Chapter 86

Finally, I had arrived at the center of the northern battlefield.

There, a scene entirely different from the east where I had just fought spread out before me.

Multiple layers of fences and long-range attack weapons mounted on the castle walls.

And this pungent smell—could it be gunpowder? What is Eleanora thinking?

“Well, it seems my compatibility with this noble demon was poor.”

I retrieved the small sword from the chest of the demon I had just killed, wiped it clean, and sheathed it before slowly advancing.

Facing me was a demon equipped with black full-body armor, a large shield, and a greatsword.

It must be over two meters tall, and its massive frame was indeed an imposing sight.

A defensive stance from head to toe. For Eleanora and her team, who are inferior in offensive capabilities, this would be a troublesome opponent.

Still—

“So, foolish disciple… why did you lose to such a turtle?”

“No, no, it’s really troublesome… that shield seems to be a special piece of equipment. It can cast barriers and automatically react to our attacks!”

With a furrowed brow, I listened to Hizama’s desperate explanation, despite his exhausted appearance.

Indeed, it seems to be a peculiar piece of equipment.

As if to confirm his words, the black-armored demon began to tremble and chuckle.

“Indeed, my shield can defend against any of your attacks. No matter how skilled a swordsman you may be, you will not be able to cut through this shield.”

“…I see, I didn’t teach you how to deal with opponents wielding shields. They’re not very common in modern times.”

Dealing with armored opponents is an unavoidable path in the principles of the Kugenshin Tojutsu style.

However, facing a shield is a rather limited situation.

Given the priority, I hadn’t taught Hizama much about it, but it seems this has turned out to be a problem.

With a light sigh, I patted his shoulder with my sword and said with a chuckle.

“Then, both of you, learn this here. Whether a shield exists or not, it makes little difference.”

“…What do you mean?”

After all, the Kugenshin Tojutsu style has thoroughly explored how to efficiently kill opponents who are heavily defended.

Methods to kill an opponent over their shield, methods to use the opponent’s shield, and methods to slip under the shield—all of these must exist.

While these techniques are rarely used in modern times, I am still capable of applying them if I can adapt.

The shield this demon is equipped with seems to be quite special, but there are still ways to deal with it.

“Those who think they are safe behind a shield have a larger mental gap. I’ll show you how to exploit it.”

“Say that, human. Then defeat me—Baron 64th, Barzest!”

With a grand declaration, the black-armored demon—Barzest—raised his greatsword.

The greatsword, which is as tall as a person, was wielded with one hand, demonstrating considerable strength.

However, if the grip is loose, it doesn’t seem as threatening.

Sword Technique—Gentle Form, Flowing Water.

I merged my strike with the belly of the greatsword as it was swung down, deflecting its trajectory.

If it were wielded with both hands, it wouldn’t be so easy, but supporting this weight with one hand inevitably causes strain.

By exploiting this, deflecting the attack is not difficult.

Ignoring the greatsword that loudly struck the ground, I approached Barzest, but his shield, moving unnaturally, blocked my path.

(I see, this is the automatic defense.)

The shield moves on its own to block attacks, regardless of the user’s will.

It’s quite convenient, but also a rather useless item.

With a small chuckle, I touched the shield with my right palm.

Striking Technique—Invasive Shock.

The impact from my right palm was transmitted entirely to the black shield—and then to the demon’s left arm behind it.

Invasive Shock is a technique designed to damage the body beneath armor.

In terms of being separated, there’s little difference between armor and a shield.

In fact, the shield’s close contact makes it easier to transmit the shock.

“Guh…!?”

Barzest, struck by the shock, stepped back, his left arm bent.

The demon, regaining his stance, was clearly shocked.

“What… what did you just do!?”

“Exactly as you see. If your shield can block it, then just pierce through the shield.”

A shield this large is actually easier to target.

Moreover, with automatic defense, it’s like the opponent is offering you the shield.

You can strike as much as you want. However, repeatedly using Invasive Shock on this shield is inefficient.

It’s also troublesome to have this shield around, so I’ll make him drop it.

With a small sigh, I pressed forward against the slightly hesitant Barzest.

“Grr… Oooh!”

Sword Technique—Gentle Form, Flowing Water, Floating Feather.

Trying to keep me at bay, he swung his greatsword horizontally.

I moved forward, riding the momentum of his attack, and positioned myself behind Barzest.

Then, I compressed my body and pressed my left shoulder against the shield, which had automatically raised—

Striking Technique—Invasive Shock, Shield Drop.

I released Invasive Shock from my shoulder and immediately followed up with another Invasive Shock from my right hand.

At that moment, a dull vibration resonated from inside the shield.

“Guh, Aaaaaah!?”

The demon screamed as his left arm bent in an unnatural direction.

Invasive Shock, Shield Drop is a technique that combines a body check with a hand strike to release Invasive Shock.

The first attack numbs the opponent’s arm, creating a vulnerable state. The second Invasive Shock, delivered immediately after, breaks the bone of the numbed arm.

It’s a relatively simple shield counter technique that can be performed once Invasive Shock is mastered.

“See, once you break the arm holding the shield, it’s over. And conveniently, this fool brought a moving shield to us.”

With a grin, I moved behind Barzest and swung my blade.

Naturally, the shield’s automatic defense activated and blocked my strike—but this meant forcing the broken arm to move.

“Guh!? You—!”

I moved and struck repeatedly, sending shockwaves through the shield each time.

Forcing such a heavy object to move would cause significant pain to the broken arm.

Though his full-face helmet hid his expression, it was easy to imagine his face contorted in pain.

Unable to bear the pain, Barzest dropped the massive shield with a groan.

“Guh… Hah, hah… You did well, human…!”

“Hmph, a half-assed reliance on equipment. Is that sword just for show? Can’t you do anything without your shield?”

“Ridiculous! I still have this sword! I will crush you with my mighty blade!”

“Mighty blade… that’s a joke.”

Sword Technique—Gentle Form, Flowing Water.

I deflected his strike and observed his stance.

Despite the heavy full-body armor, his movements were relatively agile. This is likely due to his physical abilities, but the armor itself is also designed to not hinder movement.

In other words, this armor has many gaps. This is inevitable for armor, and it’s also convenient for me.

However—

(This sound… he’s probably wearing chainmail underneath.)

I narrowed my eyes slightly while deflecting his counterstrike with another Flowing Water.

If he’s wearing chainmail, I have two options: break through with the Hard Form or pierce through with a thrust.

Hmm… how about showing him both?

Seeing the wound on Barzest’s armor at the neck, I smiled and stepped back, sheathing my sword.

“What… what are you planning?”

“I’m more bored than I thought. I’ll go easy on you a bit.”

I announced and drew my white steel short sword.

It has taken quite a beating, but it should be fine for one more battle.

As long as I don’t mishandle it, it won’t break.

Barzest, trembling at my words, seemed to have his pride deeply wounded.

“Then, I’ll cut you and your thin sword in half!”

Roaring, Barzest moved his body as if forgetting the pain and swung his greatsword from above.

As the blade descended towards my head, I stepped forward with a small smile.

Simultaneously, I swung my blade horizontally, holding the short sword with both hands, and struck the belly of the greatsword with the hilt.

Sword Technique—Gentle Form, Flowing Water, Finger Cut.

Then, I ran the blade of the short sword along the inside of the deflected blade.

At that moment, I activated *Life Sword*—my strike precisely severed the thumb of the hand gripping the sword.

“What—Gahhhhhhhhhhh!?”

“Aim for the gaps in the armor—though you probably already know that, right?”

With a clatter, the greatsword fell to the ground.

Barzest, instinctively trying to grab his right hand, stiffened in pain as he moved his left arm.

With him stopping at this distance, there was no reason not to target him.

I moved in close and placed the tip of my short sword against Barzest’s side, extending my right hand to the hilt.

Sword Technique—Gentle Form, Thrust.

The thrust of the short sword penetrated the chainmail under the armor and buried its sharp blade in his body.

It must have damaged his internal organs, but he wasn’t soft enough to die from this alone.

“Guh, gah… How… how could this…?”

Barzest, kneeling and hanging his arms limply, muttered in a daze.

With a smirk, I slowly drew my sword.

“Well, this is the last. I’ll show you something interesting.”

“Teacher…?”

“Watch closely, Hizama, Lumina. This is one of the answers the Kugenshin Tojutsu style sought—a certain endpoint after pursuing ridiculous techniques.”

I announced and raised my sword to a high stance.

My target was the small wound on Barzest’s armor at the neck, now at a more accessible height.

I focused my mind on that wound.

Sword Technique—Secret Transmission—

—It’s a ridiculously simple yet difficult answer.

How to efficiently kill an opponent in armor.

The most straightforward and challenging conclusion to the question the Kugenshin Tojutsu style pursued.

In other words—

“I will cut through the armor itself.”

—Hard Form, Armor Break.

With a high-pitched metallic sound, my strike precisely hit the wound on the armor and split it vertically.

The black armor was cleanly cut, and the chainmail underneath was also neatly severed.

Then, green blood spurted out from the gap.

“Impossible…”

The giant demon slowly fell backward and did not rise again.

With a straightforward smile, I wiped the blood from my sword.

“I told you, turtle. Your heavy defense was full of gaps.”

*Baron Demon Barzest has been defeated by player [Quon].*

*The demon army within a certain range will be weakened.*

■Avatar Name: Quon

■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: *Dead Point 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

■Avatar Name: Hizama

■Gender: Female

■Race: Human

■Level: 27

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 24

VIT: 17

INT: 21

MND: 18

AGI: 16

DEX: 16

■Skills

Weapon Skill: *Sword: Lv.27*

Magic Skill: *Fire Magic: Lv.23*

Set Skills: *Fighting Spirit: Lv.17*

*Spell Charge: Lv.16*

*Fire Attribute Enhancement: Lv.15*

*Healing Proficiency: Lv.10*

*Identification: Lv.15*

*Dead Point Strike: Lv.17*

*Combat: Lv.16*

*Battle Skills: Lv.16*

*Endurance: Lv.16*

Sub Skills: *Gathering: Lv.7*

*Mining: Lv.10*

Title Skill: *Crimson Sword Maiden*

■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: High*

*Wind Magic*

*Magic Circle*

*Boost*

Title Skill: *Servant of the Spirit King*