Chapter 68

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"Are you saying, Orun, that the Black Dragon has the potential to summon more than ten of those mists at once?"

When I stated my thoughts during the Black Dragon battle planning, Selma asked me a question.

"Yeah, I don't think the possibility is zero. I can understand this because I have a similar ability to interfere with magical power. I don't know if the senses of humans and magical beasts are the same, but in my case, if I focus solely on [Magic Power Convergence], I can interfere with magical power more than usual. If everything we've discussed so far works out, I think it will be a one-sided battle. In that case, if the same applies to the Black Dragon, it's entirely possible that it will focus solely on manipulating the mists without any regard for anything else."

In the two battles I've had and the combat information from other explorers in the past, there has been no precedent of the Black Dragon summoning more than ten mists.

However, just because there is no precedent doesn't mean it's impossible.

Since we are planning so meticulously, it's better to consider even things that we normally dismiss as impossible.

If we plan too meticulously, we might be confused and unable to respond when something unexpected happens.

"If a hundred come, it'll be bad."

Will muttered, half-jokingly.

"In that case, Will's sword can just eat them all, no problem!"

"Are you kidding me! I can't move far from the Black Dragon, and even if I could, a hundred is impossible, physically."

"Well, you know! With spirit!"

"Don't be ridiculous..."

"Haha. But, while a hundred is an exaggeration, it is dangerous to assume that it can only summon ten. What if it summons more than ten?"

"If I use my trump card, I can attack a wide area faster than Rain's offensive magic with [Heaven Flash], but it's still in the experimental stage, so I can't guarantee that I can destroy all of them."

"Is it [Sword and Magic Unification]? I saw it yesterday, but why does the material change into magical power? I've never heard of such a thing."

Rain asked.

Come to think of it, I showed them how Schwarzhase transformed into pitch-black magical power, but I didn't explain it.

Right after that, I had other business to attend to, so I didn't have the time.

"Schwarzhase is infused with the Black Dragon's scales, deep-layer minerals, and the blood of a Hydroturtle. Without going into the detailed theory, the converged magical power, mediated by the [Sword and Magic Unification] spell, causes Schwarzhase to transform."

The Hydroturtle is a turtle-type magical beast found throughout the lower layers.

The characteristic of the Hydroturtle is that it adapts to the surrounding magical power and changes its body to blend into the background.

In other words, by incorporating this characteristic into Schwarzhase, it can transform into a fluid mass of magical power when adapted to specific magical power through a particular spell, even though it is normally a cursed sword.

"Wow, I kind of get it, but I don't... Anyway, it means that the [Heaven Flash], which used to take time to cast, can now be fired multiple times quickly, right?"

"No, not multiple times. The total amount of magical power is fixed, so it is consumed each time I cast [Heaven Flash]. The ability to cast [Heaven Flash] quickly is just a bonus. The original use is—"

When I explained the original use of [Sword and Magic Unification], Will had a puzzled look on his face.

"Hey, Will? I'm not familiar with the martial arts that frontline explorers learn, but can anyone do this?"

"Of course not. Martial arts aren't that easy. But, after watching Orun's fighting style for a month, it doesn't seem like he's just proficient in general swordsmanship. It looks like he has incorporated various martial arts. Also, Orun can raise his physical abilities to a monstrous level and has the ridiculous magic [Instant Ability Super Boost]. Considering all of that, I think he might be able to do it... Leukre, don't think this is normal. This guy is way out of the ordinary. I'm really glad he's on our side."

He's talking freely...

Even though I'm right here...

Well, it does feel like a desecration of people who are seriously dedicated to a single martial art, but what I need is to win and survive. The means and the process don't matter.

"Cough, we've strayed from the topic. If the Black Dragon summons more than ten mists and they all attack the frontline, will that be a problem?"

Selma brought the conversation back on track.

"I'm fine."

"I'm good too."

"If that's the case, what will we, the rear guard, do if they come at us? In that case, I'll handle it—"

Selma started explaining her planned response.

Yeah, that should work.

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Countless needles fly towards the three rear guards.

And then—pass through their bodies.

This is Selma's original magic, [Illusion].

From the start of the battle, Selma had cast the support magic [Stealth] on the three rear guards, hiding them and projecting their illusions in a completely different location.

In other words, the Black Dragon was attacking the wrong place.

"How was our confused acting? Did you think the tide had turned? You're too naive! The only thing you can do today is stand still and be our punching bag!"

While the Black Dragon's attention was on the three illusions, Will, who had been approaching, slashed at the Black Dragon's jaw with a blade wrapped in chaotic magical power.

The Black Dragon's face was blown off, and its neck bent back, revealing me in its line of sight.

I was already positioned directly above the Black Dragon.

"...[Fourth Form]"

I muttered while manipulating the pitch-black magical power in the shape of a long sword.

Then, the pitch-black magical power changed from a long sword to a spear.

"Thank you for being so impulsive. I didn't expect you to really devote all your capacity to manipulating the mists. Thank you for showing such a clear opening. This is the end!"

I aimed at a specific point and threw Schwarzhase, which was shaped like a spear.

That point was where Rain had been focusing her attacks all along.

The scales in that area were already battered.

And it was also near the Black Dragon's heart.

The spear I threw pierced through the Black Dragon's body.

—Even its heart.

The Black Dragon let out a scream and turned into a black mist.

At the spot where the Black Dragon had been, a large magic stone, some scales, and claws remained, and Schwarzhase, which had returned to its original long sword form, was stuck in the ground.

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