Ch.55Chapter 55: Vampire (11).

The voice came from above.

Looking up, I could see a human figure floating in the air among the dense trees.

Seeing this, Lati was shocked.

“F-Fly?”

It might not be a big deal elsewhere, but in this world where Valt had fallen, the Fly magic that allows one to soar through the air is a very high-level spell.

This is completely different from just jumping high.

Floating in the air fundamentally requires overcoming the physical force of gravity.

Using wind or anti-gravity magic would make it simple, but the duration and mana consumption are problematic.

The wind needed to keep a human continuously afloat would have to be at least tornado-level, and gravity magic itself is such a high-grade spell that one cannot endure its extreme mana consumption.

That’s why Fly magic is a complex spell combining three techniques.

First, a spell to lighten the body and reduce weight; second, using gravity magic to make the body float; and finally, using wind to add direction and additional buoyancy—a magic based on a triple calculation of three combined elements.

Otherwise, to fly, one would need to exist as a spiritual body without weight, like Valt’s spirit.

Therefore, to use Fly magic, an 8th Circle Arc Mage is the minimum requirement, and even then, to properly engage in aerial combat, one needs to be at least a 9th Circle Arc Wizard to truly use Fly magic while attacking from the air.

Just floating in the air alone is enough to gauge one’s level of mastery.

Moreover, this person isn’t revealing their circle or floor.

That means they’re an even more secretive powerful figure.

Valt and his companions tense up as they look up at the woman in the air.

The woman’s identity is Roxa, the deputy operation commander of the hostile forces that Valt, the 8th seat of the Obscurant, has been searching for.

“Hoho, everyone’s so scared. Death is more comfortable than you think, children. Don’t worry too much. It’ll be over soon.”

But Valt’s sharp eyes could see it.

“Don’t be intimidated. Look carefully. That woman. She’s standing on something like invisible threads.”

In the forest where even moonlight barely penetrates, in that darkness, Valt’s vision discerns the mysterious woman’s technique with sight alone.

Indeed, Liris and Yuria, who also have keen eyesight in darkness, agree with Valt’s observation.

“It’s true! I was scared for nothing!”

What Roxa was riding on was a black spider’s web.

Roxa smiles with an amused expression at the fact that there are three people who can immediately identify the black spider’s thread that would be invisible to ordinary people.

Her curiosity is piqued.

“Hmm~ What an interesting combination. There’s a beastkin, but… a barbarian, a vampire, and even a fairy? What kind of group are you?”

Valt can tell.

Though she’s hiding her level, this tingling sensation…

If compared to powerful figures he’s met before, perhaps like Riman? While Riman was friendly to Valt, having an actual powerful figure at the edge of the 7th tier standing there exuding killing intent makes his hair stand on end.

“I have no reason to tell you. Isn’t it the same for you?”

Roxa’s eyes curve into a smile. But unlike that beautiful smile, her tremendous killing intent shows no sign of stopping.

Because of this, Valt’s group couldn’t move carelessly.

“So the barbarian is the leader? Huh? You even have a circle? Ah!! Now I understand!! You’re students from Grovint. You all look young, and such a diverse mix of races wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Hahaha, I knew the Emperor had succeeded in something interesting, but it’s amusing to see it with my own eyes.”

“You don’t seem to be here to confirm that… Is it you people? The forces targeting the blood tears of the Strigoi?”

Suddenly, Roxa’s expression turns cold.

If she had a bright smile before, now it’s a sinister one.

“When you put it that way~ I can’t let you live~ You’re all probably princes and princesses, so I have my concerns too.”

The moment Roxa finishes speaking.

Valt stomps the ground, causing it to burst and rotating rocks.

Kagagagakang!!

Numerous poisoned needles are blocked by Valt’s defensive magic, and Roxa looks genuinely surprised.

“You, were you a great warrior? But what’s this mana? A barbarian? You’re quite interesting, aren’t you?”

Ignoring Roxa’s words, Valt speaks to his companions.

“Go ahead first, I’ll follow soon.”

Everyone shouts at this unexpected statement.

“We can’t do that, Valt! We don’t know how strong she is. If we all work together…!!”

Kang!

After blocking another poisoned needle aimed at Robin, Valt mutters quietly.

“The location is unfavorable. It’s difficult to fight while protecting everyone.”

If this were an open field, the battle would inevitably turn into a firepower contest, which would naturally favor Valt’s group.

But this is a forest full of hiding places.

This means the battlefield favors that woman who seems accustomed to darkness.

Anyone could die in an instant.

Moreover, Valt now feels a competitive spirit.

Despite using strange techniques, she’s a powerful figure on par with Riman.

Valt, a descendant of warriors and a proud barbarian, couldn’t yield this confrontation to anyone else.

“I’ll handle this. Liris, I’m counting on you to take care of our friends.”

With that, Valt clenches his fist and aims a Wind Cutter at the tree where Roxa is standing.

Skeuk!!

Simultaneously, Valt’s swollen arms strike the ground three times in succession.

Bang!

Thubang!

Bang!

Then he infuses mana into the ground, causing an explosion, and with the help of a gnome, scatters the debris.

This creates a smoke screen magic to obscure Roxa’s vision.

The birth of ‘Burst Ground Hide.’

“Run!!”

It’s better to avoid losses of strength.

These are not mercenaries but classmates.

Abandoning people coldly in times of crisis to gain advantage is a last resort for Valt’s group.

“Ha!? You think you can escape from me…!”

Whoong!

Valt’s figure bursts through the pile of stones and rushes toward Roxa, swinging his swollen arms as if clapping at her.

If it connects, it would have no effect due to the “do not harm” restriction, but Valt knows that an opponent of this caliber would dodge his attack.

“Hmph! For a barbarian, you’re quite cunning!”

Roxa easily evades Valt’s clapping motion, but Valt doesn’t slow down the speed of his hands coming together.

As Valt’s enlarged palms overlap, they create a tremendous sound and air shockwave.

Paaang!!

Thuwak!

At the moment this explosive sound that can hardly be called a clap rings out, Valt begins to imagine a certain type of magic.

Sound wave magic.

He builds a powerful image of attacking Roxa with the enormous sound produced by his clap.

Valt has knowledge from the modern world. He may not know the details, but he understands that sound waves involve physical force through vibration.

Of course, in modern science, this physical force is minimal, but Valt’s physical magic begins to infuse mana into this vibrational force.

The vibration soon causes a resonance phenomenon and begins to spread, generating destructive power.

And to reduce damage to his companions, he also constructs the operational range for the direction of the magic.

While it’s easy to think that sound spreads in all directions, the interesting fact is that sound has directionality, making it possible to guide the range in a desired direction.

In reality, there are hyper-directional speakers that emit sound in only one direction despite being speakers.

Anyway, through Valt’s attempt, sound wave magic is born.

Although he hadn’t practiced it before, it was the activation of a new physical magic resulting from an impulsive action to focus the opponent’s attention solely on himself in the current situation.

[Sonic Burster.]

A massive cluster of sound waves spreading from the collision of Valt’s hands.

Naturally, its speed is the speed of sound.

Wuuuung-

Tspeng!!

“What?”

The sound waves extending instantly toward the bewildered Roxa strike her body and cause an explosion.

Sensing the ominous power, Roxa tried to dodge, but the speed of sound at close range was beyond even the distracted Roxa’s ability to evade.

Pubeong!!

Tuhwaaak!!

Wungwungwungwung-

“Kyahaak!!”

For a surprise attack, it had tremendous power, causing Roxa significant damage, and even Valt was inwardly amazed at the unexpected potency.

‘I’ll have to research this further later.’

Thanks to Valt’s efforts, all his companions successfully escaped.

Roxa, having been slammed into a corner of the forest by the unexpected blow, looks disheveled.

Hududuk-

But as a powerful figure at the edge of the 7th floor, she had no injuries other than being dirty.

Roxa’s face transforms into something hideous as she begins to glare at Valt.

“You, you dog of a barbarian!! I’ll definitely kill you!!”

First strike wins.

Clearly, Roxa is not in her right mind after taking an unexpected hit.

Valt flashed his trademark silver hair and white teeth in a grin.

“Try to kill me. If you can.”

At Valt’s provocation, veins bulge on Roxa’s forehead as she begins to summon her aura.

Then comes a chilling sound from the surroundings.

Sasasasak-

Sasasak-

Pasasasak-

It’s the sound of insects from earlier.

‘Hmm, an aura user who controls insects? Interesting, aren’t tamers usually not mages?’

Fighting will reveal all. As Roxa gathers her aura, Valt’s fists begin to tighten.