Chapter 56

Just after I was certain of victory, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.

The phantom closed the distance in an instant.

As if it had learned that long-range combat offered no chance of victory for me.

"――――!"

Taken aback by the unexpected movement, I involuntarily gasped.

Somehow, I managed to dodge the enemy's attack by a hair's breadth and put some distance between us again.

I furrowed my brow slightly.

(What is this? This quick response...)

An adaptability that an AI could never replicate.

It seemed to have gained intelligence, much like a shadow-wrapped spirit.

"Given my experience in the [Spirit Temple of the Underworld], I was cautious, thinking it wouldn't be so easy... But I didn't expect the influence of reality to manifest to this extent."

I whispered, beads of cold sweat rolling down my face.

The mechanism was unclear, but there was no time to panic. I had to keep fighting.

*――――!*

"――!"

The phantom's fierce assault began.

Amid the intense clashing of swords, I could only barely avoid being overwhelmed.

"Damn...!"

Each time our swords clashed, the shock traveled through my arms and into my entire body. When we were at a distance, we exchanged slashes and magic arrows.

Considering my experience in this world, I should have had the upper hand in skill.

However, the difference in stats was significant.

"Damn!"

The disparity in attack power made the difficulty of a [Parry] between me and the phantom vastly different. When our slashes collided, I was the one who suffered.

Moreover, the phantom was still growing, its attacks becoming more refined and perfectly timed.

(This is bad. If this continues, I'll be gradually overwhelmed...)

I desperately tried to think of a countermeasure.

But the more I thought, the more I felt like I was hitting a dead end.

I had several skills that the phantom couldn't use.

Yet, when cornered, I relied on sword skills I was most familiar with from my previous life.

Despite obtaining the [Void Emblem], I wasn't making use of its benefits at all.

The emblem not only grants different skills but also provides a slight parameter boost when the corresponding weapon is equipped.

In the case of the [All Emblem] and the [Void Emblem], while they allow the use of various skills, the parameter boost is set lower.

When fighting with just a sword, a [Sword Emblem] user would have an advantage.

If I had known, I would have preferred to be given the same [Sword Emblem] as in my previous life...

(No, that's not right.)

I dismissed the rising anxiety and focused deeper.

There must be a way. A way of fighting that only I, with the [Void Emblem], can do—something that surpasses my previous self.

There must be something...

*You were amazing, Zeros! Not only did you counter the enemy's magic one after another, but you also delivered the final blow... It was just so cool!*

*...It was like you were just like Lord Zeronity.*

—At that moment, the words of a dear friend echoed in my mind.

(Why am I thinking of Shuna's words at this moment...?)

It seemed too ironic to recall her words at the moment I began to doubt my emblem. Had I, somewhere deep down, given up on victory?

...Really? Is recalling Shuna the reason I'm giving up?

No, that's not it. It shouldn't be.

To me, she was always the one who lifted her head, looked straight ahead, and gave me courage—

"......Ah"

—At that moment.

Memories of battling alongside Shuna flooded my mind.

Inspired by these memories, a sudden idea struck me.

It was an incredibly unconventional method.

But theoretically, it should work.

The chances of success were fifty-fifty, but it was worth a try.

(For that, I need to...)

I quickly leaped backward, increasing the distance between me and the phantom. Cold sweat trickled down my back as I watched the phantom's next move.

The phantom's eyes glinted sharply, and it raised its sword with both hands.

A blinding light enveloped the blade, and the air began to vibrate.

"It's coming...!"

In the next instant, the phantom swung its sword with great force, releasing a powerful slash.

It tore through the air, hurtling toward me with a thunderous roar.

If I were to be hit by this slash, defeat would be certain.

In a situation that would normally fill me with despair, my heart was strangely free of doubt.

(I still have this method left!)

Following the conviction that arose within me, I shouted the words.

"Dark Enchant!"

――――――――――――――――――――

[Dark Enchant] Level 1

- A magic skill

- Attribute: Dark

- By consuming an additional 50% of MP, it grants the dark attribute to your magic and increases its power by 30%.

――――――――――――――――――――

This skill was originally intended to grant the dark attribute to magic.

However, the skill effect is strictly described as granting the dark attribute to magic and increasing its power by 30%.

(Then, it should work on skills other than magic as well!)

Using Dark Enchant on my magic, the sword turned black as expected.

With renewed confidence, I swung the sword forcefully.

This was, in a sense, a fusion skill of sword and magic—

"―――[Dark Slash]!"

With my shout, a pitch-black slash was released from the sword.

A black blade, as if cut from the darkness itself, flew through the air, slicing through the space.

The phantom's slash and my pitch-black strike were about to collide—when, in the next moment, the black blade, like a ravenous beast, devoured the phantom's slash one-sidedly.

The pitch-black slash then deeply cut through the phantom's body.

*...!*

The phantom let out a pained cry.

Seeing this, I smiled slightly.

(The phantom's stat increase is 10%, while mine is a 30% power boost from [Dark Enchant]—I can overwhelm it!)

With each swing of the sword, a relentless chain of black blades attacked the phantom.

The phantom tried to defend itself desperately, but it was futile.

The pitch-black slashes easily pierced through the phantom's defenses, hitting one after another.

And then,

"This is the end!"

With my battle cry, the final strike was released, and the pitch-black slash cleaved the phantom in two.

The phantom's form gradually faded, as if being swallowed by the darkness.

In its final moments, a faint smile seemed to appear on the phantom's face.

Staring at the fading phantom, I exhaled a small breath, feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment.

"...I won."

But this was more than just a victory.

It was a clear turning point, a path to becoming the strongest with the [Void Emblem].

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