Ch.277277. Convergence (2)

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The Violet Demon’s ability is “Expansion” – the power to amplify existing abilities to their extreme limits.

Deciding how to use such an ability is like contemplating what liquor to mix with straight gin to create a cocktail. The base ability determines how the battle unfolds in countless different ways.

So, let’s think this through carefully.

How do you deal with an opponent who doesn’t die no matter how much you hit it, who splits apart, and grows stronger with each attack?

The answer is simple.

Don’t attack.

More precisely, eliminate all “unnecessary” attacks.

What’s needed is creating the right situation to deliver attacks at the perfect moment.

“Hoo-“

Breath control. The most fundamental action in regulating movement.

The fighting technique passed down from Authority functions as a complete martial art. And martial arts aren’t just about hitting and striking—they’re a collection of combat paths that compile efficient movements in battle.

This means it’s tremendously helpful in producing the most appropriate movements for the current situation.

“–!!”

Another bizarre cry escaped from the Predator’s mouth. Immediately after, flesh shot up in all directions. Attacks came flying from everywhere at speeds that even the Sword Saint could barely react to.

I instantly analyze the trajectory of attacks based on the opponent’s movements.

Drawing lines through points, connecting lines to form planes, and pushing my body through the gaps in the attack trajectories.

Or rather, I’m not the one doing it.

“-Kuk!”

“-Uwaaah!”

It’s Serath and Victoria who make these movements after receiving the same “thoughts” through my “consciousness transfer.”

In combat where every second counts, giving individual instructions would be extremely inefficient, but I’ve layered all sorts of abilities to make it possible.

Sharing beneficial effects through Soul Linker.

Stat boosting through Desperate Situation, maximizing reflexes through Swordsman’s Focus—through these, I “coordinate” even Serath and Victoria’s movements.

And after evading attacks that densely cover every direction, what remains is to attack—

[I thought you said no unnecessary attacks?]

‘…That’s exactly what I meant.’

I sigh at Calivan’s nitpicking and give the next instructions to Victoria and Serath.

Normally, it would split apart right now.

“-!”

Serath and Victoria’s reverse-gripped daggers scattered an eerie light around them.

However, the key isn’t to inflict damage on the opponent.

They’re both accomplished assassins. Even with bladed weapons, they can certainly “strike” rather than “cut” if needed.

Rather than slicing to kill, it feels more like “hitting” to drive the opponent in one direction.

In this way, we herd the scattered pieces of the Predator into one place.

–!!

And onto that, blue demonic energy pours down from my seal.

The power contained within is pulverization. The ability to grind everything down without leaving even “a single cell.”

Indeed, even this creature seems helpless against this—no pieces split from the areas hit by this attack.

‘…It really is overpowered.’

Even a being that could split apart from the Sword Saint’s all-cutting strike cannot respond to a demon’s power. Perhaps this demonstrates the status of demons.

[…When did you charge that up?]

‘You know what, Calivan.’

[What?]

‘Riru is surprisingly vulnerable to skinship.’

[…]

‘Just pressing skin against her during breaks makes her spray demonic energy everywhere.’

Actually, it was almost concerning.

I thought Yuria would be the easiest to charge energy from, but at least with her, demonic energy only gets released after actions so extreme they’d shock onlookers.

Riru, on the other hand, turns bright red and sprays energy just from a brush of the hand.

Once, out of curiosity, I tried giving her a back hug and ended up getting planted into the floor with a backdrop suplex.

I still vividly remember Riru yelling at me with a bright red face, telling me not to do such things and to confront her fair and square.

Well. I still don’t know what she meant by confronting her or what would be considered fair.

‘…How can someone have so little resistance?’

Perhaps among the Demonic Vessels, the one closest to having a maiden’s heart is Riru, who appears the most violent on the surface…?

Anyway, the current problem is.

‘It’s nowhere near enough!’

I grit my teeth as I watch the Predator before me growing its body even larger.

It’s inflating its body enormously, trying to “devour” the entire imperial palace.

Using Serath and Victoria to inflict meaningful damage on this thing is good, but trying to erase it piece by piece like this will only amount to scratches.

We need one heavy, powerful strike.

In that case.

“…”

I glance at my wristwatch.

If my thinking is correct.

It won’t be long until that heavy, powerful thing arrives.

Let’s not forget. My goal isn’t to kill that thing here, but to buy time.

And when a battle reaches this level, what remains is repetitive work.

“So, let’s just repeat this a few more times.”

“…”

“…”

Murderous gazes returned simultaneously from Serath and Victoria.

But I continue without blinking an eye.

“We’ll probably die if we make even one mistake, but we just need to avoid mistakes. That’s not so difficult, right?”

If I were the type to make mistakes, I wouldn’t have survived to make it this far.

“…”

“…”

Victoria muttered with narrowed eyes.

“…You’re insufferable.”

[I agree.]

“…”

Let me show off a little, humans.

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The Emperor of the Empire is fundamentally a person who can access all sorts of miscellaneous and fascinating spectacles.

That’s natural enough. Someone in the position of the Empire’s ruler can easily access any kind of pleasure.

But even so.

People who perform feats that are difficult to get used to always appear from somewhere.

“Well…”

Cecilia Arc Bailey Diedonné XI lost words as she watched the scene unfolding before her eyes.

Count Nicholas, or rather, that monster—she had just personally experienced how strong it was.

It had not only withstood the magic of a dragonkin but even pushed back against it.

But now.

-!!

-!!!

Sparks fly everywhere.

This phenomenon occurs because two furries standing at the front are deflecting all attacks coming from every direction.

The joint attack of the two assassin sisters who share the same type of techniques is dazzling. Considering these aren’t techniques honed for frontal combat, their skill is nothing short of miraculous.

And the foundation for this spectacle is clearly due to the human directing the situation from behind.

‘What…!’

The Emperor stared at Darwood with a soul-leaving expression.

This was a definite conclusion she could reach because she was excluded from combat and could observe her surroundings well.

What this man is doing now is truly beyond comprehension.

‘…He’s controlling a battle of this level by himself?’

Thanks to her position as Emperor, she had been able to examine all talented individuals. Because of this, she had established clear standards for what constitutes “excellence.”

Even an excellent field commander would at most directly instruct the overall formation shape, placement, and important actions.

Human vision has its limits, and in many-versus-many battles, it’s impossible to read all information flows.

But what is this man?

He analyzes the situation by the second and gives individual instructions to each person as if he’s penetrating this entire space by himself.

‘…No.’

She had known from before that this human could display such a level of skill.

His countless achievements prove it. The Purifier, Boy King, Inverted Tide, Red Demon. None of these could have been faced without at least this level of ability.

But what surprised her most was.

‘…He’s not even using everything.’

Having observed this man closely for a long time, she knew.

This human, right now.

Is definitely not giving his all.

Even while doing this insane feat, part of his thoughts are completely allocated elsewhere.

As if there’s something far more important than this battle.

‘…’

Does this make sense?

If he already possessed the ability to control situations at the limits of human capability before.

Now, it means he’s grown even more.

As if he had transcended the limits of his species long ago.

“…?”

But.

That raises another question.

Of course, it’s amazing that he can afford such leisure. Especially considering the opponent’s dragon power.

Then.

With such a formidable enemy before him, who could possibly be the opponent that requires his “true” attention, enough to divert his focus like this?

The Emperor unconsciously clutched her chest near her heart with both hands. Not knowing why she was doing so.

‘…What are you wary of?’

The fact that something “brown” was flowing between her hands clutching her chest—

She remained unaware until the end.

●

Perhaps to an outside observer, it might look that way.

That we’re holding up quite well.

“Haak… Haaak…”

“What kind of frontal battle is this for assassins…!”

“…”

But looking at the Evatrice sisters now, breathing heavily with exhaustion, that doesn’t seem quite right.

These two originally focus on one-hit kills followed by withdrawal. This kind of fighting doesn’t suit them.

They’ve actually performed quite well so far. With just the three of us, we’ve managed to erase about half of the Predator’s pieces.

“At this rate, we’ll collapse from exhaustion! No matter how amazing your command is, senior…!”

“Ah, that won’t be necessary.”

From the beginning.

The purpose of this battle isn’t to kill that thing.

“Finally, they’re here.”

We’re just “holding out.”

I smile faintly as I look up at the ceiling.

“Something powerful and heavy.”

Following that.

From that direction, the “world” began to tear in half.

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