episode_0115

[Wave of Light] grants blessings and healing regardless of whether they are enemies or allies.

Thanks to that, there were times when the trolls summoned by the Troll of Death were healed, but.

That was just a simple happenstance.

But anyone could see that he saw the trolls he summoned getting healed, realized something, and ran away, even tearing space.

And because his judgment was slow, he touched the Wave of Light slightly.

Just the part that touched turned white like that.

Anyone could clearly feel that it needed to be attacked using divine power.

‘I think I know why he put the same card in the rewards.’

Through card rewards, he tells me the moves I can use to break through the hardship.

In other words, he probably guided me to even discover the weakness of the Troll of Death by using the Wave of Light incorrectly.

If so, there is no reason not to use it.

Moreover, the Wave of Light healed all allies who had black wounds, so it was a perfect move.

However.

‘He is wary of the Wave of Light.’

Since his eyes are on me even while fighting the explorers in real-time, a method used openly would never work.

Then what should I do?

『Current Status』

『Energy 1/5』

[Slash(1)] [Holy Strike(2)] [Pledge(0)]

First, I use the completely overpowered card [Pledge].

[Pledge(0) – Disappear] – Gain 1 Energy and draw 1 card.

The card doesn’t melt into the world but disappears as is.

At the same time, the deck’s energy increased by one slot and a new card was drawn.

[Slash(1)] [Holy Strike(2)] [Baptism(1)]

First, something I want to experiment with has come up.

I throw one card.

[Baptism]

As soon as the card melts, light forms in my hand.

The place that light is heading is the Troll of Death.

But it didn’t work at all.

It seems blessings don’t descend upon monsters that are not human.

However, that doesn’t mean nothing happened and it just passed by.

The startled troll glares at me.

Even though the blessing didn’t affect his body, it seems he felt something sweep over him and is in a bad mood. He frowns and swings his club at me.

The slash comes flying again.

However, because I had already anticipated it, I was able to lightly roll to the side and evade it.

…Grrr!!!

But that wasn’t the end.

As if wanting to kill me, he suddenly changed his attitude and started running towards this place.

『Until next draw: 27』

A situation where there was an excessive amount of time left until the next turn.

Although there are a few card rewards left, it could be a loss if I can’t choose quickly.

“Block it!!”

A Defense Golem that popped out from subspace.

It immediately performs a body slam towards the approaching troll.

But it was immediately crushed by the swung club.

The Defense Golem that slammed into the ground explodes as is.

A giant explosion hits the Troll of Death’s body, but the troll approaches, taking all the attacks with its whole body as if not caring about minor injuries.

“What, why is this happening?!”

“St…op!!”

He even runs forward, regenerating his arm even after one arm was torn off by Luca’s ferocity.

Around the time everyone was shocked by his tough body.

The Troll of Death, which had approached before I knew it.

Swings his club down at me.

Kwa-ang!

But the club wounded an innocent floor.

I, who was originally there, have somehow put distance between us and am waiting for the next turn.

“Nice timing.”

“I wondered what I’d do if you got hit.”

Naturally, this would have been impossible without the help of Grace, the master of speed.

Because she took me and ran away with a speed that even the Troll of Death couldn’t follow with its eyes.

…Grrrk!!

As expected, Mr. Troll, who doesn’t like anything because things aren’t going his way.

Spatial movement was countered by Noah.

The debuff that creates black wounds was countered by me.

He is just a regular boss-level monster with high stats.

I don’t know if he realized that, but he is now swinging his club at the vanguards in front of him without overexerting himself.

We accumulate damage steadily.

『Until next draw: 1』

Before I knew it, the next turn.

『It is your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

『White Box – At the end of your turn, preserve 1 card.』

The one to leave behind is [Holy Strike].

[Holy Strike(2)] [Eternal Light(4)] [Meditation(0)] [Gate of Heaven(2)] [Penance(0)] [Slash(1)]

Unfortunately, since blessings don’t work, I’d like to inflict healing upon him, which was likely the reason he avoided the Wave of Light, but.

Currently, [Heal] and [Wave of Light] are both out of the deck.

Of course, [Eternal Light] also has a healing function attached, but it was written that it can only be used on allies, so.

Now that the blueprint for how to win has been drawn in advance, no further reward design is necessary.

Now is the time to roll the snowball.

I immediately throw a card.

[Gate of Heaven(2) – Power] – Whenever a card disappears, draw 1 card.

A cluster of light emerged and created a giant gate behind me.

At that sight, Erica’s party and other explorers who were fighting raised questions.

Because this magic was so conspicuous, I had never used it before.

As I brought out a new magic I had never seen, the atmosphere gradually got better.

It felt as if I had found the solution.

And it was actually true.

I immediately throw the next card.

[Meditation] – Grants blessings proportional to the number of times [Meditation] has been used.

Without realizing it, my hands came together and I prayed.

However, there was no change.

Is it useless if I only use it this much so far?

Since I didn’t expect anything from the beginning, I quickly use the next card.

[Penance] – Consume HP and gain 3 Energy.

A card that deals self-inflicted damage and gains energy, similar to [Mana Overload] in the Elementalist’s deck.

However, the method is different.

“…Hmph!!”

There were no visible external wounds, but a fatigue as if I had sprinted at full power for about 3 minutes instantly rushed in.

Thanks to that, my vision was slightly shaky, but I quickly regained my composure and continued using cards.

[Eternal Light] – Summon a sphere of light that lasts for 3 turns, providing shields and blessings to nearby allies.

The sphere of light that appeared around my body emitted clusters of light that flew towards all nearby allies.

The power of those light clusters was tremendous.

Not only were the wounds inflicted by the Troll of Death healed, but a decent shield was created so that even if hit by an attack, black wounds wouldn’t appear.

So, we were able to deploy tactics even more boldly, and the Troll of Death also started to be pushed back little by little.

Moreover, the way he glances this way from time to time feels like he’s aiming for me at any moment. Unfortunately, he’s starting not to get even a chance for that.

So, I cycle the deck as much as possible during this time.

[Holy Strike(2) – Disappear] – Disappear all cards in hand and deal damage proportional to them.

Of course, since the only card left in hand is [Slash].

The feeling is that the power is almost non-existent.

Therefore, I shoot it into the air so as not to bother my companions.

I check the 2 cards that newly entered my hand as 2 cards disappeared.

[Divine Protection(1)] [Pure White Wall(1)]

Hmm, the hand is disappointing.

Actually, if it weren’t for basic cards or shield cards like these, I could have kept cycling the deck.

As expected, it’s difficult to cycle infinitely within the first or second turn.

Perhaps it’s the downside of adding cards to increase the deck’s value.

But not adding cards is out of the question.

If I cycle the deck infinitely, the value will increase infinitely, but who will give me the time to do that cycling?

However, in this regard, hmm, it is a bit disappointing.

“Going there!!!”

The Troll of Death, who had torn space and hid somewhere before I knew it.

Perhaps he intuitively sensed that it wouldn’t be easy to gain the upper hand with a simple head-on battle and that he would lose if he gave me time.

Naturally, he’s targeting me.

“Grace.”

“Yes!!”

Grace immediately starts moving while holding me.

Since a mere troll alone cannot keep up with that speed.

He immediately reappears by tearing space and then launches another slash.

However, Grace’s speed easily evades even that.

I quietly wait only for the next turn.

Grrr…!!

As if sensing that the situation was flowing in an unusual direction, the troll plunges his club into the ground.

Then, the club is absorbed into the ground, and black color spreads out.

Not long after. Small trolls started spawning wildly from within.

Instead, there is now nothing in the Troll of Death’s hand.

A definite penalty, and a tremendous merit contrary to it.

Unlike the small number of trolls summoned before, this time they started spawning so much that they filled the surroundings.

“Oh no…!!”

A path opened up for the Troll of Death.

The guy who comes running desperately, as if this is the last time.

“…Hold on tight!!”

Grace grabbed me tightly and ran quickly.

So I thought I would be safe, but.

The Troll of Death started catching up little by little.

“How on earth is it catching up?”

“I don’t know!!”

“Wait…!”

At that moment, the Troll of Death grins and tears space.

And I thought he was trying to hide, but.

Space opened in front of Noah, who was following, and as soon as the troll entered, he came out and reached Noah’s side before I knew it.

He immediately strikes Noah’s body with his giant black forearm.

“Aaah!!!”

Noah, who allowed the Troll of Death’s attack due to the sudden change in movement.

He was sent flying far away and collided strongly with the wall.

Of course, Noah wouldn’t die from blocking that, but.

The problem is now that there is no one left to sense that troll.

He immediately tears space again and disappears inside.

“Can you react?”

“I’ll try!”

Grace says she will evade to the side as soon as he appears, but it’s not certain.

Therefore, I throw the 2 cards I had saved simultaneously.

[Divine Protection] – Gain a powerful shield. Add 1 [Regret] card to your hand.

[Pure White Wall] – Gain a shield and gain reflect damage for one turn.

I instantly wrap myself in a shield that protects me.

If it’s this much.

『Until next draw: 14』

It should be able to protect me until the next turn.

“……”

Maintaining tension, I look around.

Fortunately, my companions aren’t being pushed back by the small trolls.

If the Troll of Death had joined there and launched an all-out attack, perhaps one or two people might have died.

At that moment.

My expanded sense detects the space next to me opening.

Faster than Grace could react, I focus the shield in that direction.

Kwasik-

The troll’s fist piercing through the shield.

However, that brief gap bought us time to escape.

『Until next draw: 8』

The troll, realizing his move had failed, started rushing out wildly like a beast towards Grace.

That speed became faster and faster, so.

“I can’t shake him off!!”

He completely caught up to even Grace’s speed.

But the troll’s hand still doesn’t reach.

Kung!

Something that burrowed in between me and the troll with a *kung* sound.

It was Kailek.

Kailek, who was nearby, charged into the Troll of Death with a body slam.

Thanks to his large build and trained muscles, a powerful attack went in, but.

It only went that far.

Kailek, who chose the path of an archer, not a warrior, was immediately caught by the troll’s hand and thrown to the side.

But that’s enough.

『Until next draw: 0』

Because it’s my turn now.

『It is your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

『White Box – At the end of your turn, preserve 1 card.』

Unfortunately, the card in hand is the [Regret(Cannot be used)] card generated by using [Divine Protection].

Since this is completely useless, I don’t use the White Box effect.

The 5 cards drawn immediately.

[Prayer(0)] [Offering to God(0)] [Lord’s Mercy(1)] [Ordeal(Cannot be used)] [Guardian(3)]

It’s checkmate.

[Prayer(0)] – Gain a small shield and draw 1 card.

The small shield that appeared momentarily blocks the troll’s path.

The card drawn is.

[Defense(1)]

It’s useless, so I should grind it.

[Offering to God] – Disappear 1 card and gain 2 Energy.

When I throw the [Defense] card to the sky, it enters the Gate of Heaven floating behind me.

Immediately a new card is drawn and Energy also increases by 2.

[Lord’s Mercy(1)] [Ordeal(Cannot be used)] [Guardian(3)] [God’s Shield(1)]

Now, there are only a few cards left in the deck.

[Lord’s Mercy(1)] – Draw 3 cards and disappear 1 card.

The one to disappear is [Ordeal].

[Ordeal(Cannot be used)] – When disappeared, draw 3 cards and add 1 [Ordeal] to your deck.

Before the Ordeal card enters the Gate of Heaven, it splits into two, and one card returns to the deck.

Now, I draw a total of 7 cards.

[Guardian] [God’s Shield] + [Slash] [Defense] [Ordeal] [Defense] [Celestial Aria(0)]

As 5 cards were drawn, the remaining deck became 0 cards, and all used cards were shuffled and returned to the deck.

Afterwards, the remaining 2 cards are drawn.

+ [Regret(Cannot be used)] [Meditation(0)]

Unfortunately, [Heal] wasn’t drawn, but.

It doesn’t matter.

I throw one card.

[Celestial Aria(0)] – Disappear as many cards as you want. A shield proportional to them is created.

The cards to disappear are all cards except [God’s Shield].

Shwaaaah-

The hand I was holding instantly disappeared into the Gate of Heaven, and an intense beam of light came out from my body, creating a shield in front.

That shield blocked the troll’s shoulder tackle once.

“……?!!”

The startled troll.

It’s natural. There’s no way a shield made by grinding and drinking almost 8 cards would be weak.

Furthermore, this thick shield is directly converted into attack power.

[God’s Shield(1)] – Deals damage proportional to the shield.

The thick shield turns back into a shield shape as is and powerfully strikes the troll’s body.

Kuwoong!!!

Along with a sound incomparable to before, a shield-shaped scar covering about half of his body.

The Troll of Death is strongly pushed back as is.

At the same time, the Gate of Heaven starts spitting out cards.

Before I knew it, my hand was full.

And among them, there was also a card that would be perfect for him.

[Heal] – Heals.

The cluster of light formed at my fingertip extends forward and travels around the Troll of Death’s body.

“Kuaaaah!!!!”

Along with a strange scream, the Troll of Death’s body slowly started turning white.

Of course, since it was stained so black, it has only changed from black to a slightly grayish color so far.

It was clear that this would inflict a fatal blow on him.

I immediately use a card to finish him off.

[Wave of Light]

The Wave of Light that appears when I swipe my hand is pushed forward and swallows the Troll of Death.

Then, as if washing a dirty dog’s body, the black color on the Troll of Death’s body starts to wash away.

I keep moving the Wave of Light as it is.

The Waves of Light circling the same spot, colliding with the walls in front and behind.

As a result, before I knew it, the Troll of Death had turned so white it didn’t suit its name.

“Now!!!”

As the explorer with a spear shouted, everyone started attacking simultaneously.

The explorers unleashing the strongest attacks they can use.

The Troll of Death, who received all those attacks with its body just like before, but.

It could no longer regenerate.

“Uaaaaah!!!!”

Finally, as Erica unleashed a powerful slash that cut through space, tearing off his body, head, and arms separately, the Troll of Death slowly turned into light.

Not long after.

Ddiring!!

『Check Card Rewards.』

The status window announces victory.

At the same time, the giant thorns that had surrounded the area and created the battlefield started collapsing into dust.

The raid that had started by chance had ended.

“…Somehow, we survived this time too.”

“Indeed. Who would have known things would turn out this way?”

“More importantly, what came out of that troll?”

“Indeed. From boss-level monsters onwards, rewards sometimes pop out from really strange places.”

At that moment, something popped out from the place where the black pillar we first discovered was.

To be exact, a treasure chest plastered with golden light.

Everyone who saw that chest started heading towards it.

“That’s probably it, right?”

“Let’s go too.”

Before I knew it, everyone had gathered in front of the chest.

Even the injured Kailek walked over while sucking on a potion.

I guess wanting to see what the reward is is just human nature.

“Ivan, you open it.”

Erica and everyone were looking at me.

They said it’s the national rule that the person with the highest contribution usually opens these kinds of rewards.

Since they said that much, there’s no reason not to, and I was also curious.

I immediately stood in front of the treasure chest.

However.

Kkueung kkueung.

Ah, this is harder to open than I thought?

After trying to open it a few times, I looked around again and noticed.

“I’ll open it for you.”

Noah immediately opened the lid easily as if opening a bottle.

Now, I wonder what’s inside.