Part 2, Episode 190.
Was Dohyeon, who seemed perfectly fine, puzzled?
The Empress, who had paused her relentless questioning and stared intently at Dohyeon, frowned and asked.
“……Is this a hero trait? *Sigh*, this doesn’t seem like mental contamination.”
Hero traits are among the top tier of traits.
In the early days, it was treated merely as a good trait… but now, three years later, and with the majority of users having settled in the New World in earnest.
The effect of ignoring mental contamination has rapidly emerged as a fraudulent effect that is second to none compared to any other characteristic.
Among them, the performance of the hero trait is quite good.
Its value skyrocketed, even considering it is passive.
but…….
Something better than that.
“What on earth is it that even blocks bleeding? I’ve seen things that block knockback, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”
The only thing the hero’s trait can block is mental status effects.
Even that cannot be prevented if the difference in status is significant.
The characteristics cannot prevent physical abnormalities such as bleeding.
“What’s so special about bleeding? It can get blocked.”
“? That’s ridiculous. Isn’t this a special option for a Legendary+ grade weapon? I even enhanced it to +15, and you’re saying it blocks this?”
… … I didn’t know that.
“If it was +15, the special options would have been enhanced too, but they blocked that? This was even more overpowered than I thought!”
Oath of Rouslaine – Exeratum.
Its first effect, and currently the only effect, is ‘The Will of the Great Knight King’.
I knew it was a good ability since it contained the essence of the King of Knights, but I didn’t realize it was such an overwhelming immunity skill.
Blocking that level of option effectively meant blocking almost every debuff the user uses.
Well, still, that can’t be the only option.
“The rest are different types, and that’s the only debuff?”
That’s a shame.
“Wow, that’s pissing me off again. There wasn’t anything this filthy the last time I saw him; he’s gotten even more petty.”
Perhaps expectations were high because Kuku was already lacking area-of-effect or debuff skills.
He had a genuinely annoyed look on his face at the situation that had come to nothing.
A colleague’s displeasure is simply one’s own happiness.
grin
Dohyeon smiled nicely and spoke in a mean tone.
“If you were so bothered, why didn’t you just take first place in the continental quest yourself?”
Of course, this is different from the rewards from continental quests, though.
The important thing is that the provocation worked brilliantly.
“……under.”
As she let out a hollow laugh, a shimmering energy rose from her body.
The red energy, bubbling as if a kettle were boiling, suddenly surged up and sprang up like lava.
Seeing the corners of his mouth twitching while his eyes were sharply slit, it looks like he has completely lost his temper.
Alright, I’ll make sure you get it right.
The moment that guy reached out his hand, Dohyeon immediately rolled to the side.
It was an action that originated in the realm of instinct, bypassing the brain.
And that action was the right answer.
Kwaaah-!!
At the same time as Dohyeon felt the air behind him burst heavily, a spine-chilling roar rang out from behind him.
I glanced back and saw it.
“A, a barrier!?”
Wow, what is that?
“I’m crazy.”
The legendary magic engineering barrier created by none other than the White Tower Master was cracked as if it were about to shatter.
Sararak-
Of course, the barrier quickly identified the problem and restored itself, but the fact that a crack appeared in the barrier in the first place was remarkable.
“I heard that you need at least a legendary skill to deal damage to the White Tower Master’s barrier…”
Even that is merely ‘potentially harmful’.
It was by no means enough to cause a crack.
Moreover, wasn’t that just now closer to being half-destroyed than just a crack?
Gulp.
My dry mouth swallows involuntarily.
I couldn’t even see it.
Such unbelievable power flew away at an invisible speed.
No, is it correct to say that it wasn’t visible?
Rather than that… … it feels as if it burst out at a designated spot.
If it weren’t for the feeling that something was resonating heavily in the air, even Dohyeon wouldn’t have been able to avoid it.
in other words,
“……Instant targeted AoE? Wow, where did you get that overpowered stuff from, and who are you to call whom petty?”
“What are you talking about? You need to bring some flashy attack techniques to get the excitement. What’s with all the immunity and debuffs… I wasn’t expecting that kind of ridiculous fight.”
“You tried to cheese with bleeding damage yourself but got blocked.”
“……That was a passive effect, so there was nothing I could do.”
“Uh, I’m also passive, so I can’t help it, I’m immune.”
As we bickered, I felt like things were getting more and more childish, so I just kept my mouth shut.
Fortunately, the Empress also did not retort further and assumed a fighting stance.
As he wiggled his finger, it looked like he was telling me to come in first this time.
Of course, it probably doesn’t mean you should just come in.
I guess they want to stop testing the waters and do it properly.
The grumbling must have been because they were dissatisfied with the fact that we were only playing a game of probing.
Bleeding and an instant-target area-of-effect skill… … .
These are the only two things I’ve found out so far.
There was probably more hidden, and it didn’t look like they were using their full power, but…
Well, this should be enough.
That didn’t matter.
Because the same goes for me.
And above all, neither side had any intention of sparring half-heartedly.
Since I’m facing him, I’m going all out.
Just like the real thing.
Did that reveal his feelings?
“Little bastard, I finally like your eyes.”
With a satisfied grin, the Empress lowered her posture even further.
Just like a runner taking a stance right before the start.
Or, lowering her body like a beast before hunting its prey, she lifted her head and suddenly kicked off the ground,
Bang!!
The air trembled as the sound of gunshots rang out.
At the same time, a similar sound erupted from Dohyeon’s side as well, and at the sight that unfolded soon after, an almost irresistible exclamation of awe burst out from behind.
“and…….”
“Wow, what is this…… wow…….”
It was a sight that left no other words to be said.
However, regardless of that, the Empress and Dohyeon, who ceaselessly repeated the clash of fists and swords, did not take their eyes off each other.
He didn’t even blink, let alone look. He had no choice.
[Activates Signature Trait ‘Heart of the Empress’.]
[The Empress’s heart, having reached the pinnacle, releases temporarily latent energy.]
[As stamina decreases, you become stronger, and your attack, defense, and speed increase.]
[When stamina reaches the minimum, stamina consumption is removed. If you continue fighting for a certain period of time in this state, the next liberation will proceed.]
An explosive energy originating from the Empress’s chest as it met the sword enveloped her entire body, making her fist several times heavier than before.
And the same goes for Dohyeon.
[Blooms the trait ‘Fighting God’.]
[Reverse Heaven Period, 1st Form. The beginning is influenced by the God of Fighting and manifests power that transcends limits.]
[Casting Heavenly King Tremor Qi.]
[Knight King manifests the spirit of the Heavenly King True Qi utilizing the Qi manipulation method of ‘Ruslein Valemont’.]
[The Heavenly King’s Tremor Energy, influenced by the God of Fighting, manifests power that transcends limits.]
The vessel of the God of War proving that it is the sole successor of Kasiyar.
It bloomed.
—–!
Exuding an energy on a completely different level than before.
The two people, sensing firsthand that both sides were giving it their all, instinctively sensed it at the same time.
It’ll be over in just a few more moves.
That the duel would end in an instant.
Their respective strengths were saying that.
So… … we will win.
As the Guild Master, I can’t be ashamed to lose to an outsider.
It might be different during the Demlok era, but here, I’m the senior, you punk.
Once a fight begins, never even the slightest thought of losing is one of the few things the two have in common, and the reason they have been putting off their sparring match.
A sword and fist pressing down as if expressing determination.
Crackle-
The two people’s eyes flashed on the ground of the sparring arena as it gradually cracked.
And the comfort of those two people,
Rumble!!
The black thunder dragon struck.
[Uses the second ability of Tears of God.]
[Temporarily does not consume mana. (70-minute cooldown)]
[Uses Darkness Embrace on Thunder Dragon Descent.]
[The Thunder Dragon gains Darkness traits due to the influence of Darkness Wrap.]
[Accessing the Black Dragon’s power through an abnormal route.]
[The effects of the Dark attribute are additionally applied, allowing you to possess the energy of both the Thunder Dragon and the Black Dragon simultaneously.]
Crackling
It has entered the state of the Black Dragon Descent, which is not used unless it is the very last moment.
And at the same time.
Doo-woong!
[The Empress’s subconscious senses a sense of crisis.]
[The Empress’s heart begins to beat beyond its limits.]
[The Empress’s heart attempts a third liberation.]
[Three liberations greatly enhance your abilities and grant you new abilities.]
“!”
The Empress’s eyes, which had been running wild as if in delight, became hazy.
Intoxicated for a moment by the overwhelming power given instantaneously, as if encountering a drug.
Both of them had now entered an area that was not visible even during the continental quest.
It is literally a situation where every ounce of power has been gathered.
“crazy……!”
“That is… ridiculous…!!”
“…is that right?”
In the eyes of those two, neither the shocked reactions of the surroundings nor the overwhelming energy swirling around could be felt.
This very moment.
Only each other existed here.
* * *
—-!!
A dark red light explodes.
A complete lack of vision. Normally, one would feel a sense of brilliance in such a situation, but the guild members watching felt a profound sense of unease.
That was instinct.
“Aren’t we all going to die at this rate?”
Why are you sparring so brutally?
“Wow… this is just like watching a monster battle.”
The anxiety that one cannot help but feel as someone who has seen something that transcends reason.
That was the end of it, too.
Two people who poured their all into a total of five exchanges, and just as the final exchange clashed.
The halo exploded, and at the same time, everyone here felt it.
It’s over.
That the duel has ended.
Did Oppa win? No, it’s too even for that… … No, I thought he was falling behind a little… … .
Hmm, I wonder who won?
“Damn it, it wouldn’t be strange no matter who wins this. Please, just hurry up…”
I’m dying of curiosity.
That was the reason they were holding on, staring intently until their eyeballs popped out, even though their vision was obscured by the light.
Could it be that their wish reached them?
Saaa—
As the light gradually faded, the result of the duel soon came into view.
