Chapter 58

When I challenged Nerva to a duel, he didn’t show the slightest sign of unease.

"Haha! A 'Soul Duel,' huh? Fine with me. ...But,"

At that, Nerva smoothly moved his finger and pointed it at Prana and the others.

"When I win, I’ll take that woman."

"What!?"

I was taken aback, and the Sword Saint showed a sadistic smile.

"What’s wrong? Weren’t you going to prove your potential? Or is defeating me just talk?"

"That... is..."

I was at a loss for words.

Challenging Nerva to a duel was 100% my ego. I couldn’t involve Prana in something like this.

Just as I was about to open my mouth to withdraw the duel,

"Rex, you won’t lose to someone like him!"

A strong voice came from behind me.

"Mana..."

Mana, who had been cowering behind Prana, now glared at Nerva with a determined look in her eyes. And it wasn’t just that.

"I believe Rex will definitely win."

Prana also looked at me with a trusting gaze and declared it. She had spoken out.

"...It’s settled, then."

Nerva smiled contentedly at this.

Was this his plan all along? It was too late to think about that now. At this point, there was no longer an option to withdraw the duel.

"...Alright. But in return, swear that if I win, you won’t touch them again."

"Fine. But is that all you want?"

For a moment, I didn’t understand what he meant. Nerva continued, enjoying my confusion.

"Are you satisfied with such a reward for challenging a miracle like 'defeating me'?"

His words were brimming with confidence. In response, I clenched my teeth and shook my head.

"Fine. All I want is to defeat you. That’s it."

"Hmm..."

To be honest, it was a tempting offer. But I didn’t want to add unnecessary noise to the fight.

Just to win, purely and simply.

I rejected Nerva’s proposal.

What did he see in my expression?

Nerva turned away with a wild animal-like smile and said,

"I’ll arrange the arena. Come in ten minutes."

And with that, he walked away as if we didn’t exist.

***

"Rex!"

"Rex!"

Prana and the others approached me with apologetic faces.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have..."

Mana tried to say something, but I shook my head.

I was largely responsible for how things turned out. But mutual apologies wouldn’t improve the situation.

"We don’t have time. We need to prepare for the battle."

A 'Soul Duel' is a level-adjusted match. Regardless of how high or low one’s level is, everyone who enters the arena is set to level 25.

It’s not just that.

As I had previously used to view others' potential, the ability values in a 'Soul Duel' are recalculated based on the individual's potential, not their current values, starting from level 0.

In other words, this is a place where you can "reallocate your abilities."

In fact, the 'Soul Trial' I was planning to use to reallocate my abilities has a similar mechanism.

So, the choice of class, equipment, and the setup before entering the ring can already determine the outcome of the battle.

(That said...)

To fight Nerva, I had two options: win the World Championship or clear eleven of the 'Twelve Dark Ruins' and challenge the final one.

The tournament was relatively easier, but even then, I would have to defeat all the strong participants from around the world, which was nearly impossible with my current strength. Even a protagonist with the power to overcome such difficulties would find it extremely difficult to defeat Nerva.

Nerva is level 70 with the highest potential and the best equipment. It’s not something that can be fought with early or mid-game abilities, but the arena is a one-on-one battle with no obstacles, and the rules are "equipment allowed, no inventory use, and the match ends when HP is halved," which makes it easy to reflect one’s true strength. Tricks and tactics are almost useless.

The only hope is to use status effects like the ones that defeated the 'Elder Lich,' but Nerva’s equipment nullifies all status effects with a 95% chance.

If everything else fails, I have to rely on that 5%. I aimed to petrify Nerva using the 'Basilisk Dagger' and 'Cockatrice Knife' in a two-handed setup.

Of course, petrification isn’t guaranteed even with petrification weapons. I would need an astronomical number of attempts to succeed, and since saving isn’t possible during the tournament, losing to Nerva would mean starting over from the first round.

It’s not something a sane person would do, but to defeat Nerva, I had to go to such lengths.

(But, I can’t use that method now.)

I don’t have the petrification weapons, and even if I did, I can’t risk such a low-probability gamble.

In this world, there’s no saving or reloading, and even if I could somehow get a rematch, my current strength wouldn’t allow me to win the tournament and reach the final battle with Nerva. Besides, if I lose, Prana will be taken away. There’s no other way but to win here.

"I can’t lose, no matter what."

I murmured to myself, trying to convince myself.

The only advantage I have is that Nerva agreed to the 'Soul Duel,' which should have reduced his strengths.

Still, the gap in raw power is insurmountable. A prolonged battle would be disadvantageous.

(If I have a chance to win, it’s in a quick battle.)

All his abilities, skills, and equipment are superior to mine. I shouldn’t expect to land a normal attack.

I need to strike before he gets serious.

I have to bet everything on the first hit.

If that’s the case...

"Prana, Mana. Head to the arena first. ...I’m going to the 'Temple.'"

***

"Though it’s a cliché, I might say, 'Well done for not running away.'"

Ignoring Nerva’s taunting words, I stepped into the arena. I asked Nerva, letting my large cloak billow behind me.

"What are the rules?"

"It’s the 'Soul Duel' you wanted. The rest is the same as the tournament."

As expected.

While not ideal, the rules are tournament-standard, and Nerva might not accept a loss otherwise. This is fine.

"Are you ready?"

When I asked, Nerva climbed into the ring, removed the two massive swords, 'Great Demon-Slaying Swords,' from their clasps, and held one in each hand.

These swords, which are normally wielded with both hands, can be held in one hand thanks to the 'Berserker' skill 'Brute Force,' and further, the 'Ninja' skill 'Ambidexterity' allows for a two-handed setup, and finally, the 'Sword Saint' skill 'Twin Arts' enhances the power of two-handed arts.

This is Nerva’s signature style, 'Double Blade,' the pinnacle of two-handed combat. But...

"...Hmm?"

The Sword Saint slightly furrowed his brow and casually threw away the sword in his left hand, then gripped the sword in his right hand with both hands.

(Yes! Just as I thought.)

Nerva’s 'Great Demon-Slaying Swords' are incredibly powerful weapons, and thus, they have an extremely high equipment restriction. Normally, Nerva could handle them with one hand, but with the level reduction from the 'Soul Duel,' he hit the equipment restriction.

Still, he quickly adapted and switched to a two-handed grip, clearing the restriction. However, this means he’s no longer using a two-handed setup. Most of Nerva’s powerful unique skills are based on a two-handed setup. Probably, all unique skills except the basic 'Instant Blade' and self-healing 'Flame Aura' are now unusable.

"Clever. But, that’s what I expected."

Nerva maintained his calm demeanor. But when I removed my cloak, revealing my equipment, his eyes widened.

And then...

"Are you kidding me? You’re challenging me with such equipment!?"

His confusion quickly turned to anger. But it’s understandable.

Instead of the armor and helmet for a melee class, I was wearing a sinister circlet and mage armor, which are clearly inferior in defense. Most importantly, I held a magic rod in each hand, in stark contrast to Nerva, who had switched from a two-handed setup to a one-handed grip due to the equipment restriction.

"...I’m not kidding."

In a 'Soul Duel,' abilities are recalculated based on the current class and equipment, regardless of previous growth. So, there’s no need to build as a straightforward swordsman.

‘Rex will probably figure out how to use such equipment and do something incredible!’

Encouraged by the words of Nerva’s disciple, whom he had dismissed as 'ridiculous,' I pointed the 'Crimson Inferno Rod' in my right hand at Nerva and declared,

"I’m going to defeat you with this!"