Ch.49Unjust Fate (5)

The interior of the ruins is excessively quiet. Outside there were one or two demons, but here it’s difficult to find even traces of anyone having passed through, let alone demons.

As only the sound of our footsteps echoed around us, Rebecca suddenly stopped us.

“It’s right below us. Please step back for a moment.”

Rebecca spoke with a tone close to a warning. And I retreated backward, pushed by her intensity.

“I stepped back because she told me to, but…”

BOOM!

As Rebecca stomped on the floor with her foot, the ground collapsed with a thunderous noise, revealing some kind of space below.

“…You’re incredibly strong.”

“Drawing a bowstring requires that much strength.”

“Wait, is that kind of strength something you can get through effort?”

“This level can be achieved through training. Though I reached it more easily through the Saint’s power.”

How on earth did humans in this world evolve to become so strong through training?

Even in a world with magic and supernatural powers, I just can’t understand that.

Ju-an also became dramatically stronger within a week, but I naturally assumed that was because he was selected as a hero.

But then, did Ha-eun also get stronger? Is that why I lost at arm wrestling!

“Can you do something like that too?”

“No. I’ve only been studying magic, so my strength is the same. Maybe even weaker.”

“…”

So I lost at arm wrestling because I was extremely weak. I shouldn’t have asked.

“So are there really demons down there?”

“I can definitely feel an overwhelming amount of demonic energy from below.”

“But it seems too narrow.”

The space below is quite large, about the size of a sports field. However, it’s woefully inadequate for housing demons.

By this point, I’m starting to suspect this might be bait, with demonic energy gathered to lure us in.

“Still, what if we go down and check? We can escape immediately if it seems dangerous.”

“That’s true, but how are Ha-eun and I supposed to get down there?”

Just by looking, it’s at least 2-3 stories high. If I were to jump from here, considering my physical condition, I’d suffer at minimum critical injuries.

Rebecca seemed to realize this too and after thinking for a moment, she spoke.

“Then shall I carry you?”

“Yes, please.”

Though it feels awkward, that’s probably the safest option. We might trigger traps if we try to find another way.

Rebecca carried Ha-eun on her back and held me in a princess carry.

…I should have suggested looking for another way.

Anyway, once we descended, we saw an ominous-looking door. Clearly, something lies beyond it.

And we also saw a mysterious man guarding that door.

“You’ve walked into your grave of your own accord.”

Judging by that kind of line, it was obvious this person was the mastermind.

“Surrender. This is your final warning.”

“Senior, you know that doesn’t sound intimidating at all when you’re being carried princess-style, right?”

“…Please put me down for a moment.”

My face is burning intensely. Still, I somehow regained my composure and struck a pose before speaking.

“Surrender. This is your final warn—”

“I’m sorry. Die for the sake of humanity.”

The man cut off my words and assumed a combat stance, looking ready to charge at any moment.

“Fair Duel”

With the man’s words, power began to surge through my body. Like when I was a man before… no, even more than that.

Thanks to this, I feel so confident that I think I could even take down that man.

“Is everyone alright?”

Rebecca called out urgently, as if sensing danger.

“I’m fine. Actually, I’m in peak condition.”

“I feel like I’ve gained some energy too.”

“…Am I the only one who feels weaker?”

Ha-eun and I are overflowing with power, while Rebecca says she’s weakened. What could be the cause?

“Could it be that the demonic energy is canceling out the divine power?”

“That’s not it. If that were the case, I would be weakened too.”

“Senior, you have divine power too?”

“Somehow I ended up with it.”

“Then what’s causing this…?”

Suddenly, the man began explaining the situation.

“Everyone within range becomes identical to my state. Mana, divine power, physical abilities—all become exactly the same as mine. This is my supernatural power.”

It’s foolish to trust an enemy’s words, but this explanation certainly fits the current situation.

Rebecca, who normally has superior specs compared to this man, is weakened; Ha-eun, who is average, feels energized; and I, who am weak, am overflowing with power.

“But why tell us this? Aren’t you being too generous?”

“For the sake of a fair duel.”

“It’s 3 against 1—how is that fair?”

“Only one of you can actually fight. So this makes it fair.”

That might have been true normally, but thanks to this man’s ability, my body is now filled with power. The same goes for Ha-eun.

“It’s like he thinks we don’t know how to fight…”

“Park Ha-eun. An ordinary person with no combat experience. Not considered a threat in the current situation where magic and supernatural powers cannot be used.”

After pausing briefly, he continued.

“Rebecca. A saint with some combat experience. Therefore, she can still fight to some extent even in the current situation where divine power cannot be used. Sufficiently threatening.”

He’s briefly stating information about us. He definitely came here to deal with us.

However, unlike Rebecca, he couldn’t have gathered much information about Ha-eun and me. After all, we’ve only been in this world for a week.

Unfortunately, Ha-eun really is weak, which is a problem. But at least his information about me should be limited…

“Lite. Below average civilian. Physical abilities equivalent to or below that of a middle school student. Possesses a fragile mental state, occasionally attempting suicide. With zero combat experience, judged to be of no help in the current situation.”

“…You bastard.”

I’m going to break this guy’s arm right now. That’s what I decided.

The conditions are equal now, so there’s absolutely no reason I should lose to him.

But Rebecca, with a pale face, urgently shouted at us.

“Run away now!”

“It’s 3 against 1, surely we can defeat—”

“Great Demon Army 3rd Division Captain. That’s who this person is.”

“So what?”

“This person has over 30 years of combat experience. There’s no way we can win against someone like that.”

“But if we overwhelm him with numbers…”

“He rose to the position of captain through skill alone. How could we possibly defeat someone like that?”

This time, Ha-eun spoke with a pale face, trembling.

“…Senior. We’re in big trouble.”

“What is it?”

“Mana is blocked so I can’t use magic at all.”

“So?”

“I can’t use the scroll! We can’t escape now!”

So to summarize the current situation… we’re screwed!

“…What do we do now?”

“I’ll buy you time. Escape quickly!”

With that, Rebecca desperately charged at the man.

“Senior! Let’s run away quickly!”

“But Rebecca is still there…”

“Do you think we can win if we help? Before all three of us die, let’s quickly—”

“Too late.”

The man said as he rushed toward us. Where did Rebecca go…?

Right now, Rebecca was lying on the ground, writhing in pain. Did she get hit in vital points repeatedly?

It’s impossible to defeat an opponent capable of doing that.

As I trembled with anxiety, the man’s fist approached right in front of my nose.

***

While designing a spell, Yong-in asked Leo a question.

“By the way, why didn’t you send a Holy Knight?”

“Agath makes me nervous. If we bring her along, I feel like she’ll make things even bigger when she returns.”

“You don’t trust your comrade?”

“I do trust her, but she’s not at all suited for infiltration missions.”

“Then what happens if they encounter an opponent specialized in close combat?”

Leo spoke as if mocking Yong-in.

“Her basic specs are quite high. So unless the opponent is exceptional, they won’t be able to touch a hair on her head.”

“What if the opponent has physical abilities equal to the Saint’s?”

“Then I guess she’d burn them with holy fire or something. But it would be serious trouble if she couldn’t use divine power.”

As if something had occurred to him, Leo spoke to Yong-in.

“Speaking of close combat, I just remembered someone. Do you know Bastia?”

“The Great Demon Army 3rd Division Captain?”

“That’s right. He’s truly Rebecca’s natural enemy. Even if there were three Rebeccas, they would be overwhelmingly defeated against him.”

“Is this Bastia that strong?”

“Well, by my standards he’s weak, but by ordinary people’s standards, he’s absolutely unbeatable.”

When Yong-in looked at Leo questioningly, Leo readily explained.

“Meritocracy. That’s all there is to him. That’s why I could easily defeat him.”

“I heard he’s highly skilled.”

“Fighting to kill others and fighting to win in a duel are completely different. If he had abandoned chivalry, he would have been a formidable opponent.”

Leo smirked before continuing.

“But unless he shows up, Rebecca won’t be defeated. So don’t worry.”

“If you say so, I’ll believe you.”

***

Do you know about judo holds? If you do, are you familiar with joint locks?

Basically, it’s a technique where you twist your opponent to cause pain to their joints. If properly executed, the match is essentially over.

That’s because the pain when subjected to it is terribly intense. Is it possible to resist in such a situation?

But what if someone applies an arm lock with full force, ignoring all rules?

“AAAAAAHHHHH!”

You’d probably just lose an arm without being able to do anything.

Especially now, being pinned to the ground and subjected to a perfect joint lock.

As the applied force gradually increased,

CRACK!

With a clear sound, the arm joint completely broke.

“Sen…ior…?”

“It’s okay, I’m completely fine.”

“But… just now the joint…”

“I’m really fine, I tell you!”

“No, I’m asking if that person’s joint is okay!”

“…He attacked first, you know.”

While I was distracted talking with Ha-eun, that man luckily managed to escape. He quickly created distance between us.

“…How did you do that?”

“Believe it or not, I was really dedicated to judo.”

Moreover, I was good enough to win a gold medal in a judo competition during my second year of high school. I took a break during my third year to focus on studying.

Still, since I’ve been doing judo since elementary school, the experience doesn’t fade easily.

Plus, my body is now overflowing with power. Not that weak body anymore!

As I was confidently staring at the man, he suddenly pulled out a dagger from inside his clothes.

“…I thought you said we’d fight fairly.”

“It’s 2 against 1. And I’ve lost an arm. So this makes it fair, doesn’t it?”

“What bullshit, you crazy bastard!”

And once again, the man fiercely charged at me.