Chapter 43

"It seems like you activated some kind of skill, but do you really think that can stand up to me...?"

I kicked off the ground and rushed at Maris, swinging my sword.

Maris hurriedly blocked with her katana.

The blades clashed.

"Ugh, no way... the speed... the power... it's on par with this Sword Saint, me...! How can this be...!"

A Sword Saint is especially strong in attack power and speed.

On the other hand, a Heavy Knight is weak in both.

As a result, in close combat, these stats, which are crucial, usually have a difference of about twice as much in normal conditions.

However, due to the effects of 'Deathline Tyrant' and 'Upset,' my attack power and speed have increased by 115%.

The disadvantage in stats has been overturned.

"Heh, heh, you really are amusing, Elma. You never fail to entertain me. But... an unwarranted power always carries a flaw somewhere, and it eventually leads to its downfall. Aren't you close to your limit? I'll put you down properly soon."

The sword and katana clashed, ringing out several times.

"Have you heard the story of the 'Wax-Winged Angel'? I've always liked that story."

'The Wax-Winged Angel' is a fable in this world.

It's about an angel born without wings, who, dreaming of his homeland, made wings of wax and flew into the sky, but the sun's heat melted the wings, causing him to fall and die.

"I love seeing people who struggle beyond their means being properly crushed. Especially when it's someone I admired, like you. I'm really happy that you've become so strong. Thank you, Elma. Every time you gain something, it gives me the joy of taking it away. The power you worked hard to obtain without relying on the Edvart family... I wonder what kind of face you'll show when you lose it."

"Sorry, but that won't happen."

I used 'Parry' to deflect Maris's katana and created an opening to attack her.

At the last moment, Maris brought her katana back to block.

"Heh, heh, heh, that was close... But, the skill you're using... is ultimately just a lower-tier version of the one I have."

Maris tried to parry my sword with her katana as I attacked again.

"Flowing Water...!"

This is a sword skill that can be learned from the Sword Saint's dedicated skill tree.

It uses the blade to create a flow of mana, deflecting the enemy's sword as if riding a stream of water.

It consumes MP, but its effect is almost an upper-tier version of 'Parry.'

I adjusted my timing, avoided Maris's 'Flowing Water,' and aimed for her body.

Maris kicked off the ground and leaped back, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"Why... our stats should be even, yet I'm on the defensive...!"

"You couldn't corner me when there was a stat gap. It's only natural that this would happen when the conditions are right."

Maris's expression tensed.

But she quickly twisted her mouth into a smile.

"Then... how about this! 'Adamant Blitz'!"

Maris's body was enveloped in golden mana.

With her mana-activated physical enhancement, she raised her speed and charged at me with her katana.

Indeed, the speed during 'Adamant Blitz' is even faster than my current speed.

When she used it before, I could barely withstand the damage.

It's questionable whether I can handle it stably in my current state.

"If a normal sword clash can't reach you, I'll hit you with 'Adamant Blitz' ten times... no, a hundred times! Eventually, you'll fail to defend!"

I jumped back and deflected the first and second swings with my sword.

The third swing, a powerful overhead strike, was aimed at me.

I dodged by retreating.

Maris's stance was slightly off after the swing, but she immediately followed up with the fourth swing.

"Maris, your 'Adamant Blitz' has a significant opening."

It's when Maris forces the fourth swing of 'Adamant Blitz.'

'Adamant Blitz' explosively enhances physical abilities for a brief moment.

The number of sword strikes that can be executed in that moment depends on the user's stats and skill.

With Maris's level, she should have stopped at three swings.

Between the third and the forced fourth swing, Maris is vulnerable for a brief moment.

Now that I've caught up in stats, this moment is a fatal opening.

It's too late after the fourth swing.

If I chase her to attack while she's retreating, she'll have already recovered her stance.

I deflected Maris's katana with all my strength to the side.

Her katana flew out of her hand.

Maris's eyes widened.

She gritted her teeth, immediately clenched her fist, and closed the distance to me.

Even without her weapon, she's trying to find a slim chance to win.

Her determination is commendable.

"A Sword Saint has decent HP but very low defense. They are weak against classes with high attack speed, monsters, and certain special skill formulas."

I thrust out 'Mad Ghost Shield' and pushed Maris away.

"Shield Bash!"

'Shield Bash' competes with the value of [Defense + Attack / 2]. If I surpass it, I can push the opponent back with that much force.

A Sword Saint has low defense to begin with, and my attack power is doubled now.

"Ugh!"

Maris's body was easily pushed from one end of the guild to the other.

She hit the wall with a loud thud, causing the entire guild to shake.

Maris's body convulsed, and her head slumped, becoming still.

She wasn't dead.

The distance to the wall prevented fatal damage, but the impact caused her to lose a lot of HP and faint.

I sheathed my sword.

I relaxed my body and returned to a natural stance.

The red mana from 'Deathline Tyrant' stopped.

I also deactivated 'Life Shield.'

In the end, I didn't need to use it.

It's ideal not to use it as a safety measure, but the match concluded with me retaining some energy.

"You won... Elma won! You won!"

Luce, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged me.

"Hey, hey, Luce, what's wrong?"

"I'm so relieved... I really, really am. I believed you would be fine because you seemed so confident... but the opponent was so scary... she came at you like she was going to kill you... I was so worried...! But, but, I'm so glad you won...!"

Tears welled up in Luce's eyes.

"It's okay. I told you I had the pieces to fight him."

The match went as I had anticipated, making it a relatively safe battle.

Before activating 'Deathline Tyrant,' I confirmed Maris's trump card, 'Adamant Blitz,' and identified her critical opening.

While Maris did come at me with the intent to kill, the Embryo battle was much more dangerous.

"That's ridiculous... Maris, a Sword Saint, lost to a Heavy Knight? Even landing a single blow was unusual, and to fight on equal terms and be defeated... this can't be happening..."

Aizas fell to her knees, weakly.

She stared blankly at the unconscious Maris.