at hand.

"Kuh... You bastard!!"

Boom!!

Magical energy erupted, uprooting trees from the forest.

At the same time, a green flame ignited.

The top right of the pentagram. The first flame of [Demon Magic].

"I won't let you get away!"

"Keke, I'm just standing still."

"Impudent! Fireball!"

A burning boulder flew straight at me.

The first secret technique of the Lester Family Style.

One Flash.

Crackle!! Boom!!

The boulder collided with [One Flash] and shattered to pieces.

Being on the ground made Bineus easier to hit than before.

No need to worry about getting cut by falling stone shards now.

Whoosh-!

A second flame lit up at the pentagram.

I launched [One Flash], but Bineus moved sideways to dodge it. At the same time.

Whoosh-.

A third flame started burning.

Zzzt-!

[Hyper Sense] activated.

I didn't know the exact location, but something was definitely happening under my feet.

I threw myself into the forest.

"Flame Strike!"

Boom!!

The ground exploded, and dirt and sand flew up, filled by a volcanic blaze of fire.

The heat was intense enough to feel scorching on my skin.

I almost got roasted alive.

'Bineus won't change his strategy of attacking with magic.'

Because he doesn't know about Silver Flash.

Even if he did, he would assume its cooldown is longer than 5 turns.

Meaning, I have one or two more chances to attack.

I need to use them to drain as much health as possible.

'Well, I only have Sky Splitter to use.'

Whoosh-!

The fourth flame lit up at the bottom left of the pentagram.

I immediately used Silver Flash.

"Kuk!"

Bineus let out a small groan.

The short stun from Silver Flash and the backlash from his mana must be the reason.

I adjusted my stance while using [Eye Opening].

The fourth secret technique of the Lucid Family Style.

Sky Splitter.

"Aaaaaaah!!"

Bineus knelt on one knee.

Despite my low stats, an A-grade rating through [Divine Imitation] and 100% increased damage from the 4 flame stacks must have stung quite a bit.

"Zero! Are you okay?"

It was Luna. She peeked her head out from the underbrush.

She had some scrapes here and there, but she didn't seem to be in pain.

'The Spirit's Breath' must have protected Luna well.

'Thank goodness. She's safe.'

She scrambled over and stood next to me.

I went all-in on potential stats, but Luna's stats are likely being distributed automatically.

Considering her current level, she's probably 100~110 stats higher than me.

And with Bineus's stats significantly reduced from the injuries, evading him focused solely on evasion wouldn't be impossible.

'I still have stats points left.'

I was saving up to 100 points for potential gambling.

Currently, I have 74 points left.

Why not use those points in such a critical situation?

'I will use them. But not now.'

I'm still uncertain which stats to invest in.

They should be used at a decisive moment.

You might ask if it wouldn't be better to increase strength or agility stats with Silver Flash to bleed Bineus more.

You'd be right.

'If Bineus didn't have a second phase, that is.'

Yes. Bineus has a second phase.

Who knows what variables will come into play then.

So, I must conserve my points until that decisive moment.

"Zeroooo!!"

Bineus started charging at me again.

The 25% chance had unfortunately occurred twice in a row.

With my stats, I can't dodge his attack.

Just as I was about to invest points into agility.

Luna arrived in front of me.

A sword drawn in the One Flash stance.

As Luna spun around, the shadow of the sword enveloped us.

The second secret technique of the Lester Family Style.

Moon Shadow.

The Lester Family's second secret technique was executed.

A technique that blocks 100% of an enemy's attack. However.

"Cough!!"

Luna, colliding with Bineus, was launched into the air.

It was natural for Luna, with her lower skill rank, not to execute [Moon Shadow] perfectly.

The silver lining was that it reduced some of the damage.

"Luna!"

I caught Luna as she fell from the air.

I administered first aid with a potion while keeping an eye on Bineus.

Whoosh-.

The third flame ignited.

Next, we'll delay his attack, regroup, and plan our next move.

That's when.

"Woaaaaah!!"

Bineus began his charge towards us again.

A 25% chance occurring a third time?

This is already the third time, a 1.5625% probability happening right here.

'Of course, it's a probability that could happen...!'

But why now?

This is too much!

'I have no choice but to rely on the power of the barrier of order.'

An artifact that reduces damage by 80%, gifted (?) by Daike.

It's going to hurt like hell, but.

That's what it takes to save Luna.

'After taking the hit, I must immediately use Silver Flash and Sky Splitter.'

I'm not sure if I can do it with the pain, but that's another issue.

I must do whatever it takes.

"Bring it on!"

Just as I stood in front of Luna.

"Get out of the way!"

Luna got up, trembling.

Her left arm broken, her forehead torn, her knees looking fractured.

Despite being completely battered, she stood by my side.

"If you touch my friend... I'll kill youuuuuu!!"

...Crazy woman.

Truly crazy, in many senses, our Luna is.

"Luna, step aside!"

"You step aside!"

Ah! She's small but mighty.

At this rate, we'll both end up dead!

Just as I struggled to push Luna away.

Whoosh-!

Flames burst forth from my chest.

Not Bineus's magic because it was unmistakably warm and.

'Soothing?'

Completely senseless in this situation.

Even so, Bineus's charge didn't stop.

Just as he was about to hit us, the flame moved to block between us.

Then.

"Aaaaaah! What, what is this flame! Why does this flame have a holy aura...!"

Holy aura? Could it be that this flame contains divine power?

The flame enveloping us grew larger, shining in splendid colors.

Like the feathers of a parrot.

'Wait, could it be...!'

I reached into my pocket and opened [Pocket Dimension].

When I pulled my hand out, I was holding two items.

The Feather of a Friend and the hilt of the powerless Sacred Sword.

The brilliant flames were emanating from the feather.

Soon, the flame transferred to the old hilt of the Sacred Sword.

Then.

[The Sacred Sword Artana responds to the call of a friend.]

The ninth Sacred Sword of the continent, created to save the world.

Artana shone brightly in my hand.

--TL Notes--

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