## Chapter 155 – 155. Sylvia Mervis Winterbane
#155. Sylvia Mervis Winterbane
A rapier, also known as a thin sword.
It’s a weapon specialized for thrusting rather than cutting and swinging. Until now, I hadn’t seen anyone use it in actual combat.
Yes, until now.
*Thwip!*
There wasn’t even the sound of air being cut.
With a momentary flash, the opponent’s thrust pierced my mask, grazing my cheek. If my senses hadn’t been heightened to the extreme from the previous battle, I wouldn’t have been able to dodge it.
Sharp and fast.
Truly swift.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of thrusts flew at me, aiming to pierce my body. It was a refined movement, devoid of any unnecessary frills.
If I let my guard down even a little here, I’d become a pincushion.
I couldn’t even manage to say anything, let alone activate a barrier.
Moreover, even using ‘Thought Acceleration’ was difficult. Due to using Thought Acceleration repeatedly in the previous battle, the consumption of mental power was significant.
Although not even a minute had passed, I didn’t know how many exchanges we’d had.
What was clear was that I was gradually being pushed back. I was completely caught up in the opponent’s pace, but the nature of this battle was too different from any I had experienced so far.
The terror of a sword aura-clad rapier wasn’t just in its swift thrusts.
‘What is this…?!’
I forced myself to find an invisible opening and counterattacked, but the opponent skillfully avoided a head-on clash of strength, deflecting my strike with a slight twist of the blade using a cross-guard, and using the angle of the blade to deflect the direction of my attack.
It was a natural choice not to engage in a strength contest with a straight sword using a rapier, but it felt like I was sinking into a swamp the more I crossed swords.
And that wasn’t all. They would change direction mid-attack or stop attacking to induce my mistakes.
It was a case of being pushed back in basic skills.
I understood why my master said that basic skills were never enough, no matter how much you practiced them.
“A piece of trash working under a slave trader is putting up quite a fight.”
“I came here to save the elves!”
I shouted back in frustration, but the opponent didn’t seem to pay any attention.
“…Trying to get out of the situation with a lie that even a newborn wouldn’t believe.”
“You crazy bitch!”
I hurled a refreshing curse, and that seemed to displease them even more, as their momentum became even fiercer.
They adjusted their stance and glared at me with eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
“Just you wait. I’ll personally pierce that mouth of yours.”
I lightly raised my middle finger in response.
Thanks to their easily provoked personality, an opening was created. Thanks to that, I was able to deploy a barrier.
But if I continued to be on the defensive like this, I wouldn’t have a chance of winning.
*Musang Geumganggyeol* (Formless Vajra Body), *Musang Jeonsin* (Formless Lightning Body).
The Vajra energy coursing through my blood points covered my entire body. Now that I’ve deployed *Musangbo* (Formless Step) and used Swiftness, I should be able to move faster than that damn elf.
*Kwaang!* I became a streak of light in the dark underground prison and ran.
The corridor was so narrow that movement was restricted, but that was the same for the opponent.
Moreover, in my current condition, I felt like I could unleash *Mugung* (Limitless) once more to create an opening.
But in order to unleash *Mugung*, the opponent had to be within a certain distance, and I needed room to spread Vajra energy in all directions.
The enemies I had faced so far had openings that allowed for that. When facing the elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult, it was possible because the opponent was completely off guard.
But not this woman.
‘What opening…!’
*Thwack, thwack!!*
Even though I was moving at a speed just before it became uncontrollable, kicking off the walls of the corridor, I couldn’t find a single opening, let alone land a proper hit.
It was as if they were seeing through everything with their eyes—where I would kick off, where I would move, and how I would swing my sword.
I didn’t want to admit it, but their skill as a swordsman was one, no, two levels above mine.
Before long, I realized that I couldn’t win like this.
At least if I went back to the hall and fought, I would have a slightly better chance of winning.
But to turn my back and run away in this situation was the same as offering my neck to be killed.
If I stopped attacking here, the series of murderous thrusts from a moment ago would immediately come flying at me.
‘…As much as possible, without collapsing.’
I used magic, adjusting the power, direction, and number of spells.
Of course, I couldn’t kill them, so I mainly aimed for the arms, legs, and joints. If I could reduce their mobility even a little, it might be possible to subdue them.
*[Magic Bolt]*
From about twenty magic circles that appeared in the air, masses of magical energy flew like sniper rifles.
“…A mage.”
Just before being hit directly by the Magic Bolts, the elf, who had muttered briefly, disappeared.
It wasn’t like they were using stealth.
They were just running at an incredible speed.
The Magic Bolts, which had their power reduced but their speed increased, couldn’t hit the elf and only chased after their afterimage.
The movement, which had accelerated and accelerated again, was something that couldn’t be followed with the eyes.
*Crack!* The tip of the sword that came from an unnoticed blind spot pierced the barrier.
If there hadn’t been a barrier, my brain would have been pierced along with my mask.
“Tough. A 3-circle… no, a 4-circle mage?”
The elf, who seemed somewhat surprised for the first time, quickly composed their expression and disappeared from my sight again.
Instinctively, I redeployed the barrier even more strongly. At that moment, an enormous impact collided with the barrier.
*Creak-!!*
Sparks flew as the elf’s rapier collided with the barrier. The murderous intent, sharpened as sharply as a sword, broke through the barrier and covered me.
If I hadn’t strengthened the barrier just now, it would have been shattered along with me.
I was convinced by the elf’s speed, which far exceeded my expectations. Fighting in this narrow corridor any longer was madness.
I deployed Magic Bolts to the limit that the underground prison could withstand.
*Thump, thoom!!* I aimed for the timing when the Magic Bolts, flying like meteors, would cover the elf. I ran towards the stairs with all my might.
But at that moment, something beyond murderous intent covered me.
An unpleasant sensation that made the hairs on my entire body stand on end and made my instincts scream.
“I clearly told you.”
This was a survival instinct.
A clear radiance pierced through dozens of Magic Bolts and illuminated the underground prison.
*[Thought Acceleration]*
My head throbbed with a headache, but there was no option to not use it.
In the extremely slowed time, I twisted my body with all my might.
And then time moved again.
“I’ll pierce your mouth.”
───────The flash of light that grazed right next to my head stretched out as if it were connected to the very end of the underground prison.
See it with your eyes and dodge it? That’s impossible.
It’s also impossible to block it with a barrier.
That’s because that was *ganggi* (sword aura).
It wasn’t that the sword had lengthened. That was literally a long-range thrust that fired condensed *ganggi* at ultra-high speed.
Fortunately, the elf, who was glaring at me, clicked their tongue lightly, as if they couldn’t use it consecutively.
Taking advantage of that gap, I went up the stairs in one breath.
On the chaotic stage, I threw away the mask that was cracked all over. Thanks to that, my vision became much clearer.
I gathered my wits and prepared magic. If the elf came up, I was going to fire magic in rapid succession to blow away their *hosin ganggi* (aura armor) first.
I unconsciously swallowed hard due to the tension.
Just as I was about to wipe my sweaty palms, something popped out from the stairs.
Without hesitation, I immediately fired magic.
*[Lightning Spear]*
Five spears of lightning, which I had created with all my might in the previous battle with the minotaur, tore through the air as if to shred it.
*Kwarururung!!* The Lightning Spears that exploded upon hitting the elf scattered lightning around.
Just as I was thinking that this would be enough to break through their *hosin ganggi* and cause considerable damage, something flew through the thick, settling smoke.
*Thwip!*
“Gheuk?!”
The identity of what pierced my shoulder was none other than the elf’s long-range thrust that had almost taken my life a moment ago.
Only then did I notice the barrier, which had a hole pierced through it as big as the tip of the elf’s rapier.
“…The more I see, the more amazing it is. A mage being able to move like a decent knight, and being able to handle rare lightning magic.”
The elf, who walked out of the smoke with ease, was unharmed.
There was no trace of *hosin ganggi* blocking the magic.
*Whoosh*, the elf’s sword, which they lightly swung, drove away the smoke. Only then could I understand the whole story.
“…You fucking dirty player.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
As I frowned, the elf curled up the corners of their mouth as if to show off.
The five Lightning Spears had hit. Not the elf, but something else.
Near the stairs, there was a corpse that looked like it had been scorched by lightning.
“It’s the corpse of the underground prison warden. You must be familiar with him.”
Of course, there was no way I would be.
But it was too late to resolve the situation with words now.
Now that blood had been drawn, I had no intention of being a pushover just because the opponent was a pretty woman.
*Beep*, at that moment, dozens of small magic circles appeared at the elf’s feet along with a small alarm sound.
*[Flame Mine]*
*[Shock Mine]*
These were 3-circle mine-type explosion magic that automatically exploded upon detecting nearby life signs.
“?!!”
Could they really block dozens of explosions and dozens of electric shocks with *hosin ganggi* alone?
The great swordsman I fought earlier was able to block my magic several times because he drew out his innate true energy, but originally, *hosin ganggi* was stronger against physical attacks imbued with magical power than against magic.
*Kwaaaaaang!!!*
“Kyaaaaak?!”
The elf hurriedly tried to leave the spot in response to the magic, but they reacted a beat too late and were caught up in the explosion.
In the meantime, I stopped the bleeding from my wound.
Fortunately, even though it was an attack by *ganggi*, it was a thrust, so the wound wasn’t large and the amount of bleeding was small.
*Thump!* The stage shook greatly, and the smoke created by the explosion scattered in all directions.
The elf standing in the center of it was in such a disheveled state that the word “ragged” was fitting.
Through the gaps in their disheveled hair and torn clothes, fair skin could be seen.
“How dare a human…!!”
Their eyes, gleaming with murderous intent, stared straight at me.
Judging from the stance with one foot forward and the flow of magical power spreading around them, the vibration from earlier seemed to be a *jingjiao* (震脚, vibration foot) that the elf had stepped on.
A brief confrontation between me and the elf continued.
We glared at each other and drew up magical power.
Of course, my condition was worse. The consumption of magical power and mental power was considerable, and there was even a hole in my shoulder.
On the other hand, the elf was unscathed without a single burn. Instead, their *hosin ganggi* was broken, so they must have suffered some internal injuries.
But that didn’t mean that I was in a completely disadvantageous situation.
This wasn’t a narrow corridor like the underground prison.
Of course, there were some limitations due to the closed nature of being underground, but in this place where I could use magic, I had no intention of being easily defeated.
Even if the ceiling collapsed.
“Let me correct myself, I’ll pierce your neck instead of your mouth.”
“I never thought I’d get an elf slave. Just wait a little. I’ll make you call me master soon.”
*Kooong!*
As our magical powers collided, the hall shook as if an earthquake had occurred.
Small debris fell from the ceiling.
*Kooong!!*
And once again, the hall shook.
“…?”
“…?”
Questions arose on the faces of me and the elf.
The vibrations were too great, even though we hadn’t directly clashed.
The entire hall shook as if a real earthquake had occurred.
*Kooong!! Kooong!! Kooong!!*
“Crazy!”
With the continuous vibrations, large debris like rocks began to fall from the ceiling.
If the ceiling really collapsed like this, I wouldn’t have the余裕 (leeway/capacity) to deal with the elf in front of me.
There were still elves in the underground prison that I hadn’t saved.
‘…Even if I have to overdo it, I have no choice but to break through the ceiling.’
The hall was about two floors underground. If I poured all of my remaining magical power into 4-circle magic and repeatedly slammed it into the ceiling, it might be possible.
I chanted magic while drawing up magical power to the limit.
If I used Thought Acceleration, high-speed chanting would be possible, but in the current situation, the amount was more important than the speed.
I couldn’t afford to consume mental power again with Thought Acceleration.
Even if it was right before collapsing, I had to deploy at least three or more 4-circle magic spells.
*Crackle-*
But the ceiling was cracking everywhere as if it would collapse at any moment.
Time was absolutely insufficient.
If things continued like this, not only the elves in the underground prison but also the other slaves would all be buried alive.
I really had no way out now.
Even if I fainted after using magic, I had to forcibly use Thought Acceleration.
Just as I was about to grab my throbbing head and use the skill.
*Kwaaaaaang!!!*
With a tremendous roar, a hole was punched in the ceiling.
I turned my head, wondering if the elf had done it, but judging from the way they were blankly looking up at the ceiling, that didn’t seem to be the case.
The night sky could be seen through the hole.
No matter how I looked at it, it wasn’t a natural phenomenon. If the previous battle was the problem, the entire ceiling should have collapsed.
Why did only a hole appear and then stop?
“…Young Master!!”
Just as my head was filled with unresolved questions, a familiar voice was heard from somewhere.
When I concentrated magical power in my eyes, I could see someone falling through the hole.
“…Could it be.”
As the saying goes, “Could it be” often hits the mark. Golden hair fluttering in the wind sparkled under the night sky.
“Young Master Hyunwoo!!”
“Iris?!”
Iris, who should have been sleeping at the inn, was falling without even a parachute.
For a moment, I felt dazed as if I had been hit on the back of the head, but there was no time to be spacing out.
I hurriedly ran to catch Iris.
But as she got closer to the ground, Iris’s falling speed noticeably decreased. Only then did I realize that an unnatural wind was blowing.
It was the wind spirit that Iris had contracted with.
Iris, who had successfully landed as if a feather was falling, ran straight to me.
“How could you go off alone so dangerously!”
I had opened my arms, expecting her to hug me.
Iris was busy hitting my back with a very angry expression.
*Whack, whack!* Her hand was quite stinging.
“…It hurts.”
“I hit you to make it hurt!”
Honestly, it didn’t hurt. But my heart ached at Iris’s handiwork.
“No, I was trying to save those elves…”
“If that’s the case, you should have gone with me even more!”
I came alone because I thought it would be dangerous because of the sealing tool, but seeing that she had punched a hole in the ceiling, it seemed like there wouldn’t have been a big problem even if she had come with me.
But her complexion didn’t look good, as if she had overdone it quite a bit.
“Really, I was so surprised when I saw the letter… huh?”
Iris, who was leaving her handprints on my back in real time, suddenly stared at her palm with an uneasy look without saying anything.
“T, this is…”
“…Ah.”
Wondering what was going on, I turned my head and saw Iris’s palm soaked with my blood.
“H, Hyunwoo-nim, are you hurt…?”
I thought I had stopped the bleeding to some extent, but it seemed that it hadn’t worked well because it was a wound pierced by *ganggi*.
“It’s nothing much, just bleeding a little…”
Just as I was hugging Iris, who was looking at me with an expression that seemed like she would burst into tears at any moment, and wondering how I should make excuses so she wouldn’t worry.
“Y, Your Majesty…?”
“Hmm?”
A pitifully trembling, frail voice was heard from the stage.
Me and Iris’s gazes turned towards the stage.
“…Sylvia?”
“Your Majesty!!”
The elf, who had been trying to kill me until just now, had a bright smile on her face that was hard to believe was the same person, and was running towards us, her white hair fluttering.
