Chapter 85

"――Chi!"

With a dull sound slicing through the air, Hizuru gritted her teeth and deeply crouched to avoid a sweeping slash.

The weapon swung at her was a large sword, dyed black. A single strike from this massive sword could be fatal for Hizuru, who had abandoned her defenses.

Wielding this enormous sword with one hand was a towering figure clad in armor and shield of the same color.

As she leaped backward to take a stance, Hizuru observed the figure more closely.

(An overtly defensive type. But it's incredibly sturdy... If I keep this up, I'll be in trouble.)

Since the event began, the initial stages had been favorable for combat.

The 'Eleanor Guild' and the 'MT Exploration Guild,' which guarded the northern side of the capital, were not primarily combat guilds.

However, in terms of resources and knowledge, they were undoubtedly the top guilds.

Their strength and scale were not for nothing. For this event, they had taken a preparation period and built excessive defensive facilities.

Multiple layers of defensive barriers and ballistae that were even criticized as excessive.

Furthermore, the effects of explosives and traps of unknown origin prevented the demons from even approaching the capital.

But—

"...Isn't it careless for a Viscount Demon to come forward on its own?"

"There was no need for caution. Your strength is not enough to pierce my shield."

Clad in pitch-black full-body armor, and wielding a large sword and shield that seemed to be as tall as his towering frame.

Despite his cumbersome appearance, the speed at which he swung his sword and shield was terrifying.

Even the magic that flew in for support, though hitting directly, did little damage.

Occasionally, when he swung his shield whimsically, the emblem on its surface would glow, and for a moment, a barrier-like effect would spread, deflecting the magic.

Hizuru was stalling while her companions targeted the demon with magic, but they couldn't deal significant damage or stop its advance.

At this rate, the demon would destroy the city gates before they could deplete its HP.

"Hizuru, are you okay!?"

"I'm fine! Focus on the other demons!"

Without turning to Eleanor, who called out from atop the city gate, Hizuru maintained her stance against the demon.

The armored demon was gradually advancing toward the capital, destroying the barriers with his large sword.

However, she couldn't stop his movement or deal effective damage.

(The problem is that shield... It reacts immediately to any attack and shows no signs of damage. How can it withstand a direct hit from a ballista? Moreover, that armor is unusually sturdy... If I can get close and land a thrust, it might work.)

Hizuru judged that there was no other way to win.

However, she couldn't get past that massive shield to close the distance.

Even when she tried to circle around using the obstructed view, she was immediately detected.

She attempted several footwork techniques to catch him off guard, but they were all deflected.

"...That shield isn't just for barriers. Is it automatic defense?"

"Hmm? An interesting theory, little girl. Why do you think this shield has such a function?"

"It reacted to an attack from behind without any line of sight. I don't think you have the skill to do that."

Hizuru judged that while the demon was indeed equipped with powerful armor, its movements were not outstanding.

She could tell this because she often fought her teacher, who was far superior in strength.

The demon's basic strength was clearly inferior to hers.

She had no issue with it compensating with equipment; it was natural to make up for deficiencies.

What mattered now was how to breach its defenses.

"Hmm... Your strength is remarkable for a human, but you are not the swordsman the Viscount mentioned. Was it the swordsman who defeated Veyron?"

"Maybe."

The word "Viscount" made Hizuru narrow her eyes.

She had heard that her teacher encountered a Viscount-level demon when defeating the second boss.

Would such a powerful demon appear next?

While she doubted it, Hizuru adjusted her breathing and, in sync with her allies, lunged forward.

Almost simultaneously, multiple ballistae flew from the rear positions.

"―It's futile!"

The demon raised his shield, and the emblem on its surface glowed.

Instantly, a wall of light around him deflected the ballistae.

(Barriers can't be cast continuously. There must be some sort of cooldown.)

Muttering to herself, Hizuru leaped using a nearby barrier as a foothold.

With the auxiliary skill "Traversal," she could use any surface as a foothold, no matter how poor.

As she leaped, multiple spells raced past her feet.

"Too easy, humans!"

However, these spells were also deflected by the shield's sweep.

The demon's armor and shield had high magic resistance, making even support magic ineffective.

However—

(No matter how good the automatic defense, it can't handle simultaneous attacks from multiple directions!)

Landing in a position opposite the shield's sweep, Hizuru immediately assessed the structure of the demon's armor and delivered a powerful thrust to its side.

Sword Technique—Soft and Hard Cross, Piercing Fang Zero Absolute.

A lightning-fast thrust from a stationary position.

The strike hit the demon's side, piercing the gap in its armor—but stopped short of penetrating.

"Ugh... Impressive! But—"

"Chainmail...!"

The thrust was blocked by chainmail the demon wore under its armor.

Stunned by the fact that her powerful strike was blocked, Hizuru's body stiffened for a moment.

But the demon continued moving, and a sweeping slash from its large sword was coming at her.

(Pierce—no, dodge, impossible, deflect—!)

Sword Technique—Soft Form, Flowing Water.

Hizuru swung her sword upward, meeting the demon's large sword and slightly deflecting its trajectory.

She dodged by slipping beneath it, but the impact still sent her flying.

"Ugh!?"

Slamming into the ground, the impact forced the air out of her lungs.

As she struggled to breathe, Hizuru quickly pushed herself up with her hands and regained her footing.

Without time to catch her breath, she saw the demon's massive form approaching and couldn't help but grit her teeth.

Her right sword was light; she knew it had broken halfway.

Hizuru immediately threw the broken sword at the demon and moved to hide behind the shield, which reacted automatically.

She was closer, but she still needed to land a strike that could penetrate the chainmail.

(The only option is to pierce... but it will pause my movement. I need to destabilize the opponent.)

Ducking the sweeping shield, Hizuru drew her second sword, a formic acid steel wakizashi.

While its effect reduced the durability of equipment, she doubted it would be effective against this special shield.

As the demon's shield bash approached, Hizuru prepared to leap backward—when suddenly, the demon raised its shield overhead.

Before she could question this action, a spear of light from the air struck the shield.

At that moment, Hizuru was grabbed and pulled back.

She didn't resist the sudden movement because she recognized who it was.

"Lumina!?"

"Yes! Are you alright, Hizuru?"

There stood the valkyrie with wings of light, Lumina, her teacher's tamed monster.

She immediately launched a light cannon at the demon.

However, the demon, with its large shield planted in the ground, deflected the attack.

The demon showed no signs of weakening, and Hizuru gritted her teeth as she regained her stance.

"Thank you for the help... Where's the teacher?"

"Father is on his way. I flew ahead to assist you."

"Understood... Sigh, I'll probably get scolded when we meet up."

Despite her sigh, Hizuru quickly formulated a plan.

She had no doubt her teacher would defeat this troublesome demon.

If she could hold out until his arrival, they would win.

So—

"I'll try to chip away, Lumina."

"Leave it to me, Hizuru."

Hizuru and Lumina nodded in unison and approached the demon from opposite sides.

Their timing was perfect, and the shield, moving on its own, faced Lumina's side.

Lumina's attacks, though all blocked by the shield, were still useful in limiting its movement, giving Hizuru more freedom.

"!"

Sword Technique—Soft Form, Flowing Water.

She deflected the large sword, stepped on the ground, and leaped.

Twisting her body, she aimed for the gap in the armor at the demon's neck.

She swung her blade downward.

Sword Technique—Soft Form, Assault Fang.

However, the demon slightly turned, and the blade only left a small scratch on the armor's neck.

Hizuru gritted her teeth and leaped backward, using the demon's shoulder as a foothold.

She thought her full-body weight might penetrate the chainmail, but it wasn't that easy.

Still, she had a small gain.

(I'm not sure if it's because of this sword... but that armor isn't as sturdy as the shield. The teacher can—)

At that moment, a roar echoed around them.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

A chill ran down Hizuru's spine.

The enemies and allies present stopped their actions, and Lumina, as if she knew, flapped her wings and returned to Hizuru's side.

Seeing her return, Hizuru immediately understood.

"Was that a battle cry... This is—"

Suddenly, a demon flew out from the direction of the roar.

But upon seeing it, Hizuru realized it had been blown back.

Because two small swords were embedded in its chest.

"Damn... You got pretty close to the gate, foolish disciple."

Everyone present turned to the source of the voice.

And they were speechless at the sight.

A man with red and green blood dripping from his white haori, his left hand dragging a demon with a twisted neck, and his right hand about to draw a sword from his waist.

Without wiping the blood from his cheek, he grinned and threw the demon aside.

"Well, next head. Try to entertain me, Viscount Demon."

■Avatar Name: Kuon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 27

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 24

VIT: 18

INT: 24

MND: 18

AGI: 14

DEX: 14

■Skills

Weapon Skill: Sword: Lv.27

Magic Skill: Enhancement Magic: Lv.19

Set Skills: Death Strike: Lv.17

MP Auto Recovery: Lv.15

Plundering Sword: Lv.14

Identification: Lv.15

Life Sword: Lv.16

Demon-Slaying Sword: Lv.7

Tame: Lv.12

HP Auto Recovery: Lv.12

Life Force Manipulation: Lv.9

Sub Skills: Mining: Lv.8

Title Skill: Fairy's Blessing

■Current SP: 30

■Monster Name: Lumina

■Gender: Female

■Race: Valkyrie

■Level: 1

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 25

VIT: 18

INT: 32

MND: 19

AGI: 21

DEX: 19

■Skills

Weapon Skill: Sword

Magic Skill: Light Magic

Skills: Light Attribute Enhancement

Light Wings

High Magic Resistance

Medium Physical Resistance

MP Auto Recovery

Wind Magic

Magic Circle

Boost

Title Skill: Spirit King's Servant