Chapter 380: 361 is more interesting_2
Shalltear’s figure had appeared behind Reiger, her pipette lance already thrusted out, the tip less than five centimeters from Reiger’s heart.
Reiger immediately turned and drew his sword.
"Clang!"
The slash, flickering with lightning, seemed to cut through even the frozen space-time, allowing the flow of time to resume.
Of course, the flow of time resumed not because the frozen time had truly been severed by Reiger, but because time-related magic spells all share a nearly identical limitation: they cannot be used while attacking.
Reiger had launched an attack, hence "Time Stop" was lifted, allowing the flow of time to return to normal and causing the weapons of the two combatants to strike each other simultaneously.
"Splat!"
Reiger’s slash tore open Shalltear’s chest, causing a spray of blood to burst forth.
"Boom!"
Shalltear’s pipette lance also struck Reiger’s body, emitting a tremendous sound.
However, despite their mutual strikes, the outcome was entirely different.
"Arghhh...!"
Shalltear cried out in pain, her body bloodied as it flew backwards.
"Cling!"
In contrast, a radiant green light emanated from Reiger’s body, nullifying the damage caused by Shalltear’s pipette lance.
This was the effect of the tenth tier magic, "Radiant Green Body," which for a certain duration could reduce bludgeoning damage and completely negate one instance of such damage.
Although Shalltear’s pipette lance appeared to be a piercing weapon, it actually carried a bludgeoning property to its attack, which triggered the effect of "Radiant Green Body."
Under these circumstances, Reiger completely avoided damage, while Shalltear was wounded by Reiger’s slash, blood spraying as she was flung back.
"Defensive magic ineffective...!?"
Under the torment of pain, Shalltear’s face twisted.
The magic she had layered on herself earlier, whether "High Tier Elemental Defense" or "Sanctuary Protection," both contained defensive effects.
"High Tier Elemental Defense" could significantly reduce elemental damage.
"Sanctuary Protection" could increase physical defensive power.
With these two spells in effect, Reiger’s lightning-imbued slash should have been greatly weakened, then completely nullified by the legendary-class armor Shalltear was wearing.
Yet Reiger’s slash easily inflicted damage on Shalltear, and it was not insignificant.
This was naturally the skill effect of "Pioneer of the Setting Sun," which has specific capabilities against enemies of an evil nature.
Even with magical damage mitigation, Shalltear inevitably sustained injuries given the skill’s special ability.
If it weren’t for the legendary-class armor Shalltear wore forming a barrier, that last slash would have definitely disemboweled her.
"Thunder Breathing·Five Forms·Hot Realm Thunder!"
At that moment, Reiger swung his sword again, the blade crackling with lightning, releasing a high-temperature, lightning-shaped slash towards Shalltear.
"Power Sanctuary!"
Shalltear instantly used a new defensive spell, summoning a sacred protective barrier from the ground that enveloped her.
"Bang!"
The high-temperature, lightning-shaped slash hit the barrier, producing only a muffled sound, causing the barrier to tremble slightly before it was repelled.
"This move again?"
Reiger recognized this magic.
Originally, in the northern forests of E-Rantel, Shalltear had used this magic to block Reiger’s wide-ranging attacks several times.
This magic had a considerably high durability, and as long as its durability didn’t hit zero, Reiger couldn’t attack the protected Shalltear.
Of course, Shalltear couldn’t attack Reiger either.
"Power Sanctuary" was a protective spell that completely isolated the inside from the outside, preventing any attacks from either side.
Shalltear’s aim for casting this magic was simple: to buy time for recovery.
The initial spell she used, "Life Force Continuous Recovery," gradually restored her health with the passage of time, so now Shalltear was slowly pulsating with magical light, helping the wound on her chest to heal.
If it were earlier, Reiger might have tried to destroy "Power Sanctuary" by relentless attack.
But now, he would not give Shalltear that kind of time.
"Magic Disassembly."
Suddenly, Reiger extended his hand towards Shalltear and launched a new spell.
"Bang!"
The protective shield enveloping Shalltear burst into shards under a wave of Magic Power, vanishing without a trace.
"What...!?"
Shalltear’s expression changed slightly.
[Magic Dispel], as the name implies, is a magic that can nullify the opponent’s magic, rendering it ineffective.
This spell has a characteristic: if the opponent’s abilities exceed one’s own, it cannot completely nullify the opponent’s magic.
But Reiger’s magical powers had obviously surpassed Shalltear’s, and he managed to dispel her magic in an instant, leaving it ineffective.
"[Maximum Enhance·Radiant Light]."
Reiger cast another spell, causing a holy radiance to descend from the heavens and strike Shalltear.
This was a sacred magic attack, highly effective against the undead like Shalltear, capable of dealing an immense amount of damage.
In pursuit of damage, Reiger had maximized the power of this magic, raising its destructive force to the highest level.
Unfortunately, this time it was his turn to miscalculate.
"Don’t think that sacred attribute attacks can affect me!"
Shalltear burst out from the brilliance unharmed, swept her syringe lance with a mighty swing that carried the roaring wind and the sound of a sonic boom, and slammed it heavily against Reiger.
"Boom!"
Reiger was sent flying, retreating rapidly and barely managing to stop himself, avoiding crashing into the wall.
"...So that’s how it is, you’re wearing a magical artifact that reduces the damage from sacred attribute attacks?"
Reiger had a glimpse into the world beneath Shalltear’s armor, seeing the scene through his insightful vision.
Under that armor, an artifact had been activated, radiating light and providing Shalltear with defensive power against sacred attributes.
"I am undead, extremely fearful of sacred attribute attacks, so do you think I would not take any countermeasures against this?"
Shalltear, sneering coldly, raised her syringe lance.
The syringe-like part of the lance suddenly rotated, as if injecting a dose of strength into Shalltear, accelerating the healing of the wound on her chest.
This was the effect of the syringe lance; when inflicting damage on an enemy, it could absorb that portion of damage and convert it into healing for the wielder, restoring the wielder’s life force.
Under the influence of this Divine Artifact, even the damage caused by Reiger’s special attacks was ultimately healed, leaving Shalltear unscathed.
"It seems we’re back to square one," Reiger remarked, holding his sword in one hand and dusting off his clothes with the other, his eyes exceptionally bright.
Shalltear, who had been paying special attention to Reiger and observing his intelligence, noticed this phenomenon and felt a tremor in her spirit.
"He’s enjoying the battle?"
Yes.
Reiger was enjoying the fight.
Or rather, he was enjoying the battle of evenly matched opponents.
"Indeed, it is more interesting to fight against beings like you."
Reiger, sword in hand, slowly walked towards Shalltear while talking.
"I might as well ask, what is Nasalik’s aim in making a move against the religious nation and meddling with the kingdom’s dark side? What is Ainz-sama planning?"
"Or, has Nasalik finally decided to step into the limelight?"
Upon hearing this, Shalltear laughed.
Her laugh was full of pride.
"We, the rulers of the Nasalik Underground Tomb, led by the Supreme Sovereign Ainz, how could we be satisfied with the status quo?"
"Unfortunately, the thoughts of our lord are beyond the understanding of a human like you."
"The only thing you can do is submit to our Supreme Sovereign and pledge allegiance to the flag of Ainz Ooal Gown."
"That alone would be the ultimate glory for you."
With that, Reiger and Shalltear locked eyes, their gazes sparking fiercely.
The next second, both charged at each other.