Chapter 55

The sharp sound of swords clashing echoed through the stark white space.

With each swing, sparks flew, as if the air itself was trembling.

『――――！』

“Gah!”

In the midst of this, I managed to block the phantom's all-out strike, but the impact was heavier than expected.

The shock traveling up my arm made me clench my teeth involuntarily.

The intense sword duel with the phantom continued.

My arm grew heavier with each swing, and sweat dripped from my forehead.

It was clear that the phantom had the upper hand. The 10% status boost from the [Will of the Sword Emperor] made this level of battle quite troublesome.

(Indeed, a direct power struggle is tough...)

Seizing a momentary opening, I took a step back.

Repositioning my sword, I swung it with a burst of magical energy.

“—Slash!”

My perfect strike approached the phantom straight on.

However, the enemy was not so naive as to let it hit without resistance.

『―――――!』

A moment later, the phantom also unleashed a [Slash], just like me.

The two slashes collided in the air with a thunderous sound.

In the next instant, my slash was easily shattered by the enemy's.

“Tch”

I hissed and dodged the weakened slash.

The slash continued on, shallowly cutting into the wall behind me.

As the result of the clash showed, the phantom's strike was also a perfect one.

Combined with the effect of the [Will of the Sword Emperor], the enemy's power was greater, and thus I was overpowered.

(Indeed, a simple power struggle won't work...)

Muttering this, I began to think of my next move.

I had anticipated such a development the moment I decided to challenge the phantom.

Compared to the numerous battles I faced in my previous life, this was not a serious crisis.

(Plus, I have this option now)

I smiled slightly and charged at the phantom again.

However, if things continued like this, the status difference would tilt the balance in the enemy's favor.

Therefore—

(—Now!)

Just as we both swung our swords with our right hands, I thrust out my left hand.

Concentrating magic in my left hand, I shouted forcefully.

“[Magic Arrow]!”

『――――ッ!?』

Immediately, a magic arrow was released from my left hand.

Zeronity showed a look of surprise but couldn't react in time, and the arrow hit his chest.

With a small explosion, Zeronity was pushed back.

(Yes!)

I rejoiced inwardly.

As expected, Zeronity did not counterattack even after a few seconds.

(Indeed...)

At this moment, I recalled the system message from earlier.

『Some skills failed to be reflected』

The words I heard just before the battle began pointed to a certain fact.

(This trial, considering that the phantom is a copy of the [Sword Emblem] holder, can only copy sword skills. Therefore, it cannot respond to skills from other emblems, like [Magic Arrow])

This theory might seem forced, but I was certain of it.

“After all, I confirmed this in my previous life.”

Recalling the memory of a certain NPC I encountered in my previous life, I whispered confidently.

In any case, if I had any chance of winning, it was by exploiting this advantage.

Given the AI embedded in the phantom, it would almost certainly respond to close-range attacks with close-range attacks and to long-range attacks with long-range attacks.

In a situation where the status is higher, the simplest strategy is the most effective, and this philosophy should be reflected in the AI.

(On this point, the only long-range attack the phantom has is [Slash]. If the attacks become monotonous, it will be easier to predict the enemy's movements, and I should be able to deal damage with magic skills like this)

With this in mind, I prepared for my next attack.

(Now I see a chance to win. As long as I keep this up—)

A small sense of confidence in victory began to grow within me, when the next moment, the phantom chose an unexpected action.

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