46 – Invasion of Matop (2)
“A match?”
I asked, taken aback.
I didn’t expect to receive such a proposal all of a sudden.
He explained further as I tilted my head in confusion.
“We can’t just continue causing chaos like this. Yet, if we simply fulfill every demand without any conditions, it would also be quite embarrassing for us.”
In other words, it was a way to save face.
If we simply succumbed and fulfilled the demands without a fight, it would be obvious to everyone around us.
“Even if we fulfill the demands after losing in a match, wouldn’t our dignity still be shattered?”
“It’s different in two aspects. Firstly, it’s not because we were threatened by violence from you, but because we fulfilled it as a result of a fair match. And secondly…”
He chuckled slightly before continuing.
“If we win, we can actually demand a price from your side.”
“Really?”
I let out a hollow laugh.
So, it means that he’s considering defeating me.
Indeed, it was one of the ways. Whether it was actually possible or not, I didn’t know.
“Alright then. So, what do you have in mind for the method of the match?”
“It’s simple. We take turns attacking and defending, each responsible for one attack and defense per round. The judgment will be made based on who is first to be defeated in their attack or who surrenders.”
“Fair enough. Are you confident in yourself before the Earth War?”
“I am more confident in firepower than the Earth War.”
Well, since the Red falls under the category of a strong axis in terms of firepower.
Even Lily in our party has learned the most Red Demon Tower magic.
I nodded willingly.
Because I had enough confidence to win.
I raised my head and briefly looked at the opponent’s level.
[76]
Indeed, the Demon Tower located in the Empire, the level is not easy, definitely at the senior level.
Only a difference of 3 levels between me and him. Considering that the level in this world is higher than the average, it is a line of semi-strongest.
But, even though my level was higher and it seemed advantageous… it wasn’t always the case.
“Because he is a magician.”
I may have mentioned it before. The level is not an absolute value. Depending on the circumstances, depending on the opponent’s experience, it can be reversed.
And a magician, fundamentally capable of unleashing much greater power than my level.
It is something that should never be underestimated.
Moreover, this duel is a turn-based battle where we take turns attacking each other. It is a fight that favors magicians more than miscellaneous characters like me. Because each of their attacks is strong.
But still, the reason I accepted the duel was because I believe in what I have accumulated up until now.
“Just having regeneration is enough.”
If I endure, I will be able to win.
I said to the senior like that.
“I will yield the first move.”
“Normally, I would refuse… but since you are a hero, I will accept without refusal.”
And so, the duel began.
“Crush him! Sir Senior!”
“Even though you are a hero, isn’t it time to understand the situation! Press down firmly on his arrogance!”
Magicians gradually gathered around us. Each one of them cheering for Senior, who is my opponent. On their faces, there was a deep conviction that Senior would win.
Being surrounded by countless people and receiving jeers like this… it feels like being humiliated.
“In the beginning, I will go easy.”
Senior the magician draws a magic circle in the air. He said he would go easy, but his basic skills as a 5-star magician were on a different level.
“Fireball.”
Whoosh!
A fireball is shot towards me. I raised a magical shield and used one arm to guard.
I’ve faced higher-level magic on my way up here, but this was much hotter than that.
Still, I managed to block it.
Regeneration wasn’t even needed; the shield took care of most of it.
I raised my sword and said, “Even if it’s just a reconnaissance mission, shall we give it a try? Alright.”
“As you wish.”
I approached him and swung my sword down.
Naturally, I had increased my blood flow and set up a mana blade.
It was quite a powerful blow, I thought, but it didn’t make a dent on him.
He quickly deployed a bluish, semi-transparent protective shield around his body.
Ting!
Thanks to that, my sword just made a clear, pure sound.
Hmm, no scratches. It seems I can’t pierce through that sturdy shield with a regular sword.
If only I had a holy sword. But all I had in my hand was an ordinary iron sword.
“It’s my turn again.”
The duel continued in this manner.
My opponent gradually pressured me with stronger magic, and I just put more strength into my sword to break through his shield.
I guess becoming a veteran made a difference; even his ordinary shield was of a higher caliber. Maybe he had even sturdier techniques.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
I was still lacking in power, indeed. Unless it’s a fierce battle, I was just an ordinary swordsman.
Well, I’ll have to solve that problem little by little.
Still, I had a corner of hope. Even if I pretended otherwise, damage was gradually accumulating in my body.
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Just one big move, and I could block it properly.
Fortunately, the opportunity came quickly. He seemed to be getting impatient, continuously launching unremarkable attacks.
“I heard you were a hero, and you’re quite the disappointment. Your attack and defense skills are just basic. You use some unusual dark magic, but that’s about it… It seems the Four Kings were weaker than I thought.”
Perhaps he already considered himself the winner as he cast a spell.
I shrugged and replied, “Maybe.”
“I thought the Scarlet Tower would be stronger, but I didn’t know they were so weak. I guess they’re just a bunch of losers.”
Upon hearing that, the elder frowned.
If they were going to feel so bad about it, why did they provoke in the first place?
“Get ready!”
Shouting like that, they drew a magic circle in the air.
A magic circle that intertwined two, three times.
The three magic circles were shaping one magic. One for ignition, one for amplification, and the other for compression.
They would compress the growing fireball and compress it again, consolidating it in one place. The resulting flame resembled a planet. It wouldn’t just end with burning.
A heavy flame.
Controlling three magic circles simultaneously was a high-difficulty spell. It required immense magic power and was hard to control. It seemed like they were planning to use it as a finishing move.
“Wow, such a powerful magic, I can’t help but be in danger too.”
“Take this!”
While babbling for a moment, they threw the magic.
Whoosh!
The flame attacked fiercely. The barrier that surrounded me disappeared in an instant, and flames covered my vulnerable body.
Indeed, no matter how much resilience I had, this was bound to hurt. My flesh would burn and regenerate repeatedly.
But I endured.
I immediately repaired the shattered defense, and the burned parts regenerated.
They say the most painful thing a human can feel is a burn. But I was able to endure more than I had expected. It was because the power was weaker than I had thought. I’ve even blocked the body blow of a dragonkin. It’s just warm.
[Congratulations!]
[The level of ‘Magic Barrier’ has increased!]
Good news came in the middle of all this. As I continued to endure for a few more minutes, the magic began to gradually weaken.
The magic users who saw me standing unscathed let out astonished voices.
“No way!”
“He’s still fine after taking the elder’s magic!”
“What happened?”
Ignoring them, I approached the person.
“I can’t ignore receiving such treatment either.”
If I received such a powerful skill, I should return it accordingly.
“Oh no!”
Was it a sense of crisis? The guy hastily started creating a barrier. This time, the barrier I saw was slightly different from what I had seen before.
The square-shaped cubes were constantly interlocking, creating a single shield.
It was a grid structure, known as one of the most stable structures in the world.
Countless interlocked cubes absorbed the impact and reduced damage. The resulting shield boasted overwhelming efficiency.
However, such a thing was useless in front of me.
Because my skill was f*cking powerful.
“Rainbow Reflection.”
[Using ‘Agonizing Memory’!]
Boom!
“Ugh!”
The carefully piled cubes crumbled. Blue fragments scattered in all directions, and the enemy’s abdomen hidden among them was severely injured.
Without stopping there, the guy flew backwards for a while and then crashed into a wall.
Starting from the previous princess ambush, it was the accumulated damage that I had steadily gathered until now. No matter how robust the guy’s barrier was, there was a set limit to what it could withstand.
Thus, the confrontation ended with my victory. As someone said, it would end when one of us fell down.
Surrounding mages raised their voices, surprised by the outcome.
“Your Excellency!”
“This can’t be!”
I looked at the enemy leader, then slowly approached.
*
“What… what do you want?”
As I approached, he asked with a pained voice.
Thin streams of blood flowed from his mouth, perhaps indicating internal injuries.
Tension was clearly evident in the corners of his eyes.
I couldn’t anticipate what he would demand, what he would want. Perhaps he was asking for something too big… Fear crept in.
His thoughts turned negative.
“What does he want…? The heart of a phoenix? The body of an ancient golem? Or maybe the vision magic of our mausoleum?”
There were only things that were difficult to fulfill. Each and every one of them was a treasure of the mausoleum.
But at the same time, they were things that had to be granted if he demanded them.
It was not an exaggeration to say that he already held the lifeline of this mausoleum.
The head of the council is currently on a business trip, and the other council members are all out investigating somewhere.
In such a situation, the warrior is now risking his own life as a council member.
If it is necessary to survive, he must agree to it even if he has to cry.
And the council member was convinced that he would ask for something big. Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to do such a big thing.
Eternities pass in a moment. His red eyes stared as if piercing through him. Finally, he sat down and aligned his eye level with his own, and stated his demands.
“I want to repurchase the necklace that was rejected from the auction. Oh, of course, I will pay the proper amount.”
“···What?”
Upon hearing his demands, the council member could only be momentarily bewildered. Various questions filled his mind.
Auction…?
The one that happened today?
Although it is rare, it was opened in Matap for funding because it is unclear whether it can be used in Matap?
Was there an item that was rejected from sale there?
No, before that….
“Just for that one thing, are you causing all this commotion?”
After smashing the Matap lobby, causing numerous injuries, and attacking the elders and council members?
As he stared at him with a dumbfounded expression, the warrior scratched the back of his head and spoke.
“Because it seemed like you wouldn’t listen to me unless I went this far.”
“······Alright.”
The council member grabbed his neck.
The place it hit was his abdomen, and it felt like his bones were being crushed.