kscans

Chapter 216 - The Republic's Battle.

The Republic.

A three-way battlefield. …The human army of adventurers and knights versus a horde of countless monsters. Each side was fighting for their lives. Among them, the duel between the Guild Master and Captain Bradamante against two Muay Thai Kongs stood out.

The two strongest fighters in the Republic versus two high-level monsters. …The outcome was anyone’s guess.

…The Guild Master, realizing his skills were ineffective, unleashed a series of rapid thrusts with his partisan. They weren’t fast, but they had plenty of power. The Muay Thai Kong parried them with its two hands. Deflecting thrust attacks with open palms… …its finesse was unbecoming of a monster.

…After dozens of attacks, the partisan’s trajectory was thrown off. Sensing an opportunity, the Muay Thai Kong went on the offensive. It brought down its upper two arms.

A double sledgehammer fist attack. …Knowing the Guild Master’s defensive capabilities, this time it was a full-power blow.

The Guild Master instinctively jumped back. The two fists missed, crashing into the ground and creating a small fissure.

The Guild Master said, "...So you know about my guard. …Then how about this!"

The Guild Master’s muscles bulged.

His body, swollen to the same degree as when using `Muscle Guard`, was now a match for the Muay Thai Kong. The Guild Master once again thrust his partisan. This time, it was faster and sharper than before.

…The Muay Thai Kong couldn’t react in time, and the partisan struck it in the stomach, sending it flying backward. A small amount of blood trickled from the wound.

The Guild Master grinned. "...Impressive. To tense your stomach and jump back at the last second. …It’s been a while since I’ve felt this."

…Normally, one would feel fear or caution towards an opponent, but he was smiling.

An experienced adventurer who saw this murmured, "...It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the ‘Wild Bull’ fight."

He said nostalgically.

…The Guild Master’s nickname didn’t just come from his skills. In his youth, he was a battle junkie like Bardos, rumored to love fighting more than a hot meal.

Since becoming Guild Master, he had suppressed that personality, killing his own desires for the sake of the guild and the country.

…In a way, this battle was just that, and there was no need to hold back.

The Guild Master roared, "...LET’S GOOOO!!!"

He charged.

…His partisan’s onslaught was fierce, like a rampaging bull. The Muay Thai Kong, not to be outdone, let out a roar and cloaked its four arms in lightning to intercept.

The fierce battle between the two began.

…The partisan created several small holes in the Muay Thai Kong, inflicting pain, while the lightning fists grazed the Guild Master’s body, causing only minor scratches. But the electric shocks sent a dull pain through his body.

Both were focused solely on attacking, not even bothering to dodge or defend.

…Desperate Tactics. …The aura of two fighters who had no regard for their own lives spread out around them. The adventurers and monsters who were about to join the fray were overwhelmed by the murderous atmosphere and couldn’t get close. If they got too close, they would be caught in the crossfire and die. So, they decided not to interfere. They would focus on the enemies in front of them.

…As if the two armies had reached a consensus, the battle resumed.

At the end of a fierce exchange, the Guild Master and the Muay Thai Kong both fell back.

…The Guild Master had scorch marks and scrapes here and there. The Muay Thai Kong likewise had holes in its body, and was bleeding. Both were out of breath. But their faces were beaming with smiles.

Not just the Guild Master, but the Muay Thai Kong was also enjoying this fight.

Sensing they felt the same way, the Guild Master said, "...Hey, this is just going to get tiring if we keep at it. …How about we settle this with one shot? …Let’s end it with our best moves."

He poured his magic into his partisan.

…As if in response, the lightning on the Muay Thai Kong’s four arms grew even more intense. It seemed to have understood his intention.

The Guild Master said, "...That’s more like it. …Here I come. I’m betting my life on this one blow!!"

An invisible film covered his partisan.

He activated his skill, "...Skill: ‘Vibration’!!" and charged.

…Normally, this skill was a long-range attack. But the Guild Master deliberately chose not to release it, instead charging in. …A charge for a guaranteed kill. A point-blank attack.

The Muay Thai Kong pulled back its four arms and took a low stance. A posture to meet the charging human head-on.

…The Muay Thai Kong was also betting everything on this one blow. Or rather, four blows. …The Guild Master was closing in. He was close, just a few steps away.

And then.

"ORRRRYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

"VUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

Both let out a battle cry and clashed.

…The vibrating partisan was met by four lightning strikes. The stalemate was more intense than ever, emitting a shockwave so powerful that no third party could get near.

Naturally, the two of them, being so close, were taking the full brunt of it. …The air swirled violently. But it didn't last long.

The Muay Thai Kong moved slightly. It had realized that its strength was superior to the human’s. …Convinced of its victory, it smiled.

But the Guild Master shouted, "...Muscle Charge!!"

His leg muscles swelled, and he pushed forward.

…The force was like a sudden explosion, and he pushed forward all at once. And then, the Muay Thai Kong’s attack was deflected.

An opening in its defense. …The Guild Master, carried by his momentum, charged forward. …He struck the Muay Thai Kong’s stomach and released his skill.

The released vibration blew a large hole through the Muay Thai Kong’s stomach, piercing it.

With a large hole in its body, the Muay Thai Kong fell backward.

Meanwhile, Bradamante.

The battle between Captain Bradamante and the Muay Thai Kong looked like a dance.

…She gracefully dodged the Muay Thai Kong’s continuous attacks and, in an opening, thrust her trident at its side. But the blade didn't penetrate; it was unharmed. The Muay Thai Kong, unconcerned, threw a backhand fist. She dodged it by a hair’s breadth.

Bradamante thought, "...As I thought, my strength isn’t enough to wound it. …In that case."

She cloaked her spear in water.

…It didn’t swirl, but changed into the shape of a spear made of water. The tip was now thinner and sharper than before. A modification designed to enhance its thrusting, rather than slashing, power.

The Muay Thai Kong, seeing this, became wary and took some distance.

…The two stared each other down. The first to make a move was Bradamante. …She charged forward with incredible speed.

The Muay Thai Kong, feeling her actions were reckless, intercepted with a right-hand chop. But Bradamante vanished in an instant, and it hit empty air. Before the surprised Muay Thai Kong stood Bradamante.

…Bradamante had stopped her feet just before the attack came, dodging it by a hair’s breadth. And then, she thrust her spear into its defenseless stomach. …This time, it pierced through. From the feel of it, it wasn't shallow, and a small amount of blood flowed.

However, the Muay Thai Kong immediately attacked with its left fist. Bradamante quickly fell back. But she was a moment too late, and it grazed her left shoulder.

Bradamante stopped moving and clutched her left shoulder. The bone wasn't broken, but she felt a dull pain.

Just grazing it was this bad. …A direct hit would be instant death.

Bradamante said, "...It hurts a little, but I’m still okay. …Now that I know this attack works, I have to end this quickly."

She steeled her resolve.

…The Muay Thai Kong wasn't very intelligent, but its senses were sharp. Now that it understood her attack was effective, it would be on its guard. She had to finish it before it could adapt.

…Bradamante charged again. This time, she moved left and right, a confusing movement. The Muay Thai Kong was momentarily stunned, but it quickly recovered and calmly watched her movements.

Since it understood that long-range attacks were ineffective, close combat was the only option. And it was meaningless unless she was within weapon’s reach. Without panicking, it waited.

The Muay Thai Kong understood that she had a move where she stopped in an instant. So, it planned to attack in the same way, and when it felt her movement stop, it would close the distance and deliver a two-hit combo.

Having decided on this, it began its preparations. …It cloaked its four arms in lightning and prepared to intercept.

She understood the risk, but to defeat it, not attacking was not an option. The Muay Thai Kong took a perfect stance.

Just as she was about to reach striking distance, Bradamante shouted, "...Now!! Swirl Lance!!"

A vortex of water shot out from her spear.

…The water gushing from the spear shot straight towards the Muay Thai Kong. Surprised by the sudden water attack, the Muay Thai Kong couldn’t dodge and was hit directly.

The moment it was drenched, the concentrated lightning it was holding spread and diffused through the water.

…The Muay Thai Kong had a resistance to lightning, so it wasn't electrocuted, but the shock was another matter.

The lightning flowed not only through its entire body but also through the water-soaked ground, and it lost its strength.

When it subsided, Bradamante took the opportunity.

"...The finisher!!!"

She thrust her magic-infused spear.

…She put strength into her legs and charged with great force. The Muay Thai Kong, too stunned to react, stood there in a daze. The spear struck its stomach. It plunged in deeper than before.

However, it didn't pierce through. …The Muay Thai Kong endured the intense pain, raised its upper right fist, and was about to bring it down.

Bradamante, without panicking, shouted, "...Aqua Thrust Stream!!"

From the spear that had entered its body, water shot out.

It pierced through the Muay Thai Kong’s body, leaving a large hole. …The Muay Thai Kong’s fist stopped in mid-air, and it fell backward.

…The two Muay Thai Kongs were defeated.

An adventurer who saw this shouted, "...We did it! We won!! The two of them defeated them!!!"

He declared victory.

…The adventurers who heard him roared in unison. The cry echoed to the other battlefields. Those who sensed an opportunity pressed their attack.

All that was left were the small fry. The Guild Master and Bradamante were completely exhausted.

Bradamante said, "...As expected of the Guild Master. …You’re still in your prime."

She praised him as she approached.

The Guild Master replied, "...Not at all. …But I wouldn’t let your guard down just yet."

He took a deep breath and his face became serious.

…Bradamante felt the same way. Because even though they had defeated two high-level monsters, there was no disorder in the monsters’ movements.

Just as they had a bad feeling, an adventurer shouted, "...There’s nothing to be afraid of now!! No matter how many high-level monsters come, they’re no match for us!!"

He said irresponsibly.

…Of course, he wasn’t serious. It was just a statement made in the excitement of victory.

Little did he know that sometimes, such words become reality.

A roar rose from the forest.

Not only the human army, but the monsters also stopped moving. Everyone looked towards the forest and saw… …ten Muay Thai Kongs. And they were leading dozens of Hobgoblins.

The human army stood there, stunned, as if looking at something impossible.

Bradamante shouted, "...!! What are you doing!! Have you forgotten our mission!!"

She raised her voice.

The Guild Master roared, "...You should have expected something like this!! Get a grip!!"

He tried to rally them.

…The human army seemed to have regained their senses. They resumed their attack on the motionless monsters. The monsters, sensing the killing intent, also resumed their interception.

Confirming that things were back to normal, the Guild Master said, "...Phew. It seems we’ve avoided a total wipeout. …But this might be the end."

His face looked somewhat resigned.

Bradamante said, "...I feel the same way. But I am a knight. …I will fight for my country, for King Lustolfo, until the very end."

She readied her trident.

The Guild Master said, "...You’re right. Either way, this is the final showdown. We won’t be making it back alive, but let’s show them the spirit of humanity. …You lot!!! The Captain and I are charging them!! Only those who are ready to die, follow me!!!"

He raised his partisan and charged.

A group of adventurers also raised their weapons and followed the Guild Master.

Just as Bradamante was about to go, a voice came from behind.

"...Captain!! We will lend our meager assistance!!"

There were several knights.

It seemed they had run from the other battlefield.

Bradamante said, "...Very well. …I will answer your resolve!!"

She raised her trident and charged with her knights.

The Muay Thai Kongs readied themselves to meet the charging humans.