Chapter 74 : False Goddess (5)

Wolfgang’s physical abilities were so powerful that even steel was like nothing to her. 

Most metals could only restrain her as much as cotton or paper, but there were exceptions.  

For example, Mithril. Known as the “dream metal,” mithril’s quality varied so greatly depending on the forging techniques and the skill of the craftsmen that the difference could be as vast as the sky and the earth.  

Of course, in modern times, weapons and equipment made of mithril often boasted strength far surpassing that of steel. 

However, this was only because the forging techniques and craftsmanship had survived.  

In ancient times, when craftsmen who could work with mithril were still alive, mithril weapons and equipment with properties that could hardly be considered metallic were traded at high prices.  

The mithril whip currently binding Wolfgang’s arm was a similar case. 

Even back then, it was a piece of equipment crafted with skill beyond the imagination of most artisans, traded at exorbitant prices.  

Now that the techniques for forging mithril had completely disappeared, it was an item that could easily be called an out-of-place artifact or a relic. 

And the unique property of the mithril whip she wielded was recoil.  

The more force applied to it, the more it would rebound that force back to the opponent. 

Because of this, even if the restrained person had the strength to break mithril, destroying it was nearly impossible.  

‘Strength alone won’t solve this. The only options are to melt it or attack the wielder to make them release it.’

The problem was that this mithril whip was also protected by the Grimoire’s magic. 

Ordinary flames wouldn’t stand a chance, but even Wolfgang’s flames, which could normally melt mithril, showed no sign of working.  

This mithril, like the weapons of other heroes, was protected by the heat-resistant magic of the mage who had defeated the Demon King. 

Even with Wolfgang’s flames, which were sealed, there was no sign of it melting. Damn it.  

And her opponent wasn’t the type to sit back and watch her try to melt the mithril. 

Every time Wolfgang attempted something, the mithril whip tightened further.  

“Don’t ignore me. I’m more persistent than I look.”  

“I’m not really fond of women who are too clingy.”  

“Oh my, how cruel.”  

BOOM!!  

Her gentle tone contrasted sharply with her actions. 

Monica pulled the whip toward herself and simultaneously kicked Wolfgang with both feet. 

A deafening explosion echoed.  

Wolfgang managed to block the attack by raising her arm like a shield, but she couldn’t fully absorb the impact. 

The force pierced through her arm and deeply bruised her ribs.  

Cough.  

For the first time in a long while, Wolfgang spat out blood. The impact had caused significant internal damage. 

But Monica didn’t stop there; she continued her assault.  

“Did you think you’d get a break?”  

“Tch!”  

“We’re just getting started. Keep up.”  

“You crazy bitch.”  

Of course, Wolfgang wasn’t just sitting idle. 

She tried every possible countermeasure against the whip attacks—attacking the wielder, using the whip’s force against her, and more.  

But none of it worked. 

Monica was always one step ahead, countering every move Wolfgang made.  

No.  

To be precise,  

Monica had experience.  

The moment Wolfgang tried to use the whip’s force against her, Monica anticipated it and countered flawlessly. 

Wolfgang was sent tumbling to the ground, covered in blood and dust.  

Looking down at Wolfgang, Monica clicked her tongue in disappointment.  

“Predictable. That’s why it’s boring.”  

“Still, wasn’t it worth a try?”  

“Everyone says that. And they all end up the same.”  

Well, that made sense. 

After all, she was part of the legendary hero party. 

She had faced countless opponents who tried to counter her whip, and she had experience dealing with all of them.  

“Then have you experienced this before?”  

Whoosh!!  

A massive sphere of fire erupted from Wolfgang’s hand, engulfing Monica. 

The flames, fueled by anger, roared toward the sky. 

But Wolfgang clicked her tongue in frustration.  

Since she could control fire as if it were part of her body and even sense through it, she immediately realized that the flames had no effect.  

“Impressive flames. If it weren’t for the mage’s protective magic, that might have hurt.”  

Not only her weapons,  

But even her body was protected by magic.  

She had come fully prepared. 

Damn her.  

While it seemed like Monica was completely dominating Wolfgang, Monica herself was feeling a growing sense of unease. 

She had dishonorably ambushed Wolfgang first,  

And even used information gained through the sacrifice of her comrades to prepare thoroughly. 

This was a gamble where she knew her opponent’s cards, a battle she absolutely couldn’t afford to lose.  

Yet, Monica was deeply dissatisfied with the current situation. It was far from what she had envisioned. 

Objectively, she had the advantage,  

But according to the discussions with the Grimoire, Wolfgang should have already lost the will to fight or been unable to counterattack by now. 

Yet, there was no sign of that.  

In fact, it was becoming harder to land hits on her. 

Wolfgang was adapting to the situation, dodging attacks and resisting the whip’s pull.  

‘Even a rotten hero is still a hero, huh?’  

Her adaptability and responsiveness were among the best Monica had ever faced. 

If this dragged on any longer, things could go very wrong.  

“There’s one thing I want to ask.”  

“Trying to buy time?”  

“No, I’m genuinely curious.”  

“…………It’s impressive that you’re curious in this situation, but I have no reason to answer your questions.”  

“Van Cread.”  

But Monica, who had been preparing to attack, froze at the mention of that name. 

It was a name she knew all too well. 

Wolfgang could see the recognition in her eyes.  

“Something felt off. The knights of the Mines Kingdom I knew lived and died by honor. And I doubt the heroes would be much different.”  

“There are exceptions, like the Shadow Hero.”  

“If you were like him, you wouldn’t be making such a troubled face.”  

“Is it because of something related to Van Cread that you’re fighting like this?”  

Battle is an act of clashing with one’s full strength, and in the process, emotions and ideologies intertwine. 

Wolfgang must have sensed something from her.  

…………Yes, you’re right. I’m fighting for our leader, Van Cread.”  

‘I guessed right.’  

In fact, she had expected this. 

There were only two options: the Grimoire or Van. 

But Monica didn’t seem like someone who would resort to underhanded methods like the Shadow Hero.  

“I’m aware that this situation isn’t right. The goddess we served was usurped, and now a false being sits on the throne, pretending to be the goddess.”  

“So that’s why you call her the false goddess.”  

“Yes, but her divine power is on par with a true god’s. That’s why she’s been able to reign as the kingdom’s goddess without suspicion.”  

“I don’t understand. What kind of being could steal the throne from the kingdom’s goddess?”  

Wolfgang knew more about divine power than anyone. 

She had clashed with the Winter King, an evil god, for over ten years before finally defeating him.  

The most terrifying thing about divine power is that, at first, you don’t even realize it’s divine power. 

When she first encountered the Wendigo, she thought it was just a cursed monster.  

But when she realized the Wendigo was a creation of the Winter King, a servant carrying out the will of a god, the despair she felt was unforgettable.  

“I don’t know either. But it’s not impossible, is it? There’s a monster in front of me who defeated a god in human form.”  

“Van knew this situation wasn’t right. That’s why, as a hero, he decided to end it. By helping you.”  

He had informed her about the relic, something no one else could have known, and even personally reduced the number of people sent to secure it.  

“I’m not stupid. To end this, the relic must be destroyed, and the false goddess’s power must be severed. But if that happens, I won’t be able to protect Van anymore.”  

“So that’s why you chose this?”  

“About 80% of the reason. Selfish, isn’t it?”  

“What’s the other 20%?”  

“That’s a test.”  

She understood Van’s intentions. 

But if she couldn’t even overcome someone like herself, how could she trust them with the relic? 

Yes, this was a test born of pure selfishness.  

If she couldn’t even handle someone like me,  

Then perhaps…………