Chapter 38: The Young Fox of the Evil Sword

Athena’s Water was crafted using the character template of the alchemist Ellie, a result shaped under the laws of this world. Its effectiveness was not necessarily superior to the traditional alchemical creations of this land, but its true strength lay in its diverse range and unique effects.

The key advantage was that when Vinigo brewed potions through character construction, the cost was often less than buying them outright. The ingredients he used were not the standard fare among the world’s alchemists; as a result, their prices were considerably lower than those of common medicinal herbs.

After taking two doses, Sophie felt her spirits lift. She tossed aside her pair of slender swords and seized the greatsword buried deep in the earth, lifting it with ease.

The Sword of the Arena was not particularly sharp, but its blade was enchanted with durability and agility. While this reduced its killing power, it greatly enhanced its capability to parry and dodge. This weapon was crafted exclusively for the heroes of the Sun Temple in the Whispering Forest; on the continent of Enros, only Sir Anthony Stone possessed such a blade.

At first glance, the weapon’s design seemed unremarkable—what kind of sword deliberately reduced its own aggression? Yet as a two-handed sword, even a blunt edge could deliver terrifying force, while the intentionally thickened blade was resistant to damage, making it fit for prolonged combat. No matter how fierce the clashing, its edge would not chip.

The greatsword came crashing down—a move that left the Ultimate Knight wide-eyed. Was that… Gate of Hell?

Sophie’s expression remained impassive as she raised her sword again, drawing another gasp from the Ultimate Knight—Sky-Piercing Tower?

“So that’s it… She can imitate her enemy’s swordsmanship after seeing it just once, and even instinctively adjust the moves to suit her own weapon. This is what they call genius, at least in her domain,” Vinigo muttered to himself.

Duke’s Draught!

The two heavy weapons collided in identical arcs. Predictably, Sophie was knocked back by a single blow, yet the Ultimate Knight, too, found himself frozen in place, unable to immediately press the attack.

Enslave!

Little Honey waved her hand, sending a beam of light streaking forth, though it was to no avail.

Still, Honey’s timing was impeccable—this was the weakest moment for the Ultimate Knight. After a drawn-out battle, his stamina was flagging, and the hallucinogen’s effects were at their peak. If ever there was a chance for the Enslave spell to succeed, it was now.

Alas, the chances of Enslave working were slim.

Sophie barely paused to catch her breath before lunging forward again. This time, she executed the Duke’s Draught once more, but her greatsword now bore less rigid force and more supple grace.

“Fine swordsmanship,” the Ultimate Knight rasped, his voice grinding like metal. His massive sword thundered forth, easily driving Sophie back.

Kriegs’ Greatsword Style—Burning Earth…

Swords flashed in every direction. Even Vinigo, who could not follow their movements, could feel the searing killing intent radiating from the exchange. Sophie, facing the brunt of it, must have been under tremendous pressure. Yet what Vinigo admired most was that Sophie did not retreat—she met violence with violence, charging straight in.

Yes, her opponent’s might was overwhelming, but now was the moment of his greatest weakness. By contrast, Sophie, empowered by the potions, was brimming with energy. After the preceding struggle, even her very soul seemed to burn with vigor.

Perhaps for Sophie, the pressure of a formidable foe was the best warm-up.

“It’s time, Sophie. Hurry,” Vinigo estimated that enough time had passed to construct a new character.

Now that they were on the island, there was no need to rely on the Vikings’ tidal waves or thunder. After a moment’s reflection, Vinigo chose his next character…

Descent of the Berserk God, the hidden class of Keholin: the Sword Fiend.

The Sword Fiend was versed in many sword arts, though his attack power was not especially high. His greatest advantage lay in his unique trait—Magus Guidance—which amplified magical power and, when the passive skill Elemental Blessing was “equipped,” halved the cost of all skills.

Thus, you could treat the Qiankun Sword Technique as a basic move to be tossed out at leisure.

Vinigo summoned Ramen, drew the required longsword from another pack, swapped out his horned helmet for a swordmaster’s garb with steel plates only at vital points, and began character construction.

Character selected, analysis complete… commencing new build. Level 11 Sword Fiend—build complete!

Skill set constructed: primary skill Sword Fiend, secondary skill Descent, passive skill Elemental Blessing, Actions +4.

Descent: Hellhound!

Vinigo first summoned a hellhound. These twin-headed demon dogs could breathe minor flames, but under the rules of the Berserk God’s Descent, all characters shared a common element pool—meaning that even the hellhounds’ modest fire spells consumed Vinigo’s mana.

He had no intention of squandering resources. Fortunately, the dogs’ bites were deadly enough.

With a command, the two-headed hellhound lunged at the Ultimate Knight—who, with a single blow, sent it flying and gravely wounded.

Unruffled, Vinigo summoned another. In Elemental Blessing state, summoning hellhounds came at negligible cost—already minimal, now halved, and with Actions +4, Vinigo could act nearly half again as efficiently as before.

In the span of a breath, Vinigo summoned four hellhounds, encircling the Ultimate Knight.

They did not attack at once.

The encirclement was Vinigo’s only aim. Even the Ultimate Knight dared not lose focus—one slip, and those fangs, wreathed in hellfire, would tear through his flesh and rip at his powerful muscles.

Not fatal, perhaps, but agonizing.

As the Ultimate Knight’s attention wavered, Sophie’s greatsword came crashing down—Gate of Hell!

Clearly, Sophie had already mastered the Knight’s signature greatsword techniques, even refining them to better suit her own two-handed blade.

Gate of Hell, Sky-Piercing Tower, Burning Earth, Duke’s Draught… One technique after another drove the Ultimate Knight step by step into the circle of hellhounds.

Then—Frenzied Severance!

Slash after slash, each faster and fiercer than the last. Veins bulged along Sophie’s arms, her muscles swelling to twice their usual size. Her skin flushed red as blood surged through her, bursting capillaries beneath the surface.

Most striking of all was the sword.

Once shining like a mirror, the blade now blurred into a phantom, impossible to discern. Sophie showed no sign of slowing—if anything, she was accelerating.

Until the final blow!

The Ultimate Knight could no longer keep up. He had to use his greatsword as a shield, defending with all his might. When Sophie’s most powerful strike landed, the Ultimate Knight was sent flying.

Success!

The four hellhounds pounced, tearing at the Ultimate Knight’s shoulders, throat, and thighs. He fought desperately to pry a hound from his vital points and hurl it to the ground, but the savage beast merely whimpered, rolled aside, and leapt at him once more.

At such close quarters, the greatsword was unwieldy. Gravely wounded, the Ultimate Knight could not break free from the hellhounds.

Vinigo gave a soft hum, raised his sword, and swept it in a slanting arc.

Fiend Blade—Snowy Mountain Flying Sword.

A snowy gleam whistled into the Ultimate Knight’s chest. Vinigo doubted such a proud foe would ever surrender, so why spare him?

Without hesitation, Vinigo struck to kill.

The Sword Fiend lived up to its reputation as a protagonist’s exclusive hidden class—superb in every respect. Even under the world’s constraints, its manifested form dazzled. Only Vinigo’s limited level held it back.

Looking up, he saw the island’s central tower—undoubtedly the warlord’s “castle.”

The Ultimate Knight had been the last hope of the isolated warlord. Along the way, they encountered no further obstacles.

There were a few traps inside the tower, but for Sophie, a seasoned adventurer, and Vinigo, equally experienced in the game, they posed little trouble. If either was caught and splattered by a trap, two pills worked a swift cure.

Soon, after stepping over the shattered remains of a stone golem felled by Sophie’s sword, the three stood before the only door atop the tower. Vinigo stepped forward, cleaved the wooden door in two, and strode inside.

The master of the tower—a notorious member of the mage cabal known as the “Warlords”—turned out to be a tall, slender, and strikingly beautiful woman.

“Damn it, did Arnolm fail to stop you three little pests?” she said without turning. “My experiment… I was one step away!”

“I heard the Warlords are high-level casters obsessed with destructive efficiency. So, do spell specialists like you also dabble in experiments?” Vinigo asked curiously.

“Of course—how else could we refine our spellcasting and maximize destruction? Sometimes we craft magical items to enhance ourselves too—we’re not incapable, just disdainful of such tricks,” the sorceress replied, turning at last.

“And what is it you want?” she asked.

“Aren’t you the least bit nervous? I mean, your mastery of magic likely far exceeds our expectations, but standing at such close range before two fully armed swordsmen—don’t you feel even a little threatened?” Vinigo countered, eyes curious.

“Are you here to kill me?” The sorceress gave a short, mocking laugh.

“Not necessarily… but I doubt you’ll be so cooperative,” Vinigo scratched his head.

How should one deal with a powerful mage? Vinigo’s mind spun with possibilities.

Or perhaps… it was time to try that.