Chapter 17 Overwhelming Victory
I was called a "Petén" (a liar) during our clan's first meeting, so I had to introduce myself.
From now on, I need to show my strength to the clan members who doubt me, so I can prove myself worthy of being part of the "Labyrinth Conquest Team".
So, all 51 of us gathered at the guild's underground training ground.
If I'm going to show off my strength, it's better to actually fight and prove it in front of everyone. And if we're going to fight, it's more convenient to do it here at the training ground rather than in a labyrinth.
So, it was decided that we would move to the training ground, but we hadn't decided what to do specifically.
How would I show off my strength? Who would I fight?
"Well, what's the plan from here, Aaron?"
Logan asked me, so I thought about it specifically.
But it's not like it's that difficult. All I need to do is show those who doubt my strength that I'm capable, and that's it.
"Yeah, I'll fight those who have a problem with me. If I do that, it'll be clear whether I'm worthy of being in this clan or not."
"That sounds reasonable. Alright, let's do that."
Since Clan Master Logan approved, it was decided.
I walked to the center of the training ground, drew out Black Radiance from its scabbard, and turned to face the clan members. I was looking at a specific person, though.
"So, who's going to come at me? It's a hassle, so anyone will do, right?"
"Hey, don't get too cocky, you liar!!"
The one who shouted was Calum, the guy with the spiky hair who I was looking at.
Well, since he was the first one to question me, it's only fitting that I fight him.
But if I only fight Calum, the impact will be weak.
This is a place where anyone can see that I'm overwhelmingly superior, and I need to prove my strength to gain recognition. Just being a member of this clan isn't enough; I need to show that I'm worthy of being part of it. According to my promise with Eva, I'm expected to take on a role that's more than just a regular clan member.
In other words, I need to demonstrate overwhelming strength that's worthy of being entrusted with an important role in this clan.
So I said.
"Is your party called ≪Balmung≫? Then, how about a fight against me with all of ≪Balmung≫?"
"Wh-what the...!! You think you can take us on?! You're crazy!!"
Calum glared at me with an expression that looked like he was about to pounce.
From their perspective, it's only natural to be angry. But unfortunately, I'm not looking down on them. I'm just provoking them.
"I heard during your self-introduction earlier that you guys haven't cleared the 40th floor yet, right? Then, I think this is just about right."
≪Balmung≫'s highest cleared floor was the 40th. In other words, they haven't defeated the 40th floor's guardian.
To prove that I have the strength to clear the 40th floor solo, I need to do something like this.
"...If you're going to talk big, then bring it on I'll take you on... But it's too late to take back your words now, uncle!!"
Calum glared at me with a fierce gaze, his eyes blazing with anger.
Although the atmosphere wasn't exactly calm, we reached an agreement, and we decided to fight.
* * *
The Adventurer Party ≪Balmung≫ seemed to be a 4-person party.
Their leader, Calum, was a warrior who used a spear, and he had the Unique Job of ≪Strong Lancer≫.
The other party members consisted of 2 males and one female.
The breakdown was a large-built young man equipped with a large shield and a one-handed sword, who was an ≪Advanced Shielder≫; a tall but slender young man equipped with a bow, who was an ≪Advanced Archer≫; and a small-built female wearing a robe, who was a fire mage with the Unique Job of ≪Flare Witch≫.
In the training grounds, they faced me with a decent distance between us, with the shielder as the vanguard, Calum as the center guard, and the archer and the fire mage as the rearguard.
Although they're slightly biased towards being a rearguard, I'd say they have a well-balanced party.
(Now, what to do...)
As I face them in the training grounds, I think about how to fight.
If my goal is just to win, then there's only one choice. From what I've seen of Balmung's formation, there's no point in keeping a distance and fighting. So, the best strategy is to close in quickly with [Rapid Flash] at the start of the battle and take it to close combat.
Of course, the archer and Flare Witch will try to keep their distance, but if I can get up close and personal, they'll be too afraid of friendly fire to launch any flashy attacks.
I'm confident I can close the distance with [Rapid Flash] before they can attack. But,
(No, that won't do.)
If I'm determined to win overwhelmingly, then that's not good enough.
I need to crush them head-on. If I can't do that, then I can't call it an overwhelming victory.
"Are you guys ready?"
Logan asks, standing near the center of our group.
By the way, the other clan members are watching our battle from the sidelines of the training grounds.
"Yeah, I'm good."
"I'm ready too."
Calum and I nod in agreement.
"Alright. Then..."
Logan raises his hand, and then lowers it.
"...Let's start!"
In that instant, Calum and the archer simultaneously unleash their skills.
Spear technique skill ―― [Homing Javelin]
Archery skill ―― [Aura Arrow Rain]
Neither skill has a physical form. They're just aura-shaped spears and a rain of arrows.
The aura spear with homing functionality flies straight, while the aura arrows curve and split into numerous arrows in mid-air, raining down on a wide area.
The spear hits slightly faster.
If it were just the spear, I could deflect it with [Aura Blade] easily, but it's impossible to deflect all the arrows with [Aura Blade]. And after deflecting the spear, I wouldn't have the time to activate another sword technique.
In other words, if I can't dodge, I have to deal with everything at once.
Can I do that?
――I can.
I swung my sword in a wide arc, as if to mow down everything. The massive aura that burst out from the sword's trajectory, which had scratched the void, instantly transformed into countless blades and swirled around me like a tornado.
My unique sword technique, [Continuous Blade], [Aura Blade] - a combined technique, [Continuous Blade Barrier].
The countless blades swirling around me, with me at the center. Anything that touched even one of those small blades would have its trajectory altered and be sent flying in a different direction.
The [Homing Javelin] crashed into the ground, and the countless arrows of rain were deflected like raindrops on an umbrella, scattering all around.
"――Whoa!? What the heck is this!?"
Calum's eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a loud cry.
But his surprise only lasted for a moment. He quickly regained his composure, and a triumphant smile spread across his face, though his cheeks were slightly pale.
"But, you know! You messed up, you sly guy!!"
I already knew what I had messed up.
No, it wasn't that he had messed up.
While I was dealing with the previous attack, I had sensed the massive magical energy being released around me.
This was a magical energy release that occurred when magic was activated from a remote location. In other words, Calum and the archer's attacks were just a diversion to buy time until the magic was activated.
The magic was going to be activated around me.
It was a large-scale magic that targeted a wide area. Unlike the magician in the fairy tales, this magic didn't require an incantation. However, the process of setting up the magic formula required a corresponding amount of time, proportional to the difficulty level. Even for an experienced magician, it would take at least several dozen seconds to activate a large-scale magic like this. This wasn't a magic that could be activated in just a few seconds after the battle started.
In other words, they had set up the formula before the battle even started and were keeping it on hold, ready to activate it at any moment. This was a delayed formula technique.
I couldn't call it cowardly. If you wanted to win, it was a natural strategy.
Rather, maintaining a formula of this scale was no ordinary feat. It was impressive, worthy of an Expert Explorer.
And it was activated ―― the Flame Tornado.
Fire magic ―― [Fire Storm]
The ultra-high-temperature Flame Tornado is a magic that's too deadly to use in a mock battle. It's a magic that's way too brutal to use with a straight face.
Even with the [Continuous Blade Barrier] deployed around me, I couldn't dispel this Flame Tornado.
However, [Continuous Blade] is a powerful sword technique that can manipulate the aura released outside the body, and it can cause a certain degree of change even in the middle of the technique.
When I first learned [Continuous Blade], I could only change its trajectory, but now that I've become much more skilled, I can do more than that.
My unique sword technique, [Continuous Blade Barrier] variation ―― hidden technique [Raging Continuous Blade]
The swirling blades' barrier suddenly changes its properties.
From repelling to explosive.
Countless blades touched the flames and exploded simultaneously.
"What the...?! Self-destruct?!"
I heard Calum and the others' shocked voices from the other side of the flame curtain.
But unfortunately, this isn't self-destruction. While I'm indeed caught up in the explosion of [Raging Continuous Blade], I've given it a certain degree of directionality. In other words, the direction the blades are facing ―― that is, the outside of the tornado.
And additionally――
My unique battle technique ―― [Aura Armor]
I envelop my entire body with aura, completely neutralizing the flames and explosion's aftermath.
I used this technique when I fought Lich, but back then it was an incomplete, makeshift technique. However, I've since refined it through training, and it's become a full-fledged technique. Originally, it was a skill learned by shield-type Jobs, an imitation of [Aura Armor].
"Well... I think it's about time."
Since I've surpassed the fire magic, I think it's about time I counterattacked.
I gather aura at the soles of my feet.
My original battle technique ―― [Rapid Flash]
The moment the flames cleared, I swiftly closed the distance. The one I approached was the young shield warrior.
"Ah, wha...?!"
Although the young shield warrior was shocked by my sudden approach, he quickly reacted.
He readied his shield forward, and his entire body was enveloped by a massive amount of aura.
Shield Skill――[Aura Shield]
Shield Skill――[Fortress]
He activated 2 skills in an instant, creating a sturdy defense.
I moved in front of him, covered in a massive amount of aura, and swung my sword at the shield.
My unique sword technique――[Flash Blade]
"What the...?! Is this a joke?!"
I sliced through the aura shield.
The young shield warrior was shocked, and I took another step forward, swinging my sword again.
My unique sword technique [Blast Blade] variation――[Raging Blast Blade]
The moment my sword touched the shield, a low, muffled explosion sound occurred.
The explosive force changed into a penetrating shockwave, transmitting the impact throughout his body.
"Ga...ah...?!"
The young warrior lost his breath and collapsed like a broken doll, overcome by the shock.
Behind him, Calum emerged from a blind spot, hidden behind the shield warrior's body, and struck me with a surprise attack.
"Die, you liar bastard!!"
Spear Skill――[Aura Thrust]
The spiral-shaped aura spearhead was about to pierce me.
I matched my sword with the spearhead.
My unique sword technique――[Aura Blade]
The clash of auras sent the spear flying back. Calum stumbled, his eyes wide open. I took advantage of the moment and swung my sword at him.
"D-damn it...!!"
* 8 *
Calum, that guy, was blown away by a [Flying Slash]... no, if I believe Aaron's words, it was a unique sword technique called [Flying Blade].
The archer and fire magician's attacks rained down on him, but Aaron disappeared and effortlessly dodged their area attacks.
I'm sure it was a high-speed movement technique called [Rapid Flash].
However, from an outside perspective, it looked like he didn't use any skills at all. Few people would believe it.
"Hey, hey, that Aaron guy, he's definitely not a 'Beginner Swordsman'..."
"Isn't that movement skill [Blink] or something? That means it's definitely a Unique Job, right?"
"Huh? Why is he faking his job? Trying to hide something?"
"Why does he need to hide it? We're all companion, aren't we?"
"I acknowledge his strength, but I don't really like people who keep secrets from their friends."
"Soloing 41 floors... with that kind of strength, there's no way he can't do it, right?"
"Anyway, that uncle is really strong. At least he's not all talk."
The explorers watching the battle from the surroundings were whispering to each other. Their predictions were, as expected, far from the truth.
But Fiona thought that wasn't impossible either.
"Well, no one would believe that guy is a 'Beginner Swordman' anyway."
"――Huh?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind, so she turned around.
The person there was a man with a sharp gaze, covering his left eye with an eye patch. He wasn't a clan member, but Fiona knew him.
"...Mr. Lion? What are you doing here?"
The one-eyed man was a former explorer who had formed a party with Aaron a long time ago and was one of Aaron's few friends.
The underground training ground was currently being rented out by the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫, so outsiders shouldn't be able to enter.
When asked, Lion replied nonchalantly.
"Hey, Missy Fiona, long time no see. I heard Aaron was fighting, so I used my staff privileges to get in."
Lion was currently working as a guild staff member after retiring as an explorer. Fiona knew that, but that didn't mean he could just barge in.
"Is that okay? Isn't that abuse of authority?"
"Ah, it's fine. I'm a 'collaborator' too, so even if I get scolded, I'll be forgiven."
"Hmm..."
While thinking that might be true, she nodded ambiguously.
Then, she turned her gaze back to the center of the training ground.
"So, how's the battle going?"
"It'll be over soon."
Just now, the young archer was defeated.
Although he tried to keep his distance and attack from afar to prevent close combat, Aaron didn't take the bait and instead calmly dodged and closed in, finishing him off with a restrained blow.
The remaining female magician looked somewhat pitiful, her confidence shattered.
Without their vanguard, the magician's true abilities couldn't be utilized. The outcome of the battle was already decided. The clan members watching from the sidelines also thought the fight was more than half over.
But, as if driven by her pride as an Expert Explorer, the fire magician fought on until the very end.
With incredible speed, she constructed her spell, unleashing her fire magic, [Fire Bullet Heavy Rain].
Countless flames rained down on Aaron like a heavy downpour. But――
"Ha, she think she can hit him without him even flinching?"
"Yeah."
Aaron dodged the flames with [Rapid Flash] and approached the fire magician, pressing his sword to her neck and saying something. Then, with a nod, the pyromancer declared her surrender.
The battle was over.
Both the spectators and the actual combatants could clearly see the crushing victory.
"Whoa, he won without taking a single hit!"
"What's up with that uncle...?"
"Isn't he the mentor of the Sword Dance Maiden? Then, he's a secret weapon of the Kirke family...?"
"That means the [Four Great Families of the Seals] are dead serious, too..."
Probably, everyone here understood that Aaron had won while holding back. In fact, whispers to that effect could be heard from the surroundings.
However, it seemed that Aaron's friend, Lion, had a different impression.
"Aww, man, he got too serious, it's annoying. What's he thinking...?"
"Huh? ...What do you mean?"
What did Lion mean? The current battle didn't feel like a narrow victory at all.
Fiona turned around to ask, and saw Lion gazing at his friend with a worried expression.
In other words, Lion was worried about Aaron.
What's got you so worried, anyway? Lion didn't answer.
He just turned back to Fiona and smiled wryly.
"...You know, Missy Fiona, the more I trust someone, the rougher my tone gets, yeah?"
"――What?"
Fiona thought, "What's with this guy, suddenly...?"
"No, it's just that my tone is completely different when I'm talking to you and Aaron, and that's kinda interesting."
"...Are you looking for a fight? I'll take you on."
Fiona said in a sharp tone, and Lion turned his back on her, waving his hand dismissively.
"Sorry, but can you tell Aaron to come see me later? I'm counting on you."
"Hey, wait a minute――!!"
Lion left the training grounds without looking back.
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