Chapter 16

"――!"

Ritch, who was confused by the blocked attack, seemed to regain his composure and launched the 'Death Blade' again.

But it was futile. The magic barrier already in place blocked it.

The black blade shattered into pieces and dissipated upon hitting the barrier.

"……What did you just do…?"

"It's magic. I forgot to mention, but I'm a magician."

I had been leaving all the fighting to Tao since we entered the dungeon.

It wasn't that I was hiding it; I was just focused on practicing 'Qi' and didn't have the chance to show it.

"――!"

Ritch, emitting a silent cry, started firing black blades continuously.

Hmm, dark magic, I see.

Since it's used by monsters, it's often disliked, and there are hardly any magic books about it.

I should take this opportunity to study it.

Let me lower the strength of the magic barrier and increase its elasticity to the maximum… there, okay, bring it on.

With a dull thud, the black blade pierced the barrier.

But it didn't penetrate; it lost its momentum and came to a complete stop.

I picked up the blade, now devoid of its attack power, and examined it.

I felt a tingling sensation. This… is poison.

"…Wow, you're turning your magic into poison and launching it?"

The term 'poison' might be a bit misleading.

It's more magical in nature, more like a solidified curse.

An attack that targets the life force rather than the physical body.

If hit directly, it would drain your life force, making it more powerful than it looks.

Still, the principle is not much different from fire or water, so a magic barrier can easily defend against it.

"――!"

Surprised that I easily deflected his attack, Ritch hastily began to gather his magic.

The magic gathered in his hands was incomparably stronger than before.

Ritch sharpened the magic into a sharp point and spread it out like the fangs of a beast.

"Roberto, that's dangerous! Get out of the way!"

That must be the high-level dark magic 'Death Fang.'

It has a similar structure to 'Death Blade' but is much more powerful.

It might have additional effects. …I'm curious.

Seeing me standing still, Ritch grinned and launched the black blades from above and below.

The rapidly approaching blades collided with the magic barrier but couldn't break through.

I picked up the fallen blades.

"Hmm, just a higher-level version, as it looks. I thought there might be different types of curses in dark magic… but it's a letdown."

Glancing at Ritch, he seemed quite flustered, not expecting his attack to be blocked.

It looks like he doesn't have any more magic to use.

I don't think there's anything more to learn from him.

Still, dark magic, huh. From what I observed, this power is similar to 'Qi.'

I might be able to do the same. Let me try.

Following what Tao taught me, I gathered the 'Qi' in my right hand and mixed it with magic.

I'm still not very skilled with 'Qi,' but I have some confidence in controlling magic.

As I mixed the magic, the 'Qi' began to take on a blade-like shape.

"Hmm…? Is this technique a bit too demanding?"

I tried to suppress the pain in my lungs and the urge to cough.

Using 'Qi' normally is much easier on my lungs.

Moreover, it's difficult. The shape change of 'Qi' is hard to control, and I keep failing.

Each time, I have to start over, which takes a lot of time.

But the excitement is much stronger.

Despite repeated failures, the 'Qi' gradually took the shape I wanted.

…Yeah, it seems to be working.

After much trial and error, I somehow managed to create a 'Qi' blade.

"――!?"

Seeing this, Ritch deployed his magic barrier to defend.

Let's see how the 'Qi' blade performs.

"Go!"

With a shout, I launched the 'Qi' blade I had created.

The blade flew in an arc and cut through Ritch's upper and lower body, along with the magic barrier.

"Ga…"

With a weak groan, Ritch disappeared.

Wow, when you defeat them with 'Qi' attacks, they turn to dust.

I remember reading in a book that undead monsters are weak to life energy and holy power.

The way they disappear is just as described in the book.

"Unbelievable…!"

Tao muttered quietly as she watched.

"That's the advanced technique of 'Qi Bullet,' the 'Qi Fang.' …I couldn't do it even after years of training. And he did it so easily, without any effort…! No, that's not it. Roberto was just enjoying touching 'Qi'…! I remember grandpa saying that effort is natural, and those who enjoy it are the strongest. …Hmm, now that I think about it, I used to enjoy training when I was little. I could do new things every time I practiced. When did I stop enjoying training…? I can't remember. Well, I guess I'll have to start over. This time, I'll enjoy it to the fullest."

What is she mumbling about?

Tao looked at me with a look of realization.

I wonder what's going on… but whatever.