We live in the Foothills of Dragon Peak.
Karina versus Sefina
Karina was fleeing through the forest once again.
“What in the world is that?! I wasn’t told anything about this!”
The Sword Secret Art unleashed by Magdalia was blocked by a pillar of giant lightning that surged from the storm clouds covering the sea and sky.
Was it a technique with power equal to or greater than a strike that could cleave the sea itself?
Was that the true ability of a Black Dragon?
Unfortunately, Karina couldn’t comprehend the brief exchange.
Still, there was something she understood.
“There were more of them than I expected. Not only the Black Dragon and the boy, but I never imagined that red Wyvern would be involved. Could it be that this Great Forest isn’t territory of the Beast race, but of those others!?”
Did we receive false information from the Beast race?
Or are there details we’re missing?
If that’s the case…
“No, that’s not important right now!”
Immediately after Magdalia’s Sword Secret Art was blocked, Karina and her companions split into three teams and began to retreat.
“If I could have, I would have at least slain the Black Dragon, the most terrifying of them, to reduce the enemy’s strength.”
The first objective was not achieved.
In that case, it would be unwise to confront those who commanded the Black Dragon and the Wyvern head-on.
Besides, Karina thought, activating Spatial Jump repeatedly as she probed the presence behind her.
“As expected, they’re pursuing us. But it’s not that boy. They’re closing in at a speed I can’t escape even with Spatial Jump, but it’s not like Spatial Jump, is it?”
Rather, it seemed like the movement of someone overcoming natural obstacles like deep forests and mountains through sheer Physical Ability.
“…I saw about ten figures, but not all of them can use Spatial Jump? Regardless, since the plan is in motion, I’ll just do my part!”
That’s right, we’re not attacking recklessly and running away for no reason.
Karina moved through the forest, sensing the presence of her pursuers.
Finally, she stopped in the depths of the deep forest, where trees and undergrowth grew thick.
“Is the game of tag finally over?”
It was natural for her pursuers to catch up if she stopped.
Karina turned around without flinching at the voice from behind.
“Apparently, I can’t shake them off by just running away, can I?”
“Hmph, you admit it so readily? You’re surprisingly straightforward, considering you launched a reckless attack.”
Karina cautiously observed the approaching pursuer, who wore a tomboyish smile.
She was a tall, young Human Race woman.
Her traveler-style clothing prioritized ease of movement over ornamentation, and even omitted armor. However, her lightly-worn clothes looked high-quality.
Her long blonde hair was well-maintained, and her skin was beautiful.
She was impeccably clean, unlike a typical adventurer. Yet, her Physical Ability in pursuit was genuine.
And she carried no weapons.
“I see,” Karina thought to herself, nodding.
Given the Physical Ability she had displayed so far, and her confident smile without any weapons, this Human Race woman must be skilled at close-quarters combat.
“So, what is your objective?”
“Honestly, you’re quite composed for someone who has just caught up to me? Do you really think I’ll answer your questions honestly?”
Karina senses her presence vigilantly.
The one pursuing her was this Human Race woman alone.
If she could defeat this woman, they could obtain information about the enemy in return.
“I am the second graduate of the Holy Knight Academy. Karina, the runner-up. A Human Race female warrior. If you want to know something, ask me with your fists.”
At Karina’s provocation, the female warrior grinned defiantly.
“Indeed, that’s the simplest and clearest way. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself sooner. I am Sefina. Now, let’s fight for each other’s information.”
Female warrior Sefina leaped towards Karina without hesitation.
“Too slow!”
Karina drew her dagger. Then, she thrust it towards Sefina, who had charged recklessly without any defense.
A dagger versus bare hands. Both were attack methods that excelled at short ranges, but the power difference was decisive.
“Did you really think your human skin could block the blade of my Spirit Wind Sword, honed by the spirits?”
To elicit information, she couldn’t kill her opponent.
Therefore, incapacitation was the top priority.
Karina aimed for Sefina’s arm.
“Oh? And you thought someone charging at a blade with bare hands was unprepared?”
“Ngh!?”
Karina, attempting to disable Sefina by slashing her arm.
But in the next moment, she was seized by a sensation as if her very core was being twisted. And before she knew it, she was slammed hard onto the ground on her back.
What just happened?
No way, was I thrown!?
With a sharp pain shooting through her back, Karina gasped for breath.
At that moment, Sefina’s palm strike relentlessly approached.
Karina instinctively activated Spatial Jump, creating distance from Sefina.
Why…?
Her understanding couldn’t keep up.
I had clearly aimed for Sefina’s arm with my dagger.
I had thought I’d at least cut off one of her arms.
But I was thrown instead?
Not dodging, not blocking, but I was the one thrown?
“I’ve heard about you from Elnea-kun. Your abilities aren’t this limited, are they? Come on, it’s only just beginning.”
As if waiting for Karina to regain her composure, Sefina, still in the position she had delivered the palm strike, wore a defiant smile without pursuing.
“You’re underestimating me quite a bit, aren’t you?”
Karina corrected her mindset, realizing she had underestimated her opponent due to the advantage of holding a weapon.
She was someone who allied with that strange boy and the Black Dragon. Her abilities wouldn’t be mediocre.
In that case, she couldn’t afford to hold back either.
Karina quickly readied her bow and arrow.
She fired three shots in rapid succession and then activated Spatial Jump without confirming the trajectory of the arrows.
Her vision instantly shifted, and Sefina’s back appeared before her.
Sefina was just reacting to dodge the arrows flying from the front.
Karina’s dagger targeted Sefina’s back, leaving afterimages.
“Haa!”
However, Sefina elegantly twisted her upper body, evading the arrows’ trajectory and the incoming slash from behind.
The three arrows flew off into the depths of the forest, and Karina’s stance, having missed, collapsed.
Sefina seamlessly transitioned into a counterattack.
She swung her fist down at Karina.
Sefina’s fist, leaving the sound of cutting air behind, assailed Karina’s face.
“You have the nerve to aim for a woman’s face without hesitation!”
Still, everything was within Karina’s predictions.
She quickly pulled back her dagger from her collapsed stance and mercilessly unleashed slashes targeting Sefina’s face, neck, and all vital points.
Sefina gracefully switched from offense to defense with the fluidity of flowing water.
She dodged the dagger’s blade and brushed away Karina’s hand. Then, with afterimages trailing, she elegantly parried the swordplay and retaliated with a kick.
However, Sefina’s kick missed.
Karina activated Spatial Jump to create distance from Sefina. Then, she loosed arrows.
Sefina dodged the three arrows fired again with ease.
The three arrows once again flew off into the depths of the forest.
When distance is created, ranged attacks come.
Above all, for Sefina, who fought primarily in close combat, an unreachable range was unfavorable.
Therefore, she desperately wanted to close the distance.
That’s right, isn’t it?
As expected, after dodging the arrows, Sefina leaped towards Karina.
That’s it!
Karina had been aiming for this.
Linear arrow attacks from outside of her range wouldn’t work on Sefina.
Sefina, unconcerned about the arrows, focused her attention on Karina and attacked.
Karina had been waiting for that moment.
“Ngh!”
Sefina’s expression tensed suddenly as she leaped towards Karina in a low stance.
She noticed.
But it’s too late now!
Karina closed the distance and thrust her dagger at Sefina.
Sefina braced herself to deflect the blade.
Towards Sefina, countless arrows flew at high speed from all directions – front, back, left, right, and from overhead!
With a simultaneous assault from all directions, there was nowhere to escape. While she might be able to dodge one or two arrows, it would be impossible to parry them all. Especially while defending against my swordplay.
With her dagger moving at a speed that left afterimages, Karina met Sefina.
No holding back.
If Sefina dies from this attack, then so be it.
If she survives, then I’ll extract the information I need then. From this Human Race woman, who will likely be on the verge of death.
In Karina’s eyes, a certain future was reflected.
A conclusion that admitted no doubt. For Karina, who had mastered high-speed dagger techniques and archery that freely controlled arrow trajectories, the depths of the forest, where she could hide the manipulation of her fired arrows, was her preferred battlefield.
She feigned an escape, luring her opponent into the depths of the forest.
Her opponent, unaware of the trap, pursued.
The moment Sefina entered the forest, Karina saw a path to victory.
It’s over!
The dagger aimed at Sefina’s throat sliced through her slender neck!
“GYAAAAAAHHH!!”
However, it was Karina who let out a scream.
“…Why are there arrows!?”
Of the six arrows that flew from the depths of the forest, targeting Sefina, three of them had inexplicably pierced Karina’s shoulder, right leg, and abdomen.
The remaining three had changed trajectory and flown off into the depths of the forest without hitting their target.
What further astonished Karina was that Sefina, whose throat she should have severed, was unharmed.
“I definitely cut your throat…”
“Did you think you did? Unfortunately, I can easily dodge attacks of that caliber.”
Sefina said with a tomboyish smile to the speechless Karina.
“I don’t know how much training you’ve undergone. But we’ve also overcome considerable trials, you know? Specifically, the trials of the Goddess. Compared to those trials and the formidable opponents we’ve faced before, mere fast sword techniques or surprise archery won’t work on us.”
Besides, Sefina looked up at the sky.
“I think your skill in manipulating arrows is amazing, but I believe controlling the indiscriminate magic of my elder sisters is more difficult, don’t you?”
What is she talking about?
I don’t understand.
While enduring the pain, Karina tried to comprehend Sefina’s words and looked up at the sky herself.
“…Dragon’s Lances?”
Through the lush green canopy formed by the deep trees, several emerald lances shaped like Wyverns were flying overhead.
“They’re Dragon Arts called Ryū no Yari (Dragon Lance).”
Sefina grinned slyly.
Her coolness made even Karina, who shared her surname,’s heart pound.
“I excel at close combat, but I’m also good at controlling the Arts and techniques of others.”
Saying so, Sefina raised both hands above her head. Then, as if guiding the Dragon Lances flying overhead, she brought them down with force!
“Compared to controlling my elder sisters’ powerful Dragon Arts, manipulating your arrows’ trajectory or your dagger’s trajectory is trivial!”
“Wha—!!”
Innumerable Dragon Lances rained down on the speechless Karina.
