Chapter 344 (2/2)

But there was a limit to this effectiveness, which was why he took a brief break. Too much, too fast, and the Skeleton Knight would stop trying to internalize the timing and just shift to pure instinct. And based on what Randidly had seen from him thus far, those instincts would be difficult to deal with.

“...still, even with your strength…” The Skeleton Knight said, straightening and holding his blade aloft. “You are still flesh. As long as the moment comes where you tire, your body grinding to a halt, you will fall to me.”

Randidly just chuckled. This time, when the Skeleton Knight approached there was no hesitation, no grace. It was all brutal power and haste, designed to press Randidly towards the edge of his exhaustion. And honestly, it would probably work too, against a normal opponent.

But Randidly was anything but normal.

Raising his hand and pointing, Randidly activated Incinerating Bolt. The first three ripped out in quick succession, clipping the Skeleton Knight’s armor and ripping large holes. But the third through fifth bolts were devoured by the Skeleton Knight’s sword. The blade seemed to leap to life, curving and blocking them all. Instantly, the flames were devoured and consumed.

The Skeleton Knight paused, moving backwards. Randidly narrowed his eyes, gazing at the offending sword in his hand. Glowing with a dim light, it was clear that something had changed.

“Oh? You use magic. I would recommend you not do that again, but it’s already too late. My dear Mage’s Bane has your scent.” The light around the sword flared, and Randidly could feel the Mana in his body tremble.

This… was dangerous. Although Randidly couldn’t be sure, the way it made his Mana feel reminded him of the way the Engraving Needle made his Mana tremble. Which meant, if the sword were to come in contact with him, his Mana might flow out into that sword. Which based on the light… would grow stronger.

Best to nip that in the bud as quickly as possible. Still, Randidly resolved not to use Inspiration, because it was a weapon that was proven to work against the Creature in the past. As long as it might be skulking around nearby, it had to be held in reserve. So for this… it was time to show this world that not everything Randidly learned from Shal’s world was about spears.

“Huuu… I feel slightly embarrassed to have to attack while you are tired, but-....eh….?” The Skeleton Knight trailed off, continuing to advance towards Randidly, but slowing down. In the air around them, there was a thick layer of mist. A soft ticking emerged in the background, making the air vibrate.

Randidly’s eyes burned emerald, and his smile was sharp. The aura of the Spear Phantom spread, sliding over the ground. His Battle Intent was thick, floating out around them, pressing down on them both, giving Randidly a perfect view of them both.

“...an image….? Extremely sharp too… You certainly are a worthy opponent. However…” Around the Skeleton Knight, a powerful sharp edge of metal filled the air, ripping through Randidly’s image. But that only caused Randidly to bare his teeth more, and his Battle Intent swirled and thickened further, keeping them both shrouded in the mist.

The Skeleton Knight could do nothing but slow to a stop, as Randidly completely disappeared from his field of view. Spinning slowly, his copper-fire eyes scanned the area around him. “You never struck me as the hiding type.”

“I’m not.” Randidly whispered, and the Skeleton Knight spun around, leveling his sword, which howled with glee, finally having located its target. As the blade slashed towards Randidly’s chest, he met it with the Inevitable Phantom Arrives, which seemed to hang in the air. As the Skeleton Knight took in the exchange, initially he sneered, but then his face drastically changed.

The thrust smashed aside his slash, ripping through his armor and shattering several of his ribs. Instinctively, he brought his hand across in a punch, aiming for Randidly’s chin, but Randidly was abruptly nothing more than a Phantom, blown away by the blow, borrowing the force to twist around and bring his spear in for another attack, slashing downward.

This time the Skeleton Knight moved much more quickly, bringing up his guard. But Randidly’s cut… jumped forward as the Idiosyncratic Cut activated, and the blow caught the Skeleton Knight in the collarbone, shattering it and sending him stumbling.

“You…” The Skeleton Knight whispered, even as his sword howled.

Randidly only grinned and stepped forward.