<...I don't understand. There's no way you can block that attack with your skills, right?>
After deflecting the sword strike from the skeleton, some time passed before the old man muttered softly.
His words were correct. Normally, I wouldn't be able to block that attack.
The only reason I could parry this time was because it was a trial.
If I hadn’t drilled the timing of the skeleton’s attacks into my body in the past...
If he hadn’t given me any chance to adjust my posture with each attack...
If he hadn’t shown any preparatory movements as if to flaunt it...
I would have crumbled helplessly before the skeleton.
Thus, this was an act that could only occur within the confines of a system.
Even if it were a real fight, I might have been able to do something similar, but the outcome would have been a girl trembling in fear, her shield shattered.
‘It’s a miracle, isn’t it?’
<Was it due to the blessing of the gods?>
Knowing him, I attributed the credit for this incident to the useless deity. No matter how absurd it seemed, invoking the name of a god would lend it credibility.
<But, you know, young lady, there’s one thing I want to ask.>
‘Yes?’
<Didn’t you just call me "old man"?>
‘...What? What are you talking about?’
Oh, come on, old man. How could I call you "old man"? You’re like my teacher!
<Oh ho, do you think I didn’t hear it?>
You didn’t hear it?! Were you so overwhelmed by the miraculous scene that you missed it?
Damn it! If you heard it, you should have said so earlier!
‘I’m sorry!’
Was it because my mind was in an elevated state due to the mesugaki skill that I blurted that out? I’m really sorry!
Without making any excuses, I offered an honest apology, and the old man chuckled.
What? Old man, you weren’t angry?
<Well then, this time, it was you who made a mistake, wasn’t it?>
‘Umm... yes?’
<Just a moment ago, I made a mistake, didn’t I?>
Ah. Oh no.
<So, am I not supposed to receive any punishment for that?-->
You were actually paying attention to that from the start?!
<These days, they call it “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” Do you agree?>
‘“You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” isn’t exactly a modern phrase.’
<Anyway!>
Phew. It was a good thing I threatened him at first. Thanks to that, I managed to get through the situation.
Otherwise, it would have surely led to his endless nagging or some hellish training starting. Or maybe both at once.
I felt like the mental erosion from the mesugaki skill had intensified. No matter how high my spirits were, I had never made a slip of the tongue in front of the old man.
This is not a good sign.
If I’m not careful, I could become someone who genuinely says, ‘Did you think you could beat me, the pathetic boy who gets beaten by a girl?♡ Did you think I’d say “I’m so sorry” while crying?♡ Hahaha!♡ So close~♡ If you were just a bit stronger, you could have broken my fingernail~♡’
...
Didn’t I say something similar recently?
I think I said that while making excuses to provoke my opponent.
Huh?
Am I already in a state of being consumed?
“Excellent.”
While I was gnawing on my lips in a sense of crisis, a voice came from in front of me.
It was the skeleton.
He had just wielded his sword with some sincerity, but now he spoke in a soft voice, as if the trial was merely a trial.
“I cannot deny your skill. Congratulations. You have passed the trial.”
‘Thank you, Garad-nim.’
“Why do you evaluate yourself as if you’re better after getting beaten? Ah, are you trying to achieve a mental victory since your pride is shattered? Sorry~ Hero~ I didn’t know~”
I could see the skeleton's hands trembling. He wasn’t calm; he was desperately hiding his anger.
If I went a little further, he might genuinely swing his sword with real intent. I should keep my mouth shut.
“...Here is the reward for the trial. Ankirda.”
I looked at the shield the skeleton offered.
Even after hundreds of years, the shield still retained its pure white appearance.
The moment I saw it, the corners of my mouth curled up, and I couldn’t help but smile.
When I first arrived in this world, I was a kid who didn’t understand the value of a legendary weapon.
Thanks to my knowledge from the game, I could tell whether it was great or not, but I lacked the ability to judge the real thing.
I was a modern person who would never touch a real weapon in my life.
But I am different now.
Having swung a mace countless times for a year since my reincarnation and having blocked numerous attacks with a shield, I could understand the value of legendary weapons just by looking at them.
That shield, named Ankir, was a legendary weapon that anyone wielding a shield would desire and admire.
As I carefully accepted it from the skeleton, I felt the divine energy that had been lingering inside me becoming even purer.
The divine relic given by the messenger of the gods was elevating my status even further.
Hmm. A mithril shield. Do you want to take a moment to be in my inventory?
You’ve been working hard, so it’s time to let you rest.
I would never abandon you!
Got it? Just take a moment to relax.
Having grown attached to the now-vanished mithril shield, I carelessly tossed it into my inventory and tried on Ankir.
As soon as I did, the size of the shield automatically adjusted to the ideal size I imagined.
Kyaah! This is what a divine relic should be! Yes!
The weight felt just right when I held it.
The grip felt great as well.
There was nothing bothersome when I moved.
Most importantly, the divine energy flowed through me smoothly!
It was completely different from when I held that mithril shield!
With this, I might be able to replicate the old man’s actions perfectly.
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Ah. What should I do?
I want to use this in actual combat soon.
I want to block an attack that is genuinely trying to destroy me.
As I was overwhelmed by how much I liked Ankir, the skeleton laughed and spoke.
“Those who receive the love of the gods, if it’s you, then my friend Karon has surely left several trials that you can break through. If you find me, give it a try. It may not be as valuable as the so-called holy knight’s weapon you hold, but it will surely be a worthwhile item.”
I know that too. So-called holy knight? Are you talking about yourself, old man?
<What kind of bullshit is that from someone whose only talent is seducing girls! I’ve protected your embarrassing past as a friend, but enough is enough! Young lady! Provoke him! You need to provoke him!>
‘...I don’t want to die, though.’
I don’t know what that embarrassing past is, but mentioning it feels like I might genuinely get stabbed.
“May the blessings be with you on your path.”
Believing himself to be Garad, the skeleton offered a neat farewell and turned back to the left.
As soon as he sat down, the skeleton collapsed along with the left side, and with a creak, the door opened once more.
Thus, the trial was over.
I tensed up when I heard the sound of the message coming in, but fortunately, it wasn’t from the evil god.
Hah. Useless deity! If you’re going to give me a reward, do it after I’ve escaped from here!
Do you know how scary it is to hear that ding?!
I can’t complain since they said they’ll give me a reward, but please be more careful next time!
By the way, a reward? Just having Ankir in my hands is enough, but are they giving me something else on top of that?
It can’t be anything grand. Maybe they’ll just increase my stats a little, like when I overcame the trial prepared by Luka.
[Reward: S#^#^#$%@!$%%]
...Huh?
Wait a minute.
I’ve seen this before.
I’ve definitely seen it.
When I was tackling Menestail last time.
At the moment when the evil god blocked my escape from the dungeon.
The message window was contaminated.
So this means...
A warning that the evil god will intervene.
My prediction was not wrong.
As the strange letters appeared on the message window, suddenly black letters emerged.
[The night is the time of darkness. The underground will be a place of darkness.] [You will be devoured by the darkness.]
Before long, the message window scattered, and shortly after, the dimly lit underground space plunged into complete darkness, making it impossible to see an inch ahead.
A hollow laugh escaped my lips.
Did you know I caught on to the truth of the Barrow Duke family? I thought I managed to keep it hidden well, but I guess not.
<Young lady.>
The voice of the old man calling me was filled with seriousness, unlike before.
This wasn’t the silly old man; it was the hero, Ruel, speaking.
Listening to him filled my heart with seriousness.
<Illuminate the light.>
‘Yes.’
I imbued the divine energy I possessed into Ankir.
As I overcame the trial, the divine energy of the apostle became even more refined.
Then, light burst from the pure white shield, spreading warmth like the sun around me.
One step.
And another step.
As the light frightened the darkness, it began to retreat.
This was the power held by Ankir.
The power to expel negativity.
As the room where the trial was held brightened as if it were noon, the world regained its lost senses.
“...Huh.”
“Have you finally regained your senses? Useless junior.”
The scenery revealed was Luka, who had been about to swing his dagger at us, and the sword blocking him.
This was one of the annoying aspects of tackling a dungeon related to the evil god of darkness. If you fail to resist, you will be devoured immediately.
As the negativity fled, Luka came to his senses, blinking rapidly before desperately reaching for his weapon.
“What’s going on?”
‘It’s the work of the evil god of darkness.’
“That’s the work of that creepy pervert. What does he want to achieve by controlling a girl’s body? It’s disgusting and makes me feel sick.”
But it’s strange. Considering Tariqi’s power is still minimal, and Luka is quite a strong individual, resisting should be normal.
How many sins must that guy have stacked up in his heart?
If I leave him alone, he might rampage again, so I held onto Luka's hand and used Armadi's touch.
With Ankir in hand, I should be able to drive out at least the uninvited energy.
Did he feel the divine energy passing through his hand? Luka stared at me blankly before deeply bowing his head.
“Thank you, young lady.”
I couldn’t respond to that. Just as I was about to answer him, a new message appeared before me.
[A new quest has been issued!] [Escape!] [The evil god of darkness has taken control of the dungeon using his powers! Escape from here!] [Reward: ???]
He didn’t just throw a random challenge; he’s taken control of the dungeon?!
Did I really annoy him that much?
Despite having such little power, he’s doing this?
But you know, if he was going to do it, he should have done it earlier. What an idiot.
Trying to pull some tricks after I’ve grasped Ankir is pointless.
Ah. Could it be that he heard me say I wanted a place to use my shield and granted my wish?
Kyaah. So he’s not the evil god of darkness but a god of darkness? How could he be so considerate!
As a reward for that, I’ll show him something fun.
A circus where the many traps he prepared will easily get destroyed!
It’ll be so fun that you’ll curse involuntarily, so look forward to it!
Recalling the map of this maze, I unleashed my spear.
Suddenly, the sword clutched his chest.
“Ugh. Young lady, I think I’m infected by the evil god’s energy too!”
My gaze towards him was cold.
His tone was rigid.
His movements were awkward.
It was evident to anyone that he was feigning illness.
What’s more disgusting is that it’s obvious what his intentions are.
Was he that envious of me purifying Luka’s hand?!
‘Seriously disgusting.’
“Seriously disgusting.”
“Right!”
As I spoke sincerely, the sword’s body fell forward.
Hah. I really don’t know what to do with him.