Volume 1 Chapter 57 The Time Of Farewell
While confronting Allen, I pull the sword from its sheath.
"Sorry, but I won't hold back."
Fiione, the female thief, jumps high and countless throwing knives are simultaneously aimed at me and Fatina.
"Haa!"
Fatina swings her sword and knocks down all the knives.
But in the next moment, Fiione is already right in front of Fatina.
And immediately, she thrusts with the dagger she had in hand.
"Ugh!?"
But Fatina managed to block the blade with her sword at the last moment.
Her Level Cap itself is higher than anyone here, but she hasn't reached the maximum level yet.
Perhaps, Fiione's stats are still higher for now. Still, she was able to endure it somehow because she reacted with the skill of [Sword Saint].
"...I didn't expect to take that just now."
Fiione didn't expect her attack to be blocked, so she looked surprised for a moment and then jumped back quickly.
"Light, become a shield to protect── (Protection)!"
When Mel chanted, a faint light enveloped Fatina. Seeing Fiione's attack, Mel must have cast a spell to protect her.
"...Ice, close everything off── Frozen ground, appear here── (Ice Field)."
As soon as Fiione stepped back, a female magician raised her staff and used magic.
At that moment, an incredibly chilling cold spread around me and Fatina. The surroundings quickly froze, and there was a cracking sound as if the ice was breaking the ground.
The two of us quickly dodged left and right to avoid the magic, but Fatina's reaction was slightly delayed. Her body shimmered, and there was a sound like glass shattering. The sound meant that the (Protection) was broken beyond its limit.
All the puddles around were frozen as if winter had only visited that spot.
If it had hit directly, my whole body would have been frozen solid.
It was a magic of unprecedented power compared to anything I had seen before.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I can still fight."
Though the (protection) had been broken, it seemed like there were no injuries.
"...Fatina, step back. I'll be fine on my own from here."
"W-Why? I can't just..."
"This is something I started. I have to finish it. Please."
With just those words, Fatina quietly said "Yes" and stepped back.
I ran towards Allen alone.
Allen is the leader, the key to their party.
If I can defeat even the strongest among the party members, maybe I can put an end to the conflict.
"I won't let you."
Fiione sensed my thoughts and swiftly swung a dagger towards me as she ran.
It was a deadly strike, a move favored by thieves.
But I was able to anticipate her every move.
My speed, enhanced by 'Soul Retrieval', surpassed that of Fiione, an S-rank thief.
I dodged Fiione's dagger attack──
"Wha, even faster than me──"
──and then, I struck her body with a mithril sword.
Fiione, struck by the sword, was sent flying through the air.
The lack of resistance felt was likely due to the equipment she was wearing.
Without a moment's pause, I turned towards Allen and the others.
"[Sword Skill]── Sonic Blade."
Right after that, I heard Allen's voice, and suddenly a high-speed slash tore through the ground and came at me.
I quickly dodged it sideways.
"...How dare this sc*m avoid my technique."
While adjusting his sword stance, Allen directed an irritated look at me.
That was probably a skill related to swordsmanship that he learns as his level goes up.
I immediately started running and approached Allen.
"──Ellis"
A red-haired Holy Knight called Ellis appeared in front of Allen, wielding a large shield, blocking our path.
I put strength into the hand holding the sword and swung it towards Ellis's shield with all my might.
The moment the sword struck the shield, the impact caused Ellis to step back significantly.
"Ugh!! W-What's with this guy!? His blow is as heavy as a monster's! Is he using some kind of skill!?"
After taking my blow, Ellis, sweating on his forehead, raised his voice.
"Dorothea! Use magic with all your might or we'll lose! Leanne! Keep casting (Protection) continuously!"
"Y-yes! Light, become a shield to protect── (Protection)!"
Encouraged by Ellis, Leanne casts a spell.
Ellis, now protected, charges towards me with a shield in hand.
"Flames, explode and destroy my enemies── (Explosion)"
The magician chants again. I quickly jump backward to dodge.
And in the next moment, an explosion occurs right in front of me.
The explosion creates a thick cloud of dust, blocking my vision.
"Ark-sama!"
And right after the smoke clears── Allen suddenly appears and swings his sword at me.
"This is the end! Level Cap 1 weakling!"
──Right then, I activate my 'Insanity' ability.
"Ugh!? Ahhhh!"
Allen, affected by my ability, screams in agony with a pained expression.
I swing my mithril sword and strike the defenseless Allen.
"Gghh!"
Allen was violently slammed into the dungeon wall and then fell to the ground.
"Ugh...wh-what is this..."
"Ah...ahh..."
"Ugh..."
The remaining three, affected by 'Insanity', could no longer stand and could only kneel on the spot.
In this state, it would be difficult to even use magic, let alone walk.
"Ark-sama! Are you okay!"
Before I knew it, Fatina and the others had rushed to my side.
"Ah, it's over."
I answered, and the three breathed a sigh of relief.
Allen and the others affected by 'Insanity' would not be able to act properly.
"Ugh, why..."
At that moment, a familiar voice was heard.
It was Leanne's voice standing in front of me.
Although Leanne was slightly unsteady, it seemed that she was not as affected by 'Insanity' as the other party members.
In this case, I'm just guessing, but this is probably the effect of Leanne's "Goddess' Protection" skill. I don't know the details, but it may be something that gives resistance to things like lower status.
"It's impossible for an S-rank party, the strongest among adventurers, to lose..."
Leanne muttered to herself, as if trying to convince herself.
"I-I'm not wrong...I mean, Ark shouldn't have had a level cap of 1. So why..."
"Ark-sama became this strong after you formed a party with that man. While saving many people..."
When Fatina spoke on my behalf, Leanne had an irritated look on her face.
"No, it's not natural... I... have a level cap of 80! I'm a chosen person! The world I live in is different from the Ark!"
"Are you still saying that?"
Fatina looked at Leanne with a sad expression.
"But why... how...!"
I couldn't find the right words to say to Leanne anymore.
She really believes it.
She thinks she's like a chosen character from the adventure stories I used to read.
That's why she joined Allen's party, I finally understood.
"...Let's go."
I said just that, and then the four of us left the place and ventured deeper into Aquaflow Cavern.
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