Chapter 26

EP.26 The Holy Maiden Does Not Fall

The Holy Maiden charged into the enemy ranks like a lion breaking through a pack of wolves.

At the moment of the first attack.

The attack with the greatsword uses the full strength of the body, as if pouring one's entire soul into it.

Thus, naturally, a part of the body is dragged along with the weapon.

However, by using this inertia in reverse, if the key is input at the right timing,

the greatsword's combo flows like water.

According to the laws of physics in reality, the muscles in the body would tear or be injured,

but of course, this is a game.

The Holy Maiden began to swing her greatsword like a windmill, following the inertia.

There was no official name for this attack chain, but users often referred to it with a single word as if it were a given.

That word was,

Whirlwind.

The enemy forces were torn apart as if hit by a storm.

When the seemingly endless rotation finally stopped,

the entire group of soldiers was sprawled on the ground, spilling blood from their bones, skin, organs, flesh, limbs, and bodies.

In the shaking view within the screen, as if the character was feeling a bit dizzy, I finally sensed the other team's players moving.

I recognized them.

Greeen and two Indigo Warriors.

There was no way to win.

If they relied on their numerical advantage, they would be cut down like leaves falling in the autumn wind by the greatsword's attack.

However, the opponents were cautious.

Upon receiving some command, they seemed content to tire out the character and then retreated.

Next, Goldsun appeared.

...Damn.

He really knows how to play the game to make you angry.

He never engages in a fair fight.

But,

even in such a disadvantageous fight,

I managed to score the first point.

By using a trick with the greatsword's handle, I shattered Goldsun's right hand, including his knuckles.

The Holy Maiden, as if not wanting to miss this golden opportunity, charged forward, but unfortunately, my enemy was not just Goldsun.

The disadvantage of facing multiple opponents is not just one or two things,

but among them, the fact that even when an opportunity arises, it's difficult to finish off the opponent is what's holding me back.

The fight seemed to be dragging on.

...

...

How many minutes has it been?

At least five, right?

A three-on-one fight.

With extreme play, I barely managed to avoid fatal blows,

but in the end, I couldn't kill a single one.

The Holy Maiden's health, mana, and stamina,

along with my long-concentrated mental state,

were all drained.

In contrast,

the three warriors on the opposing team seemed to have plenty of energy.

While Goldsun used a soul-draining tactic to deal with me, he managed to conserve his health,

which was understandable.

Besides the shaking view of the Holy Maiden, I was in a state where I could feel dizziness in reality,

but in that desperate situation,

a glimmer of hope emerged.

A message appeared.

『The second line of defense of the Blue Team's base has been breached.

As a result, the ascended mage 'Adriana,' who had long disappeared, has emerged from seclusion and revealed herself to the world!』

The location of the exposed core was...

indeed, blocked by the three members of the opposing team.

I wouldn't be able to destroy the core without defeating all of them.

...

While thinking this,

I input a command.

The Holy Maiden, with her greatsword diagonally sheathed behind her back, started running forward, ignoring the blade dragging on the ground.

Naturally, swords and fists were aimed at the Holy Maiden.

Without even trying to dodge, the Holy Maiden lowered her stance and used the shoulder part of her light armor to push one of the warriors.

The attack from her small frame wasn't enough to knock the opponent down, but the brief hesitation was enough.

As the path opened,

a long gash appeared on the Holy Maiden's forearm.

Blood gushed out in a stream.

Even so, I didn't think of counterattacking.

I only commanded her to keep running.

The goal was, of course, the core.

With an openly vulnerable stance,

the incoming attacks were all deadly.

The pain value shot up.

But more than that, the health drain was significant.

The health, which was already nearly depleted, was now down to almost nothing.

The Holy Maiden's view began to darken.

In that final moment,

I input a command.

The fading blue eyes flickered slightly,

and soon, a fierce blue flame burned in the pupils.

The body, which had been sluggish due to accumulated pain, suddenly became more energetic,

and like a candle about to go out, it burst into a brilliant flame.

Even with the bleeding that should have caused shock,

even with a blade piercing her abdomen and heart,

the Holy Maiden, by reaffirming her will, did not let her life fade.

What happened was,

a reprieve from death.

Needless to say,

it was the ultimate skill of the Berserker build,

the Immortal's Wrath.

All attacks that dealt damage were meaningless.

The Holy Maiden kept running.

When she ignored all the enemies and reached the core, I checked the interface.

『Remaining Duration: 6 seconds』

There was no time to hesitate.

Aiming at the blue gem, which was slightly larger than a person, I pulled out the greatsword and,

using the momentum of the pull, slammed it down.

Bang!

Crack, a crack appeared in the core.

However, the crack was just a thin line, and it would take a few more hits to break it.

The opposing team's warriors were shocked and tried to stop the Holy Maiden.

But no attack could kill the character.

This was that kind of skill.

Bang!

Even if there was a tank optimized for tanking, there was no player on the other side using grab moves.

If they tried to push her with their bodies, she would just use another Whirlwind to cut them down.

There were no spells to restrict movement or force sleep.

So, there was no way for them to stop my attack.

Bang!

Bang!

When I finished the attack,

the blue gem was almost shattered, on the verge of losing its original form.

One more time.

Just one more.

But...

『Remaining Duration: 0 seconds』

Time ran out.

The candle was completely extinguished,

and the burning blue flame faded.

Another blade pierced her heart,

and the Holy Maiden died.

YOU DIED.

The red letters mocked me on the screen.

“...”

It's a shame.

I smiled bitterly.

It was the last chance.

If I had just one more second,

if I could have swung the greatsword one more time,

I could have won.

What would happen next was obvious.

'Yan' was dead, and with 'Adriana' joining the opposing team, the game, which was already at a disadvantage, would not be able to turn around.

It was just a game, just one game,

but my chest felt so tight,

but I wasn't the only one feeling this way.

I should apologize to my teammates who trusted me and followed my orders.

“Everyone, I'm sorry...”

My voice was timid, even to my own ears.

The voice chat was silent, as if no one could find the right words to comfort me.

“What for?”

After a brief silence, the Berserker responded.

“Just, everything, all of it...?”

“...”

I really tried, and I got so close, if I had just a bit more time,

but I didn't make any excuses.

It would only make me more disappointed.

“Man, this is what I've been doing for ten years... no, actually, I wasn't even a netcamer. Then, a stream... no, that's even worse... Ah, just pretend you didn't hear that.”

“...”

“Anyway, I never imagined you'd be this nice. Don't you think?”

“What do you mean, suddenly...?”

The Berserker's words were a bit out of the blue.

Well, it was understandable to be curious about why I suddenly stopped concept play,

but the Berserker kept talking about things unrelated to the game.

“Why don't we all meet up for a meal after this? We've worked hard. We've all shown some restraint.”

“...No, that's too sudden...”

“I'm in.”

“Sure, if you don't mind, I know a great place.”

“Legal AFK is allowed? I can't stand it.”

“Of course, we should invite the coach too.”

“Stadac, you're not thinking of not inviting him, are you? This is going to be a problem.”

“Whoa, stop it. You're really going to make me angry.”

The voice chat, which had been quiet due to high concentration, quickly became lively with everyone's words.

I took it as the Berserker's way of comforting us.

...

Yeah, the Berserker let out a playful laugh, but before he could grumble about something,

“Let's name the gathering... 'Yay Yay Yay Yay Team Victory Celebration Party' or something.”

“...?”

Victory?

...We lost.

It seemed no one, including me, understood.

But the Berserker continued as if he didn't notice.

“Really. The priests have it tough. Why do they have to memorize Bible verses to play a game? And if they can't answer the prayer mechanism questions, there's a delay? What, did they come to church?”

“...Huh?”

“Enter the name of the nine-headed monster that appeared in Gaia's twentieth trial... What year did Gaia first nurture the land?... What kind of test is this