C.S.O - Chapter 8.5 [Omake]
"Do we have a chance to win?"
"Of course, but it's slim."
"Ah... I see..."
The shield of fire discs passed through their bodies at a distance of less than half a meter. Then the slash of a fiery sword flew toward both of them. Once again, they evaded by moving sideways.
Roooar!! Demon King Akaku roared loudly, shaking the ground. But it wasn't enough to stop them from advancing.
Then hundreds of fireballs attacked from all directions.
"<Fire Wall>"
Flamia activated a defensive skill, while Kuro evaded by flying in the air, or more precisely, leaping between the walls he created with the <Dark Bind> skill.
"The HP bar hasn't increased. Will it increase after we attack?"
"No. We're lucky that <Mist of Fire> won't activate for the second time. You could say it's a skill used as a last resort."
The barrage of fireballs ceased, and once again, they moved forward. But this time, Demon King Akaku didn't remain idle. Akaku moved forward to attack them.
With a large body and four strong arms, it was like seeing a big truck coming to crash into them.
Certainly, Flamia and Kuro were also prepared to withstand the attack. Or more precisely, only Flamia did.
"Can you hold him off?"
"Don't underestimate me!"
Flamia withstood Akaku's sword strike, but unfortunately, her body sank into the ground a few centimeters due to the difference in strength.
(Why is his status higher than mine?)
Besides having a lower level, it was impossible because Flamia was also equipped with items that increased her strength.
While pondering over that, Flamia was startled when Akaku held the sword with both hands.
(This is bad)
Realizing the danger, Flamia chose to retreat. After that, she created some distance between her and Akaku.
"Not good. His status is higher than mine."
Flamia then used the skill <Flame Tempest>. Akaku didn't dodge and took Flamia's attack. The result was that his HP bar didn't decrease at all.
"Tsk!"
In addition to his strength, his defense had also increased rapidly. Another reason was that Akaku had a high defense against fire attacks. It could be said that Flamia was poorly matched against Akaku.
Unfortunately, in this situation, Kuro couldn't do much. He was a user of dark magic, but his level was too low to have any significant impact.
"I still have 4 undead monsters left. Only two of them can be useful in this situation. I hope you have a good idea."
Akaku once again targeted Flamia. It seemed that he had decided that Kuro was no longer a threat after being unable to use <Vital Curse> again.
Once again, Akaku throws his fiery disc shield at Flamia. This time, Flamia doesn't evade or defend but counterattacks.
"<Dragon Flash>"
Flamia strikes the incoming shield with an offensive skill. The two attacks clash like a special effect. The winner is determined by the attack status, and in this case, Akaku emerges victorious.
Having no other choice, Flamia finally evades, but at that moment, the spear of fire is aimed at her.
"<Fire Wall>"
She tries to defend herself, but her skill is not strong enough to withstand the attack. Eventually, Flamia is pierced by the spear of fire.
At least, that's what should have happened.
"Thank you..."
Flamia manages to avoid the attack thanks to Kuro's assistance. Before the spear can hit her, Kuro pulls Flamia and carries her in the air.
Then, Kuro flies while keeping a distance from Akaku. His face appears calm, but he is currently trying to find a way to defeat Akaku.
He has a few methods, but they come with risks.
[If you're unsure, then I'll take over this matter. I only need a minute to defeat him.]
The demon within him tries to rise. But Kuro suppresses those feelings and tries to keep thinking positively. After all, he is not in a situation that makes him desperate.
[Come on, it's been a while since I came out. Let me have some fun.]
Kuro tells himself that it's not the right time.
[Tch... You're so boring.]
Just let it be. Those words are just temptations from the demon. Indeed.
"Kuro?"
"Ah... Sorry, I was lost in thought."
Flamia wraps her arms around Kuro's neck. Her face is now flushed, and for some reason, she enjoys this moment even though they are in a dangerous situation.
"It's alright. You must be thinking of a way to get out of this situation. Honestly, I feel embarrassed that I can't do much. He's too strong."
"It's rare to hear that from you. But do you have a way to defeat him with a single attack?"
"What about you?"
"I have plenty."
"Huh?"
It's a bit unusual to hear that from Kuro, who is a level 60 player, and that surprises Flamia.
"However, all those methods won't work if the circumstances are not favorable. I have a skill strong enough to finish him off, so strong that I have to seal that skill."
"Could it be a Divine Skill?"
There is only one type of skill strong enough to do something abnormal like that. Undoubtedly, Kuro possesses a Divine Skill besides.
"I don't know. It's just that it's a skill powerful enough to defeat Akaku, but..."
Flamia understands what Kuro is about to say next.
"Tell me, what should I do?"
If what Kuro says is true, then Kuro's skill becomes the only hope of winning. In this case, Flamia can only trust Kuro. If he can help, he will, but...
"I'm just curious if Akaku has a skill stronger than <magmanova>"
"Huh?"
Asking that is like committing suicide, that's what Flamia thought.
Then, without much further discussion, Flamia descends and faces Akaku again.
"I have to use all my strength to win."
Flamia switches her sword, Flame Haze, with the Scarlett Dragon Fang Sword. It is the only strongest weapon she currently possesses. Moreover, the sword has a special skill that enhances attack power.
"With this..."
Flamia advances and approaches, this time intending to slash Akaku horizontally.
Of course, Akaku defends himself by counter-attacking.
In a normal situation, Flamia would be thrown off if she receives a direct defense, but this is the moment Flamia is aiming for.
She then activates her sword's skill.
"<Blow Counter>"
Akaku's body is sent flying several meters while his HP bar decreases. Normally, this would be impossible, but Flamia's skill allows it.
Blow Counter, as the name suggests, is a skill that counterattacks using the opponent's attack. The stronger the enemy's attack, the stronger the counterattack received. However, this skill has a major weakness: it cannot counter magic skill attacks.
If the opponent is a player or monster with magic skill attacks, then Flamia's skill is useless. But her opponent is Akaku, the Demon King who uses a sword as his main weapon.
(Yes... If things continue like this, I can gradually drain Akaku's HP)
At least that's what Flamia hopes for.
Rooaaaar!!! Akaku roars loudly, accompanied by a growing aura. In addition, his status also increases.
Akaku
<Demon King Class>
Level 405
<Berserk>
(This is really bad...)
Flamia breaks into a cold sweat. She then prepares for the incoming attack.
Once again, she prepares to use the skill <Blow Counter>. And at the same time, Akaku begins to attack.
"<Blow Counter>"
Flamia's skill strikes Akaku, or rather, just before it strikes, Akaku manages to withstand it by strengthening his stance. Not only that, although the HP bar decreases as evidence of receiving the impact of the attack, Akaku still stands firm.
Akaku do a counterattack.
'<Magma Booster>'
'!?'
Red's sword released a kind of fire booster from the backside of the sword. In an instant, Flamia was sent flying.
'Kuh!?'
(I can't stop)
She tried various skills she could use to defend herself, but they all failed. Not only that, but her HP bar also decreased significantly.
Then, Flamia finally crashed hard into a wall, accompanied by another decrease in her HP bar.
"Khh..."
She tried to get up, but a negative effect hit her. She then used a skill to drink a High Potion. With that, her HP bar recovered, and the negative effect disappeared.
Unfortunately, Akaku didn't let Flamia relax.
'!?'
Before she could fully recover, Flamia was startled by the sight of Akaku, who dashed toward her with his sword drawn.
She had to dodge.
With that thought in mind, she tried to move away from her spot. She succeeded. But at that moment, a disc-shaped shield struck her body hard.
'Gah!!'
Once again, her HP bar rapidly decreased. And with an additional sword slash, Flamia probably wouldn't survive.
And then-
'Summon <Cloud Sheep>'
A magic circle appeared in front of Flamia, and a sheep-like monster with dense white fur emerged, resembling a ball.
With a *baa sound, the sheep endured Akaku's attack. The significant level difference immediately killed the <Cloud Sheep>, but the purpose of summoning the monster had been fulfilled.
Flamia was given a brief moment to recover, and she did it well.
Her HP bar was full again, as was her MP. Not only that, she was prepared with a skill.
(Kuro, thank you. I won't waste the opportunity you've given me. With this...)
'<Limit Boost>'
Flamia's status tripled.
Limit Boost is a skill that multiplies status for a few seconds. Due to its weakness, Flamia wouldn't use it unless it was crucial, like now.
And then-
'Divine Skill <Dragon Claw>'
With the addition of Limit Boost to the Divine Skill, it would become a finishing blow that would determine the end of the battle.
Flamia's attack successfully struck Akaku's body. And hiss HP bar finally depleted. Along with that, a massive explosion occurred.
"Damn!?"
However, there was no sign of Flamia being happy with the outcome of her attack. Even though she succeeded, this event was similar to when the Ouroboros guild attacked with a combined skill.
Kuro then appeared near Flamia.
"Didn't you say <Mist of Fire> could only be used once?"
Amidst the explosion, they saw red mist that bore the mark of Akaku.
"That should be the case. That's why I don't understand why this is happening."
"Well... it's okay. There's nothing we can do about this situation. We just need to beat him up once more."
"Sorry, but it seems I can't do it."
The effect of <Limit Boost> ended. Flamia's status returned to normal, or rather, even though her level remained the same, all her stats suffered a significant decrease.
"Due to the side effect of the skill, my power has decreased by more than 50 percent. Right now, I only have the strength equivalent to a level 200 Liberator."
They were in a dire situation. Very dire. There was only one person who could have an impact on Akaku, but now that person had disappeared.
"Oh... We're in trouble..."
"Yes. But why do you still look so calm?"
There was no despair in Kuro's tone. He even seemed to imply that everything would be fine.
"If you think this is just a game and you can die anytime, I'm truly disappointed in you."
"..."
"For you, for all of you, dying might be something ordinary, but for us, the Valkyrie Maidens, death is the thing we most avoid in this game. I'm sorry if you've given up, but I wo-!?"
Before saying any more, Kuro silenced Flamia with a kiss. At first, Flamia resisted, but she eventually surrendered.
"You talk too much. Besides, I didn't say I would give up just to fight this cowardly monster."
Kuro showed a smile full of joy.
At that moment, Kuro's eyes turned red with two box-like chains.
"I will help you, even if only for a short while. Making a girl cry is something I absolutely don't want to do."
Kuro then looked at Akaku, who was starting to rise. His HP bar was replenished, but only by about 7 percent.
"So that's how it is... It seems <Mist of Fire> is not a skill that can be used only once and aims to avoid death. Instead, as a trade-off for revival, this skill reduces the amount of HP recovered."
"Haha... It's truly a troublesome skill."
"K-Kuro? What's happen-"
"Sssht!?"
Kuro covered Flamia's mouth with his index finger.
"I will kiss you again if you keep talking too much. No, maybe I will do something even better than that, fufu..."
For some reason, the Kuro that Flamia knew was slightly different. His nature now resembled someone else.
"Something else? For example?"
"You are indeed too innocent. Well... Maybe I'll do it someday. But for now, let me fight this monster."
Kuro stepped forward with a katana sword in his hand.
"W-Wait!!"
Flamia wanted to stop him, but she was still affected by the serious side effects.
Finally, Akaku and Kuro faced each other. Their eyes met as if they were solely focused on the opponent in front of them.
In an instant, their swords clashed. Shockwaves along with fire surged in all directions, making it seem like they were fighting in a different dimension.
"Kuro...?"
Flamia had no choice but to be surprised. After all, Kuro was only level 60 or so, yet he could withstand Akaku's attacks. No matter how Kuro managed to do it, it was impossible.
Unless...
"Kamikiri-ryu <Waterfall>"
Kuro stomped his foot on the ground, and suddenly the ground shattered as if struck by a deadly attack.
Waterfall, by redirecting the received energy to another location, allowed Kuro to withstand stronger attacks than his own. Of course, channeling such a large amount of energy through the body was impossible for an ordinary human, but Kuro was currently using a virtual body from the game. No matter what he did with that body, Kuro would be able to use it as he pleased.
Certainly, he could also use other techniques.
"Kamikiri-ryu <Milky Way>"
After successfully blocking the attack, Kuro used the next technique. Then, Akaku's large body was suddenly flung to the side.
Milky Way is a technique that utilizes the opponent's strength to counterattack. It is similar to one of the techniques in Aikido.
After the fall, Kuro prepared for the next attack.
"Summon <Death Reaper>"
The God of Death appeared from a magic circle. A skull-faced figure with a terrifying aura now stood between Kuro and Akaku.
"That is..."
Flamia certainly knew the monster that Kuro summoned. The Death Reaper is a high-level monster that requires a special method to defeat. Magic skills and sword skills are ineffective against it, and it possesses the ability to penetrate any defense. One could say that the Death Reaper's skill is even more terrifying than Akaku's.
But due to its low level and predictable movements, the Death Reaper is not a significant threat.
"Grim-kun, it's time to fight."
With a smile, Kuro thrust his sword at Akaku.
"<Enchant of Darkness <Speed Boost>>"
The Death Reaper was engulfed in a black aura. Then, its figure suddenly disappeared. Afterward, the Death Reaper reappeared and prepared to strike Akaku from point-blank range.
Of course, Akaku didn't stay idle and protected himself with a shield, but it was futile. The Death Reaper's large scythe penetrated the shield and finally hit Akaku's body. With a special skill capable of killing enemies in a single strike, it could be guaranteed that Akaku would die.
But-
"...."
"...."
Akaku is still alive. His HP bar didn't decrease at all.
"This is truly anticlimactic," Kuro sighed. "Well... I didn't expect the Death Reaper's special skill to be ineffective."
"Ah... I forgot that the Demon King has a skill that can withstand all special monster attacks. Besides, the Demon King is the king of all monsters."
"....."
It made sense. Why did Kuro forget something so important and simple? The Demon King is not just a title.
"Not good, I have to end this as quickly as possible."
Kuro returned the Death Reaper. Then, Akaku stared at him with an angry look.
(I don't understand why they're all mad at me?)
Kuro sighed once again. He then assumed a defensive stance to withstand Akaku's attack.
With High Potions and MP Potions, Kuro's HP and MP were fully restored. But would it be enough to withstand Akaku's attack?
Meanwhile, an intense aura emanated from Akaku's entire body. It resembled a skill similar to Flamia's Limit Boost.
"Kuro, be careful!"
"..."
Kuro didn't answer and focused on the opponent preparing to attack.
Then, Demon King Akaku suddenly disappeared. A beam of light shot toward Kuro like a laser. With Kuro's lower status, his eyes wouldn't be able to see Akaku's movements.
But at this moment, Kuro could see Akaku's movements as if they were frozen in place. It wasn't due to a special skill, but that didn't mean he didn't possess it. It was just that the skill was currently useless.
So what did he use? It was simple. It was his original power.
"Fufu..."
With a smile, Kuro finally struck Akaku, who zoomed towards him like a bullet, with a skill that would determine everything.
(If this doesn't work, everything will be ruined!)
"<Dark Counter>"
Without anyone being able to see what actually happened, the loudest and most powerful explosion occurred inside the cave. Even the ground and walls trembled violently as if struck by a massive earthquake.
And after the dust settled, what could be seen as a crater over 50 meters long right in front of Kuro.
".....wha.."
For Valkyrie Maiden like Flamia, she had never witnessed a destructive power like the one demonstrated by Kuro. Especially when Kuro countered Akaku's special attack, <Meteora Bullet>. Although Flamia mentioned that Akaku had another special skill, she had no clue what actually happened.
Meanwhile, Kuro breathed a sigh of relief. A notification appeared, indicating that they had defeated Akaku and completed the mission.
But what was most important...
"Ah... Is this what they call a God Slayer?"
Kuro picked up his reward. It was a blazing red sword known as Misteltein.
Misteltein <God Slayer Class>
Level 00000
"What is this?"
Although it looked powerful, the level and strength of Misteltein made Kuro want to laugh.
"Is this the only weapon capable of killing a God?"
With a smile, Kuro threw Misteltein towards Flamia, right in front of her.
"Kuro... What does this mean? Isn't this yours?"
Although they won, there was no happiness emanating from Flamia. At the moment, she was more concerned about Kuro's condition. After all, she couldn't see Kuro's remaining HP at all.
"Take it... I don't need it."
"Huh?"
"Are you refusing it?"
"No, not really. Why are you giving it to me? The God Slayer weapon is the dream of all Liberators. How could I accept such a huge gift without any clear reason?"
Even so, Kuro just smiled.
"There's no special reason. I just want you to have it. In return, if you encounter the Demon God, don't hesitate to kill it with that sword. Can you promise me that?"
At first, Flamia was taken aback, but she finally understood Kuro's wish.
"Of course. I promise."
At that moment, Flamia felt a pain in her chest. Even though it was painful, it wasn't a sad pain but rather a happiness.
"Well then, I'll go now. I'm glad I could fight with you."
The HP bar finally disappeared completely, and Kuro died.
Biography
<Dark Counter> (Divine Skill)
[A skill that reflects any type of attack up to 6 times its original power. As a trade-off for its immense strength, Liber must have full HP and MP to use it. After being used, HP and MP will be depleted by 99.9%, and if Liber doesn't drink a Potion within one minute, they will die.]
This is Kuro's strongest skill and can be considered a double-edged skill. He used this skill for the third time while playing CSO to defeat Akaku.
There is only one person who knows this secret.
Tftc
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