Chapter 63

Rui and I dodge the flames spewing from the pillar of fire while calmly observing.

"【Enchant】—Speed!"

The enchantment further increases our speed.

Rui, skilled in illusions, weaves through the flames, while I awkwardly avoid them, no matter how ungraceful it looks.

"【Curse】—Intelligence!"

The curse I cast on the young beast in the flames weakens the fire's intensity.

This fire is magic, or at least, it depends on the INT status, which is one of my predictions. If that doesn't work, I'll lower the ATK.

We cast enchantments on ourselves at different times. The type we choose is a magic defense enchantment. The reason for casting them at different times is to avoid consuming MP all at once and to minimize the large openings that occur when the effects wear off.

It's a small technique, but it slightly increases our survival rate.

"【Enchant】—Mind!"

A new green light, in addition to the yellow, spills from our bodies. This reinforces our defense, but we still can't afford to be complacent.

For about two minutes, we dodge the flames, which are like a sea of fire, until they finally stop.

I measure the time until the next attack begins while my mind races.

1, 2, 3, 4...

The voices of Miu and the others sound distant as I focus on the pillar of fire. I take this opportunity to switch to a full combat sense configuration, including the crafting sense.

11, 12, 13, 14...

I use my heartbeat as a base to count the seconds, concentrating to avoid missing the initial movement.

21, 22, 23, 24...

I can't see the current state of the young beast behind the roaring flames and heat waves. First, I need to clear the flames to observe it directly.

31, 32... It's moving.

I dodge the flames that lick the ground, and the two-minute endurance test begins again.

Though my body doesn't sweat, the air escaping from my mouth sounds strained due to the tension.

"Haha, today is full of long battles, with the maguro and the pillar of fire. What a cursed day!"

With a self-deprecating laugh, I continue to dodge.

The intervals of the attacks are monotonous, making it easier to time my dodges.

The second two-minute endurance test. I see Miu and the others about to jump out from behind the earth wall, but I hold them back with a sharp glance.

If they come out now, they'll just get in the way, I convey with my eyes.

I don't have the ability to protect everyone or the coolness to help them effectively. I can barely handle myself.

While thinking this, the two minutes pass, and the flames stop. Seizing the moment, I take out a gem from my inventory.

"Boom!"

I throw two magic gems, one to each side, at the wall of flames. The explosion scatters the flames, and the shock of fire and earth magic creates a blank zone at the epicenter.

The young beast, now exposed from the pillar of fire, is wrapped in flames and shows anger at the counterattack.

But I don't respond to its gaze. Instead, I appraise the object on its exposed limbs.

The crafting sense, which is related to accessories, and the hawk's eye targeting ability, allow me to see the status of the equipped item.

Death Soldier's Bracelet [Bracelet] Weight 5

ATK +50 INT +50 DEF -50 MIND -50 [Additional Effect] HP/MP Super Recovery, Death Liberation, Rampage, Resistance to Disenchantment, Curse 3

I am stunned by the completely broken performance of this accessory.

The extreme increases and decreases in stats, and the abnormal additional effects.

A super attack-focused accessory that sacrifices defense. And yet, it has uncontrollable effects and a cursed item that is difficult to remove.

HP/MP Super Recovery means this 30-second break between attacks is a recovery period.

Death Liberation means the item is removed when the wearer dies. Otherwise, it would be in a permanent rampage state.

And then, Rampage and Curse 3. I take these at face value.

Finally, Resistance to Disenchantment—just the name suggests a decrease in the success rate of disenchantment...

"Well, I had a hunch, but seeing it in person is the worst. The developers are really trying to kill us."

While I'm thinking this, the flames intensify and the pillar of fire is restored.

The interval is about five seconds.

The plan is set. Two minutes of dodging, using the magic gems to peel off the flames during the 30-second break, and using the disenchantment potions in the five-second window to remove the item.

"Eight magic gems left. Not many chances."

I resume dodging. Rui's stamina seems fine.

In the third round of endurance, Rui dodges more easily. I occasionally get grazed by the flames, taking damage to my HP, but it's not fatal.

By recasting enchantments and using potions generously to replenish the lost HP and MP, we manage to survive the third round.

When the flames stop, and the moment of counterattack arrives, I throw the gem and rush towards the pillar of fire.

"Boom!"

Getting too close, I take a bit of damage from the explosion, but it's nothing compared to the multiple explosions at close range.

I quickly approach the young beast, take out a disenchantment potion, and apply it to its arm.

The breaking bottle and the spilling potion. Without confirming, I turn my body and escape from the pillar of fire's range.

The roaring flames from behind. For a moment, I feel the heat and pain on my back, and I groan without a chance to react.

"This... a direct hit on my back."

Turning my head, I see the scorched edge of my armor. A searing pain runs through my back, and I wince. If this were real, the sight would be too gruesome to look at.

I take out a potion during this interval and try to heal, but it's not complete. The burn status effect causes the pain to return even where the potion had relieved it.

"Ouch... I didn't expect a status effect race here. Not enough potions."

Rui, who immediately rushes over, produces water from her body, and the water ball gently envelops my back.

The searing pain dissolves like it's being melted by the water, and when the water disappears, only a clean, unscarred back remains.

"Besides illusions, you can heal too. Thanks! You saved me."

With 20 seconds left in the interval, Rui and I stand side by side, watching the pillar of fire.

In the flames, a black-skull appears, displaying the number '2'. In other words, when that number reaches zero, the equipment will be removed.

The first pillar of fire, which glowed red, increases in temperature and changes to blue.

"Completely. There's a status effect and resistance to disenchantment... I see, the additional effect that increases the ability with each successful disenchantment. Troublesome."

His flames will become even stronger. It's best for Miu and the others to run away; I don't know how much the aftermath will affect them.

"You guys! Run now! We don't know what will happen next!"

"What are you saying! We can't leave Yun behind!"

By the time the voices rise, the young beast's attack has already resumed. I continue to dodge the more powerful flames while trying to persuade Rukato and the others.

"There are four mages! Run while you still have MP! If you stay and defend, you'll run out of resources!"

"If Yun can fight alone, we can fight too!"

"Then tell me! Can you cast disenchantment on his equipment? If you can't, stay back!"

I can see the regret on Rukato's face. But, I'm sorry. If it were just about defeating it, a continuous barrage of powerful magic or continuous attacks through the cracks in the flames would end it. This battle is entirely our stubbornness.

"I can! There's a Dispel spell among the healing magic!"

Miu raises her voice. The others, including Rukato, appear, saying they can also defend and attract the flames.

"Really... you guys, I'm not trying to defeat it, but to disenchant the equipment. It's complicated."

"That's fine. We want to help Yun."

Rukato smiles. Looking around, Tou-Tobi is using some kind of movement sense, creating afterimages and teleporting to dodge the flames.

Rukato and Hino are paired with Kohaku and Rerei, the mages, participating in defense and distraction.

Miu, the key, is protected by Rui, whose water shield counters the flames and protects Miu.

The flames intensify, and with more distractions, the burden on each of us is significantly reduced.

Let's push for the final sprint from here.