Chapter 70


    The Bloodened surged towards Ian.


    An overwhelming speed that was difficult to follow with the naked eye.


    Ian instinctively transformed the Lunar into a shield form, just enough to withstand the onught.


    Aaaargh!


    Barely defended against the Bloodeneds attack.


    But the part of Lunar touched by his sword turned ck. Infused with the energy of the moon, the Lunar that came into contact with the sword disintegrated.


    Ho. Fascinating mineral.


    On the other hand, the Bloodeneds sword was the same.


    ck blood flowed from the veins on the sword, staining half of it ck.


    My intuition was not wrong. This is fun.


    The Bloodened shed his opposite wrist with his own sword.


    Squelch. Squelch.


    The bloodsword, saturated with blood, regained its original color.


    Is this a monster?


    Ian sighed inwardly.


    Not human, and the sword itself regenerates. The Bloodstone Cultists are not only insane but also their weapons seem to be the same.


    The bloodsword, starting to merge with the Bloodeneds arm as it greedily consumes blood.


    Thick veins protruding from the bloodsword were connected to his arm.


    Haah This is it. This feeling.


    The Bloodened seemed satisfied. No, he was downright excited. Without any intention of swallowing the saliva dripping from his mouth, he chuckled and stomped on the ground.


    Another strong blow.


    Ugh!


    A rough groan erupted from Ians mouth.


    Despite blocking with reinforced wrists, his whole body tingled. Blood dripped down his arm and fell to the ground.


    Interesting. An alchemist, perhaps? Your fighting style is quite amusing.


    The Bloodened genuinely praised.


    Most magicians or knights use standardized magic. Those who can handle the fire element focus on aggressive magic. Water element users mainly support, and so on. Predictable magic at predictable times. After dozens of fights, it bes boring.


    But this guy was entertaining. Almost to the point where he wanted to y more.


    Ian, hearing those words, felt a bitplicated.


    Is that praise?


    To be the target of the first praise in a real battle from a crazy Bloodstone Cult fanatic obsessed with blood. He decided to take it as high praise.


    Of course, there was no time for idle thoughts.


    Such praisees when the Bloodened thought he had the upper hand. Conversely, it meant he was being careless.


    Nows the chance.


    So discreetly, Ian signaled Danya by tapping his index finger against the Lunar.


    Ping!


    Grass attribute arrows flew from behind towards the Bloodened.


    Amusing.


    The Bloodened casually blocked the arrows with his sword.


    But it didnt end there.


    Entangle.


    Danya quickly repeated the spell.


    Countless arrows surrounded her.


    Since she drank the elixir Ian gave her, Danyas magical power had significantly increased.


    Not only that. The biggest weakness of beastmen is their excessive sensitivity, sensing even unnecessary elements, creating noise.


    Ian, using <Extraction> and <Absorption> asionally, helped her growth, turning that weakness into Danyas strength.


    Rapidly increasing the number of grass attribute arrows.


    Its something that can only be done if your elemental sensitivity and control ability are at a considerable level.


    !


    The Bloodened observed Danyas magic with interest.


    Of course, the Bloodened, a fool who just watched while the opponent casted attack magic, was not rmed. He was confident that he could block it anytime.


    A student, and a beastperson, disying such high-level magic? Even as a student of the Lichten Academy, it was impressive. It might only be possible for those who have absorbed the lives of dozens of other beings in the Bloodstone Cult.


    Interesting. Not as much as the alchemist, but youre amusing. Try shooting.


    Swoosh!


    Shoosh! Shoosh!


    Arrows tightly bound around Danya shot straight towards the Bloodened.


    The arrows speed and trajectory changed with each movement of Danyas tail and ears.


    The scene of arrows filling the space was spectacr.


    Kaaang!


    Of course, the Bloodenedughed and blocked the arrows.


    Phew!


    A discreetly turned arrow embedded itself in his back, but he paid it no mind.


    It was nothing more than a minor injury.


    Now now


    The moment the Bloodened raised the corner of his mouth and opened it.


    !!!


    Suddenly, Ian was right in front of him.


    Did he approach hidden behind the arrows?


    This was the moment when the sense of control of the Bloodened who had been controlling everything in this space until then was broken for the first time.


    You tried, but thats all.


    Surrounded by metal from the waist up, Ians fist punched through.


    To the Bloodened, Ians movements seemed infinitely slow, like a slow-motion video. It was the difference in skill and experience.


    It was obvious to him that Ians lower body was extremely weak.


    Indeed,cking in experience. The foundation is in the lower body.


    The Bloodeneds sword aimed heavily at Ians ankle.


    Originally, I would have cut it. Be grateful to Lord Seven.


    Whooosh!


    Huh?


    The Bloodened was bewildered.


    The sensation of the opponents ankle that should have been felt was not there.


    Most surprising was that he missed the opponents movement.


    Even though the speed was supposed to be inadequate?


    What?


    A moment of brief astonishment.


    Whoosh!


    The Bloodened looked down at his chest.


    A thin rapier pierced through his heart.


    Following that slender de, the head of a floating ck-haired boy came into view.


    A smirk on the boys lips.


    Only then did the Bloodend realize the situation.


    You targeted mycency.


    I suppose you could see it that way.


    You werent fast. You just moved behind the arrows.


    Exactly.


    Thest thing I missed was because I never heard or saw that movement ability of yours. What ability is that?


    Well, I havent decided on a name yet.


    Interesting. You wlessly exploited the gaps in experience umted through countless real battles. It feels like my perception of the space Ive built up is crumbling. Such a sudden vertical movement without any warning.


    The Bloodened chuckled.


    It was aughter of someone who was fatally stabbed but had a leisurely demeanor.


    But Is this your strike imbued with your soul? Its, I hate to say it, a bit ticklish. Like a mosquito bite. It seems youck an understanding of the Bloodstone Cultists. We dont die so easily. To think this is your final strike. Disappointing.


    Ian also smiled while facing him.


    Who said it was the final strike?


    Blessing, Dishwashing.


    Ian had realized one characteristic of his blessing while using it. That is, no matter how keen the opponents sensitivity was, they couldnt feel the power of the Blessing.


    Even the banter exchanged with the Bloodened was merely a means to gather enough power for purification.


    Youre too caught up in your high and mighty illusion. Because everything youve built up has been too easy for me. Just absorbing the vitality and abilities of the opponent made you stronger.


    Huh?


    He deliberately spat out words of contempt. As the Bloodened paused to interpret the meaning of those words.


    Ian channeled his power through the rapier pierced into the Bloodeneds heart. This was the sword that also received Sharons Frost Mana. The Blessing could easily flow into the body of the Bloodened.


    The Bloodeneds pupils dted in an instant as he tried to retreat.


    But it was already toote.


    Kuaaaaah!


    The Bloodened radiated intense light.


    Bent over, his body twisted.


    Kuaaack. Kuaaeargh. You, youuoomph!


    The Bloodened attempted to swing his sword, but


    Plink.


    The Bloodeneds sword couldnt reach Ian and fell to the ground.


    Crimson hair, red irises, even the entire skin.


    Everything rapidly turned ck.


    Originally, he wouldnt have been affected.


    It was because the essence of the human body contains only its own vitality.


    No. No. If only a bit more time I could have reached


    The Bloodened, whose jaw, down to the bones, turned ck, vanished.


    Hoo.


    Ian wiped the sweat off his forehead.


    The arm that got injured while blocking the Bloodeneds strike earlier throbbed with pain. But there was no time for healing.


    Wow. Quite an interesting mad dog you were. Pfft.


    Yurran Alteach, with glimmering yellow eyes, looked at Ian andughed.


    Even now, he was sinking his teeth into the pure white neck of Princess Asteria, sucking her blood.


    Hmm. Do you know this? Maybe its because of the noble blood, but its pungent and delicious. Extraordinary vitality, too. This princess, her abilities were not ordinary. Oh. If I consume all of this


    Yurrans eyes glimmered like a crescent moon.


    Ranked Thirteenth in the cult, huh? Well, how many times will you have to receive it? Did I mention my dream? I want to try being the leader of the Bloodstone Cult. Hahaheehee.


    The Bloodstone Cult Thirteen.


    The position and number granted to the thirteen strongest members of the Bloodstone Cult.


    Those with that number had the right to inherit the position of the leader.


    In other words, Yurran was convinced.


    He believed that the value of Princess Asterias vitality was so immense.


    Ian approached Yurran without uttering a word.


    It took about ten strides, but a semi-transparent barrier blocked his path.


    Will it work? Do I look stupid like that bloodhound? Kuhahahee! You cant break through that. Its a barrier, magical and physical protection, you b*stard!


    Yurran boasted proudly.


    Watch from there how I digest this person! Once its over, Ill be cute for you.


    Yurrans confidence was overflowing.


    And rightfully so.


    Yurrans Anti-Principle Force Field.


    Thats because it was a skill that was notorious for being an unbeatable strategy even in Fanta X Aca.


    Ian swung his reinforced fist.


    Whooooosh!


    It bounced right off.


    Both magical and physical principles. In the face of this protective shield, they were useless.


    Ugh. Its sweet.


    Yurran, overwhelming the yer by unfolding an impregnable barrier and gobbling up the yers character with a gulp.


    He was the trauma of all yers in Fanta X Aca.


    Are you angry? But what else can you do? What can you do outside of my field? What can you do? Hahaha.


    Until Ian, a veteran yer, had found a way to break through that barrier.


    Ian stood still in front of the barrier.


    An expressionless face.


    Yurran felt an inexplicable sense of eeriness.


    What are you trying to do?


    Ian swung the bouquet he had brought, hitting Yurrans protective barrier. Soil and flower petals clung to the translucent shield.


    Hahaha! Are you insane? I thought you prepared something, but flowers, a bouquet, hahahah!


    Yurrans eyes, tense a moment ago, filled withughter.


    Facing Yurran, Ian smiled with a grin.


    Youre screwed, you b*stard.


    An arrow shot by Danya flew and pierced the barrier.


    A green sh covered the surroundings. [sc name=ac ][/sc]