The moment I heard the name Teeda, my body stiffened, but before I could even react, I drew my sword and shouted at Palinkron.
“W-What are you saying, Floor 20!! Teeda isn’t here anymore! He’s not here!!”
“Ah, Teeda is not here. So, I’m his proxy. I’ll be doing the ‘Trial of the Twentieth’ in his place.”
Palinkron replied as he walked towards me.
Brandishing his blood-stained sword—
I didn’t have time to think. I stood in front of Maria, took out a spare sword from my Inventory, and clashed with Palinkron.
My only support was the magic “Dimension – Decisive Calculation.”
That’s how close my HP and MP were to their limit right now.
As a result, it turned into a pure contest of swordsmanship.
Palinkron’s sword slid over mine.
Then, with a fluid movement, Palinkron slipped into my guard.
The swordsmanship of the man before me was bizarre.
Bizarrely soft.
As our swords met, Palinkron grabbed my arm with his free hand. I could tell he deliberately brought us to a stalemate, rejecting a mere swordsmanship duel.
At that moment, the enemy’s demonic power amplified.
From our skin contact, a grotesque demonic power transmitted. My instincts told me it was something bad, so I further depleted my remaining life and strengthened my Dimensional Magic for a single moment.
I found the weakest point in Palinkron’s stance and, exploiting the opening, poured my power into it.
“Get off meeee—!!”
I shook him off and shoved him away.
Both of Palinkron’s hands were faintly glowing. The grotesque demonic power from before was likely a mind-interfering magic.
“Whoa. Impressive, Kanami. You’re amazing, considering your condition.”
Palinkron laughed, genuinely surprised.
It was irritating.
Everything about Palinkron’s actions was irritating.
Stirring my aching body, I shouted.
“What is your objective?! Aren’t you satisfied just confusing Fuziaze!?”
“That was a hobby. And this is also a hobby. But I can’t tell you my objective. If I did, you’d be able to read my moves.”
In contrast to my escalating rage, Palinkron answered calmly.
His nonchalant attitude pushed my irritation to its peak, and I converted my life into magic.
【Status】
HP 112/284 MP 0/657
HP 102/275 MP 0/657—
My total maximum HP had already decreased by nearly 100.
The life of a seasoned Explorer was chipped away, and my body screamed in pain, one scream after another.
“Don’t mess with me!! Don’t think I’ll go easy on you now! You won’t know if I kill you!”
“You’re worried about going easy on me now? My older brother is truly kind. Or perhaps, are you afraid of killing people?”
“I’m not afraid! After killing Arti, I can’t hesitate anymore!”
“Kukuku, you call the boss a person. As expected of Kanami’s older brother! You’re crazy!”
With those words exchanged, I intended to advance, aiming to kill Palinkron. However, my advance was stopped by something Palinkron pulled from his breast pocket.
“But, you’re right. If you get serious, I might get killed. It’s a terrible situation, but even in this advantageous situation, I can’t win against Kanami Aikawa. Ah, I won’t overestimate my own power. —Therefore, this is it.”
It was stones I had seen somewhere before.
I “gazed” at the suspicious stone—
【Guardian’s Magic Stone】
The crystallization of the guardian Teeda’s magic power
“T-Teeda’s Magic Stone…?”
I understood that it was the Magic Stone of “The one who steals the logic of darkness,” Teeda, which I had previously sold.
“Ah, theGuardian’s Magic Stone that I foolishly let go of. I never expected it to be sold directly to Valt… Well, thanks to that, it’s in my hands now.”
Palinkron fiddled with the Magic Stone in his hand, and the smile on his face deepened into a grimace.
A drop of cold sweat trickled down my forehead.
“The boss and Teeda said ‘no mistake,’ but I was still scared. However, after witnessing that scene just now, I became certain. I— no, only I can inherit Teeda’s will.”
Then, Palinkron put Teeda’s Magic Stone into his mouth and swallowed it.
Simultaneously, Palinkron’s demonic power went berserk.
The world began to distort, originating from Palinkron.
Space convulsed.
As he distorted space with his chaotic demonic power, the vitality in Palinkron’s eyes began to fade.
The already thin humanity grew even thinner, and the person known as Palinkron began to transform.
Externally, nothing had changed.
But undoubtedly, Palinkron had changed.
Palinkron suppressed his trembling body and convulsed his throat.
“H-Hahaha. Now, s-you are an e-eternal he-ro…”
With his throat trembling, Palinkron laughed.
His voice, somehow, felt like it overlapped with Teeda’s.
Palinkron gripped his sword tightly and approached me.
I “gazed” at Palinkron again.
【Status】
Name: Palinkron Legacy HP 501/512 MP 368/392 Class:
Level 22
Strength 15.21 Stamina 19.45 Dexterity 12.12 Speed 18.22 Intelligence 10.11 Magic Power 13.99 Aptitude 4.89
Innate Skill: Observation 1.46
Acquired Skills: Swordsmanship 1.89 Divine Magic 1.23 Mental Magic 3.89
Martial Arts 1.87 Curse Technique 2.54
He was a completely different person.
All his stats had nearly doubled, and his magical abilities were off the charts.
I re-evaluated Palinkron and tried to revise my planned tactics—
Palinkron, with Teeda-like speed, attacked me.
I met his downward sword strike with my own, and my arm went numb from the impact. Clearly, his raw strength was also different from Palinkron’s just moments ago. This brute force attack reminded me of the Teeda of the past.
“No way…!”
Faced with Palinkron transformed into a different person, I was overcome with anxiety.
I deeply regretted letting go of Teeda’s Magic Stone, sensing its importance.
The thought of having to fight that Teeda again— I trembled.
“Now, I’m like a monster! You can kill me without hesitation, you know!?”
Each strike was heavy and fast— and Palinkron’s sword technique further elevated them to an even higher level. Techniques that the former Teeda didn’t possess gradually broke through my defense.
As it is, I will fall behind.
I am forced to strengthen my magic.
“Damn it!! Magic《Dimen—”
However, this was a bad move.
The repeated, excessive construction of magic had pushed my body to its limit. The numbers indicated that I still had maximum HP. Theoretically, I could use magic. But my real physical condition didn’t allow it.
“Kuuh—, Aaah!!”
As I tried to construct magic by sacrificing my life, I failed due to a stabbing pain in my brain.
I had depleted my life too much in a short period.
The magic I had squeezed out by sacrificing my life dissipated due to the pain.
My concentration, which had relaxed after defeating Arti, wouldn’t return. The power to exceed my limits wouldn’t surge. Along with the pain in my head, stomach acid rose and leaked from my throat. Blood flowed from my torn windpipe, and blood spilled from every hole in my head.
My body wouldn’t allow me to fight.
As a result, a fatal opening appeared, my sword was knocked away, and my leg was swept out from under me. Palinkron straddled me as I fell and slammed my head into the ground, grasping my head.
“Gyaah—!!”
At the same time, a grotesque demonic power transmitted from Palinkron’s palm.
“Even Kanami’s older brother can’t resist Teeda’s magic, right? —Magic《Mind Anomaly – Mind Loss》.”
I felt my mind being rewritten.
A sensation of my emotions being forcibly manipulated and twisted to his convenience.
Palinkron’s demonic power invaded the gaps in my battered brain.
It was similar to the magic Teeda had used. And its grotesqueness was several times greater than back then.
There was no time to hesitate anymore.
Either way, if my mind is to be toyed with…
If my current will is to die…!
I have no choice but to use—
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
In exchange for some emotions, your mind will be stabilized.
A +1.00 correction is applied to confusion.
“I-I won’t be defeated—!!”
I activated the skill “???” which I swore I would never rely on, even if I died. Then, I repelled the mind-interfering magic and kicked Palinkron, who was focused on his magic, away with all my might.
I had no choice but to use it, even if it meant breaking my oath.
Because I felt that Palinkron’s current magic was more terrifying than death.
I felt various emotions disappearing. My feelings, my oaths, were becoming faint.
I looked at the enemy who had caused this, with my cooled head.
Palinkron, who had been kicked away, showed a look of astonishment.
“Ku, kukuku, hahaha! No, you’re too strong, Kanami!”
Palinkron’s astonishment turned into joy as he regained his footing.
“—《Midgard’s Blaze》!”
At that moment, Maria’s magic was unleashed from behind. She had apparently been waiting for the exact moment to create distance between me and Palinkron.
However, the momentum of the flame serpent was unreliable. It wasn’t just the rain; the injury to my eye also had a significant effect. Both HP and MP were depleted.
It was natural, as I wasn’t the only one engaged in fierce combat; Maria was too.
Palinkron leisurely evaded the flame serpent, which advanced through the rain, spewing steam.
The flame serpent then dissipated in the rain.
“Kanami-san, are you alright!?”
Maria’s worried voice came from behind. However, she didn’t approach me. Maria knows her role. Whether it was because she overcame her conflict with Arti or because of the rain, I wasn’t sure. But she had definitely cooled her head. She was resolutely fulfilling her role as a rear-line mage.
“I’m fine! Keep up the magic!”
If Maria loses her composure now, it’s over.
Even if the two-on-one situation breaks down, we lose.
If Maria, with her low physical ability, were taken hostage, all hope of victory would be lost.
Palinkron watched us, muttered something softly, and slowly approached us.
“As expected, I need to weaken both of you further… Not just your bodies, but your minds—”
Palinkron charged.
This time, he ignored me and headed towards Maria in the rear. Ignoring the intense pain, I ran with all my might to intercept him. I stood in front of Palinkron and readied my sword. However, Palinkron, calmly, didn’t try to fight me, instead doubled back, creating distance. Then, he tried to approach Maria from a different direction.
It was tedious, but… the worst.
I pursued him, bleeding.
With every step I took on the muddy ground, my body screamed.
Every cell sent a danger signal to my brain, urging me to lose consciousness immediately.
Palinkron calmly understood my physical condition.
He knew that by just making me chase him like this, I would self-destruct.
I judged that I couldn’t let this drag on and attacked Palinkron with all my remaining strength.
“Haaaa—!! —?!”
However, it was anticipated.
Palinkron calmly met my reckless lunge, deflected my sword, and punched me in the stomach with his free hand.
My body, numbed by endorphins, remembered the pain, and my entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning. Exploiting that stiffness, Palinkron dropped his sword, circled behind me, and put me in a bear hug.
My carotid artery was compressed as my neck was squeezed.
This was the type of attack I absolutely could not afford to take right now.
“You’re going to pass out.”
My vision gradually turned black, and my consciousness began to fade.
Through my hazy consciousness, Maria’s scream could be heard.
“—《Midgard’s Blaze》!!”
However, I couldn’t process it.
I felt something hot pass by me. At the same time, Palinkron, who was strangling me, let go.
I can still fight.
With that thought, I reignited my fighting spirit— but my vision, which had turned black, didn’t return.
My cheek hit the muddy ground, my head shook, and my entire body refused to listen.
From afar, I could hear Maria’s scream.
“Now, the girl is secured too…”
Only Palinkron’s irritated voice clearly reached my ears.
Using my last bit of fighting spirit as fuel, I raised my head and strained my eyes.
Towards Maria, who was likely unconscious, Palinkron muttered something, lifted her body, and slung her over his shoulder.
With Maria on his shoulder, Palinkron approached me as I lay fallen.
He approached me and raised his hand over my immobile head.
“—Magic《Mind Anomaly – Mind Loss》.”
A grotesque demonic power invaded my body— I was reaching my limit, barely able to recognize it.
“Ah, aah, aaah…”
Losing even my last bit of fighting spirit, I let go of consciousness.
As my consciousness receded, I heard a voice.
“Phew. I guess that’s the end of the Christmas festival… In the end, I’m the only one standing. Just me, as planned.”
It was Palinkron’s voice.
Unlike his usual tone, there was a hint of regret in it.
It’s over…
The day called the Christmas festival is over…
With those words, I plunged into a deep, deep darkness.
