Ch.9898. Battle for Supremacy (2)

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Good. You’ve successfully tracked them, which is a positive start.

But what kind of situation is this?

[Shouldn’t we intervene?]

“…With that?”

Watching Riru and Elnore entering the dueling stage, such a question automatically slips out.

“If I get involved now, won’t it make things worse?”

[…I agree with that.]

Calivan said with a bitter smile.

[But are you going to just let those two fight?]

“…”

I know all too well that would be disastrous in its own way.

If I let them fight as they are, one of them will die. Most likely Riru.

And the moment Riru dies, we can kiss goodbye to any clues for clearing Chapter 3.

‘…That person is absolutely necessary.’

There’s a reason we’re splitting equipment between two people.

In this boss battle, we’ll have to face both Tatiana and Allan simultaneously.

Considering Tatiana’s abilities, there will definitely be a phase where attacks using “weapons” become impossible. In that scenario, Riru is arguably the only one who can deal effective damage with bare hands.

“…Let’s observe for now. It’s not entirely hopeless.”

According to the original storyline, when Demonic Vessels fight each other, their skills improve rapidly.

Something about demonic energy stimulating each other and drawing out latent abilities.

Of course, most of those situations ended in disaster, but looking at the immediate circumstances, it’s not all bad.

After all, I desperately want Riru to grow stronger too.

[So you’re saying an incident is half-confirmed?]

“…”

He’s right.

[What are you planning to do?]

“…”

I stroke my chin at Calivan’s question.

Then I respond with a serious expression.

“It’ll work out somehow, won’t it?”

[…]

“Honestly, do you have any better ideas?”

[…]

You don’t, right?

I believe in myself.

When faced with mortal danger, I’ll squeeze my brain for ideas and do whatever it takes…!

[…Are you starting to give up?]

“…”

I kind of am.

●

Befitting a place that most encourages fights between students among the three academies, the dueling hall of the Crucible of Strife is equipped with the most cutting-edge facilities.

Even the medical station, which heals injuries at an almost magical level, is testament to that.

At least it means that no matter how much they clash and explode here, there’s no immediate worry about dying.

And honestly speaking.

Right now, such help is desperately needed.

“…”

Elnore didn’t appear particularly angry, at least not visibly.

I know it’s impossible to read her emotions from her face alone, since she’s a woman who always maintains an expressionless demeanor.

Nevertheless, it’s unmistakable.

The killing intent that makes my skin tingle is definitely real.

“…”

Riru takes a deep breath.

There’s no special reason why, among all the people in the Crucible of Strife, she specifically chose Elnore.

It was simply because her instincts were signaling that this person was the most dangerous human nearby.

Just like her previous experiences.

Ever since the “award ceremony” they attended together, her senses had been constantly ringing alarm bells.

That person is a monster that should never be antagonized.

“…”

However.

She is now about to fight that monster.

“…I know you, Riru Garda.”

As she was thinking this, such a sentence flew from across the room.

“Any warrior from the Tribal Union seeks honorable battles and glorious deaths. I’m not unfamiliar with such tendencies.”

“…What?”

“I no longer feel anything about you trying to use Darwood as part of that process.”

“…”

“I’ll forgive you if you back down now. Otherwise.”

Elnore took one step toward her.

It’s a familiar feeling.

It feels like her entire body is being sliced by blades. Despite no physical harm approaching yet.

She wants to retreat. Despite facing this multiple times, she still wants to turn her back and run away.

“…”

But.

This time is different.

“…At first, that was true.”

Riru opened her mouth with a murky voice.

“Probably until recently, I really was thinking about ‘using’ him that way.”

She probably understands why Elnore is reacting this way.

The last time she tried to provoke Elnore by saying she would take her lover, it elicited the most intense reaction.

She likely thinks this is an extension of that situation.

Just thinking that as a Tribal Union warrior, she’s using him as a pretext to create a reason to fight.

But no.

The situation now is completely different from then.

How she thinks about Darwood, and the gap between her and Elnore.

This woman was certainly strong, but the overwhelming difference wasn’t this pronounced before.

“Come at me. I’m not just saying empty words—”

Before she could finish her sentence, a powerful blow landed on Riru’s abdomen.

“…-!”

Her insides were shaken by a single kick.

Without time to react or assume a stance.

Her body, honed over many years.

The daughter of a renowned swordsmanship family, without even drawing her sword.

[Critical injury detected.]

[Medical drone activated.]

The medical station, which only responds to injuries equivalent to fatal wounds, activated immediately, making it clear how severely she was hit.

If this had been a real battle rather than a ‘dueling arena,’ she would have died from that single blow.

But.

“…Again.”

Riru wiped the blood trickling from her mouth and continued.

The fire in her eyes hadn’t diminished at all.

“We’re just getting started.”

They clash again.

This time, a bit differently.

She adjusts her footwork. Advances carefully, measuring the distance between herself and her opponent.

But.

“…-!”

She’s kicked away again by a casually thrown kick.

Three compound rib fractures. The arm she raised to block is twisted unnaturally.

[Critical injury detected.]

[Medical drone activated.]

“…”

Riru gritted her teeth and stood up again.

“…Again.”

And then.

It’s a repetition of the same routine.

No matter how she tries to engage, she’s shattered by the opponent’s casual strikes, as if swatting away a fly.

The gap is overwhelming.

The difference is so vast that all the techniques, abilities, and knowledge she’s accumulated seem useless.

“…Why are you going this far, Riru Garda.”

Elnore spoke with a sigh.

She hasn’t even broken a sweat while reducing Riru to a pulp without properly moving.

“To be honest, I don’t understand the circumstances behind your actions. That’s why I’m holding back.”

“…”

Is this what she calls holding back?

Despite displaying such monstrous power.

It’s enough to feel despair.

At the very least, she wanted to draw out this woman’s ‘full power.’

Only then could she find a clue to overcome it.

But it seems that’s impossible with her current skill level.

“I want to become stronger.”

“If you want to become stronger, there are plenty of ways. There’s no reason to come to me and do something this reckless.”

“…”

“Honestly, this isn’t even a warm-up. I’m not sure if you’ll gain anything from this.”

“…”

Riru bit her lip until it bled.

“Much less a reason to bring up Darwood’s name.”

Elnore continued indifferently.

“If not to provoke me, why did you say you would take that man? What’s your reason?”

“…”

“You wouldn’t have deep affection for Darwood to the extent of charging at me like this.”

That’s true.

It would be a lie to say she feels no attraction when looking at that man, but it would also be a lie to say it’s love.

Rather, the most distinct emotion she feels is.

Jealousy.

The feeling that arises from the fact that he was chosen before her, who has served Kasa for decades.

But.

But, that’s not all.

“…I don’t want to receive help again.”

She muttered with a frustrated voice.

It’s a feeling she can’t fully understand herself.

But she doesn’t want to cause that man any more trouble because of her.

That much she feels clearly.

“Especially from someone I already owe.”

She gained an opportunity for revenge that might have taken her entire life to achieve, in such a short time.

Yet he continues to try to help her.

If she could at least understand his intentions for helping her, it wouldn’t be this frustrating. But a man she knows nothing about is running around, struggling, and constantly interfering with her actions for her sake.

Honestly, she doesn’t know how to deal with it.

So.

“…I too, should do what I ought to. I should at least remove what he fears.”

Kasa taught her that if you receive something, you should return it even at the cost of your life.

Therefore, to avoid receiving more help in the future.

She needs to develop enough strength to remove what that man fears most, so she can protect him at least once.

Risking her life to confront this woman is part of that process.

“…Fear? What does Darwood fear?”

Elnore’s face showed an expression of disbelief.

“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

“What?”

“You. You and that swordsman who handles white energy.”

“…”

“That guy seems to be afraid of you two sometimes.”

“…”

“If I beat you and tell you to stay away from him, he might feel a bit relieved.”

As someone who has stood on countless battlefields, she can affirm this. Especially as a combat-type ability user extremely sensitive to energy, she can declare it with certainty.

That man sometimes fears these two women. That feeling is clearly transmitted.

Elnore’s eyebrow twitched.

“…You’re talking nonsense.”

“…”

Riru’s expression became slightly more serious.

This woman, who had been casually thrashing her all along, responded seriously to that statement.

In other words, this could be an ‘opportunity.’

An opportunity to see this woman’s full power.

“Or is that what you want to believe?”

She said provocatively.

“You two don’t seem to match well together.”

“…What?”

“Isn’t it just you pushing your way in, and he’s just going along with it because he has no choice—”

As soon as she uttered those words.

—-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A flash of light exploded before Riru’s eyes.

●

Dust rises harshly around the area.

‘That was dangerous…!’

I think as I look at Riru, who’s coughing up blood.

She’s in tatters. If I hadn’t activated my skill just now, she would have died.

Once you leave the stage, you can’t receive support from the medical station.

If I hadn’t caught Riru with my divine shield here, she really could have died.

“…”

I look at the completely destroyed stage, sweating profusely, thanks to Elnore drawing her sword and swinging it.

It’s amazing she thought about fighting someone like that.

“…Are you okay?”

“…”

When I whisper at a volume that Elnore can’t hear, Riru’s eyes flicker.

“…Don’t help me.”

“What?”

“I said don’t help me!”

Riru said through gritted teeth.

It’s a voice condensed with embarrassment, humiliation, and other mixed emotions. Somehow it sounded like she was about to cry.

But more than that, a scene that made my blood run cold was also entering my vision.

“This time, this time I don’t need your help! I already owe you so much, don’t add more to it…!”

Blue energy is spreading out.

For some reason I don’t understand, my help has made this person extremely angry.

“Riru.”

I open my mouth.

It’s an action taken out of a sense of duty to calm this person down first.

But nothing comes to mind.

What should I say?

I don’t even know why she’s angry in the first place…!

But it’s certain that if I don’t calm her down right now, something terrible will happen.

So, I open my mouth to pacify her.

< System Message >

[Title ‘Playboy’ recognizes your situation!]

[Recognizing the situation and target, it combines the optimal sentence to overcome the current crisis!]

“…”

No.

Don’t do that.

A chill runs down my spine as soon as I see the system window appearing before my eyes.

Although it was quite useful when shaking off Yuria before, I still haven’t forgotten what this thing did when trying to calm down Elnore.

If this thing takes charge of parts I haven’t ‘planned’.

It will say absolutely ridiculous things…!

“You don’t need to feel indebted for my help.”

As soon as I hear the sentence that came out of my mouth before I could finish my thought.

“I’m doing it because I want to.”

“…What?”

“I like you, Riru Garda.”

Riru’s expression rapidly became blank.

“…”

And I’m equally dumbfounded.

Me.

What the hell did I just say?

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