Chapter 94

EP.94 Sword and Shield (2)

No one is perfect. Humans seek what they lack in others. Depending on their needs, humans cooperate with others.

"First restriction: No preemptive attack."

Belnoa, standing at the boundary, spoke. The shadow wrapped around her arm writhed.

"Second restriction: Spells are limited to Smite. Additionally, spells can only be used to intercept."

Circuits were etched into the shadow. Belnoa gauged the number of stored spells and glared at Raku.

"There are five restrictions in total. You've already mentioned two, and I found one of the remaining three."

"Is that so? I found one too."

Raku clashed his axes, sparks flying as the stored spells heated up.

"......This is the restriction I found."

"......This is the one I found."

Belnoa and Raku have different fighting styles. Different styles mean different perspectives on the battle. Their differences are expressed in their words. Belnoa's and Raku's words did not overlap.

Two restrictions were revealed.

Only one restriction remains.

Belnoa explained her plan, and Raku listened. After hearing the entire story, Raku spat out a short reply.

"Is that so."

It was not a positive response. However, Raku answered by bending his knees. Raku lowered his stance.

Crunch.

Raku's shoes dug into the ground, pushing back the dirt. In a crouching position, he pressed the axe handle to the ground.

Acceleration (Accel).

Muscle Enhancement (Muscular).

Raku's heart pounded roughly. His breathing quickened. Regulating his rapid breath, Raku counted.

"One."

Belnoa drew out the shadow.

"Two."

The drawn shadow coiled into sharp, needle-like shapes. There were five in total.

"Three."

The moment he said "three," Raku kicked off the ground. Dirt flew up. Beyond the dirt, Belnoa twitched her left hand.

Shadow-Needle.

The needles were launched. Faster than the needles, Raku charged towards Rania.

2.

With each step, the distance closed rapidly. Raku ran with his eyes wide open, pushing off the ground. The distance narrowed to about five steps.

Thud.

However, the professor still showed no sign of moving. Was it because of the restriction not to attack first unless the line was crossed? Or was it just her composure?

It was unknown.

Though unknown, Raku's task was clear.

Without slowing down, Raku pulled his arm back behind his back. Taking another step, he narrowed the gap to about three steps.

Whoosh!

He swung his right arm forward. The hand axe cut through the air and was thrown at Rania.

"......"

Rania, who had been silently watching the axe, swung her hand. Raku's eyes widened.

'Right hand.'

She struck the handle of the spinning axe blade precisely. The trajectory of the hand axe was bent vertically and it plunged into the ground.

Thud.

At that moment, Raku had narrowed the gap to one step. He crossed the boundary line Rania had drawn. Rania looked down at the crouching Raku.

Her gaze was calm.

Her movements were still composed.

Raku swallowed hard and raised the axe in his left hand. The movement was fast, but Rania was even faster.

Crack.

She grabbed the axe blade with her bare hands.

'Right hand.'

She bent slightly, her knee moving towards Raku's abdomen.

'Fast!'

There was no way to avoid it. However, this was a flow he had anticipated. Raku quickly turned his body to the side.

Swoosh!

The shadow needle, hidden behind Raku's back, revealed itself. It was a spell that attacked from a blind spot. However, Rania reacted again.

She twitched her left finger.

Boom!

The Smite spell she had stored instantly repelled all the shadow needles. However, there was a slight pause between her movements. Seizing this opportunity, Raku dropped the axe and rolled on the ground.

While rolling, he pulled the axe out of the ground.

'Left hand.'

Raku gained confidence from the recent battle.

'All spells are used only with the left hand.'

While pulling out the axe, Raku moved to the left, listening to the approaching footsteps of Belnoa.

'Even in situations where the right hand can be used, she uses the left. And vice versa.'

Raku swung his axe to the left.

Even though it was easy to grab with her left hand, Rania extended her right hand again.

'Even while holding the axe.'

It was an unnatural movement.

'All strikes, grabs, and attacks—any physical interference—is done only with the right hand.'

Raku altered the trajectory of the axe and took another step to the side. Rania's right arm fiercely cut through the air.

'Even.'

The altered trajectory of the axe aimed at Rania's leg. Her right hand was already cutting through the air. She did not use her left hand. There was only one possibility.

Leg.

Sure enough, her leg moved. Her knee bent, and a kick came in. Seeing this, Raku curled his lips.

'The leg is also part of the restriction.'

He predicted that her right leg would move.

'This is one of the restrictions set by the professor.'

Raku brought the edge of the axe to the approaching heel. The axe blade and Rania's shoe heel clashed with a clang.

"Clang!"

Raku was the one pushed back.

His shoes dragged on the ground. There was no time to regain his stance. This time, Rania took a step towards Raku.

Her footsteps were light and brisk.

However, the incoming attack was heavy. She bent her elbow, and a punch came in.

Shadow-Needle.

However, thorns flew again. This time, it was not just thorns. Belnoa, standing behind Rania, stabbed down with a dagger held in reverse.

Smite.

Crack! As the needle broke, she spun her body. Her ash-gray hair fluttered. A spinning kick struck Belnoa's side.

"Kah!"

Belnoa, hit by the kick, rolled on the ground and got up. Raku also rolled on the ground, picked up his axe, and widened the distance again.

"Hmm."

Rania tapped her toes on the ground.

Seeing this, Raku swallowed hard. Sweat trickled down his spine.

He was tense.

However, excitement was greater than tension.

"......Ha."

A smile formed at the corner of Raku's mouth.

'I can see it.'

The answer was visible.

The answer was one step, one step ahead. Raku opened his eyes wide. His pupils trembled as he observed every small movement of Rania.

'It can be done.'

With Rania in between, Raku exchanged glances with Belnoa. Belnoa threw a dagger, which exploded, and shadows rose.

Rania reacted to the shadows.

Crash!

A flash of light. It was a lightning-like flash from bottom to top. The Smite spell tore the shadows apart. Raku approached through the scattered shadows, swinging his axe.

Whoosh.

A kick came. It was her right foot.

He ducked to avoid it. Knowing which leg would move in what way made it avoidable.

Avoiding, he raised his axe. Rania leaned back her upper body. It was the first evasive movement she had shown.

Belnoa stabbed with a dagger from behind her bent back. Without looking, Rania extended her right arm behind her and grabbed the dagger.

It was a movement close to a trick. It made Raku wonder if she had eyes on her back.

'Still, it's fine.'

The condition was met.

'What remains is...'

Raku brought the axe, which was aimed upwards, down.

He somehow drew Rania's attention, which was on Belnoa, towards himself.

'Just buy time.'

She released the dagger. Twisting her waist, she turned and struck Raku's abdomen with her elbow. Raku gasped for air and was pushed back.

However, he did not fall.

Raku charged again.

He clenched his teeth, swung his axe, sometimes dodged, and sometimes took hits.

With each hit, his vision blurred. He felt like he was about to fall. However, Raku endured. For one chance of victory.

'Belnoa said...'

He held on.

'Don't let her take that action.'

With wide eyes, Raku stared at Rania's left hand. He glared at the glove, and every time she tried to touch it, he lunged forward.

'Two seconds.'

He counted in his head.

Even as he rolled on the ground, he got up again.

'One second.'

The time Belnoa had promised was approaching.

Finally, Raku threw his axe to buy time. He threw both axes, gaining one second.

'Now.'

Raku opened his eyes wide and charged bare-handed. The professor's eyes, which had been watching Raku's relentless charge, wavered for a moment.

Her head turned sharply.

She looked behind her. Behind her, Belnoa was stretching out his hand. The shadow needles around him trembled. Not just the needles, but something else.

Offering.

Belnoa's two fingers were bent. The completed circuit was about to emit light. She clicked her tongue and tried to twitch her left finger reflexively.

She stretched out her hand as if to tear the circuit.

However, her hand did not reach Belnoa.

Crack.

Raku, who charged bare-handed, clung to Rania's right arm. He could not stop her movement, but he definitely slowed it down.

Flash.

Finally, the circuit was