novelraw Chapter 88 : Head-On Clash
Chapter 88 : Head-On Clash
Boom—!
With a deafening crash, a figure was blasted back like a fired cannonball. The sheer impact snapped three of the colossal pillars that supported the vaulted ceiling of the palace, embedding the figure into a fourth pillar with explosive force.
The sheer power defied description.
But the one sent flying was not the dark undead that had sat upon the throne—it was Rozelite.
“Cough, cough—!”
She hacked violently, lowering her gaze to her abdomen.
Her gleaming, silver-tight battle armor now bore a perfectly clear fist imprint.
From that imprint, cracks radiated outward like spiderwebs. The terrifying force had pierced the armor, transmitting into her body, stabbing pain through her organs.
“Mr. Slime?”
Rozelite asked in a low voice.
“I’m fine. What about you?”
“I can still fight.”
“Then brace yourself. This will be a tough one.”
The exchange lasted less than a breath.
Tentacles braced against the pillar, prying her body free.
She leapt lightly, wings unfurling at her back. Wind currents surged, lifting her high into the air. From above, she glared down at the black figure by the throne.
The figure still held his punching stance. Faint white mist rose from his fist, friction-burn from the sheer speed of the strike.
Noticing Rozelite standing again, he slowly lowered his hand.
A faint glow shimmered at his sides.
In his hands materialized a black longsword and shield. Lowering his stance, he took on a battle-ready posture—perfectly disciplined, honed.
“This time, he’s serious.”
Russell’s voice echoed in Rozelite’s mind.
Of all the enemies they had faced, none compared to this. Level 85. Nearly six-digit health and mana. A terrifying arsenal of skills that read like a nightmare.
To be honest, Russell wasn’t confident.
But—
“Mr. Slime... are we going to lose?”
Rozelite whispered.
Russell chuckled softly, then answered without hesitation:
“No. We’ll win.”
【Shapeshift lv7】
【Bind lv4】
【Mimicry lv5】
【Metallization lv9】
【Hardening lv4】
【Mana Enhancement lv6】
【Subspace Erosion lv1】
The battle armor squirmed, reforming. The cracks sealed, the surface whole and gleaming once more. Across it spread faint violet sigils, mirroring those carved into the black figure’s body—though paler, weaker.
Her wings folded as Rozelite landed.
Both hands gripped the starry-silver sword. Eight metal-coated tentacles, etched with violet sigils, spread from her back, pointing toward the black figure.
“Let’s go!”
“Right!”
BOOM!
Rozelite charged, striking first.
The floor cracked beneath her explosive step. Her slender frame shot forth like a cannon shell—no hesitation, no probing, just a straight all-out strike.
【Quick Movement lv6】
【Godspeed Sword lv3】
The starry-silver sword blazed, a silver arc flashing faster than eyes could follow, cleaving for the black figure’s neck.
“Heart-Sync Slash!”
But—
The strike was dodged.
At the very instant her blade neared his throat, the figure leaned aside. His shield rose.
CLANG—!
Sparks burst as the massive shield—over a meter tall—was sheared in half. The force tore it from his grip entirely. It only delayed by less than a hundredth of a second, but that was enough to survive the killing blow.
The sword’s edge scraped past his helmet.
He vaulted, twisting midair. His longsword swept toward Rozelite’s waist. With her strike committed, she couldn’t evade.
At the last moment, tentacles writhed, binding together at her waist to form a shield.
BOOM!
Another thunderous impact.
The blow hurled Rozelite back. A deep scar marred the tentacle shield, several tendrils severed outright.
They squirmed, reshaping, patching the gap, but before the repair was complete, the black figure pressed forward.
Despite the heavy armor, his speed exceeded Rozelite’s. His black blade swept in relentless arcs, faster, heavier, fiercer.
Each strike tore the air with shrieking force.
Sword winds lifted dust and rubble into swirling vortices across the cavernous hall.
Rozelite fell back under the storm. Tentacles intercepted blow after blow, sparks shrieking, metal clashing against metal. The coatings cracked, reformed, the violet lines flickering.
This was unlike fighting monsters. Unlike fighting humans.
This was like facing a black tsunami—each wave stronger than the last, each strike heavier than before!
But it wasn’t one-sided.
Her eight tentacles lashed like spears, stabbing from every angle.
The figure’s longsword spun, intercepting each thrust with dazzling speed. His swordsmanship was viciously sharp, overwhelming, like a storm of blades.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG—!
The sound of steel clashing filled the air without pause.
But two hands couldn’t match ten.
From the very start, he wasn’t fighting just Rozelite.
Russell’s control pushed the tentacles to their utmost speed. Under the combined assault of two wills in one body, the black figure finally faltered.
Rozelite’s eyes sharpened.
【Godspeed Sword lv3】
Her sword swept sideways.
The figure’s head flew skyward.
A clean decapitation!
But before she could breathe relief, the headless body lifted an arm.
It caught its own severed head in midair—and pressed it back onto its neck stump.
Russell’s eyes widened.
“The hell—!? That’s even allowed?!”
And then, the figure’s speed exploded.
The violet sigils burned brighter, like flames crawling across his body, exuding an alien power. His movements surged, a whole level faster, his blade whipping in invisible arcs.
SHRRK—!
Rozelite leapt back, but her body felt suddenly light.
She glanced down.
Her entire left arm—armor and all—had been severed at the shoulder, tumbling through the air, blood spraying in an arc.
But in the next instant, light-blue tentacles erupted from her shoulder.
They caught the falling limb midair, pressed it back into place, stitching flesh and armor together like a toy piece.
Russell growled.
“The hell—! As if we can’t do the same damn thing!”