episode_0046

“Confrontation?”

I asked back.

Because I didn’t know I would suddenly receive such an offer.

When I tilted my head, he explained further.

“You can’t just keep making a fuss like this, right? But if you just give in to our demands, we’ll feel quite embarrassed.”

In short, he was saying that he wanted to save face.

If you just take it like this and then hastily give in to their demands, it’s obvious that people around you will look at you funny.

“Even if you give it to me after losing the match, I think I’ll lose face just as much?”

“There are two differences. First, it was not that I gave in because I was threatened by the mob, but that I gave in as compensation for a fair fight. And second. ”

He continues with a slight smile.

“If we win, we can demand compensation from our side.”

“Huh.”

I laughed in vain.

So, you’re thinking of beating me now.

That was certainly one way, although I don’t know if it would actually be possible.

“Okay. So what do you plan on doing to compete?”

“It’s simple. You take turns attacking and defending, and each takes a turn. The decision is whoever is attacked first or who surrenders.”

“That’s fair. Are you confident in the Earth War?”

“I am more confident in firepower than in Earth warfare.”

Well, red is on the strong side in terms of firepower.

Lily, who is in our party, actually learned the most magic from the Red Tower.

I nodded willingly.

But I was confident that I could win.

I raised my head and looked at my opponent’s level for a moment.

[76]

As it was indeed a magic tower located in the empire, it was definitely of a senior level, so its level was not easy.

There’s only a 3 level difference between us. Even considering that the level of this world is higher than average, this is a near-strong line.

Even though it seemed like I had an advantage because my level was higher… that wasn’t necessarily the case.

‘Because I’m a wizard.’

I’ve said this before. Level isn’t necessarily an absolute number. Depending on your compatibility and your opponent’s experience, it can be overturned at any time.

And a wizard is basically a being that can fire spells with power much higher than my level.

That is something that can never be ignored.

Even the battle format in this match is a turn-based battle where each player deals one blow to the other. It’s a fight where a wizard has an advantage over a mixed bag of characters like me. Those guys are strong with every blow.

The reason I accepted the confrontation is because I believe in what I have built up so far.

‘Just playing is enough.’

If I just hang in there, I can win.

I thought so and said to the elder.

“I will not yield to the first attack.”

“Normally I would refuse··· But since you are a warrior, I will accept it without refusing.”

That’s how the showdown began.

“Tread on it, sir! ”

“No matter how much of a warrior you are, isn’t this the time to know your place? Please press down on your nose!”

Wizards gradually gathered around me. They all seemed to be cheering for my opponent, the elder. Their faces were filled with the conviction that the elder would win.

Surrounded by so many people and booed like this… I feel like I’m being bullied.

“Let’s take it easy at first.”

The senior wizard draws a magic circle in the air. He says it’s easy, but he’s basically a 5-star wizard. Even though it’s basic magic, it’s on a different level.

“Fireball.”

Hurrruk!

A fireball was shot at me. I used one arm as a guard, while wearing a magic shield.

I’ve been hit with higher level magic than this on my way up here, but this was much hotter than any of them.

Still, somehow I managed to stop it.

Regeneration wasn’t even used, because the shield took care of most of it.

I said, holding the sword.

“Should we try exploring? Good.”

“Think whatever you want.”

Approach the guy and slash him down.

Of course, with blood flow acceleration and mana blade activated.

It was a blow that I thought was quite sharp, but it had no effect on the guy.

Because the guy quickly deployed his shield.

A blue, translucent shield covers its body.

Ting!

Thanks to that, my sword just made a clear and elegant sound.

Tsk, it doesn’t even get scratched. It looks like normal attacks can’t penetrate that sturdy shield.

If I had a holy sword, it wouldn’t matter, because all I had in my hand right now was an ordinary iron sword.

“It’s my turn again.”

The confrontation continued like that.

The opponent gradually pressured me with powerful magic, and I just normally put strength into my sword and slashed down at his defense barrier.

Perhaps because he was a senior, even that ordinary defensive barrier was on a different level. There must be a technique that was even stronger than that.

I couldn’t help but feel regret inside.

As expected, my attack power is lacking. Unless I’m in a fierce battle, I’m just an ordinary swordsman1.

Well, I guess this is something I’ll have to work through eventually.

But I still had a corner of me that believed in it. Even though I pretended not to, damage was slowly accumulating on my body.

Big thing, big thing, just block one room properly.

Luckily, the opportunity came quickly. As I continued to make useless attacks, the guy was slowly starting to finish me off.

“I was really nervous because I heard he was a warrior, but he’s not as good as I thought. His attack and defense skills are just basic. He does use some unique black magic, but that’s all… I guess the Four Heavenly Kings were weaker than I thought?”

The guy thinks he’s already won and starts teabagging.

I said with a shrug.

“I thought the Red Tower would be stronger, but I didn’t know they would be this weak. I guess it’s because they’re secret.”

The elder frowned when he heard that.

If you were going to feel that bad, why did you provoke me in the first place?

“Be prepared!”

The guy shouted like that and then drew a magic circle in the air.

A magic circle that is double or triple woven.

Three magic circles were symbolizing one magic. One was ignition, one was amplification, and one was compression.

The fireball that was raised without any plan was compressed and compressed again and concentrated in one place. The flame that was created in this way resembled a planet. It would not end with just burning it.

Heavy flames.

It was a high-difficulty spell, as it required adjusting three magic circles at the same time. It also required a lot of magical power and was difficult to control. It seemed like the guy was trying to use it as his ultimate skill.

“Wow, that’s some really strong magic. This could be dangerous for me too, right?”

“Take it!”

After a moment of nonsense, the guy cast a spell.

Hurrruk!

A fierce flame engulfed me. The barrier I had placed around me quickly disappeared, and the flames engulfed my defenseless body.

Indeed, no matter how much pain tolerance I had raised, this was bound to hurt. The flesh ripened and then regenerated repeatedly.

But I held on.

Broken shields are immediately repaired, and burnt parts are filled with regeneration.

They say that the greatest pain a human can feel is burn pain. However, it was more bearable than I thought.

Because it was less powerful than I thought. I even blocked the body slam of the Sik-a-gwi, but it was nothing more than that. It was just warm.

[Congratulations!]

[The level of ‘Magic Shield’ has increased!]

In the meantime, I heard some good news. After holding on like that for a few more minutes, the magic began to die down.

The wizards who saw me standing there soundlessly let out a voice of shock.

“Oh no!”

“You’re still fine even after being hit by the elder’s magic!”

“What happened!”

I ignored him and approached the guy.

“I can’t ignore the treatment I’ve received.”

If you get hit with a really strong skill, you have to return it accordingly.

“Oh no!”

Perhaps he felt a sense of crisis. He quickly began to hit the barrier. This time, it was something a little different from the barriers I had seen so far.

The square cubes interlock continuously and soon form a membrane.

The lattice structure is one of the most stable structures in the world.

Countless interlocking cubes each absorb shock and reduce damage. The single defensive barrier created in this way boasts overwhelming efficiency.

But, that was of no use to me.

Because mine was a fucking super strong skill.

“Rainbow reflection.”

[Use ‘Pain Memory’!]

Kwakang!

“Keuh-eok!”

The carefully constructed cube collapses. Blue fragments scatter in all directions, and the ship of the elder hidden inside caves in.

The guy didn’t stop there, but flew backwards for a while before crashing into the wall.

This is the damage that has been steadily accumulating since the previous attack on the princess. No matter how strong the guy’s defenses are, there is a limit to how much he can withstand.

So the match ended with my victory. I said that it would end if one person fell first.

The priests around the area raise their voices, saying that they had no idea it would turn out like this.

“Senior!”

“No way!”

I looked at the elder and then slowly approached him.

*

“Ugh··· What do you want?”

As we approached, he asked in a pained voice.

Blood flowed thinly from his mouth, indicating that his internal organs were injured.

There was a lot of tension in his eyes.

Because I couldn’t predict what he would ask for or what he would want. I was afraid that he might be asking for something too big.

His thoughts turn negative.

‘What do you want…? The heart of the phoenix? The body of an ancient golem? Or perhaps the vision magic of our magic tower?’

There were only things that were difficult to listen to. Each and every one of them was a treasure of the magic tower.

But at the same time, there were also things that I had no choice but to grant if asked.

It is no exaggeration to say that he already holds the lifeline of this magic tower.

Matapju is out on a business trip, and the other elders have all gone out to investigate somewhere.

In that situation, the warrior is now holding onto his own lifeline as the elder.

If you want to survive, you have to give in and cry.

And the elder was sure that he would ask for something big. Otherwise, there would be no reason to do something so big.

A moment that felt like an eternity passed. Red eyes glared at him as if they were piercing through him. Finally, he sat down, lowered himself to his level, and stated his demands.

“I want to repurchase the necklace that was refused sale from the auction house this time. Oh, and of course I will pay the proper amount.”

“···Yes?”

And the elder who heard his request couldn’t help but be taken aback for a moment. Various questions came to his mind.

auction···?

What happened today?

It’s rare, but it’s difficult to use even on the magic tower, so it was opened to secure funds?

Were there any items they refused to sell there?

No, before that······.

“Are you offering me this money just to ask for that one thing?”

After destroying the lobby of the Tower of Eden, causing numerous casualties, and then attacking the elders and seniors?

As he stared at him with a dumbfounded expression for a moment, the warrior scratched the back of his head and said.

“I thought you wouldn’t listen to me if I didn’t do this.”

“······Huh.”

The elder grabbed me by the scruff of the neck.

The place I was hit was my abdomen, and it felt like my bones were hurting.