Chapter 41 The fight intensifies
She uses a gun that shoots sticky webs, a water gun that makes the ground slippery, origami cranes that explode on contact, and a harmonica that applies a weak buff when played.
Individually, these tools seem unimpressive, making you wonder why they were even created. But when combined, they subtly influence the course of the battle. Such tools can be troublesome when used by enemies.
In fact, the Undead Prince is having a hard time attacking, as Liora, Samurai, and Sebas are holding the front line.
"With the [Regeneration] skill, the enemy\'s MP is rapidly recovering. We need more firepower!"
"More! The gods demand it!"
"We\'re giving it our all, but..."
The undead are relentless. Thanks to Liora\'s [Swift KillingBlade], the undead prince\'s agility has been halved, which is why they have the upper hand in both offense and defense.
It\'s the main reason they can keep up with an enemy of this caliber. Liora learned from their battles with Jack-Jack that overwhelming agility was the biggest threat, which is why we acquired this skill.
By crippling the enemy\'s speed, it\'s almost like killing them. The [Swift Killing Blade] skill truly lives up to its name.
However, the enemy counters with [Regeneration], maintaining the balance.
Half-hearted attacks are useless, and Liora now understands what it feels like for the weaker enemies who have fought them. As the Undead Prince, impaled by Sebas, finishes his incantation,
"[Black Ball]!"
A third [Black Ball] appears on the battlefield. It seems to be a magic art with a cooldown period, so it can\'t be spammed, but it\'s still troublesome.
The trump card, [Death God\'s Scythe], can still be used. Even so, Liora only have one more shot left.
Liora bravely engages in close combat. Thanks to shirne Madien\'s skill [Dance of Divine Descent], her agility surpasses that of the Undead Prince.
This skill lasts for a few hours once activated and stacks with other agility buffs.
While the effect is minor, its long duration and ability to coexist with other agility buffs make it powerful.
"[Flash]."
Using the dark magic [Flash], Liora instantly moves behind the Undead Prince and swings her scythe with one hand, aiming to decapitate him.
However, the prince\'s head falls off on its own before Liora\'s strike lands.
When Liora\'s slash misses, the prince\'s head reattaches automatically.
Having no other choice, Liora kicks the prince\'s back to create some distance. This odd technique prevents her from landing a critical hit.
"Well, there\'s nothing else we can do."
"This is troublesome, O Divine One."
With no way to target the neck, Liora\'s role shifts to that of a tank.
However, to allow the elves in the rear to deal damage, it\'s not good for her to stay too close to the front line, as she could get caught in the crossfire.
Liora\'s specialization in solo combat becomes a disadvantage here.
"Our MP is fully charged."
"Yes... [Life-Stealing Blade]."
Liora charges forward and begins an intense swordfight with the Undead Prince.
Relying on their regenerative abilities, they exchange blow after blow without bothering to defend. I use my skills to block attacks targeting weak points like the neck or heart.
Samurai and Sebas occasionally intervene, closing the damage gap.
After three minutes of deadly combat, the one who first gave in to the exhaustion was the Undead Prince.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! [Darkness Pressure]!"
"[Slash]!"
She severs the prince\'s remaining arm, but even that regenerates. When a regeneration skill reaches this level, it becomes overwhelming, though it must consume a massive amount of MP.
For a brief moment, the prince stops moving to regenerate, and Liora seizes the opportunity to decapitate him with her large scythe. The [Life-Stealing Blade] has cut his HP by 90%, delivering a decisive critical hit.
After the strike, Liora lifts her head. Beneath her snow-white hair, her crimson eyes whirl with mad devotion.
"Just as the gods intended. Enduring this battle of attrition was easy for me because I believe in the gods."
"As expected of you, Hero! Maximum chant! [Empress Flare]!"
The princess\'s explosive magic blasts into the prince, creating a huge hole in his abdomen. The Undead Prince finally touches the ground.
"Is this... the end? No... not yet!"
He\'s likely out of MP. The [Regeneration] skill consumes MP as it heals, and even though he became a boss as an undead, his resources aren\'t infinite.
"Come forth, Sacred Tool [Mercy of the World Goddess: The World of Kindness]!"
From the depths of the treasure vault, the sword embedded in the pedestal pulls itself out. The withdrawn sword emits a dazzling light as it transforms.
"Liora!"
Just before Liora can deliver the final blow to the Undead Prince, the sacred sword completes its transformation.
The sword has changed into a massive suit of armor. It attaches itself to the prince, protecting his body from Liora\'s scythe.
The scythe is deflected, causing Liora to stumble.
The Undead Prince\'s rotting eyes roll around before he punches Liora in the stomach, spilling her insides in a gruesome display.
"Liora!"
The [Instant Death Avoidance] skill activates. Sebas charges with his K, trying to protect the fallen Liora.
But the prince\'s fist is already poised to strike. Sebas, lacking a similar [Instant Death Avoidance] skill, won\'t make it in time.
"I won\'t let you, brother!"
The one who pushes Sebas aside is a young girl—Remelia.
With a hint of fear in her voice, the princess cries out.
"I won\'t let you kill an elf!"
The High Elf princess spreads her arms wide, but the prince\'s fist doesn\'t hit her.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Instead, the prince screams and slams his fist into his own face. Though it immediately regenerates, a glimmer of willpower flickers in his decayed eyes.
"I... I did it! I protected them!"
"Brother!?"
"When you encounter a dangerous monster... you shut your eyes tightly."
The princess\'s eyes widen in realization. At the moment when she was sure the prince would kill her, she had indeed tightly closed one eye.
The prince\'s voice trembles, yet he speaks gently.
"But... you don\'t close both eyes. You fight back, even if it\'s just one. I thought that was noble. For hundreds of years, I remembered your nobility and did not lose."
"You were truly admirable, brother."
"Now, what I\'m about to unleash is... the Sacred Tool\'s ultimate strike. Endure it! I can barely... keep it under control!"
The goddess\'s sacred tool.
If it had to be compared, its form would resemble that of a powered suit.
Goddess, isn\'t this a bit too out of place in this world?
The prince\'s eyes grow vacant as he reaches his limit.
"Come."
Liora replies softly, raising her scythe. She downs a potion to enhance her attack power, then tosses the glass bottle aside. The sound of shattering glass rings out clearly.
Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she declares,
"Gods are stronger than goddesses. I won\'t lose to a mere Sacred Tool."
"Leave this placeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
The goddess\'s sacred tool.
The false god\'s apostle.
Who will win?