Chapter 43

Thanks to everyone, this work has somehow managed to secure the number one spot in the genre-specific monthly rankings!

Thank you so much! I will continue to work hard on writing, so please look forward to it!

And for this chapter, it goes up to the final duel.

As the title suggests, this is Zeros' moment to shine.

It's a bit long, but please enjoy it!

"Damn it, you're underestimating me! Do you think you've won with just this!?"

Dion immediately stood up and, with a fierce spirit, lunged at me.

His raised right fist was enveloped in a faint light, and I recognized it.

(Killing Fist, huh. It's a technique that even the delinquents from back in the day used.)

The martial arts skill [Killing Fist].

A powerful technique that increases the speed and power of the punch, but the opening before activation is also very large.

Normally, it should be used in combination with other methods—

"Magic Arrow!"

"Hmm."

While I was thinking this, Dion fired a [Magic Arrow] with his left hand.

A dazzling light arrow flew towards me, trying to block my movement.

(He's using the Magic Arrow to restrict my movement and then land the Killing Fist in the opening. Not a bad judgment for Dion.)

After all, he has been with the [All Crest] for over level 40.

However, unfortunately, he picked the wrong opponent this time.

First, I swung the Guardian's Relic Sword to dispel the Magic Arrow (since the Magic Arrow has low firepower, it can be dealt with without using Parry).

Seeing my response, Dion showed a malicious smile.

"You fell for it! I'm wide open—"

"Is that so?"

"—!?"

I slightly dodged and narrowly avoided the Killing Fist.

Then, I grabbed Dion's swinging arm, and he opened his eyes in surprise.

"—Ha!"

"Ugh!"

I pulled Dion's body towards me and slammed him to the ground with a powerful throw.

The dull sound of his body hitting the ground echoed with a violent impact.

I looked down at Dion and said,

"That's the second time you've been down. Well, this time you're on your back instead of your front."

"!"

My taunting voice made Dion's face contort with anger.

He stood up, summoned a sword from his storage ring, and glared at me with bloodshot eyes.

"Just because I held back a little, you think you can get cocky! This is just the beginning, get ready, Zeros!"

After shouting, Dion lunged at me with great momentum.

◇◆◇

After that, Dion continued to unleash all sorts of attacks.

Sharp sword strikes cut through the air, various magic spells flew, and sometimes he used martial arts.

The breadth of his attacks truly demonstrated the full potential of the [All Crest].

However, Zeros effortlessly countered all of these attacks.

His movements were efficient and precise. Sword strikes were skillfully dodged, magic was evaded with perfect timing, and martial arts were read and countered.

There was a tremendous gap between Zeros and Dion.

The atmosphere around them changed with this unexpected turn of events.

(Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! What the hell is going on? Why can Zeros dodge all of my attacks? This isn't supposed to happen—)

First, Dion's expression darkened.

At the beginning of the battle, his face showed anger at being mocked by an opponent he considered inferior, and a slight hint of complacency.

However, as his attacks were easily countered and he was repeatedly hit, his confidence quickly crumbled.

His frustration grew, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Still, with the last bit of pride he had, Dion continued to attack until it was completely shattered.

"……"

"……This is quite surprising."

Next, Duke and Edgar.

Their eyes were wide open, as if they were seeing something unbelievable.

The head of the Sylphied family and the long-serving butler were so shocked by the scene before them that they couldn't hide their dismay.

Until the duel began, Duke had thought:

Since Zeros accepted the duel, he must have some special secret strategy—

But the reality was different. The difference in strength between Zeros and Dion was so overwhelming that no secret strategy was needed.

(Zeros, what are you…?)

Confusion and questions filled his mind, but as a judge, Duke continued to watch the outcome.

"……Amazing."

Finally, even Shuna, who was supposed to know Zeros' strength, couldn't hide her surprise at the scene before her.

He seemed like a completely different person from the Zeros she had seen before.

Memories raced through Shuna's mind.

The adventures in the dungeon, battles with monsters… Zeros was indeed strong in those situations.

But, he mostly supported Shuna's magic—

(The Zeros I've seen so far wasn't giving it his all.)

Of course, he was serious.

However, he had been protecting Shuna, who was not battle-hardened, and prioritizing his role.

If all those constraints were removed and he could focus solely on the opponent in front of him, how much stronger would he be?

The answer to that question was now unfolding before Shuna's eyes.

Zeros effortlessly nullified all of Dion's attacks with graceful movements and then countered with the slightest opening.

His form was that of a true master of combat.

Unconsciously, Shuna swallowed hard.

A thought grew stronger within her.

(Maybe Zeros is several times stronger than I thought…)

With this thought, the duel entered its climax—

◇◆◇

(…It's almost over.)

During the battle, I calmly analyzed the situation and muttered to myself.

I countered all of Dion's attacks and continued to launch counterattacks.

I could see his movements gradually slowing down.

Thanks to Absorb Territory, the damage was nullified, but the pain and fatigue were accumulating without limit. The desperation in Dion's eyes grew.

However, I couldn't let my guard down.

(He doesn't seem to be giving up. He must think he has something up his sleeve.)

Just as I thought that, it happened.

"—! That's it!"

Dion's eyes gleamed sharply.

He stepped forward forcefully and thrust his spear with great strength.

However, there was a considerable distance between us. It didn't seem like it would reach me from there—

But as I thought this, Dion smiled slightly.

"Too bad, Zeros! This is the end for you!"

"——"

The moment Dion shouted, the tip of the spear glowed brightly and extended impossibly.

(This is… Flying Spear Strike, right?)

The spear skill [Flying Spear Strike].

A decisive technique that momentarily extends the spear's blade to attack an opponent outside of reach.

Seeing the approaching tip, I narrowed my eyes slightly.

(I see. By maintaining the perfect distance, I've been able to handle all situations. So, he thought this skill, which breaks the distance, would work.)

But, he was too optimistic.

I calmly analyzed the situation and took a few steps back.

That was enough.

The spear stopped just a centimeter in front of my throat.

Thanks to my perfect distance adjustment, the Flying Spear Strike missed.

Faced with this result, Dion's eyes widened.

"Impossible! I just used this skill for the first time today! How could you see through it so perfectly—"

"Are you panicking? You're wide open."

"—!"

Dion, stunned by the shock, stopped moving.

I took advantage of this opening and raised my sword.

"Damn! Par—"

Dion hastily switched from the spear to the sword and tried to use [Parry].

However, I had read his move.

"Too slow."

"What!?"

The previous swing was a feint.

I adjusted the timing and struck Dion's blade forcefully from the abdomen.

Dion's blade, forced to change direction, stabbed into the floor.

Naturally, the Parry failed.

And there was a characteristic of Parry: if it failed to activate despite touching the enemy's attack, a brief stun time would occur.

As expected, Dion's movement stopped.

This was the final opening.

I raised my sword and calmly looked at my opponent.

"This is the end."

"W-wait, Zeros—Ugh!!!"

Interrupting Dion's shout, my three powerful strikes hit his body.

The attack had more than enough power to crush the last bit of spirit left in him.

I pointed my sword at Dion and declared with certainty.

"I win, Dion."

"N-no… How could I, a capable person, lose to an incompetent—"

Dion cursed until the very end but then slowly collapsed and eventually lost consciousness.

After watching Dion fall, I turned my gaze to Duke, the judge.

Duke's eyes were wide open, clearly shocked by the result.

…It couldn't be helped.

"Father, it's over."

"…Y-yes."

When I called out, Duke nodded hesitantly.

After a few seconds of contemplation, he declared forcefully.

"With Dion's unconsciousness, the winner of this duel is Zeros!"

Thus, the duel for our dignity ended with my overwhelming victory.

This was Zeros' moment to shine.

In the next chapter, there will be a bit more of the "serves you right" moment!

There are only a few more chapters left until the end of Chapter 1, so please stay with me until the end!

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