“What incredible defense!”
So this was a top-tier Tier 4 Heavy Warrior.
Murphy moved. He wasn't particularly fast, but he charged straight toward Li Xiuman.
“Tier 2, Ground Spike!”
Li Xiuman raised his hand, expanding a yellow magic circle as ground spikes erupted from the earth in front of him.
But Murphy didn't bat an eye.
Bracing his shield with both hands, he forcefully shattered each ground spike thrusting toward him.
“Pardon me!”
Having shattered the row of ground spikes, he threw a heavy punch toward Li Xiuman.
Li Xiuman drew Crystal Orchid and slashed at the incoming fist.
The blade collided with the fist, leaving a coat of frost and a white streak across Murphy's knuckles.
Seeing this, Murphy pulled back his fist, switched feet, and launched a knee strike straight into Li Xiuman's chest.
Caught off guard, Li Xiuman took a heavy hit and slid backward across the ground.
“Shadow Melding!”
Watching the next assault descend, Li Xiuman rapidly activated the Deep Black Cloak, dodging the strike and putting distance between them.
Number Zero slashed at Murphy from behind with the Holy Sword, intercepting his pursuit and giving Li Xiuman a moment to catch his breath.
'Brother Octopus is too weak on land. I need to find an opportunity to get a contract with a land-based monster.'
As Li Xiuman pondered this, he raised his wand.
“Tier 3, Fire Spirit's Blessing!”
“Tier 3, Earth Spirit's Blessing!”
“Tier 3, Water Spirit's Blessing!”
“Tier 3, Wind's Favor!”
Having rapidly stacked all his buffs, Li Xiuman pointed his wand directly at Murphy.
Three layers of fiery red magic circles expanded.
Scorching flames crackled and burned violently, like crimson fire threatening to incinerate all creation.
Murphy's eyelids twitched.
“Forgive me, my lord.”
Golden light erupted across Murphy's entire body.
“Body Strengthening!”
“Super Body Strengthening!”
“Skin Hardening!”
“Super Muscle Hardening!”
Murphy threw punches while continuously unleashing skill after skill.
His skin transformed into a bronze hue, as tough as solid steel.
Sacrificing all defense for pure offense, Number Zero gradually buckled under the pressure, falling back step by step.
Seizing the opportunity, Murphy charged in Li Xiuman's direction—that spell had to be interrupted.
As Murphy rushed forward, he saw Li Xiuman extend his free hand, aiming right at him.
Immediately after, two giant wolf golems leaped out from the void, opening their blood-red maws as they charged at him with deafening roars.
“Summon, Crimson Fire Dragon!”
Slashing down with Crystal Orchid, a red dragon condensed from pure flames materialized with a roar.
Number Zero charged back into the fray, swinging the Holy Sword once more.
Already a golem to begin with, her defense had reached absurd heights after acquiring the Sword of Heroic Resolve.
Half of all incoming damage could be transferred to the Holy Sword.
Coupled with the protection of the Hero's Armor, she was practically a walking block of magic alloy.
The brief time bought by their stalling allowed Li Xiuman to complete his spell charge.
He lowered his wand.
The three brilliant layers of fiery red magic circles at the wand's tip merged into one. A massive flame spear burst with continuous explosive pops, scorching and warping the surrounding air.
“Immovable Fortress!”
Realizing the danger, Murphy shifted to defense, a golden semicircular barrier enveloping his body.
Looking at the glowing red magic runes on that spell circle, there was no doubt—this was Tier 4 magic!
Immovable Fortress wasn't enough!
“Guardian Armor!”
“Earth's Protection!”
Unleashing two more skills in rapid succession, a set of golden armor materialized on his body, and his feet seemed to anchor directly into the earth.
Flames wrapped around Li Xiuman's body in an imposing display of sheer power.
“Lesser Flame Spear of Judgment!”
Boom!!
The flame spear howled as it shot straight toward Murphy.
Watching the flame spear reach near his face in the blink of an eye, Murphy braced his shield and poured everything into defense.
The outermost barrier melted in an instant.
The flame spear pressed against the shield without hindrance. The surface of the shield rapidly glowed red and began to melt.
The surrounding ground quickly melted into liquid magma.
Terrifying heat blasted forward.
Li Xiuman looked at the miniature fire mushroom cloud before him, thoroughly satisfied with his masterpiece.
However, his remaining mana was completely drained as well.
The flames slowly dissipated, revealing a deep crater flowing with liquid magma.
In the very center, the shield in Murphy's hand had melted beyond recognition, and he bore several burn marks across his body.
Just burn marks?!
So this is the true defensive power of a Level 50 Heavy Warrior!
By the looks of it, his combat capability hadn't decreased by much.
But Li Xiuman couldn't cast another Lesser Flame Spear of Judgment right now.
“Has your anger cooled, my lord?”
“I was overly arrogant. If you truly wish to leave, my lord, I cannot stop you.”
“However, the Stegglin family harbors no ill intent.”
Li Xiuman held a purple potion bottle behind his back.
If Murphy continued the fight, he would need to restore his mana immediately.
As if I'd believe that.
“Please inform Duke Stegglin that, though it may sound rude, we have no desire to meet him.”
“I am leaving now. If you follow us again, I will throw another one at you.”
Li Xiuman glanced at Number Zero, and the two flew off without looking back.
Murphy looked in the direction they flew away and let out a deep sigh.
Still, it's good enough that the Sword of Heroic Resolve has found its true master.
Murphy couldn't understand it.
If she could pull the sword out, why didn't she just do that from the beginning? Why go through all the trouble of making off with the entire stone and running away?
Could there be some profound meaning behind this?
After all, pulling the sword grants a viscount title from the Duke, a small estate, and twenty thousand gold coins.
Why refuse it...?
Is it because they look down on such rewards?
...
They flew far, far away until the sun was high in the sky.
Ducking into a snow-capped mountain, he dug into a snow-covered cave, hid inside, and sealed the entrance with ice.
“Phew, close one! Looks like he couldn't keep up with my speed.”
“We struck it rich this time!”
Fortunately, Li Xiuman had run fast enough. Otherwise, a noble title, an estate, and gold coins would have caught up to corrode his noble ideals!
The moment he sat down, Number Zero obediently presented the Sword of Heroic Resolve to him.
“You were the one who pulled it out. This is your sword.”
Number Zero tilted her head slightly, seemingly understanding Li Xiuman's words.
“I have no interest in taking what belongs to you.”
“This scabbard is for you. From now on, this will be your sidearm.”
Li Xiuman pulled a silver-gray scabbard from his storage space and handed it to Number Zero.
Number Zero sheathed the Sword of Heroic Resolve into the scabbard, then started slipping the scabbard over her head.
“Wait! It doesn't go on your head!”
“Watch closely and see how to wear it.”
Li Xiuman wrapped the scabbard's strap around Number Zero's waist.
Now that the Sword of Heroic Resolve was in hand, the next step was to continue digging up the Crystal Hero's grave.
Despite taking such a massive detour, Li Xiuman had never forgotten his original intention.
However, they couldn't head back the same way they came; they had to take a roundabout route.
Otherwise, it would be terrible if they got caught.
After taking a long detour, they returned to Dawn City.
Snuck back to the White Feather Merchant Association, dug diagonally into the deep underground beneath the merchant association, and entered the tomb.
Looking at the stone sarcophagus, Number Zero stepped forward holding the Sword of Heroic Resolve and thrust it into the gap.
It fit perfectly without a gap.
Rate on N.U.
