Chapter 45 (1)
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A faint smile brushed Regiss lips.
Rough around the edges
His hand gripping the staff twitched.
The hunting dogs that had been growling now scattered in all directions, as if waiting, upon seeing him raise his staff.
Ians charge began almost simultaneously.
Three hunting dogs rushing towards him closed the distance in an instant.
Concentration reached its peak.
Tentacles and fangs, whipping like a whip, aimed for blind spots, their beaks wide open.
And below that, the one approaching with a low stance.
Everything around him was perceived vividly in an instant.
Even his own movements felt sluggish.
Amidst this sensation, Ian decided to find a way to approach the creature faster.
He stomped on the creatures head, springing off to the side and twisting his body in midair.
He altered his trajectory, dodging the creatures beak that charged head-on, and swung down his sword, imbued with rotational force.
Swish-
The tentacles and claws that were thrusting through the gap were deflected by the barrier of whirling force.
In the blink of an eye, it all happened.
Ian, displaying a movement bordering on trickery, landed.
Among the three hunting dogs that had passed him, ones head had been severed, and its body crumpled and slid to the ground.
Not bad for a show-
Regiss head, muttering to himself, tilted as if someone had pulled it back.
Suddenly, the throwing dagger Ian had tossed was lodged in Regiss forehead.
Blood oozed out for a moment.
Clang-
The thrown dagger fell to the ground.
Apparently, not enough, huh?
While Ian licked his lips, Regis laughed more heartily as he looked forward again.
Shouldve shown off this talent earlier. But now it wont work.
The wound on his forehead quickly closed, covered by a sticky mucus-like substance and fibrous threads resembling spider silk.
Soon after, the thrown dagger landed behind Regis, blocked by a purple field.
Beyond that was an illusion, and Regis chuckled deeper as he watched Ian charge forward.
His brow flared for an instant.
As the space above Ians head momentarily contorted, and hit his head on the ground.
But Ian had waited. He twisted his body sideways just in time.
The distorted space that had struck the ground returned to its original form.
Something was writhing beyond the veil of reality.
Whoa.
As if he hadnt known he would evade it, Regis exclaimed.
But Ians gaze at Regis held no trace of excitement, just an icy focus.
So, this is how you fight.
His aggressive movements were merely to probe Regiss combat style.
After all, he hadnt faced a human-like opponent in the game before.
During battle, the vengeful specter of the avenger, a physical manifestation of the vengeful one shedding blood, had appeared and delivered a fatal blow to the creature. That was why.
Thanks to that, Regis, whose stamina had dropped significantly, had immediately revealed his true form.
So now, with the hunting dogs at his side and his tricks, this was the stage where Ian needed to be most cautious.
He couldnt predict what unexpected attack might cause a fatal injury.
Is that all youve got? Youre more of a pushover than I expected.
Taunting as he sidestepped, Ian provoked.
Regiss eyes narrowed.
A little fly like you has quite the mouth. Puzzling, but interesting.
With the barrier still in place, he reached out his hand.
A power similar to divine energy enveloped the hunting dogs.
Their breathing grew heavy, their contorted bodies swelled further.
Their fangs grew longer and sharper; Ian was reminded of deep-sea creatures hed seen in old pictures.
Where are you, yap away some more.
Whatever, you damn bastard.
Just as Ian charged toward the hunting dogs
Squeak Squeak!
Geez. Get your heads straight.
Soldiers and knights gathered densely against the walls, vacillating between life and death.
Although most of Regiss attention was on Ian and the hunting dogs, a few of them still circled, looking for openings.
Among them, one had grown larger and more menacing, truly a desperate situation.
Crack-!
As expected. One creature seemed to decide there was no longer a need to target openings, its saw-like beak opened wide as it charged.
Thunk-
As the outstretched spearhead snapped weakly, the creatures toothed maw sought to rend a soldier apart
Thunk-!
A trajectory of red divine power fell like a red wall and cleaved through the creatures waist.
The severed upper half of the hunting dog, splattering black blood and innards, bounced up.
Splat!
As he smashed the creatures skull with his fist, Maeve stood before the soldiers.
Chunks of stone debris that had fallen when she collided with the wall were scattered along her trajectory.
She turned to the knight.
Seal off all passages in the arena. Can you do it?
Her voice, as cold as if her madness had been a facade all along, the craziness shown so far was an act.
The knight nodded urgently.
Yes yes! We can do it!
This opulent structure, constructed by repurposing ancient elven ruins, could isolate almost every area with iron bars.
Precautions against enemies penetrating into the heart of the castle.
Go. Seal the arena and join His Majesty to report the situation.
Swoosh- Thud!
Maeve struck down a hunting dog that charged at her. Then she turned to the soldiers.
Dont trust the survivors either. Go, now!
Yes! Everyone, to the passages!
At the knights shout, soldiers rushed like they were in a frenzy.
Maeve defended against the hunting dogs charging at them with her whole body.
In the process of cutting and striking, one hunting dog managed to bite her forearm.
Unfazed, she swung the weight of the sword, crushing the creatures jaw, and stamped on it with her boots.
Finally entering the passage, the knight looked back at her grotesque form.
Apologies for the misunderstanding, Sir. We will complete the mission at any cost.
The knight with a resolute expression disappeared.
Maeve, who had slaughtered all the hunting dogs, finally straightened up her back.
Labored breaths. The blood that had flowed down her forearm, seeping into the end of her gauntlet, evaporated and dissolved into divine power.
Upon finally confirming this sight, Regis burst into laughter.
A pointless endeavor. All the hunting dogs have already gathered at the castle. Your four years of preparation will only increase the casualties.
While saying so, his hand holding the staff twitched again.
The majority of the hunting dogs that had been targeting Ian turned their attention towards Maeve.
As Maeve silently drew her sword aside her face, she asked.
Am I being ignored now?
In that gap, Ian, who had been aiming for Regis, swung his sword down.
Regis raised the corners of his mouth.
Too much attention doesnt need to be paid to gnats.
Thuk-
The clash of Ians sword against the shield was rebounded.
Unlike Maeve, he couldnt hit the force field, but Ian rather raised his lips.
You hope only that I disappear as a witness.
..!
Regis, who met his burning gaze, finally opened his eyes. Flames ignited and swirled around Ian.
Ian stretched out his hand as if expecting it. Yellow flames burst forth from the red blaze.
Crackkkkk-!
The intensified flames converged on Regis, engulfing him and the surrounding area. As the barrier melted away, several flames managed to touch Regis, but the fire obstructed by the barrier swirled within, completely engulfing him.
Thrown back by the counterforce, Ian crashed onto the ground. Within the smoke, he raised his head and looked towards Regis.
Laughter resonated from within the engulfed figure.
A mage, I see! Yes, now the mystery is unraveling. Looking at your appearance, no one would think youre a mage. The Red Mage, Conraud spoke of is none other than you. All those accomplishments were achieved through deception.
Much like you.
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Translator; ippo
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