99 – 42. Master of Mana (2)
The fact that he had reached the level of a Mana Master made Satan widen his eyes.
Perhaps it was hard to accept. After all, Mana Masters were rare even on the continent, right?
Moreover, even if they were such individuals, the economic rise of a Master came after a considerable period of training.
Compared to such individuals, Ian, who was still in his twenties, had become a Master. It wouldn’t be easy for even a demon to readily accept.
‘That I became a Master…’
Ian was equally surprised, if not more so than Satan.
Even though the enemy was right in front of me, my gaze was fixated on Lebryon, covered in crystallized mana.
“To think that a human has already reached the highest level.”
Of course, according to legends, there are also Grand Masters who can scatter mana and turn entire regions into their domain.
But are legends nothing more than stories?
At the Heroic Academy, the highest level that Ari, a character from the game, could reach was Master.
Anything beyond that was not even mentioned.
“It could be because Ari, as a human, has reached the limit of a Master… But if that’s the case, there should at least be records of those who have reached a higher level on this continent.”
Even the founder of the Empire, who was praised by everyone, was nothing more than a Master.
Thanks to that, Ian was able to come to a conclusion.
“The highest level that a human can reach must be Master.”
He had reached the level where he could perfectly crystallize mana. He had reached the limit of human growth.
“And I have also reached Master.”
He had reached that astounding level where he could fully utilize the power he obtained.
Once he had obtained power, there was no time to waste.
***
Originally, the boss battle with Satan, the Demon Lord of Wrath, consisted of three phases.
“But in the current case, it’s the second phase.”
The phase is determined by the amount of decrease in health.
When you think about it, you might wonder why Satan is in the second phase.
Even if one pair of arms is gone, apart from that, there were no major injuries.
Even if he were to use the accumulated anger, could he regenerate a fallen arm?
Losing an arm wouldn’t be a big deal for him. It might not even be considered a significant loss, leading to doubts about why it’s a two-phase issue.
However, there was a special reason here.
‘Unlike other bosses where phases are determined by stamina, Satan’s phases are determined by the amount of anger he possesses.’
Initially, Satan’s stamina wasn’t a big concern. Uniquely, Satan’s phases were determined by the available amount of anger.
‘Satan’s anger is used in various ways. It can enhance attacks when used with magic. It can even regenerate the body.’
Just using the basic restraint technique, the magic beam, could consume anger to shoot it in eight directions.
If there were severed parts, a considerable amount of anger could be used to immediately heal them.
‘That insane versatility was quite troublesome.’
If you consume anger, you can do anything. There were times when I got fed up with that aspect.
It’s not easy to accept the advice to try hard when there are limits. He kept absorbing anger from those around him.
‘Erase the emotion of anger and think about how to defeat the enemy. Isn’t that easier said than done, swinging a sword as if it’s a simple task?’
Just focusing to respond to the opponent’s attacks was already difficult enough. On top of that, controlling emotions seemed somewhat impractical.
‘So, the method I mainly used was solo play.’
Once, in frustration, I gathered my colleagues in a corner and tackled the first phase alone.
It was certain that facing a formidable opponent even with gathered strength was uncertain. However, as a method to control the exponentially increasing amount of anger, it wasn’t bad.
‘You have to hit for a while, though. Just rushing to clear it quickly, only to get swarmed and absorb anger, makes you want to turn off the game.’
Overcoming the phase considered as the wall of magic was challenging. Still, once you get past it, fighting becomes much easier from the second phase.
Moreover, it could solve the most challenging issue, ‘anger management.’
“The situation is much better than before. Unlike Ariel, who was just an expert, I have become a master. And Celia is by my side.”
Even Phase 1 was a situation where Kaien risked his life to skip.
There was no need to be afraid when all the problems were solved.
“I-Ian….”
“Celia.”
“Yeah?”
“I will handle the guy up close and fight. Can you attack from a distance and take advantage of the opportunity?”
“Got it! I learned spear throwing, so I don’t have to worry about that part.”
To see the true nature of Wignoran’s spear technique, it would be best to quickly approach and provoke a melee fight.
However, it is impossible to create and disguise only the best scenario.
Of course, their spear technique had various devices to solve the situation. Among them was long-range attack called spear throwing.
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“If it’s spear throwing, you would infuse mana into your spear and throw it….”
“That’s right. Even though the power may be less than actually piercing with a spear, it’s not at a level that’s too lacking.”
“Don’t worry about the power. The most important thing is your safety. Even if it’s difficult to find the enemy’s opening…please.”
“Yeah…. I’ll do my best.”
What if I’m weak? It’s something that can be solved by hitting him several times. It’s not that time is overflowing. There wasn’t enough leeway to attack the guy as if being chased, but it wasn’t nonexistent either.
Safety, Celia just needs to attack while thinking about that.
“Long-range suppression is also prepared…. I just have to do well.”
The preparations are over. There’s no need to plan anymore.
There is only one thing to do.
Remembering the pattern of Satan… I kill the bastard.
That was enough.
***
When it comes to a game with action elements, most players would point to ‘parrying’ as an essential system.
It’s usually known as a counter-attack move. More precisely, it involves attempting to parry in sync with the opponent’s attack timing, deflecting their weapon while delivering a counter.
In simpler terms, it’s about deflecting the attack to the side while taking advantage of the opening it creates.
Heroic Academy naturally had a parrying system.
“I used it quite well. Those guys with oddly designed defenses were easily bypassed with parrying.”
Not only blocking the opponent’s attack and attempting a counter but also inducing ‘guard destruction’ judgment to deliver even more powerful damage—a system that could be employed.
That was the parrying system at Heroic Academy, and it seemed to shine the brightest during boss battles.
“This game isn’t as challenging as Souls-like games, so there’s no need to go around defeating regular monsters.”
After all, weren’t the users here to play the Bakhap Academy game, not to enjoy something tough and painful?
As a result, in Heroic Academy, characters could easily push aside regular monsters with overwhelming strength, and there was rarely a need for ordinary folks to use parrying.
However, when facing a boss, the story took a different turn.
“I can’t exactly figure out the intention behind this. Maybe they thought boss battles should be a bit difficult.”
Unlike before, when the brain was empty and buttons were simply clicked to defeat mobs, analyzing the boss’s pattern became essential now.
In such cases, it was only natural to place those who could practice skills useful in boss battles even in ordinary fields.
But this game was a bit different.
“However, I need to raise the difficulty a bit… I can’t have it turn into a Souls-like just because I’m only doing boss battles out of the blue.”
Without providing an opportunity for practice, it forced the use of techniques like parrying and rolling, skills not usually employed.
Of course, the difficulty of the boss battle wasn’t as mind-bogglingly hard. But since I hadn’t been given any time to practice beforehand, it was quite a challenge for someone like me who was playing this kind of game for the first time.
Of course, they did include a mechanism that allows you to skip the boss battle if you die too many times.
Regardless, it was a demanding playstyle that I wasn’t familiar with. That was the only flaw of the boss battles in Heroic Academia.
“Among them, this guy is the worst, no doubt.”
I can confidently say that Satan was the worst enemy in that aspect.
Swoosh! Crash!
“Ahhhhh!”
“Now.”
As the man with crazed eyes, Satan, charged forward, Ian quickly distanced himself.
Crackle!
After leaping, Satan slammed his fist into the ground, causing cracks to form and magic to burst out.
Roar!
“Whew….”
An attack that could easily be mistaken for a volcanic explosion, wreaking havoc in the area.
But his rage didn’t end there.
“It would be wise not to try to escape!”
Thud!
After lifting his foot and stomping the ground, sharp rocks sprang up, accompanied by shockwaves and an earthquake.
Knowing that they would die if they were caught in it, Celia and Ian evaded the attack with a jump.
Spending mana to create as much distance as possible, Ian recalled the previous situation and let out a held breath.
‘Now, you must think that the pairing and guard techniques that have served you well are no longer applicable.’
The reason Satan is the worst enemy lies right here.
In the previous cases, the use of pairing was forced without exception, but now, using it would only lead to instant death.
‘In the second phase, Satan unleashes attacks without sparing his wrath. Strengthened attacks each come with special additional effects.’
Just by leaping and hitting the ground, magical energy erupts from the earth. A mere kick to the ground causes earthquakes and shockwaves.
Attempting to block such things with pairing would only result in getting entangled in them and screaming helplessly.
‘You can’t even block it. Even if you perfectly defend with the additional effects of rage use, you’ll soon be paralyzed with stiffness.’
Defense is not omnipotent. In the case of the game, blocking an attack would deplete all stamina, rendering the character immobile.
Reality was no different.
If Ian had tried to block Satan’s leap with a sword, he would probably be rolling on the ground engulfed in an earthquake by now.
You might wonder how to deal with this.
Approaching seems likely to get entangled in attacks that cannot be blocked, but it’s not a role to just keep restraining from a distance.
However… Satan is a boss monster. A monster… created to be defeated, right?
Who would create an undefeatable creature?
Naturally, there was an answer.
Thud!
Ian, adjusting his posture, begins to rush towards Satan.
“He’s coming on his own!”
Satan, smiling at the stupidity of the one who comes voluntarily, prepares for the upcoming attack.
Whoosh! Crash!
Instead of the right arm, which was playing, the relatively intact left arm poured out magic.
Boom!
At the right timing, it swung towards Ian. At the same time, Ian showed a posture as if he was raising his sword to strike it down!
“How foolish!”
Surely, he must be trying to block it, but that guy wouldn’t know. Instead of blocking the attack, he would be swept away by it.
It wouldn’t be long before they dealt with the thorn in their side.
That’s what Satan thought for a moment, raising the corner of his mouth.
Clang! Shaaak!
“Did you think I was going to attack?”
“What the!”
After lowering the sword that was ready to parry, Ian slid back.
Boom!
“You missed.”
“Ugh!”
Satan’s counterattack, which he had prepared for, missed miserably.
Of course, an additional attack triggered by anger followed.
“I’m behind you. What are you doing?”
Kuwaak!
“!”
Ian had already moved behind Satan, far away from the range of the additional attack.
Feigning an attempt at pairing, dodging the attack with a sliding motion.
Satan, for the first time in his existence, couldn’t react quickly to Ian’s unique move.
That was the reason.
Crash! Shazazak!
“Cough!”
Ian, who had reached the level of a master in swordsmanship, could only endure Satan’s direct confrontation.
“This… this is unbelievable!”
In a situation where an attack was directed towards his vulnerable back, he couldn’t help but take the blow. Satan, intending to unleash another earthquake in response to this unacceptable situation, was halted.
Squish! Kwajik!
“Kuaah! My eyes… my eyes!”
“Ian, I’ll help you!”
At that moment, Celia’s spear pierced directly into Satan’s eyes.
Celia’s spear, filled with blue mana, began to shine as soon as it struck the eyes.
Kwaang!
“Kreuk… you pests!”
Soon after, it started to explode with a blinding light.
Already in a situation of losing his right arm, now facing a critical blow to his eyes.
Fortunately, the other eye not hit by the spear remained unharmed. The problem was the light.
“Darn it… I can’t see properly….”
The brilliantly shining and exploding spear momentarily blocked the vision of the other eye.
Unable to open my eyes. The meaning behind it was simple.
Kwooong!
“No… can’t…”
Granting Satan the time to prepare for a powerful attack.
Satan, realizing it, used rage to recover his sight in an attempt to block it.
Whaaack!
“No…”
“Now you finally open your eyes. But what to do now?”
Ian, who had already drawn a considerable amount of mana, was ready for the attack.
Looking at the radiant Levrion, Satan gnashed his teeth.