Volume 1 Chapter 104 Balzark The Man-Hunter
If Balzark won't attack, then I'll make the first move.
Just like Io and the others remembered, Balzark already knows that my attack is the "Instant Death Magic" spell.
It seems like he tried to slash at me, thinking it was a visible magic, but missed and backed away for a moment.
However, magicians and swordsmen have different advantages in terms of distance, and I am continuously supplied with magic power from Ragius. If the distance increases, I'll just keep casting spells.
I release (Extinction).
Then, for a moment, there was a ripple in the space in front of Balzark.
I try it two or three more times, but the same thing happens each time.
It seems like a magic defense, but it feels different from the barriers I've seen before.
Balzark stood ready, unwavering in gaze.
He didn't seem inclined to say anything.
He wasn't foolish enough to engage in idle chatter like the adventurers I had faced before. Despite being a heavily armed Swordsman, he was surprisingly calm.
Finally, Balzark relaxed his stance.
He forcefully thrust his heavy sword into the ground and slowly extended his right hand.
"...!"
Flames were burning in his hand.
At the center, a deep red gem-encrusted key was shining.
The resonance of the two keys integrated with my body became particularly intense.
──[Inferno Key]!
He was trying to use the key to trigger something── realizing this, I immediately cast a spell.
But just before it could hit, it was obstructed by something once again.
As I hesitated on whether to step forward, Balzark crushed the flames in his hand. At the same time, black mist began to envelop the surroundings.
The formless mist gradually took shape and eventually transformed into a humanoid figure.
Is this the true form of Balzark's skill?
There were roughly more than thirty humanoid shadows.
Their appearances varied.
Some looked like armored warriors, some like magicians in cloaks, and others like ragged bandits. The only common feature was two white holes where their eyes should have been.
──It seems like they took the shadows of living people as they were.
Upon further observation, I noticed that about half of the shadows were clad in full-body armor, all holding identical swords and spears, neatly lined up.
It reminded me of knights or soldiers from some country.
Did these shadows withstand the instant death attack from (Extinction)?
Shadows began to move all at once.
As I stepped back, preparing to retaliate with my (Extinction) spell──
"Dammit!!"
──Suddenly, multiple explosions erupted right in front of me.
I had assumed it would be a close-quarters battle, so I let my guard down completely.
But when I looked, I saw the shadows of the magicians in the distance, all raising their staffs towards the sky.
Finally, I realized that their magic, (Explosion), was targeting me.
Not only did Balzark possess his own formidable strength, but he also had the extraordinary ability to coordinate attacks with the humanoid shadows. It was as if he could handle everything on his own.
Allen and Ryuin were also classified as S-Rank adventurers like him, but he was within the realm of imagination when it came to strength. Balzark was on a different level. If they were to clash and fight over the key, they would undoubtedly be killed.
Nevertheless, why does Balzark possess such incredible abilities?
The only possibility I can think of so far is that, just like Allen transformed into a dragon using the [Aquaflow Key] in Trasverum, Balzark might be utilizing the power of a key.
"...?!"
While distracted by the magician's shadow, now the knight's shadow approaches.
The shadows move with coordinated movements, like an army, and quickly surround me.
Should I fly away to the back?
But the shadow knight is faster than I imagined. It would just be the same thing repeating. I also needs to be cautious of Balzark's own attacks.
Just as I prepared myself for an attack, something unexpected was heard.
"...?"
It was a whispering voice coming from each and every shadow.
'──You've gone mad──'
'What are you doing?──'
'This is a counter──'
'Stop it──help──'
'I have a family──'
'No──I don't mean any harm──'
Each shadow is whispering about something.
The conversations are all different, with tones of anger or even voices begging for mercy.
"Ah... I see."
What is the true identity of this shadow?
Finally, one of the shadows has emerged from hiding.
It lunged at me with a sword, but I managed to dodge its attack and counter with my own power, Extinction.
The shadow seemed to lose its human form and dissipated into thin air.
The remaining shadows didn't seem to pay much attention to what just happened. Each one seemed to act independently, as if they had their own thoughts. Or perhaps they are being controlled by Balzark.
The biggest challenge in dealing with these shadows is their sheer numbers.
It would require the ability of 'Multiple Chant' to eliminate them all at once, but for some reason, I am unable to activate it.
It seems to be related to the fact that certain abilities in my Abilities List have been marked with a red X. While I am fortunate to have retained my enhanced physical abilities, relying solely on casting individual spells puts me at a disadvantage. Despite not needing to chant, I still need some time to cast Extinction without interruption. With this limitation, it feels like I will never reach Balzark.
Another knight── this time, a shadow with a spear, charged forward.
I tried to dodge and stab it in the back of the head with my sword, but suddenly, a thief-like shadow appeared from the side and stabbed me with a short dagger.
Just as I managed to dodge and pierce its chest with my sword, the shadow disappeared.
"How many has he killed?"
I'm not entirely sure, but I have an idea.
In this world where there is a Level Cap, the reason Balzark gained superhuman abilities is probably because of the skill he possesses that allows him to "kill people and increase his power".
The person who possesses an ability similar to my 'Soul Retrieval' is his true identity.
Whether it's the original ability of the skill or the power of the key that allowed him to project a human form, I have yet to determine.
"!!"
The shadow of the magician standing behind him waved its staff again.
With a big leap, the space where I was standing exploded.
Just as I thought I narrowly escaped, I saw a black blade in front of me.
While I was distracted by the shadow, Balzark had gotten close. He predicted that I would escape into the air and jumped as well.
──Oh no!
I blocked the greatsword that was swung down with my own sword. The impact was so strong that my vision shook.
I somehow managed to maintain my balance in the air and quickly retreated as soon as I landed.
Balzark had already disappeared among the shadows.
"...I can't believe it has come to this."
His strength is on a whole different level than that of an adventurer. It's understandable that his Homunculus companion, Io, followed him.
The shadows have multiplied compared to before.
There are already more than a hundred of them, trying to fill up this square.
They must be planning to decide the outcome in the next move.
"......"
This won't do as it is.
I need more powerful magic.
I need magic that can defeat any monster without mercy, just like (Extinction).
The time for a literal deadly blow is now.
What did I do when I faced strong enemies in the past?
The first time I struggled was in the Emerald Green Dungeon.
Various things came together, and I had to search for the first key and fight the guardian dragon.
It was there that I discovered the power of (Ruin).
Now I understand. That was definitely my skill responding to my wish and transforming into a new magic.
So, if I wish again, it will surely become my power.
──[Instant Death Magic] skill.
Give me your power once more.
A magic that can obliterate enemies, no matter the cost.
At that moment, when I wished so strongly, a tingling sensation ran through my whole body.
A group of shadows is approaching right in front of us.
Open the status screen.
There, new descriptions about a magic have been added.
'Annihilation: Magic that releases a wave in a straight line, causing instant death. It destroys magic defenses. This magic does not require an incantation. However, the caster loses half of their lifespan.'
Responding to the call, the skill creates a new magic.
I have no idea how it works, but this time, it's not just losing stamina like (Ruin).
With this magic, I might be able to defeat that guy.
However, once I use it, as a consequence, I will lose half of my lifespan - the remaining time of my life.
It doesn't matter.
As long as I don't kill this man, I have no future anyway.
What is a future, in the first place?
I don't really understand it anymore.
Now, let's settle this.
To obtain the final key.
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