Kai: “I see, so you’re the advanced job of the Assassin.”

I scrutinize the status.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

Name: Shadow Assassin

Magic Power: 100,000

Skills: Silence, Stealth

Attack Power: Reflection Rate ▶ 50％=50,000

Defense Power: Reflection Rate ▶ 25％=25,000

Agility: Reflection Rate ▶ 50％=50,000

Intelligence: Reflection Rate ▶ 25％=25,000

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

Kai: “Magic Power 100,000… just about S-Rank, huh. And Shadow Assassin… your skill is stealth?”

I check out the details of this new skill.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

Attribute: Skill

Name: Stealth

Acquisition Difficulty: –

Effect: Makes it harder for oneself to be recognized the higher one’s Intelligence is compared to the target’s.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

 

Kai: “I see… truly an advanced skill for an Assassin…”

The Shadow Assassin I’d stopped with a single blow fades from my sight, wavering. Isn’t that a bit unfair? It’s similar to my Mirage.

But activating The Eye of God lets me clearly see magic power, so honestly, it doesn’t have much effect on me.

I then check the status of the two behind me. The Wizard has the same skills as Tanaka-san – Fireball and Firewall. The difference between the two is probably the speed; Fireball is powerful, but it has a long casting time, about 5 seconds.

But Firewall can be activated instantly, just like when Tanaka-san helped me out. I don’t know how long it lasts, but it creates a wall of flames that obstructs vision and can be used in various ways.

Kai: “It’s troublesome… but the most problematic one is… you.”

The other one, the advanced job of shield-user, a Paladin. The same job as Tsubaki-san from the association who gave me a hard time during the last promotion exam.

The Paladin has a skill called 『Guardian Barrier』.

And its ability is…

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

Attribute: Skill

Name: Guardian Barrier

Acquisition Difficulty: –

Effect: After choosing one person as a target, all the damage the target receives is shouldered by oneself. The defense power increases by the amount of intelligence during this time.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

 

Kai: “It’s really troublesome… can’t I just ignore it…”

The Guardian Barrier truly lives up to its name, being the best skill when it comes to protecting someone. But it’s impressive to know the effect of a skill; knowing that alone lets me consider how to fight. Knowing the abilities is the greatest advantage in a battle involving skill abilities.

Then, the Shadow Assassin stands next to the Paladin and Wizard, and the advanced jobs of the party I once defeated look at me.

I face them, holding my sword of saliva, or rather, the White Sword of the Dragon King. The most beautiful sword imbued with the power of a white dragon. It’s the best sword to protect me, being filled with Aya’s love.

I let my eyes shine gold and take a combat stance. There’s no room for complacency.

I’ve climbed this far, step by step. Fighting for my life to become a real warrior.

Kai: “Hah… You’re probably not the last of it… so I’d appreciate it if I could win without a scratch!!”

I activate Mirage. I hide myself and dash in front of the Wizard. With mirage hiding my figure, it was supposed to be a certain strike.

But it’s blocked.

To be exact, the strike goes to the high-defense Paladin. A shining white aura-like thing envelops the Wizard.

Kai: “So this is the Guardian Barrier… Damn it! So annoying!!”

The Paladin shoulders my strike and staggers, but it doesn’t seem to be a fatal wound. Naturally, with Intelligence ∔ Defense, it’s not easy to overcome the defense-specialized Paladin.

The Fireball, which was cast immediately after, is released so I keep my distance for a moment. The blast of heat creates a space where no living thing can exist, incomparable to the Fireball of old.

But I, too, am clearly different from before.

I dodge it without damage or danger to myself. However, if I had taken a direct hit, I wouldn’t escape with just serious burns. This is an S-Rank Fireball, huh.

I activate Mirage again, intending to blend into the darkness.

But right after, a voice like a roar echoes through the room.

Paladin: “Wooo!!”

It was provocation.

I’m forcibly made aware, and Mirage is momentarily disabled. Provocation’s strength is its wide-ranging debuff effect.

Not missing this opportunity, the wall of flames from the Wizard approaches me.

Kai: “Such a pain!! Then I’ll start with you!!”

The shadow of the flames is approaching me, but its speed isn’t that high, so I easily dodge it. Instead, my vision is obstructed and only the Paladin stands in front of me.

Well, this still works out for me.

If I kill this troublesome vanguard first, it’s all good.

I charge straight towards the Paladin.

 

But I just grin.

…Because that was all a bluff.

Kai: “…As if it would be that easy!!”

Pretending to attack the Paladin, I activate the Eye of God and turn around. Because I can see the magic power that was intended to be hidden by Stealth overflowing from behind the wall of flames.

The purpose of this wall of flames was probably just a diversion. The wall of flames, which was made to seem like an attack and lead me on, began to waver and open.

From within the flames appears the Assassin, who had activated Stealth. He grins and tries to land a strike from behind me.

That’s why I pretended not to notice.

Kai: “Both this eye and you…”

As I turn around, I narrowly avoid the Shadow Assassin’s strike, so close that the edge of the blade grazes my skin. The Assassin, not thinking he was noticed, loses his balance.

“We’re the worst match, aren’t we… Assassin!!”

I grip my sword and strike straight down with all my might.

The stone ground exploded like water from the shock, and Assassin was skewered into the ground in a ‘く’ shape from his back.

The Assassin died just like that.

Kai: “……It’s just you two left……”

I pointed my shining Dragon King’s sword at the Paladin. My eyes did not reflect any fear or negligence. The Paladin and Wizard, who had lost the Assassin, were not likely to be a match for me.

I headed straight for the Paladin. The Paladin, protected by a defensive barrier, had a guard that weakened damaged taken and high inherent defense. However, it was not enough to neutralize my current attack.

The Wizard behind me, throwing magic, is practically ineffective if the Paladin fights obliquely.

The collaboration that was made possible by the three bodies is now impossible with just two. I clash with the Paladin. The first stroke, I knocked the Paladin’s sword upwards. The second stroke, I cut off the hand holding the Paladin’s shield. The third stroke, I thrust my sword into the Paladin’s neck, killing him.

I looked at the fallen Paladin, and with only my head, I looked at the Wizard.

Kai: “It’s just you now……Would you like to surrender?”

At my words, the Wizard, who didn’t react at all, released his magic with all his might. But there’s no way a magician can beat a knight alone. I dodged all the fireballs and firewalls and cut the frantic wizard down with a single stroke.

Kai: “……Phew. Somehow, it went as planned. The power of these eyes, huh. Honestly, if it weren’t for these eyes, could anyone of S-Rank beat these guys alone? ……If it’s Tendou-san, he probably could……seems like he would beat them up easily.”

I let out a slightly dry laugh. That strongest samurai is probably better at fighting than me and has higher magical power than me.

Information is life, but even so, surely it would guide me to the optimal solution. Yet, status, skills, and the movement of magical power. These eyes that can see everything were more cheat-like than I imagined.

Speaking of cheats in me, I thought these eyes were quite plain for being named after a god, something like, the opponent dies if you tell them to die, or infinite leveling up.

Kai: “Well……I guess that’s probably the end of the upper ranks. Now it’s time for the one they call the Awakening to appear……”

I sat down on the spot, taking a break while staring at the pitch-black door. The reason I didn’t struggle much against the upper ranks is undoubtedly because I’ve ascended to a higher level as a warrior and a knight.

Just then, the sound spoke to me.

Unknown Voice: 『……Skipping Advanced Knight……Summoning Awakening Knight……Attribute……Light……Confirmed. Awakening……Thunder』

I got up from my rest.

Somehow. Somehow, I thought the next one to appear would be an enemy of a different job than before. I remember the battle with the novice knight, I struggled to death at that time.

And now the advanced knight is being skipped, and the awakened knight is appearing. An enemy called the Awakening Knight should have extraordinary powers like Reina and Aya.

Surely, more than any enemy I’ve fought until now.

Kai: “……Are you the final enemy? I can feel it so much it hurts……”

It’s strong.

From the pitch-black door, only a foot, steps into the room.

I felt an intense magical power emanating from the enemy. My entire body felt numb, my tension escalated in an instant, and my body grew cold. I felt a clear readiness and murderous intent as if I had been suddenly plunged into ice water or struck by lightning.

The enemy slowly took another step into this room.

And then the full figure became visible.

Brilliant armor decorated in white and yellow. An unmistakable knightly figure.

And the knight whose eyes met mine pointed his sword at me and inside the room.

Kai: “!?”

Thunder roared.