Ch.213The Power of Will

# ‘Invisible Area Attack’

That’s how I could describe the Dark Elf Transcendent’s attack in a single phrase.

With no way to tell what was coming from where, there was no way to counter it. Even if detected by crisis perception ability, evasion was impossible because the body’s reaction speed couldn’t keep up.

It could truly be called a perfect attack.

‘Damn… how do I break through this situation? Should I curl up as much as possible to minimize damage?’

Minimizing damage when evasion is impossible isn’t a bad idea, but I’m the only one who can do that.

That dense web of killing intent—I could only track its trajectory thanks to my crisis detection ability. Seti and Phyllis wouldn’t be able to see anything.

And even if we somehow survived this attack with minimal damage, repeated assaults would eventually drain our strength until we collapsed.

What we need now isn’t a technique to minimize damage, but a means to perfectly block that attack.

‘If only I had that cutlass Peter used…’

Peter’s cutlass, which had deployed light barriers to block the Minotaur’s powerful axe attacks multiple times.

If I had that, I might be able to magnificently block this invisible area attack and create a chance to counterattack.

If only I had purchased that blade and had Mina research it… Just as I thought this—

‘Fwash!’

“Huh?”

In the slowed time, I felt something cool and heavy in my left hand.

Reflexively gripping it, I found a familiar cutlass in my palm.

A cutlass with a shield-shaped finger guard—unmistakably the very same one Peter had used.

‘Why is this appearing here?’

Though momentarily confused by this unexpected development, I couldn’t afford to dwell on trivial matters with the Dark Elf Transcendent’s attack bearing down on us.

Looking toward the approaching web of killing intent, I channeled mana into the cutlass. Time accelerated again as a dazzling magical shield appeared.

It was large enough to envelop me, Seti, and Phyllis all at once.

‘Clang!’

With the sound of clashing metal, sparks flew from the shield’s surface, and the Dark Elf Transcendent’s attack failed to violate our bodies.

Indeed, this was the ultimate shield that even a berserk Minotaur couldn’t break through.

No matter how many times I see it, it remains a coveted item.

“Will, that blade…!”

“Yeah, it’s the cutlass Peter used.”

“Why do you have it?”

“I just created it. Anastasia said it, didn’t she? That with the power of will, one can break free from the constraints of reality.”

“So… that’s what it meant.”

“Well, I just happened to pull it off.”

Whether it was coincidence or luck doesn’t matter.

What’s important is that I’ve somewhat grasped how to use the ‘power of will,’ which means I’ve found a clue to defeating the Dark Elf Transcendent.

The Dark Elf Transcendent seemed to notice this too, as her previously relaxed, almost bored expression quickly hardened.

“Hey, looks like you got screwed by being too complacent, huh?”

“…Pathetic creatures. How amusing that you’ve become so arrogant after blocking just one attack.”

“Well, who says it’ll end with just one?”

“Let’s find out, shall we!”

The Dark Elf Transcendent glared at us ravenously while stretching out both arms.

Following her movement, webs of killing intent descended upon us from four directions—front, back, left, and right.

Indeed, she calculated that a shield-shaped magical barrier couldn’t block attacks from all directions.

If that’s the case, it’s only proper that we respond accordingly.

“Lich-mon! I choose you this time!”

As I shouted, a brilliantly white spherical barrier completely surrounded the three of us.

‘Clang-clang-clang!’

Once again, the Dark Elf Transcendent’s web attack ended in failure.

Through our previous exchange, I had gained a more detailed understanding of the ‘power of meaning’ that applies to the mental world.

I discovered that not only could I recreate phenomena or abilities I’d encountered in the past, but I could also modify or combine them at will.

The spherical barrier I just used merely borrowed the form of the one used by the Lich from Mount Evernight, while its defensive properties were still derived from Peter’s cutlass.

That makes sense… the Lich’s barrier was completely useless against physical attacks, wasn’t it?

I haven’t fully grasped the characteristics of that attack yet, so there’s no reason to rely entirely on the Lich’s barrier when I have the proven defensive capabilities of the cutlass.

“Now our defense is secured. All that remains is the attack.”

“Leave it to me. Now that you’ve shown me how to use this power of will, I don’t intend to just stand by and watch.”

“Mm. I can do it too.”

Unlike my two companions who had regained their confidence, the Dark Elf Transcendent’s expression was visibly souring by the second.

That’s what happens when you don’t give your all when you have the advantage and instead underestimate your opponent out of complacency.

“…Very well. Come at me. Your pathetic human and degenerate elven magic cannot penetrate my mana barrier. It will be entertaining to watch you struggle, unable to let go of hope as you slowly perish.”

“Hmm, she’s talking big, Phyllis?”

“Indeed. I suppose she has reason to be confident with a mana barrier that easily deflects even Lightning Bolts.”

As Phyllis spoke, she raised her Repeating Rifle, and countless magical characters appeared on its silver-gleaming barrel.

When she aimed the rifle at the Dark Elf Transcendent, the magical characters inscribed on the barrel rose into the air and began forming a tunnel of mana.

“Then first we must shatter that mana barrier—with overwhelming power.”

Heat gathered at the muzzle.

It soon became a tiny spark, then a swirling flame, and finally a dazzling golden sun blazing brilliantly.

Ah… so the Willow Sanctuary will be engulfed in nuclear flames after all.

“Fire Ball {Incendiary Round}!!”

“What…!?”

The Dark Elf Transcendent stared in shock at the Fire Ball launched with a resonant boom.

As someone skilled enough to deflect lightning and catch bullets, she must have immediately recognized the power of the Fire Ball now hurtling toward her.

The panicked Transcendent, instead of swatting the Fire Ball away, assumed a stance as if to catch it with both hands. I deployed a spherical barrier in preparation for the spectacular explosion that would follow.

This time, I based it on the Lich’s barrier, which specialized in magical defense.

‘BOOM—!!’

“KYAAAAAAAH~!!”

A massive explosion dyed the night sky of the Willow Sanctuary crimson, and the Dark Elf Transcendent’s agonized scream echoed.

Flames raining down in all directions began to burn the grass and trees of the Willow Sanctuary, but fortunately, they couldn’t penetrate the spherical barrier I had created.

Of course, the barrier only blocked the explosion and magical flames—the three of us had to endure the raging storm and heat inside the barrier, kneeling with our bodies hunched over.

When I felt the heat subside somewhat and raised my head, I could see the charred Dark Elf Transcendent lying where she had fallen.

The Transcendent struggled to her feet on six trembling legs.

The fact that she survived a direct hit from an enhanced Fire Ball shows just how remarkable that mana barrier of hers truly is.

“You… insolent vermin! How dare you wound this noble body with your inferior magic that lacks any proper foundation!”

“Noble body? That’s rich coming from a mutant monster mixed with creatures.”

“Will you shut that mouth!”

The Dark Elf Transcendent extended her hand toward me and launched a spear-shaped killing intent, but just because the attack’s form had changed and its intensity increased didn’t mean we couldn’t block it.

In fact, with the attack concentrated on a single point, it was easier to deal with.

All I needed to do was compress the magic shield to increase its durability.

It’s what they call a “pinpoint barrier” in sci-fi comics.

‘Clang!’

“Lightning Bolt {Accelerated Thunder Bullet}!!”

‘BOOM-!!’

The moment my small shield magnificently blocked the Dark Elf Transcendent’s best shot, Phyllis’s rifle roared with thunder and spewed dazzling lightning.

The Lightning Bolt, enhanced by the mana tunnel, once again penetrated the Transcendent’s vaunted mana barrier and pierced her shoulder.

“Guh…!?”

As the Dark Elf Transcendent staggered, Seti rushed toward her like a gale, swinging her gleaming spear at the Transcendent’s neck.

“Haah!”

“Hmph!”

‘Clang!’

The Transcendent summoned a curved blade in her left hand just in time to block Seti’s spear.

The fact that she could block Seti’s full-force thrust with one hand while off-balance shows that this Dark Elf Transcendent’s strength is far from ordinary.

“How pathetic, beast woman. Did you think a barbarian who can’t even handle magic could take my head?”

“…The Yamyo tribe are not barbarians.”

“Can’t your mouth say anything? You’re the least threatening of the three gathered here… hup!”

“!”

‘Clang!’

The Transcendent, who had been locked in a test of strength with Seti, swung her curved blade to push Seti back forcefully, then summoned an identical curved blade in her right hand.

“Prepare yourselves, insects who don’t know your place. You will never escape from this place again—”

Just as the Dark Elf Transcendent’s voice began to echo again, ominous black mana started to rise from the two blades in her hands and her six pointed spider legs.

“—and you will not die peacefully.”

Eight blades of darkness now threatened our lives.

It was time to begin the second round with the Dark Elf Transcendent.