novelraw Chapter 82: Feeling Déjà vu
Chapter 82: Feeling Déjà vu
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Her gaze sharpened, and I could sense there was more behind her words than what she just said.
“I’ve been holding off on challenging new scenarios ever since Graham and his lackeys started targeting anyone close to Daleth rank,” she explained. “But now that the mandatory scenario system is in place, I’ve started challenging them again.”
She paused briefly before continuing, “All this time, I’ve gone through the scenarios solo, and I intend to keep doing so. But the tenth scenario… that one can’t be challenged alone.”
I couldn’t help but be taken aback. She had been soloing the scenarios this entire time? That was insane. The fifth scenario alone had taken everything I had to survive, and I had support. Though if I had to guess, she probably didn’t light up more than two or three altars, which would’ve made it far easier than my run.
Still, even that was no small feat.
“So you’re saying… You want us to team up for the tenth scenario?”
The tenth scenario, just like the fifth, would almost certainly be a boss battle—probably even grander in scale. And being the tenth meant the difficulty spike would be massive and even deadlier than anything we’d faced so far. It was common for the scenario to have a minimum number of divine warriors to be attempted.
“That’s right,” she said with a calm nod. “I’ve been watching how the balance of power in Fantasia keeps shifting. Divine warriors rise and fall quickly. Most of them don’t last more than a few scenarios. But I think you and your companions will go much farther.”
She looked me dead in the eye, letting her words settle. Now it made sense. The duel hadn’t just been about pride, but it was a test—a way to see if we were worth betting her future on.
Before either of us could say more, the dueling cube shimmered and the mana barrier vanished, signaling the end of our match.
Michelle jogged over, her eyes wide with excitement. “Maxim, that was amazing! I thought she had you for sure, but you pulled it off somehow.”
“Somehow,” I muttered under my breath, still feeling the adrenaline in my veins. My muscles ached, and a dull sting lingered from the cuts I had sustained.
Erika gave one last glance at the dueling cube before stepping past Michelle and me. But as she brushed by me, she leaned just close enough to whisper, “Think about my suggestion when you finish your ninth scenario, and for this offer to apply, you have to do it within two weeks.”
Then, without waiting for a response, she walked off toward the reception desk, leaving me standing there in quiet contemplation.
But still… to join her for the tenth scenario… I had to clear the sixth to the ninth scenarios first and come out stronger than ever. Otherwise, there would be no point in her asking me.
“She’s kinda scary,” Michelle said, watching Erika go. “But strong. Like… scary strong.”
“Yeah, no argument there,” I said, sighing slowly.
As I stepped out of the dueling cube, a soft light enveloped me, and the wounds I had sustained in the match vanished completely—erased as though they had never existed. My body felt refreshed and light, save for a trace of fatigue that still lingered in my limbs.
Funnily enough, Boris and Igor were still at it, their match looking like it could go on forever. The two of them were locked in a brutal, relentless exchange, neither willing to yield, both soaked in sweat and fully absorbed in the fight. At this point, it wasn’t even about winning anymore. It was a test of endurance and pride.
“Well, they’re going to be at it for a while,” I quipped. “No point just standing here.”
“I’ll stay and watch,” Michelle said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “It’s kind of inspiring, you know?”
Hmm? So, Michelle likes wrestling? I wouldn't be surprised if she enjoyed watching matches like WWE back on Earth.
“Speaking of which, before I forget…” I took out the two skill books—Calm Mind and Fast Equip—that I’d purchased from the skill bookstore and handed them to her.
“What’s this? Skill books…?” Michelle’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Are you giving these to me?”
“Mhm. You’re our ranged attacker and a key part of the party. These two skills should really help you in a lot of situations, so go ahead and take them,” I said.
She only hesitated for a moment before firmly taking the two skill books. “Thanks, Maxim! I will surely repay you for this.”
I gave her a nod, then turned and made my way toward the modern-looking gym. The facility had caught my attention earlier, and now seemed like the perfect opportunity to check it out.
Pushing open the double glass doors, I stepped into a training space that felt completely out of place compared to the medieval-fantasy aesthetic outside. It was sleek, clean, and surprisingly modern—almost like a high-end fitness center from Earth, only laced with a magical twist.
Along one wall stood rows of enchanted dumbbells, each inscribed with runes that allowed them to scale in weight. There were even resistance machines that could take strong kinetic force, treadmills that simulated terrain variations, and even a large equipment or a station designed for increasing mana endurance. Common gym equipment was also available here.
It felt almost surreal, like stepping into a top-tier gym on Earth that had been reimagined through the lens of high fantasy. Everything here was built to challenge divine warriors in ways both familiar and fantastical.
I grabbed one of the adjustable dumbbells from the rack and tested its upper weight limit. The moment I set it to the maximum, the dumbbell grew so heavy it nearly yanked me to the floor. My arm trembled under the pressure, but I managed to hold it steady with one hand.
“Ngh… This has to be close to a thousand kilograms,” I muttered in disbelief. If my Strength stat hadn’t broken past the three-hundred mark, there was no way I could’ve lifted this thing without shattering a few bones.
Nevertheless, the dumbbell was about heavy enough for pushing my current limits. Without wasting another second, I pulled out an Elixir of Harmonic Balance, uncorked the bottle, and downed it in one gulp. The subtle warmth of the potion spread through my body as it took effect, ensuring my stat growth would be faster than normal.
Then I got to work. I cycled through a few routines, focusing on control and rhythm, while my thoughts wandered as I trained, planning the days ahead. Erika’s power had shown me how far I still had to go; she hadn’t truly gone all out, after all. I couldn’t rely solely on my tricks and hidden skills forever. I needed real power—something that couldn’t be stripped away or faked.
Your Strength has increased by 2.
Your Stamina has increased by 2.
***
By the time I wrapped up my final set, I caught a glimpse of the setting sun through the window. The golden light slipped beneath the skyline of District D, casting long shadows across the training hall’s polished stone floor. My muscles ached in that satisfying way that came from a good workout, and the lingering effects of the Harmonic Elixir kept my focus sharp and my mind clear.
I breathed slowly and brought up my status screen, curious to see how much progress I’d made so far.
Maximillian Anderson Lv. 1/60 (EXP 946/2,440)
HP: 100%
MP: 398/398
Rank: Gimmel [3]
Patron God: Istellia (Goddess of Imagination)
Class: Paradox Incarnate
Title: One Who Conquered the Impossible (4)
Status: Normal
Strength: 327 + 23 + 33 | Dexterity: 329 + 5 + 33 | Stamina: 273 + 18 + 27
Mind: 184 + 18 | Magic Power: 219 + 22 | Luck: 224 + 22
Plausibility: 440
Free Attributes: 0
Signature Skill(s): [Absorb Plausibility], [Fabled Vessel], [God
!$# Creation], [Grant Plausibility], [Scenario Manipulation]Skill(s): [Basic Alchemy Lv.7], [Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat Lv.7], [Basic Neutral Magic Lv.8], [Basic Shield Mastery Lv.8], [Back Stab Lv.3], [Berserk Lv.2], [Calm Mind], [Chantless Casting Lv.2], [Desperate Willpower Lv.8], [Extraordinary Agility], [Extraordinary Endurance], [Extraordinary Magic Power], [Extraordinary Power], [Fast Equip], [Heavy Slash Lv.6], [Heavy Stab Lv.6], [Inspect Eye Lv.3], [Intermediate Spearmanship Lv.2], [Intermediate Swordsmanship Lv.3], [Inventory], [Mana Manipulation Lv.6], [Mana Sense Lv.7], [Mental Tolerance Lv.5], [Negotiation Lv.5], [Night Vision], [Pain Tolerance Lv.6], [Paralysis Resistance Lv.3], [Poison Resistance Lv.3], [Projectile Defense Lv.3], [Predator’s Step Lv.4], [Weapon Manifestation Lv.1], [Wind Rush Lv.6]
Spell(s): {Mana Arrow}, {Mana Bullet}, {Spinning Mana Arrow}
I wiped the sweat from my brow and made my way toward the front, where Michelle stood just outside the dueling cube, holding two water flasks and waving one in my direction.
“Done with your training arc?” she teased, handing me the flask.
I accepted it with a grateful nod. “Well, for now.”
Inside the cube, Boris and Igor were finally parting ways—both looking like they’d gone ten rounds with a bear. Around them, nearly a dozen divine warriors were sprawled across the floor, gasping for breath. Their clothes were soaked through with sweat, and despite the restorative effect of the mana barrier, you could tell the fight had spiraled into a full-blown free-for-all.
“Gahaha! ’Bout time to wrap it up,” Boris boomed as he stepped out, rolling his shoulder with a grin of pure satisfaction. “That was a damn good fight. Haven’t been tossed around like that in years!”
“So, who won?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” Michelle replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Igor looked pretty impressed… I think it ended in a draw?”
Boris let out a hearty chuckle. “That’s right. Neither of us could overpower the other. Though, I’m pretty sure he was still holding back a bit.”
He stretched his arms and continued, “Anyway, he recommended a place to stay. There’s a decent inn just west of the training hall. Quiet, clean, and—most importantly—serves solid stew and good liquor.”
“That last part’s what really sold you, didn’t it?” I said dryly.
“Da.”
We exited the training center together. By early evening, the streets of District D had quieted somewhat, with the light from the street lanterns beginning to flicker to life along the polished stone walkways. Compared to the rougher edges of District E, everything here felt more organized. There was still a tension in the air, though. With the recent shifts in power, everyone was watching everyone else, waiting to see who would rise next.
Along the way, I noticed clusters of strong-looking divine warriors speaking with smaller groups. They were recruiters, no doubt. These people were quick to form new factions or expand old ones, hoping to claim the space Graham’s downfall had left behind.
After a few minutes of walking, we arrived at the inn Igor had recommended: a tidy, three-story building with pale green stone walls and neatly carved window shutters. A wooden sign swung above the entrance, depicting a frothy mug and a crescent moon.
“The Wandering Mug,” Michelle read aloud.
“Looks cozy,” I said, eyeing the warm light spilling from inside.
Boris wasted no time. He pushed the door open with a grin. “Let’s see if they’ve got decent liquor.”
We stepped inside and were immediately greeted by the warm scent of herbs and simmering broth. The cozy atmosphere washed over us like a welcome blanket.
A moment later, a child’s voice rang out from deeper inside.
“Mom! There are customers!” called a girl who looked to be around ten years old and dressed in a simple waitress uniform, peeking out from behind a curtain.
“Welcome to the Wandering Mug. Are you here for lodging?” came a woman’s voice in response, just before a somewhat pretty, middle-aged woman stepped out from the back room. She looked to be no older than thirty-five, with auburn hair tied into a neat bun and a light apron around her waist.
Her eyes swept over the three of us, then landed on Boris and didn’t budge. A dreamy, almost entranced expression spread across her face. “Oh my, oh my! What a handsome gentleman.”
I was immediately lost for words. Why does this feel so déjà vu…?