Benedict: “Die!”

 

As Benedict raised his hand, five fireballs, even larger than before, were shot out.

Is this the limit of his output?

 

Aya: “I will handle this.”

Arata: “Aya-san?”

 

I was stopped by Aya-san when I tried to defend.

With a fearless smile, she raised one hand.

 

Aya: “O flame, become a piercing arrow and pierce through my foes―― 『Fire Arrow』”

 

The fire attribute magic 『Fire Arrow』.

This magic, which can be acquired at skill level 5, originally requires a casting time of ten seconds.

The 【Chant Reduction】 skill, perhaps?

It is a special skill that isn’t unlocked unless you raise four types of magic skills to level 5 or above.

Three arrows made of flames penetrated the giant fireballs.

Though outnumbered, the 『Fire Arrow』 caused the remaining two fireballs to be neutralized due to secondary explosions.

As expected from someone called a “Hunter”.

Benedict rushed through the flames created by the exploding fireballs.

Normally, he would have taken slip damage from the flames, but it seems to be negated by the effects of his accessories.

Is he capable of defending against not only physical but also magical damage?

I cautiously handle the continuous attacks from the battle axe.

Every single strike is a potentially fatal attack.

Even a graze could significantly reduce HP.

But-these attacks are not undefendable.

I can’t feel the “weight” that is created from Vergil-san’s 【Iaijutsu】, a culmination of skilled techniques and blood-curdling training, in Benedict’s attacks.

He’s just recklessly launching attacks.

In collaboration with Aya-san, we begin to corner Benedict.

 

Aya: “――”

Benedict: “Tsk”

Arata: “『Fire Shot』”

Benedict: “Damn, you bastard‼”

 

I unleash magic the moment Benedict’s accessory repels Aya-san’s attack.

Instead of nullifying it, Benedict cancels it with the back of his hand.

A light burn mark appears on Benedict’s hand.

However, the mark disappears the next moment, and the burned skin regenerates.

From the battle so far, the special effects of the accessories Benedict possesses are at least six in number.

 

【Appraisal】, 【Attack Sensing】, 【Physical Attack Defense】, 【Magical Attack Defense】, 【Magical Attack】, 【Recovery】.

 

Among these, the defense effects against physical and magical attacks are troublesome.

It is unclear if there is a limit to what can be nullified, but at least it can prevent attacks of a deterrent level.

However, the defensive effect is not all-powerful.

Firstly, the attack that can be nullified in one defense is either physical or magical, not both.

This is certain from the recent offense and defense, where he did not nullify my 『Fire Shot』.

And probably, he can only defend against one type of attack.

During defense, Benedict does not use the defensive effect against both me and Aya-san, only one of us.

Lastly, Benedict cannot defend while attacking.

If he could auto-guard during an attack, he should just attack without guarding.

It seems Aya-san has also realized this and is coordinating her attacks with mine.

No matter how capable Benedict is of handling attacks from behind, the odds are against him in a two-on-one situation.

The number of hits he takes increases, and he gradually becomes defensive.

Is it almost time?

 

Benedict: “Get blown away‼”

 

Now that he’s at a disadvantage, using a new accessory effect to break through the situation would be most effective.

A shockwave emanates from Benedict’s center.

Aya-san avoids it at the last moment, but I deliberately guard against this attack and get blown away.

Seeing this as an opportunity, Benedict raises his battle axe high above his head.

 

— Ability 『Battering Ram』

 

A technique that can be learned at level 8 of 【Hammer Technique】, boasting high penetration and destructive power, this technique could potentially crush an enemy with heavy armor in one blow if taken directly.

This is what I was waiting for.

An attack that can nullify the accessory’s defense and incapacitate Benedict.

There are several methods I can think of, but the easiest is a counterattack.

As Benedict’s swinging battle axe comes crashing down――

 

Arata: “――”

Benedict: “…Huh?”

 

Benedict’s arms flew through the air.

 

— Ability 『Void』

 

An ability exclusive to the 【Iaijutsu】 skill, it neutralizes all kinds of attacks from the opponent while delivering a powerful counterattack.

『Void』 is a skill of 【Iaijutsu】 I acquired during the duel with Vergil-san, but its abilities were not fully utilized at that time.

As the name “Iai” suggests, the true value of the 【Iaijutsu】 skill can be demonstrated when using a weapon with a sheath.

*Iaijutsu is based on the motion of attacking with a katana beginning from a sheathed stated.

Unfortunately, the  『Sharp Sword【Kurikara】』 I am currently using mainly does not have a sheath.

Therefore, most of the benefits of 【Iaijutsu】 cannot be obtained, and the ability is unusable.

However, 『Void』 is an ability that does not require a sheath, so it can be used even with equipment without a sheath.

Even just this ability makes acquiring the 【Iaijutsu】 skill greatly beneficial.

Accompanying 『Void』, the slash released by Aya-san severed the tendons in both of Benedict’s legs.

 

Arata: “There are a few things I want to ask. First… where did you get that weapon?”

 

I pointed the Kurikara at Benedict, who had crumbled to his knees.

 

Benedict: “…What, if I answer that, you’ll let me live?”

Arata: “That won’t happen. It’s already set in stone that we will annihilate 『Fenrir』.”

Aya: “Well, in your case, I think you can live as long as you have utility value. However, there are also great benefits to be gained from killing you.”

 

It was an impromptu interrogation, but Aya-san played along.

For now, Benedict does not show signs of recovering his arms and legs.

Ignoring the legs, the damage to the arms is significant, so recovery seems impossible.

Initially, one of the bracelets or rings equipped on the severed arm might have had a recovery effect, and he might not be able to activate it.

However, since he might be hiding some other item, I do not take my eyes off Benedict.

 

Arata: “You have two choices. Die here or spill the information and then die. Choose whichever you prefer.”

Benedict: “…I too thought that guy was an unpleasant bastard. Fine, I’ll tell you. About the guy who handed that axe to me.”

 

Is it better than dying now, or is he looking for an opportunity to escape?

The reason is unclear, but Benedict begins to speak.

 

Benedict: “I… no, the person who is cooperating with us (Fenrir) is――”