Chapter 198

The red light that originated from Ifrit’s Sword connected to Ifrit’s Shield, which was circling the perimeter of the training ground.

The swordsman Miyamoto approached the unmoving Dark and launched an attack, but it was blocked by something transparent. In the meantime, the shield returned and was caught in Dark’s left hand, and the red light filled the training ground.

[Physical attack power increases.]

[Magical attack power increases.]

[Defense increases.]

[Magic resistance increases.]

[All stats slightly increase.]

It was a hologram that appeared before Dark’s eyes.

[Movement speed slightly decreases.]

[Attack speed slightly decreases.]

[Reaction speed slightly decreases.]

[All stats slightly decrease.]

This was what appeared to Miyamoto.

Dark smiled faintly.

He approached Miyamoto, who wore an indifferent expression but was clearly quite embarrassed inside.

Due to the set effect ‘Barrier’ from Ifrit’s Sword and Shield, his movements became much faster. He could clearly see Miyamoto’s movements as he pulled his body back.

He was confident that he could end it before the barrier’s duration expired.

In an instant, they were within striking distance.

Dark swung his sword.

Clang!

Miyamoto also responded with his sword.

It was definitely slow.

However, his way of targeting openings remained the same, and because of the intermittent flow, Dark still couldn’t properly attack Miyamoto.

Even with the barrier?

Perhaps becoming annoyed, Dark’s movements began to grow slightly larger.

[Ah, this is dangerous?]

[Dark needs to stay calm.]

[It’s understandable to be annoyed by the attacks being interrupted at every precarious moment, but he needs to remain calm. Look at Miyamoto’s eyes. He’s like a beast hunting for prey.]

[His movements are getting too big.]

That situation continued for a while.

[Ah, but…….]

[Isn’t it strange?]

[Yes, it’s really strange.]

Since Dark’s movements had grown larger, Miyamoto should have attacked those openings. However, Miyamoto was focused on defending, as if he couldn’t see Dark’s weaknesses.

[What’s going on?]

[That’s a feint!]

[Huh?]

[Miyamoto is waiting for Dark’s movements to become even larger!]

[Ah……!]

It was then.

The moment Dark’s attack became slightly larger than before.

Miyamoto took a step forward and unleashed his sword. The blade, imbued with a pure white light, was swung at a terrifying speed.

[That’s……!]

[The skill that Miyamoto has used only once so far, Shatter!]

Shatter, the power to destroy everything.

However, the moment Miyamoto used that skill, he intuitively knew that something was wrong. It was because Dark’s eyes, which had been full of excitement, had become frighteningly cold. His gaze, with the sword raised high, seemed to be shouting that this was the end.

He couldn’t stop.

He had already used the skill.

He blocked Dark’s sword with an attack imbued with the power of Shatter.

Kaga-clang!

However, it seemed that Dark had more than one skill. Although the power had diminished, something still powerful was flying towards his face.

Miyamoto’s expression hardened.

No choice, huh.

A purple light flowed from Miyamoto’s entire body.

True-Shatter.

A skill with tremendous penalties.

True-Shatter unfolded.

Confident that the power of True-Shatter could not be blocked by anything, Miyamoto swung his sword and tapped Dark’s sword surface once, then used the deflected force to strike the shield.

With just two attacks, most of the power of True-Shatter was dissipated, but to inflict even a little more damage, he finally thrust his sword into Dark’s chest.

At that moment, the purple light that had dominated his entire body disappeared, and the penalty rose.

[All physical abilities decrease by 30 percent for 48 hours.]

If Dark’s damage was low, winning wouldn’t be easy.

He watched him nervously.

Crack.

The sword and shield that Dark was holding shattered.

Muhyuk’s eyes widened as he watched.

Shattered?

It was Dark’s sword and shield that he had been using since the preliminaries. They were so stylish that anyone could tell they were top-tier Weaponry. Moreover, it seemed that they even had a set effect in this battle. Those Weaponry had shattered.

Is this real?

He never imagined that Miyamoto would possess the True-Shatter skill.

“Huh…….”

It was unfortunate for Dark, but fortunate for Muhyuk.

Is luck on my side?

Since he had lost his best sword and shield, it was only natural that Dark’s power would weaken. Moreover, since the set skill had also disappeared, the sense of loss would be significant.

As expected, Dark’s expression twisted severely.

[Ah, Dark. His Weaponry shattered!]

[The sword and shield, too?]

[He hurriedly took out another sword and shield, but his movements aren’t smooth.]

[He’s too stiff.]

[But he’s still overwhelming Miyamoto?]

[It seemed that the skill Miyamoto used was extraordinary. He shattered that good sword and shield in one blow, didn’t he?]

[That’s right.]

[The penalty is expected to be significant. Perhaps his slowed movements are due to that penalty.]

A 30 percent penalty. In addition, the Ifrit set effect ‘Barrier’ had not yet been lifted, so his body was doubly restricted.

Having lost his sword and shield, Dark’s movements, now truly excited rather than feigned, were visible, but his body couldn’t keep up, making him frustrated.

So he focused solely on one thing: enduring. Of course, that alone was not enough to defeat Dark.

[Ah, the end is in sight.]

[Miyamoto, it’s unfortunate.]

In the end, Dark emerged victorious.

But Dark couldn’t smile.

With his twisted expression, he descended from the training ground.

They had a short break before the final match.

Kilimanjaro approached.

“Are you okay?”

“…….”

Dark didn’t open his mouth easily.

“To think the Ifrit set would shatter.”

“Hoo.”

“Still, calm down.”

“It’s not easy.”

“If you just win, you can ask for something better than the Ifrit set. That Sun Sword or whatever you’ve been wanting.”

“I guess so.”

He knew, but his heart still wouldn’t calm down.

It was Weaponry he had acquired with great difficulty.

The Ifrit set.

With the only set item gone, even Dark couldn’t help but feel complicated. But he couldn’t stay like this forever.

“The final is soon.”

“I know.”

He just had to win. He could win and ask for the Sun Sword with the amazing options he saw in the noble’s warehouse.

Then he would surely achieve even more rapid growth than when he obtained the Ifrit Sword and Shield.

[The final match will begin in 5 minutes.]

The examiner’s voice echoed loudly.

Dark finally got up.

“Yeah, I just have to win.”

Then he would more than make up for the loss.

“Any advice?”

“Don’t underestimate the Skeleton.”

“Is that all?”

“Don’t underestimate the summoner Muhyuk either.”

“Got it.”

“Good luck, and be careful.”

Dark nodded and left the waiting room.

——-!

The cheers pounded his eardrums.

He made eye contact with Muhyuk, who came out of the opposite waiting room, and walked to the training ground. The 5 minutes passed faster than he thought, and Muhyuk and Dark, who were the last remaining, ascended to the training ground.

The host calmly explained the situation.

[Here is the final match we’ve all been waiting for.]

[Yes, the final showdown between Dark and Muhyuk.]

[The winner will receive one item of their choice. Since this is a virtual reality game, I think both of them are very greedy for the first-place prize.]

[Being too greedy isn’t good. If you overdo it, your movements will become larger, and the opponent will be able to break through in one go. Maybe the match will end with that one moment.]

[That’s right. You need to be as careful as possible.]

[More than that, who do you predict will win?]

[Of course, I want Muhyuk to win, but…….]

[It won’t be easy, will it?]

[Yes, I think it will be difficult since he’s facing the number one ranked player.]

Then the examiner’s voice echoed.

[Ah, the final match has finally begun.]

Muhyuk was captured largely on the screen.

Before ascending to the training ground, Muhyuk had already made his own plan. Since Dark, who had lost his sword and shield, would surely be impatient, he intended to shake him up with annoyance and anger.

Wind Step, Windstorm.

So he didn’t even bother summoning.

At first, with his own strength alone.

To maximize the use of Wind Step, he needed plenty of Mana.

[Muhyuk hasn’t summoned!]

[Are they going to fight each other hand-to-hand?]

The people watching also paid attention.

Of course, they were full of worry and concern.

[I don’t think it’s possible.]

[He should just summon…….]

But they shut their mouths as they watched the ensuing fight.

Kang, Kaga-clang!

He was enduring Dark’s attacks much better than expected. No, it felt like he was pushing him back.

Of course, it was entirely due to the effect of Wind Step, so there was a disadvantage that his Mana was rapidly decreasing, but he didn’t care.

If he didn’t use Windstorm, he wouldn’t feel a great burden on his Mana.

Cross Slash.

He occasionally used skills as well.

Blessing of the Dead.

He didn’t spare magic.

He also poured down arrow attacks while keeping his distance.

Windstorm, Powerful Archery.

Multishot.

Of course, Dark was blocking them without difficulty.

Kaga-clang!

Using his shield, backing away, or making great use of the training ground, his movements were definitely fast.

At the same time, he occasionally poured down attacks, which were more threatening than expected, so Muhyuk couldn’t release Wind Step.

Besides, how overpowered was his healing skill?

[A critical hit!]

When the damage seemed to go in properly.

“Great Heal.”

Dark immediately filled his HP with healing magic. Nevertheless, Muhyuk endlessly moved and attacked Dark. Eventually, Dark’s Mana would surely have a limit.

Whether it was an attack or healing magic, he judged that an opportunity would surely come if he could make him use skills and reduce his Mana.

One thing was certain.

His own Mana recovery rate was absolutely higher.

[Ah, amazing.]

[Muhyuk is pushing Dark with tremendous movements.]

[Of course, Dark may feel a bit empty because he’s recovering his reduced HP with healing magic. But he shouldn’t stop attacking. Dark’s Mana is definitely decreasing.]

[But wouldn’t that be the same for Muhyuk?]

[He has plenty of Mana now because he hasn’t summoned the Skeleton.]

[Ah, I see. Summoning the Skeleton consumes a tremendous amount of Mana, doesn’t it?]

[That’s right. I couldn’t have imagined there would be a method like this. Maybe this match will go differently than I expected.]

A fierce battle continued for a while.