Chapter 87

I am clashing blades with Patchwork.

However, due to the overwhelming power of the opponent, I am being significantly pressured.

Patchwork not only has a large body, giving it a long reach, but it also has three arms.

Moreover, if I attack recklessly, I will immediately become prey to the <Death Sword> that flies at me.

The limit is to continue dodging attacks.

Patchwork is blessed with high stats, but these three arms and the <Death Sword> are extremely dangerous.

It is truly a troublesome opponent beyond its level.

I deeply feel that it is not a monster to be taken on directly.

"Luca! Always move to get into the opponent's right side! Since the third arm is on the left, you will be heavily attacked if you go to the left! The front is also dangerous! Always keep a distance of more than one meter, and don't stay in the same position for more than a second! You won't be able to avoid the follow-up attacks from the magical blades! Focus on defense and evasion, and leave the attacks to Celt and Meabel! If you see the light from the magic circle, the <Death Sword> is coming! It's hard to dodge accurately, so just keep your distance!"

I give Luca instructions loudly while clashing with Patchwork.

Attacking Patchwork without a plan is quite difficult.

If you fail to avoid a combo and get hit by the <Death Sword>, Luca's HP won't be able to withstand it.

We should focus on evasion and not attack.

Luca should only attack when Patchwork's target is Celt or Meabel, and she can get behind the opponent.

"Try to use <Acrobatic Step> near the walls! Since Patchwork can't swing its sword freely near the walls, you can minimize the damage from slashes! Meabel's white magic should be able to cover you!"

"Y-Yes! I'll do my best!"

Even Celt, who had tried to run away and was saved, is now helping without fleeing.

He is jumping around and firing arrows to keep Patchwork's attention from focusing too much on Luca.

Meabel is prioritizing Luca's recovery while moving, and if she has the chance, she is using the <Ice> magic skill to attack.

This is a battle that will take a lot of time, but that's fine.

Patchwork is feared because it has three arms for combos and the high-damage skill <Death Sword>.

However, on the other hand, it is slow and has no ranged attack skills.

Patchwork is not good at cornering opponents who are running away.

When fighting Patchwork, it is important to fight carefully and avoid party member deaths.

If you get impatient and try to deal damage, you will become prey to the <Death Sword>.

Luca and the others are fighting steadily.

The problem is on my side.

I don't have any allies to distract Patchwork, and as a heavy knight, I can't run away.

I don't have the luxury of maintaining distance or staying on the opponent's right side.

I have to continue facing Patchwork's combos head-on.

"However... this is quite nerve-wracking."

The fact that Patchwork has the <Death Sword> is a big issue.

I can't move to a position where I can't respond when the <Death Sword> is activated, which greatly restricts my actions.

Patchwork is taking advantage of the fact that I can't attack and is increasing the intensity of its attacks.

Even with my stats, I can deal some damage with the <Mithril Sword>.

Since Patchwork is at a higher level, there is also an attack power boost effect from the <Upset>.

I want to land a hit to reduce the opponent's momentum.

Being on the receiving end of one-sided attacks is tough, but it also means that the opponent's defense is becoming more lax.

There will definitely be an opening somewhere.

"<Parry>!"

I deflect Patchwork's sword and block the trajectory of another blade from the other arm.

Taking advantage of the opponent's hesitation, I jump to the right and swing my sword.

Patchwork's rotten flesh is gouged, and black bodily fluid flies.

When I swing my sword for the second time, I see a light in my field of vision.

I immediately jump back and raise my shield.

The purple light of the <Death Sword> hits my shield, and the impact sends me flying.

"Ugh!"

Damage gets through even with the shield.

The <Death Sword> activates quickly and can send a blade to the targeted position regardless of the caster's stance, making it highly effective for defense.

It is a truly vicious skill.

Patchwork charges at me, seeing that I have been damaged and sensing victory.

However, I am also confident in my victory.

The conditions for defeating Patchwork are falling into place.

"I don't have the luxury of taking too much time."

I face the incoming Patchwork head-on.

I deflect the first sword, parry the second, and dodge the third by jumping to the side.

There, I stop firmly.

Patchwork quickly uses the <Death Sword> against the opening I show.

The purple blade of light approaches me.

I block it with my shield, but the impact still deals damage to my body.

I finally can't hold on and let go of the shield.

The <Mad Ghost Shield> rolls on the floor.

"...Now, all the conditions are finally in place."

To defeat Patchwork, several conditions were necessary.

One was to adjust my HP for the <Line of Death Dragon>... and the other was to reduce Patchwork's HP while depleting its MP.

The <Death Sword> is a powerful skill.

It has an extremely short activation time and terrifying power.

Combined with the number of Patchwork's arms, it is almost impossible to find an opening in a one-on-one fight.

However, it has its weaknesses.

――――――――――――――――――――

Monster: Patchwork

Lv: 67

HP: 189/228

MP: 12/66

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The <Death Sword> consumes 18 MP.

Since Patchwork's MP is not very high, it can only use it three times.

For this reason, I deliberately showed openings to make it use the <Death Sword> while managing my HP.

Additionally, when Patchwork's HP drops below one-third, it becomes less aggressive and switches to a more cautious fighting style.

This would force a prolonged battle.

I adjusted Patchwork's HP to a range where I could defeat it with the <Line of Death Dragon> while depleting the MP needed to activate the <Death Sword>.

This was the necessary procedure to break through Patchwork alone.

"<Life Shield>!"

A wall of light forms from my life force, covering my entire body.

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<Life Shield> [Normal Skill]

Pay 20% of your maximum HP to activate.

A shield with the same durability as the HP paid for covers your entire body.

――――――――――――――――――――

And this triggers another skill.

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<Line of Death Dragon> [Trait Skill]

When remaining HP is 20% or less, attack power and speed increase by 100%.

――――――――――――――――――――

Red light envelops my body.

Power surges through me.

"I will end this!"

I kick off the ground and run quickly.

With Patchwork's current HP, I can defeat it with two hits.

My sword clashes with Patchwork's.

However, my movements are now faster.

I am not outmatched in strength.

I deftly handle the three swords.

Patchwork's body tenses.

Though it has no head, I can sense it is intimidated by my changed movements.

"You don't have a fourth sword now!"

I swing my blade horizontally.

Patchwork's chest is gouged, and black bodily fluid spurts out.

I immediately run to Patchwork's right side.

Patchwork immediately chases after me and swings its sword forcefully.

I don't dodge but stop and take the hit.

The <Life Shield> shatters, and the impact sends me flying.

I end up behind Patchwork.

I knew this angle would be created if it tried to slash me from that position.

I could have taken a more cautious approach by searching for openings without using the <Life Shield>, but time was precious.

"This ends now!"

I swing my sword, which is glowing red.

The three swords fall from Patchwork's hands, and its massive body finally kneels.

[You have gained 4349 experience points.]

[Your level has increased from 64 to 66.]

[You have gained 2 skill points.]

It was a troublesome monster, but I managed to defeat it alone.

[Other Work Information]

"The Disciple of the Undead" Volume 4 is now available on August 25th!

The new short story is "A Certain Undead and Magic Training"!

It is a story about Kanata's time in Cocytus, training under Lunaire.

Additionally, I have published detailed activity reports, character profiles, and color pages!

(2021/08/26)