c21-c40 · 037-ch37

Chapter 37: Can't Afford to Lose

Skills are supernatural powers distinct from magic brought about by dungeons. They aren't something just anyone can use—they're rare abilities that manifest in only a handful of people who have entered dungeons.

They range from purely physical enhancements to things that defy the laws of physics, but an acquaintance of mine who's a researcher once told me this—"There is no such thing as an absolute skill."

Apparently, this means that even if you have a skill that delivers devastating slashes or creates barriers with overwhelming durability, there are no skills that can cut through any material without fail, or barriers that are absolutely indestructible.

"Magic Fusion" absorbs magic. At first glance, it seems like a skill that nullifies magic, but there are rules—absorption limits, magic it can't absorb, and so on.

I'll expose those rules right here, right now. I unleash ice fragments toward Sandai.

"Attacks like that won't work at this point!"

Sandai charges at me without hesitation. Sure enough, no effect. I tried hitting her all over evenly, but it was absorbed without issue. There don't seem to be any weak points like a dragon's reverse scale where the skill doesn't apply.

Sandai swings her axe, but I avoid engaging with her attacks as much as possible, maintaining a consistent distance.

"Then how about this. 《Ice Sting》"

I create several ice thorns slightly larger than before. Inside them are packed other magics—poison, paralysis, and such. A direct hit would cause agony without question. I drop the ice thorns above Sandai's head.

"...Well, I figured you'd try something like that."

Sandai notices my intent and dodges the attack. It's to avoid giving me any information about her skill. Yeah, figured she'd do that.

But I was waiting for that judgment. I step in, entering her range.

"...! Now?!"

"When else would I do it?"

I dive into Sandai's guard and unleash a combo. Since my magic now has value in being dodged, it's the perfect chance to attack.

Skills are used and operated by people. Overcoming a skill means, in other words, overcoming its user. Scatter information, manipulate their consciousness and judgment to dull their reactions, and push the battle to a more advantageous position. That's how you pry open the path to victory.

"《Ice Sting》"

While attacking with my deck brush, I don't stop testing her skill. I create ice thorns above Sandai's head once more.

"Ririka! Anju!"

"Got it! Hyah!"

"《Fire Lance》!"

Judging that dodging everything would be difficult, Sandai leaves the magical intercepts to the two of them.

Good flow. Rather than me responding, make them respond to me. This is my combat style that I'd forgotten for so long. Little by little, I can feel my old instincts coming back.

My vision is wider than usual. Feels good—I can still keep going.

"Adding more. 《Ice Sting》, 《Purkinesis》"

In addition to the ice thorns, I make several pieces of rubble scattered around float up with magic. Can she absorb this?

"How can you cast magic so casually while fighting me?!"

"Hmm, guess I'm just used to it."

There's a limit to how much her comrades can intercept. Sandai prioritizes dodging the rubble and accepts the ice thorns honestly. Of course, I've packed other magics into those thorns too, but Sandai shows no signs of suffering.

As I thought, there doesn't seem to be any magic she can't absorb. Not even poison or paralysis can affect her. To be more precise, as long as it's something generated by magic, she can absorb it regardless of its state—whether it's a solid like ice, heat like fire, or the energy created by magic moving rubble.

However, the rubble itself wrapped in magic can't be absorbed. No matter what, she can only absorb the magic itself. Though making rubble move directly with magic is incredibly difficult!

Alright, this is the critical moment. The next move will be the key that determines this battle.

"Hah... 《Ice Sting》, 《Purkinesis》, 《Black Frozen》"

"There's still more...!"

What 《Black Frozen》 creates are unremarkable black chunks of ice. I mix those chunks in with the storm of ice thorns and rubble.

For Sandai, who has to determine whether each flying object is a magical attack or rubble while facing me, the black ice chunks are nothing more than another added magic.

That's why they hit easily.

"Guhah...!"

The ice chunk hits Sandai in the abdomen. Finally, some real damage.

"To think... you'd go to such elaborate lengths...!"

"I'm desperate to win too, you know."

It's simple—I packed rubble inside the black ice chunks. If she absorbs magic, I just need to mix impurities like rubble or dirt into the magic. I made them black so she wouldn't see what's inside.

And this is the key to overcoming her skill that I prepared.

Even if wrapped in magic, physical attacks work. Sandai should have fully understood that I grasped this fact.

This is the situation I wanted.

"O black, dye the earth with frozen ice—《Black Frozen》. Now then, let's get serious."

"...Isn't that a bit too much?"

I literally create a massive amount of black ice chunks. Enough to cover the ceiling, they turn the dungeon into night in an instant.

Naturally, I haven't packed rubble into all of them. But that's fine. Sandai will now have to consider whether there's rubble inside every ice chunk that falls. That's the goal.

Once I've generated enough ice chunks, I make them rain down like a downpour. Sandai dodges each one, destroys them with her axe, and withstands the assault.

I thought of this method of putting rubble inside magic attacks early on. But there's a reason I went through such a roundabout approach.

One is to make this wave attack of ice chunks as useful as possible. By gradually lowering her guard against magical attacks, I made her take an unexpected hit. That's how I strongly imprinted black ice chunks in Sandai's mind.

The other reason is——

"Ririka-san, behind you!"

"...Huh?"

——To make sure she wouldn't realize I was targeting Ririka in this situation.

Ririka notices me behind her and turns around. But it's too late.

"《Silent Shout》"

"《Bullet...! ...!?"

It's the same magic I used on Negomin—the one that makes you unable to speak. Ririka is a chant-type mage. If I seal her voice, I can neutralize her. Oh, and I also cast a strong 《Paralyzation》 on her. She probably can't move for about two minutes.

Sandai, who'd been chasing me, lunges at me. I calmly deflect the axe swung with great force, diverting its trajectory.

"To think Ririka was your target...!"

"She was my main target from the start."

"...! Don't say things like 'main target'!"

I focused on Sandai to make everyone think my attention was on her. Thanks to all the buildup, while dealing with the ice rain, Sandai momentarily excluded the possibility of Ririka being targeted.

And even if Ririka had noticed my approach and tried to swap positions, she couldn't have withstood that ice rain. It's what you call a fork—checking the king and taking the rook.

With this, I've taken out the troublesome rear guard. As long as magic isn't being used against me, this is nothing more than a pure one-on-one close combat match.

In that case, I have more than enough chance to win.

———But I'd forgotten. Explorers are at their strongest when cornered.

"...Anju, 10 seconds."

"Got it!"

Sandai steps back once, and instead, Anju stands before me.

...Why now? I don't think this kid has much offensive power... Plus, isn't her job erasing her presence and going for surprise attacks?

Unnecessary thoughts circle in my head. However, that's no reason to let my guard down. If she's standing before me, I'll crush her. I launch a full-force attack at Anju.

"Hiii~ So scary!!"

She shouts that while dodging all my attacks. Her reflexes are good, but above all, her distance management is excellent. She maintains a range just barely out of reach of my brush. Because she's in a position where I feel like I could take her down with just a little more, I feel an intense urge to attack her.

What is this, what's her aim?

I search my surroundings at the edge of my vision. Then I see Ririka, who should be paralyzed and unable to move, desperately moving her arm. As her trembling fingers trace through space, glowing letters appear in that space.

Writing in space... don't tell me, is that chanting?! She can do something like that?!

When the chant completes, a cluster of fireballs appears before Ririka and flies toward me. But their movement lacks precision. It's obvious they won't hit. The fireballs pass right by me and Anju.

At that moment, a stinging killing intent at the back of my neck. Simultaneously, I realize a fatal mistake. I'd focused too much on the enemy before me. Where did Sandai go?

The moment I thought that, Sandai appears from the fireball behind me, raising her axe high.

She can not only absorb magic into her body but also enter into magic itself?! I need to deal with this immediately...

"...!"

That's when I realize—I can't take my eyes off Anju. It's presence manipulation technique. If she can erase it, she can also draw attention. The time my gaze was held captive was less than 0.1 seconds, a fatal instant. I understand—I can't dodge it.

———I'm going to lose

"It's our victory, Shibasaki-san."

———No, I was about to lose.

The massive axe that split the earth violently tore through the void directly behind me.

"Wh-Why did I miss...!"

"Hah... That was close, I really thought I was going to lose."

Amazing, everyone. Surpassing my expectations like it's nothing. This is the current frontier of explorers. The place I once stood.

If I'm thinking of the next generation, I should fall here. Guiding and entrusting—that's the duty of those who came before.

But my soul is screaming. Win here. If you're an explorer, show your strength.

...Good, I haven't changed.

Even while surrounded by the two of them, a smile somehow spills from my lips. It's been so long since I've had this much fun.

"Now then, it's my turn next. I'd appreciate it if you prepared yourselves a bit."