Chapter 11

"Hey, there's no way F-class adventurers can face off against such a monster head-on!"

"Idiot! Shut up! We need to escape while we can! If he gets killed, we're next!"

The adventurers are in a commotion from a distance.

But that's fine.

Those who want to run can do so as they please.

Even if they tried to help, F-class adventurers, with their low defense and cheap armor, can't handle a Madhead.

It's probably only a matter of ten seconds.

I am [Lv: 16], while the Madhead is [Lv: 40].

If I take a direct hit, even with my defense-focused build, I might be taken out in one hit.

Its movements are easy to read, but due to the level difference, it's also incredibly fast.

The paralysis from the Madhead's characteristic <Necrotic Flesh> lasts an average of three minutes.

If I can survive that, Goutan, who has recovered from the paralysis and been healed by Tail's <Heal>, should be able to turn the tide.

I will endure these three minutes with all my might.

"ROAR! ROAR!"

The Madhead swings its arms wildly.

I always avoid standing where one of its arms can hit me and keep moving to dodge its attacks.

The Madhead's attacks are large and easy to read.

So, I should be able to avoid them steadily...

"Ugh!"

A strike came from above.

I dodged to the right and deflected the claw to the left with <Parry>, barely avoiding it.

Still, the shockwave sent me flying and rolling on the ground.

The stat difference is just too much.

If this were <Magic World>, I could have completely avoided it...

The situation is dire.

I wanted to prioritize safety, but I never expected to end up in a one-on-one battle with a higher-level opponent without any preparation.

"Hey, isn't that heavy knight fighting that monster on equal terms?"

"Shut up! It's obvious he's losing! It's a miracle he's still alive!"

I can hear the voices of the adventurers from a distance.

"Hey... Is he smiling?"

At first, I thought they were talking about the Madhead.

But then I realized my own cheeks were relaxed.

"Trouble... I wanted to avoid this kind of situation, but I don't really hate it."

High risk, high return.

This is a common scenario in <Magic World>.

The penalty for losing was harsh, so in terms of efficiency, it was the worst, but in a situation where my limits are tested, a man who doesn't burn isn't a man.

I change my strategy.

It seems that with my current stats, I can't avoid the Madhead's attacks completely.

I need to attack to keep it in check.

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[Skill Tree]

[Remaining Skill Points: 0]

<Heavy Armor Oath> [15/100]

<Defense Boost> [0/50]

<Basic Swordsmanship> [5/50] [＋5]

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I open my <Status> and allocate all my points to <Basic Swordsmanship>.

Ideally, I would have increased <Heavy Armor Oath> first or added a new skill tree with an item, but there's no choice.

Eventually, I planned to get the skill that comes with <Basic Swordsmanship> [5] anyway.

[You have obtained the normal skill <Blunt Slash> because <Basic Swordsmanship> is now [5/50].]

Alright...

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<Blunt Slash> [Normal Skill]

A technique to strike the target at zero distance with the flat of the sword.

It is easier to deal damage even to opponents with high defense.

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<Blunt Slash> is a skill that is often overlooked in <Basic Swordsmanship>.

Most people prefer the attack boost for sword equipment that comes at [10], so it is often mocked.

In reality, it is not a good idea for a swordsman to abandon the reach of a sword to close in on the enemy, and the effect of dealing damage to a higher-level opponent is questionable.

However, this skill fits well with the low attack, high defense stats of a heavy knight.

I can endure the opponent's attacks with the heavy knight's stats and use <Blunt Slash> to deal consistent damage.

Moreover, in <Magic World>, leveling up is fundamentally about how you hunt higher-level opponents.

The usefulness of <Blunt Slash>, which can deal damage to any opponent, is high.

"ROAR!"

I parry another strike from the Madhead.

I was blown back by the shock of not killing it, but I used the momentum to spin and roll under the Madhead's feet.

"ROAR...?"

The Madhead lost sight of me.

"<Blunt Slash>!"

I close in from behind and slash the Madhead at close range, shattering the core beneath its thick skin.

"ROAR!"

The Madhead's body shakes, and it turns to face me in a panic, swinging its arms wildly.

Its movements become more erratic, making it easier to read.

I dodge its attacks, parry the ones that come close, and use <Blunt Slash> to counter when I see an opening, keeping the Madhead from attacking me one-sidedly.

However, since I can't completely negate the Madhead's attacks with <Parry>, my HP is being drained significantly.

I do manage to use <Blunt Slash> a few times, but it's not enough to whittle down the Madhead's high HP.

"ROAR... ROAR...!"

The Madhead, clearly frustrated by its inability to finish off a clearly lower-level opponent, strikes the ground with its massive arm to intimidate me.

"Yeah, Madhead, this is where it gets serious. ...But, I'm afraid my job isn't to defeat you."

"ROAR...?"

The Madhead makes a puzzled sound when it sees me lower my sword.

"<Dragon Slayer Slash>!"

Goutan jumps high behind the Madhead and brings down his axe on its head.

Blood sprays from the Madhead's head, and its massive body collapses.

<Dragon Slayer Slash> is a skill aimed at critical hits.

It is powerful but has a large motion and a significant opening, making it difficult to hit a moving target, so its use is limited.

However, the enraged Madhead was focused on me.

Goutan, who had recovered HP and escaped paralysis, approached from behind without the Madhead noticing.

[You have gained 330 experience points.]

[Your level has increased from 16 to 23.]

[You have gained 7 skill points.]

Most of the experience points should have gone to Goutan, but I still received an extraordinary amount.

The skill points are also a nice bonus.

I got more than I used.

Amazingly, the reincarnated heavy knight has taken the top spot in the daily overall rankings!

Thank you to everyone who has supported this work! (2021/04/27)