Chapter 34 — Like a True Protagonist

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25th floor.

The “Noble Statue,” a notorious novice-killer.

A being with formidable defense and weaknesses to attributes that couldn’t be learned at the start of the game.

It boasted two pairs of wings, and its hard gray eyes seemed to stare into nothingness.

Standing at about 2.5 meters tall, its inorganic texture instilled a subtle dread.

Specializing in wind-type magic, it was the first boss to employ “area-of-effect attacks.”

The sight of party members’ health plummeting simultaneously often brought despair to those facing a boss for the first time.

No wonder experienced players recommended thorough grinding and leveling before attempting this challenge.

‘Nevertheless-.’

Manus glanced at Alano, who stood tensely beside him.

The recommended level for tackling this boss was 15 or higher.

Having raised Alano’s level considerably, coupled with her inherently high attack power, their offensive capability should suffice.

And Manus himself could unleash firepower equivalent to level 20 or beyond.

This formidable boss, now awakened and glaring at them, was so potent that bringing along weaker members would be a liability.

Manus took the initiative.

“Its weakness is light attribute magic. Make sure to learn at least one or two holy spells.”

“Holy magic?”

Holy magic, the attribute opposing dark magic.

She’d heard only a select few priests could master it.

As if reading Alano’s thoughts, Manus spoke while forming a magic circle.

“Mages aren’t bound by attributes. The principles differ, making it challenging to learn, that’s all.”

Alano gazed in awe at the brilliantly shining sphere.

That magic existed in her memories.

A beam of light.

The radiance that had illuminated the night teeming with the undead flashed once again in her mind.

Crack!

Fissures appeared on the statue’s surface.

“Prepare fire magic.”

“Okay.”

Whoosh!

A blazing fireball materialized in Alano’s hands.

She layered the [Altus] spell on top of it.

Boom!

The sound of air being struck reverberated brutally.

Feeling the intense heat, Manus launched another attack.

[Irradiatio]

Two spells combined, unleashing light magic imbued with searing heat.

It manifested as a straight beam, not the whip-like form seen in the game.

In the virtual world, it had a somewhat fixed shape, but such constraints vanished in reality.

[Guoooo-!]

The creature stirred.

Here it comes.

The vicious pattern.

Blue inner light shone from its gray eyes, devoid of pupils.

As if retaliating against those who had damaged its wings and body, its aura turned fierce and eerie.

Manus prepared two spells simultaneously.

‘The strongest defensive magic for the early stages.’

[Guk!]

[Guuuk-!]

Answering the statue’s call, smaller statues emerged from the darkness.

Baby angels with deceptively benign smiles.

They appeared too holy to be called demons, but their innocent facade belied their true nature.

“Now-.”

“Okay-!”

[Ignira]

Though classified as a 2nd-class spell, a fire magic rivaling 3rd-class erupted.

The two small statues vanished in the flames without even a whimper.

Meanwhile, both the main statue and Manus deployed their respective magics.

[Guoooooo-!]

A pattern of summoning small statues to split damage, then immediately firing area magic to prevent defense.

A gale swept through.

It struck faster than Alano could prepare for.

She squeezed her eyes shut and protected her face and vital points with both arms.

Whoosh!

As the gale raged, Manus’s two spells also took on new forms.

[Glacia] — [Aegis]

[Double Spread]

Five dazzlingly bright petals formed a massive wall.

Not mere petals that deflect attacks, but a barrier that completely negated the enemy’s assault.

The pinnacle of defensive magic for the early to mid-game unfolded from Manus’s fingertips.

[Crystal Aegis]

The ice rampart stood firm against the gale.

The greatest advantage of this skill was its ability to apply defensive effects to all allies.

Alano marveled at the ice magic superior to her own.

Huff-.

Ragged breaths filled her lungs.

The act of breathing became a source of recovery, replenishing the massive loss of mana.

Combining 2nd-class spells still proved somewhat strenuous.

“Two more times.”

“Got it.”

Alano gritted her teeth.

She couldn’t wield light attribute magic.

To be precise, she lacked the technique for it.

Curiosity gnawed at her.

What kind of life had Manus led?

What knowledge had he acquired?

‘No, that’s not important right now.’

A technique buried deep in her mind surfaced.

4th class.

It was a magic technique considered the pinnacle of human ability.

This wasn’t the time to wonder if she could master it now.

“Don’t worry.”

You defend, I’ll attack.

Bearing the Harrison name, she couldn’t let the person beside her perish.

Two times.

That must be how many times they could withstand that monstrous attack.

[Interference begins.]

[Hidden Piece Activated: Alano’s Talent]

[Remaining acquisition time for all skills adjusted to 1 day.]

Manus’s eyes gleamed.

His actions and words up to now became a massive storm that swept over Alano.

The stimulus received from a character not present in the original work caused her talent to bloom here and now.

Blood trickled from Alano’s nose.

Her eyes were bloodshot, and her mana surged uncontrollably.

If protagonist Kael was a versatile all-rounder, Alano was a dealer with extreme attack power.

The memories of never missing a boss fight, scenes of unleashing dazzling skills, vividly played in her mind.

“I’ll keep blocking.”

He laid down ice barriers and prepared fire magic.

Beyond double casting, he entered an extreme realm.

Manus’s mana also depleted rapidly.

[High Restio]

Huff-.

He replenished his lacking mana through controlled breathing.

Thump thump!

The barrier was erected, and he wove another technique.

His head throbbed.

He could acutely feel, not through text but with his body, the phenomenon that occurs when mana is insufficient.

Even so-.

‘I am a Caesar, after all-.’

[Guooooo-!]

The statue howled.

Manus’s magic circle shone brilliantly.

Above Alano’s head, a dazzling magic circle of light materialized.

The pattern that activates when health drops below a certain threshold emerged unfiltered.

Baby statues and gale.

As soon as the baby statues sprang from the dark space, Manus hurled a spear of flame.

“It’s ready-!”

The gale struck the ice wall.

Manus deliberately scattered mana, shattering the ice wall that heavily obstructed their vision.

Simultaneously, he turned to Alano.

Her talent was truly terrifying.

Now he understood why users were so enthusiastic about her, why she remained the top choice even in the late game.

“Show me, Alano.”

“Go!”

Her specialty, ice magic.

A 4th-class spell unleashing absolute power was fired.

Pouring all her mana into it, its potency was extraordinary from the start.

The surroundings froze, and chilly breath escaped their lips.

[Tpanta-Hiemo] — [Altus]

She packed mana into countless line segments, completing the 4th-class spell and amplifying its power.

Manus lowered his body, bracing for the incoming storm.

A beam of frigid energy struck the statue.

[Guooooook-!]

The statue froze instantly.

Not stopping there, newly formed ice spikes shattered everything.

It was like a scene of ice raining down from the heavens.

The Noble Statue boss was finely shattered, reduced to mere powder.

Truly terrifying power.

The entire room was enveloped in a bone-chilling cold.

“Huff-. Huff-. I can… protect now too.”

“You did well.”

Alano, who had collapsed from exhaustion, flopped onto her back.

A weak but satisfied smile graced her features.

Having defeated the boss, it was time to collect the spoils.

Manus picked up two large magic stone crystals.

He also obtained a useful artifact.

[Magic Stone Crystal L]

[Tear of the Statue]

The ‘Magic Stone Crystal L’ could increase magical power enough to use 3rd-class magic three more times, and the ‘Tear of the Statue’ was a necessary quest item.

Clink-.

The Orca’s Necklace reacted.

‘With this, that’s Magician, Demon, Temperance, Chariot, and Emperor.’

Five arcana gathered out of thirteen already.

Souls were accumulating at an impressive pace.

Manus retrieved the necklace and turned to approach Alano, who lay sprawled out.

Her body twitched slightly.

“My body… feels a bit strange.”

“I told you not to overdo it, didn’t I?”

Manus let out a deep sigh.

The intention to protect was admirable, but she had pushed too hard.

Casting such advanced magic for the first time, coupled with the desperate desire to protect someone, led to this result.

Left untreated, she would suffer permanent mana loss.

Mana loss, meaning the vessel shrinks due to overexertion of magical energy.

As a game penalty, it had the effect of actually reducing maximum mana capacity.

“Absorb this. I’ll help you.”

Manus placed the magic stone crystal on her heart and manipulated what little mana he had left.

The reward from the interference was sufficient.

She needed to become stronger for him to grow stronger too.

‘All remaining skill acquisition times reduced to one day, huh-.’

Insane.

This was an insane reward.

His magic would evolve to the next level from now on.

It was an absurdly high price to pay for just one magic stone.

“Phew-.”

“It’s done.”

Not only did her slight trembling cease, but her mana visibly amplified.

Alano smiled faintly and expressed her gratitude to Manus.

“Thank you, I survived thanks to you.”

“You need to lead others. You can’t die here.”

“You’re still the same.”

Soon after, Manus also absorbed a magic stone crystal.

The effect was undeniably substantial.

Far more potent than absorbing several small magic stones.

In any case, today’s goal was accomplished.

They obtained ample rewards, and he had molded Alano into an excellent support.

On that cruel night to come, she would shine even more brilliantly.

“Let’s head back.”

“Yeah. I’m exhausted.”

Alano stood up unsteadily and stretched hard.

A dazed but refreshed feeling washed over her.

A sense of accomplishment from achieving something significant flooded in.

Studying is valuable, acquiring knowledge is important.

But is there anything more satisfying than applying one’s knowledge and experience in real situations?

The transfer device tucked away in a corner activated.

— I wonder what principle that works on?

“I’d love to take one apart and research it someday.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

It’s a device that remained intact even after battles with 7th and 8th-class magic.

It had to be that way. Otherwise, it would spell real disaster.

A chuckle escaped Manus’s lips.

This kind of quirkiness was also charming.

It felt as if the distance between them had suddenly shortened.

Alano seemed to feel the same, as her steps became bouncy and her face bloomed with smiles.

“It’s nice to see your old self back.”

“I don’t remember much, but-.”

“You were a very kind and bright child. Someone who suited Harrison more than Caesar-.”

Alano wondered what had transpired over the past year.

No, she was curious about those times when she was apart from him.

“Now I’ve become a Caesar.”

“Someday, tell me why. I really want to know.”

Manus nodded.

He was curious too.

If time allowed, he wanted to sort out family relationships for certain.

–TL Notes–
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