Chapter 308: 308 "Dragon’s Secret Treasure" (Please subscribe! Please vote monthly!)
On the outskirts of Kain Village, at the edge of the forest.
Reiger and Gejiev had come here together and now stood facing each other as if in a standoff.
Gejiev’s subordinates had also come along, watching the two of them face off with a hint of excitement in their expressions.
"A duel between two from the Heroic Domain?"
"This is a rare sight indeed."
"Who will win?"
"Of course, our warrior leader will!"
"Not necessarily, the warrior leader is not fully armed, facing fifth-tier magic, it’s still quite dangerous."
"But at this distance, with the warrior leader’s strength, he should be able to close in on his opponent in an instant, preventing him from even using his magic, right?"
"That could be the case."
The warriors discussed animatedly among themselves, speculating about the outcome of the clash between the two men.
Their voices were a bit loud, and even Gejiev could hear them.
"Should we increase the distance a bit more?"
Glancing at the distance between the two, Gejiev suggested with a smile.
"There’s no need," Reiger shook his head and said, "I’m not a pure Magic Singer, I don’t worry about the enemy closing the distance on me."
Reiger’s words made everyone’s gaze focus on the knife at his waist.
The knife looked not like a mere decorative item, but something that would indeed be used.
"A non-pure Magic Singer can learn fifth-tier magic?" Gejiev nodded and said, "Impressive."
Focusing on a single domain naturally made it easier to achieve success. Reiger’s ability to elevate his magic domain to the Heroic Domain without specializing in magic was indeed admirable.
The individual from [Sage Rose] was likewise, not only could they use fifth-tier magic, but they were also proficient in swordsmanship. From this point of view, both individuals were truly human geniuses.
"To cross swords with a strong opponent like you is my honor."
As Gejiev spoke earnestly, as if to show he would give it his all, he raised one hand.
On that hand, he wore a ring.
A ring with a mysterious gem, shaped like a dragon’s claw.
The ring’s band was fashioned like a circling dragon claw, and the claw itself grasped the mysterious stone, giving the impression of holding a Dragon Ball.
This was the magic ring given to Gejiev by one of [Sage Rose]’s elders before retiring, the Dragon’s Secret Treasure that could enhance a warrior’s level.
It was a relic made with ancient magic before the dragon race, that once ruled the world, popularized ranked magic.
Only after receiving it did Gejiev obtain power comparable to the Heroic Domain, even without armor.
Now, Gejiev activated the power of this relic, making the gem on the ring emit flowing light.
"Whoosh!"
Having received the power of the ring, Gejiev entered the Heroic Domain and drew his sword, aiming it at Reiger.
At this moment, he no longer looked as kind as before but rather like a ferocious beast baring its fangs, with sharp eyes and an intense expression.
Seeing this, Reiger, regardless, all the warriors held their breath and stopped talking.
From the warrior leader’s expression and eyes, they could tell he was serious.
That was only natural.
His opponent was a powerhouse who had stepped into the Heroic Domain; Gejiev was not so naive as to think he could please the other party without being serious.
And not pleasing his opponent might mean that their earlier negotiations were entirely ineffective.
Therefore, Gejiev had to be serious.
"[Magic Resistance Enhancement]."
Gejiev activated a martial technique, causing a faint light to shine over his entire body.
"Is this a martial technique?"
Reiger narrowed his eyes.
Martial techniques, a unique power of the natives of this world, were considered a warrior’s magic.
This power, which even the players of ’YGGDRASIL’ could not have nor acquire, was truly a privilege of the natives of this world.
The martial technique Gejiev had just activated was indeed as its name suggested, a technique that enhanced one’s resistance to magic.
And it wasn’t over yet.
"[Physical Enhancement]."
"[Spiritual Enhancement]."
"[Potential Sensing]."
Like a Magician chanting spells, Gejiev deployed several martial techniques in quick succession, making light flash incessantly as each technique was activated.
The effects of these various techniques were aptly named, strengthening the body, fortifying the mind, and enhancing perceptive abilities, respectively.
After activating four martial techniques, Gejiev finally stopped, and with an even stronger aura, he aimed his sword at Reiger.
"Then, here I come."
Gejiev spoke in a deep voice.
"Bring it on."
Reiger did not draw his sword but instead took out the scabbard, facing Gejiev with a slight smile.
And so, Gejiev charged.
"Boom!"
With Gejiev’s stomping motion, a cloud of dust rose from the ground.
The strongest warrior of the kingdom charged in Reiger’s direction, as fast as a gust of wind.
"Clang!"
The next second, Gejiev swung down a heavy cleave at Reiger’s head, which collided with the sword scabbard Reiger had raised, sparking a crisp, clashing sound.
The gust created between the two caused the dust to rise again.
"Four Light Continuous Slash."
Suddenly, Gejiev employed a new martial technique.
It wasn’t the enhancement martial technique he’d used before, but an offensive one.
In this world, martial techniques, much like magic, were classified into attacking, defensive, enhancement, supportive, and so on—some were attack skills to be used against enemies, while others bolstered one’s own abilities, which was quite fascinating.
The Four Light Continuous Slash that Gejiev was now using was an offensive martial technique, allowing for four high-speed slashes to be delivered simultaneously.
In an instant, four bright sword lights cut through the air, like the deadly claws of a massive beast, slashing towards Reiger.
Because all four slashes were released at the same time, even if one were blocked, the other three would strike the target in an instant, making it nearly impossible to defend against.
Faced with this move, Reiger’s response was quite simple.
That was, to evade.
"Swoosh!"
Reiger’s form flickered slightly, like a leaf that had lost its weight, weaving in and out of the sudden burst of sword light, effortlessly avoiding Gejiev’s Four Light Continuous Slash.
"What...!?"
Gejiev’s pupils shrank instantly, and his movements abruptly paused.
That reaction earned him a rebuke.
"Don’t zone out!"
Reiger, who flickered through the air like a falling leaf, suddenly appeared in front of Gejiev, delivering a flash-like kick to his chest.
Only then did Gejiev come to his senses, letting out a low growl.
"Flow Acceleration!"
This was a technique that could improve nerve reaction speed, enhancing both attack speed and evasive capabilities.
As it caused mental fatigue to the brain, Gejiev tended to avoid using it under normal circumstances, but now, he judged that he absolutely couldn’t dodge the incoming kick without it.
Accompanied by flickering light over his body, Gejiev’s reaction times improved, allowing him to swiftly raise his weapon to block in front of him.
However, to Reiger, who possessed the enhancement ability ’Rapid Attack,’ which could also speed up reflexes, Gejiev’s response seemed incredibly slow.
"Boom!"
In the next instant, Reiger’s kick landed squarely on Gejiev’s abdomen, sending him flying.
"......!"
Gejiev barely had time to react until a searing pain shot through his abdomen, making him realize what had happened.
"He actually changed the trajectory of his attack just before the kick could hit the sword...!?"
Yes.
Utilizing his extraordinary reflexes, Reiger had changed the point of his attack just before his foot could hit the sword Gejiev had raised, shifting from aiming at the chest to kicking the abdomen instead.
Gejiev couldn’t keep up with Reiger’s sudden change in attack, which resulted in a direct hit.
"Swoosh!"
Then, Reiger’s form flickered again, ghostlike, catching up with Gejiev’s airborne body, and from above, he hammered his foot down toward his chest.
"Instantaneous Reflex!"
Watching Reiger catch up to him with astonishing speed and kick toward him, Gejiev shouted out loud, deploying a new martial technique.
By then, Gejiev had reached his normal state’s limit.
Physical Enhancement, Spiritual Enhancement, Magic Resistance Enhancement, Possibility Sensing, Flow Acceleration, Instantaneous Reflex—he was using six martial techniques simultaneously.
There was a cost to activating martial techniques, just like how Magic Singers would consume Magic Power to cast spells, warriors would also consume concentration—a form of mental focus—when employing martial techniques.
Therefore, using powerful martial techniques back-to-back, or stacking multiple enhancement and support techniques, would place a great burden on the mind, causing brain fatigue.
If one were to overextend beyond their concentration limits, they could even collapse and die in a short time.
Under normal conditions, Gejiev could activate up to six martial techniques simultaneously. Only with the use of Dragon’s Secret Treasure could he activate seven at once.
Now, as the sixth martial technique was utilized, Gejiev reached his normal limits; veins bulged on his forehead and arms as he quickly turned to counterattack.
Instantaneous Reflex was a technique that allowed one to forcibly return their body to the position before the attack, after losing balance from the offense. So Gejiev’s stance was now forcefully twisted back, to the state before unleashing the Four Light Continuous Slash.
Then, facing Reiger, who had leaped above him and was bringing his foot down, Gejiev unleashed his true limit, the seventh martial technique under this state.
"Six Light Continuous Slash!"
Six shining sword lights tore through the atmosphere, turning into sharp, lethal claws, slashing towards Reiger.
As the six sword lights simultaneously burst towards him, a glint flashed in Reiger’s eyes. Finally, he lifted his sheathed long sword and slashed.
"Clang—!"
Like the resonant strike of a bell, the moment the severe collision sounded, Reiger’s plain slash, like a meteor from the heavens, sent sparks flying and deflected Gejiev’s Six Light Continuous Slash in one breath.
"Boom!"
Reiger’s foot then heavily landed on Gejiev, whose pupils had shrunk to the size of pinpoints, kicking him down into the ground and burying him.