67 – 30. You Wouldn’t Have Known (2)
The indomitable will obtained from Broker’s domain.
Certainly, it was a good item, but honestly, there were times when I wondered if it was worth obtaining it so difficultly.
That’s because it’s not just any achievement item.
‘It’s an item that shows bizarre performance like hidden fixtures.’
Just look at Natalion, used by Ian right now, isn’t it a Hidden Piece?
Compared to her, who spews firepower that can devour demons, the indomitable will didn’t seem like a valuable item at all.
‘So I passed by the achievement items of Broker’s domain without any regrets.’
However, when I progressed further into the game. To be more precise, when I started confronting the demon kings like Asmodeus.
Ian regretted that decision as if he had gone mad.
‘I didn’t know that Mental Power was such an important stat.’
In typical RPG games, there are only two stats you need to manage in order to clear the game. They are Health and Mana.
But Heroic Academia took it a step further and added the stat called Mental Power.
‘I thought they added it just to reduce the consumption speed of contents.’
When entering dungeons or advancing the story, the character’s mental power gradually decreases. And when it reaches its limit, you can’t do anything without taking a rest.
The importance of managing mental power didn’t end there.
‘Starting from Chapter 4, the monsters eat away at your mental power.’
If the mental power drops below a certain level, the character starts hallucinating, and the probability of attacks missing increases exponentially.
It was the manipulative work of the developers to raise the difficulty.
‘And in this part, there are two members in the Special List.’
The first is Asmodeus, the embodiment of lust, and the second is Leviathan.
Both may be somewhat weak in terms of power, but they excel in draining the character’s mental power and fighting on that basis.
‘While other demon kings fight based on their ranking… these two fight with trickery.’
Is the opponent strong? Then improve your skills and become stronger. Isn’t this a well-established theory?
But these two were different. If the opponent was strong, they would weaken themselves and fight from that stance.
The meaning behind those words was simple.
‘Trickery ends here. Let’s show what the difference in rank truly means.’
At the moment when the best hand of mental attack is torn apart. Ian gains an overwhelming advantage.
It was all thanks to that.
*Wham!*
“Ugh!”
“Is that all you can do with the body of a hero? I can’t believe you’re the Demon King.”
“You, you! Are you done talking?”
“I’ve said all I need to. But my fist hasn’t landed yet.”
“Grr!”
The reason he could maintain his momentum against Leviathan, who had swallowed the body of the hero, was…
As Ian looked at the blinded Leviathan, he smiled and immediately delivered a powerful punch.
*Crack!*
“Aggh!”
The fist struck his face directly. Even while being struck repeatedly, Leviathan didn’t seem to understand the current situation.
‘His head must be hurting. That’s why his mind control doesn’t work. And how can that guy casually beat up his own brother?’
No matter how messed up their relationship was, they were still family.
If they attacked each other, who shared the same blood, it was only natural to hesitate, no matter how ruthless they might be.
Leviathan must have thought he had the upper hand.
Ian thought that Ariel wouldn’t be able to demonstrate her true strength when facing him, so he planned to take advantage of that opening.
However…
‘Doesn’t it hurt your heart to defeat Ariel? No, it’s always interesting. It feels different every time.’
At least Ian didn’t belong to that group.
Ariel? She was precious. Even when playing the original game, he made every effort to preserve her character.
But for now, isn’t it important to survive?
Whether it was painful to the heart or not, he had no desire to die, even if it meant losing the character he loved.
Seeing Leviathan constantly gasping for breath and occasionally touching his injured cheek, it seemed quite painful.
They were in a desperate situation, that was for sure.
However, Ian couldn’t relax either.
‘I have to capture Leviathan without killing Ariel.’
Defeating his little sister wouldn’t be a problem, but killing a hero was out of the question.
He was the Empire’s hope, after all. Wasn’t he the only key to kill a demon?
‘What should I do?’
Killing can be done at any moment. However, if that happens, the loss would be enormous.
What would be the best way to deal with Leviathan alone?
It was the moment when he was thinking like that.
“Oof!”
Leviathan, who let out a loud cry, tightly grabbed Elysion.
The Holy Sword, which emitted sacred power to the extent of blinding Arielle’s eyes, was now only exuding magic.
“He’s preparing an attack. It seems like he’s preparing while gradually depleting my life force….”
Even the magical barrier that was enclosing the area was slowly diminishing.
It seemed like an attempt to make the space narrow and make it impossible to escape.
“If Elysion’s true power combines with Leviathan’s magic….”
What will happen? Ian made a decision in a momentary simulation.
“It’s dangerous. Very dangerous. He’s weak against the Holy Sword already because of its dark attribute, and if magic is added to that….”
If he couldn’t block that attack, he didn’t even know if he would die here before dying at the hands of the Mage.
“It seems like he’s already made up his mind. He doesn’t seem to have any intention of backing down.”
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Based on her attitude of preparing a strong attack while depleting her own life force, it seemed like she had accepted life and death.
Even if he managed to block the attack somehow, the guy would launch another fatal blow.
“What should I do? Even if I luckily survive this attack, is it possible to prepare for the next one? And I can’t kill Arielle either.”
It was the moment when he was sweating in the face of imminent danger.
“Just a moment… the Holy Sword?”
Ian’s eyes widened in surprise.
Elysion, the Holy Sword. The Empire’s greatest treasure that destroys evil and protects the righteous.
The weapon that had rescued him countless times from enemies while playing Hironic Academia.
The experience at that time was still vivid in Ian’s memory. It was all thanks to that.
“There was a way.”
He had found a way to make up for this situation.
***
“In fact, Ariel is not that strong of a person.”
A claim that the Empire’s treasure, the future warrior who would defeat the Mage, was weak.
At first listen, it may be somewhat difficult to understand, but it was a clear fact.
“To be precise, her own power is considered top-tier, but her skills cannot be regarded as top-tier.”
Objectively, Ariel wasn’t particularly skilled.
Bluntly speaking, aren’t there people in the empire who possess stronger powers than Ariel?
Illyan Siegurd, a heretic of Dalsurim, had mastered archery and dagger techniques over several hundred years. At this point, he had reached a level that no one else could surpass.
Hexar Maducellane, the ruler of the wastelands? He was a specialist in axe combat and had the power to instantly separate the neck and head with his axe, even if the demon forces blocked his path.
Furthermore, even without a party of warriors, there were plenty of strong individuals.
“There are actually many people stronger than the members of the warrior party. There’s Lord Wignoran, the dragon slayer, and Duke Bernokia, the king of fists.”
Among the close ones, there was Ariel’s father, Kilain Volkhanov.
If compared to their abilities, honestly, it would be more appropriate to say they were below average.
If Ariel was truly outstanding, they surely would have received swordsmanship training from the expert of the highest echelon, Haeley.
However, there was a reason why someone like Ariel couldn’t be ignored in the empire.
“That reason is the Holy Sword Elysion.”
Among the five attributes existing in the Heroic Academy,
It was a weapon usable only by those possessing the attribute of holiness. A sword that unleashed tremendous power when held by a warrior.
That was thanks to it.
“Ariel isn’t strong. But the story completely changes when facing demons.”
The reason why someone like Ariel, whose skills objectively weren’t exceptional, could become a warrior.
“Elysion demonstrates immense power when facing demons or beings of darkness.”
In simple terms, those blessed with the Holy Sword can tread upon the territory of the demon lord Astelgia without any restraints, and not only that, but they can also gain buffs that greatly enhance their abilities.
Ian also knew how exceptional Elysion was.
“I still can’t forget the scene of top-tier expert Ariel sweeping away the demons and beheading the Demon King.”
Because it possessed such tremendous power, they conducted numerous experiments.
How could they use this weapon more effectively?
Were there any other ways to draw out greater power than now?
The results were not that great. However, it wasn’t that they gained nothing at all.
“While reading the description of Elysion, I had some doubts. The phrase ‘a sword that destroys evil and protects the righteous.'”
For others, it might have been a passing remark, but Ian wasn’t like that.
He believed that something hidden lied behind it and there was still time left. He decided to conduct an experiment.
“It wasn’t a grand experiment. Just a simple stab.”
He extended the sword that pierced through enemy bodies towards his allies.
At first, the results were not particularly favorable.
“Illyan, was it? When I stabbed him, he died instantly. Because of that, I got kicked out of the Heroes and ended up in the Royal Knights, leading to a bad ending.”
If that’s as far as it goes, people would say it was a waste of time and move on. But Ian continued with his experiment.
He stabbed those who were visible one by one and witnessed countless bad endings. To the point where one might suspect that even the heroes were actually spies sent by the Empire.
Was Ian’s effort commendable? After many attempts, he was able to discover a new fact.
“After stabbing Saint Glendia, I realized. The Holy Sword means nothing to someone with the Holy attribute.”
Even after piercing Saint Glendia’s ship, there was no injury.
“What did she say? She said the method was radical, but it seemed to recover fatigue.”
Rather, the Holy Sword only healed Glendia.
It was the moment when Ian realized the new effect of Elysion.
Ian did not forget the new knowledge he gained at that time.
“If you learn, use it.”
Now is the moment to keep that faith.
“Neltalion.”
– Yes!
After adorning himself with the aura of a divine warrior, Ian took a deep breath and rushed forward, hitting the ground.
It wasn’t like when he faced Baal Jebup and manifested the Heavenly Array.
There was no need to do so unless he planned to destroy the Great Hall.
“The usage of Divine Aura is not limited to the Heavenly Array.”
Manifesting the Heavenly Array was merely to bombard a single area. There were other possible methods as well.
Among them, Ian chose concentration. He gathered Divine Aura in his right hand.
Combining Ether and Neltalion’s Divine Aura, Ian’s right hand exerted an extreme power.
Crash!
“Ugh!”
Ku-gwaaah!
“What… is this! Ugh!”
With reinforcements from magic, Elysion’s powerful strike was easily withstood and completely shattered.
Leviathan screamed in agony. If it were other people, they would mock the enemy. But Ian was different.
Snick!
“What speed!”
“Surprised? You’re still early.”
He delved deeper into the embrace of the collapsing Leviathan.
Bang! Clang!
His fists struck one after another. With each blow, the gold began to fade from the magical armor surrounding Ariel, while the helpless Leviathan attempted to raise its sword for defense.
Crack!
“Gotcha?”
Ian was not impressed by the futile struggle.
After materializing his hands using ether, he tightly gripped the blade and continued his attack.
With a grimace, Ian grabbed her neck, rendering the weakened Leviathan unable to breathe, and extended his arm up into the empty air.
Clang!
“Gah, ugh!”
Elysion slipped away from his hand, completely breathless due to the choking grip around her neck. Even in dire straits, the Leviathan smiled sinisterly.
“After receiving several strikes, have you gone mad?”
“Think what you will. Ian Volkov. Even like this, I’ve suffered no damage.”
“Even if you possessed me. If the host is attacked, isn’t it inevitable to suffer harm?”
Ian’s calm question was not entirely incorrect. However, there was a reason why Leviathan laughed for no apparent reason.
“So, you figured it out? But do you also know this? In order to kill me, you must sever this child’s life.”
“Do you mean Ariel’s life?”
“Yes…. You can’t do it. No matter how much you want to kill me, you can’t bring yourself to kill your sister.”
In that moment, Ian was faced with a simple choice.
To kill Ariel along with Leviathan or select an option that would save both.
Choosing the former would mean the end of his life as it is. If he fails to defeat the majin, eternal death awaits.
Choosing the latter would render all his efforts up until now futile.
“Now, choose, Ian Volkov!”
He was forced to make a decision, but Ian did nothing.
Precisely because he didn’t feel the need to do anything at all.
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“What, what did you say?”
“There’s no negotiation with demons. That’s my conviction.”
He would save Ariel and kill Leviathan. That was why all this had been done.
It meant that he hadn’t indulged in these actions just to be dragged around by Leviathan’s words.
“I’m going to kill me? How on earth are they planning to do it?”
There is only one way to kill oneself in a possessed situation. It is to eliminate the host and force them to die along.
If that’s not the case, then there is no other way?
What is that guy thinking? Showing such a confident attitude.
For a moment, Leviathan had doubts, but his curiosity didn’t last long.
“Yes, you! Are you serious!”
In that moment, she could see it.
Slash!
“Whew….”
Ian picking up the fallen holy sword from the ground!
Due to the hatred of the blade, his hand was burning, but Ian simply raised the corners of his mouth.
“You wouldn’t have known about this, Leviathan.”
The holy sword. It is a weapon that can only be used by those chosen among those born with holy attributes.
Those who are not qualified cannot wield it, and even if forced, the sword brings tremendous pain.
“How… How did you get hold of the holy sword!”
That sword was suddenly in Ian’s hand.
Caught off guard, Leviathan desperately tried to release the possession, but unfortunately, Ian was faster.
Puuk!
“N-No, nooo!”
Ian, who grabbed Leviathan, immediately plunged the holy sword into Ariel’s body.