NOVEL NEXT chapter 13
13. The enemy is too strong…?
For a moment, I was knocked out by the sheer force.
The momentum of being thrown is incomparable to the first kick; I hold the girl behind me, shielding her as best I can.
I feel the sound of the wind slicing through the air.
In an instant, it pierces the wall.
A sharp pain shoots through my back, and I fall backward
into the rubble of the wall.
What the hell is that monster…?
I feel the dark aura of the saint’s smile healing my body, but the damage is too great; it’s not enough.
As the pain gradually subsides, I analyze my opponent.
Perhaps, due to some divine revelation, they can grant powerful buffs and debuffs.
The buff activates by voicing the intent to enhance.
Only one type of buff can be reflected.
Debuffs have a short duration.
These three conditions seem to be the case, but
even with that, the enhancement multiplier and the martial arts they wield
are utterly insane.
I need a breakthrough! I look around, and there are various weapons and equipment scattered about. They seem to be items confiscated upon imprisonment rather than belonging to the guards.
As I ponder this, the demon girl has somehow come before me, holding weapons.
“Daddy!”
I’m surprised by what she hands me; it’s the armor and shield that were confiscated when I was imprisoned.
These were the items we all gathered when we pledged to the [Oath of Adventure]. I can’t lose; I can’t just languish in this prison. Someday, I must meet everyone again without any shackles!
I say a single word to the girl, “Thank you!” and then
with practiced hands, I don the equipment.
If I have a shield, I can use martial skills! Then the possibilities are endless!
As I put on the gear, I realize something.
—
It is the clear sensation of the flow of magical power, and the fact that the magic itself is increasing.
I look at the girl, and she tilts her head, seemingly not quite understanding, and says, “Daddy?” It’s not that I’m her daddy, though.
I feel the tension in my heart begin to ease.
The girl, observing this, reaches out to me, and I feel even more magical power pouring into me.
That magic flows through my body without hesitation.
I once again utter words of gratitude.
“Thank you.”
And while gazing at the girl, I say,
“I will definitely protect you.”
Hearing my words, the girl smiles happily.
I use body enhancement and skills once more.
If I have equipment, I can use other skills too!
There’s still a chance!
“[Holy Armor][Saint’s Smile][Oath of the Cross]”
I feel a dark aura overflowing from my entire body. The dark aura is spilling out many times more than when I tested it in the forest.
Thanks to the effect of [Holy Armor],
my armor is enveloped in the dark aura. It’s not a mere temporary armor; it fuses with the true armor and the dark aura.
[Saint’s Smile] heals my body more than before and gives me a sense of exhilaration.
By the [Oath of the Holy Knight],
a particularly dense dark aura begins to corrode my shield.
And unlike the armor, it is so black it could be called pitch-black,
and it feels as if it has a sheen.
Then, from the rubble of the wall, I hear the sound of heels clicking.
“I’m surprised; to still be conscious after taking that blow… even high-ranking demons usually lose consciousness.”
Gildia says this while looking at me with a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
“And not only that, your magical power has become more refined, and that appearance…”
I look at my own form. Cloaked in dark aura,
carrying dark armor and a pitch-black shield.
From any angle,
I was perfectly a dark knight… damn it!
“Haah… what a truly cursed day.”
Gildia sighs as she looks at me.
I look back at Gildia.
“That girl is ahead, but she will absolutely not let you pass beyond this point.”
Perhaps she didn’t expect me to respond with such confidence; Gildia says this with a hint of exasperation.
“I see, I see. Thank you for the warning. But do you really think you’re in a position to give me orders?”
Gildia glares at me.
I can feel the oppressive atmosphere in the room intensifying.
I brace myself, gripping my shield firmly, and glare back at Gildia.
It is Gildia who breaks the silence.
In the same manner as before, she utters a single phrase.
“I am fast.”
Gildia takes a running start and moves at high speed,
closing the distance to me and launching a kick.
The speed generated by the long hallway allows her to accelerate sufficiently,
and the kick possesses tremendous power.
I grip the handle of my shield,
clenching it like a knuckle duster,
to counter that single strike.
The clash of the dark blow and the lightning-fast kick
creates a shockwave from their tremendous collision.
Thanks to the shield enhanced by the “Oath of the Holy Knight,”
I was able to nullify Gildia’s strike.
Gildia, unfazed by the loss of power, takes a step back with her swift movements.
“You handle that shield quite well, don’t you?”
Gildia lowers her body, watching for an opening as she speaks.
In response, I position my shield as if throwing a frisbee.
“Yeah, that’s right! I’ve been doing this for eight years!!”
I swing my shield back, and the afterimage of the pitch-black shield takes form, dark magical energy flying like a slash.
“Ugh!”
Gildia instinctively crouches low to evade the slash.
“Sorry, but when it comes to handling shields, I don’t feel like losing to anyone.”
The martial technique, ＜Flying Shield＞, has a significant opening and likely won’t work more than once. The opponent is unarmed, with no long-range options. The conclusion we seek is clear:
“Close-quarters combat!”
Gildia’s voice overlaps with mine.
The match is reaching its climax!